The Four Stages of Jihad

AnsweringMuslims.com is a website that examines the documentary evidence found in the Koran and other Islamic writings.  One video was particularly informative.  Citing the Koran extensively, there are several stages of jihad.  Interestingly, they coincide very much with Mohammed's life and can also be seen throughout the world today.

 

Stage 1: Stealth Jihad.  This describes Muslims who are in an area completely dominated by peoples of other faiths.  Open jihad would result in total defeat and is thus counterproductive.  In this stage, the Muslim must present themselves as friendly and deserving of respect.  State a willingness to live and let live and explain how Islam is a religion of peace.  This is the stage where many American-based Muslims find themselves.  This stage correlates to Mohammed's time in Mecca, when he began preaching.

 

Stage 2: Defensive Jihad.  Once the Muslim community is sufficiently protected, the level of intolerance for critics of Islam rises.  Speaking ill of Islam can provoke assassinations and terrorism.  Many places in Africa, Asia, and even Europe are at this stage.  This stage correlates to Mohammed's time in Medina when he practiced banditry against Meccan caravans and killed or expelled critics of himself or Islam.

 

Stage 3: Offensive Jihad.  The Muslim community is now the majority.  Non-Muslims must convert, pay a tax to practice their religion, or be slaughtered.  No churches or synagogues may be constructed within Muslim-controlled territory.  Conquest is desirable, if possible.  Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Islamic State are at this stage.  This correlates with Mohammed's conquest of Mecca and then the rest of Arabia.

 

Stage 0: Clueless about Jihad.  These Muslims are mostly cultural Muslims who have not read the Koran and are thus largely unaware of what it commands.  These people are similar to many Americans, who are culturally Christian - this includes the new pagans and atheists - but not actively attending church and only have a vague notion of what's in the Bible.  There is also a large chunk of the American Jewish community that is culturally and ethnically Jewish rather than religiously Jewish.

 

There is an obvious bias but David Wood has clearly read the source material.  He makes an excellent argument and the stages fit nicely with the world as we find it.  Moreover, it fits with my knowledge of history and follows closely with Mohammed's life.  The three stages of Jihad are practically a biography of Mohammed.  The video is just under half an hour but most enlightening.