Where do Muslim extremists get their textual justifications?
Some of the Qur’anic verses which lay out the purpose and nature of war include the following: To stop oppression: “To those against whom war is made, permission is given to fight, because they are oppressed. Verily, God is Capable of aiding them. They are those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of what is just, for no other reason than that they say, “Our Lord is God.” Had God not restrained one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, temples and mosques wherein God’s name if oft-mentioned would have been destroyed. God will certainly aid those who aid His cause. (Qur’an, Chapter 22:39-40). Notice the mention of all houses of worship. In self-defense: “Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits by aggressing; surely God does not love transgressors.” (Qur’an, Chapter 2:190.) Notice that permission is given to fight in self-defense, but not to transgress. Peace is a desired state: “If they incline t
