Muhammed 'Abd-al-Salam Faraj, one of the assassins of Anwar Sadat, wrote a booklet called "The Neglected Duty" which has had profound influence on Islamic terrorism since the early 1980s. The "neglected" duty is jihad, Faraj says -- jihad is demanded by the Qur'an but most Muslims just go about their day going to work and raising their kids.
Faraj goes on to "explain" how jihad is not merely the inner struggle against worldly temptation, but must be also understood as the killing of infidels and moderate Muslims. Muslims who neglect jihad, he says, are no better than infidels. He justifies all sorts of actions against anybody in his way. Faraj's reasoning is completely twisted, but the booklet has been published and republished throughout the Muslim world.
One scholar, Johannes Jansen, published an English translation and commentary in 1986, but Macmillan stupidly has let it go out of print and has not republished it to this day. If your library has a copy, definitely read it. If you have any pull with Macmillan, ask them to get it in the bookstores again.
"Faraj's reasoning is completely twisted, but the booklet has been published and republished throughout the Muslim world."
Yes, I understand what you're saying. That's why I mentioned Turkey and what Ataturk initiated there in my post # 101. In secular West the concept of Islamic extremism or fundamentalism is a relatively new phenomenon. Turkey experienced and recognised that long ago, that is why they have been monitoring it very closely for years now.
“One scholar, Johannes Jansen, published an English translation and commentary in 1986, but Macmillan stupidly has let it go out of print…”
I’ll contact Macmillan and see what can be done to get it republished.
Thanks.