>From Islam.com One of the requirements by the way is to help the poor and
oppressed and punish the oppressors. There is not much in here that is
counter to the view that people act on the basis of expected utility. The
difference is in what satisifies believers in the Jihad's utility functions.
Allah seems a great book-keeper. There is not much mysticism in this but
lots of commercial imagery and in heaven a sort of mirror image of what one
is to sacrifice in the here and now.
Cheers, Ken Hanly
There are numerous similar verses in the Koran and equally frequent is the
glorification of jihad and those who participate in it, [for instance] in
Surat the Ranks (al-saff):
"O believers, shall I direct you to a commerce that shall deliver you from a
painful chastisement? You shall believe in God and His Messenger, and
struggle in the way of God with your possessions and your selves. That is
better for you, did you but know. He will forgive you your sins and admit
you into gardens underneath which rivers flow, and to dwelling places goodly
in Gardens of Eden; that is the mighty triumph; and other things you love,
help from God an a nigh victory. Give thou good tidings to the believers."
[K., 61:10-13]
And [elsewhere] He has said:
"Do you reckon the giving of water to pilgrims and the inhabiting of the
Holy Mosque as the same as one who believes in God and the Last Day and
struggles in the way of God? Not equal are they in God's sight; and God
guides not the people of the evildoers. Those who believe, and have
emigrated, and have struggled in the way of God with their possessions and
their selves are mightier in rank with God; and those - they are the
triumphant; their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and good
pleasure; for them await gardens wherein is lasting bliss, therein to dwell
forever and ever; surely with God is a mighty wage." [K., 9:19-21]
And:
"O believers, whosoever of you turns from his religion, God will assuredly
bring a people He loves, and who love Him, humble towards the believers,
disdainful towards the unbelievers, men who struggle in the path of God, not
fearing the reproach of any reproacher. That is God's bounty; He gives it
unto whom He will." [K., 5:54]
And He has said:
"That is because they are smitten neither by thirst, nor fatigue, nor
emptiness in the way of God, neither tread they any tread enraging the
unbelievers, nor gain any gain from any enemy, but a righteous deed is
thereby written to their account; God leaves not to waste the wage of the
good-doers. Nor do they expend any sum, small or great, nor do they traverse
any valley, but it is written to their account, that God may recompense them
the best of what they were doing." [K., 9:120-121]
