M.A. Thesis:

A study on the jurisprudence Istishhad comparison with suicide bombings excommunication groups

In recent years, Istishhad has been described as a type of defensive tool that Islamic jihadi movements have employed against invading enemies and occupiers. The majority of Shia jurisprudents have legitimized this type of operation which is considered as a holy war undertaken by Muslims as an example of endless war defense against invaders. The reason thus given from high Muslim jurisprudents is based on the absolute authority of Quran and all these collections of hadith about Jihad ethics and the priority of Defense over preferring oneself. Acts of istishhad are governed by Islamic legal rules when the community is endangered or Muslims are subjected to oppression and there is no chance to defeat the enemy with basic self-defense strategies and equipment. Jihad command is issued after the final vote of assembly of experts. However, Supreme religious leader is the only one who is responsible for the planning and execution of all Istishhad operations. Violence and terror are phenomenon that has spread to nearly all parts of the world in the last part of the twentieth century. Although, the istishhad is gradually accepted in Islamic literature only as an action of defenses, there has been a severe impact of violent Medias such that it's a suicide terror and a threat to all human communities. In contrast to the view held by the ones against martyrdom operations, this operation is clearly different from suicide and terror. We may identify easily a good part of the differences from variety of aspects including the intent and motivation, purpose and goal and the effects and outcomes. Martyrdom operations, arising from obligation to jihad, is on the verge of achieving God's divine plan , not to mention that the martyrdom operations is not permitted against civilians and innocent people.

Keywords: : jihad, Martyrdom operations, suicide operations, Takfiri