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In a recent article, top Taliban commander Azmatullah Mehsud argued that Muslims are in constant struggle against all ways of living and faiths – other than Islam. Citing numerous Koranic verses, the Taliban commander said that the distinction between a Muslim and an infidel is based on belief and principles, not on other factors such as language, race, or nationalism.
Azmatullah Mehsud, who is a top commander of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and a likely successor to TTP Emir Hakimullah Mehsud, said: "It is evident that the distinction between a Muslim and an infidel is only on the basis of belief and principles. Therefore, the solution to all the problems lies only in the hands of Allah and in the ways shown by His messenger Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), i.e. in Islam."
Arguing that Muslims are in constant struggle against non-Muslims, he cited verse 17 of the Chapter Zumar of the Koran as saying that "those who save themselves from these [non-Muslim] evil systems and worship only Allah, then good tidings are only for these people."
The article, titled "The Problems Faced by Muslim Ummah and Their Solution," was published in the Urdu-language jihadist monthly magazine Nawa-i-Afghan Jihad, or Voice of the Afghan Jihad.
