“Why We Hate You & Why We Fight You" | ISIS

I have written before about Sam Harris analysing Islamic terrorism, making the correct point that it’s in the doctrines of Islam: the Koran, the Hadith and the Sirah. That grievances such as the Palestinian question play a part, but that even without a single grievance against America or the West, Islam would still attack the West. (Links at bottom).

I’m posting today because influential bloggers like Joe Rogan and Glenn Greenwald claim the problems we have with Islam are because of American “meddling”. If you accept that, then it is not a long step to “it’s all America’s fault” and then to the likes of a Hasan Piker and “America deserved 911”.

America may well be meddler-in-chief. But had it never meddled at all, Islam would still have attacked. 

Look at the Muslim pirates on the Barbary coast in the 18th century attacking vessels of the newly-created United States. When Thomas Jefferson asked “why”, the Muslims answered “because Allah and our messenger Muhammad tell us we must”. “We must attack you until you convert to Islam”. This is well-documented and undisputed.

If America ceased all “meddling” right now, Islam would still attack. Very likely with even more determination, given what it would perceive to be weakness.

In short: Whatever the grievances or lack of grievances, Islam would attack us anyway. Attack aim at one of three outcomes:

1. Convert to Islam
2. Pay the non-Muslim dhimmi tax, the Jizya.
3. Death to the infidel who refused either of these options 

This has been made clear by Islamic scholars throughout the ages. It was made crystal clear by ISIS in its magazine Dabiq, and especially in its essay “Why We Hate You & Why We Fight You" which is what Sam referenced in one of his podcasts (see bottom).

That podcast is now behind a paywall, so below is Google’s summary. President George W. Bush was correct when he said, straight after 911, “they hate us for our Freedoms”. They do:

In July 2016, the Islamic State published an article titled "Why We Hate You & Why We Fight You" in the 15th issue of its English-language propaganda magazine, Dabiq. [1, 2]

The piece outlines six primary justifications for the group's hostility toward the West, explicitly arguing that ideological and religious factors—rather than Western foreign policy or military interventions—are the core drivers: [1, 2]http://thebattleoftours.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-bright-line-between-good-and-evil.html

• Disbelief (Kuffar): Hatred stems fundamentally from the West's rejection of the oneness of Allah (Tawhid) and the denial of the prophethood of Muhammad. [1, 2]
• Secularism and Liberalism: Rejection of societies where man-made laws, secular governance, and personal freedoms permit things that Islamic State doctrine deems prohibited by God. [1, 2]
• Atheism: Opposition to atheistic and agnostic worldviews. [1]
• Transgressions Against Islam: Accusations that Western societies mock, insult, or defame Islam, the Quran, and the Prophet. [1, 2]
• Military Operations: Attacks and airstrikes carried out by the U.S.-led coalition and its allies against Islamic State territories. [1, 2]
• Territorial Incursions: The physical occupation and presence of Western or non-Muslim forces in lands perceived as belonging to Muslims. [1, 2]

The Core Argument

The article stresses that political or military grievances (such as ending airstrikes or withdrawing troops) are secondary. It asserts that animosity and conflict would persist strictly over theological differences “until you embrace Islam” or submit to its authority. [1, 2, 3]

You can read more about the group's media strategy and propaganda context via the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism or examine the structural breakdown of the text through academic analyses hosted on DiVA-portal. [1, 2]

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My Sam Harris references:

• ”What do Jihadists Really Want?”, Sam Harris. August 2016.
• “The Bright Line Between Good and Evil”, Sam Harris, November 2023