The NYT on the Rules of Jihad

Michael Moss and Souad Mekhennet report in today's New York Times:

This jihad etiquette is not written down, and for good reason. It varies as much in interpretation and practice as extremist groups vary in their goals. But the rules have some general themes that underlie actions ranging from the recent rash of suicide bombings in Algeria and Somalia, to the surge in beheadings and bombings by separatist Muslims in Thailand.

Actually, there are many treatises on this very subject, and written by jihadists. But I suppose what the Times reporters was alluding to here, is that there is no "definitive" set of such rules. That is, there is no set that every jihadist agrees on.

Anyway, here are the rules that the Times came up with after interviewing a variety of "militants and their leaders, Islamic clerics and scholars in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and England, along with government intelligence officials in the Middle East, Europe and the United States."

From the Times reports:

Rule No. 1: You can kill bystanders without feeling a lot of guilt. . .

In the typical car bombing, some Islamists say, God will identify those who deserve to die — for example, anyone helping the enemy — and send them to hell. The other victims will go to paradise. “The innocent who is hurt, he won’t suffer,” Dr. Massari says. “He becomes a martyr himself.”. . .

Rule No. 2: You can kill children, too, without needing to feel distress. . . .

[M]ilitant Islamists including extremists in Jordan who embrace Al Qaeda’s ideology teach recruits that children receive special consideration in death. They are not held accountable for any sins until puberty, and if they are killed in a jihad operation they will go straight to heaven. There, they will instantly age to their late 20s, and enjoy the same access to virgins and other benefits as martyrs receive. . .

Rule No. 3: Sometimes, you can single out civilians for killing; bankers are an example.

As are government officials, according to Shakir al-Abssi, whose Qaeda-minded group, Fatah Al Islam, has been fighting Lebanese soldiers since May 20. “Any person that comes to our region with a military, security or political aim, then he is a legitimate target,” he is reportedly on record saying.

Banks are legitimate targets because, as one British Muslim currently on trial in London is reported as saying: “They charge interest, and this is in violation of Islamic law.”

Rule No. 4: You cannot kill in the country where you reside unless you were born there.

Militants living in a country that respects the rights of Muslims have something like a peace contract with the country, says Omar Bakri, a radical sheik who moved from London to Lebanon two years ago under pressure from British authorities.

The Times neglected to mention some of Bakri's other statements. For example:

In January 2005, while he was still living in London, he reiterated this sentiment according to a London Times report. In an Internet chat, he reportedly told his followers that "the whole of Britain has become Dar al-Harb (land of war). The kuffar (non-believer) has no sanctity for their own life or property." You can check out other similar such statements he is alleged to have made here.

But in any case, getting back to the jihad rules, the Times continues:

Rule No. 5: You can lie or hide your religion if you do this for jihad. . .

Rule No. 6. You may need to ask your parents for their consent.

However, regarding this last, as the Times duly notes:

The parental rule is currently waived inside Iraq, where Islamists say it is every Muslim’s duty to fight the Americans, Dr. Massari says. It is optional for residents of nearby countries, like Jordan.