DOCUMENT
JOIN THE CARAVAN
Imam Abdullah Azzam
OH
ISLAM!
Oh Muslims! Upon
you be peace, and Allah's mercy and His blessings.
The enormous sacrifices
apportioned to the Afghan Muslim people are no secret to you.
To date, nine years and some have passed since the start of
the illustrious revolution against the Communist invasion. During
this time, the Muslims in Afghanistan have endured as much as
mortals can endure in the course of protecting their religion,
honor and children. Not a single house remains in Afghanistan
that has not been transformed into a funeral home or an orphanage.
These people have
an excuse before Allah, and have called to Allah to bear witness,
on the basis of the skulls, cripples, souls and blood, that
there has not remained a single arrow in the bow, and the arrows
of the quiver have almost broken through.
Through the course
of this long period of time, the Afghans had expectations of
their Muslim brethren in case their numbers became decreased,
and also so that the Muslim brotherhood could be aroused in
their depths. Yet, until now, the Muslims have not heeded their
call. In the ears of the Muslims is a silence, rather than the
cries of anguish, the screams of virgins, the wails of orphans
and the sighs of old men. Many well-off people have deemed it
sufficient to send some of the scraps from their tables and
crumbs from their food.
But the situation
is more serious, and gravely momentous, and the Muslims in Afghanistan
are in severe distress and definite, menacing peril. This blessed
jihad was established by a handful of youths who were nurtured
in Islam, and by a group of scholars who devoted themselves
to Allah. But most of this first
generation has fallen
in martyrdom, and the second generation has advanced. This second
generation has not been fortunate enough to receive the same
share of upbringing and guidance, and have not come across a
stretched-out hand showing an interest in teaching and training
them. Such people are in dire need of somebody who can live
amongst them to direct them toward Allah and teach them religious
regulations.
According to our
modest experience and knowledge, we believe that jihad in the
present situation in Afghanistan is individually obligatory
(fard `ayn), with one's self and wealth as has been confirmed
by the jurists of the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence,
without any exception. Along with them, the same opinion has
been given by the majority of exegetes (mufassirin), hadith-scholars
and scholars of religious principles (usul). Ibn Taymiyah said,
"When the enemy has entered an Islamic land, there is no
doubt that it is obligatory on those closest to the land to
defend it, and then on those around them, ... for the entire
Islamic land is like a single country. Also, (it is compulsory)
to go forth to meet the enemy without permission from parents
or people to whom one is in debt. The texts of (Imam) Ahmad
are quite explicit regarding this."
He also said, "When
the enemy wants to attack the Muslims, defence becomes obligatory
on all those upon whom the attack is intended, and on others
besides them, just as Allah has said, (translated)
'And if they seek
your help in the matter of religion, then you must help them'"
This is just as the
Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has ordered
the individual to help Muslims, whether or not he has been recruited
for fighting. It is obligatory on every individual according
to his capability and wealth, little or plenty, whether walking
or riding. When the enemy proceeded towards the Muslims in the
Year of the Trench, Allah did not excuse anybody. The texts
of the four juristic schools are explicit and definite in this
respect, and leave no room for interpretation, ambiguity or
uncertainty.
Ibn `Abidin, the
Hanafi scholar says, "(Jihad is) fard `ayn when the enemy
has attacked any of the Islamic heartland, at which point it
becomes fard `ayn on those close to the enemy ... As for those
beyond them, at some distance from the enemy, it is fard kifayah
for them unless they are needed. The need arises when those
close to the enemy fail to counter the enemy, or if they do
not fail but are negligent and fail to perform jihad. In that
case it becomes obligatory on those around them - fard `ayn,
just like prayer and fasting, and they may not abandon it. (The
circle of people on whom jihad is fard `ayn expands) until in
this way, it becomes compulsory on the entire people of Islam,
of the West and the East"
Verdicts in the same
vein were issued also by the Hanafi scholars al-Kasani in "Bada'i`
al-Sanai`", Ibn Nujaym in "al-Bahr al-Ra'iq",
and Ibn al-Humam in "Fath al-Qadir".
If you wish, you
may also peruse the Maliki al-Dasuqi's "Hashiyah",
"Nihayah al-Muhtaj" by the Shafi`i al-Ramali, and
"al-Mughni" by the Hanbali Ibn Quddamah.
Perhaps some people
find justification for themselves for avoiding jihad by the
fact that many of the Afghans are not at an acceptable level
of Islamic training, and they therefore make excuses for themselves,
on the basis of some irregularities, to sit back. But the refutation
of this is that the jurists have documented that it is obligatory
to perform jihad even with an extremely sinful army. This is
one of the principles of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah, "to
perform jihad with every pious and sinful man", for Allah
will support this religion through a sinful man, and by means
of disgraceful people who have no morals. This is in fact the
way of the prime of the Ummah, of recent as well as of old.
In fact, to abstain from fighting behind one's leaders, even
if they are corrupt, or with a highly unrighteous army, is the
practice of the Hururiyyah (one of the sects of the Khawarij)
and their like; people who adopt the way of vain cautiousness
emanating from lack of knowledge.
Some others excuse
themselves by claiming that their presence in their country
is necessary for the purpose of education and upbringing. For
such people, we present the words of al-Zuhri:
"Sa`id Ibn al-Musayyib
went out to battle at the point where he had lost the use of
one of his eyes. He was told, 'You are an invalid,' but he said,
'Allah has summoned forth the light and the heavy. So if I cannot
fight, I will swell the ranks and guard belongings.' "
So, whose position
and job can measure up to the rank of the Master of the Successors,
the heir of prophetic knowledge through his father-in-law Abu
Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)?
Matters have reached
a critical point, the noose is tightening, the situation is
grave for the Muslims, so when will we go forth?
And for how long
will we sit back doing nothing?
The jurists used
to rule, as has been reported in al-Bazzaziyyah, that "If
a Muslim woman is abused in the West, it is obligatory on the
people of the East to rescue her." What then would our
scholars say about the thousands of women who are being raped
in their homes? How would they respond to the women who cast
themselves in the Konar River in Laghman, fleeing from rape
at the hands of the Red Army, in order to guard their chastity?
(It is not permissible for a woman, by the agreement of scholars,
to surrender to captivity if she fears for her modesty.) Do
you not fear that your turn may come, and that the matter will
concern your own honor?
"There is no
man who forsakes another Muslim man in a situation in which
his honor is being disparaged and his respect is being violated,
except that Allah will forsake him in a position in which he
would like to be helped. Nor is there anybody who helps a Muslim
in a situation where his honor is being disparaged and his respect
is being violated, except that Allah will help him in a position
where he would like to be helped."
So fear Allah with
regard to your honor.
Hibban Ibn Musa says,
"We went out for ribat to Syria with Ibn al-Mubarak. When
he saw how the people were worshipping, making battle and sending
out expeditions every day, he turned to me and said,
'We belong to Allah
and to Him shall we return. Alas for the part of our lives that
we have spent, and for the nights and days that we whiled away
in acquiring knowledge of the declaration of legal intent of
divorce, leaving aside the open doors of Heaven here."
This is Ibn al-Mubarak,
who used to perform ribat for two months or more every year
- leaving aside his trade and the lessons of hadith and going
out for ribat - bewailing the fact that he has not performed
ribat all his life, and that he has occupied himself with learning
instead. What then should those who have not fired a single
shot in the Path of Allah say?
When the Messenger
of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was afflicted
with his terminal illness, he did not let it prevent him from
reminding the Companions to dispatch the mission of Usamah (may
Allah be pleased with him). When Abu Bakr al-Siddiq tried to
send out Usamah's expedition, the Companions tried to dissuade
him from his resolution, whereupon he uttered the famous words,
"By He beside
Whom there is no god! Even if the dogs rove around the feet
of the wives of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him
and grant him peace), I will not turn back an army which has
been sent out by the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him
and grant him peace).
And Allah willed
that the final advice of the Companion of the Messenger of Allah
(may Allah bless him and grant him peace) should be to exhort
people towards jihad. Abu Bakr, in the last hours of his life
summoned `Umar and said to him,
"Listen, `Umar!
I am telling you, and so act upon it afterwards, for I believe
I shall die today (and that day was Monday); so if I die today,
do not let the evening reach you without having taken over leadership
of the people, and if I live till the night, do not let morning
reach you without having taken over leadership of the people.
Let not a calamity, great as it may be, distract you from matters
pertaining to your religion, and the advice of your Lord. You
saw me at the death of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless
him and grant him peace), and surely creation has never suffered
such a misfortune. By Allah! If I were to delay in executing
an order of His Messenger, Allah would forsake us, and afflict
us with punishment and the city would be set ablaze."
Indeed, Abu Bakr,
the best man after the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant
him peace), felt that delay in enforcing the command of Allah
and the command of His Messenger (may Allah bless him and grant
him peace) in going out for jihad was liable to invite destruction
and loss.
This is the Book
of Allah making judgement between us, and the Sunnah of His
messenger (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) speaking
and testifying before us, and the way of the Companions in their
understanding of the importance of jihad in this religion. Do
we then have any comment on these ample, plain, clear, decisive,
mutawatir texts? The villain has reached the depths of the Muslim
women's chamber - shall we then leave him be? Shall we allow
him to violate honors, spoil values and uproot principles?
Perhaps a woman might
utter, 'Oh Mu`tasim!',
And such cries fill
the mouths of the orphans.
Her cry has reached
the ears of the people,
But she has not touched
the dignity of (any like) al-Mu`tasim.
The Russians have
taken five thousand two hundred Afghan Muslim children to rear
them on the Communist ideology, and to sow heresy deep within
them. The Americans have confirmed the opening of six hundred
schools, and they are maintaining, educating and raising one
hundred fifty thousand Afghan children inside and outside the
country.
Where then are the
propagators of Islam? Where are the Muslim educators, and what
have they prepared for saving this Muslim generation, and for
safeguarding this great and blessed people?
The jurists have
documented that the lands of the Muslims are like a single land,
so that whichever region of the Muslims' territory is exposed
to danger, it is necessary that the whole body of the Islamic
Ummah rally together to protect this organ which is exposed
to the onslaught of the microbe. What is the matter with the
scholars that they do not arouse the youths for jihad, especially
since arousal is compulsory?
"And arouse
the believers."
What is the matter
with the propagators that they do not dedicate a year of their
lives to live amongst the Mujahideen, giving guidance and direction?
What is the matter with the students that they do not take a
year off from their studies in order to attain the distinction
of jihad, and contribute with their own selves to the establishment
of Allah's religion on earth?
"They are content
to be among the women who remain behind, and their hearts have
been sealed, so that they do not comprehend."
However, the Messenger
and those who believe with him perform jihad with their selves
and their wealth; they are the ones for whom there are blessings
and reward, and they are the successful ones."
What is the matter
with the Imams, that they do not sincerely advise those who
seek counsel from them regarding going out with blood and soul
in the Path of Allah? For how long will the believing youths
be held back and restrained from jihad? These youths, whose
hearts are burning with a fire, spurting forth enthusiasm, and
blazing with zeal that their pure blood may irrigate the earth
of the Muslims. The one who forbids a young man from jihad is
no different from the one who forbids him from prayer and fasting.
Does the one who forbids people from jihad not fear that he
falls under the implication (albeit indirectly) of the noble
verse in which Allah says, (translated):
"Perhaps Allah
knows those among you who restrain others, and those who say
to their brethren, 'Come to us,' while they show only a little
courage. They are miserly toward you. Then, when fear comes,
you see them looking toward you, their eyes rolling like one
who has been enshrouded on account of death. Then, when the
fear departs, they lash you with sharp tongues, envious of the
good. They have not believed, so Allah has rendered their deeds
void, and that is easy for Allah."
What is the matter
with the mothers, that one of them does not send forward one
her sons in the Path of Allah, that he might be a pride for
her in this world, and a treasure for her in the Hereafter through
his intercession? And what is the matter with the fathers that
they do not urge one of their sons, so that he can grow up in
the rearing-ground of heroes, and the lands of men, and the
grounds of battle? He should consider that Allah created him
infertile, and part of giving thanks for the blessing of children
is to submit the charity from his children as thanks to his
Lord. Did he create himself? Or provide himself with wealth?
Why then, the stinginess
towards the Lord of the Worlds?
Stinginess towards
the King with respect to what He owns, notwithstanding the fact
that we believe "A soul will not die until its life span
and sustenance have been depleted."
What is the matter
with the Muslims that they do not record some days of frontier-guarding,
and some hours of battle in the books of their deeds, and the
chronicles of their virtues? It has been confirmed in an authentic
hadith that,
"Guarding the
frontier for a day in the Path of Allah is better than the fasting
and prayer of a month."
And in a hasan hadith,
"Guarding the
frontier for a day in the Path of Allah is better than a thousand
days spent in other abodes, during which the nights are spent
in prayer and the days in fasting."
And in the authentic
hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad and Tirmidhi,
"Standing for
an hour in the ranks of battle is better than standing (in prayer)
for sixty years."
Oh brothers of Islam!
Come, therefore, to the defense of your religion, and the victory
of your Lord, and the elevation of the way of your prophet!
Beloved brother! Draw your sword, climb onto the back of your
horse, and wipe the blemish off your Ummah. If you do not assume
the responsibility, who then will?
Kind friend!
The dream of disgrace
has gone on long enough
Where, then, is the
roar of lions?
The party of the
small birds have become eagle-like
And we are under
the subjugation of slaves-
The subjugation of
slaves out of submissiveness
And not as a result
of military defeat.
Dear friend!
"Surely, in
their stories is a moral for intelligent people."
So, the bloody tale
of Bukhara, the narrative of mutilated Palestine, and blazing
Eden, and enslaved peoples, the sorry stories of Spain, the
terrible accounts of Eritrea, sore Bulgaria, the tragedy of
Sudan, the devastated remnants of Lebanon, Somalia, Burma, Caucasia
and its deep wounds, Uganda, Zanzibar, Indonesia, Nigeria. All
these slaughters and tragedies are the best lesson for us. Will
we take admonishment from the past before we lose the present?
Or will history repeat itself over us while we swallow degradation,
fall into oblivion as those before us did, and lose just as
they lost?
We hope that Allah
defeats the Russians in Afghanistan, and that they turn back
on their heels in failure. If the latter occurs, then I wish
I knew what catastrophe will befall the Muslims.
Abu Dawud has reported,
with a strong chain of narration, on the marfu` authority of
Abu Umamah,
"Whoever did
not go out for jihad, nor helped equip a fighter, nor treated
a mujahid's family well in his absence, Allah will afflict him
with a calamity before the Day of Judgement."
"Surely, therein
is a reminder for anybody with a heart, or who listens while
bearing witness (to the truth)."
Have I not conveyed
the message? Oh Allah, bear witness then.
Have I not conveyed
the message? Oh Allah, bear witness then.
Have I not conveyed
the message? Oh Allah, bear witness then.
PREFACE
TO THE FIRST AND THE SECOND EDITION
PART
ONE: REASONS FOR JIHAD
PART TWO - OH ISLAM!
PART
THREE: CLARIFICATIONS ABOUT THE ISSUE OF JIHAD TODAY
CONCLUSION
Downloaded
from the website www.al-haqq.org in December 2001.
[back
to the top]
