There Lies A Beautiful Meadow

Ustadz Ferry Nur: Zionist Israel Is Waiting For The Muslims’ Inattention

2009-11-04T08:41:00.000-08:00

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Sunday, 25th October 2009, the Zionist Israel Laknatullah was acting up again. The military and civilians of the descendants of the cursed swines and apes were again defiling the sanctity of Masjid Al Aqsa. All the same, they are working shoulder to shoulder in the destruction of Masjid Al Aqsa in accordance with the empty hopes they have been struggling for all this time.

In response to the savage action, the Aqsa Working Group held a Tabligh Akbar (mass religious rally) with the theme “Al Aqsa in Danger” on Friday, 30th October 2009 at Masjid Agung Al Azhar, South Jakarta.

Appearing as the one of the speakers was Ustadz Ferry Nur from the KISPA (Indonesian Committee For Palestinian Solidarity). He reminded that this was not the first time the Zionist Israel is doing it, they had already attempted to demolish the building of Masjid Al Aqsa since 1967.

Therefore, Ustadz Ferry Nur stressed that the Zionist Israel is waiting for a slip on the Muslim’s part in order to destroy Masjid Al Aqsa. They are in the process of waiting for the ‘right’ time to execute their evil plan.

To date, there have been a lot of physical damages on the building of Masjid Al Aqsa resulting from the barbaric acts of the Zionist Israel. The fanatic Jews have tried to burn the Masjid a few times. One of the most heartrending end results was the burning of the Mimbar of Salahuddin Al Ayyubi that occurred in 1969.

And the latest evil act they have done was the destruction of the northern entrance door called “Al Maghariba” as well as the digging of underground tunnels below the Masjid. From the data obtained, more than 60 tunnels were found under Al Aqsa. As a result the walls of the Masjid are cracking. This is very worrying, because if there is enough vibration, Masjid Al Aqsa could collapse in an instant.

Therefore, in his oration, Ustadz Ferry Nur gave two messages to the Muslims:

1. Never get tired and never get bored to attend the events of the Tabligh Akbar of this kind, even though it has been repeatedly held. Then, everybody is dutiful to convey to others whatever he learns regarding the latest condition of Masjid Al Aqsa and Palestine.

2. Let’s set aside a part of the our rizq (sustenance) for our brothers in Palestine whether it be daily, weekly or monthly. As we are aware, the economic conditions of the Muslims in Palestine are very pitiable, especially in Gaza where it was blockaded on all sides.

And don’t forget to spare time for do’a in our every solat for the safety and wellbeing of the Muslims in Palestine and Masjid Al Aqsa.

[muslimdaily.net/tegoeh]

Pakistani Taliban: "We Are Prepared For A Long War"

2009-11-04T03:06:00.000-08:00

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PESHAWAR, Pakistan – A Taliban spokesman denied Tuesday that Pakistan has won a series of battlefield victories in its offensive in tribal South Waziristan, saying the Mujahideen are drawing government soldiers into a trap.

"We are prepared for a long war," Azam Tariq told an Associated Press reporter by telephone. "The areas we are withdrawing from, and the ones the army is claiming to have won, are being vacated by us as part of a strategy. The strategy is to let the army get in a trap, and then fight a long war."

Tariq also denied army claims that hundreds of Mujahideen have been killed, saying only 11 have been shaheed so far.

In mid-October, the Pakistani government launched an offensive in the South Waziristan tribal region, viewed as the main stronghold in the country of both the Taliban and al-Qaida. The military says it has pressed deep into Taliban territory and captured some Taliban strongholds. They claimed they have effectively sealed off the tribal areas, semiautonomous regions where the central government in Islamabad has long had only minimal authority. The offensive has drawn retaliatory Mujahideen attacks across Pakistan.

What is actually happening, though, is impossible to confirm. Journalists have only been allowed near combat areas on carefully choreographed military trips.

Foreign Coalition Forces Involved In Drug Trade

2009-11-04T02:21:00.000-08:00

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KABUL – The minister in Afghanistan who are in charge of handling the narcotic problems said that the foreign coalition forces acquired profits from the opium production in Afghanistan.

General Khodaidad said that the majority of the illegal drugs are sourced from the two provinces which are under the control of the foreign forces from America, UK and Canada, the IRNA reported on Saturday (31/10).

He said that the military forces of NATO are usurping taxes out of the opium production in a number of territories which are under their control. Afghanistan is the biggest supplier of opium in the world.

The production of illicit drugs in Central Asia keeps on growing rapidly since the invasion led by America started eight years ago.

The recently issued reports by the UN said that the opium of Afghanistan has a terrible impact on the world, killing thousands of its users in many countries.

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Ahmad Wali Karzai, the sibling of the Afghan president, was involved in the opium trade and he is also the benefactor of the CIA.

This is just another instance when the lies of the West through their corporate media are disproved flat out by Allah. They have been deceiving and trying to brainwash the world through their black propaganda by presenting them opposite facts about what is really going on. In this case by accusing that the Taliban gets their income from the Afghan drug trade.

The truth of the matter is that the Taliban government was instrumental in implementing a successful drug eradication program implemented in 2000-2001, with the support and collaboration of the UN. The Taliban's drug eradication program led to a 94 percent decline in opium cultivation. In 2001, according to UN figures, opium production had fallen to 185 tons. Immediately following the October 2001 US led invasion, production increased dramatically, regaining its historical levels.

Earthquakes and Tsunamis: Is God a Murderer?

2009-11-03T02:29:00.000-08:00

The recent earthquake in Indonesia has evoked memories of the catastrophic Tsunami of 2004 that left hundreds of thousands dead. Natural disasters of cataclysmic proportion always raise the question of how a merciful God can permit indiscriminate carnage and devastation. How can a just God allow such injustices to take place? The secularists, atheists and agnostics use such catastrophic events to reinforce their belief in a Godless universe. They reason, if God does exist He should stand trial for murder and cruelty.

Murder by definition means to take a life unlawfully. But which laws has jurisdiction over God? He is the lawgiver, the creator and the owner of the entire universe and its content; hence it is His prerogative to give and take, life. He is above any law by definition.

Furthermore, God created mankind and placed them on earth with a limited life span as the giver and taker of life. Therefore, according to secular ‘logic’ He has been committing ‘murder’ from the death of the very first man! By the way: what is about the 'mass murder' of cattle, sheep and chicken in the slaughter-houses just to satisfy the nutritional needs of humans: how does this squares with ‘murder’ and 'justice' in the secular minds.

Another point is the ability to resurrect life. The creator has the ability to recreate mankind after they have perished, as recreating is easier than creating from scratch. The divine can easily undo the alleged ‘murder’ of his subjects and He will on the Day of Judgment by resurrecting everyone! This is something a human being could not do to the murdered victims. Thus, the concept of murder can only be applied to those human beings that take another life unlawfully; they are guilty as they did not create the life in the first place, thus have no rights over it. And they are not able to resurrect the victims: the guilt persists forever.

Who knows the fate of those who have perished? Who has this knowledge? To assume that they are worse off is an assumption. The creator may have given them a better life and spared them further sufferings in this world. From the Islamic perspective those who have perished are martyrs, they will be rewarded greatly and the young will enter paradise as they are innocent, they do not need salvation and no one needs to die for their ‘sins’. Therefore, to pass quick judgment upon the divine without the full picture is premature, foolish and in reality impossible.

As for the hardship suffered by those who have survived the recent disaster, it cannot be construed as evil. Many tend to confuse between evil and suffering in general. According to the Islamic text, evil is rebelling against Gods commandments and the consequential suffering inflicted upon the victim. But not all forms of hardship constitutes evil by definition, a serious error often made by many. The creator is entitled to test us from time to time and how quick are we to forget all the bounties that He has given us prior to that.

Adjectives like ‘love’, ‘merciful’ used in describing God Almighty should be understood not in terms of human qualities but as divine attributes. When for example God says He hears everything that does not mean He has big powerful ears but the use of such vocabulary allows the limited human minds to get an infinitely small appreciation of the power of the divine, whilst remembering that HE is nothing like the creation, not part of it and not subjected to the laws of the creation.

There is a clear distinction between the creator and created. This is fundamental point about the notion of God. He created human beings and their mind, given it the ability to compose, analyze and deduce ideas. By rational necessity the finite human mind cannot comprehend the nature of the infinite and eternal God. Furthermore, the reality shows that the human mind being finite struggles to comprehend the creation itself let alone the nature of the creator.

Despite this, the secularists, atheists and agnostics have attempted conceptualize the essence of God using their limited mind, and perhaps the Christian and Pagan traditions have also contributed to this; the end result is God is a more powerful being with super human qualities. Naturally God is now thought of as a being that can be understood in terms of having human qualities and therefore subjected to the same principles that are applied to human beings. And this is where the error begins with charges of murder.

By rational necessity the eternal and uncreated God can never be subjected to the principles that have been derived from the minds of those who HE has created. Similarly, He cannot be subjected to the laws and ethics derived from the human mind as He has created the mind, body and soul. Just as a slave cannot command his master in the same way the eternal sovereign God cannot be commanded or evaluated by His own creation.

These major events like earthquakes and tsunamis are for us to reflect about the meaning of life, the limitations of human beings, these events are proof that the span of life on earth is pre-determined.

Yamin Zakaria
London, UK

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan: Who are Behind the Chaos in Afghanistan?

2009-11-02T14:36:00.000-08:00

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In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate

The Americans follow contradicting programs in Afghanistan. These contradictions have greatly contributed to the chaos and corruption now rampant in the country. After invasion in 2001, Americans announced the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reconstruction (DDR) program which was aimed at encouraging former warlords and gunmen to surrender their arms for cash incentives, employment opportunities and vocational training. After a time, they left the program uncompleted, and opted to raise their own militias under the name of Campaign and Security Guards.

These so-called security guards escort American and other NATO member countries military and logistical convoys from one province to another, particularly to Uruzgan, Helmand, Farah and other provinces in the south. Some militias are used to detain suspected Afghans. Recently, New York Times disclosed that following the American invasion of Afghanistan, Wali Karzai created the Kandahar Task Force which is involved in various human rights violations.

According to the Times Weekly, Wali Karzai frequently used the Kandahar Task Force against his opponents and on one occasion, they killed police chief of Kandahar province. Similarly, Americans pay tens of millions of dollars to private militia annually for escorting their convoys.

The private militias extort money from common people and levy agricultural tax on farmers named Ushar. They are involved in burglary, kidnapping and other unscrupulous activities. All these are overlooked by the invaders as the militia support them in their fight against so-called terrorism.

Applying The Sons of Iraq replica to Afghanistan, the invading Americans have created militia from among the Afghan minorities in the north of the country. Recently, they created such militia in Qazal Qila and appointed a Turkmen as commander. The Turkmen and Uzbek are ethnical minorities and their militias are notoriously known for human rights violations during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan.

To many observers who closely monitor developments in Afghanistan, these moves by the invading Americans can be part of plan dubbed as Chaostan, which was unveiled by Mc Crystal, American top commander in Afghanistan during his recent speech in London. According to this plan, the Americans want to create chaos in Afghanistan by plunging the country into geographical, racial and religious fighting once again.

Mullah Brader Akhund, Deputy-Amir of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in one of his interviews said that Mujahideen had captured several groups of armed men who were involved in destroying schools and bridges. They admitted that they were paid by foreign intelligence agencies to do so. In this year Eid ul Fitre message, the Amir ul Momineen, Mullah Omar Mujahid instructed all Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate to disarm armed groups who are involved in encroachment on people’s life, property and honor on the provocation of the enemy.

Similarly, the bomb blasts in congested places, which have killed hundreds of innocent civilians, is of great concern to the Mujahideen and the Afghan people. This year in the holy month of Ramadan, a bomb went off in Kandahar just at the time when people were to break their fast. More than 50 people were killed in the explosion.

The Islamic Emirate denied having hand in the explosion and condemned it as a horrendous and despicable event. Later Dawa Khan Mina pal, a Radio Liberty reporter was detained by police of the Kabul puppet regime when he was trying to investigate the blast to find out who were behind this gruesome event.

Many observers agree that foreign intelligence agencies are involved in anti-human activities to malign the good name of the armed Mujahideen who are fighting Americans and other forces of the NATO member countries. Recently, the Afghan surrogate president Karzai complained in a press conference that unknown helicopters were airdropping armed men in the north.

According to him, these armed men disturb peace and security there. But Mujahideen in the area say, the foreign invaders airdrop the militia there to target Mujahideen hide-outs during the night and they also attack ethnically sensitive areas in order to provoke racial fighting.

The Americans think, by doing so, they can justify the presence of their troops and enlist supporters from among Afghan minorities against Taliban. These hidden agendas are driving our country into an unknown direction. Unequivocally, the foreign military presence in Afghanistan is part of the Afghan problem.

The more they stay in our country, the more, they will plunge our country into chaos and uncertainly. The only solution is that the invaders leave Afghanistan and let the Afghans to form an Islamic government where people from all ethnicities can participate in the government making on the basis of their talent and services to the people. This will vault out the country from the current vortex of conspiracies and ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan and the whole region.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, We Are Only American Tools

2009-11-01T08:47:00.000-08:00

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So unfortunate is the fate of the British soldier, Lance Corp. Joe Glenton, 27, who is facing court-martial because of his refusal to be redeployed to Afghanistan and demanding the PM Gordon Brown to withdraw the British forces from there.

What actually drove him to be brought to court was not only because of the accusation charged on him but because he wrote a letter that he personally delivered to the office of Gordon Brown at Downing Street. “We are only tools of American foreign policy,” he said. Glenton also said that NATO’s mission in Afghanistan would fail and it would only bring “death and devastation”.

"I believe this unethical short-changing of such proud men and women has caused immeasurable suffering not only to families of British service personnel who have been killed and injured, but also to the noble people of Afghanistan," he wrote.

Glenton added that Afghans showed many of the same characteristics as British soldiers, such as "robustness, humour, utter determination and unwillingness to take a step backwards". He added: "However it is these qualities, on both sides, which I fear will continue to cause a state of attrition. These will only lead to more heartbreak within both our societies."

This year, the British defense ministry informed that the number of British soldiers killed are much more than the previous years since the invasion started in 2001. “Far from improving Afghan lives it is bringing death and devastation to their country. Britain has no business there. I do not believe that our cause in Afghanistan is just or right. I implore you, sir, to bring our soldiers home,” Glenton added.

Glenton would most probably be sentenced to two years in jail. However, he asserted that he would never ever return to Afghanistan.

LC Glenton is clearly a young man of conscience. Unlike Gordon Brown who stands to be paid off in cash by the Americans and Israelis like his friend Anthony Blair, LC Glenton has earned the right to form, hold and express his views on this war. And to act on them. He is not willing to fight a war that he has seen with his own eyes and judged from his own knowledge to be unjust.

According to a recent poll conducted in Britain, more than half the population of Britain believed that the British military would never win the war in Afghanistan and they must withdraw from there immediately. 58% saw the attack on the Taliban as something that could never be won and 52% stated that the British forces must return home immediately. The poll was conducted by COmRes and published in the Independent daily.

The British politicians are write-offs. They have lost all credibility due to their lies, cover-ups, their casual despatch of soldiers to their deaths in wars of aggression, collusion with America in kidnapping or “extraordinary rendition” and now we are learning, collusion with America in torture. Nor should we forget the enormous number of deaths, refugees and incredible destruction in Iraq and Afghanistan for which they are responsible. Without Anthony Blair’s and Gordon Brown’s promotion of these wars with the collusion of most of UK’s political class, they would not have happened in their present form and might not have been possible at all.

Joe Glenton - Serving Soldier refusing to return to Afghanistan

Blackwater, Behind The Peshawar Bomb Blast

2009-10-31T10:55:00.000-07:00

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ISLAMABAD – The Tehrik-e-Taliban stated that the immoral American private security company, the Blackwater, was the mastermind behind the bomb explosion in Peshawar that occurred last Wednesday and killed more than 100 people.

Hakimullah Mehsud said that Blackwater and some other agencies belonging to the government of Pakistan were involved in the bomb blast at a crowded bazaar in Peshawar.

According to a latest report, the number of casualties now rose to 106 with more than 150 wounded while the workers of the SAR said that there are possibly more victims trapped under the rubbles of the bazaar building. A big number of those killed are women and children.

The military forces of Pakistan claimed that the Taliban are suffering defeats in the tribal regions of Southern Waziristan and they are targeting civilians.

Mehsud denied the claim. He said it was Blackwater in collaboration with the local agencies that are involved in the incident.

On Sunday, around 200 people staged an anti-US demonstration in Dera Ismail Khan, and denouncing Blackwater and shouting anti-US slogans.

The head of Jamat-e-Islami, Saraj-ul-Haq, said that the military operations in Pakistan that are launched “with the blessing of America” should be stopped as it only fulfils the goals of the enemy (America).

"Now, we are very confident that it all the explosions, whether it be at Masjid Faisal or Khyber Bazaar, are carried out by Blackwater," he said.

The truth of the matter is that those kafir laknatullah are getting more desperate in confronting the Mujahideen, they are resorting to their evil plans and make the women and children as targets. And then accuse the Mujahideen for it. How Lowly!

Usamah bin Laden Appeared In This Year’s ‘Eid Khutbah Video

2009-10-30T11:00:00.000-07:00

. A video released on Wednesday (28/10) by As-Sahab, the media wing of Al-Qaeda, attracted the interest of analysts. The video was released as if to show the face of the topmost leader of Al-Qaeda, Sheikh Usamah Bin Laden. The video clip contained the ‘Eid Khutbah delivered by one of the notable figures in Al-Qaeda, Abu Yahya al-Libi, who originated from Libya, to mark the end of the fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.

At the end of the khutbah by Abu Yahya Al-Libi, the scene of the video moved gently to focus on one point and then was zoomed in at the 43:30 minutes mark. A blurred image that appeared like the topmost leader of Al-Qaeda, Sheikh Usamah Bin Laden, was shown.

The video had the special logo of As-Sahab media on it and showed the thin face of a man with long grey beard that appeared to be like Usamah Bin Laden that only came up for a few seconds.

The release of this video made America more irritated because they had never been successful in capturing the most wanted person in the world. In her recent visit to Pakistan, the foreign minister of America, Hillary Rodham Clinton, stated that she did not believe Pakistan has no information about the whereabouts of Sheikh Usamah bin Ladin at all. The arrival of Hillary in Pakistan was greeted by a bomb explosion in Peshawar that killed more than 100 people.

However, the Taliban and al-Qaeda have denied involvement in the Peshawar bomb blast and said they do not explode bombs in bazaars and mosques. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in an email sent to the media also condemned the Peshawar blast and denied its involvement in the Meena Bazaar explosion. They are not involved in the killing of innocent people.

Sharon The Butcher Has Been In Coma The Longest

2009-10-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

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A reliable source from one of the electronic medias made a report about the latest condition of the Slaughterer of Palestinian Muslims, Ariel Sharon. The Israeli publication, "Hume Israel" cited the information from one of the famous daily electronic magazines in the country. The media published the health condition of the ex-PM of Israel, Ariel Sharon who up till now is still suffering from stroke and lying helplessly in coma on the hospital bed for more than four years now.

Sharon, whose is coming to 81 at present, is still hospitalized at the Sheba hospital, not far from Tel Aviv. It was reported that he is lying in bed with both his eyes continuously open, the nurses who took care of him then put Sharon in front of a TV set which displayed panoramic films of nature and various animals especially the livestock cattle. The magazine also wrote that Sharon’s family is intensely visiting and interacting with him, this indicates that Sharon is still alive. One of his family members routinelys read newspapers for him beside his deathbed and informed him about the development of the cattle farming that he owns in the Southern district of Israel. Besides that, some books and classical music were also being read and played for him.

It was also told that since Sharon suffered stroke in July 2006, a man was specifically tasked to shave his beard and to ask for it he indicated by moving his thumbs. Doctors who take care of him agreed, although Sharon is in such a condition of lying in the hospital bed for years, it is a big possibility that he is still alive because his heart beat and blood pressure are still normal so far. The same condition as when he was first admitted to the hospital four years ago.

When asked further until when the condition of Sharon could stay like that, Solomo Segev, the senior doctor who look after him said, "If predicted from the average age of Sharon's family members, his mother and grandmother both died above the age 90." Thus, Solomo estimated that Sharon would continue to be in his condition until he reaches the age of 90.

That electronic magazine then closed off its news report with a question, would Sharon be cured from his coma? The doctor who look after him then answered, “Sharon is not an average man, there are other patients who are in the comatose state longer than Sharon, but those patients are still at a young age, in other words, patients at the age of Sharon normally don’t survive that long, much less 4 years, if that happens it is surely out of normality.” (eramuslim)

Sharon "the man of peace" before the coma.

Sharon after the coma.

The clogging in his brain caused the impairment of the whole body. This is as a consequence of his acts of 'calculated genocide' against the ummah of Muhammad Salallahu alaihi wassalam which occurred continuously day and night.

REMEMBER SABRA & SHATILA MASSACRE!

George Galloway on Press TV Ariel Sharon Never Died

Ariel Sharon on his death bed. This rotting pig's picture was taken on a cellophane by a nurse when he was at Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer in 2006. Later, after he became a rotting vegetative state he was moved to Hadassah hospital for "rehabilitation" as the hospital announced later.

Photos : Defending Al Qur'an From Ridicule But They Were Attacked By The Afghan Police Instead.

2009-10-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

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How ironic, around 300 Afghan people demonstrated against the humiliation of the Qur’an by the invader forces in Afghanistan who burnt the Qur'an, but the people who tried to defend the Book of Allah were attacked and shot randomly by the munafiq police of Afghanistan instead. The demonstrators were kicked, beaten and even shot at random. Dozens were arrested.

It was reported that some invader soldiers from America burnt the Qur’an during their operations confronting the Taliban in the province of Wardak, South Kabul, early this month.

Below are the photos of violence by the Afghan police against the demonstrators:

The Ecstasy of Mi’raj

2009-10-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

. If I were Muhammad
I wouldn’t be willing to get back to earth
After reaching close to the ‘Arsh (Throne)

-‘Abdul Quddus, the Ganggoh Sufi-

BURAQ is the name. Therefore, it is similar to barq, the lightning that slides at the speed of light. That night, accompanied by Jibril, a noble Rasul (Messenger) was brought to the Masjidil Aqsa. Khadijah, the faithful wife, a symbol of love full of sacrifices was gone. The same as Abu Thalib, the protector who was full of love though unwilling to believe. He had passed away. The Messenger was in sorrow. He felt forsaken. He felt alone in confronting the waves of fabrications, tortures and resistance against his pure invitation that were increasing by the day. He felt desolate. Therefore, Allah wanted to strengthen him. Allah showed him a part of His symbol of Dominion and Power.

Buraq is the name. It was tied to the door of Masjid Al Aqsa when all the Prophets and Messengers assembled there. They performed solat. And the Buraq rider was now leading them all in prayer. But from here, the Prophet departed for a historical journey. Joined by Jibril, he went up to heaven, going through it, level after level. Meeting with Adam, Yahya and ‘Isa, Yusuf, Idris, Harun, Musa and Ibrahim. Then, it was straight away to Sidratul Muntaha, Baitul Ma’mur and then further up heading towards Allah until the distance was less than the two ends of an archer bow. Allah opened His screen.

Allah.. Allah.. If looking at the handsome Yusuf could make the womenfolks cut their fingers without sensation, imagine the feeling of seeing the Most Beautiful Who is the Creator of all beauty? Or say it to me my friend, what do you feel when seeing the noble Ka’bah for the first time? Yes, an ecstasy. We are moved. We feel serene. The tears are flowing. The body feels weightless. The soul feels complete. Our mouths are agape. Therefore, what did Muhammad SAW essentially feel when he was in Mi’raj, meeting up with his Lord? Serenity. Enchantment. Refreshment. Spiritual bliss. Liberation of the soul. No comparison. No likeness. No equal.

By Allah, how beautiful, how blissful.

Therefore, there is some truth in what the Ganggoh Sufi was saying. When experiencing the climax of spiritual bliss, there was of course a temptation to stay longer there. If possible, we want to enjoy it forever. Or at least to repeat it again. Again and again. A peacefulness that could not be illustrated, the souls that experience completeness, splashing and swaying in the ocean. The spirits are astounded, like a drop of water merging with the ocean, our individualism are gone, vanishing and swallowed by God’s Magnificence and Majesty. We want to gulp it all down, absorb it and then collapse, we want to be pulled in, embraced and lay our hearts there only. Forever and ever.

Spiritual bliss. Inner absorption. We surely want to enjoy it all the time. We wish for it every moment.

Yet, it is there where the error lies!

Look at the Mi’raj journey of the Prophet. It did not happen every day. It happened once, only when the affliction of agonies, storms of sadness and pressure from the burdens were exceeding the limitation of human endurance. It happened when the Prophet felt he was at the highest peak of the soul’s hardship; a da’wah that was rejected, a neglected call, not so many followers, tortured companions and the main supporters who had died one by one. Thus, one thing that we derive from the Mi’raj journey is that it was merely a waqfah. It was a temporary resting station. An oasis where the Prophet refilled the provisions for his journey. The provisions for his struggles.

The Mi’raj was not the last point of that journey. Feeling the intense spiritual bliss was not the goal from the journey of his life and message. That was what made the Prophet different from the Ganggoh Sufi. If the Sufi saw the ecstasy of spiritual bliss as the goal of his life, the Prophet was merely making it as a respite. Temporarily replenishing the spiritual energy and refilling the soul’s stamina. After that the world was waiting for him to do work for humanity. And then he, as Muhammad Iqbal said in his Ziarah Abadi, positioned himself into the cauldron of history.

To me the angel offered
“Stay here in this heaven, together with the serenity of our sujd (prostration)
Together with the pure enjoyments”
“No!” I said, “There are still conducts of injustices on earth
It’s there that I would dedicate myself, to work, sacrifice
Until the time limits that have been determined arrive."

This is the way of love of the strugglers. Its travelers are not the pursuers of ecstasy and spiritual journeys. They are the strugglers who invite towards goodness, who command the ma’ruf, stop the munkar and believe in Allah. In that great work, they sometimes feel tired, weak and depleted. Therefore, Allah prepares the Mi’raj for them. The Prophet, whose love and tasks of da’wah are incomparable, was certainly given a special Mi’raj; personally having an audience with Allah ‘Azza wa Jalla. We, his followers, are fortunate to receive his words: “The moment of Mi’raj for a Mu’meen is solat!”

Solat, as Sayyid Quthb said, is a direct connection between the ephemeral human and an eternal power. It is a time that had already been chosen, for the meeting of that separated drop of water with the source that never runs dry. It is the key to that treasury which is sufficient, satisfactory and abundant. It is a liberation from the small limitations of the earth’s reality toward the reality of the universe. It is the wind, mist and cloud in the intense and blazing daylight. It is that gentle touch on the hearts that are weary and in difficulties.

Therefore, solat is a rest. When it feels like the bones are slipping in jihad, the muscles are numb and the skins are soaked in sweats, the Prophet said to his Muadzzin, “Yaa Bilal, Arihna bis solaah… O Bilal, relieve us with solat!”

The Idolization of khushoo' (humility and devotion in prayer)

A Musaffir (traveler) stopped at a Masjid. He was tired, sweltered, weary, wretched and giddy. Especially that he felt lonely in the crowd along the way. He found serenity in that Masjid. His ablution felt like it was washing his entire body and soul. When the water rubbed, he was as if seeing black dots of his sins fading, dripping, flowing and drifting away with the water. In his solat, he truly felt himself standing in front of the Creator. Every bit of his recitation was as if responded by Him. He felt the vibe of that greatness. This is the first time he could weep and sob in his sujd. His heart was shrouded by the feeling of tranquility, coolness and meaningfulness. He felt ecstasy.

At other time, he was passing by that Masjid. He had purposely intended to pray there. He longed for the khushoo'. There was greatness that especially emanated from that Masjid. Its pillars are raised solidly, layered with gray marbles. The columns have half of their spirals sweetly decorated with geometric designs. Its dimly lighted lamps are enclosed in shining metals and octagonal in shapes. Its floor is coolly refreshing, a specific characteristic of dark granites and its carpets are soft, greeting every sujd.

He chose to pray behind a pillar wrapped in yellowish carvings with holy verses. He tried to fully appreciate his solat. But strange. He did not find that vibe this time. There was no ecstasy. There was no spiritual charm. Not even a drop of his tears was willing to flow. In regret, he closed off his prayer with the salaam. To the right and then to the left. And his eyes were transfixed to a translation of a calligraphy on the southern wall. He read, “Whoever seeks Allah, he would find khushoo'. Whoever pursues khushoo', he would lose Allah.”

If you could just witness us O ‘Abid of Haramain
You would realize that in ibaadah, yours are a mere play
Your cheeks are wet by your tears
Our necks are soaked in blood

- ‘Abdullah ibn Al Mubarak

How doomed are the pursuers of khushoo'. The khushoo' becomes the goal, not a mechanism toward reaching Allah SWT. Therefore, the main attention in his solat is of how to attain khushoo' or at least look khushoo'. Alas, if you just know how the Prophet and his companions pray. They obtained khushoo' not because they were looking for it. They were khushoo' because their solat was really a sojourn from the most draining activities in the way of love of the strugglers. They were khushoo' because of the tangling difficulties and exhaustion that produced a feeling of diminutiveness and genuine servitude.

Like the worshippers of Al Masih who complicate the Divinity with the trinity, the perception of khushoo' was also frequently made difficult. There is nothing wrong actually to cite the story of ‘Ali ibn Abi Thalib who asked for the arrow to be pulled from his leg when he was in solat, so that its pain could not be felt because of the khushoo' of his solat. It is also not wrong to emulate ‘Abbad ibn Bisyr who kept on praying even though the arrows of an enemy spy were piercing his body one after another. But is it only that what’s called khushoo'?

The Prophet is the most khushoo' human being. And how beautiful was his khushoo'. The khushoo' that always quickened the solat when hearing the cry of a baby or to shorten his recitation when realizing the presence of a few frail individuals in his jama’ah. The khushoo' that did not stop him from carrying Umamah binti Abil ‘Ash or Al Hassan ibn ‘Ali in his standing and put them down when sujd. The khushoo' that made his sujd very long because Al Husain ibn ‘Ali was playing horsey on his back.

Friends, this is the way of love of the strugglers. The khushoo' and rage of spiritual bliss are only entertainments and respites, the place where we refill the provisions and relieve the tiredness. This is the way of love of the strugglers. Not the way of the pursuers of spiritual bliss, to the extent of having to repeat their takbiratul ihram until the imam is already in ruku’. This is not the way of the lovers of hunger who are afraid to gargle in their fasting but are only silent when watching oppressions. Also not the way of the lovers of Ka’bah who are addicted to performing hajj while the poor people are knocking on the door of his house which is always locked.

History gives us the list of lessons about the pursuers of spiritual bliss. They are thrown far away from this way. There are those who think of themselves as good Mu’meen; because they can cry while in solat, their hearts are touched while giving zakat, they can recite zikr until they lose consciousness while fasting or they perform hajj every year; yet they are blinded from the Islamic world that calls out in an already hoarse voice.

These are the people who always speak of religion as a private affair. A private affair for the purpose of enjoying the spiritual bliss. To them, how blissful it is to pray in khushoo' on an expensive prayer mat, in an air-conditioned room, with the settings of different sceneries that can be rearranged. The khushoo' is in enjoying the recitation of the imam with certificate from a premium audio system, in the fragrant air from the aromatherapy perfume. Further in the distance, in the way of love of the strugglers, the Prophet prayed between the intervals of Jihad in establishing the Shari’ah. With dusts, with blood, with exhaustion and with hardships.

The others, looking for refuge from the crushing pressures of the world. Enjoying the feeling of peace from the zikr, the feeling of lightness from the fasting and the feeling of solemnity from the shivering of the body. Retreating in their rags clothing, living in poverty, and then feeling that they are the most beloved being by Allah. But their faces never turned red when the Shari’ah of Allah was ridiculed. They never feel hurt when witnessing oppressions. Their hearts never tremble when witnessing common sufferings. They are the likes of the Sufi from Ganggoh. He was the ostrich that feels safe when it immerses its head in the sand. Whereas, its body was heaped right in front of the hunter’s eyelids.

The ecstasy. The spiritual bliss. The khushoo'. Don’t you pursue that feeling. It is not your god. And it is not only a Muslim who obtains the possibility of feeling such an ecstasy. Ask the people from the religion of Buddha, the followers of Zen, Tao or the practitioners of Yoga. They can also experience it through their meditation and mystical experiences. An impoverished Christian from the Franciscan Order feels it in his wandering, with naked feet in the style of Christ. A lavish Christian from the Benedictine Order enjoys it in his collections of holy relics inherited from the church priests.

Not that.

It’s not that what we look for.

In the way of love of the strugglers, dedicate yourself to Allah in the big tasks of da’wah and jihad. Spreading out goodness, ending barbarism and calling towards iman. Run only to Him. Even if the thorns are pricking your feet. Even if the gravels are slicing the sole of your feet. Until you get tired. Until you are exhausted. Until the sweat and blood are spilled. Then, the khushoo' will come to you when you are resting in your solat. The moment when you feel the pinnacle of your weakness in front of the All-Powerful. Then, you will be surrendering, in submission…

At that time, you will probably see Him, and surely He sees you.

adapted and translated from the book "Jalan Cinta Para Pejuang" (The Way Of Love Of The Strugglers) by Salim A. Fillah

The Characters Of The Ghuraba'

2009-10-21T07:33:00.000-07:00

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From Abu Hurairah RA, he said: Rasulullah SAW said: "Islam was strange when it began and will one day be strange again; Blessed are the ghuraba' (those strange people)". [H.R.Muslim]

The Linguistic Approach

1. The word Ghariiban is a derivation from the word al-Ghurbah that has two meanings: first, a meaning which is physical in nature like someone who lives in other people’s country (not one’s own homeland) as a stranger. Second, a meaning which is spiritual in nature – it is this meaning that we mean here – i.e. someone in his istiqomah, ibaadah, keeping up firmly with religion and avoiding the fitnahs that arise, is a stranger in the midst of his people who do not possess such principles. This strangeness is relative in nature because sometimes someone feels strange in a place but not in other places or at a time but not at other times.

2. The meaning of the kalimah "bada-al Islamu ghariibaa [Islam began as something strange]" : it began with (the gathering of) a 'person per person' (who converted to Islam), it then spread and the people showed their selves, and then it experiences a decrease and various predicaments until there is none left except the 'person per person' (the purest among them who are keeping up with al-Haq) just as the condition when it first began.

3. The meaning of the kalimah "fa thuuba lil ghurabaa' [Blessed are the ghuraba' (those strange people)]" : The Ulamas differ in their opinions regarding the word ‘thuuba’. There are a few meanings, amongst them are: fariha wa qurratu 'ain (be blessed and it is refreshing to the eyes); ni'ma maa lahum (how good is what they achieved); ghibthatan lahum (joyfulness is for them); khairun lahum wa karaamah (goodness as well as honor are for them); al-Jannah (paradise); shajaratun fil jannah (a tree in paradise). In the understanding of the above hadith, all the meanings from these opinions are probable.

The Essence

1. The hadith shows how great the importance of the Sahabahs RA who had embraced Islam in the early stage of the Prophet’s SAW prophethood are, because the characteristics of the Ghuraba' are very fitting for them. The alienation (ghurbah) which they had gone through are spiritual in nature where their conditions challenged the condition that was already prevalent in the midst of their society at that time, which was infected with the epidemic of shirk and debauchery. This is precisely the condition where the society are coming back to today. Shirk and corruptions in their many forms are prevalent. Truth is seen as falsehood and vice-versa. Man-made law such as democracy are held in high esteem while Allah's law are thrown out of the window. The Mujahideen who killed the kafirs are hated and discredited by the so-called Muslims themselves, more than they discredit and hate the Crusader-Jews when they killed Muslims.

2. Holding on strong to the Dienullah, istiqomah in performing as well as in taking examples (sunnah) from our Prophet, the role model Muhammad SAW, are also characters of a true Mu’meen who hopes for rewards like what had been gained by those Ghuraba' even though (in reaching for those things) most people are against them. What became the yardstick is the act of holding on strong to al-Haq, not the prevailing conditions that abound and are done by the majority. Allah Ta'ala says: "Wert thou to follow the common run of those on earth, they will lead thee away from the way of Allah...." (Qur'an 6:116).

3. The rewards that would be gained by the Ghuraba', as well as their status are great and high. The Ghuraba' are strange to their religion in the sense that they become strange simply because they are holding on strong to al-Haq and are istiqomah with it. They are strange because their ratio of existence amongst the society are very rare. Their insights, ideology, activities, and even appearance perhaps are deemed as abnormal, hence strange. So it could be said that the Ghuraba' are the crème de la crème of the ummah.

4. In some riwaayah (narrations), it was stated that the meaning of al-Ghuraba' is the good/righteous people who remain when the common conditions of mankind are decayed, in an era when the decay is viewed as normal, if not unnoticed. There is also this meaning; they are those who restore what had been damaged by mankind. This shows that the honesty of the heart alone is not enough but there must be efforts done in a wise, graceful, loving but firm way in order to restore the conditions of mankind which are already corrupted so that the label of Ghuraba' praised in the above hadith could be stamped on the Mu’meen, those who are left to carry out the da’wah, amar ma’ruf nahi mungkar and jihad even though the majority are frowning at them. They are those who are made to feel that the whole world and its contents including the people from amongst their own are against them. A simple formula to recognize them is as what Sayyidina 'Ali RA said:

"If you want to recognize in which direction the most righteous among the Muslims are then see in which directions the arrows of Kuffar are going".

Related post: Simple Formula to Recognize Purest Among Muslims

Is Jihad Terrorism?

2009-10-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

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Fighting: A Human Reality

There have been many anthropological studies on war and fighting, and the conclusions are very similar. Not only have humans been fighting and killing for millennia, the act of fighting and killing is a human reality. The reasons for fighting and war differ. Some of these reasons include land, fame, fortune, religion, independence and resources. Humans have also fought to defend themselves and others, or to attack their enemies. In summary, war and fighting are human phenomena that are not specific to any particular race, ideology or religion.

In the modern world there are many wars, and they are mostly over resources. An example is the US and UK fighting for oil and strategic dominance in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Fighting & Islam

Islam, being a practical way of life, realises that humans fight and engage in war. Islam sets down rules for war, which are to be followed if Muslims go to war, examples include fighting for just reasons, no killing of innocent people, no killing of women and children, no burning of crops or trees, only fight those that fight you, and no wanton destruction. Abu Bakr who was the Prophet Muhammad's first successor and is considered to have been his closest companion said:

“Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic (or humanitarian) services; leave them alone.”

Many would argue that this is in contrast to certain Western nations when they invade countries; they tend to destroy the infrastructure of the countries causing more deaths than bullets and bombs (even the BBC reports that so called ‘smart bombs’ are not so smart, with only 40% hitting targets. Civilian deaths in the US/UK invasions are evidence of this). Then contractual awards are given to western companies to rebuild the infrastructure, making the invaded country pay for it - Iraq is a striking example.

Whilst certain western powers wage war and invade for what everyone knows to be for resources and places of strategic value, in Islam war is not waged for these reasons; it does not invade to rob, steal and make lands poor - quite the opposite.

Jihad

The term most commonly used to describe Muslims fighting is Jihad, but it has been used politically to create fear of Islam and Muslims. Jihad has been linked to terrorism, however when the corpus of Islamic reference material is analysed, this cannot be further from the truth.

Jihad is when Muslims go to war, and it has its rules relating to it. Primarily there are two types of Jihad, defensive and progressive. Defensive is when Muslims rally to fight and expel armies from their lands which have been invaded. This concept is similar to article 51 of the UN Charter which states:

“Nothing in the present charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs….”

Examples include when the Crusaders invaded Palestine in 11th/12th century, and when the Mongols invaded Central Asia, Persia, Iraq and Syria in the 13th century. This defensive Jihad is to push the occupiers out and has nothing to do with terrorism; in reality it is a basic human right.

Progressive Jihad is practically undertaken by a legitimate Islamic State (no such state exists today) and is initiated for three main reasons. The reasons include removing oppression, defending the weak and implementing the justice of Islam. This is evident in Islamic history, John of Nikiou in 690 CE, who was a Coptic Bishop in Nikiu (Egypt), states,

“When Muslims saw the…hostility of the people to the emperor Heraclius because of the persecution wherewith he had visited all the land of Egypt…people began to help the Muslims.”

Additionally, the oppression and all forms of genocide would justify progressive Jihad.

Progressive Jihad has three parts to it. It first invites the people to accept Islam by explaining the Islamic belief and what Islam has to offer people. This is done by dialogue and discussion and can take some time. After this, the Islamic State then invites the people to live within the state and enjoy peace, justice, security and protection. Historically many non-Muslim peoples have opted for this option. This is in exchange for a small yearly tax. The famous letter from a Rabbi, after Europe’s persecution of the Jews, found in Phillip Mansel’s book “Constantinople ”, reflect this reality,

“Here in the land of the Turks we have nothing to complain of. We possess great fortunes; much gold and silver are in our hands. We are not oppressed with heavy taxes and our commerce is free and unhindered. Rich are the fruits of the earth. Everything is cheap and every one of us lives in peace and freedom...”

The third and final course of action after the first two have been followed is war. This war is called Jihad and in cases of genocide and extreme oppression it may be the first and only part of the process. It is the final part of a foreign policy used by the Islamic State, and as mentioned it has its rules, like no wanton destruction and killing of innocents. When an Islamic State goes to war, it is not for money, land, or riches, but to show people the justice and security of Islam. Heinrich Graetz, a 19th century Jewish historian expressed the ‘favourable circumstances’ under Islamic rule,

“It was in these favourable circumstances that the Spanish Jews came under the rule of Mahometans, as whose allies they esteemed themselves the equals of their co-religionists in Babylonia and Persia. They were kindly treated, obtained religious liberty, of which they had so long been deprived, were permitted to exercise jurisdiction over their co-religionists…”

This is unlike some western states, where Politicians claim they are fighting for so-called universal values, but in reality are fighting for resources and areas of strategic value. For example David Milliband, the British Foreign Secretary, said,

“Our party was created to fight for democracy and equal rights in our own country. We know we have further to go. But if we want to protect ourselves from terrorism at home, we need to defend and advance democracy and human rights abroad.”

Judging by the current reality of the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, nothing can be further from the truth. Islamic foreign policy however is truthful about its goals and history bears testimony to this. This is why Jews fled Spain in the Inquisition and ran to the Muslims of Istanbul who welcomed them, because they knew justice lived in Islamic lands. Zion Zohar, a Jewish Historian, expressed similar sentiments in his book ‘Sephardic & Mizrahi Jewry’:

“Thus, when Muslims crossed the straits of Gibraltar from North Africa in 711 CE and invaded the Iberian Peninsula, Jews welcomed them as liberators from Christian Persecution.”

Jihad is seen by western peoples and nations as barbaric and this is propagated to the masses, by politicians and the media, to portray Muslims as bloodthirsty killers. An Islamic State would commit to progressive Jihad, and will use war as a last resort - when diplomacy fails - to really liberate people from oppression. In addition to remove the tyranny of injustice and to show the people what Islam really is and how Islam can truly make their lives and society better - even if they do not become Muslim.

The Islamic belief is not forced upon people once land is taken, 1400 years of history bears testament to this. This is evident in the early testimonies of Christian leadership. Ishoyabth who was patriarch from AD 647 to 657, writes,

“The Arabs, to who God gave the dominion over the world, behave to us as you know. They are not hostile to Christianity, but praise our religion, honour priests and saints, and help the Churches and Monastries.”

The Qur’an & Fighting

The Qur’an discusses fighting and Jihad, the language used is emotive and can be seen as aggressive. However, the intended effect of these verses in the Qur’an are meant to evoke action, therefore in the context of fighting and war, the Qur’an would not say “Tickle their toes” or “Give them flowers”. What must also be realised is that the language is couched in restraining expressions such as “…and God does not love the transgressors” and “…be mindful of God” thus instilling an awareness of God in such actions and to remind that the essence of Jihad is to remove oppression.

In the Qur’an, Jihad is a noble concept that is considered as a mercy from God. Without it there would be no mechanism to protect Muslims and Non-Muslims, remove oppression and implement justice. In today’s reality of death and destruction, due to oppressive western foreign policy, some people argue that this concept needs to be revived to today.

The Results of Jihad

U.S. Brig. General William Looney’s following statement is an apt description of Western foreign policy,

“If they turn on the radars we're going to blow up their goddamn SAMs (surface-to-air missiles).They know we own their country. We own their airspace... We dictate the way they live and talk. And that's what's great about America right now. It's a good thing, especially when there's a lot of oil out there we need.”

Whereas the Islamic view describes another paradigm,

“And what is the matter with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and for the oppressed among men, women and children who say, ‘Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper’?”

Everyone wants to remove oppression and injustice. Islam does exactly that via Jihad and this can be seen in Islamic history. Contemporary pseudo-Islamic nations can not be used as a reference for Jihad and Islam as they do not implement and manifest the Islamic system. This is evident when their constitutions are analysed. It can only be concluded that Muslim world Governments implement and promote a system that is antithetical to Islam.

What, then, are the results of the Islamic foreign policy?

Reinhart Dozy, an authority on early Islamic Spain, explained the results of Jihad in Islamic Spain,

“…the unbounded tolerance of the Arabs must also be taken into account. In religious matters they put pressure on no man…Christians preferred their rule to that of the Franks.”

Thomas Arnold, commenting on an Islamic source, states that,

“…the Christians called down blessings on the heads of the Muslims, saying, ‘May God give you rule over us again and make you victorious over the Romans; had it been they, they would not have given us back anything, but would have taken all that remained with us.’”

Ulick R. Burke, a prominent historian specializing in the history of Spain, reached a similar conclusion,

"Christians did not suffer in any way, on account of their religion, at the hands of Moors…not only perfect toleration but nominal equality was the rule of the Arabs in Spain."

Adam Smith, the 18th century founding father of the modern capitalism, explains the impact of Islamic rule,

“The ruin of the empire of the Romans, and, along with it the subversion of all law and order, which happened a few centuries afterwards, produced the entire neglect of that study of the connecting principles of nature, to which leisure and security can alone give occasion. After the fall of those great conquerors and the civilizers of mankind, the empire of the Caliphs seems to have been the first state under which the world enjoyed that degree of tranquility which the cultivation of the sciences requires. It was under the protection of those generous and magnificent princes, that the ancient philosophy and astronomy of the Greeks were restored and established in the East; that tranquility, which their mild, just and religious government diffused over their vast empire, revived the curiosity of mankind, to inquire into the connecting principles of nature.”

Bernard the Wise, a pilgrim monk, visited Egypt and Palestine in the reign of Caliph al-Mu’tazz (866-9 CE). He stated that,

“…the Christians and the Pagans [i.e. Muslims] have this kind of peace between them there that if I was going on a journey, and on the way the camel or donkey which bore my poor luggage were to die, and I was to abandon all my goods without any guardian, and go to the city for another pack animal, when I came back, I would find all my property uninjured: such is the peace there.”

Reading the above, the reader must now ask “Does this sound like terrorism?”

The Cause of Terrorism

The history of terrorism and political violence demonstrates that it is cross-cultural, cross religion and is driven by a number of factors often born out of a sense of political injustice, occupation or invasion. An academic study by Professor Robert Pape, an Associate Professor at Chicago University, published in his book 'Dying to Win: The Logic of Suicide Terrorism', demonstrates that the advent of 'suicide bombing' is not unique to Muslims but is rather a generic human issue driven by a number of political factors rather than theological beliefs.

The study included the first complete database of every suicide attack around the world from 1980 to early 2004. The study found that:

• The world leader in suicide attacks was the Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka – a Marxist, secular group.
• Two thirds of Muslim 'suicide bombers' have been from countries where US forces have or are still maintaining military forces.
• The presence of US forces is creating 'suicide attackers' in Iraq which was a country that had never previously had a suicide attack in its history prior to the 2003 invasion.

According to the study, political injustice provides a possible reason for the proponents of such attacks to justify such actions. It is therefore crucial that acts of political violence are analysed as a separate issue based upon the individuals who choose to engage in them.

The Professor states,

“The data show that there is little connection between 'suicide terrorism' and 'Islamic fundamentalism', or any one of the world’s religions. . . . Rather, what nearly all 'suicide terrorist' attacks have in common is a specific secular and strategic goal: to compel modern democracies to withdraw military forces from territory that the terrorists consider to be their homeland.”

Regarding the July 2005 bombings in London, the British government was forewarned that its involvement in the catastrophic US invasion of Iraq had increased Britain's vulnerability to the threat of retaliation. The leaked report from the UK's Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), which predated the attacks, warned:

"Events in Iraq are continuing to act as motivation and a focus of a range of 'terrorist' related activity in the UK".

In April 2005, a report drawn up by the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) entitled "International Terrorism: Impact of Iraq" was even more explicit, stating:

"We judge that the conflict in Iraq has exacerbated the threat from international terrorism and will continue to have an impact in the long term. It has reinforced the determination of 'terrorists' who were already committed to attacking the West and motivated others who were not."

It is essential to understand what role Western foreign policy has played in exacerbating the sense of political injustice and in driving individuals to undertake acts of political violence against those they perceive as aggressors. This is not a justification, but it does set a context for a discussion to find answers to contemporary political problems.

Rather than blame a whole community or its leanings towards Islam and its concept of Jihad, it is important to understand the political nature of the factors that drive such acts as opposed to solely attributing them to Jihad, which does not take account of the history of political violence across cultures, religions and ways of life.

Final Remarks

It has to be noted, that Muslims are simply human beings that believe in Islam, which is a comprehensive way of life that seeks to promote religious tolerance and social cohesion. The Islamic concept of Jihad is not indiscriminate terrorism, rather it is a mechanism that seeks to remove oppression and protect the innocent. In line with the teachings of classical Islam, Muslims do not – and should not – seek to violently attack non-combatants.

Muslims want to facilitate understanding and promote mutual peaceful coexistence. This however cannot be achieved without engaging in an open and honest discussion on what Islam really is. Outdated clichés of ‘Jihadi Terrorist’ can no longer quench the public’s intellectual thirst and a more nuanced and comprehensive discussion is now needed.

It was intended that this article would achieve just that.

By: Hamza Andreas Tzortzis

Read also: Jihad versus State Terrorism

JIHAD IN AN ORDERLY ARRANGED SAF (LINE)

2009-10-17T14:49:00.000-07:00

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“Today we are truly trapped in the crisis of amal jama’i. How very difficult it is to find someone who obtains barakah by being composed in his obedience towards the Amir, serious and without much talk, remaining firm with the missions that had been programmed. Being cautious, rather quiet, while constantly training and is not influenced by the global situation until his goals are achieved. It is these kinds of characters that should be acquired by the Mujahideen and Ahluddeen today”. (Shaikh Abu Muhammad Al Maqdisy)

In a verse, Allah says:

"Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure." (Ash Shaff: 4)

In the verse above, Allah mentions about the importance of a jihad force that is organized and guided. In the various books of tafseer, it is mentioned that the meanings of the importance of a jihad force that is well coordinated can arise from two aspects;

First : The existence of the daleel (Islamic proof) from the Shar’i (legitimate in the eyes of the Shari`a) Nas (Text) itself.

Second : The demand resulting from the conditions of the Muslims that allows us to find reasons for the arrival Allah’s help i.e. strength, steadfastness and firmness.

The second aspect is present today because today the enemies of the Islamic ummah - whether it be a state or organization – are hell-bent and going all out in confronting the Muslims. They are truly equipping themselves with an organized and programmed forces, good and strong in terms of weaponry, media, personnels, etc.

On the contrary, not so few Muslims acted gracelessly when confronting the enemies. This can be easily seen when they are only using limited provisions, having weak preparations and full of haste, movements that are disunited and detached which ends up in the occurrence of fitnah and terrible destructions which includes the disappearance of truth from the communal life.

Why is that? Because the clumsiness in the various jihad acts precisely gave the thaghoot the opportunities to discredit the Shari’at of Islam and eliminate jihad from the brains of the Muslims, by way of arresting its (Islamic) activists, giving bad image to jihad and Mujahideen as well as by declaring that Islam is a despicable religion of terror.

Allah says:

“The Unbelievers are protectors, one of another: Unless ye do this, (protect each other), there would be tumult and oppression on earth, and great mischief.” (Al-Anfal: 73)

Jihad is an Amal Jama’i (Collective work)

Even though a lone jihad is also considered as an allowed jihad that could cause its executor to die Shaheed but it does not mean that we straight away neglect the management of a war that is controlled by one jama’ah [unified group].

As for the shar’i reason with regards to this issue, it is as what is enjoined in the verse above and that Allah has instructed the Muslims to prepare a force which is truly satisfactory, in order to create the feeling of fear upon the kafir and murtadeen.

Allah says:

“Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.” (Al Anfal: 60)

Based on the above verse, the entire Muslims have the DUTY to be responsible for acquiring the strength and to work hard towards achieving the material and spiritual victory, until the enemies, whether it be the kafir or munafiq, could be overawed.

As for the shar’i methods to achieve it, they are by; Al-Jama’ah, Good and Systematic Organizations, Well-arranged Plannings, Strong Leadership and Shar’i Loyalty. The five elements above are emergency in nature and are to be accomplished immediately in an i’dad (preparation for battle) that is in accordance with the Shar’ia.

Rasulullah SAW said in a hadith: “I declare obligatory upon you five things; Allah (SWT) has commanded me to do so. They are: jama'ah, listening, obeying, making Hijrah, and making Jihad for the cause of Allah.” (HR. Ahmad dan Tirmidzi)

Thus are the jama’iyah (collective) characters of the people from Tha’ifah Mansurah. They exist today, i.e. those who are conducting jihad in the era when there is no Khilafah until the Judgement Day approaches, i.e. when the entire souls of the Mu’meen are taken away by the fragrant wind from Yemen.

Those characters are like what had been mentioned in hadiths about their existence which are mutawatir (consecutive) in nature, meaning that it shows their existence and continuance until the end of times.

Rasulullah SAW said: "There will always be from my Ummah a party (Taifa) who will come forward defending the truth (Haq), will not be harmed by those who differ with them until the order of Allah comes and they are upon it." (HR. Muslim)

Dr. Abdullah Azzam said that Jihad is an Ibaadah Jama’iyyah which will not materialize except with existence of the jama’ah that confronts the jahiliyyah or kafir society. It is for that reason that jihad was not obligated in Makkah due to the weakness of the Muslims, the scant number of them and their inability to confront the jahiliyyah which relied upon the strength and number.

As long as the jihad is an ibaadah jama’iyyah, then one who handles this matter should be the Amirul Jama’ah, and he is the one who declares jihad. (I’lanul Jihad, Dr. Abdullah Azzam, page.8)

Therefore, is it logical if the Taifah Mansurah conducts the duty of jihad individually without the formation of jama’ah which is based on the principles of As Sam’u wat Tha’ah (listen and obey)? Let us check out the history of Rasulullah SAW and his sahabahs, when they still did not have the Daulah Islammiyah. Did they move in da’wah singly without the existence of a jama’ah and obedience to Rasulullah SAW, or did they move in a jama’ah that was organized and obedient to the Amir?

Rasulullah SAW said, “It should be that you adhere to Al Jama’ah and be warned against disunity because indeed Satan can chase an individual but he stands farther away from two people. Those who seek the joy of residing in Paradise must follow Al Jama’ah” (Hukmul Islam fi Ad Dimuqratiya waa Ta’adudiyyah Al Hizbiyyah: 174)

After explaining about one of the characters of Ath Thaifah Al Mansurah, Shaikh Abdul Mun’im Musthafa Halimah warned that even though jihad fie sabilillah is a fardhu ‘ain for every Muslim when there is no Khilafah, they should not conduct it individually.

Because jihad is an ibadah jama’i and it would cause danger if this amal jama’i is done individually. Due to this, the harakah jihadiyahs (jihad movements) must mutually conduct synergic coordination for the sake of implementing this obligation. (Shifatu Ath Tha’ifah Al Mansurah Allati Yujibu An tukatsira Sawadaha Shifat II: Al Jihad Fi Sabilillah)

Remain Patient in the Way of Allah

Indeed, jihad is the quickest way towards Jannah. Why not? The feeling of fear that trembles the breast of the Mujahideen in battles could shed off their sins and also the first drop of blood of a Mujahid who is sincere could truly erase all his sins without any exception.

However, in performing jihad fii sabilillah, we must also observe the real context on the ground and make sure that there is adequate level of capacity and that it is really rooted on the shar’i values and methods, as well as free from the urges of emotions only. Due to this, Ibnul Qayyim rohimahulloh wrote that there are at least 13 steps in 4 main parts in heading towards the true Jihad .

Therefore, we must be patient in treading along this path just as Allah says:

“How many of the prophets fought (in Allah's way), and with them (fought) Large bands of godly men? but they never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah's way, nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in. And Allah Loves those who are firm and steadfast.” ( QS Ali Imron : 146 )

From this sublime verse, Allah Azza wa Jalla gives the criterion of sabr (patience) in three approaches i.e.:

1. Not mentally weak (in the sense of consistently enthusiastic).

2. Not lazy (meaning to continually perform good deeds. Because hardships and sacrifices have their values in Allah’s sight).

Allah says:

“And slacken not in following up the enemy: If ye are suffering hardships, they are suffering similar hardships; but ye have Hope from Allah, while they have none. And Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.” (An-Nisa: 104)

3. Not surrendering (which shows the firmness of the Mujahid’s attitude who only live up to the motto of “Live Honorably or Die Shaheed.”)

Allah says:

“Be not weary and faint-hearted, crying for peace, when ye should be uppermost: for Allah is with you, and will never put you in loss for your (good) deeds.” (Muhammad: 35)

Therefore we must be patient in the jama’ah in carrying out the da’wah, amar ma’ruf nahi mungkar and jihad universally for the sake of establishing the Shari’at of Islam on Allah’s earth.

It is obligatory for us to be patient when facing obstructive restrictions, when all mankind throw fitnah and discredit our activities of struggling for Islam in an amal jama’i for the sake of the establishment of Islamic Shari’ah with da’wah and jihad.

It is compulsory upon us to be patient when all mankind afflict sufferings. Because indeed, they are not able to afflict sufferings except by the permission of Allah and indeed the snare of iblis and his followers are very vain in front of a devout Mujahid.

It is also necessary for us to be patient in battles especially when Allah has destined us to lunge into a war territory and be directly in confrontation with the enemies i.e. without retreating.

Allah says:

“O ye who believe! when ye meet the Unbelievers in hostile array, never turn your backs to them. If any do turn his back to them on such a day - unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own)- he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed)!” (Al-Anfal: 15-16)

Be patient! Because indeed the character of the Tha’ifah Al Mansurah is to be patient in da’wah and jihad. Insha Allah, to be obedient in jama’ah is far more barakah (blessed) and would stand an easier chance for bringing forward the Nashrullahu Ta’ala (Allah's help).

Be patient! But at the same time do not be idle in struggling for Allah's religion for Allah does not like a Muslim who rests from struggling for His religion because the enemies of Allah i.e. syaitan and its followers never rest from struggling to destroy Islam.

Accused As Terrorists, Their Janazas Are Smiling

2009-10-14T04:57:00.000-07:00

. The faces of As-Shaheed (insha Allah) Syaifuddin Zuhri and M. Syahrir looked smiling and beaming. It is a proof that both of them are dying Shaheed (insha Allah).

Thus are the indications of someone dying as shaheed mentioned in the Qur’an as cited by Abu Wildan, one of the alumni of Lukmanul Hakim Madrassa when talking to okezone in Jakarta, Tuesday (13/10/2009).

"It’s proper and right (the smiling faces of Syaifuddin and Syahrir), there is some form of goodness in this from Allah SWT. We could never know for certain how His judgment upon someone is. But it is written in the Qur’an that the 'jasad' (body) that beams with radiance at the end of his life is due to nothing but his good deeds are accepted by Allah and he is shown paradise," he explained.

The assessment by Abu Wildan was made after looking at the photos of the janazas of Syaifuddin and Syahrir which was publicized by the Police, yesterday. The photos really showed the smiles that glowed from the lips of Syaifuddin and Syahrir as well as their wide open eyes.

Even though the government and most public judged the action of Syaifuddin and Syahrir as an act of evil, however, it is no guarantee that it is wrong in the sight of Allah. There are many unknowns that the mortal mind of human cannot comprehend, especially the minds that are blinded by Allah.

As is known, Syaifuddin Zuhri and M. Syahrir are the latest victims of the thaghoot government apparatus, the DENSUS 88 team (a.k.a. anti-terrorist team bred by America). They are said to be linked to As-Shaheed (insha Allah) Noordin M Top.

These two brothers were buried about 20 meter to the east from the grave of their earlier martyred brother-in-law i.e. As-Shaheed (insha Allah) Ibrahim.

The Two Knocks Of Iman

2009-10-14T03:34:00.000-07:00

.
Impart unto us O Mother Hajar
Of how the feeling of Iman conquered
The burning feeling of jealousy and fear

O Companions who dug the trench
Could you formulate unto us in even a rhyme
Of how the reasoning of Iman shot up far beyond
Surpassing the supportable reasoning of pretense (munafiq)

The three mortals were crossing over a valley. Empty, dry, hot, wild and uninhabited. No animals in sight, no plants. They consisted of a man who began to come in to old age and a woman who carried a newly born baby. The feeling of tiredness made them stop. And the hungry baby started to breastfeed on the mother.

But the man, the righteous husband, suddenly walked heading towards the north. There were tears welling in his eyes. He kept on walking. The wife then realized that she and her baby were being left by the man. She thus ran after him, trying to catch up. She trotted with her still reddish baby shaking inside the carrier.

“Why are leaving us O Ibrahim?” she cried, full of questions.

That man, Ibrahim, did not answer. He stopped for a while, took a deep breath and withheld his tears.

“Why are you leaving us O Ibrahim?”

Ibrahim was still quiet. A thousand and one feelings raged in his heart. He, who had been waiting for the apple of his eye for decades. He, who had been spending his nights with doa, begging for a little cry that could break the silence in his house. Now Allah had given that gift, Isma’il. And now, Allah suddenly asked him to leave Isma’il and his mother in this lifeless land. He would feel lonely again. He would be struck by a feeling of worry that has no limits. But what power does a slave has? And why should he think bad of Allah? Yes, he is pleased with His command. Only that, he could not afford to answer Hajar. The watery layers in his eyes started to suffuse. It was raining within.

“Is this an order from Allah?” suddenly Hajar changed her question.

Ibrahim instantly felt crushed. He stopped for a second, and then turned back. He looked straight into Hajar’s limpid and teary eyes. Both his arms clutched Hajar’s arms. “Yes,” he said. He took a long and deep breath. “This is Allah’s order.”

It was a moment of serenity. They embraced each other. “If this is Allah’s order,” Hajar whispered at her husband’s ear, “He would never disappoint us at all.”

Ѻ Ѻ Ѻ

"O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Thy Sacred House; in order, O our Lord, that they may establish regular Prayer: so fill the hearts of some among men with love towards them, and feed them with fruits: so that they may give thanks.” (Qur’an 14:37)

That was the way it all played out. The way of love of the strugglers always demand us to crown love with shining iman. Ibrahim, Allah’s beloved, proved his love. The same goes with Hajar, his wife. Her words became an illustrious proclamation of iman of all time. “If this is Allah’s order, He would never disappoint us at all”. This is the feeling of the heart that flares up to become a determination. The feeling that places one’s reliance upon the Creator, Most High, until it goes beyond the boundary of emotions. This is iman.

Surely, we could imagine that it would be very human for Hajar if she could not accept to be deserted just like that in a hot wilderness without vegetations, without food, without friends. Or if jealousy had overcome her and thus said, “Oh, so you are leaving us here because the barren Sarah is jealous of me?! So we are being let down while you would be enjoying with your other wife?”

Subhanallah. Of course, Mother Hajar was far from such an akhlaq. But let us use the “If” word here to show that what Hajar had done was not an easy thing. Not easy at all. And if her carnal feeling of hesitation were to be obeyed, we certainly would not know about Zamzam, there would surely be no Sa’i between the hills of Safa and Marwa, there would surely be no casting of stones at Jumrah and no ibaadah of sacrifice. And we would perhaps fall short of adding our utterance of salawat to the Prophet with, “…Kamaa sollaita ‘alaa Ibraahiim, wa ‘alaa Aali Ibraahiim..”

Or have we ever imagined another version to the story of Hanzhalah, who had been washed by the angels? The call for jihad was surely very startling for the couple who had just gotten married during the day. Now, what if the wife sulked on the first night and said, “Darling.. This is our first night. Surely Allah and His messenger acknowledge it and give you the exemption..” Hanzhalah, the companion of Rasulullah was really glorious on that of his first night. Being together with the wife and meeting up with the houris with shaheed, all at once. Then, the angels washed his body as he had not the chance to shower after being together with the wife.

“Darling.. This is our first night. Surely Allah and His messenger acknowledge it and give you the exemption..” Subhanallah, how extraordinary the power of these words are. Yes, because these words are so proper, so natural and so human. Let’s play the “If” game again, we would see that what Hanzhalah and his wife had done was not an easy thing. Not easy at all. If Hanzhalah failed to crown his love with iman, there would certainly be no story about a janaza being washed by the angels!

The Mu’meenah who were left by their husbands to go for jihad at the battle of Tabuk were also made to face the test of iman. This is the Jaishul ‘Usrah, the forces with full of hardships. Leaving the families behind in uncertainties, fierce weathers, as well as very poor stocks and provisions. The women of the munafiqeen then came as if female devils full of love and care.

“Ma’am… how could your husband have the heart to leave you behind in a situation like this. The weather is fierce, the harvest is uncertain, the situation is difficult and the kids are still young. Uh, that’s how men are. But you yourself are willing to be left behind? If I were you, I wouldn’t want to be left in such a difficult situation as now..”

“Innama dzahabal Akkal,” the Mu’meenah plus solihah answered, “Wa baqiya Ar Razzaq.” Ah, very apt indeed. For the munafiqeen, sharp words must be used, qaulan baliigha. In our language, approximately what the Sahabiyyah said was, “Ma’am.. those who are gone only know how to eat. If they stay, they would only finish the rations. The Provider is with us.” Didn’t they love their husbands and did they really feel liberated from the burden when the men are gone? Not at all. Their love was as deep as the canyon. Only that, no matter how difficult, no matter how bloody, they managed to cross over and pass through it in order to grasp the pleasure of the Lord.

This is the iman of the emotion. The iman that moves surpassing every other emotion of the heart.

Ѻ Ѻ Ѻ

In a similar rhythm, iman could also sing from a different beat. If Hajar taught us about iman rooted in emotions, the Prophet’s companions taught us about the reasoning of iman. Al Barra’ ibn Azib narrated the days of hardship during the excavation of Khandaq. "When digging the trench, we were impeded in a few places by a very hard ground which could not be dug with a hoe. We reported it to Rasulullah SAW. He came, took the hoe and said, “Bismillah,” he then struck the hard ground in one strike until sparks flickered out of it."

“Allahu Akbar! I am given the keys to Sham (Syria). By Allah, I am truly witnessing its palaces which are red in color now.”

He then struck another hard ground, and again said, “Allahu Akbar! I am given the land of Persia. By Allah, I could see the palaces of Mada’in which are white in color from this position.”

And for the third time, he said, “Allahu Akbar! I am given the keys to Yemen. By Allah, from this position, I could see the arches of San’a!”

This was a supreme promise when the companions were gripped by an extremely awful trepidation. The Quraish, Ghathafan, Jews, and all other pagan tribes in the Arab peninsula were united to become one powerful might to crush Madinah. In an agonizing hunger that entwined into the very pit of the stomach, they must quickly dig the trench before the arrival of the enemies. “The soldiers of Khandaq,” Anas ibn Malik said, “were given two handfuls of wheat. The wheat was then mixed with oil and heated, then poured into palms of everyone. The sahabahs were in a very hungry state at that time, whereas the food they had could only give a bit of smell and warmth in the throat.”

At last, the forces of the federation arrived with all its jahiliyyah arrogance and might. The dignitaries of the mushrikeen were looking for a gap that they could use to cross and penetrate the Muslim's defense. There was one narrow point that was quite unattended. ‘Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl, Naufal ibn ‘Abdullah Al Makhzumi, Dhirar ibn Al Khaththab, Hubairah ibn Abi Wahb and ‘Amr ibn ‘Abdi Wudd managed to infiltrate though they could not take their horses across.

‘Amr ibn ‘Abdi Wudd who challenged to a duel was instantly met by ‘Ali. “By Allah, my nephew,” he said, “I don’t want to kill you.” ‘Ali replied, “But by Allah, I want to kill you!” ‘Amr, the dreadful duel ace was belted by ‘Ali in a few blows. He fell. Naufal ibn ‘Abdullah, who retreated in fear fell into the trench, hit the rock and died. The rest ran away helter-skelter chased by ‘Umar ibn Al Khaththab and Zubair ibn Al ‘Awwam. But attacks after attacks from every side of the trench kept on coming. So incessant. Not to mention the news about the betrayal by the Jews in Madinah. Madinah was surrounded from all sides. All ways out and supply routes were shut. Everything felt distressingly suffocating.

“Behold! they came on you from above you and from below you, and behold, the eyes became dim and the hearts gaped up to the throats, and ye imagined various (vain) thoughts about Allah.” (Qur’an 33:10)

The insistent and unrelenting attacks from the morning until the middle of the night forced everyone to hold out in their posts, without even having time to break, answer the call of nature, or even solat. Zohr, ‘Asr, Maghrib and ‘Isya’ had to be combined into one (jamak). “The Mushrikeen,” thus the Prophet said exasperatedly, “are making us leave the solat al-wustha (the middle prayer). May Allah fill up their throats and graves with fire.”

How ironic was what they faced now with what the Prophet promised the other day. Conquering Sham, Persia and Yemen. Ah, felt like the dream was too high-sounding. The munafiqeens could not contain themselves anymore. “Our Prophet is too far-fetched!” they said. “How could he be talking about the faraway Sham, Persia and Yemen when we can’t answer the call of nature in our own houses?” But what happened to the men who have faith? They soared even higher with their iman, distancing their souls from the munafiqeen who wallowed in the bog of doubts.

“When the Believers saw the Confederate forces, they said: "This is what Allah and his Messenger had promised us, and Allah and His Messenger told us what was true." And it only added to their faith and their zeal in obedience.” (Qur’an 33:22)

The question is, where does this great faith come from? A Mufassir (Ones who makes the Tafseer of the Qur'an) believes that Allah has endowed tawfeeq (Divine-help) to the believers to take lessons from the alternation of the night and day. 7 O’clock in the evening, the surroundings is already dark. But 10 O’clock at night, it must be darker. And 2 O’clock after midnight, it must be even darker. But the darker it gets means, the nearer it is to dawn.

They also felt the same way. The Battle of Badar had already felt very painful for them. How could they engage in killings and violence with their own fathers, sons, kins and relatives. Extremely agonizing. But the Battle of Uhud was even more agonizing. They felt the bitter taste of defeat after winning initially, hearing the news about the death of the Prophet, knowing that 70 of the best sahabahs were martyred and the Prophet suffering wound, bleeding and even his teeth were broken. Yes, extremely agonizing. And now the Battle of Khandaq was even more unbearable. There was some truth in what the munafiqeen had said, “We can’t answer the call of nature in our own houses.”

The grim atmosphere and grip of fear felt by the believers were the same as what the munafiqeen felt. But the ‘ibrah is different. The munafiqeen said, “We don’t even have time to answer the call of nature in our own houses. Now, we are talking about conquering Sham, Persia and Yemen. C’mon!” Whereas the Mu’mineen said, “Wow, it’s getting darker. Insha Allah we are getting nearer to the dawn. Allahu Akbar!”

This is the way of love of the strugglers (Mujahideen), where the feeling of iman moves sweeping over all the other emotions of the heart. This is the way of love of the strugglers, where the reasoning of iman works overcoming every logic of ignorance (jahiliyyah).

adapted and translated from the book "Jalan Cinta Para Pejuang" (The Way Of Love Of The Strugglers) by Salim A. Fillah

Failures In Afghanistan Due to American Weapon Inadequacy

2009-10-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

. Some parties claimed that the failure of the American strategy in Afghanistan is due to the inadequacy of the weaponry used by the American military in that country to fight against the Mujahideen.

Not so few soldiers from the US military stationed in Afghanistan gave witnesses to this, that the weapons they carry always malfunctioned when they want to use them. As experienced by Staff Sgt. Erich Phillips, where the M4 carbine had quit firing. The machine gun he grabbed after tossing the rifle aside didn't work either. Whereas, he admitted that his condition was so desperate at that time, the Mujahideen were launching assaults from all directions towards the American base in Wanat last year.

Complaints about the US military weapons, especially the M4, are actually not a new thing. Whereas, if properly functioning, the M4 can pump out more than 3,000 rounds before any failures occur. The soldiers also had trouble with their M249 machine guns, a larger weapon than the M4 that can shoot up to 750 rounds per minute.

Cpl. Jason Bogar fired approximately 600 rounds from his M-249 before the weapon overheated and jammed the weapon.

Bogar was killed during the firefight, but no one saw how he died, according to the report.

According to a study performed by Douglas Cubbison of the Army Combat Studies Institute at Fort Leavenworth and based on investigations and interviews with soldiers who survived the attack at Wanat, it was learnt that besides the defectiveness of their weapons, the failure of the US was also due to the attacks on the part of Mujahideen which are well-coordinated and potent that unleashed a withering barrage with AK-47 automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, the two Mujahideen most favorite assault weapons. Bravo Mujahideen!

He said the Mujahideen were "experienced, numerically powerful, highly skilled, adequately equipped (and) tactically accomplished."

Nevertheless, the US terrorist soldiers said their weapons were meticulously cared for and routinely inspected by commanders. But still the weapons had breakdowns, especially when the rifles were on full automatic, which allows hundreds of bullets to be fired a minute.

Allah once again directly helped the Mujahideen by making their enemies' weapons choked! Praised be to Allah.

Sour©e: Yahoo!News

The Road to Jihad?

2009-10-11T14:41:00.000-07:00

. Twenty-nine-year-old Makasan Halee sits cross-legged on the bare concrete floor of his family home and vows vengeance against his father's killers. "I am so angry now that I will kill to defend my family and my faith," says Makasan. "I want revenge." Crowded around him in the front room of his modest house last Thursday are a couple of dozen grieving, enraged relatives and friends. Along with several hundred other impoverished rubber tappers, Makasan lives in Som, a dusty village situated in Pattani province in Thailand's deep south. The villagers are mourning the loss of Makasan's 63-year-old father, Mae Ai Halee, whom they buried just 12 hours previously in a nearby rubber plantation, his face and hands contorted from the pain of his death, his groin and chest riddled with bullets.

Two days earlier, Makasan had watched his father pack a clean shirt, two sarongs and his prayer beads in preparation for what Mae Ai told him would be a pilgrimage to an ancient and holy mosque in the nearby town of Pattani. The next night Makasan found himself lining up outside the Thai military headquarters in Pattani to collect his father's corpse. Military officials described to Makasan how, together with 31 other men, six of them from Som, his father attacked a police checkpoint, killed two officers, then retreated inside the crumbling, red brick Krue Se mosque to launch a defiant stand against the might of the Thai military. When the automatic-weapon fire had ceased and the tear gas had cleared nine hours after the siege began, all 32 lay dead, their bodies lying in bloodied heaps on the stone floor of the mosque. It was not the only blood spilled that day. In an unprecedented outbreak of carnage that has stunned this predominantly Buddhist nation, 108 Muslims were killed after a series of apparently coordinated attacks on police posts and government installations across three provinces in the south. Five members of the security forces also died.

Eyewitnesses describe Makasan's father as the emir, or head, of the group that took over the mosque. But Makasan and his fellow villagers refuse to believe that Mae Ai was the leader of the Krue Se militants. The Mae Ai they knew couldn't be the same man who, it is suspected, initiated the killings by slashing to death an unsuspecting policeman with a machete. "My father just went to the mosque to pray," Makasan says, barely able to contain his fury. "He was a good Muslim, and the Thai army killed him."

With scores of other sons, brothers and fathers likewise vowing revenge, Thailand's south, home to most of the nation's 6 million Muslim minority, is again a powder keg ready to explode. The south is the country's poorest region and was once wracked by a guerrilla insurgency agitating to set up an independent Islamic state. The militants, who often hid in neighboring Malaysia, were not widely supported, but their cause reflected the resentment and sense of marginalization that many Thai Muslims felt. The movement waned in the 1980s and '90s as the authorities in Bangkok boosted economic aid to the south, gave it some autonomy and pardoned many insurgents. And though there had been a steadily rising tide of killings and attacks on security posts in the south in recent years, most officials and analysts dismissed the unrest as sporadic and low-level, blaming bandits as much as they did separatists, until last week's bloodbath. Now the scale and ferocity of the April 28 violence is forcing Thais to confront the reality that Islamic militancy in the south has escalated into a national crisis. The morning after the killings, "Thais woke up to a new reality," editorialized Bangkok's The Nation newspaper. "What happened... may change Thailand forever."

The most profound and dangerous fallout is the potential internationalization of what had previously been a local problem. The image of non-Muslim security personnel firing rocket-propelled grenades and M-16s as they storm the most sacred mosque in Pattani province could serve as a rousing recruitment ad for Islamic radicals worldwide to join the jihad in Thailand. "There's a real danger that militants from Malaysia, Indonesia or the Arab world will now become involved in Thailand's internal conflict," says Anusorn Limmanee, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. Any involvement by outside extremists would also raise another grim specter: the possibility that the militants might turn their sights on the millions of foreigners who flock to Thailand's beach resorts, dealing a body blow to the country's chief source of foreign currency, its $7 billion-a-year tourism industry. Ominously, one Islamic separatist group that had been quiet for decades, the Pattani United Liberation Organization (P.U.L.O.), published a warning to foreign tourists on its website within 24 hours of the killings. The message, addressed to "Dear People of the World," said: "Persons who plan to visit Thailand NOW are warned not to travel to Pattani ... Pattani people are not responsible for what happens to you after this warning." The notice pointedly includes the tourist havens of Phuket and Krabi, a few hours' drive away. Already, the U.S., Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia have advised their citizens to avoid Thailand's south.

Any escalation of violence will depend, of course, on the leadership, organizational ability and funding of the handful of small separatist groups in the south. But even the most basic information about these groups, the size of their memberships, how much they cooperate with one another, what links they have to international militant Islamic groups such as al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiah (JI), remains largely a mystery. "Most of the groups have been dormant for years," says a Malaysian intelligence official in Kuala Lumpur, so they have largely fallen off the radar. But, he adds, while relatively few in numbers, the militants have remained active. "They were waiting for the right time, doing their networking. Based on ground reports, we believe the various groups have now come together to forge a stronger alliance against the Thai government." The best indication of this is the increasingly frightening trail of destruction the south has witnessed lately: since the start of the year, some 70 security personnel, teachers, Buddhist monks and other non-Muslims have been killed; hundreds of automatic rifles and nearly a ton of explosives have been stolen; and scores of government buildings, including schools, have been burned down apparently for teaching Thai language and culture (the Muslims traditionally speak Malay). "It is clearly recognizable that these groups are in the early stages of arming themselves and training," says Rohan Gunaratna, a Singapore-based expert on terrorism. "There is much more bloodshed to come."

A succession of events has combined to breathe new life into the dying embers of the southern Muslims' separatist cause. First came the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. and the accompanying global revival of radical, jihadist Islam, fueled by the U.S.-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Coupled with that was a crackdown in Malaysia that saw many militants fleeing back across the notoriously porous border into southern Thailand. But the biggest factor, say critics of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been the central government's hardball approach to the south since he came to power.

A policeman before becoming a businessman and a politician, Thaksin is trying to play both good and bad cop. He has repeatedly pledged to divert more development funds to the south. But he also declared martial law in the area immediately after a Jan. 4 raid on a Thai army base there, ordered more troops to the region, and abandoned a program that emphasized cooperation between the military, the police and community leaders. Instead, Thaksin gave sole responsibility for public security to the police, who are reviled by the Muslims because they consider the cops corrupt and insensitive to Islamic customs. Widespread arrests and mysterious disappearances soon followed. One notorious case was the recent and still unsolved disappearance of Somchai Neelahphaijit, a Muslim lawyer who was defending four men accused of membership in JI. Four policemen have been detained as suspects in his disappearance, but no charges have been filed. In recent months, says Kraisak Choonhavan, head of the Senate committee on foreign affairs: "The police have arrested a lot of highly respected [Muslim] people in the community. That really feeds anger and resentment against the government." Vairoj Phiphipakdee, an opposition lawmaker and Muslim from Pattani who has met with gangs that have shot policemen and burned schools, says he has observed a marked change in the separatist cause over the past two years. Back then, he estimates, there were fewer than 20 hard-core separatists in the south. Now, he says, "I believe it's a full-blown separatist revolt involving hundreds of people and it came about because of mistakes in government policy."

Domestically, Thaksin's tough stance in the south has seemed to draw support from many non-Muslim Thais. His approach has certainly worked in other problem areas: opinion polls showed widespread backing for his recent antinarcotics campaign that saw more than 3,000 alleged drug dealers killed, many of them in unexplained circumstances. But none of this has helped Thailand's international reputation, says Sunai Phasuk of Human Rights Watch in Bangkok: "Thailand is now a country that has a problem with terrorism. Thailand is now a country that has a problem with treatment of religious minorities. Thailand is now a country that has a problem with the rule of law and human rights. That's the new image of Thailand."

Baba Lukman personifies the south's rage against Bangkok. A slightly built man in his 50s, he is a self-confessed separatist fighter who leads a cell of militants aligned to a group calling itself New P.U.L.O. (According to Andrew Tan, a regional security expert at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, New P.U.L.O. is one of six main groups that have recently pooled their resources under a single banner, Bersatu, the Malay word for united.) In what is a rare interview with a southern Thai militant, Time met with Lukman a few days prior to the April 28 bloodbath in a dimly lit room upstairs from a garbage-strewn alley in the Thai town of Sungai Golok, which borders Malaysia. Lukman, who insisted on conducting the interview at 3 a.m. for security reasons, says his group was responsible for the January raid on the army depot and also the torching of several government schools that month. His organization's goal: an independent Islamic state in Thailand's south. "We cannot compromise," he says, his voice muffled by the red-and-white check scarf covering most of his face. "The Thai government is not interested in talking to us. The fight will go on. We want independence. Nothing less than that."

Lukman, whose eyelids are outlined with a traditional makeup paste called kohl, a practice favored by some devout male Muslims, blames what he says is the brutality of the police and military for the upsurge of violent attacks by militants. "The Pattani people want to live in peace but Thaksin's government is arrogant. Most atrocities are carried out by the Thai government officials and they put the blame on us. When an attack or bomb blast happens, everyone thinks it's done by the freedom fighters." He adds bitterly: "Why are you reporters not writing about the hundreds of people who go missing from all the Muslim provinces?"

If the Thai government needs any further explanation for why men like Lukman are attracting an increasing number of recruits, it need only look at the village of Som. Last week, on the day of the killings, the Muslim residents gathered at the mosque and watched stone-faced as their dead, nine in total, six from the Krue Se mosque and three who allegedly raided a checkpoint in Mae Lan, returned in the back of pickup trucks. The corpses, wrapped in bloodstained sheets, were laid out on the tiled floor at the mosque entrance to be readied for burial. The villagers crowded the forecourt to watch as the sheets were lifted one by one to reveal the bullet-riddled bodies. While children as young as six years old looked on, female relatives kneeled and gently kissed the bloodied foreheads of their dead. Among the menfolk, the talk was of how these deaths were further proof of the brutality of the security forces. Surveying the corpses, village preacher Abdul Romae says, "These men are innocent, just like our Muslim brothers being killed in Iraq." For Makasan, the rubber tapper whose father was among those who died on April 28, his duty seems clear: "I am ready to kill."

By: Simon Elegant [Kuala Lumpur] and Andrew Perrin [Pattani]

Real also: A Brief History of The Conflict in Southern Thailand and The Crime of Silence

Background of Shi’ah Ideology

2009-10-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

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"Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-ma’ruf (Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the uccessful." (translation of Al-Quran surah Ali ‘Imran: 104)

Many people have a vague picture of what the Shi’ah school of thought is in comparison to the majority’s version of Islam. Is the disagreement vital? And if it is vital, as a Shi’ah or following the Muslim scholars, what should we do to find the right Islam and the right path to Paradise? May Allah bestow on us His mercy and not deprive us of His guidance. Ameen.

When Islam came as a guidance for mankind, the early generation of devoted Muslims sincerely worked hard to propagate and defend it, allowing Islam to spread steadfastly. However, this created a wave of anger and hatred towards Islam from some of the narrow minded religious figures, especially of Judaism.

They plotted to assassinate the Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessing be upon him) and to create discord or fighting among Muslims (fitnah). However, the Iman or faith of the companions was so strong that they were not affected by such conspiracies. After the death of many companions, the Jewish conspiracy among others, represented by Abdullah bin Saba’, found its way first, through Muslims less educated about Islam then later on to the rest of the Muslim Community.

During the term of the first and second Khalifah’s (leader of the whole Muslim nation) there were still many companions. By the end of the third Khalifah’s reign, a great number of the companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) had passed away, while the number of new generation and new converts had multiplied tremendously.

At this time, the tribalist, racist and Jewish movements found an opportunity to come to the surface. Among these movements was that of Abdullah Bin Saba’, as had been mentioned above. He was a Yemeni Jew who claimed that ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) had divine authority.

This developed further into the claim that he, his son Al-Hassan, his son Al-Hussain and the descendants of the latter should be the future leaders of the whole Muslim Ummah forever. This was, of course, contrary to the current practice since after the Prophet, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq had been elected as the Khalifah (Leader) of the whole Muslim Ummah (Nation), followed by ‘Umar ibn Al- Khattab (may Allah be pleased with them). There was as yet, until today, no claim that ‘Ali should be the first Khalifah.

This allegation however, finally found a place of acceptance in the capital of the previously Iranian (Persian) Empire, Al-Madayen, more easily than in the other regions of the Islamic Empire at that time, especially since Al-Hussain, second son of Ali, was then married to the daughter of the last Iranian Emperor.

This is why the Shi’ah concept of the hereditary system of leadership is confined to the descendants of Al- Hussain, beginning with fourth Shi’i (Shiite) Imam (leader). The claim that ‘Ali should be the first Khalifah started mainly as a political ploy to create discord among Muslims by agitating the tribal and racial differences and hostilities.

The end result of the political claim, however, was a religious difference and deviation from the Islam maintained by the great majority of Muslim scholars.

Shi’ah derive their name from Shi’i which means supporter in Arabic, here to mean the supporters of ‘Ali, his sons, Hassan and Hussain, and descendants of Hussain (may Allah be pleased with them all).

Shi’ah are divided into groups: the Zaidis, who have deviated the least; the Ja’fari Ithna Asyri, the Ismailis, and the Alawi Nusairi. Druzes in Syria and Lebanon derive their roots from Ismailism and Fatimiyah Shi’ah.

Ja’fari Ithna Asyri (Ja’fari Twelvers) represents the majority of Shi’ah followers today.

By: Said Ismail

Related post: The 12th Imam Of The Shia Is Dajjal (Anti-Christ)?

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan On the occasion of the American Anniversary

2009-10-09T14:02:00.001-07:00

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Shawwal 18, 1430 A.H, October 08, 2009

In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate

The Afghans, who had vaulted out of the Russian invasion, once again became target of another heedless aggression of global invaders eight years ago. This was in a time when the suffering and miserable Afghan people had just begun to lead a peaceful and prosperous life under the shade of a truly Islamic system. The arrogant and colonialist powers of the world targeted Afghanistan in order to achieve their goals of exploitation. It was in circumstances that the country had, for the first time, embarked on the road of establishing a pure Islamic system and realizing the fact that they had gained a real independence.

These arrogant powers thought the young Islamic Emirate to be a challenge to their goals of colonialism and exploitation. Therefore, capitalizing on the ambiguous event of 9-11, they tried to deprive the oppressed people of Afghanistan from the blessing of an Islamic system and independence.

At that time, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan sought every possible way to find a peaceful solution to the problem already cropped up between the Islamic Emirate and the western powers.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan was trying to prevent the war that brought nothing but miseries to the people of Afghanistan and America. But the then leadership of America refused to seek a path of negotiation and rationale solution. So they arrogantly invaded these miserable people with the help of global and regional allies.

Eight years have passed since then. Time unearthed all those facts and realities that we suspected. According to the government of America, the war of the last eight years has no clear achievement for them despite expenditure of billions of dollars and casualties running into thousands of people, still there is no glow of victory for them in this war.

The war has been taking life of the Afghan and the American people relentlessly. So, one could not understand the reasons behind the prolonging and justifying of the war, nonetheless the realties mentioned above. Why a war that no wise man in the world believes to succeed, should be continued.

We say publicly, that our current Jihad against the American invasion is a legitimate struggle, which we started to obtain our religious and human rights. This struggle will continue until the presence of the last foreign soldiers on our soil.

If the world community, particularly America, wants to let loose herself, the world and Afghanistan from this problem, they should consider troops withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The soon, the better. In fact, the Americans have moral responsibility to put an end to the war, which they have started. The reinforcement formula, now under debate in the American administration, is a strategy that pushed the former Soviet Union to the brink of disintegration.

We believe, now it is the time for the invaders to admit the harsh realities, which so far they have been trying to avoid. The prolongation of the war will bring in more astronomical losses to the invaders and would have no achievement. So, it is more rationale that the invaders ponder over the resulting harms of the war.

To end, we would like to say that the October invasion was a flagrant and unlawful aggression in the history of the world and humanity, which could not be justified. We always condemn such aggression on independent countries and consider the aggressor as contemptible.

We pray to Allah, the Almighty to end the trials and hardships of this believing and suffering people.

Easy is this task for Allah to accomplish.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Theunjustmedia.com

What Enemies Want from Muslim Women

2009-10-08T08:47:00.000-07:00

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My Dear sister, know that you are man’s sister and half of humanity.

You are a mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, grand daughter or grand mother. The Prophet said (what translated means) “Women are, indeed, men’s partners.” (Abu Dawud)

You are a member of the great nation of Islam, the best nation ever produced for mankind. No other nation on earth has more great men, leaders and conquerors than this nation. It is the nation of guidance and the straight religion, and it leads humanity to righteousness and truth.

It transforms people from worshippers of slaves to worshippers of the Lord of slaves, from life’s pressures to the pleasures of the Life after, and from the injustice of other religions to the justice of Islam.

Your ancestors, great women of Islam, were one of the main reasons for this great nation to take this great place among all nations. Allah, Who granted Islam to this nation, made a high place for Muslim women, and decreed that they share in the responsibilities of enjoining truth, forbidding
evil and raising the flag of Islam.

He said (what translated means) “The believers, men and women, are helpers of one another, they enjoin righteousness and forbid evil, they offer their prayers perfectly and give the Zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will leave His Mercy on them. Surely Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (The Noble Quran, surah At-Taubah: 71)

Allah has given Muslim women what they can bear of orders and duties. “He is the God Who knows His creation, should He not know what He created? And He is the Most Kind, All-Aware (of everything).” (Surah Al- Mulk: 14).

My dear sister, you are called upon today to truly become an active member of the Muslim nation, strive to establish victory for Allah’s Word, implement the Quran and help build
the generation of Iman.

What do your enemies want from you?

There are those who want to distract you from doing your duty. They want to distract you from meeting your noble obligation, that is, to defend the religion of Allah and raise His Word high. Those enemies use many methods.

First, they distract you from worship, belief and Da’wah (propagating Islam). They use this worldly life as their bait: jewelry stores, non-Islamic fashions that originate from non-Muslim countries (leading to) hunger that can never be satisfied, pleasures and competition for them... Allah did not create us for this. Indulging in these matters is usually accompanied by wasting time and money and igniting enmity and competition between the rich and the poor.

Second, they ignite enmity between you and man. They tell you that you are a humiliated mother, an abused wife and an oppressed sister! They tell you that all men are always
unjust, hypocrites, dictators... They start war for no reason other than to direct you to rebel against your father, be arrogant with your brother and disobedient to your husband. They do not call for justice, mercy and unity. They call for hatred, arrogance and destruction.

Third, they do not stop at calling for your rebellion against parents, brothers and husbands, they go further and plot against Islam. They call upon you to rebel against the obligations of Islam and the decrees of the All-Knowing King. Islam, to them, is unjust and Islamic laws are imperfect and restrictive. They call upon you, day and night, to rebel and insist on the disobedience of this religion. They try to rid you of your religion. They try to rid you of comfort and safety under generous parenthood, happy marriage and good brotherly relations.

They portray piety and honour as chains on freedom. To them, Hijab does not cover the head, but also covers the mind; prayer, fasting and Zakat are a waste of time and effort; and obedience to husbands is slavery and a retum to the stone age.

Dear Sister,

Your enemies and the enemies of your religion are seeking to make you available for them to fulfill their evil desires whenever they wish. They want you to be a mistress that has no honour. They want you to be found everywhere, on roads and in places of sin, without honour, religion or manners. They seek for you only what they want you to do.

But Sister, be proud of your religion and the religion of your ancestors. Be a good example for your sons and daughters and sincere in your belonging to this mighty nation. Know that honour is an honour to all wise people, and that adultery is dishonorable to all nations, even if some called it freedom.

Your happiness is in being an obedient and believing daughter, a loyal and generous wife and a pious and merciful mother. Know that prayer is the cornerstone of Islam. Fasting one day, for the sake of Allah, takes your face seventy years away from Hellfire, as the Hadith, related by Al-Bukhari and Muslim, states.

Charity is a major cause for gaining forgiveness and for repentance to be accepted. Those women who are showing parts of their bodies to men, will not enter Paradise or smell its fragrance and are cursed, as in the Hadith related by Imam Muslim. Hijab is an honour and protection for you.

These are words from the heart, words of good and sincere advice from your sister.

By: Sis Kitabah

Are We Khawarij?

2009-10-04T08:46:00.000-07:00

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Sheikh ‘Umar ‘Abdur Rahman said:

Just as for the Khawarij, the Ulamaa’ had explained that they were one of those who rebelled against the true Imam (Al-Imam Al Haq), and they were openly disobedient to them, and they conspired against them – but where are the true Imams today, who could (the most rightful) give a label to someone who rebel against them as ‘Khawarij’ ?

Where is the ‘Ali bin Abi Thalib of today?!

And if we are the Khawarij, then who are you (O regime and O Ulama who are loyal to them)?! Are you ‘Ali and his Companions?!

And did ‘Ali RA source the law of his authority from the legislation of the Persians or Romans?!

Did he base his rule on “Socialism” and “Democracy”? Or was he a caller towards “Nationalism” and “Social Security” ?

Or was ‘Ali an ally and supporter of the Jews?!

Or had ‘Ali abandoned the Hudud that came from Allah and implemented the law that Allah had never sent down to earth? Or could it be said that he was calling for the destruction of the Khilafah, a crime that could never be forgiven?!

Or had ‘Ali fought against chastity and purity, calling towards women’s “freedom” and letting the women go out freely?!

Or was ‘Ali one of those who split Al-Qur’an into sections (i.e. believing some and kufr towards some)? Those who said: “There is no Islam in politic, and there is no politic in Islam”?!

Indeed, Imam ‘Ali RA had never done all those wrongs at all. But he was the very one who wanted to apply Allah’s law the most and rule with Allah’s Book, as well as the sunnah of His Messenger SAW. Then in this case, there is no doubt that someone who rebel against Al Imaam Al ‘Adil, is truly a Khawarij.

Just as for someone who had done all the evils we have just mentioned – then someone who rebel against the ruler (who does not implement Islamic law) then he is not a Khawarij; but a Muslim, a Mu’meen, a Muttaqi (one with taqwa).

Read also: The Dream About The Salafy Ustadz From Behind The Iron Bars

Chronology Of Ash-Shaheed Urwah’s Janaza Reception

2009-10-02T22:14:00.000-07:00

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- Alhamdulillah, when our group arrived in Mijen village, Kaliwungu-Kudus district, we were immediately received by the committee of the locality and were placed in Masjid Al-Hikmah which is exactly located in front of the house of Ash-Shaheed Ustadz Urwah alias Bagus Budi Pranoto.

- In the evening, approaching the Isha’ prayer, delegations of sympathizers from the town of Solo which consisted of the components from the Jamaah of Ansharut Tauhid, Muslim Daily, Hisbah Team, Amar Makruf Nahi Munkar Front and a number of representatives from the madrasa’s around Central Java, found the chance to coordinate and simultaneously conducted a silaturrahim (bond of good friendship) with the family of Ash-Shaheed Al-Ustadz Urwah alias Bagus Budi Pranoto.

- In the beginning, the discussions between the team of sympathizers from the town of Solo took place cordially as usual. However, the talks got into a more serious note when discussing about the distribution of roles and the admittance by the family of Ash-Shaheed that they were under pressure and being forced by the government apparatus i.e. Police of Kudus and village head of Mijen.

After the team enquired what kind of requirements that had pressured the family, they immediately presented a piece of paper with hand-written notes and officially sealed:

1. Able to maintain Security.
2. No banners/slogans in any form from the start till the end.
3. The funeral ceremony is assigned to the Mijen village government apparatus.
4. People from outside Mijen, whether they be Ulama’ or social figures are prohibited from handling anything concerning the funeral.
5. The usage of any organization’s attributes or its like which could evoke people’s nostalgia are not allowed.

The third point especially which forbade every sympathizer to utter the kalimah of takbeer during the entire procession of janaza’s burial, was interpreted by the family as strange and illogical. Why not? For the families, relatives and friends who would miss and felt left by the janaza, they would surely be happier when the janaza arrived safely at the house of sorrow. It would certainly be not wrong if the family, in their feeling of thankfulness, praised and glorified Allah on the arrival of the janaza. Would it be wrong if the sympathizers felt happy and carried on with glorifying the name of Allah?

But unfortunately, the atmosphere of fear and pressure had so much haunted the family of Ash-Shaheed Urwah perhaps, to the extent that they could not afford to object the pressure applied by the thaghoot apparatus.

Consequently, it appeared that the plan by the delegation of sympathizers to attempt and strengthen the morale of the family of Ash-Shaheed Urwah by words of Zikr would not materialize.

Even though the delegation of sympathizers were willing to cancel the involvement of Ustadz Abu Bakar Ba’asyir who was earlier requested by the father of Ash-Shaheed (Mr. Ismanto) to deliver khutbah and become the imam of the funeral prayer. They were also willing to cancel the installations of the various banners prepared for the janaza’s reception, however, the members of the family still felt repressed with the pressure applied on them by the thaghoot apparatus. They still forbade the masses from crying out the kalimah of takbeer.

Nevertheless, the delegation of sympathizers still made an effort to understand it while reminding themselves that the cries of takbeer is a spontaneous action and could not be simply hindered just like that. It’s a matter of reaction by the human beings who fear and submit to their Lord.

A few moments later, the news came that the vehicle transporting the janaza had arrived in Kudus. The committee for the janaza’s reception which had been formed by the family representatives immediately readied the human fence. Moments later, the sound of sirens from the vehicle could be heard from the distance as it slowly entered Mijen village.

The coffin of the janaza was then carried over the shoulders of men tasked for it, heading towards the house of sorrow. The sympathizers could not contain their feeling of wonderment when sweet fragrance dispersed to every corner and no doubt, it did not diminish. Expectedly and no idea who started it, the kalimah of takbeer echoed all of a sudden and it resounded and got louder at the compound of the janaza’s house.
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The situation drifted into an atmosphere of happiness and the echoes of takbeer were responded back and forth the moments the sympathizers witnessed another phenomenon. One of Allah’s creation in the sky in the form of a very bright moonlight produced a glowing incandescence that curled and followed by the formation of the world “Allah” in Arabic shaped by the clouds that encircled the moon.

What was more phenomenal was that the word “Allah” then got even more complete by developing into a formation of the words “laa ilaaha illallaah” in Arabic, this had made the sympathizers drifted even further into the feeling of ecstasy and thrill that seemed impossible to contain any longer.

Unfortunately, this had apparently made the committee from the family members panicked and screamed on top of their voice to stop the sounds of takbeer which had reverberated even louder. The sympathizer coordinators immediately understood this request and they right away calmed the attendees in order to maintain the conducive atmosphere which had been created earlier.

Alhamdulillah, the sympathizers then took turn in carrying the coffin into the house of sorrow. When some of the sympathizers had the opportunity to witness the jasad (body) of the Shuhada (insha Allah), they witnessed a delightful but at the same time saddening phenomenon.

Why not? On one side we could witness the immaculate smile on the face of the janaza and the sweet and fragrant scent freely emanating from the body of the janaza, on another side, we witnessed that the janaza appeared to have suffered a rather serious burn as well as evidence of cruelty on the corpse even though a complete inspection on the janaza could not be performed due to time limitation.

In the end, with the variety of evidences on the elements and the janaza witnessed by the sympathizers, they could themselves prove God’s truth that this man and his company were conducting Jihad for the sake of executing Allah’s command and for the sake of victory for the kalimah of tawheed as well as the implementation of Islamic Shariah, though perhaps in a method hardly understood by a big number of Islamic movements in Indonesia.

Indeed, O Ustadz Urwah, you are now living eternally with much better and genuine enjoyments which are more wonderful than what you had experienced in this dunya. Indeed, the knowledge that you had taught us will always be firmly attached in our hearts, the hearts of the Shaheed seekers and the hearts of the Lions of Allah as well as the forces of Allah in the heaven and the earth because of your sincerity and love for Allah.

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Related post: Noordin M Top, Farewell O Mujahid…

What I know Is That; “Allah Is With Me”

2009-10-02T01:37:00.000-07:00

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I believe
Therefore, I see miracles
Iman is an opened eye
Preceding the arrival of lights

“I AM.”

This answer from Musa ‘Alaihis Salaam seemed opposed to being tawadhu’ (Humility). When someone from amongst the Bani Israel asked who the most ‘alim (knowledgeable) person on earth is, Musa responded, “I am”. However, it was because of this answer that Surat Al Kahfi lays out 23 verses , narrating the lessons that Musa had to undergo afterwards. Uniquely, one more kalimah that sounds opposed to being tawadhu’ was placed in the list of verses. “You will find me, if Allah so will, (truly) patient…” This can found in the 69th verse.

Where is the place of its haughtiness? Compare the structure of Musa’s speech, thus the Mufassirs wrote, to the kalimah of Isma’il the son of Prophet Ibrahim. The moment he expressed his opinion to his father after finding out if he were to be slaughtered, Isma’il said, “You will find me, if Allah so will, amongst the patient.”

We can see that Isma’il saw himself as a small part from amongst the people who are bestowed patience. But Musa promised patience over his personal name. Moreover and unfortunately, in the story of Surah Al Kahfi, he was not that patient. Musa found it hard to be patient as he had promised. Many eons later, in the recordings of Al Bukhari and Muslim, Muhammad SAW said about this tale of a journey, “If Musa was more patient, perhaps we could obtain more lessons.”

Wallahu A’lam. Maybe that was how the character of Musa supposed to be. Less tawadhu’ and not too patient because what he confronted was the most arrogant and tyrannical figure on earth, and even in history perhaps. His name was Fir’aun. It was not very fitting to confront someone like Fir’aun with an ocean of patience and a heart full of humility. Therefore Musa was Musa. Someone chosen by Allah to become His messenger sent for the arrogant Fir’aun and at the same time to lead the stubborn Bani Israel.

On that day, after his over-confident speech, Musa received a commandment to walk and find the point of meeting of the two seas. Musa departed accompanied by Yusya ibn Nun who would soon replace him to lead the lineage of Ya’qub. One day, Yusya saw the cooked fish that they had packed neatly for their provision, jumped out and found its way back to the sea. Initially, Yusya forgot to tell Musa about it. They only returned to the place after Musa asked about the provision due to the feeling of tiredness and hunger that wriggled into the stomach.

It was there that they met someone whom Allah mentioned as, “A servant amongst Our servants to whom We had given mercy from Us and had taught him from Us a certain knowledge.” It was from him that Musa learnt. Pleading to be taught from what Allah had given the teacher understandings. The name of the teacher was never mentioned in the Qur’an. It is from the hadith or tafseer that we are introduced to al-Khidhr.

We have become intimate with this story. There is a contract of learning between the two. “You will find me, if Allah so will, (truly) patient… nor shall I disobey you in any order!” Musa assured. "Do not ask me about anything until I myself speak to you concerning it," Khidhr advised. And in that legendary journey, Musa could not afford to restrain himself from questioning and tolerate the burden of Khidhr’s three actions. The damaging of the ship, the killing of a young man and the refusal of their plea for food that ended up with a burdensome job of erecting a wall that was about to collapse without asking for payment in return.

Alhamdulillah, we learn a lot from the story. We learn that in this life, choices are not always easy... while we still have to choose. Like the fishermen who owned the ship. Good ships would be confiscated by the tyrannical king but a bit of defect saved it right away. Something “perfect” would invite danger sometime. Therefore, in the time of less strength, a possession could still be grasped. It is written in the principle of fiqh, “Maa laa tudraku kulluhu, fa laa tutraku kulluh.. What we could not attain fully, do not abandon completely.”

We also learn that “killing” the seed of injury while it is still in germination is a wise choice. In some cases, often there are benefits gained while at the same time preventing that certain injury. Therefore, an action is prioritized in order to prevent danger. It is written in the principle of fiqh, “Dar’ul mafaasid muqaddamun ‘alaa jalbil mashaalih... Prevention of injury is prioritized over attaining merits.”

And from Khidhr we learn to be ikhlas (sincere). To not always relate the goodness we did with personal goals whose nature is momentary. To always remember our affairs with Allah, and let everybody be responsible towards Him. Always remember Shaikhul Islam Ibnu Taimiyah, the Sultan of Damascus who was influenced by fitnah imprisoned and tortured him. But when the shadows of destructions came roaring from the East, it was Ibnu Taimiyah who the Sultan called right away to advance and lead the armies to the frontline. He was showered in blood confronting the onset of the Tartar torrent which was akin to the black cloud outstripping the dawn that wanted to sweep Damascus.

When the enemies were driven away, the town prison and tortures awaited him. When asked why he was willing, he said, “Whereas my concern is to conduct Jihad for the honor of Allah’s religion as well as the Muslims. And the tyranny of the Sultan is his affair with Allah.”

Iman and The Surprising Miracles

Subhanallah, how much more ‘ibrah could we dig from the story of Musa and Khidhr. One after another. Hundreds of them. More perhaps. But let’s just stop here for a while. Let’s focus our inner eyes on this story. Let’s consider this story scrupulously from our toddling step in the way of love of the Mujahideen. Let’s ask the soul, in the way of love of the Mujahideen who is closer to the heart to be emulated?

Musa. Not his teacher.

Yes, because in the end of the story, the dear teacher admitted, “Wa maa fa’altuhuu min amrii... What I have done was not my affair, not my wish.” Khidhr was “only” a teacher created by Allah to be presented to Musa in small fragment of his life. To Khidhr, Allah gave all the understandings in an intact and complete way regarding the interconnection of lessons that he must unravel to a great Messenger of Allah, Musa ‘Alaihis Salaam. Thus the complete operational guidance in every action of Khidhr made him simply a “field operator” which is akin to an angel. Everything he did was not his affair, not his wish.

A number of people who called themselves Sufis claimed; this is Khidhr, who is more important than Musa. Khidhr dominated the knowledge of Hakikat whereas Musa had only reached the level of Shari’at. Therefore someone who had the hakikat uncovered to him, like Khidhr, is free from the regulations of the shari’at. Whatever occurs to the heart becomes the source of law with which they legitimize (make halal) and prohibit (make haram). He can harm other people’s possession. He can kill. He does things which are deviating in the interpretation of the general public and a heavy violation in the view of shari’at.

Imam Al Qurthubi, as cited by Ibnu Hajar Al ‘Asqalani, objected these interpretations. Firstly, there was no action of Khidhr which was against the shari’at. We have read earlier that all his actions were soon found to be in accordance with the principle of fiqh. In fact even in the matter of killing, Khidhr did not violate the shari’at because he was given the knowledge by Allah to prevent mungkar with his hands. How very distant was the noble roles of Khidhr with what the deviating Sufis are doing like drinking khamr, then their devotees said, “Once entering the mouth, the khamr turns to water!”

Not the same!

Secondly, as regard to Khidhr’s status, according to the jumhur ‘ulama, he was a Prophet from amongst the Prophets of the Bani Israel. Meanwhile Musa was a Naqib of the Naqib, the greatest Prophet guided to lead the Bani Israel, a Messenger who spoke directly to Allah, bearing the load of the Torah, and was even included in the special series of Rasul Ulul ‘Azmi along with Nuh, Ibrahim, ‘Isa and Muhammad.

Therefore Musa is far more important than Khidhr.

[Allah] said: "O Musa! I have chosen you above (other) men, by the mission I (have given you) and the words I (have spoken to you): take then the (revelation) which I give you, and be of those who give thanks." (Qur’an 7:144)

Thirdly, Allah commands us to emulate the Messengers whose stories in the Qur’an are intended for strengthening our souls in treading the path of love of the strugglers. It is possible for us to emulate those messengers especially the Ulul ‘Azmi Messengers because they possessed human characters. They were unlike the angels. Neither were they demigods. They, in their limitations as a human being, performed the extraordinarily heavy tasks.

Precisely, the greatness of the Messengers is in their ability to respond with iman to the commandments where the wisdom was still unclear. With Iman. With Iman. It’s different from Khidhr who had been told the scenarios from the start till the end, what to be done – when teaching Musa-, as for the Messengers, they always have no clue on what they would encounter or receive after the order was carried out. They never knew what awaited ahead.

What they know was only; Allah was with them.

Nuh himself, who labored to build a ship on top of a hill, had to restrain anger when he was laughed at, bothered and troubled by his people. But, after nearly 500 years of carrying out the task, with followers that were almost never increasing, Nuh said with wisdom, with love, “Soon we will laugh at you the way you are laughing at us now.”

Yes. Nuh did not know that a big flood would spill out later, vociferously flowing down from between the splits in the sky and bursting from the crevices in the earth. Water raged from the fireplace of the bread makers, enclosed and filled the land as high as the mountain. Nuh had not known. What he knew was that he was ordered to build his ship. What he knew when he carried out the order of his Lord was that, Allah was with him. And it was sufficient for him. ‘Alaihis Salaam.

Ibrahim who dreamt, also never knew what would happen the moment he truly slaughtered his beloved son Isma’il. The son who he had wanted desperately for a long time, who he had waited with hope and moist eyes in every doa, was suddenly decreed to be separated from himself. Earlier, they were already separated when he was born and left in the middle of the valley of Bakkah which had no trees, no animal and no owner. Now Isma’il must be killed. Not by any other but with his own hands.

The son who was submissive in taqwa was then laid down. And which father dares to open his eyes when he must slice the neck of a son with a knife? Which father dares to spill blood under the head which he used to caress while looking at the face? No. Ibrahim’s eyes were shut. And he did it! He did it even though he had known that a big sheep would soon replace the sacrifice. What he knew was that he was commanded by his God. What he knew was that he implemented the command of his Lord, therefore Allah was with him. And it was sufficient for him. ‘Alaihis Salaam.

Musa also encountered a deadlock, he stumbled upon the Red Sea in the chase by Fir’aun’s regime. The Bani Israel he led was already noisy, stricken in panic. “We’ll sure be caught! We’ll sure be caught!”, they said. “No!” Musa yelled. “We’ll never be caught at all! Verily, my Lord is with me, and He will give me guidance.” The expected guidance then arrived. Musa was commanded to strike his staff over the sea. A logical reasoning without iman would say, “What’s the point? Better be used to hit Fir’aun’s head!” Yes, Musa also had not known that the sea would split apart afterwards. What he knew was that Allah was with him. And it was sufficient for him. ‘Alaihis Salaam.

They are the genuine teachers, whose stories could make our back raised, our breasts relieved and our hearts beaming with delight. Whose fortitudes were illuminating bright and shining forth. Whose greatness came from a firm iman, overwhelming and overcoming the turbulence in the hearts and the intense desire of the self. In the way of love of the strugglers, the iman produces miracles. Then, the miracles strengthen the iman. All these feel the more beautiful because they happen in surprises. In the way of love of the Mujahideen: the believers do not know what fate has in store for them ahead when Allah commands:

“Go forth, whether light or heavy, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. That is better for you, if you only knew.” (Qur’an 9:41)

What they know is that, “Allah is with me, He will give me guidance.”

“O you who have believed, what is [the matter] with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allah , you adhere heavily to the earth? Are you satisfied with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But what is the enjoyment of worldly life compared to the Hereafter except a [very] little.” (Qur’an 9:38)

Nuh had not known that a big flood would soon spill out
When on the mountain he built a ship and was laughed at
Ibrahim had not known that a sheep would take the place
When the knife nearly sliced the apple of his eye
Musa had not known that the sea would split apart
When he was instructed to strike his staff over it
At Badar, Muhammad prayed, his shoulders shook as he was sobbing
“If this force is defeated, You will never be worshipped again!”
And we learn, how great iman is!

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adapted and translated from the book "Jalan Cinta Para Pejuang" (The Way Of Love Of The Strugglers) by Salim A. Fillah.

PERSONALITY: Fatima al-Najjar (The Oldest Female Shaheed Bomber)

2009-09-27T15:30:00.000-07:00

. So Deep is The Despair, The Hate and The Desperation
"I am Flaming Up with Rage Over the Fate of Our Homeland"

“I am a shaheed bomber.. I am a shaheed bomber…” these are the words that always came out of from the lips of Hajah Fatima al-Najjar (57) every time there were people who encouraged her to stay at home and be not directly involved in the resistance against the Israeli invaders. A number of people were concerned about her condition which was already old and questioned if she should be involved in the fight.

Fatima al-Najjar was a mother of eight children and at the same time a grandmother of ten grandchildren. She was indeed the executor of the shaheed bombing operation last week (23/11/2006) amongst a group of Israeli state terrorists positioned by the Al-Karamah street in eastern Jabalya refugee camp, in the northern parts of Gaza Strip.

Upon the completion of the shaheed operation, her family gave away delicacies and sweets to the neighbors as an act of thankfulness for the successful shaheed operation carried out by the mother who was also a grandmother at the same time.

Ahmad, the youngest grandchild of Hajah Fatima said, “Grandma advised me that if she was shaheed I should ask money from my father and buy sweets to be given away to my friends and smaller children.”

Fatima al-Najjar, on Thursday (23/11/2006), walked close to the Israelis, which earlier that day made an incursion in to Jabalyia refugee camp causing horror and death to her people. The Israelis killed two teenagers and wounded a large number of Jabalya's residents. The bombs attached to her waist belt detonated and caused a number of soldiers dead and the rest wounded. Fatima declared in her farewell videotaped speech, “I offer myself for the sake of Allah and in sacrifice to the homeland. I am flaming up with rage over the fate of our homeland, over our martyrs and the fate of our prisoners,”

“To my sons and daughters I call for them not to weep over my death but hand out sweets to the people,” Fatima said as she was reading her will with a M16 rifle over her shoulders.

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The Palestine Homeland Defense of Hamas organization, Ezzeden al-Qassam Brigades, has claimed responsibility and said the attack was in vengeance against the Israeli criminal conduct on the Palestinians. According to al-Qassam, as a shaheed bomber, Fatima al-Najjar was the oldest woman in all of the female shaheed bombers. But according to her family, it was not a strange thing to happen as all these while, Fatima al-Najjar was intensely involved in many activities to defend Palestine despite her old age.

In every Palestinian family there are Martyrs - victims from Israeli criminal conduct - earlier three of Fatima's sons were arrested by the Israelis. In 1987, one of them was sentenced to 25 years, after serving ten years, he was released 1997. Two other sons were injured in an Israeli attack under the first Palestinian Intifada in 1988. The home of the family was destroyed at the same time. In 2004 her grandson was gunned down by a gang of Israeli intruders, during an offensive in the northern Gaza Strip.

Sanaa, one of her nieces said that Fatima al-Najjar always uttered, “I am a shaheed bomber.. I am a shaheed bomber” while in discussion with her relatives. “I will always remember her advice to me, if you want to be protected by Allah, you must memorize surah Al-Baqarah…”

Nahad, one of her in-laws said, Hajah Fatima al-Najjar always thought of dying as shaheed. “She always thought of dying as shaheed and said that the young men who performed the shaheed acts could not be any better than herself, and also said that one day she would carry out the shaheed act.” “Hajah Fatima al-Najjar …” Nahad added, “...always cried when hearing the Israeli soldiers killing the Palestinian children, therefore she said that she would retaliate against Israel.”

Meanwhile Fathiya, her eldest daughter said, “If we told her not to get herself involved in the resistance as there are already a lot of young man who fulfill the obligation of resisting the enemy, she would say, ‘But why are we sitting at home? Do we lack something that we can’t take part in defending our land by contributing with our lives?’”

Fatima al-Najjar, was a memorizer of Al-Quran and someone who loved Al-Quran. “My mother was a memorizer of Al-Quran and she was very attentive with her grandchildren towards the issues of Al-Quran memorization. It was customary for her to sit amongst them to listen to the contents of Al-Quran. She also taught the ladies to read Al-Quran and guided them with the memorization of Al-Quran,” Fathiya said.

The shaheed bombing operation executed by Fatima was not the first life-risking operation she took as sometimes ago Fatima was a heroic woman who was in the foremost row when thousands of Beit Hanoun Muslimah managed to break the Israeli terrorists' blockade when they surrounded Masjid An Nashr. The women provided cover for the besieged resistance fighters, held up in the Masjid. - The men were smuggled out in women clothes and escaped the Israelis which surrounded the Masjid, and a certain death or lifelong torture in Israeli death camps. Fathiya said, “On that day, as she was extremely enthusiastic we advised her several times not to get too close to the Israeli forces.” Earlier before that Fatima al-Najjar even became a part of the human chain to protect a house that would be bulldozed by Israel.

In the list of female shaheed bombers, Fatima al-Najjar was the ninth woman to have performed the shaheed bombing operation against the Israeli invaders. Before Fatima a Palestinian lady named Mirfat Masud, also originating from Jabaliya, carried out a shaheed bombing operation that wounded a number of Israeli soldiers in Beit Hanoun.

The Palestinian Resistance are intensifying their attacks on the Israeli occupant, both inside Palestinian occupied territories, and on Israelis illegal settlement "outside" Palestinian territories. The Palestinian resistance vowed to continue the battle against the Israelis occupation.

sour©e: eramuslim and palestinefreevoice

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