This book is distributed by Rowman & Littlefield, and must be purchased at their site www.rowmanlittlefield.com or by calling National Book Network, 1-800-462-6420.

Since September 11, 2001, much has been written about "Islamist terrorism," arguing that it has "hijacked Islam" in the service of social, political and economic grievances. Such accounts cannot explain, however, why people with similar or more serious grievances have not developed such devastating religious terrorist ideologies. Moreover, many of the terrorists themselves attest to their own religious motivation and the belief that they have acted in accordance with the precepts of Islam.

Warrant for Terror examines fatwas—legal opinions as to whether a given act under Islam is obligatory, permitted, or forbidden—as instruments by which religious leaders impel their believers to engage in terrorism. Fatwas come from all over the Muslim world, with many terrorists testifying that fatwas motivated them to act. Indeed, according to this book, Islamic law plays a central role in terrorists' determining to undertake jihad. The author examines fatwas' religious, legal, and moral logic and the depth of their influence, in addition to, the justification for declaring jihad; the territory in which jihad should be fought; whether women and children may participate; the legality of killing women, children, and other noncombatants; the justification for killing hostages and mutilating their bodies; and the permissibility of diverse tactics and weapons, including suicide attacks and even nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. In the conclusion, the author raises a number of provocative questions about what the West's policy should be in the face of the threat of Islamic extremism.