“When you're left wounded on
Afganistan's plains and
the women come out to cut up what remains,
Just roll to your rifle
and blow out your brains,
And go to your God like a soldier”
“We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”
“It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.”
“Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.
“The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace,
for he must suffer and be the deepest wounds and scars of war.”
“May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't .”
“The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.
“Nobody ever defended anything successfully, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
“Fixed fortifications are a monument to the stupidity of man."
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died.
Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
The Soldier stood and faced God
Which must always come to pass
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as bright as his brass
"Step forward you Soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't
Because those of us who carry guns
Can't always be a saint."
I've had to work on Sundays
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
The Soldier squared his shoulders and said
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod
As the Soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, you Soldier,
You've borne your burden well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
This is an exegesis by Safi Kaskas about a similar-sounding verse
Some ignorant people, Muslims and others, read this verse from the Qur'an and think that they found somethings that Muslims are trying to hide. I don't hide anything and I urge everyone to educate themselves.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ أَوْلِيَاءَ ۘ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۚ وَمَنْ يَتَوَلَّهُمْ مِنْكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿المائده٥١﴾
Believers, do not take the Jews and Christians as allies. They are only allies with one another, and whoever allies himself with them becomes one of them. God does not guide such unjust people. (5:51)
In his commentary, Al-Tabari explains that this verse is about two of the Prophet's companions; Obada Bin Al-Samet of Bani Hareth of the Khazraj and Abdullah Bin Ubay Bin Saloul. The ruling is specific and is to be applied in a context similar to the historical context.
In response to a similar question, Shaykh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi wrote about this topic extensively: “The answer is that these verses are not unconditional, to be applied to every Jew, Christian, or non-Muslim. Interpreting them in this manner contradicts the injunctions of the Qur'an which enjoin affection and kindness to the good and peace-loving peoples of every religion.
The Qur’an says concerning the Christians: “you will find that the nearest in affection towards the believers are those who say, “We are Christians,” because there are priests and monks among them, and because these people are not given to arrogance. (5:82).
When the Jewish tribes broke their covenant with the Prophet and betrayed the Muslims, both of these companions came to the Prophet, Obada Bin Al-Samet decided to forsake his relationships and interests with the Jews while Abdullah Bin Ubay Bin Saloul refused and he put his own personal interest ahead of the Muslims ‘best interest.
Although this verse makes a general statement, the ruling is specific and is to be applied in a context similar to the historical context.
The verses cited above (verse 5:51) were revealed in connection with those people who were hostile to Islam and made war upon the Muslims. Accordingly, it is not permissible for the Muslims to support or assist them - that is, to be their ally- nor to entrust them with secrets at the expense of his own religion and community.
This point is explained in other verses.