US will only talk to taliban who renounce al Qaeda

McClatchy

MUNICH, Germany — U.S. and NATO officials sought to clarify their approach to the Afghan war this weekend in the wake of a new strategy to engage the Taliban.

At a security conference in Munich, officials said the U.S. hasn't made "any direct contact" with the Taliban, and that any Taliban forces that "want to reconcile" must "sever ties with al Qaida." While the Obama administration is drafting a timeline for the withdrawal of some U.S. troops from Afghanistan beginning next year, its targets are conditional on "success," the officials said.

NATO officials should be careful if they want to talk to the taliban, through direct or indirect talks. Under certain conditions the quran allows muslims to lie, for example when it would benefit the ummah or further the cause of islam. Be wary of taliban who claim that they have served ties to al Qaeda.

To make another point, al Qaeda didn't design the jihadi ideology but muhammed the founder of islam did. If NATO wants to find real repentant taliban then they must look for taliban who have renounced jihad.

Below are three verses from the quran that allow muslims to lie.

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YUSUFALI: Any one who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters Unbelief,- except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.

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YUSUFALI: Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts; and He is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing.

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PICKTHAL: Allah will not take you to task for that which is unintentional in your oaths, but He will take you to task for the oaths which ye swear in earnest. The expiation thereof is the feeding of ten of the needy with the average of that wherewith ye feed your own folk, or the clothing of them, or the liberation of a slave, and for him who findeth not (the wherewithal to do so) then a three days' fast. This is the expiation of your oaths when ye have sworn; and keep your oaths. Thus Allah expoundeth unto you His revelations in order that ye may give thanks.