What are suicide bombers promised to become a bomber?

Answer 1

First, one should realize that only Muslim suicide bombers believe in a reward. The individual motivated to kill himself for Islam believes that his God will reward his violent act. In contrast, secular suicide bombers (i.e., the Liberation Tigers of Tamil and the Lebanese Communist Party) commit violence with no hope in a reward; their act is non-religious in nature.

Second, one should recognize that suicide bombing remains a contentious issue within Islam. Some Islamic scholars justify suicide bombings while others reject it as incompatible with Islam. Consequently, not all Muslims believe suicide bombers will receive a reward.

Islamic scholars who support suicide attacks offer this description of the bomber's reward:

"when the martyr meets his Maker, all his sins are forgiven from the first gush of blood. He is exempted from the torments of the grave; he sees his place in paradise, he is shielded from the great shock, and marries Dark Eyed Virgins. He is an heavenly advocate for 70 members of his family, on his head is placed a crown of honor, one stone of which, is worth more than all there is in this world."1

1. Quoted in Bruce Hoffman's book, Inside Terrorism, page 159.