Final answer:
Islamic terrorists, including groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS, justify their violent actions as a necessary defense of Islam, often invoking a 'just cause' argument and framing their activities within the narratives of historical religious wars and cosmic battles between good and evil.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Islamic Terrorists Justify Their Violent Actions
Islamic terrorists justify their violent actions by framing their operations within a narrative of a just cause. They are often motivated by a combination of factors including nationalism, ideology, and religion. Groups like al-Qaeda, the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL), and Boko Haram aim to impose their interpretation of Islam on society and politics, often claiming that Islam is under attack and thus legitimizing their cause in the eyes of their followers. In particular, ISIS claims to have authority over all Muslims and seeks to create instability through violent attacks, believing they are necessary to defend Islam and achieve their political and religious goals.
The rhetoric of holy war inflamed historical notions of struggle between Islam and the West, and the belief in a cosmic battle between good and evil, have added to their justification narratives. This perspective positions their cause as a continuation of a historical and religious struggle that requires absolute victory. The misuse of Islamic teachings about justice, which emphasize altruism and community wellbeing, is also cited, sometimes contrasting Western individualism as a lesser moral framework.