Islam Quote by Walid Shoebat
““What the West does not understand about Islamism is that Jihad is very systematic. It has stages. If Muslims have the upper hand, then Jihad is waged by force. If Muslims do not have the upper hand, then Jihad is waged through financial and political means. Since Muslims do not have the upper hand in America or Europe, they talk about peace in front of you while supporting Hamas and Hezbollah in the back room. The whole idea of Islam being a peaceful religion emanates from that silent stage of Jihad. Sheikh Qaradawi has taught Muslims this form of trickery at conferences in the U.S., I have it on video. At one conference, Qaradawi used the example of Salahu-Deen Al-Ayubi (Saladin). Saladin was asked to concede to peace with the verse from the Qur’an 8:61, “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it and trust in Allah.” However, from Qur’an 47:35, he replied, “And be not slack so as to cry for peace and you have the upper hand.”93””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public lecture, United States, 2015
The quote argues that Jihad operates in stages, shifting from armed conflict when Muslims hold power to financial and political tactics when they do not, suggesting a deceptive peace narrative in the West.
In simple terms: Jihad changes tactics based on power, using force or politics.
Recognize hidden agendas behind proclaimed peace.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- media literacy
- counter‑terrorism training
- interfaith dialogue
- academic research
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do power imbalances shape political rhetoric?
- What evidence supports claims of systematic Jihad stages?
It oversimplifies complex geopolitical realities and conflates diverse Muslim perspectives.