© Copyright by Combating Terrorism Center, U.S. Military Academy. All rights reserved. 

The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and not of the U.S. Military Academy, the Department of 

the Army, or any other agency of the U.S. Government.
MILITANT 

IDEOLOGY 

ATLAS

RESEARCH COMPENDIUM

November 2006 

Editor & Project Director: William McCants, PhD 

Project Coordinator: Jarret Brachman, PhD 

CTC Director: LTC Joseph Felter, PhD 

COMBATING TERRORISM CENTER 

607 CULLUM ROAD

WEST POINT, NY 10996 

jarret.brachman@usma.edu 

845.938.8549
Ranking of Texts . . . . . . . . 7 

Bibliography..................24 

Biographies...................278
Foreword 

On 1 August 1961, the New York Times published the full text of Soviet Premier Nikita Khruschev’s 

‘third Soviet program’ manifesto. The Times editor prefaced Khruschev’s words with the following: 

As the Soviet dictator is the most powerful adversary of the free world, and as the first 

maxim of survival must always be ‘know thine enemy,’ this document should be studied by

all who value freedom. This is Premier Khruschev’s counterpart to Hitler’s ‘Mein Kampf,’

and the world can neglect it only at its peril. 

Earlier that year, President Eisenhower, in his farewell radio and television address to the American

people, expounded on the need to combat the “hostile ideology” being spread by the Soviet Union. 

He ruminated that those combating that hostile ideology—which he characterized as “global in scope, 

ruthless in purpose and insidious in method”—must be prepared to fight a prolonged and complex

battle. 

Heeding the advice of those who waged such ideological struggles before us, the Combating

Terrorism Center (CTC) at West Point has dedicated much of its resources this year to 

understanding the Jihadi ideology through the words of its adherents. In its Harmony and Disharmony 

report, the CTC exposed the organizational weaknesses of al-Qa`ida using its own internal

documents. CTC’s Jihadi Imagery Report catalogued frequently-used images in Jihadi propaganda. The 

translation of Abu Bakr Naji’s Management of Savagery released by the CTC focused new attention on 

the Jihadi Movement’s grand strategy in the Middle East. And Stealing al-Qa`ida’s Playbook exposed the 

ideology’s soft underbelly by using the writings of Jihadi scholars and ideologues. 

The Militant Ideology Atlas is the CTC’s most recent and comprehensive attempt to better understand 

the ideology driving the Jihadi Movement. The empirically supported findings from this effort are

generated by a systematic research methodology and critical analyses of hundreds of al-Qa`ida’s most

widely-read and influential texts. The wealth of information contained in the Atlas’ Research 

Compendium provides a new generation of scholars and analysts with the data and evidence they

need to understand our adversaries and to devise strategies for combating them. 

As President Bush stated in 2006, “we know what the terrorists intend to do because they've told

us—and we need to take their words seriously.” The Atlas is a major step toward that goal and

empowers scholars with a critical resource needed to contribute to such efforts. 

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Felter, Ph.D. Jarret Brachman, Ph.D. 

Director, CTC Research Director, CTC 

5
MILITANT 

IDEOLOGY 

ATLAS 

RESEARCH 

COMPENDIUM 

6
 

Militant IDEOLOGY ATLAS 

Popular Texts 

List of Most Popular Texts 

 

7
Most popular texts from Tawhed.ws

Top 20 Texts Read Online on the Subject of Jihad

Ra

nk 

Name of Work 

(Transliterated) 

Name of Work 

(Translated) 

Author Read Dow

nload

ed 

Summary 

1 Ma`alim al-ta'ifa almansura fi `aqr dar 

al-mu'minin (bilad 

al-sham) 

Characteristics 

of the 

Victorious Sect 

in the Muslim's 

Home Land 

(Greater Syria) 

Abu 

Qatada alFilistini 

34198 4103 On how the believers can 

succeed, esp. in regard to 

jihad 

2 Limadha al-jihad? Why Pursue 

Jihad? 

Abu 

Qatada alFilistini 

27684 3761 On religious scholars and 

warrior-jihadis; two ways to 

serve the Muslim nation 

3 Nasa'ih amniyya limurtadi almuntadiyyat alhiwariyya Security Advice 

for Discussion 

Forum Users 

N/A 13390 954 General advice on internet 

security; anonymous 

author, does not cite 

anyone (not included in 

database) 

4 Amn al-Internet Internet 

Security 

N/A 11744 — General advice on internet 

security; anonymous 

author, does not cite 

anyone (not included in 

database) 

5 Da`wat ahl al-jihad 

ila al-ijtima` walittihad 

A Call to the 

People of Jihad 

to Gather and 

Unite 

Sa`idi(al-), 

Abu alMundhir 

11053 1649 Argument for all Muslims, 

and those engaged in Jihad 

in particular, to close ranks 

behind their leaders 

6 Hawla fatwa mufti 

al-sa`udiyya bish'an al-`amaliyyat 

al-istishhadiyya 

Regarding the 

Fatwa of the 

Saudi Mufti on 

"Acts of 

Martyrdom" 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhamma

d 

10206 14 Rebuttal to a fatwa issued 

by a Saudi mufti regarding 

the permissibility of suicide 

operations 

7 Ma`lumat amniyya 

hawl istikhdam "alhawatif al-naqala" 

Security 

Information on 

the Use of Cell 

Phones 

10173 — General advice on mobile 

phone security; anonymous 

author, does not cite 

anyone (not included in 

database) 

8 Kalima(al-) almamnu`a The Forbidden 

Word 

Zawahiri(al

-), Ayman 

10148 2020 A condemnation of the 

Egyptian government for 

squashing Islamic 

movements 

9 Masa'id al-`ulama'; 

Asalib khadi`a fi 

intiza` al-ma`lumat 

The Scholar's 

Traps: 

Deceitful Ways 

of 

Expropriating 

Information 

N/A 9616 — General advice on how to 

spot undercover agents in 

prison (not included in 

database) 

10 Qadhdhafi(al-) 

Musaylima al-`asr 

Al-Qadhdhafi: 

the Musaylima 

`Abd AlRahman 8997 1005 A comparison of Libyan 

leader al-Qadhdhafi to a 
of the Era Hasan false prophet in early 

Islamic history

11 Ila man yasil ilayh 

min al-mu'minin (2) 

A Message to

the Believers 

(Part 2) 

Ibn 

Taymiyya 

8689 — Medieval text discussing

the characteristics of the 

believer (not included in 

database) 

12 Nida' ila al-muslimin A Call to 

Muslims 

Marwan 

Hadid 

8471 33 Call for regime change in 

the Arab and Muslim world 

to reflect Islamic values

13 Hadi al-rasul (salla

Allah `alayh wa 

salam) fi al-jihad 

The Prophet's

Guidance on 

Jihad 

Ibn alQayyim alJawziyya 8079 — Medieval text (not included

in database) 

14 Shifa' sudur almu'minin: risala `an 

ba`d ma`ani al-jihad

fi `amaliyyat tafjir 

Islamabad 

Healing the 

Hearts of 

Believers: On 

Some 

Concepts of

Jihad in the 

Islamabad 

Operation 

Zawahiri(al

-), Ayman 

7876 2329 On the legality of the 

attacks in Islamabad, and 

of similar operations

15 Ila man yasil ilayh 

min al-mu'minin (1) 

A Message to

the Believers 

(Part 1) 

Ibn 

Taymiyya 

7858 25 Medieval text discussing

the characteristics of the 

believer (not included in 

database) 

16 Radd(al-) `ala

shubha khatira li'lShaykh al-Albani bisha'ni al-Sukut `an 

al-hukkam almurtaddin 

Response to a 

Grave 

Uncertainty 

from Shaykh 

al-Albani 

Regarding 

Silence in the

Face of 

Apostate 

Rulers 

Zawahiri(al

-), Ayman 

7838 3550 A rebuttal of Saudi shaykh

al-Albani on working with 

apostate rulers and 

discussion on declaring war 

against infidel governments 

17 Ayna tatlub al-`izza Where Do You 

Seek Strength?

Rayyis(al-), 

Hamid b. 

Rayyis

7560 7 Discussion of the obligation 

of jihad and the various 

forms it takes 

18 Da`na namut hata 

nanala shahada 

Let Us Die as

Martyrs 

Sulayman 

b. Nasir al-

`Alwan

7366 31 On fulfilling the reality of 

Islam through jihad; and 

fighting corruption 

19 Hukm(al-) al-jadir 

bi'l-idha`a min qawl 

al-nabi ba`thtu bi'lsayf

The Proper 

Ruling on 

Disseminating 

the Saying of 

the Prophet "I 

Was Sent with

the Sword" 

Ibn Rajab 

al-Hanbali 

7334 — Commentary on the saying

of the Prophet, “I was sent 

with the sword” 

20 Hiwar ma` alShaykh Ayman alZawahiri 8/6/1414 H A Conversation 

with Shaykh

Ayman alZawahiri, 

8/6/1414 AH 

[22/8/1993 CE] 

Zawahiri(al

-), Ayman 

7334 1838 Zawahiri discusses various 

issues on Egypt and the 

mujahidin in Q&A format 

9
Top 20 Texts Saved on the Subject of Jihad 

Rank Name of Work

(Transliterated) 

Name of Work

(Translated)

Author Read Download

ed 

Summary

1 Usama b. Ladin: 

mujaddid alzaman wa qahir

al-Amrikan

Usama b. 

Ladin: 

Renewer of the 

Era and 

Conqueror of 

Americans 

Abu Jandal 

al-Azdi 

— 23071 A biography of Usama 

b. Ladin (not included in

database) 

2 `Umda(al-) fi 

i`dad al-`udda li'ljihad fi sabil allah 

ta`ala 

The Mainstay

[Epistle] on 

Preparing 

Provisions for 

Jihad for the 

Sake of God 

`Abd alQadir b. 

`Abd al-

`Aziz 

— 15805 Lengthy article dealing 

with the preparation 

and act of jihad 

3 Haqiqat al-harb 

al-salibiyya aljadida 

The Truth 

About the New 

Crusader War

`Uyayri(al-), 

Yusuf" 

— 14768 A defense of the 9/11 

attacks 

4 Mithaq al-jama`a 

al-salafiyya li'lda`wa wal-qital 

Charter of the 

Salafi Group 

for Preaching 

and Combat 

Jama`a(al-) 

al-Salafiyya 

li'l-Da`wa 

wa'l-Qital 

(al-Jaza'ir) 

— 14624 The methods, beliefs, 

purpose, etc of the 

GSPC 

5 Durar al-Saniya fi 

al-Ajwiba alnajdiyya; kitab aljihad 

Splendid 

Pearls in the 

Answers of

Najd: The Book 

of Jihad 

Majmu`a 

min al-

`ulama' (A 

group of 

scholars) 

— 12573 Huge compilation of 

texts on jihad, mainly 

from the time of ibn 

`Abd al-Wahhab, but 

also some present day 

(not included in 

database) 

6 Tahdhib: 

Mashari` alashwaq ila

masari` al-`ishaq 

Good 

Behavior: The 

Laws of Desire 

and the Fight 

of Love 

N/A — 10835 Medieval book (not 

included in database) 

7 Difa`(al-) `an 

aradi al-muslimin 

ahamm furud ala`yan 

Defending 

Muslim Lands 

is Among the 

Most Important 

of an 

Individual's

Duties

`Abd Allah 

`Azzam 

5133 10792 On jihad as a struggle 

between good and evil 

to "reform humanity" 

8 Iraq(al-) min alihtilal ila al-tahrir: 

waqi` al-azma wa 

afaq al-hal 

Iraq from 

Occupation to 

Liberation: The 

Reality of the 

Crisis and the

Horizons of the 

Solution 

Ansar 

Magazine 

— 10591 Comparison of the war 

against Iraq to a 

crusaders’ attack; 

condemnation of the 

destruction of Baghdad 

9 Asalib al-tahrir fi 

al-sujun wa turuq 

muwajihatih 

Prison 

Interrogation 

Techniques 

Abu Jihad 

Tal`at 

— 9078 Instructions on how to 

resist interrogation (not 

included in database) 

10
and How to 

Face them 

10 Durus amniyya 

li'l-mujahidin 

Security 

Lessons for the 

Mujahidin 

N/A — 8963 Security concerns for 

mujahidin (not included 

in database) 

11 Kitab(al-) alaswad qissa 

ta`dhib almuslimin fi `ahd 

Husni Mubarak 

The Black 

Book: An 

Account of the 

Torture of 

Muslims in the 

Time of Husni 

Mubarak 

Zawahiri(al-

), Ayman 

— 8955 Description of torture 

under Mubarak's 

regime

12 Wa fi al-layla alzalama' yaftaqad 

al-badr 

On a dark night 

you miss the 

light of the 

moon 

Maqdisi(al-), 

Abu 

Muhammad 

1642 8808 A short eulogy for 

Hammud al-Shu`aybi 

(not included in 

database) 

13 Misr al-muslimah 

bayn siyat aljalladin wa 

`amalat alkha'inin 

Muslim Egypt

Between the 

Whips of the 

Torturers and 

the 

Administration 

of Traitors 

Zawahiri(al-

), Ayman 

— 8678 On the corrupt nature of 

the ruling regime in 

Egypt 

14 Kayf tuwajih wa 

tata`amil ma` almuhaqqiqin 

How to Deal 

with 

Interrogators 

N/A — 8123 Instructions on how to 

resist interrogation (not 

included in database) 

15 Jihad(al-) fi sabil 

allah 

Jihad for the 

Sake of God 

Mawdudi(al-

), Abu alA`la 

— 8112 Defense of Islam 

against Western claims

that jihad is a fanatical 

fight to put infidels to 

the sword 

16 39 Wasilat likhidmat al-jihad 

wa'l-musharaka 

fihi 

39 Ways to 

Serve the 

Jihad and 

Participate in It 

Salim(al-), 

Muhammad 

b. Ahmad 

— 8087 A guidebook outlining 

39 ways for serve the 

jihad 

17 Muqadima fi alhijra wa'l-i`dadIntroduction to 

Emigration and 

Preparation 

`Abd Allah 

`Azzam 

— 7958 A collection of lectures 

containing `Azzam's

views on the acts of 

hijra and preparing for 

jihad 

18 Harb al-ightiyalat The War of 

Assassinations 

Abu Jihad 

Tal`at 

— 7743 Analysis of the 

assassinations carried 

out by Mossad against 

Palestinian leaders 

between the 1950s and 

1994 

19 Ittihaf al-`ibad bifada'il al-jihadBestowing the 

Virtues of Jihad 

upon the 

Believers 

`Abd Allah 

`Azzam 

— 7497 Collection of Hadith 

dealing with the 

meaning, virtues and 

relevance of jihad 

20 Akhlaq al-mujahid The Noble 

Character of

the Mujahid 

Abu `Umar 

al-Sayf 

— 7450 A primer supporting the 

basis of jihad and the 

benefits for those who 

undertake it 

11
Top 20 Texts Read Online from “Doubts and Rebuttals” Sub-Section of Jihad

Rank Name of Work

(Transliterated) 

Name of Work

(Translated)

Author Read Downloaded Summary

1 Hal al-umma alislamiyya wa'lirhab al-mafqud The State of the 

Islamic Nation 

and the Absent 

Terror 

Abu `Umar 

al-Sayf 

6347 29 Analysis of the 

ailments of the 

Muslim state, and the 

ongoing conflict with 

crusaders

2 Tawhid(al-) 

wa'l-jihad 

Monotheism 

and Jihad 

Abu al-Fadl 

al-`Iraqi 

5684 580 A contrived 

conversation 

between Abu al-Fadl 

al-`Iraqi and another 

individual regarding 

the priority of jihad 

3 Ha'ula' 

akhafuhum `ala 

al-jihad wa'lmujahidin 

What I Fear 

About Jihad 

and the 

Mujahidin 

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

5124 706 Abu Basir's concerns

about the jihadi 

movement and the 

mujahidin; potential 

pitfalls

4 Ta`liq `ala kitab 

"Ayman alZawahiri kama

`araftahu" 

Commentary on 

the Book 

Ayman alZawahiri as I 

Knew Him 

Hani alSiba`i 4719 28 A review of the book 

by Muntasir alZayyat entitled 

"Ayman al-Zawahiri 

kama `ariftahu" 

5 Baramij ma 

nurikum illa ma 

yara al-Su`ud 

wa ma 

yuhdikum alSu`ud illa sabil 

al-rashad 

The [Saudi] 

Plan: "We only 

show you what 

the Saud family 

sees and the 

Saud family 

guides you only 

to the right 

path" 

Abu Jandal 

al-Azdi 

4615 1305 A highly critical look 

at the Saudi royal 

family and the ban 

on the Salafi-jihadi 

movement from the 

public space and 

media 

6 Ma`na al-irhab

wa haqiqatuhu

The Meaning 

and Reality of 

Terrorism 

Shu`aybi(al-

), Hammud 

b. `Uqla'

4378 1187 Analysis of the 

definition of jihad and 

the terms 

surrounding it 

7 Mawqifuna min 

Iran: al-radd 

`ala tuhmat alta`awun bayna

al-haraka aljihadiyya alsalafiyya wa

Iran al-rafidiyya 

Our Stance 

Towards Iran:

Response to 

the Accusation

of Cooperation 

Between the 

Salafi Jihadi 

Movement and 

Renegade Iran

Zawahiri(al-

), Ayman 

4259 1298 Interview with 

Zawahiri on the 

problematic

relationship between 

the Salafi movement 

and Iran 

8 Manhaj(al-) althawri wa'lmanhaj al-islahi 

yatakamalan 

am 

yatasadaman 

Revolution and 

Reform: 

Integration or

Confrontation?

Rifa`i 

Ahmad 

Taha 

4196 12 On the relationship 

between Arab

regimes and the 

Islamic movement 

12
9 Shar`iyyat jihad 

al-Kandari wa'lHajiri li'lAmrikan 

The Legitimacy 

of the Jihad of

al-Kandari and

al-Hajiri Against 

the Americans 

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

4100 17 Debate over whether 

non-Muslims are 

entitled to protection 

in Muslim lands, and 

if it is permissible to 

attack them 

10 Man hum alkhawarij Who are the 

Khawarij? 

Hamid al-

`Ali 

3916 — Discussion of

Sunni/Salafi 

orthodoxy and 

apostate leaders in 

Muslim countries 

11 Tarbiyya(al-) 

awwalan am aljihad 

Education or 

Jihad First? 

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

3857 — On the priorities of 

jihad and education 

for Muslims 

12 Naw` min aljihad la 

nuriduhu 

The Type of 

Jihad We Do 

Not Want 

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

3850 — Argument against 

hasty, poorly 

prepared or illconsidered jihad 

operations

13 Shubhat tark aljihad bi-hujjat

`adam wujud alraya al-wadiha 

The Error of 

Excusing

Oneself From 

Jihad by Stating 

There is No 

Banner [of the 

Imam] 

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

3841 17 On the legitimacy of 

fighting occupiers of 

Muslim lands; 

presence of an imam 

to lead jihad 

14 Harakat(al-) alislamiyya wa'ltahalufat almu`asira Islamic

Movements and 

Contemporary 

Alliances 

Abu Qatada 

al-Filistini 

3799 1203 On the pitfalls of 

Islamic movements' 

alliances with nonMuslim entities

15 Limadha almumatala fi 

tahdid mi`na wa 

mafhum al-irhab 

Why Stall in 

Defining the 

Meaning and 

Concept of

Terrorism? 

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

3757 1213 On establishing legal 

definitions for 

terrorism and the 

benefits of ambiguity 

16 Asbab fashal 

ba`d al-harakat 

al-jihadiyya fi 

`amaliyat altaghyir 

The Reasons 

Behind the 

Failure of Some 

Jihadi 

Movements in 

the Process of

Change 

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

3732 — On opposing infidel 

regimes 

17 Qafila(al-) tasir 

wa'l-kilab 

tanbah 

The Caravan 

Proceeds and 

the Dogs Bark 

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

3727 — Very brief text (not 

included in database)

18 Irhab(al-) fi almanzuma algharbiyya Terrorism in the 

Western 

Framework

Hani alSiba`i 3692 1147 Argument that all 

current definitions of 

terrorism are 

incomplete and 

benefit some

particular interest 

19 Shubhat hilf alfudul wa jawaz 

muhalafat alahzab alThe 

Entanglement 

of al-Fudul 

Alliance and the 

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

3682 — Interpretation of the 

Prophet's al-Fudul 

Alliance 

13
`almaniyya Validity of 

Allying with 

Secular Parties

20 Kayf taktashif

"takfiriyya"?! 

Khatir wa sirri

lil-ghaya 

How to Uncover 

a "Takfiri", 

Dangerous and 

Top Secret 

Hamid al-

`Ali 

3635 — A satire about 

governments in 

Muslim countries 

isolate the mujahidin 

14
Top 20 Texts Saved from “Doubts and Rebuttals” Sub-Section of Jihad 

Rank Name of Work

(Transliterated) 

Name of Work

(Translated)

Author Read Downlo

aded 

Summary

1 Waqfat ma` alduktur al-Buti fi 

kitabihi `an aljihad 

On Doctor alButi and his 

Book on Jihad 

`Abd alAkhir 

Hammad alGhunaymi 

— 3780 Abd al-Akhir Hammad 

presents his 

disagreements with alButi's book on jihad 

2 Intiqad al-`itirad 

`ala tafjirat alRiyad 

The Mutinous 

Protest Against 

the Riyadh 

Bombings

`Abd Allah 

b. Nasir alRashid 

— 3757 A rebuttal against those 

who condemned the 

bombings in Riyadh 

3 Irshad dhawi albasa'ir min 

mujahidi ahl aljaza'ir lima fi 

hadhihi almarhala min 

makhatir 

Guidance for 

Those with 

Insight Among 

the Algerian 

Mujahidin 

Regarding the 

Dangers of This 

Stage 

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

— 3676 Advice from Abu Basir 

to the GSPC, which is

also an open letter on 

jihad and establishing a 

caliphate 

4 Intisar(al-) li'lmujahidin wa'lradd `ala bayan 

"kibar `ulama' 

al-salatin" 

Championing

for the 

Mujahidin and 

Disputing the 

Declaration of

the Sultans' 

"Senior 

Scholars" 

Abu `Abd alRahman al-

`A'idhi 

— 3460 Refutation of an antijihad declaration issued

by Saudi Arabia’s 

Senior Scholars' 

Committee 

5 Harakat al-jihad 

al-islami al-iritri 

ila ayna?! 

The Eritrean 

Islamic Jihad 

Movement: 

Where is it 

Heading?! 

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

— 3287 Critique of the goals 

and methods of the 

Eritrean Islamic 

movement 

6 Jama`at(al-) aljihadiyya: Bayn 

al-i`tiraf bi'lkhata' wa'ltaraju` `an althawabit 

Jihadi Groups: 

Between 

Acknowledging 

Mistakes and

Retracting 

Established 

Truths

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

— 3263 Critique and advice for 

the mujahidin

7 Bayan(al-) almutlaq fi alradd `ala alshaykh alMutlaq fi 

tanaqusihi li'lshaykh al-`Uqla' 

wa jahlihi fi 

qadaya al-din

wa'l-tanwih `ala 

akhta' Salih Al 

Shaykh fi 

bayanihi 

The Absolute

Statement of 

Response to 

Shaykh alMutlaq's 

Belittling of 

Shaykh al-

`Uqla', His 

Ignorance of 

Religious 

Issues and a 

Highlight of the 

Mistakes of 

`Abd al-

`Aziz b.

Salih alJarbu`

— 3240 Criticism of a radio 

show broadcast on 

MBC (Middle East 

Broadcasting)

15
Salih Al 

Shaykh's

Statement 

8 Mubadarat alJama`a alIslamiyya alMisriyya: I`tiraf 

bi'l-khata' am

inhiyar wasuqut

The Egyptian

Jama`a 

Islamiyya 

initiative: 

Acknowledging 

an Error or 

Collapse and 

Ruin [of the 

movement] 

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

1303 3135 Harsh critique of the 

Egyptian al-Jama`a alIslamiyya following their 

declaration to suspend 

all acts of violence 

9 Tasa'ulat wa 

shubhat hawla 

al-mujahidin wa 

`amaliyatihim

Inquiries and 

Doubts 

Surrounding 

the Mujahidin

and Their 

Operations

Majmu`a 

min almuta`atifin 

ma` almujahidin 

— 2964 On the mujahidin's 

battles in eastern Saudi 

Arabia in 2004; fighting 

under Usama b. Ladin 

10 Hashim altaraju`at: 

waqafat ma`a 

muraja`at alFahd wa'lKhadir wa'lKhalidi 

The Peak of 

Concessions:

Examining the 

Retractions of 

al-Fahd, alKhadir and alKhalidi 

`Abd Allah 

b. Nasir alRashid 

— 2921 On retracting 

statements and 

reversing positions, in 

regard to Islamist

groups and jihad 

11 Shubahat wa 

tasa'ulat hawl

al-jihad fi jazirat 

al-`arab

Doubts and 

Inquiries

Surrounding 

Jihad in the 

Arabian

Peninsula 

Sawt alJihad 

Magazine 

— 2845 Collection of articles on 

jihad in the Arabian 

Peninsula 

12 Qalu...fa-qul!

Kashf shubhat

al-murjifin wa'lmukhadhdhilin 

`an al-jihad 

[If] They 

say...then you 

say! Revealing 

the Doubts of

the Tremblers 

and 

Abandoners 

Regarding 

Jihad 

Harith `Abd 

al-Salam alMisri 

— 2829 Text supporting the 

legitimate use of jihad 

and jihad as an 

obligation for every 

individual Muslim 

13 Mashru`iyyat aljihad al-jama`i The Legitimacy 

of Collective 

Jihad 

`Abd alRahman b. 

`Abd alKhaliq 

573 2817 Text supporting the 

formation of Islamic 

communities and 

waging jihad in the 

absence of a Caliph 

14 Ihdhar thaqafat 

al-mahjumin 

Beware the 

Culture of the 

Defeated

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

1002 2734 Discussion of the 

dangers for the umma 

in adopting the culture 

of defeat 

15 Irhab(al-): 

ma`nahu wa 

waqi`ahu min 

mandhur islami 

Terrorism: Its 

Meaning and 

Reality From an 

Islamic

Viewpoint 

Abu Basir 

al-Tartusi 

1315 2722 On the international 

community's support for 

terrorism against 

Muslims, and hypocrisy 

of Western occupation 

16 `Amaliyyat The operation Markaz al- — 2668 Regarding the attacks 

16
sharq al-Riyad

wa harbuna 

ma` Amrika wa

`umala'iha 

in eastern 

Riyadh and our 

War with 

America and its 

agents 

dirasat wa'lbuhuth alislamiyya in Riyadh in 2003; 

attempt to dispel the 

publicized number of 

Muslim casualties 

17 `Amaliyyat 

"masrah 

Musku": Madha 

rabiha almujahidun 

minha wa 

madha khasiru? 

Operation 

"Moscow 

Theatre": What 

Did the 

Mujahidun Gain 

From it and 

What Did They

Lose? 

`Uyayri(al-), 

Yusuf 

1180 2602 Discussion of the aims 

and outcome of the 

hostage takeover of the 

Dubrovka Theatre in 

Moscow in October 

2002 

18 Allah akbar: 

Misr 

tataharraku 

akhiran wa 

tantaqidu lishuhada' alintifada; hawla

hajamat Sina', 7 

Uktubir 2004

God is Great: 

Egypt Finally 

Makes a Move

and Takes 

Vengeance for 

the Martyrs of 

the Intifada; on 

the Sinai 

Attacks of

October 7, 

2004 

Majdi 

Ahmad 

Husayn

— 1831 On the attacks in Sinai 

on October 7, 2004 that 

targeted Israeli tourists

19 Baramij ma 

nurikum illa ma 

yara al-Su`ud 

wa ma 

yuhdikum alSu`ud illa sabil 

al-rashad 

The [Saudi] 

Plan: "We only 

show you what 

the Saud family 

sees and the 

Saud family 

guides you only 

to the right 

path" 

Abu Jandal 

al-Azdi 

4615 1305 A highly critical look at 

the Saudi royal family 

and the ban on the 

Salafi-jihadi movement 

from the public space 

and media 

20 Mawqifuna min 

Iran: al-radd 

`ala tuhmat alta`awun bayna

al-haraka aljihadiyya alsalafiyya wa

Iran al-rafidiyya 

Our Stance 

Towards Iran:

Response to 

the Accusation

of Cooperation 

Between the 

Salafi Jihadi 

Movement and 

Renegade Iran

Zawahiri(al-

), Ayman 

4259 1298 Interview with Zawahiri 

on the problematic 

relationship between 

the Salafi movement 

and Iran 

17
Top 20 Read Texts on Tawhed.ws 

Rank Name of Work

(Transliterated) 

Name of Work

(Translated)

Author Read Downloaded Summary

1 Hadhihi 

`aqidatuna 

This is Our 

Doctrine 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

106104 9327 Maqdisi on the 

correct doctrine of 

the Salafi-jihadi 

movement 

2 Imam almuwahhidin wa 

shaykh almusallihin: 

Muhammad bin 

`Abd al-Wahhab 

Muhammad b.

`Abd alWahhab: 

Imam of the 

Monotheists 

and Shaykh of

the Pious 

`Abd alMun`im alHashimi 89763 — Biography of Ibn 

`Abd al-Wahhab (not 

included in 

database) 

3 Risala(al-) althalathiniyya fi altahdhir min alghulu fi al-takfir Thirty-part 

Letter Warning 

against 

exceeding the 

bounds of 

Takfir 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

56338 16710 Treatise on 

anathematization 

4 Ma`alim fi al-tariq Milestones Sayyid 

Qutb 

48106 8722 One of the most 

influential Islamist 

tracts; Qutb's vision 

for recreating

Muslim society

5 Tawjihat 

manhajiyya (1) bitawjihat Bin Ladin 

nuwasilu darb 

Manhattan linurghiba anf 

Amrika wa naqta`a 

sharraha al-sha'in 

Methodological 

Guidelines (1) 

According to

the Guidelines

of Bin Ladin: 

We Proceed in

the Way of 

Manhattan in 

Order to Defy

America and 

Put an End to 

Their 

Controlling Evil

Usama b. 

Ladin 

42234 4858 Usama b. Ladin's 

speeches and

teachings on the 

jihadi methodology 

6 Tawjihat 

manhajiyya (2) 

Methodological 

Guidelines (2) 

Usama b. 

Ladin 

36747 4156 Usama b. Ladin's 

speeches and

teachings on the 

jihadi methodology 

7 Ma`alim al-ta'ifa 

al-mansura fi `aqr

dar al-mu'minin 

(bilad al-sham) 

Characteristics

of the 

Victorious Sect 

in the Muslim's 

Home Land 

(Greater Syria) 

Abu 

Qatada alFilistini 

34268 4109 Discussion of what 

is necessary in order 

for the believers to 

succeed, including 

in regard to jihad 

8 Kawashif(al-) aljalliyya fi kufr aldawla alSu`udiyya The Shameful

Actions 

Manifest in the 

Saudi State's 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

31673 47123 On the Muwahhid 

(Monotheist) holding

strong against infidel 

regimes like the 

18
Disbelief Saudis 

9 Da`wat al-Imam 

Muhammad bin 

`Abd al-Wahhab: 

haqqa'iq wa 

awham 

The Call of 

Muhammad b.

`Abd alWahhab: Myth 

and Reality 

`Abd al-

`Aziz `Abd 

al-Latif 

31473 1 Apologia for 

Wahhabism (not 

included in 

database) 

10 Ta`rif(al-) bi'lImam Muhammad 

bin `Abd al-Wahab 

Introducing 

Muhammad b.

`Abd alWahhab 

N/A 30969 — Biography of Ibn 

`Abd al-Wahhab (not 

included in 

database) 

11 Millat Ibrahim wa 

da`wat al-anbiya' 

wa'l-mursalin wa 

asalib al-tugha fi 

tamyi`iha wa sarf 

al-du`a `anha

The Creed of 

Ibrahim: the 

Call of the 

Prophets and

Messengers 

and the 

Manner of the 

Tyrants' 

Liquifying and 

Spending it 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

30262 19506 Theological tract on 

Muslims under the 

creed of Ibrahim 

12 Waqfat ma` 

thamarat al-jihad 

On the Fruits

of Jihad 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

30025 6160 Islam during wartime 

and the need to 

revise the process of

Jihad 

13 Limadha al-jihad? Why Pursue 

Jihad? 

Abu 

Qatada alFilistini 

27715 3766 On religious 

scholars and 

warrior-jihadists; two 

ways to serve the 

Muslim nation 

14 Dimuqratiyya(al-) 

din 

Democracy is 

a Religion 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

23240 11777 On corrupt 

"democratic" 

regimes 

15 Nukat(al-) allawami` fi 

malhuzat al-jami` 

Illustrous 

Points: 

Observations

on the Book alJami` 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

23075 14445 Review of `Abd al-

`Aziz’s book al-Jami,

with frequent 

criticisms of his 

stance on the

conditions of takfir 

16 I`tiqad al-a'imma 

al-arba`a 

Religious 

Beliefs of the 

Four Imams 

Muhammad 

al-Khamis

22179 3 Summary of the 

beliefs of Malik b. 

Anas, al-Shafi`i and 

Ahmad b. Hanbal 

17 Kashf shubahat almujadilin `an 

`asakir al-shirk wa 

ansar al-qawanin 

Exposing the 

Specious 

Arguments of

the Disputants 

about the 

Soldiers of 

Idolatry and 

the Supporters 

of Profane 

Laws 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

21907 10798 On obedience to 

tyrannical rulers as a 

form of polytheism 

and apostasy

18 La tahzan in Allah 

ma`ana 

Do Not 

Distress, 

Indeed Allah is

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

17685 10124 Examination of 

situations where 

believers are being 

19
on Our Side pursued by tyrants 

or their agents. 

19 Tawjihat 

manhajiyya (3) 

Methodological 

Guidelines (3) 

Usama b. 

Ladin 

17426 11281 Usama b. Ladin's 

speeches and

teachings on the 

jihadi methodology 

20 Hiwar ma` alshaykh Abi 

Muhammad alMaqdisi 

An Interview 

with Shaykh

Abu 

Muhammad alMaqdisi 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

17227 161 Interview with 

Maqdisi 

20
Top 20 Saved Texts on Tawhed.ws

Rank Name of Work

(Transliterated) 

Name of Work

(Translated)

Author Read Downloaded Summary

1 Kawashif(al-) aljalliyya fi kufr aldawla alSu`udiyya The Shameful

Actions 

Manifest in the 

Saudi State's 

Disbelief 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

31673 47123 On the Muwahhid 

(Monotheist) holding

strong against infidel 

regimes like the 

Saudis 

2 Imta` al-nazar fi 

kashf shubuhat

murji'at al-`asr 

An Enjoyable 

Look at 

Uncovering the 

Suspicious

Ways of 

Today's Murji'a 

["the 

postponers" -- 

an early Islamic 

sect]

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

8607 29210 On the sect of the 

Murji`a and their 

equivalents in

contemporary society 

3 I`dad al-qadat alfawaris bi-hajr 

fasad al-madaris 

Preparing 

Chivalrous

Leaders to 

Leave the 

Corruption of 

Schools 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

7955 25253 Criticism of the 

educational system in 

the Gulf states, 

specifically in Kuwait 

4 Mujaddid alzaman wa qahir

alAmrikan...Usama 

bin Ladin 

Usama b. 

Ladin... the 

Reviver of the 

Era and the 

Conqueror of 

Americans 

Abu Jandal 

al-Azdi 

— 22944 Biography of Usama 

b. Ladin (not included 

in database) 

5 Bahith(al-) `an 

hukm qatl afrad 

wa dubbat almabahith 

The Scholar's 

Ruling on the

Killing of 

Soldiers and 

Secret Police 

Abu Jandal 

al-Azdi 

— 21791 Justification for the 

killing of Muslim 

soldiers and security 

officers working 

against the mujahidin 

6 Masabih(al-) almunira fi al-radd 

`ala as'ilat ahl aljazira 

An Illuminating 

Response to 

Questions of 

the People of

the Arabian

Peninsula 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

1915 20922 Ruling on cooperating 

with tyrannical, infidel 

governments 

7 Tabsir al-`uqala' 

bi-talbisat ahl altajahhum wa'lirja' 

An Exposé on

the People of

Gloom and 

Postponement 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

7199 20837 Critique of two texts

on takfir 

8 Ghazwa Ahad Raid #1 Abu Talal 

al-Qasimi 

19872 Video (not included in 

database) 

9 Millat Ibrahim wa 

da`wat al-anbiya' 

wa'l-mursalin wa 

asalib al-tugha fi 

tamyi`iha wa sarf 

The Creed of 

Ibrahim: the 

Call of the 

Prophets and

Messengers 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

30262 19506 Theological tract on 

Muslims under the 

creed of Ibrahim 

21
al-du`a `anha and the 

Manner of the 

Tyrants' 

Liquifying and 

Spending it 

10 Kalimat haqq The Word of 

Truth 

`Umar `Abd

al-Rahman 

— 19459 A compilation of 

material on `Umar 

`Abd al-Rahman and 

his court 

proceedings(not 

included in database) 

11 Jami`(al-) fi talab 

al-`ilm al-sharif 

The 

Compilation on

Seeking 

Honorable 

Knowledge 

`Abd alQadir b. 

`Abd al-

`Aziz 

— 17416 Book of advice on how 

to request religious 

knowledge in order to 

renew Islam 

12 Tuhfa(al-) almaqdisiyya fi 

mukhtasar ta'rikh 

al-Nasraniyya 

bidayatuha wamuntahaha 

Maqdisi's

Masterpiece: A 

Summary of 

the History of 

Christians, 

Their 

Beginning and 

End 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

4244 17184 Attempt to expose 

contradictions and 

confusion in the 

Christian Gospels 

13 Bara'at almuwahhidin min 

`uhud altawaghit wa 

amanihim li'lmuharibin 

Dissociating

the 

Monotheists 

from the 

Covenants of

Tyrants and 

from 

Safeguarding

the Aggressors 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

3411 17069 On divine law vs. 

secular law, and 

subjecting religion to 

the whims of tyrants 

and crusaders 

14 Kashf al-niqab 

`an shari`at alghab 

Unveiling the 

Law of the 

Jungle 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

6676 16843 Comparison of Shari`a 

law and the civil law of 

Kuwait 

15 Husn al-rifaqa fi 

ajwibat su'alat alSawaqa 

Beneficial 

Answers to the 

Questions from 

al-Sawaqa 

Prison 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

7657 16747 Collection of questions

presented to Maqdisi 

while serving his 

prison term in alSawaqa in Jordan 

16 Risala(al-) althalathiniyya fi 

al-tahdhir min alghulu fi al-takfir 

The Thirty-part 

Letter 

Cautioning 

against the 

Excesses of 

Takfir 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

56338 16710 Treatise on 

anathematization 

17 Ayat al-rahman fi 

jihad al-afghan 

Miraculous 

signs of Allah

the 

Compassionate

regarding the

Afghans' Jihad

`Abd Allah 

`Azzam 

— 15719 Various matters of 

doctrine and faith 

discussed 

18 `Umda(al-) fi 

i`dad al-`udda li'lThe Mainstay[Epistle] on 

`Abd alQadir b. — 15713 Lengthy article dealing 

with the preparation 

22
jihad fi sabil allah 

ta`ala 

Preparing 

Provisions for 

Jihad for the 

Sake of God 

`Abd al-

`Aziz 

and act of jihad 

19 Shihab(al-) althaqib fi al-radd 

`ala man iftara 

`ala al-sahabi

Hatib 

The 

Consuming 

Flame: In 

Response to 

Those Who 

Slandered the 

Companion

Hatib 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

1511 15371 On a companion of 

the Prophet who 

betrayed the Muslims, 

but was forgiven 

20 Mukhtasar 

"Kashf al-niqab 

`an shari`at alghab" 

A summary of 

"Unveiling the

Law of the 

Jungle" 

Maqdisi(al-

), Abu 

Muhammad

987 14994 An epitome of a work

already in DB (not 

included in database) 

23
 

Militant IDEOLOGY ATLAS 

Bibliography 

Summary of Most Popular Texts 

 

24
Table of Contents 

Waqfat ma` al-duktur al-Buti fi kitabihi `an al-jihad (On Doctor al-Buti and his Book on 

Jihad) 

`Abd al-Akhir Hammad al-Ghunaymi .......................................................................................32

Bayan(al-) al-mutlaq fi al-radd `ala al-shaykh al-Mutlaq fi tanaqusihi li'l-shaykh al-`Uqla' wa 

jahlihi fi qadaya al-din wa'l-tanwih `ala akhta' Salih Al Shaykh fi bayanihi (The Absolute 

Statement of Response to Sheikh al-Mutlaq's Belittling of Sheikh al-`Uqla', His Ignorance of 

Religious Issues and a Highlight of the Mistakes of Salih Al Sheikh's Statement) 

`Abd al-`Aziz b. Salih al-Jarbu` ...................................................................................................35 

Ayat al-rahman fi jihad al-Afghan (Miraculous signs of Allah the Compassionate regarding 

the Afghans' Jihad) 

`Abd Allah `Azzam .......................................................................................................................37 

Difa`(al-) `an aradi al-muslimin ahamm furud al-a`yan (Defending Muslim Lands is Among 

the Most Important of an Individual's Duties) 

`Abd Allah `Azzam .......................................................................................................................41 

Ithaf al-`ibad bi-fada'il al-jihad (Bestowing the Virtues of Jihad upon the Believers) 

`Abd Allah `Azzam .......................................................................................................................43 

Muqadima fi al-hijra wa'l-i`dad (Introduction to Emigration and Preparation) 

`Abd Allah `Azzam .......................................................................................................................46 

Hashim al-taraju`at: waqafat ma`a muraja`at al-Fahd wa'l-Khadir wa'l-Khalidi (The Peak of 

Concessions: Examining the Retractions of al-Fahd, al-Khadir and al-Khalidi) 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid......................................................................................................49 

Intiqad al-`itirad `ala tafjirat al-Riyad (The Mutinous Protest Against the Riyadh Bombings) 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid......................................................................................................54 

Jami`(al-) fi talab al-`ilm al-sharif (The Compilation on Seeking Honorable Knowledge) 

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz ...................................................................................................57 

`Umda(al-) fi i`dad al-`udda li'l-jihad fi sabil allah ta`ala (The Mainstay on Preparing 

Provisions for Jihad) 

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz ...................................................................................................63 

Mashru`iyyat al-jihad al-jama`i (The Legitimacy of Collective Jihad) 

`Abd al-Rahman b. `Abd al-Khaliq.............................................................................................76 

Qadhdhafi(al-) Musaylima al-`asr (Al-Qadhdhafi: the Musaylima of the Era) 

`Abd Al-Rahman Hasan ...............................................................................................................77 

Harb(al-) al-salibiyya `ala al-`Iraq (The Crusaders’ War Against Iraq) 

`Amili(al-), Abu Sa`d.....................................................................................................................79 

`Amaliyyat "masrah Musku": Madha rabiha al-mujahidun minha wa madha khasiru? 

(Operation "Moscow Theatre": What Did the Mujahidun Gain From it and What Did They 

Lose?) 
`Uyayri(al-), Yusuf .........................................................................................................................81 

Haqiqat al-harb al-salibiyya al-jadida (The Truth About the New Crusader War) 

`Uyayri(al-), Yusuf .........................................................................................................................83 

Intisar(al-) li'l-mujahidin wa'l-radd `ala bayan "kibar `ulama' " al-salatin (Championing for the 

Mujahidin and Disputing the Declaration of the Sultans' "Senior Scholars")

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi ..................................................................................................85 

Madha ba`da ihtilal al-`Iraq? (What Will Follow the Occupation of Iraq?) 

Abu `Ubayd al-Qurashi.................................................................................................................87 

Harakat al-jihad al-islami al-iritri ila ayna?! (The Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement: Where is 

it Heading?!) 

Abu Basir al-Tartusi ......................................................................................................................90 

Ihdhar thaqafat al-Mahjumin (Beware the Culture of the Defeated) 

Abu Basir al-Tartusi ......................................................................................................................92 

Mubadarat al-Jama`a al-Islamiyya al-Misriyya: I`tiraf bi'l-khata' am inhiyar wa-suqut (The 

Egyptian Jama`a Islamiyya initiative: Acknowledging an Error or Collapse and Ruin [of the 

movement]) 

Abu Basir al-Tartusi ......................................................................................................................93 

Asbab fashal ba`d al-harakat al-jihadiyya fi `amaliyat al-taghyir (The Reasons Behind the 

Failure of Some Jihadi Movements in the Process of Change) 

Abu Basir al-Tartusi ......................................................................................................................97 

Irhab(al-): ma`nahu wa waqi`ahu min mandhur islami (Terrorism: Its Meaning and Reality 

From an Islamic Viewpoint) 

Abu Basir al-Tartusi ......................................................................................................................99 

Irshad dhawi al-basa'ir min mujahidi ahl al-jaza'ir lima fi hadhihi al-marhala min makhatir 

(Guidance for Those with Insight Among the Algerian Mujahidin Regarding the Dangers of 

This Stage) 

Abu Basir al-Tartusi ....................................................................................................................101 

Jama`at(al-) al-jihadiyya: Bayn al-i`tiraf bi'l-khata' wa'l-taraju` `an al-thawabit (Jihadi Groups: 

Between Acknowledging Mistakes and Retracting Established Truths) 

Abu Basir al-Tartusi ....................................................................................................................105 

Limadha al-mumatala fi tahdid mi`na wa mafhum al-irhab (Why Stall in Defining the 

Meaning and Concept of Terrorism?) 

Abu Basir al-Tartusi ....................................................................................................................107 

Naw` min al-jihad la nuriduhu (The Type of Jihad We Do Not Want) 

Abu Basir al-Tartusi ....................................................................................................................108 

Shar`iyyat jihad al-Kandari wa'l-Hajiri li'l-Amrikan (The Legitimacy of the Jihad of alKandari and al-Hajiri Against the Americans) 

Abu Basir al-Tartusi ....................................................................................................................109 

Shubhat tark al-jihad bi-hujjat `adam wujud al-raya al-wadiha (The Error of Excusing 

Oneself From Jihad by Stating There is No Banner [of the Imam]) 

Abu Basir al-Tartusi ....................................................................................................................111 

Shubhat hilf al-fudul wa jawaz muhalafat al-ahzab al-`almaniyya (The Entanglement of alFudul Alliance and the Validity of Allying with Secular Parties) 

Abu Basir al-Tartusi ....................................................................................................................112 

Tarbiyya(al-) awwalan am al-jihad (Education or Jihad First?) 

26
Abu Basir al-Tartusi ....................................................................................................................114 

Ha'ula' akhafuhum `ala al-jihad wa'l-mujahidin (What I Fear About Jihad and the Mujahidin) 

Abu Basir al-Tartusi ....................................................................................................................115 

Harb al-ightiyalat (The War of Assassinations) 

Abu Jihad Tal`at...........................................................................................................................117 

Harakat(al-) al-islamiyya wa'l-tahalufat al-mu`asira (Islamic Movements and Contemporary 

Alliances) 

Abu Qatada al-Filistini................................................................................................................119 

Limadha al-jihad? (Why Pursue Jihad?) 

Abu Qatada al-Filistini................................................................................................................121

Ma'alim al-ta'ifa al-mansura fi 'aqr dar al-mu'minin (bilad al-sham) (Characteristics of the 

Victorious Sect in the Muslim's Home Land (Greater Syria)) 

Abu Qatada al-Filistini................................................................................................................123 

Akhlaq al-mujahid (The Noble Character of the Mujahid) 

Abu `Umar al-Sayf.......................................................................................................................125 

Hal al-umma al-islamiyya wa'l-irhab al-mafqud (The State of the Islamic Nation and the 

Absent Terror) 

Abu `Umar al-Sayf.......................................................................................................................127 

Tawhid(al-) wa'l-jihad (Monotheism and Jihad) 

Abu al-Fadl al-`Iraqi....................................................................................................................129 

Bahith(al-) `an hukm qatl afrad wa dubbat al-mabahith (The Scholar's Ruling on the Killing 

of Soldiers and Secret Police) 

Abu Jandal al-Azdi ......................................................................................................................130 

Baramij ma nurikum illa ma yara al-Su`ud wa ma yuhdikum al-Su`ud illa sabil al-rashad (The 

[Saudi] Plan: "We only show you what the Saud family sees and the Saud family guides you 

only to the right path") 

Abu Jandal al-Azdi ......................................................................................................................132 

Iraq(al-) min al-ihtilal ila al-tahrir: waqi` al-azma wa afaq al-hal (Iraq from Occupation to 

Liberation: The Reality of the Crisis and the Horizons of the Solution) 

Ansar Magazine............................................................................................................................134 

Ihtilal(al-) wa'l-tahrir qira'at fi al-mafahim (Occupation and Liberation: A Reading of the 

Concepts Involved) 

Ansari(al-), Sayf al-Din................................................................................................................135 

Kayf taktashif "takfiriyya"?! Khatir wa sirri lil-ghaya (How to Uncover a "Takfiri", 

Dangerous and Top Secret) 

Hamid al-`Ali................................................................................................................................138 

Man hum al-khawarij (Who are the Khawarij?) 

Hamid al-`Ali................................................................................................................................139 

Irhab(al-) fi al-manzuma al-gharbiyya (Terrorism in the Western Framework) 

27
Hani al-Siba`i................................................................................................................................141 

Ta`liq `ala kitab "Ayman al-Zawahiri kama `araftahu" (Commentary on the Book "Ayman alZawahiri as I Knew Him") 

Hani al-Siba`i................................................................................................................................143 

Qalu...fa-qul! Kashf shubhat al-murjifin wa'l-mukhadhdhilin `an al-jihad ([If] They 

say...then you say ! Revealing the Doubts of the Tremblers and Abandoners Regarding 

Jihad) 

Harith `Abd al-Salam al-Misri....................................................................................................145 

Ihtilal(al-) al-amiriki wa maham al-marhala (The American Occupation and the Importance 

of this Stage) 

Hilali(al-), Abu Ayman................................................................................................................147 

Mithaq al-jama'a al-salafiyya li-al-da'wa wal-qital (Charter of the Salafi Group for Preaching 

and Combat) 

Jama`a(al-) al-Salafiyya li'l-Da`wa wa'l-Qital (al-Jaza'ir) .........................................................149 

Hukm(al-) al-jadir bil-ida'ah min qawl al-nabi ba'thtu bil-sayf (The Proper Ruling on 

Disseminating the Saying of the Prophet "I Was Sent with the Sword") 

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali ...................................................................................................................152 

Allah akbar: Misr tataharraku akhiran wa tantaqidu li-shuhada' al-intifada; hawla hajamat 

Sina', 7 Uktubir 2004 (God is Great: Egypt Finally Makes a Move and Takes Vengeance for 

the Martyrs of the Intifada) 

Majdi Ahmad Husayn .................................................................................................................154 

Tasa'ulat wa shubhat hawla al-mujahidin wa `amaliyatihim (Inquiries and Doubts 

Surrounding the Mujahidin and Their Operations) 

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin ........................................................................156 

Bara'at al-muwahhidin min `uhud al-tawaghit wa amanihim li'l-muharibin (Dissociating the 

Monotheists from the Covenants of Tyrants and from Safeguarding the Aggressors) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................161 

Dimuqratiyya(al-) din (Democracy is a Religion) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................164 

Hadhihi `aqidatuna (This is Our Doctrine) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................167 

Hawla fatwa mufti al-sa`udiyya bi-sh'an al-`amaliyyat al-istishhadiyya (Regarding the Fatwa of 

the Saudi Mufti on "Acts of Martyrdom") 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................170 

Hiwar ma` al-shaykh Abi Muhammad al-Maqdisi (An Interview with Shaykh Abu 

Muhammad al-Maqdisi) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................172 

Husn al-rifaqa fi ajwibat su'alat al-Sawaqa (Beneficial Answers to the Questions from alSawaqa Prison) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................174 

28
I`dad al-qadat al-fawaris bi-hajr fasad al-madaris (Preparing Chivalrous Leaders to Leave the 

Corruption of Schools) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................178 

Imta` al-nazar fi kashf shubuhat murji'at al-`asr (An Enjoyable Look at Uncovering the 

Suspicious Ways of Today's Murji'a ["the postponers" -- an early Islamic sect]) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................181 

Kashf al-niqab `an shari`at al-ghab (Unveiling the Law of the Jungle) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................186 

Kashf shubahat al-mujadilin `an `asakir al-shirk wa ansar al-qawanin (Exposing the Specious 

Arguments of the Disputants about the Soldiers of Idolatry and the Supporters of Profane 

Laws) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................188 

Kawashif(al-) al-jalliyya fi kufr al-dawla al-Su`udiyya (The Shameful Actions Manifest in the 

Saudi State's Disbelief) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................191

La tahzan in Allah ma`ana (Do Not Distress, Indeed Allah is on Our Side) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................198 

Masabih(al-) al-munira fi al-radd `ala as'ilat ahl al-jazira (An Illuminating Response to 

Questions of the People of the Arabian Peninsula) 

Maqdisi(al-) Abu Muhammad....................................................................................................200 

Millat Ibrahim (The Creed of Ibrahim) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................202 

Nukat(al-) al-lawami` fi malhuzat al-jami` (Illustrous Points: Observations on the Book alJami`) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................205 

Risala(al-) al-thalathiniyya fi al-tahdhir min al-ghuluw fi al-takfir (The Thirty-part Letter 

Cautioning against the Excesses of Takfir) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................208 

Shihab(al-) al-thaqib fi al-radd `ala man iftara `ala al-sahabi Hatib (The Consuming Flame: In 

Response to Those Who Slandered the Companion Hatib) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................210 

Tabsir al-`uqala' bi-talbisat ahl al-tajahhum wa'l-irja' (An Exposé on the People of Gloom 

and Postponement) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................212 

Tuhfa(al-) al-maqdisiyya fi mukhtasar ta'rikh al-Nasraniyya bidayatuha wa-muntahaha 

(Maqdisi's Masterpiece: A Summary of the History of Christians, Their Beginning and End) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................214 

Waqfat ma` thamarat al-jihad (On the Fruits of Jihad) 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad...................................................................................................218 

Ghazwat al-hadi `ashar min rabi` al-awwal: `amaliyat sharq al-riyad wa harbuna ma` amrika 

wa `umali'ha (The 11 Rabi` al-Awwal [13 May] Raid: the Eastern Riyadh Operation and Our 

War With America and Their Agents) 

Markaz al-Dirasat wa'l-Buhuth al-Islamiyya ............................................................................222 

Nida' ila al-muslimin (A Call to Muslims) 

Marwan Hadid .............................................................................................................................227 

29
Jihad(al-) fi sabil allah (Jihad for the Sake of God) 

Mawdudi(al-), Abu al-A`la..........................................................................................................229 

I`tiqad al-a'imma al-arba`a (Religious Beliefs of the Four Imams) 

Muhammad b. `Abd al-Rahman al-Khamis ............................................................................234 

Da`wat ahl al-jihad ila al-ijtima` wal-ittihad (A Call to the People of Jihad to Gather and 

Unite) 

Sa`idi(al-), Abu al-Mundhir ........................................................................................................236 

39 Wasilat li-khidmat al-jihad wa'l-musharaka fihi (39 Ways to Serve the Jihad and Participate 

in It) 

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad .............................................................................................238 

Ayna tatlub al-`izza (Where Do You Seek Strength?) 

Rayyis(al-), Hamid b. Rayyis.......................................................................................................241 

Manhaj(al-) al-thawri wa'l-manhaj al-islahi yatakamalan am yatasadaman (Revolution and 

Reform: Integration or Confrontation?) 

Rifa`i Ahmad Taha ......................................................................................................................243 

Shubahat wa tasa'ulat hawl al-jihad fi jazirat al-`arab (Doubts and Inquiries Surrounding 

Jihad in the Arabian Peninsula) 

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine ...............................................................................................................245 

Ma`alim fi al-tariq (Milestones) 

Sayyid Qutb ..................................................................................................................................247 

Ma`na al-irhab wa haqiqatuhu (The Meaning and Reality of Terrorism) 

Shu`aybi(al-), Hammud b. `Uqla' ..............................................................................................250 

Da`na namut hata nanala shahada (Let Us Die as Martyrs) 

Sulayman b. Nasir al-`Alwan......................................................................................................252 

Tawjihat manhajiyya (1) bi-tawjihat Bin Ladin nuwasilu darb Manhattan li-nurghiba anf 

Amrika wa naqta`a sharraha al-sha'in (Methodological Guidelines (1) According to the 

Guidelines of Bin Ladin: We Proceed in the Way of Manhattan in Order to Defy America 

and Put an End to Their Controlling Evil) 

Usama b. Ladin ............................................................................................................................254

Tawjihat manhajiyya (2) (Methodological Guidelines (2)) 

Usama b. Ladin ............................................................................................................................256 

Tawjihat manhajiyya (3) (Methodological Guidelines (3)) 

Usama b. Ladin ............................................................................................................................258 

Kalima(al-) al-mamnu`a (The Forbidden Word) 

Zawahiri(al-), Ayman...................................................................................................................261 

Hiwar ma` al-Shaykh Ayman al-Zawahiri 8/6/1414 H (A Conversation with Shaykh Ayman 

al-Zawahiri, 8/6/1414 AH [22/8/1993 CE]) 

30
Zawahiri(al-), Ayman...................................................................................................................263 

Kitab(al-) al-aswad qissa ta`dhib al-muslimin fi `ahd Husni Mubarak (The Black Book: An 

Account of the Torture of Muslims in the Time of Husni Mubarak) 

Zawahiri(al-), Ayman...................................................................................................................265 

Mawqifuna min Iran: al-radd `ala tuhmat al-ta`awun bayna al-haraka al-jihadiyya al-salafiyya 

wa Iran al-rafidiyya (Our Stance Towards Iran: Response to the Accusation of Cooperation 

Between the Salafi Jihadi Movement and Renegade Iran) 

Misr bayn siyat al-jalladin wa `amalat al-kha'inin (Egypt Between the Whips of the Torturers 

and the Administration of Traitors) 

Zawahiri(al-), Ayman...................................................................................................................269 

Radd(al-) `ala shubha khatira li'l-Shaykh al-Albani bi-sha'ni al-Sukut `an al-hukkam almurtaddin (Response to a Grave Uncertainty from Shaykh al-Albani Regarding Silence in the 

Face of Apostate Rulers) 

Zawahiri(al-), Ayman...................................................................................................................272 

Shifa' sudur al-mu'minin (Healing the Chests of the Believers) 

Zawahiri(al-), Ayman...................................................................................................................274 

31
Author: `Abd al-Akhir Hammad al-Ghunaymi 

وقفات مع الدآتور البوطي في آتابه عن الجهاد :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Waqfat ma` al-duktur al-Buti fi kitabihi `an al-jihad

Title (Translated): On Doctor al-Buti and his Book on Jihad 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: 1997 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Buti(al-),

Muhammad Sa`id 

Ramadan, 31.2%

Ibn Kathir, 10.4%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 5.8%

Ibn Taymiyya, 3.9%

Ibn al-`Arabi alMaliki, 3.2%

Sayyid Qutb, 3.2%

Shafi`i(al-), 2.6%

Tabari(al-), 2.6%

Qurtubi(al-), 2.6%

Qarafi(al-), Shihab 

al-Din, 2.6%

Ibn Humam, 1.9%

Naw aw i(al-), 1.9%

Kasani(al-), 1.9%

Ibn Rajab alHanbali, 1.3%

Ibn Qudama, 1.3%

Ibn Ishaq, 1.3%

Amadi(al-), 1.3%

Ibn Rushd, 5.8%

Ibn Hajar, 3.9%

Other, 9.7%

`Abd al-`Aziz b. 

Baz, 1.3%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 2

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 2

Issues Discussed: 

The book reflects the continuous debate between two main trends among Islamists: the 

more pragmatic and the more radical. At the outset, `Abd al-Akhir Hammad says that no

32
concept has been as confused as the concept of jihad in Islam has been, accusing some 

Islamic writers of emptying this concept from its content. He lays down his main 

disagreements with the thoughts of al-Buti in five main topics of his book. In the first 

chapter, Hammad defines jihad on the linguistic level saying it means a struggling effort, 

while on the Shari`a level it means fighting the infidels to dignify the word of God. 

Al-Buti, in his own book, argues that there is an exclusive focus on the fighting dimension of 

jihad among Islamists and adds that the vocal missionary aspect of jihad is more relevant. 

Hammad answers this argument by saying that there is a tacit consent among the nation that 

jihad occurs both in the tongue and the sword, but it is a mistake to underestimate one of

those two. Hammad elaborates that there are four types of jihad: the jihad of the spirit, the 

jihad against a cruel Sultan with a right word, the jihad of the sword and the Hajj or the 

Muslim pilgrimage. Hammad thinks that the Mujahidin in their money and spirit are ahead

of those waging jihad of the tongue. 

In chapter two, Hammad approaches the issue of the stages of legitimizing the jihad. The 

first stage was the Mecca era where only vocal missionary activity was allowed; it lasted 3 

years, and where the infidels started to inflict harm on the Prophet. At that time, Muslims 

were ordered to pray, give charity, help the poor, forgive and pardon the infidels until God 

judges otherwise. In stage two, called the Medina era, when the Prophet migrated to Medina

and God allowed fighting but this stage itself is divided into three phases: fighting with 

permission, fighting back against only those who attack Muslims, and fighting all infidels. 

Now Hammad asserts that this last phase of fighting all the infidels is the culmination of this

progressive evolution of the concept of jihad, while al-Buti considers each one of those 

phases as a separate entity that can be implemented in specific cases and suitable situations. 

In chapter 3, Hammad returns back to the Mecca era of jihad to explore the wisdom behind

de-legitimizing jihad against the infidels. On this point, al-Buti argues that Muslims in this 

period were scattered individuals amidst a majority of infidels and those Muslims did not yet 

have a well-defined ideology, a system or a motive for fighting. Muslims in Medina became 

more organized and were ready to defend three rights: the land, the community and the 

establishment. Al-Buti refuses the argument that Muslims did not fight because they were 

weak in power and number since the Prophet himself did not show any intentions to fight at 

that time. The core argument of al-Buti is that the fighting aspect of jihad was legitimized to

defend a right given by God not to create one. Hammad says that the Mecca era was a

period of education and preparation to teach Muslims how to be patient and not to fight 

immediately. 

Hammad believes that the debate is about the wisdom behind postponing the jihad and not 

about its illegality, adding that jihad is not linked to the existence of an Islamic state.

Hammad asserts that the intentions of the Prophet could not be known since it is a private 

matter in his heart, arguing that Muslims in Mecca were a group, not scattered individual as 

mentioned by al-Buti. 

In chapter 4, Hammad talks about fighting the infidels. On this, al-Buti argues that jihad was 

legitimized solely in the case that there were hostile intentions Muslims needed to defend

themselves against. He adds that missionary work and planning should occur before the 

fighting. Al-Buti defines jihad as defending and not initiating the attack; and the sole purpose 

33
for this jihad is either to make the infidels convert to Islam or pay a jizya tax. Whereas

Hammad says that the reason behind the fighting is infidelity as long as children, women and 

elders are not part of the battle. Hammad elaborates that this infidelity factor is constant 

even if a Muslim was loyal and committed to preserving the life of an infidel for a period of 

time. Hammad refers to the sword verse of the Qur'an which says that all infidels should be 

given a period of 4 months to convert to Islam or else they ought to be killed. The topic of 

chapter 5 was non-Muslim subjects. Al-Buti argues that infidels should be treated like any 

Muslim transgressor who is fought to make him return to discipline, justice and good 

neighboring. 

Al-Buti asserts that the relation with the non-Muslim subjects should be set on the following 

basis: they should put away their hostile weapons; show honest human cooperation; and

mutual recognition and treatment instead of militaristic policies. Hammad reiterates here his 

argument that infidels are fought because of their infidelity and not for preventing their 

hostility, and refuses the analogy of al-Buti in putting Muslim transgressors and non-Muslim

subjects on the same level of treatment. In conclusion, Hammad asks not to present a

different image of Islam in this critical period of Islamic history. 

Notes: 

Five chapters were published on June 29, 1997 with no mention of place of publication. The 

book is critical of another publication by Muhammad Sa`id Ramadan al-Buti called: 

"Jihad(al-) fi al-islam kaifa nafhamahu wa kaifa numarisahu" (Jihad in Islam: How We 

Understand and Practice It), which he considers to be in contradiction with the Qur'an and 

the Shari`a. Ghunaymi highlights many contradictions between the ideas of al-Buti in this

debated book and one of his previous ones called "Fiqh al-sira". 

34
Author: `Abd al-`Aziz b. Salih al-Jarbu` 

البيان المطلق في الرد على الشيخ المطلق في تنقصه للشيخ العقلاء وجهله في قضايا الدين :(Arabic (Title

والتنويه على اخطاء صالح ال شيخ في بيانه

Title (Transliterated): Bayan(al-) al-mutlaq fi al-radd `ala al-shaykh al-Mutlaq fi tanaqusihi 

li'l-shaykh al-`Uqla' wa jahlihi fi qadaya al-din wa'l-tanwih `ala akhta' Salih Al Shaykh fi 

bayanihi 

Title (Translated): The Absolute Statement of Response to Shaykh al-Mutlaq's Belittling 

of Shaykh al-`Uqla', His Ignorance of Religious Issues and a Highlight of the Mistakes of 

Salih Al Shaykh's Statement 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2001 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

`Abd Allah al-Mutlaq,

29.6%

Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya,

16.7%

Ibn Taymiyya, 5.6%

Ibn Kathir, 5.6%

Al al-Shaykh, Salih, 5.6%

Muhammad `Abduh, 5.6%

Ibn al-`Arabi al-Maliki,

3.7%

`Uthaymin(al-),

Muhammad b. Salih b., 

3.7%

Qurtubi(al-), 1.9%

Rabi`(al-), 1.9%

Shafi`i(al-), 1.9%

Qatada b. Di`ama,1.9%

Muqatil, 1.9%

Malik b. Anas, 1.9%

Jassas(al-), Abu Bakr,

1.9%

Sulayman al-`Idi,1.9%

Ibn Hazm, 1.9%

`Ata b. Yassar, 1.9%

Ahmad b. Hanbal, 1.9%

Dahhak(al-) b.Mazahim,

1.9%

Other, 1.9%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 2

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 7

35
Issues Discussed: 

The author is challenging the Saudi government's policy of controlling the issue of religious 

verdicts, especially in matters of politics. At the outset, `Abd al-`Aziz b. Salih al-Jarbu`

criticizes the religious figures who preach Islamic awareness and guidance in return for 

material profit. He refutes the fact that religious figures in Saudi Arabia are banned from

talking about Afghanistan while the door is open for other sectors of the society,

emphasizing that there is no separation between religion and politics. 

It seems that Sheikh Mahmud al-`Uqla' issued a religious verdict stating that fighting in 

Afghanistan is a duty, and the Supreme religious body in the Kingdom declared that al-

`Uqla' does not have the competence for issuing verdicts. Sheikh Mutlaq defends this 

decision by Minister Salih while al-Jarbu` considers the minister a person looking for profit

and publicity. Mutlaq says that the pact or treaty signed between the Muslim leader and nonMuslims should be preserved, especially if non-Muslims helped this leader to confront local

Muslim infidels. 

Clearly, Mutlaq is arguing here that Americans came to help the Saudis and Kuwaitis against 

the invasion of a local Muslim infidel Iraqi regime, thus the consent and trust given by the 

Saudi regime to the Americans cannot be breached. Al-Jarbu` comments on this saying that 

this verse of the Qur'an means that if a Muslim group attacked an infidel group, another

Muslim group should not support this infidel group even if they are both bound by a pact.

He adds that jihad is a duty for Muslims who are attacked and for those who are not. The 

author criticizes the argument that a Caliph is the only one authorized to call for and lead 

jihad, and not the people, saying that when jihad is an act of defense there is no permission

required to fight. 

Mutlaq differentiates between the standard verdict and the judicial verdict concerning the 

fate of the people. Obviously, Jarbu` refuses that saying a verdict is always about people.

Mutlaq asserts that the jihad is not a duty, otherwise life in Muslim communities would be 

weakened if men are required to fight. Jarbu` answers back saying that jihad is a duty until 

there is a number enough to fight and that there is circumstances where some believers can 

stay so the attackers do not exploit the moment and unexpectedly invade. The author adds 

that when a specific Muslim area is attacked, this area should force the occupier out of the 

land and in case it failed, jihad becomes a duty to other neighboring Muslims and later for all 

Muslims. 

Notes: 

An article published on Friday October 28, 2001, most probably in Jeddah. The author is 

criticizing the content of a radio show broadcast every Friday on MBC (Middle East 

Broadcasting). The host of this program is Sulayman al-`Idi, who moderates the questions of 

the listeners and a religious figure guest answers those questions. The guest of this episode 

was Sheikh `Abdallah al-Mutlaq who was answering a question about the take of Saudis on 

the jihad in Afghanistan. Another important name present is Salih Al al-Shaykh, Minister of 

Islamic Affairs in the Saudi government. 

36
Author: `Abd Allah `Azzam 

آيات الرحمن في جهاد الأفغان :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Ayat al-rahman fi jihad al-Afghan 

Title (Translated): Miraculous signs of Allah the Compassionate regarding the Afghans' 

Jihad 

Type of Publication: Other 

Year of Publication: 1984 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Haqqani, Jalal al-Din, 5.0%

Haythami(al-), Nur al-Din `Ali

b. Abi Bakr, 4.5%

Arslan, 4.1%

Ibn Kathir, 4.1%

Ramli(al-), Muhammad b. 

Ahmad, 2.7%

Abu Nu`aym al-Isbahani, 

Ahmad b. `Abd Allah, 2.3%

Bayhaqi(al-), 2.3%

`Umar Hanif, 2.3%

Ibn Taymiyya, 2.3%

Jabir b. `Abd Allah, 2.3%

Ibn `Abidin, 1.8%

Muhammad Yasir, 1.8%

Ibrahim, 1.8%

Kandihlaw i(al-) al-Dihlaw i,

Muhammad Yusuf, 1.8%

Ahmad b. Hanbal, 1.4%

Abu Hurayra, 1.4%

Fath Allah, 1.4%

`Abd al-Manan Muhammad, 

1.4%

`Abd al-Rasul Sayyaf, 1.4%

Naw aw i(al-), 1.4%

Other, 53.2%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd al-Rahman Hasan

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 1

Harith `Abd al-Salam al-Misri

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 2

37
Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

The main context of this article is the fight against "the evil Red forces" (i.e. the Soviets).

The source author begins with four quotes, one Qur'anic quote, one Hadith and quotes from 

two twentieth century thinkers. Next he presents a short dedication to all those on the path

of jihad. What follows is basically a list of issues, each introduced in an independent 

paragraph. The source author starts with his definition of "`aqidat al-salaf" (tr. The religious 

tenets of the pious predecessors), that includes belief in Allah, His books, His prophets, 

resurrection after death, and belief in predestination (Ar. Qadar) (p. 1). The list continues,

referring to belief in Allah's names and attributes, His transcendental nature and location 

above the seventh heaven (p. 1), and the proper attitude toward sins and sinning, the 

Prophet's companions (juxtaposing his beliefs to Shi`i and Khawarij attitudes, see p. 2). 

The source author presents his attitude toward legislation that was not revealed by Allah.

This, he says, is a sin that puts one beyond the pale of Islam (p. 2). Then he resorts to listing 

a variety of what he sees as acceptable beliefs and practices vs. illicit, un-Islamic behavior. 

`Azzam turns to the topic of jihad at the bottom of p. 2. The main goal of jihad is an Islamic

state (p. 2). On p. 3 there is a sudden return to an introductory section for what the source 

author says is the second edition. The question of Afghanistan, he says, is the story of 

wounded Islam everywhere, it is the same problem found in Palestine, the Philippines, Syria, 

Lebanon, Chad and Egypt. Jihad is the means to "awaken hope in [people's] souls and

revives in their depths perseverance and resolution to carry on in the path [of Jihad]

regardless of the sacrifices and the mounting burden" (p. 3, see Ar." وتحيي الأمل النفوس في تبعث

 .(" في الأعماق الإصرار والعزم على مواصلة الطريق؟ مهما جلت التضحيات وبهظت التكاليف

Jihad in Afghanistan is merely a prelude to regaining the first Qibla (i.e. Jerusalem), and most 

mujahidin, when asked, says the source author, will tell you that the path of jihad must lead

to "Bayt al-Maqdis" (i.e. the holy site of Jerusalem) (p. 3). At the top of p. 4 there is a return

to the first edition and its introductory section. This introductory section contains more 

references to geographical locations and historical events. It also contains what the source 

author obviously sees as a flattering description of the Afghan people. The author has a

special place in his heart for the Pashtun clan (4). He posits with pride that there is not one 

church or missionary on Afghani soil. The flattering description continues on p. 5, peppered

with anecdotes from nameless sources. Toward the bottom of p. 5, `Azzam turns to a 

discussion surrounding reactions to the first edition of his Ayat al-rahman. Some of the 

reactions he addresses are questions posed by unnamed mujahidin fighters (see p. 6). One 

comment `Azzam included was a critique of his somewhat exaggerated praise for the 

Afghani people (6). 

Toward the end of p. 9 the source author (or the editor of these apparently poorly edited 

notes) jumps to the topic of miracles and lists a number of sayings on the authority of such

scholars as Ibn Taymiyya and al-Nawawi. The source author devotes a lot of space to 

examples of miracles performed by the Prophet, the Sahaba and others. On p. 15 he turns to 

miracles or miraculous stories attributed to present-day fighters in Afghanistan. In an

attempt to give the stories an aura of legitimacy, `Azzam says that were al-Bukhari alive 

38
today, these stories surely would have been included in his Sahih (p. 15). One example I

think will suffice to give the flavor of these "testimonies": `Umar Hanif, a military leader in 

the Afghani group Jabhat al-Inqilab al-Islami (Islamic Revolutionary Front) told `Azzam that 

he has never seen a martyr's body decomposed, rot or get devoured by dogs, though the 

bodies of the Soviet soldiers do get eaten by dogs (see p. 15). The source author went to

great lengths to show that God is on the side of the Afghan fighters. 

On p. 21 `Azzam starts a historical section on the chain of events leading up to the Soviet 

invasion of Afghanistan and the Afghani response. He describes the development of the 

Islamic movement in Afghanistan, specifically, the creation of the Jam`iyya Islamiyya and

subsequently of the al-Ittihad al-Islami li-Mujahidi Afghanistan (Ar. لمجاهدي الإسلامي الإتحاد

أفغانستان which becomes Ittihad-i Islami Bara-yi Azadi Afghanistan in Pashto). On p. 25 

`Azzam switches from his brief description of Afghani politics to a description of the Shari`a 

nature of the duty of jihad (e.g. fard vs. kifaya). Afghanistan of the 80's is seen as the golden

opportunity to bring about a new era when the word of Allah reigns supreme (see p. 26).

Afghanistan, says `Azzam, has wonderful open borders and easy access to a wide variety of

weapons (p. 27). However, he points out, among the mujahidin there are only a handful of 

Muslim doctors and no Muslim correspondents or film makers to document the battles.

Afghani jihad also needs engineers, chemists, computer specialists and other professions (see 

p. 29). With the help of heavy-duty weapon shipments due to arrive during the summer (of

'84), `Azzam notes, the mujahidin hope to conquer further areas still held by the Soviets 

(27). 

In closing, on p. 28 `Azzam lists a few suggestions, one of which has to do with making 

contributions to al-Jihad al-Afghani. Checks should be sent to Bayt al-Tamwil al-Kuwayti

and made out to al-Jihad al-Afghani, account number 1920, or via the Islamic Bank of 

Dubai, account number 1335. Several times `Azzam repeats a call for everyone to visit 

Peshawar, as an important center of the Islamic movement (and cites a saying: أمتي سياحة

الجهاد. Tr. Tourism of my nation is Jihad, p. 29). Pp. 30-31 the source author cites a fatwa by 

Ibn Baz that talks about the urgency to support the jihad movement by any possible means. 

Finally, `Azzam's notes end with a so-called journalistic report (Ar. صحفي تقرير ( on the use 

of chemical weapons in Afghanistan (pp. 31-32). It is noted that the piece was not written by 

`Azzam, but rather was inserted there from un-named paper. Other than the exposition of 

the fact that the Soviets used chemical weapons on large portions of Afghan civilians and 

that the mujahidin were trying to obtain chemical weapons of their own in early 1982, the 

"report" gives very little detail. The report also alleges that at the same time, the Americans

halted the production of biologically engineered Malaria mosquitoes that were intended to 

spread various viral (and environmental) skin disorders in Pakistan and neighboring Afghan

refugee camps (see p. 32). 

Notes: 

One of the most distinct characteristics of `Azzam's writing is his use of question marks 

instead of commas, periods and semi-colons. All numbers mentioned in the text occur in 

parentheses. Writing is dense, with issues presented in a list form rather than being 

integrated into a thematic discussion. There is a lot of jumping around in the beginning, 

between introduction sections for the first and second editions. The intro of the first edition 

39
that starts on p. 4 contains more references to geographical locations and historical events.

The main context of this article is the fight against "the evil Red forces" (i.e. the Soviets). All 

references are in the body of the text. Some are put in brackets. The year the article was 

written was 1984 (see p. 24), I am not certain if it was published in the same year. The 

document lacks pagination, accordingly I have used MS Word's pagination. There is no 

information so far on who published this article, place of publication or publication name. 

The source author makes use of numerous hearsay quotes (e.g. p. 8). The fashion in which

they are quoted is reminiscent of the way hadith is cited. Moreover the standards by which

the source author appears to judge the value of such quotes is also the same, as he repeats to

his readers that his sources are "thiqat", trustworthy men. P. 10-11 are problematic because 

of the formatting (or lack thereof). Also, `Azzam’s shorthand style makes it almost

impossible to read through these notes. Because of the Afghani context, many names in the 

text are Pashto or derived of other local languages. This makes the search and verification 

more complicated since they are most often transliterated differently than Arabic names.

Most of the names in the DB entered as citation author esp. on pp. 15-21 are names of

Mujahidin and/ or commanders from various factions in Afghanistan. Furthermore, typos

and misspellings of words abound; especially names, making it nearly impossible to retrace 

them. 

40
Author: `Abd Allah `Azzam 

الدفاع عن أراضي المسلمين أهم فروض الاعيان :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Difa`(al-) `an aradi al-muslimin ahamm furud al-a`yan 

Title (Translated): Defending Muslim Lands is Among the Most Important of an 

Individual's Duties 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: 1985 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors Ibn Taymiyya, 18.6%

Ramli(al-), Muhammad b. 

Ahmad, 5.7%

Ibn Qudama, 5.7%

Malik b. Anas, 4.3%

Qurtubi(al-), 4.3%

Shafi`i(al-), 4.3%

Ibn `Abidin, 4.3%

Jassas(al-), Abu Bakr, 2.9%

Shaw kani(al-), 2.9%

Zuhri(al-), Ibn Shihab, 2.9%

`Abd al-Rasul Sayyaf, 2.9%

Ibn al-`Arabi al-Maliki, 2.9%

Ibn Hajar, 2.9%

Shaybani(al-), 1.4%

Kasani(al-), 1.4%

Muhammad `Illaysh, 1.4%

Muti`i(al-), Muhammad Najib,

1.4%

Naw aw i(al-), 1.4%

Razi(al-), Fakhr al-Din, 1.4%

Suddi(al-), Isma`il b. `Abd alRahman, 1.4%

Other, 25.7%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd al-Rahman Hasan

A – 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 1

Harith `Abd al-Salam al-Misri

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 2

41
Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

`Abd Allah `Azzam talks about jihad as a dialectic struggle between good and evil to "reform 

humanity". He asserts that the jihad, the forgotten religious duty among Muslims today, runs

on two building blocks: patience and generosity. He defines two types of jihad against 

infidels: a kind of pre-emptive jihad to avoid any potential attack and self defense in case any 

town was attacked or Muslims detained, with an emphasis on the role of Imams in that 

regard. `Azzam quotes Ibn Taymiyya saying that in case an enemy decided to attack, all

Muslims must react whether they were the target or not. He explains that by saying when 

infidels control the land of Muslims, the nation becomes endangered in its religion and 

doubt in its ideology, thus mobilizing Muslims to fight is crucial until the land is liberated. 

The author acknowledges that the role of all God's religions are to protect what he calls the 

five essentials: religion, soul, honor, mind and money; but stresses on the other hand that 

Islam legitimized protecting those essentials by any means facing those who attempt to 

control others by force. `Azzam calls for fighting invaders and for internal unity among 

Muslims regardless of the disagreements and different levels of Islamic education and 

commitment. 

One of the core arguments of this publication is that when any part of a Muslim land is

attacked, the wife does not need the permission of her husband to join the jihad, nor the son

or daughter from their parents, as long as the land is occupied and the jihad ongoing. 

`Azzam considers Afghanistan a priority over Palestine as a cause, raising doubts over the 

policies of Palestinian leaders (taking into account the political context of the region in the 

eighties). `Azzam asserts that Afghanistan is closer than Palestine to the goal of establishing 

an Islamic state. Although he refutes the idea of getting help from external powers, `Azzam 

does not close the door to that as long as Muslims need the help and as long as Muslims 

outweigh the power of those who are helping. Since most of the case study for his argument 

was about Afghanistan, `Azzam sets some unrealistic conditions for making peace with the 

Soviets, in a way opening the door to prolonging the war. 

Notes: 

Most of the introductions were signed in Jedda and the writers talk about their close 

interaction with `Abd Allah `Azzam, which means he most likely wrote it there too. 

Although `Omar Sayf signed his introduction in year 1984, a letter by Sayyaf inside the book 

shows the year 1985, which means it was probably published in 1985. 

42
Author: `Abd Allah `Azzam 

اتحاف العباد بفضائل الجهاد :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Ithaf al-`ibad bi-fada'il al-jihad 

Title (Translated): Bestowing the Virtues of Jihad upon the Believers 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: 1990? 

Place of Publication: Jedda, Saudi Arabia 

Publisher: `Azzam Media Center 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Hajar, 11.4%

Ibn Taymiyya, 8.6%

Ibn al-`Arabi al-Maliki,

8.6%

Ibn Kathir, 5.7%

Qurtubi(al-), 5.7%

Musa b. `Aqaba, 1.4%

Suhayli(al-), Abu alQasim, 1.4%

Sufyan b. `Uyayna, 

1.4%

Shaybani(al-), 1.4%

Jassas(al-), Abu Bakr,

1.4%

Muti`i(al-), 1.4%

Nadr(al-) b. Shumayl,

1.4%

Ibn Khuw ayz Mindad, 

Abu `Abd Allah

Muhammad, 1.4%

Ibn Qudama, 1.4%

Ibn Rushd, 1.4%

Jaw hari(al-), Abu Nasr

Isma`il b. Hammad,

1.4%

Munaw i(al-), Zayn alDin, 1.4%

Ibn al-Qasim, `Abd alRahman, 2.9%

Malik b. Anas, 2.9%

Naw aw i(al-), 7.1%

Other, 30.0%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd al-Rahman Hasan

A – 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 1

Harith `Abd al-Salam al-Misri

A - 1

43
Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 2

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

This book is a random listing and explanation of Hadith dealing with the meaning, virtues

and relevance of jihad. `Abdallah `Azzam defines jihad as fighting the infidels with the 

sword, and considers death for the sake of God as the ultimate goal of the fight. `Azzam 

says that those who honestly ask God to be martyrs shall reach the homes of martyrs even if 

they die in their bed. `Azzam argues that women should contribute in the jihad through 

paying their money and the money of their children in case the enemy attempts to inflict 

damage. `Azzam states that those who die in the battlefield cannot be judged as martyrs 

going to heaven, since entering heaven is linked to the intention not the act, and intentions 

are known only by God as the Sunni doctrine does not judge anyone to heaven or hell. 

However, `Azzam reiterates that the salaf were accustomed to call them martyrs by building 

the judgment on apparent facts. 

He defines Hijra as a duty and a movement from the home of fear to the home of security, 

from home of infidelity to the home of faith. `Azzam suggests that no women are allowed to

accompany Muslims to the land of enemy unless they are old in order to provide water and

cure the wounded. Later `Azzam went further on this note by asserting that the participation 

of women in the jihad is possible in only exceptional cases which comply to the rules of 

Shari`a, like covering the face and not mixing with men. He seems not so much opened to 

this idea, and prefers for women to be in back lines nursing or cooking. `Azzam argues that

only the leader is allowed to be escorted by his wife, and not the soldiers of jihad. He also 

states that if two Muslims were fighting, and one of them died, both shall go to hell; and 

warned Muslims from holding weapons against each other. Adding that God might forgive

any guilt, but cannot forgive who died while infidel and the one who kills a believer 

intentionally. `Azzam argues that suicide operatoins are allowed as long as they serve the 

interests of Islam. 

He calls for a complete dedication for jihad and for honest brotherhood among Muslims. 

`Azzam also highlights the "jihad with the tongue" calling upon religious leaders to issue 

verdicts supporting jihad even if it causes them personal damage by their local rulers. He 

suggests that this should be done in order to protect the image of jihad by responding to the 

media campaign trying to undermine the personalities and symbols of jihad. 

Notes: 

This book was published by a committee dedicated to following up the writings of `Abd 

Allah `Azzam, who started this book shortly before his death in November 1989. After 

finding two copies of this book among `Azzam's papers, the committee compared the two

versions and made them ready for publication. The introduction was written by Abu `Ubada.

The publisher is not identified and the time of publication should be 1990 or 1991 the latest,

since it seems to be published right after `Azzam's death. The place of publication is not

44
clear, but most of `Azzam publications were released in Jedda. The book is not logically 

organized. 

45
Author: `Abd Allah `Azzam 

مقدمة في الهجرة والاعداد :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Muqadima fi al-hijra wa'l-i`dad 

Title (Translated): Introduction to Emigration and Preparation 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: 1990? 

Place of Publication: Jedda, Saudi Arabia 

Publisher: `Azzam Media Center 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors 

Ibn Taymiyya, 9.9%

Ghazali(al-), 5.9%

Ibn `Abidin, 5.0%

Shafi`i(al-), 3.0%

Abu Hanifa, 3.0%

Zayla`i, 2.0%

Nasfi(al-), 1.0%

Qadi(al-) Husayn, 1.0%

Qarafi(al-), Shihab alDin, 1.0%

Maurice Bucaille, 2.0%

`Abd Allah b. alMubarak, 2.0%

`Abd al-Rasul Sayyaf,

2.0%

Haqqani, Jalal al-Din,

2.0%

Sulami(al-), al-`Izz b.

`Abd al-Salam, 2.0%

Rafi`i(al-), `Abd alKarim b. Muhammad,

2.0%

Ahmad b. Hanbal, 2.0%

Naw aw i(al-), 2.0%

Jamal `Abd al-Nasir,

3.0%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 3.0%

Sa`d Jum`a, 3.0%

Other, 43.6%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd al-Rahman Hasan

A – 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 1

Harith `Abd al-Salam al-Misri

A - 1

46
Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 2

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

This book is a collection of lectures and courses delivered by `Abd Allah `Azzam. It is a

concise summary of his stance on critical and personal issues related to daily social situations. 

`Azzam argues that Islamic law is meant to preserve five necessities: religion, self, mind, 

children and money. He talks about the restrictions and permissibility in the Shari`a as a 

practical concept, with mostly youth as the target audience. `Azzam says that jihad is about 

four stages: al-Hijra, al-I`dad, al-rabat, and al-qital. He asserts that those four phases are 

interrelated and each one is a prerequisite of the other in the stated order. He also backs up 

his arguments to comply with religious law building on the Qur'an, the Hadith, the stories of 

the companions and his own personal experience. 

He elaborates that Hijra is the act of leaving your own family, neighborhood and country for 

a greater cause and for the ideology you believe in. `Azzam states that Hijra is continuous as

long as there is jihad. He adds that Hijra is leaving an infidel home to an Islamic home where 

Shari`a is applied to society. The preparation (al-i`dad) is on the physical, mental, intellectual,

spiritual and military level. It is about learning the Qur'an, fasting and praying and shows 

how much the volunteer is committed to the cause. Al-ribat is to learn patience and

discipline for the sake of the cause while waiting to pray and fight. Al-Qital is the ultimate 

stage of jihad; he says it is a real battle on the ground and not about writing and preaching. 

He claims that the ultimate goal of the Islamic movement is to establish an Islamic state. 

`Azzam says that a Muslim should be shown to a Christian physician only in case of 

excessive pain and danger of death. `Azzam explains to the youth the process of getting to

Afghanistan and what living there is about. The youth are put in Arab training camps so they 

don’t feel the cultural shock and to avoid any meddling in Afghan politics. The youth are 

taught how to deal with Afghans and how Arab Afghans should keep a good distance with 

all Afghan factions, even in the distribution of money. He insisted that all the youth should

pass by this process or else they will not be taken seriously by Afghans. `Azzam praises 

Afghanistan as a unique experience for Islam in modern times that should be well recorded. 

He takes many positive and negative examples from American society and politics as he 

lived there for a while. `Azzam criticizes the brutal policies against Muslim political activists 

done by the secret service of Arab regimes in Libya, Syria and Egypt. On this note, `Azzam

allowed studying in the West on three conditions: Muslims should be married, their children 

grown past teenage years so they will not be influenced by Western culture, and not to study 

Islam or oriental studies with Western scholars. `Azzam admits that Muslims are finding

themselves forced to leave their dangerous local societies to go to the West where they have 

a more secure environment. 

Notes: 

47
It is a poorly written document built on the many recorded tapes which contained talks by

`Abd Allah `Azzam before his death, which makes it an incoherent and imprecise piece 

without much attention to editing or references. A "Scientific committee" was formed to edit 

those recorded tapes. This volume contains the first three parts of the series called "Fi alhijra wa'l-i`dad". The essence of his spoken words was maintained while writing this

publication. The talks were given sometimes between 1987 and November 1989 when

`Azzam was killed, and the books were most likely published in early 1990s. 

48
Author: `Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid 

هَشِْي ُم التَّراجعات وقفات مع مراجعات الفهد والخضير والخالدي :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Hashim al-taraju`at: waqafat ma`a muraja`at al-Fahd wa'l-Khadir 

wa'l-Khalidi 

Title (Translated): The Peak of Concessions: Examining the Retractions of al-Fahd, alKhadir and al-Khalidi 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2003? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Dhahabi(al-), 3.2%

Mu`allimi(al-) al-Yamani,

`Abd al-Rahman b.

Yahya, 3.2%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 3.2%

Shatibi(al-), 3.2%

Tabari(al-), 3.2%

Usayd b. Hudayr, 3.2%

Ibn Taymiyya, 16.1%

`Umar b. al-Khattab, 

6.5%

Nasir al-Fahd, 3.2%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 6.5%

Maqdisi(al-), Abu

Muhammad, 6.5%

Other, 6.5%

Mujahidun (Saudi), 3.2%

Ibn Qudama, 3.2%

Qurtubi(al-), 3.2%

Dahlan, Ahmad b.

Zayni, 3.2%

Bahuti(al-), Mansur b.

Yunus, 3.2%

Al al-Shaykh, Sulayman,

3.2%

Abu Bakr, 3.2%

`Uyayri(al-), Yusuf,

6.5%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab,

Muhammad, 6.5%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 5

Markaz al-Dirasat wa'l-Buhuth al-Islamiyya

A - 4

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 15

Issues Discussed: 

49
In his introductory section the source author says he wrote the article with the aim of 

discussing the phenomenon of retraction or reversal of one's way of thinking, as in the case 

of the Jama`a Islamiyya in Egypt (p. 2). The article is divided into five main sections, the first 

of which deals with retractions in general from a Shari`a point of view. Later sections discuss 

retractions in more detail with emphasis on retractions with regards to declaring someone an

apostate ("takfir") and carrying out jihad. There are a number of reasons for committing an 

error according to the Shari`a, for which these reasons are indications. One reason, says alRashid, is knowing something generally will result in retractions of deeds for the sake of 

more specific knowledge of the thing (p. 9). And thus: على يقضي ٌتفصيل فيه يكون ، ّالحق والتراجع

الإجمال) tr. a true retraction includes specificity that limits the generality [of the thing being

retracted] (p. 10). An example of a positive retraction according to al-Rashid is withdrawing 

from a position based on opinion or speculation rather than on evidence ('dalil') (see p. 11). 

Something that is based on evidence is defined as the truth (haqq), however it is narrowly 

defined as occurring in the Qur'an or the sunna (which is where one is supposed to refer 

back to in the event of a dispute). 

Al-Rashid posits that the retractions of the Jama`a leaders fall into the category of 

unsubstantiated opinions that are based on instances of unfettered generalities (11-12). 

Within the framework of the discussion on Shari`a retractions the source author digresses to 

a seemingly unrelated topic of "treating an opponent or transgressor justly" (insaf almukhalif, p. 12f). The topic is tied to the issue of retractions toward the end of the short 

segment where al-Rashid criticizes retractors (namely the Jama`a leaders) for treating 

mujahidin unjustly, associating the latter with the Khawarij (see pp. 12-13). In the segment 

on the "hearts in the hands of Allah" (14-15) the source author is in a sense consoling fellow 

mujahidin and co-religionists, positing that what look like horribly damaging retractions in 

the present have actually happened before in the history of Islam and the Umma had

recovered from those and will undoubtedly recover from the ones in the present. 

On p. 16 al-Rashid begins discussing the occurrence of retractions in prison, with special

emphasis on the retractions of those leaders of the Jama`a arrested in 1994 CE/1415 H. 

Retractions are a slippery slope with numerous pitfalls to avoid. The first problem according 

to al-Rashid is that humans tend to let their experience, their reality in this world guide them

rather than the Holy Writ. It is not possible, he claims, that the text will indicate one thing 

while human experience contradicts it (17). Thus retracting one's stance or deeds based on 

worldly consequences is wrong. Bin Ladin and Ayman al-Zawahiri did not stray from the 

righteous path because of their difficult worldly experiences (19). Al-Rashid repeats this

notion of "limiting the truth based on one's reality" in the following segment beginning on p. 

20. He brings up al-Fahd's change of mind that was based on the al-Muhayya explosions. AlRashid criticizes al-Fahd for retracting his support for the jihadi movement based on that 

limited experience in the al-Muhayya compound (Nov. '03). 

The third "pitfall" is the inability to rely on "despotic media coverage" of events. This

segment repeats the same notion of a limited view of the truth based on the reality painted 

by the media, and that, were people exposed to "the real facts," they would not make such

retractions (21). The second section of the article (pp.25ff) deals with the knowledge of

contemporary reality and is divided into five segments: the knowledge of reality (fiqh al50
waqi` or "realist science") in the Shari`a, the reality of the Islamic world and the Arabian

peninsula, the reality of the mujahidin and jihadi operations, the reality of the Ulama' 

(religious scholars), and finally, the specious claim of preserving reality. (note: figh al-waqi` 

and fiqh al-mas'ala are notions that commonly come into play in the thought of early 

scholars like Ibn al-Qayyim as well as more contemporary ones like Sayyid Qutb). 

On p. 28 source author presents his version of the state of the Islamic world today. The 

segment points out direct or indirect occupation of Muslim countries. The West is described 

as "crusaders", Israel and Palestine are only referred to indirectly as the destination of the 

Prophet's night travel (masra), and the Arabian peninsula is ruled by the worst kind of

despots (ِالطواغيت ّأشد من ُطواغيت ( who have declared war on Islam and affiliated themselves 

with its enemies (p. 29). To avoid defiling (sic.!) his article, the author would rather illuminate 

the situation in Bilad al-Haramayn by pointing to three things: the media (which the author 

claims are "Masonic" in nature), the utter impiety of the Saudi rulers, and the occupying 

Crusader enemy (i.e. the Americans) (see p. 29-30). 

On p. 32 al-Rashid turns to a segment on the reality of jihad in `Iraq. Here he addresses the 

idea found in the retractions of al-Khudayr and al-Fahd that the war being waged in `Iraq is 

not jihad but "fitna" (sinful civil war). Jihad, he says, has many legitimate (sic! p.33) banners 

in `Iraq. One is the Kurdish Jama`at Ansar al-Sunna lead by Abu `Abd Allah al-Shafi`i. 

Another is the al-Qa`ida organization. In addition there are the al-Jama`a al-Salafiyya and 

even the infidel Ba`th party which until such time as the American enemy is ousted should 

be considered as part and parcel of the jihadi effort (33). Moreover, just as in Palestine many 

Muslims take it upon themselves independently and under no banner at all to wage jihad 

against the Jews on the grounds of the Temple (Bayt al-Maqdis), so it is in the case of `Iraq.

The leaders of the Jama`a who claim jihad in `Iraq has no rhyme or reason and has no 

supporters are simply wrong. 

Next the source author discusses his version of the reality of jihad in the Arabian peninsula 

where he praises al-Qa`ida and its warriors for the courageous efforts against the Crusaders 

who occupy the country and the infidels who rule it. The mujahidin there, says al-Rashid, 

have been slandered, accused of horrible and untrue things that "no sane person would 

believe" (33). To refute the veracity of reports on the mujahidin's acts of violence, al-Rashid 

cites an article written by the group who carried out the bombing of the Muhayya compound

in Riyadh. The piece was published in the Sawt al-Jihad, entitled "the military operation 

against the Crusaders' Muhayya compound" (34). Al-Rashid cites this statement as proof to

his readers that one must take the mujahidin's account of the event over that of the 

slanderous media controlled by evil despots. The statement emphasizes the success of the 

mujahidin against the Americans whose "churches have angered God because in them the 

cross is worshiped instead of God... and their presence defiles Bilad al-Haramyan" (p. 36). 

The statement contains a warning to Jews and Christians to leave the Arabian Peninsula

immediately and that Israel and America will remain a fair target so long as they occupy alAqsa and other Muslim lands (36). 

On p. 39 al-Rashid discusses the reality of religious scholars and those affiliated with 

knowledge. The next two pages lead up to a total denial of the capabilities and legitimacy of 

scholars associated with the religious establishment (see p. 41). Their inadequacies are 

51
threefold: they fall short in their knowledge of Shari`a law, they are oblivious to reality and

they avoid applying Shari`a judgments to day-to-day occurrences (pp. 41-45). These religious 

scholars, al-Rashid claims, have not read or understood any relevant works on Tafsir, 

Hadith, Fiqh or Arabic grammatical theory (41-42). To express his disgust by establishment 

scholars he compares their deviousness to that of the Jews. Al-Rashid's anti-Jewish stances

are clearly tainted with European style anti-Semitism (44). 

The fourth and last segment of the second Bab deals with the specious claim of preserving

reality (47ff). The segment repeats the idea that such a distorted reality that is not governed

by the Shari`a must not be preserved. Al-Rashid cannot fathom any "beating heart" (47) that 

could accept a version of reality where Crusaders defile Muslim land and evil despots rule 

the Arabian peninsula in particular with un-Islamic, apostate law (47). 

The third part of the article deals with retractions specifically in connection with "takfir", i.e.

declaring someone an infidel, and a number of related issues (49ff). This part is divided into 

five parts with the last one devoted to the infidelity of the Saudi government. As is usually 

the case in these types of discussions on takfir, the conclusions are highly subjective since 

the Shari`a guidelines for the definition of "kufr" contain "gray areas" and degrees (like 

"excessive" infidelity), thus enabling a whole gamut of interpretations of the guidelines, 

including ones that are very un-pragmatic and malevolent. Al-Rashid for instance rejects the 

criticism voiced in some of the retractions regarding the readiness of self-proclaimed Salafis 

to declare individuals infidels and prohibit others from any further social interaction with 

such an individuals, even their wives. To this al-Rashid says, the Shari`a is based on the 

differentiation between believer and infidel (56). 

In the last segment on the Saudi government (57-58) al-Rashid levels the accusation against 

the Saudi rulers that much of the country's affairs are governed by French law rather than 

Shari`a law. The Saudi rulers, he says, are "agents of the Jews and America" (57). Al-Rashid 

sees Prince Nayif as representative of the Saudi family and it is the latter's name that keeps

coming up in different contexts throughout the article (e.g. 58). The entire fourth section of 

the article, entitled "their retractions regarding jihad" (59-62) is a response to the Jama'a 

leaders' (al-Khudayr, al-Fahd and al-Khalidi) use of Ibn al-Mundhir's position on the 

exception of a ruler with regards to staving off an attacker (59ff). 

The highest interest is the preservation of religion (Islam), says al-Rashid in the fifth and last 

segment of the article (66). There is no room for the human element. This of course is why 

his version of Islam is the one that is tragically and dangerously divorced from human

existence and reality. P. 68 concludes the article with words of encouragement to fellow 

mujahidin. Pp. 69-72 are a piece by Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi (`Isam Muhammad Tahir alBarqawi) cited by al-Rashid. The statement deals with the trying and oppressive experience 

that is prison, and it looks like al-Rashid is citing this in order to give his readers the sense 

that after all that is said and done to refute the damaging retractions made by the imprisoned

Jama`a leaders, these retraction were most likely made under duress, and thus should not be 

taken seriously. 

Notes: 

52
Source author starts the article with quotes from the Qur'an, but no references. The style of 

writing is much integrated, not as "atomistic" (generally marked by wholesale transfers of 

paragraphs from various citation titles) as previous source authors. The style indicates

extensive training in fiqh and specifically in Islamic legal reasoning, more so than other Salafi 

authors. The text seems to jump around from topic to topic, with digressions. Source 

author tends to cite hadith with no references and many times doesn't separate the quoted

text from the rest of the text with any recognizable orthographical devices (see e.g. p. 16). 

He also relies on secondary sources, like Ibn Taymiyya, without giving references or actually 

quoting his source (e.g. see p.20,44). Some of the source author's segmentation is 

meaningless, he repeats the same idea or continues the same discussion under different 

segments rendering the division into sections or segments useless at best (see "mazaliq" pp.

17ff or "ma`alim" 41-45). Pp. 69-72 is a statement that the source author cites from Abu 

Muhammad al-Maqdisi. The entire statement is color-coded green and was entered into the 

DB. 

53
Author: `Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid 

انتقاض الاعتراض على تفجيرات الرياض :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Intiqad al-`itirad `ala tafjirat al-Riyad 

Title (Translated): The Mutinous Protest Against the Riyadh Bombings 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd alRahman b. Hasan, 1.4%

Abu Zahra, Muhammad,

1.4%

`Uyayri(al-), Yusuf,

1.4%

Qurtubi(al-), 2.8%

 Ibn `Abd al-Barr, Abu

Umar Yusuf b. `Abd

Allah, 2.8%

Abu Ja`far al-Tahaw i,

1.4%

Ibn Taymiyya, 12.7%

Ahmad b. Hanbal, 5.6%

`Uthaymin(al-),

Muhammad b. Salih b., 

1.4%

Ibn Qudama, 8.5%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 11.3%

Other, 18.3%

Juw ayni(al-), 2.8%

Sharbini(al-), 2.8%

Shaw kani(al-), 2.8%

Shafi`i(al-), 2.8%

`Abd Allah b. alMubarak, 2.8% Sulami(al-), al-`Izz b.

`Abd al-Salam, 4.2%

Ibn Qudama al-Maqdisi,

Muhammad b. Ahmad b.

`Abd al-Hadi, 4.2%

Bakr Abu Zayd, 4.2%

Tabari(al-), 4.2%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 5

Markaz al-Dirasat wa'l-Buhuth al-Islamiyya

A - 4

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 15

54
Issues Discussed: 

This is a rebuttal against those Muslims—governments, intellectuals, etc. who he believes are 

guilty of ridda, apostasy, and Western powers alike—who condemned the bombings in 

Riyadh. He is very critical of the "moderate" ideals espoused by al-`Izz b. `Abd al-Salam and

Salman al-Awda. The latter is a member of Islam al-yawm, "Islam Today." This appears to

be an organization, or at least a body of individuals who are committed to the same liberal

ideals. The author rarely refers to this group as Islam al-yawm, favoring instead 

Islayawmi/Islayawmiyyin (a neologism of Islam and al-yawm). The subtitle of the text 

makes an important point by describing these bombings as ghazwa. This immediately brings

to mind the ghazwa led by the Prophet Muhammad and subsequent Caliphs/Imams against 

the Byzantines and Sassanids, as well as polytheist Arabs, Jews and Christians in the Hijaz.

This both legitimates the bombings and places them within the pious history of Islamic 

civilization—just as the ghazwat al-rasul were necessary in order to defend the community of 

Muslims against the kuffar and mushrikun, so too were the bombings in Riyadh in 2003. 

The author believes that attacks against non-Muslims today (to whom he frequently refers as

kuffar and mushrikun) on Muslim lands (dar al-Islam) are necessary and justified. They are 

necessary in light of Western aggression in the region (especially in Iraq, Afghanistan, 

Chechnya, and Saudi Arabia); and justified in light of Qur'anic and Prophetic precedent (the 

latter being derived from works of hadith and tafsir). For example, the author recalls the 

early history of Islam in Mecca. He acknowledges that the Prophet lived among the 

mushrikun for 13 years without resorting to violence—he did so because 1) he was unable to

mount serious resistance, this would have to wait until the hijra and establishment of a 

Muslim Umma in Yathrib/Medina; and 2) the Prophet desired first to win their hearts by 

words and actions. When the latter failed, and the community began to crystallize; the 

Prophet transitioned to a more active and militaristic strategy. 

The author makes the point that Muslims have endured Western presence in their lands for 

over 40 years, and they have tried non-violent means and now must make the transition 

from dialogue to action (in doing so following Prophetic precedent). The author also 

supports the killing of women and children, as well as non-military personnel, that may 

occur in the course of such action. The author supports his views on the killing of women

and children by citing the Qur'an and hadith—in particular the author recalls how the 

Prophet made no distinction when dealing with the Bani Qurayza (one of three Jewish tribes

he expelled from Medina), nor did he make a distinction when dealing with the Jews of 

Khaybar. 

He writes that attacking the kuffar/mushrikun (be they Muslims who are guilty of ridda, or

non-Muslims) is a fard `ayn (an action necessary for correct faith) for Saudis. In other

words, carrying out military attacks against civilians is a matter of faith. A final note, on p. 

46 the author writes that al-Qa`ida is synonymous with the Mujahidin. He writes that alQa`ida is not the chosen name of this organization, that this name has been imposed on 

them. This is significant; he does this in order to universalize the organization. Al-Qa`ida is 

too restrictive, referring to the former regime in Afghanistan and to Usama b. Ladin. 

Mujahidin is far broader; it is an umbrella term for all Islamic activists. Mujahidin also

appears in the Qur'an, hence it is far more evocative in Islamic terms and sacred history. 

55
The author ends his text with a long inspirational poem by Muhammad b. `Ammar in which 

the deeds of the Mujahidin are extolled. 

Notes: 

This article was written shortly after the May 13th series of bombings in Riyadh, Saudi 

Arabia. According to news reports: In synchronized strikes, groups of attackers shot their

way into three housing compounds and then set off multiple suicide car bombs; 34 people,

including 8 Americans, and 9 attackers were killed. The dead included the son of Riyadh's 

deputy governor. More than 190 people, including at least 40 Americans, were injured, most 

of them slightly. Many of the US citizens killed had lived in a four-story building that was 

heavily damaged. Seventy Americans employed by a Virginia company with a contract to

train Saudi military and civilian officials, lived in the building. 

56
Author: `Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz 

الجامع في طلب العلم الشريف :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Jami`(al-) fi talab al-`ilm al-sharif 

Title (Translated): The Compilation on Seeking Honorable Knowledge 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: ?

Publisher: ? 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors 

Ibn Taymiyya, 15.4%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 8.2%

Ibn Hajar, 4.1%

Ibn Hazm, 2.2%

GhazaIi(al-), 2.4%

Suyuti(al-), 1.4%

Hakami, Hafiz b.

Ahmad, 0.7%

`Iyad, al-Qadi, 0.8% Shafi`i(al-), 0.9%

Khatib(al-) alBaghdadi, 1.4%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab,

Muhammad, 1.0%

Qurtubi(al-), 1.0%

Shatibi(al-), 1.1%

Shinqiti(al-), 1.3%

Ibn `Abd al-Barr, Abu 

`Umar Yusuf b. `Abd

Allah, 1.3%

Ibn Qudama, 1.5%

Ibn al-Salah alShahrazuri, Abu `Amr

`Uthman, 1.7%

Ibn Kathir, 1.8%

Shaw kani(al-), 2.0%

Naw aw i(al-), 3.6%

Other, 35.6%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Ansari(al-), Sayf al-Din

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 5

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad

A - 27

57
AD - 42

D - 13

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 1

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Zawahiri(al-), Ayman

A - 4

Issues Discussed: 

The purpose of the book is to provide advice on how to request religious knowledge in 

order to renew Islam and make it rise out of its backwardness. I wrote the books, says `Abd 

al-Qadir, so the lay people and the specialized students can understand. He also seeks to 

enhance the concept of following the path of the religious evidence. 

`Abd al-Qadir argues that the only way for knowing what the prophets meant is by 

studiously seeking this learning experience, which is a duty for every Muslim. An advance 

form of religious commitment would be to educate, issue verdicts, and preach other

Muslims. Those who do this are the `Ulama’ who are considered the inheritors of the 

prophets. The book deals with two forms of religious knowledge: knowledge the basics of

Islam as a duty for all Muslims and becoming well versed in Islam to help others, which is a 

privilege for selected few.

`Abd al-Qadir argues that the notable knowledge is the one sent down from heaven to earth,

it is the light and spirit to release the people out of the darkness. The learned people are 

those who spread the knowledge and inform it. He says that everything in contradiction with 

the Islamic law is invalid and false. Knowledge is a prerequisite for a righteous action, and

the preconditions for any action are loyalty as to satisfaction of God and working according 

to the Islamic law. A jurist, or faqih, is not an expert unless he works according to what he

knows or else he shall be criticized and warned, adding that the interpretation of the religion 

will not stop until God orders so. He elaborates that revealing the right and reforming the 

nation depend on two groups: the learned people and the adherents to jihad, insisting on the 

high esteem of the `Ulama’ in the society. 

Islamic jurisprudence is the Qur’an, the Hadith and the other relevant sources related to the 

actions of the mature rational Muslim are a guide for this Muslim to differentiate between

what is a duty and what is a forbid. `Abd al-Qadir distinguishes between two forms of 

religious duties: The required duty as asked to do by God and the prophet for all Muslims. 

The required duty is of two types: the general, which all Muslims are bound to know like 

faith, prayer, and the five pillars of Islam. The private type is done according to the capacity 

of each like charity and the pilgrimage to Mecca. The second form of duty is the assigned

duty since God and his prophet asked a group of persons to take on this task on behalf of 

the people so Muslims avoid falling in the sin. The required duty is a priority over the 

assigned duty. He defines “nawazil” (occurrences) as the things that rarely occur in life; the 

Muslim knows about them when they occur or expected to occur, making it unnecessary to

learn beforehand. 

58
`Abd al-Qadir explains that after the death of the Prophet, the nation was divided between

many groups regarding convictions and opinions, adding that only one of these groups shall

be saved and the rest are doomed. This group is the people of the Sunna and Jama`a (group). 

Muslims, he adds, ought to learn the unity of God and the contrasts of Islam, which means 

knowing the infidelity and the tyranny, which take the Muslim out of the faith to the 

infidelity. They should also learn about purity, the opening chapter of the Qur’an, the two

witnessing of God, and laws of fasting. Muslims should know manners and duties such as 

obedience of parents; the Muslim man in addition should take care of his parents and family 

and consider the rights of his neighbor, plus knowing the right of the Muslim toward his 

fellow Muslims like honesty and trustworthiness. Women should wear the Islamic scarf, in 

particular among foreigners, and the obedience of the wife to her husband. Muslims should 

know about the taboos and the sins of the tongue such as lying, gossip and cursing and the 

sins of the eye such as looking at foreign women or watching theater and television. There 

are also the sins of the ear like listening to the music and spying on others; in addition to 

what is forbidden in food and drinks, and money related acts such as stealing, bribery and 

gambling. In this regard, he classifies two types of sins: against God and against people. 

The jihad is as well an ingredient of religious knowledge. `Abd al-Qadir argues that the 

nation should know that God enforced the jihad, which is fighting infidels, on every Muslim 

as part of the assigned duty. The preconditions for jihad are: Islam, maturity, reason, 

masculinity, freedom, allocation of necessary financial resources for this end, physical fitness, 

as well as permission from his Muslim parents. 

Now it is forbidden for every Muslim attending the Islamic army for the purpose of jihad to

dismiss himself, he should stay still instead. And if an enemy attacks a country, the jihad 

becomes a required duty for all Muslims. In this case, the preconditions for jihad are limited

to: Islam, maturity, reason, masculinity, and physical fitness. Thus no need for permission of 

parents, and women could volunteer for jihad in this case but they do not have to. 

The stage of assigned duty of knowledge is reached when two things are fulfilled: first when

all the categories of the Islamic law are learned. The second is a quantitative condition, 

which is accomplished in two ways: if there are enough `Ulama’ in the Islamic nation to 

provide these duties for all Muslims, and if there are enough number of `Ulama’ in every 

town and village to teach the Muslim inhabitants. 

On this note, he describes the contrast between the hundreds of Islamic schools in Islamic 

countries filled with infidelity and secular laws guiding domestic and foreign policies, in 

addition seculars are enforcing their programs on education and media. All this is done, 

according to `Abd al-Qadir, under the protection of some `Ulama’ and rulers. He criticizes 

the students of the Islamic law for not raising the voice against this infidelity and for not 

calling for jihad. 

`Abd al-Qadir suggests four means for Islamic knowledge: The duty of the Imam in

knowing it by heart and teaching it the community, the duty of `Ulama` in informing this 

knowledge, the duty of the lay Muslim in requesting the knowledge and inform it, and finally 

the duty of the man to teach his parents. 

59
Thus he considers the task of educating Muslims a common responsibility among the 

Imams, the `Ulama’ and the lay people. He considers the Imam as a prophet in the nation in 

regard to protecting the religion and making the policies. `Abd al-Qadir warns of the danger 

of educating and issuing verdicts by non-qualified people. He argues that the duty of the 

Imam is to keep track of the performance of those `Ulama’, yet since there is no Imam in

this time, this task should be done by every one qualified for it. He elaborates that if the 

`Ulama’ are not doing well their tasks; this does not mean that Muslims should not do their 

own duty of seeking the knowledge. 

The experts are forbidden of keeping this knowledge for themselves and should share it in 

five ways: teaching or preaching, issuing verdicts or answering questions, judging on issues 

among people, confronting the sins and the forbidden, and conveying the knowledge he 

acquires. There are three ways to transfer this knowledge: people start to listen to what the 

expert knows either verbally or in writing, secondly when the people share what they already 

know, or finally when he directly answers their questions. 

 

The lay has also a responsibility in seeking the knowledge, argues `Abd al-Qadir, saying that 

the Muslim can be one of two cases: a boy or a mature. The boy should start learning when 

he matures because this is the time for action and he is responsible if he did not start 

learning at this age. 

The Muslim should not learn from books unless there is no way to learn it verbally from the 

`Ulama’ since this is the origin of learning even if it is hard in this time, according to `Abd alQadir. But the Muslim in this case should pick well his books and make sure to have a 

diversity of resources. 

Becoming an expert in Islam, according to `Abd al-Qadir, occurs either as a gift of God or

because of the effort done by the Muslim. However, he insists on always watching out and

asking those experts about the religious evidence behind what they read. 

`Abd al-Qadir later approaches the subject of democracy as a “Western political

terminology, which means the sovereignty of the people”. He argues that democracy gives 

the human a godly nature and provides the human with an absolute right for legislation. 

Thus he criticizes the notion, structure and objectives of the democratic parliamentary 

system, asserting that the Islamic government would rise through power only and not in

election ballots. He argues that democracy allows the United States to interfere in domestic 

affairs of other states. 

The student of Islam should try to limit as possible the worries of life and find the necessary 

time for seeking knowledge. This time should also be focused on useful things in knowledge 

by starting with the priorities. It also requires patience and loyalty. 

`Abd al-Qadir argues that the expert should not bore the students with too much materials, 

long sessions, or allow a long break between one class and another. Students must sit in a 

circle around the expert. 

The Shaykh is the guide of the student to heaven or to hell; this is why students should make

the right choice for a teacher. `Abd al-Qadir notes the importance of selecting a good expert 

60
to learn; an expert who is just, modest, and fearful of God. He talks about manners of the 

students regarding their teachers, stressing that the learning process is a long term

commitment due to the extensive material in hand. He calls upon the students to have good 

manners in the presence of the teacher, to lower their voice while addressing him as a sign of 

respect. However, he adds, this does not mean that they should not be questioned, especially

if they suggest an opinion with no accepted evidence. To reach a satisfying status as a 

student needs preconditions: availability, patience, priority in studying, good selection of 

sources, gradual learning and learning by heart. 

`Abd al-Qadir explains the distinction between a teacher, the judge and the mufti. The 

teacher tackles abstract rules, the judge issues a binding rule not related to problematic 

scientific debate in Islam, and the mufti applies Islamic rules on specific conviction and 

interpretation incidents in a non-binding way, thus the mufti needs more clarity of mind and

learning rules by heart. The verdict is a brief answer for one question in a specific issue,

while the teacher raises, absorbs and finds evidence for subjects. He also highlights the 

difference between who those issue the verdict and those who request it. 

If there is one mufti in town, the verdict is binding. But if there are many, the one who 

request the verdict has the right not to implement the verdict. The mufti should have good 

intentions and should not issue verdicts related to his enemies or foes. `Abd al-Qadir 

suggests 6 types on the scale of mufti: the absolute independent mufti who is likely not to

exist since the conditions of independence entail coming up with new rules, second the nonindependent mufti who is identified with a trend or a sect, third is the mufti specialized in 

one topic, fourth the person who read a book of fiqh and thus people come to him for 

advise in case there is no mufti in the area, fifth is the one who has all or some of the books

of the Hadith, and finally the lay person who previously learned about the verdict. `Abd alQadir argues that if all those cases did not exist, one should do what he wants while fearing 

God. The verdict is binding in three conditions: the mufti is trusted for his work and justice,

the verdict should be compatible with facts, and the verdict should be based on considerate 

religious evidence. 

The author argues that the Muslim should not be killed when fighting the infidels unless this 

Muslim is mixed with the infidels and is not possible to identify him when necessary. He 

explains the distinction between the home of Islam on one hand as a society of Muslims 

with an Islamic rule and society and the home of infidels as a society of infidels with infidel 

rulers. The home of infidels is not permanent and can become a home of Islam. 

Being weak and vulnerable is not a justification for soldiers to fights in the ranks on infidel 

rulers. The one who does that can be tolerated if he distinguishes between right and wrong, 

or else he will end up a criminal in hell. At the end, `Abd al-Qadir warns of the silence about 

the mistakes in religion, whether by chance or on purpose. The rest of the book is listing the 

relevant publications in Islamic knowledge for each topic. 

Notes: 

`Abd al-Qadir seems to be a follower of the teachings of the 14th century religious scholar 

Ibn Taymiyya and critical of al-Albani and Ibn Hazm, insisting he did not write the book for 

a specific country or a specific sect, but for all Muslims and infidels. He adds that the book 

61
does not represent the opinion of any particular party or group, claiming it is just the 

opinion of a neutral researcher, making it clear that he did not seek, and will not allow 

anyone, to seek profit out of this book, thus allowing anyone to print or translate any of his 

books as long as there was no subtractions or additions on the context of the text. 

The purpose of this second edition of the book is to correct the deficiencies made on the 

first one when the “Egyptian Jihad group” reprinted his book after changing the title, the 

preface and some of the content. `Abd al-Qadir considers this act as evil and unprecedented

in Islamic history. It seems they did so to delete some of his criticism of some Islamic 

groups, which could damage the Islamic action as they claimed. The place and date of

publication are not clear. 

62
Author: `Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz 

 العمدة في إعداد العدة للجهاد في سبيل االله تعالى :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): `Umda(al-) fi i`dad al-`udda li'l-jihad fi sabil allah ta`ala 

Title (Translated): The Mainstay on Preparing Provisions for Jihad 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Hajar, 9.1%

Ibn Taymiyya, 8.5%

Ibn Kathir, 5.4%

Bukhari(al-), 3.7%

Ibn Qudama, 3.5%

Abu Hurayra, 3.3%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 3.3%

Shatibi(al-), 3.1%

Naw aw i(al-), 2.8%

Ibn `Abbas, 2.4%

Maw ardi(al-), 1.8%

Anas b. Malik, 1.8%

Qurtubi(al-), 1.7%

Halabi(al-), `Ali b. Hasan,

1.7%

Ibn Mas`ud, 1.5%

Ibn Abi al-`Izz, 1.5%

Albani(al-), 1.5%

`Umar b. al-Khattab, 1.3%

Ibn `Umar, 1.3%

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, 1.1%

Other, 39.5%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Ansari(al-), Sayf al-Din

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 5

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad

A - 27

AD - 42

D - 13

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 1

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

63
A - 1

Zawahiri(al-), Ayman

A - 4

Issues Discussed 

Introduction (pp.3-8): the author feels the need to start with an explanation and proof of the 

unity of God. The main issue the article sets out to deal with is what is stated to be the 

binding and avoidable duty (الواجب الإعداد (of preparing oneself to carry out jihad. `Abd alQadir says on p. 5 that there are two types of preparation for jihad, material preparation and

mental. Material preparation has two aspects, one Shar`i which has to do with creating a 

collective and its shar`i based policy that will be followed in managing the collective and the 

relationships between individual members; the other aspect has to do with the individual and

art of war (militancy). Mental preparation has to do with building the collective on sound 

Shar`i grounds and preparing the individual mentally in terms of his belief system. The 

epistle deals with the Shar`i aspect of the material preparation and most of the mental

preparation. The epistle was put together at the request of fellow “jihadists” who were on 

the ground in training camps training recruits. The epistle which is part of a series on the call 

to belief in the unity of God (da`wat al-tawhid) has five parts and includes treatment of 

questions regarding: 

1. Shar`i politics, the heart of the epistle, and the relationship of a Muslim with his

brethren through Islamic behavior. 

2. Jihad and its status or place within Islam 

3. general rules for understanding Islam 

4. Islamic behavior, manners, especially with respect to treating brethren. 

I. The first part (al-bab al-awwal) of the book deals with complete devotion to and belief in 

God (pp. 9-20 ). Jihad must be waged for no other benefit than for the sake and glory of 

God. The most important factor in waging jihad is a person’s intention (niya) and utter

conviction that training and carrying out the duty of jihad is one of the greatest ways of 

achieving closeness with God (p. 13). In fact, one’s intention constitutes action: فهي عمل والنية

.(37 .p (heart the of action an is Intention .من أعمال القلب، والعمل الصحيح لابد أن يسبقه العلم الصحيح

`Abd al-Qadir leaves little doubt that his book is meant for people who will be embarking on 

suicide missions when he wishes his readers a blessed ending and that may all their good 

deeds be registered [with God] (p.17). The author does stress that jihad is not rewarded if 

carried out for the sake of remuneration in this world, in fact if one’s intention is to be

compensated, this is considered a grave offense punishable in the fires of hell (see p. 18). 

II. The second part (al-bab al-thani) deals with rules for military training for Muslims (pp. 

21-48). What `Abd al-Qadir is most concerned about is to show that the abysmal state of

Muslims today is due primarily to the fact that Muslim love this world and worldly 

possessions, and hate death and abandoned the jihadi duty. It is for this reason, he says, that

God has punished Muslims so severely by subjugating them to infidel nations. Jihad is

incumbent on each and every capable Muslim (it is a fard `ayn). To this end, `Abd al-Qadir 

discusses in the chapter five questions regarding military training: 

1. The importance of military training for Muslims 

2. the rules of military training for Muslims 

64
3. Who is obligated to undergo military training? 

4. individuals with Shar`i exemptions 

5. Expenditure for the sake of God 

From `Abd al-Qadir’s discussion surrounding the obligation of carrying out jihad, it seems 

he frowns upon the participation of women (see pp.27-29). Women should really only 

participate in defensive resistance, using only weapons that are used for self-defense (p. 29). 

He argues that the minimum age for carrying out jihad is fifteen (pp. 29-30). He professes a

clear interest in keeping the minimum age as low as possible. Because jihad is seen as a fard 

`ayn, every Muslim is called upon to carry out the duty and undergo the necessary training to 

be able to handle modern weaponry. Thus training is by definition, according to `Abd alQadir, a fard `ayn (p. 32). Expenditure of money and other assets for the sake of God is an 

issue to which `Abd al-Qadir devotes an entire section but in the context of the discussion

on shar`i excuses, the source author has a clear interest in recruiting people who would 

otherwise would not head the cry to battle. `Abd al-Qadir in his exhortations wants his

readers to feel that if they are not actively carrying out the jihadi duty, they are obligated by

the Shari`a to participate passively or in a non-combative way, i.e. via financial support. He 

says quite plainly on p. 41 جهاد فلا مال لا آان إذا, no money, no jihad. The hadiths and Qur’anic 

verses he cites all try to play on feelings of shame, fear and guilt of the reader and the entire 

discussion has an undertow of exclusion— a sense of “if you’re not with us, you’re against 

us [and thus, not a Muslim]” (p. 38; 362). Non-combative support has many forms says the 

author, and another way to support those actively engaged in jihad is to pass on vital 

information, i.e. `Abd al-Qadir is encouraging Muslims wherever they are to become spies

and informants. What is interesting about `Abd al-Qadir’s style and the Salafi style in general 

is that the entire conversation with the reader, the exhortations, the pleas, the threats, are all

set against a historical background that is very much alive, for the author as well as the 

reader. Examples of behavior are almost always from the time of Prophet as if the situations

that are described were a response to contemporary events, and as if contemporary events

are directly related and relatable to what happened on a given day 1400 years ago. The 

complete and utter unity of the present and the past is a key factor in Salafi ideology (see 

examples in the citations on pp. 38-39). While this clear lack of boundaries can be a source

of creativity, it also appears to be the source of much confusion, fear and hate with which

Salafis see today’s world. 

At the end of the chapter `Abd al-Qadir discusses financing operations within the context of

expenditure for the sake of God. Because of the way governments and other financial

backers tempt Islamic groups by flooding them with funds so that the latter would be 

beholden to them (and the flip side is that sometimes funds of Islamic factions are seized

upon by governments), `Abd al-Qadir calls for those engaged in jihad not to fall into money 

traps and be bought. In order to preserve complete operational freedom, he sees the need

for groups to be financed at the local level, for operatives to use their own resources, 

allowing seizure of “spoils”. What `Abd al-Qadir is thus suggesting is that it is legitimate to 

steal from those who are defined as enemies in order finance operations against those very

same enemies (p. 46). 

III. The third part (al-Bab al-thalith) discusses aspects of leadership (pp. 49-107). The author 

deals with seven issues: 

65
1. Leadership is necessary 

2. The responsibility of investiture of power is given to someone with the proper 

authority, if found 

3. the person in power can appoint a number of officers or chiefs according to rank 

4. In what situation does the power of appointment go to the people? 

5. Conditions of such leadership 

6. Waging war with a corrupt leader 

7. Response to an uncertainty connected with the issue of leadership 

Within the context of the fourth issue, “In what situation does the power of appointment go 

to the people?” `Abd al-Qadir argues that when engaged in jihad, people are permitted to 

elect a new leader in the absence of the old one (the hadiths that are used over and over 

حديث غزوة مؤتة، وحديث جابر بن عبد االله السابق :are appointment of power such sanction to again

 is here issue this presenting in interest His .).»إن بعضكم على بعض أمراء تكرمة االله هذه الأمة»

twofold: First, to ensure continuous recruitment of people who will carry out the duty of 

jihad. Even if a leader is imprisoned, injured or killed there will always be someone to take 

over, and this transition of power, is sanctioned by precedent, by Sunna and Shar`i law.

Second, as the political leaders of today are also deemed absent by their infidelity (Kufr), 

they too are replaceable by “the people”. In arguing for the right to appoint new leaders in

order to carry out the mandatory duty of jihad, `Abd al-Qadir is arguing that the claim of 

Islamic factions to be leaders of the Muslim community is completely sanctioned by Shar`i

precedent. Quite expectedly, he argues for complete obedience even if leaders have 

committed errors, later in the context of following mujahidi leaders (see 404-405; 407). 

Under the fifth issue `Abd al-Qadir discusses the subject of permissibility of relying on 

apostates when engaged in jihad, as one of the conditions is the religion of the leader (i.e. 

Islam). He presents several views but argues for allowing such dependence (though not in 

actual fighting), primarily when what’s at stake is intelligence, weaponry, training camps or 

funding (see summary of the section pp. 64-66). In fact he would rather rely on an apostate 

than give a Muslim woman a role in leadership (p. 67), he cites the usual Qur’anic and

Hadith sources to “prove” male supremacy. `Abd al-Qadir also prefers a corrupt strong 

leader to a pious weak leader (see pp. 69-70). 

In his discussion of the seventh issue: “Response to an uncertainty connected with the issue 

of leadership”, `Abd al-Qadir tries to rebut an argument that was put forth by Ustadh `Ali 

bin Hasan against the use of the “travel hadith” in establishing the right of a group of 

Muslims to appoint new leaders in the event of a trip. `Ali bin Hasan points out the 

limitation of the applicability of such a hadith to permanent leadership positions as is the 

case of government. The crux of the rebuttal is constituted by the very weak claim that `Ali 

bin Hasan offered no Shar`I basis for his argument. I say “very weak” because he too offers

no fool proof shar`I basis for his counter argument (see especially 75-76). `Abd al-Qadir

argues that the `illa (legal reason) is the same for both cases and thus the qiyas (analogy) is 

permitted (transient travel leadership vs. permanent government, p. 77). However, the `illa

can hardly be said to be the same (that a group of people are allowed to appoint a leader), or 

at minimum `Ali bin Hasan’s understanding of the “wasf al-‘illa” in the travel hadith is just as 

valid (see p. 80). While `Abd al-Qadir’s legal reasoning is not flawed, it definitely indicates

what kind of maneuvering he has to do to produce a supportive qiyas without taking into 

66
account the historical context and the semantic contents of his textual sources (cf. p. 81 فإذا

توصلنا أن العلة هي العدد أي اجتماع ثلاثة من الناس على أمر جامع بينهم فهذه العلة متحققة ولاشك في سائر

 thing same the does though Taymiyya Ibn . ).الجماعات، فتقاس بذلك إمارة الجماعات على إمارة السفر

(see the citation from his Risalat al-siyasa al-shar`iyya on p.83). 

`Abd al-Qadir introduces the concept of “Ta’ifa mansura” within the context of discussing

the constitution of a “just collective” (jama`a) that will adhere to [a Salafi version of] Islam in 

general and carry out the duty of jihad in particular. The existence of this collective is 

necessary for rendering Islam victorious in this day and age (cf. p.83ff). Included in this 

group are the religious scholars (`ulama’) and those actually engaged in jihad (mujahidun) 

The . يمكن القول الطائفة المنصورة هي الطائفة المجاهدة المتبعة للمنهج الشرعي المستقيم:them follow who

group’s members assist the religion in terms of knowledge and jihad (p.88). Moreover, the 

collective is part and parcel of a larger group whose role it is to be at the forefront of Muslim

society and act as its rescuer and redeemer (al-fariqa al-najiya). The concept sets the stage to 

the claim that the just collective’s prime role in this day and age is to fight apostate 

governments who use European or non-Islamic laws to govern (see p.90f). 

`Abd al-Qadir stresses his aversion to the existence of groups within the context of carrying 

out the duty of jihad. He says diversity and multiplicity plays into the hands of the enemy 

(see p. 95 and again p. 165: multiplicity hurts the force “shawka” of the Islamic movement). 

However, he is pragmatic enough to acquiesce to the existence of many groups in different 

countries, on condition that if one county conquers another with the spread of the Islamic 

revolution, Islamic groups must join together to form a united front (96). He reiterates that 

only groups that are working towards the establishment of an Islamic state (a la `Abd alQadir) are legitimate; those groups working towards democratization even within an Islamic 

framework are simply illegitimate. `Abd al-Qadir revisits the issue of numerous Islamic 

groups on 340ff only to reaffirm his dissension. 

As `Abd al-Qadir did in the case of the travel hadith above, he argues against ustadh `Ali b. 

Hasan’s position that in the absence of “legitimate” judges and arbiters, Muslims have the 

right to go to arbiters of their choice who they deem “legitimate” (99-100f). `Abd al-Qadir

has an interest in bringing up this issue since it is quite clear he would like to establish as 

many ways as possible to circumvent the authority of government. Here he tries to

undermine the judicial branch. At the end of the chapter `Abd al-Qadir says it outright: وآل

الإسلامي للحكم يمهد هذا] and all of this prepares the way for Islamic governance] (p.104). 

IV. The fourth part (al-bab al-rabi`) describes the duties of the commander [amir] of a 

militant training camp (pp.108-381). The discussion is divided into eight questions: 

1. General responsibility toward his (the amir’s) followers 

2. Choosing for himself a council (majlis shura) 

3. Training camp oath 

4. appointing leaders (`urafa’, sergeants) for the groups (majmu`at) of trainees and 

other workers 

5. Being patient and compassionate in all matters 

6. Maintaining the unity of the group 

7. Assessing capacities of his followers 

67
8. Spiritual preparation for jihad 

Among the general responsibilities mentioned are heading the prayers, ensuring the trainees’

obedience, personally examining their living conditions, the conditions of their weapons, 

making sure the training camp is adequately guarded at all time and that proper medical 

attention is available, etc. It is interesting of course that all examples for such responsibilities 

that `Abd al-Qadir provides are hadiths or hadith-based literature (e.g. historical, quasihistorical texts). The author devotes a small section (cf. 117) on prohibiting women’s

participation in leadership. 

Under the question regarding the Amir’s right to choose a council, `Abd al-Qadir brings up 

the idea of democracy and dissimilarity, and incompatibility no less of democracy and the 

idea of government by the people. It is extremely important to him to point out the 

differences rather than similarities between democratic governing bodies and “Islamic” shura

(I put Islamic in quotation marks since the shura is actually a pre-Islamic, Jahili institution, as

`Abd al-Qadir himself notes on p. 126 on types of majalis). `Abd al-Qadir expresses a deep 

distrust and contempt to governance by majority (e.g. 122-123). Yes, he says, there is a

concept of council to the ruler, but to deduce from it an Islamic form of democracy is only 

to imitate the West (and he uses the term “al-faranja”, see 124). In his interpretation: فالشورى

للعامة لا العلم لأهل الإسلام في) 125(, i.e. the shura is not for the masses, rather only for the 

religious scholars. `Abd al-Qadir criticizes those Muslims who follow Western traditions and 

legitimize their adaptation of western institutions to Muslim societies on the basis of the 

in participating that emphatically states He .).129p (:» َأنُْتمْ َأ ْعلَ ُم بِأَ ْمرِ ُدْنيَاآُم nabawi hadith

Western type elections and taking part in western styled parliaments and other governing

bodies is something that Islamicists and Salafi groups will have nothing to do with since it 

goes against the monotheistic nature of their version of Islam: فهم الجاهلية البرلمانات في النواب أما

آلهة وهم الأرباب للناس من دون االله المذآورون في قوله تعالى: {وَلا يََّتخِذَ بَعْضُنَا بَعْضًا َأ ْرَباًبا ِمنْ ُدونِ الَّلهِ}، فهم

السلطة التشريعية في الأمة وما يصدرونه من تشريعات ـ أيا آانت ـ تصبح شرعا ُمْلزِما لجميع الأمة آما تقضي بذلك

الديمقراطية In democratic regimes, `Abd al-Qadir argues, representatives are lawmakers, 

usurping what is to Allah alone, and in do so they claim to be gods other than Allah (pp.

127-128). 

One of the very first issues `Abd al-Qadir tackles under “oaths” is obeying leadership [of the 

training camp]. In this context, he calls for complete obedience and cites appropriate sources

to back up his claim. In his earlier discussion in the third Bab regarding leadership, he was 

advocating the position that Muslims’ have the right to appoint new leaders (in certain 

contexts). Oaths, agreement, contracts are permitted in Islam, he says, either as an emphasis 

to what is already mandatory in the Shari`a or as a binding mechanism for things that were 

not made mandatory in the Shari`a as long as they are not contradictory of Shar`I law (p.

148). `Abd al-Qadir allocates a lot of space leading up to this conclusion to defend the raison 

d'être of militant training camps and militant organizations. These groups are mandatory, he 

claims, because they are created to support the truth and to help make the word of Allah 

reign supreme, and to support the truth is what the Qur’an commands all Muslims. While 

the use of transitive reasoning is a common tool in Islamic law, `Abd al-Qadir’s argument 

does not support his deduction as necessary. This is beside the point and militant groups and 

training camps are hereby given Shar`I grounds. The oaths section is particularly lengthy and 

68
drawn out. Source author gives a litany of oaths and types of allegiances, much of which is 

cited, with very little authorial input. 

In discussing the fourth duty of the commander of a training camp `Abd al-Qadir lays down 

a principle for dividing the trainees up into smaller groups, according to background,

language or tribal affiliation. The reason, says `Abd al-Qadir, is that people traditionally will 

fight better along side their own (see p. 185). Another observation is that trainees should be 

grouped according to seniority and experience, it isn’t proper, `Abd al-Qadir says, to put a 

novice in with an experienced person, each person should be engaged at their own level (see 

p. 196) 

`Abd al-Qadir says that choosing the best people to perform the various tasks in the training 

camp does not mean no mistakes will be made. To the contrary, mistakes are part of 

experience and they help make better people (see. 187-188). 

On p. 198 he talks about the need to be patient, not to judge or make decision in a moment 

of anger. On p. 200 the author says ignorance is the root of all evil, and infidelity is one such 

evil. The present context of the call to patience, understanding and knowledge is 

noteworthy, especially for its irony. 

His rules and observations are always based on one hadith or another, even social or

common behavioral observations are carefully traced to the Prophet or one of the Sahaba. 

In the context of the seventh duty of a training camp’s commander, `Abd al-Qadir talks 

about the need to know a trainee’s capabilities. To this end he recommends each trainee 

prepare a brief summary of his personal information, containing the following (pp. 215-216): 

 Name and kunya (nick name) 

 Names and addresses of relatives in the event of their martyrdom (istishhad) or their

injury. 

 Date of birth 

 Education 

 Shari`a studies 

 Special vocational experience 

 Previous military training 

 Languages 

 Present and past occupations 

 Health condition, including past illnesses 

 Number of dependents and their ages, in the event they will need to be given a

stipend 

 A will, in the event of martyrdom 

`Abd al-Qadir gives a shar`I basis for these “I.D. cards”, based on the sunna of `Umar bnu 

al-Khattab who registered all of his soldiers’ information (see p. 216). On p. 217 he mentions

the need to conduct a background investigation on each trainee. 

In the eighth and final section on the duties of a camp commander `Abd al-Qadir turns to

what appears to be his most important function: spiritual preparation for jihad. In his words: 

 .e.i , تشكل المعسكرات الإسلامية بوجه عام ومعسكرات التدريب على وجه الخصوص ساحة خصبة للتربية الإيمانية

69
Islamic camps in general and militant training camps in particular constitute a fertile ground

for spiritual education (p. 219), and the spiritual preparation is one of the necessary 

condition for the realization of sunnat Allah, and the realization of a predestined victory for 

the faithful. Victory is predestined but the faithful do have to fulfill two conditions of 

spiritual and material preparation (p. 222). 

Having failed to carry out preparation, this divine promise has been reversed. It is thus an 

internal failure warns `Abd al-Qadir that brought God’s wrath and vengeance upon the 

Muslim world. It is not as many argue, he says, due to diabolic Jewish plans to vanquish 

Islamic rule. Responsibility falls on all Muslims who have failed themselves in their 

transgressions and sinful behavior (223). `Abd al-Qadir does not say that the Jews have no

Satanic plans, he makes it quite clear that they do, but separately, Muslims are not in a

winning position right now because of their transgressions (and he reserves the right to

define transgression according to his understanding of the Holy Writ, the Shari`a and the 

وآيف يتسلط شعب لا يزيد عن المليونين، ضربت عليه الذلة والمسكنة :says he Jews the About .)sunna

والغضب واللعنة َقَدرًا وهو الشعب اليهودي، آيف يتسلط على مائة مليون مسلم عربي؟ وآيف يوجد لنفسه دولة من

 his that shows plainly Qadir-al Abd `.)227 .p (العدم في قلب بلاد المسلمين ـ ولا أقول ديار المسلمين ـ ؟.

anger toward fellow Muslims does not diminish his hatred toward one of his favorite 

enemies, the Jews. 

It is noteworthy that in the section on spiritual preparation, and especially on spiritual

preparation for jihad, the use of sources other than the Qur’an diminishes dramatically (see 

229ff). When starting on p. 243 he summarizes the eight principles of Ahl al-Sunna (cf. لمنهج

والجماعة السنة أهل( . The second principle deals with the perfection of the Shari`a as a 

regulating system. Because it is perfect, no additions or subtractions are needed (see p. 247). 

Everything has been revealed, nothing was left hidden, and thus those who claim otherwise 

(e.g. “batiniyya” sects like the Isma`iliyya) have no right to exist. Furthermore, since the 

Shari`a is perfect, it is a sin to emphasize the use of one’s reason in preference of following 

tradition. The use of reason (ra’y) is the way of the devil (p. 250), though the author tries to

play down this opinion of his on the very next page where he says he does not belittle the 

use of reason (251). On p. 260 `Abd al-Qadir attacks the Shi`i doctrine of infallibility of their 

Imams. As part of his discussion of the fifth principle on the importance of solely relying on 

the Qur’an and the sayings of the Prophet for guidance, `Abd al-Qadir warns his readers 

from thinkers, theologians, men of religion who are, in his words, divorced from reality and

this world, and do not strictly follow the Shari`a and the Holy Writ. It is especially 

dangerous, he says, in matters related to jihad, commanding the good and forbidding the 

evil, and generally anything that has to do with illegitimate powers (sultan al-Tawaghit) (p.

261-262). In fact, blindly following anyone but Allah and the Prophet is a sin and an

innovation. Even “fanatically” (cf.!) adhering to one school of thought over another is a 

sinful innovation (263). Following laws or judgments that are not in accordance with the 

Shari`a and the Holy Writ is forbidden and all that is predicated upon such laws and 

judgment is to be considered null and void (263). This is an idea `Abd al-Qadir keeps going 

back to and has a direct interest in its dissemination because his objective is to undermine in 

every way possible the authority of all branches of government anywhere in the Muslim 

world. In the context of the seventh principle of the Ahl al-Sunna a propos prohibiting 

introduction of innovations, `Abd al-Qadir explains why Christians are considered infidels. It

is because they “fanatically” adhere to one person, Jesus, and in their exaggeration they made 

70
him into a god (p. 267). `Abd al-Qadir compares this practice with the practices of Sufi sects 

and the Shi`a (267-268). He continues his lament over what he sees as the decline of Islam 

and gives a litany of practices and social behaviors that were adopted from the west. He 

decries everything from the worship of saints, to the enjoyment of music, shaving the beard, 

and being educated in western (sic. Christian) universities (see 269). Receiving an education

in the West should be limited to engineering and such, certainly should not include Islamic 

studies (269-270). 

`Abd al-Qadir uses the Qur’an as his main citation source. One of the most important duties 

of the commander (amir) is to educate and inculcate the trainees with the Muslim doctrine of 

jihad, for it is this doctrine that fosters unity among rank and file of the “mujahidi” collective 

(233). In fact, being infused with a fighting doctrine is something all soldiers must go 

through, he says, for Muslims it’s the true doctrine of jihad while infidels are filled with the 

whispers of Satan (284). Another important duty is to ensure all trainees learn how to be 

“good Muslims”, and how to display “good Islamic behavior” in every day life (235). 

Displaying good Islamic behavior, i.e. following the Qur’an and the Sunna, is the corner 

stone of one’s preparation for carrying out jihad (240f). And vice versa, carrying out jihad in 

the path of Allah is the main expression of adherence to the Qur’an and the Sunna and 

commanding the good and forbidding evil (273). Above all, following the Qur’an and the 

Sunna in adhering to the (eight) principles of belief (as presented by `Abd al-Qadir), enables 

one to comprehend the basis of Muslims’ inherent conflict with the infidels and explains 

one’s purpose of waging jihad against them and fighting them (284). Allah has predestined 

humanity to be divided into believers and infidels (286-287) and has pitted one group against 

the other to try the believers (288). The infidels attack tactics have not changed from what 

has been revealed in the Qur’an, as infidels still maintain everything from believers’ insanity,

inferiority, extremism, and deceit, to accusing believers of distorting Islam, trying to sway 

them from their beliefs by incarcerating them, fighting them and killing them (289-291). 

`Abd al-Qadir encourages the use of non-recurrent hadiths (hadith al-ahad) (see p. 276), 

these are hadiths that are not mutawatir, and thus are more susceptible to classification with 

lower degrees of veracity. Accepting such isolated hadiths actually brings to the fore the 

unorthodox views of individuals who utilize such hadiths in constructing their analyses, 

judgments, or religious opinions. It’s not surprising the al-Albani is quoted as one who 

advocates the use of isolated hadiths as acceptable proof (277). 

On p. 296 `Abd al-Qadir begins a brief discussion on two types of jihad, offensive (jihad altalab) and defensive (jihad al-daf`). His main concern here is to contradict the view that 

Islam does not have an offensive war mechanism (297). Muslims must embrace the notion 

of offensive jihad precisely and simply because it defies international laws that prohibit 

aggression against and invasion of another country (300). `Abd al-Qadir reiterates the 

mandatory nature of military training and preparedness for every Muslim (barring Shar`i 

exceptions); individuals must ready themselves continuously for carrying out the duty of 

jihad (301-302). `Abd al-Qadir obfuscates the lines between the two types of jihad leaving 

the impression that what has been opined about a defensive jihad holds true for offensive 

jihad (see e.g. construction of his argument on 302). 

Based on the sources he cites, `Abd al-Qadir makes the statement that the Islamic nation is 

first and foremost a warrior (“mujahidi”) nation whose foreign and internal policies must be 

71
fashioned to reflect this fact in order to realize the obligations related to it (302-303). The 

duty of jihad must not be neglected until Allah’s word reigns supreme, and only then, when

Muslims have the upper hand, can there be peace. It is for this reason, explains `Abd alQadir that the infidels strive to prevent Muslims from achieving peace, because peace 

implies one of two realities: everyone has accepted Islam or non-Muslims have surrendered

and agreed to pay the Jizya tax (see 303-304). No other option exists. 

`Abd al-Qadir introduces the notion of Muslims being one nation, of Islamic brotherhood 

and collective responsibility. Nationhood based on any principle other than religion (sic.

Islam) is pagan (310). He argues that this idea is sanctioned in the Shari`a, and it includes 

carrying out the duty of jihad for Muslims who are unable to do so themselves (308-309). It 

is incumbent on Muslims to travel to neighboring Muslim countries under siege. The first 

stage in carrying out jihad is to subdue those enemies closest to Islam, i.e. enemies at home 

(311-312). This discussion leads into the discussion about waging jihad against an infidel 

ruler who refuses to cease and desist. Those who take part in un-Islamic governments or

regimes, like democratic parliaments, are infidels, and must be engaged in jihad (315). In fact 

all infidels, but especially those in power must be divested of their properties (317)—i.e. 

`Abd al-Qadir is encouraging theft as a means to sustain operations that will undermine 

governments’ authority. 

`Abd al-Qadir makes it very clear where he stands on suicide missions: هؤلاء وجهاد :قلت

الطواغيت فرض عين فللمرء أن يفعله وحده إن أراد، خاصة إذا أمكنته الفرصة من أحد هؤلاء، ولا يجب عليه

التصدي لجمع عظيم من الكافرين بل يجوز له الفرار للتفاوت العددي، فإن ثبت وآان له غرض في الشهادة جاز له

حسن وهو ذلك . Numbers don’t matter, he says, since the duty is “fard `ayn”, one can decide to 

carry out the duty individually. It also doesn’t matter how many infidels one succeeds in 

killing, even one is laudable. (see 320). The Qur’anic basis he gives for his claim is Q 2: 207 

 the is infidels of number large a killing ,However . وَمِ ْن الَّناسِ مَنْ يَشْرِي نَْفسَ ُه ابْتِغَا َء َم ْر َضاِة الَّلهِ}

goal as it helps bring about the much desired reality of Allah’s word reignign supreme

({ِلَّلهِ ُلُّهُآ ُِّدين ال َكونُ يَوَ( { .` Abd al-Qadir also discusses the question of injuring of killing innocent 

Muslim by-standers, and opines that it is permissible, especially due to the fact that Muslims 

today are to be found all over the world, in infidel countries and this reality must not impede 

carrying out the duty of jihad (323-324). 

`Abd al-Qadir expresses the extreme view that today’s leaders the Muslim world over, are in 

fact not Muslims at all, and removes them entirely beyond of the pale of Islam, with its

leadership conditions, obligations and allegiance (330). With this position `Abd al-Qadir puts 

himself at odds even with al-Albani (330). Fighting these apostates, these infidel leaders, is a 

duty more urgent than fighting the Jews, who would not have rooted themselves in Palestine 

(sic.) if it were not for these leaders (335; 338). 

The Salafiyya is not a school of thought, says `Abd al-Qadir, but a way of life, a complete 

system or manner of action (336). 

War is based on two principles: secrecy and deception (343). Deception of one’s enemy is 

also allowed in non-combative situations for religious interests and other interests (344). 

Within the context of deception of the enemy `Abd al-Qadir introduces the Shar`I basis for 

72
the permissibility of assassination (345f). He argues for the acceptability of assassinating 

women and children as collateral damage (347-349). 

Even the most mundane undertaking necessitates a foundation in the Salaf. In the current 

context it is a basis for the obligation to secrecy in military operations (351). Operation 

should be kept secret not only from the enemy, but also from the soldiers carrying out the 

operation (351). This too is given a Shar`I basis and a foundation in the Salaf. 

The fundamental goal of jihad is to render Islam victorious (“Izhar al-Din”), not martyrdom 

(353; 355,356), though a true martyr would love to return to this world again and again only 

to achieve martyrdom every time (353). As much as the true believer savors death and

martyrdom, the infidel enemy fears deaths and clings to this world. This puts the believers at 

an advantage (354). Connected to the love of martyrdom are three vices to be avoided:

hubris, cowardice and retreat in fear of not winning a particular battle (355-361); overcoming 

these vices can only be achieved by accepting predestination, that is, that whatever befalls an 

individual has been ordained by Allah (359). 

Appendix 3 discusses the duty of the mujahid to study (364-372). Source author divides the 

discussion into three parts: what knowledge is mandatory to acquire (what is fard `ayn and 

what is fard kifaya), a response to ambiguities related to the notion of: العلم طلب بعد إلا جهاد لا

(there should be no jihad except after acquisition of knowledge), and finally, specific

knowledge that is necessary for the mujahidi collective. 

Though the topic was discussed in previous chapters (mainly in part II of the epistle), the 

next appendix re-introduces the questions: what is meant by preparation for jihad? And is 

`adala (piety, justness) one of the conditions that render jihad mandatory? Preparation has

two aspects- material and spiritual (author goes into a little more detail pp. 383f). `Abd alQadir argues that being a pious or just person is not one of the conditions for carrying out 

the duty of jihad (374). In fact, he states, the opposite is true; in carrying out the duty it is

permitted—and should be encouraged (p. 391)—to rely on the corrupt, dishonest and the 

immoral (pp. 375-377). 

V. The fifth part (al-bab al-kamis) deals with the obligations of camp members (pp. 382-441) 

Discussion divides into three main sections: what members must render unto Allah, what 

they must render unto their commander, and what they must render unto each other. `Abd

al-Qadir reiterates the importance of obeying the commander, abiding by his word and

showing utmost respect (especially p. 401). In this context, source author puts forth the 

argument that only one leader should be at the helm (this is clearly also a jab against 

democratic ideas like government by the people, plurality). Adhering to one leader ensures

the integrity of the group (402); complying with objectionable orders is what separates the 

true believer from the hypocrite (404-405). In the third section on how members ought to

treat each other, the discussion is divided into refraining from harming other brethren and 

acting in a constructive, helpful way (423f). `Abd al-Qadir lists numerous traits and manners

of behavior that members of the group are expected to possess or acquire (or shun), all in 

the interest of maintaining group unity (see e.g. pp. 425, 427-428, 429, not to speak ill of 

people, don’t bring harm to others, don’t rush to judgment, keep jokes, teasing and acting

silly to a minimum p. 431). To make a very long story short, "Do unto others as you would

73
have them do to you". Unfortunately `Abd al-Qadir cannot see how such conduct can be 

applied beyond the limited scope of his mujahidi collective. It is almost ironic when `Abd alQadir exhorts his readers (p. 433) to: تدخلوا لا «: وسلم عليه االله صلى لقوله ،السلام إفشاء ومنها = 13

الجنة حتى تؤمنوا، ولا تؤمنوا حتى تحابوا، َأوَلاَ أدلكم على شيء إذا فعلتموه تحاببتم؟، أفشوا السلام بينكم». وتسلم

على من عَرَفت ومن لم تعرف

To “spread peace, make peace with those you know and those you don’t know.” If only this 

Sunna of the Prophet would be given as much weight in `Abd al-Qadir’s thought as carrying 

out the jihadi duty. 

In this section of the Risala the author is arguing what looks like a 180 degree reversal of 

what he started with, that it is legitimate to undermine and overthrow leaders who have 

erred or even committed wrongdoings. In the current context he couches his argument for 

the contrary in calls for patience, lenience and acceptance of immoral leaders and fellow 

mujahidis. Which is it? In this apparent desire to have it both ways he reflects most of all his 

anger and that the bottom line is carrying out jihad. He leaves little room for doubt regarding 

the place of jihad in his version of Islam when he says that the path of jihad starts with the 

formation of a Muslim collective, and it is jihad that protects the group and its religion: 

والجهاد هو الذي يحمي هذا الدين وأهله، فإذا ترآوا الجهاد سلط االله عليهم الذل آما في حديث العِينَة. وطريق الجهاد

المسلمة الجماعة بتكوين يبدأ) 442(. Jihad in the path of Allah is the way to glory/strength (’izza) 

and power (siyada) in this world, and the way to happiness (sa`ada) in the next (443). Jihad 

must be directed first and foremost against most Muslims, and then against infidels like Jews, 

Christians and pagans (443). Those who carry out jihad (rijal al-jihad) are the youth and the 

weak, socially and economically, these are the soldiers of Islam (446). `Abd al-Qadir makes it 

quite clear that his plea is directed toward the disenfranchised and downtrodden everywhere 

in the Muslim. 

A note: there seem to be fewer citations; mostly Qur’anic verses and hadiths which the 

source author cites in the text as if they were transmitted directly from the Prophet. 

In the context of positive modes of behavior between Muslims, `Abd al-Qadir talks about 

the usefulness of lying to disputing parties in order to engender reconciliation (437). 

Reconciliation, he says, is of the highest virtue, as rivalry threatens the unity of the Muslim 

collective (and thus should be avoided at almost all cost, loc. cit.). 

Throughout the Risala `Abd al-Qadir puts forth the argument that funding jihad is one of 

the most fundamental duties of the Muslim nation (which he repeatedly calls “a Mujahidi 

nation”), and in fact it precedes the duty to carry out jihad physically. `Abd al-Qadir pits the 

financial backing of “jihadi operations” as a religious principle (437-438) not only to

legitimize them, but mainly because he is using the Risala as a medium through which he can 

pitch the jihad product and successfully market it. He has said a number of times “no 

money, no jihad”. 

On pp. 438-439 `Abd al-Qadir sums up the section on the obligations of group members 

toward each other as based on the attainment of three conditions: understanding (fahm), 

truth (sidq) and action (suluk). Understanding comes with awareness of one’s duties; Truth

comes after understanding and it is what moves one from awareness to action. Action 

divides into two types: individual and group. To achieve the three conditions an individual 

74
must wage a personal jihad to overcome all that has been defined as contrary to positive 

behavior (441).

The banner of jihad must be Islamic, pure and unadulterated, unsullied by any human whim 

or ideology like socialism or democracy (447). The leadership of Islamic groups should be 

“Islamic to the bone” to prevent infiltration by secular mujahidis (447). 

Notes: 

From the outset it is possible to see that the source author prefers to ground his arguments

in hadiths and other early Islamic historiographical or literary works. Not only does he use 

hadiths, he usually cites a hadith qudsi or nabawi, or at least a hadith marfu` (one that is 

traced to the Prophet). Moreover, very often even if the hadith is not a hadith nabawi, `Abd 

al-Qadir cites the tradition as if it comes directly from the Prophet and then in a footnote he 

notes the last link in the Isnad (e.g. Abu Hurayra). As is usually the case, hadith references 

are very often vague or include only the category (muttafaq `alayhi, sahih, etc.).`Abd al-Qadir

often makes typographical mistakes and he is inconsistent in the way he marks hadiths and 

other citation sources. On pp. 172-173 he gives references for each fragment of text he cites

and then at the end he gives a general reference, making the writing protracted and

overbearing. It is noteworthy that the source author turns directly to his reader, talks to him 

(!) in second person singular (and at times plural). The style of writing is very dense. `Abd alQadir has a tendency to crowd his writing with a lot of superfluous material (cf. discussion

of the duties of the head of a militants' training camp (starting p. 109). The writing is very 

reminiscent of works on Islamic legal theory. When it suits `Abd al-Qadir and it fits his 

argument he contextualizes a citation source, like he does on p.62 where he tries to explain 

differences of opinion of the early `Ulama regarding permissibility of fighting with apsotates

and infidels. Another example is when he explains the use of the word jama`a in the context 

of oaths, allegiance and takfir of contemporary militant groups (p. 166-167). His style is 

repetitious as he presents an issue, summarizes its main points and then summarizes the 

main points of the main points (see his discussion of the eight principles of the Ahl al-Sunna 

(the second summary begins on p. 273). Another tendency is to not quote an entire 

paragraph of an author he disagrees with and is trying to discredit (e.g. see 168). Almost 

every time `Abd al-Qadir cites a hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari, he follows it by a citation 

from Ibn Hajar's Fath al-Bari. It looks like he was working with Fath al-Bari, not directly 

with the Sahih (at least for the most part). Several times `Abd al-Qadir refers to the 

commentator (cf. ""al-Sharih"") of the `Aqdia Tahawiyya, but does not mention which

commentator he's referring to; I assume it's Ibn Abi al-`Izz, though he cites different 

editions and at times mentions al-Albani (who did edit one edition of the Sharh) giving the 

impression that al-Albani is the Sharih (e.g. 268 f5). Likely the book he was working with 

 شرح العقيدة الطحاوية ط 7 المكتب الإسلامي 1403هـ" was

 

75
Author: `Abd al-Rahman b. `Abd al-Khaliq 

مشروعية الجهاد الجماعي :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Mashru`iyyat al-jihad al-jama`i 

Title (Translated): The Legitimacy of Collective Jihad 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

`Umar b. al-Khattab (1) 

Abu Bakr (1) 

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 1

D - 1

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad

D - 1

Issues Discussed: 

The goal of this article is to argue against those Muslims (no specific names are given) who

hold 1) that forming individual Islamic communities—such as da`wa and jihadist groups—is

illegitimate under Islamic law, and 2) that undertaking jihad is not permissible without a

Caliph. The author claims that while these two positions may be valid in places where 

Shari`a law is firmly established, 1) such places are exceedingly few, and 2) other Shari`a 

principles take precedence in the vast remainder of places. Most prominently, the author

repeatedly presents the legal maxim, "that which is required for the execution of a legal duty 

is itself a legal duty." On the basis of this principle, the author argues that Islamic groups—

such as Salafi, Tablighi, and others—are legitimate because they work to fulfill religious

duties (such as establishing alms-giving, prayer, religious education, jihad, etc.) that have 

been generally neglected throughout Muslim nations. 

Questions asked: Are Islamic da`wa and jihadist groups legitimate in terms of Islamic law? 

(Answer: yes; except in the very few places where Shar`iah law is established, and in those 

places, their legitimacy is decided by local imams.) Can jihad be declared without an imam?

(Answer: jihad can be declared in the absence of the Caliph, but there must be a jihad-imam 

who directs the jihad. Indiscriminate or random killing does not fall within the category of

permissible jihad). 

Notes: 

The year of this work's publication is not indicated, and beyond the defeat of the Russians in 

Afghanistan, no historical events are mentioned. 

76
Author: `Abd Al-Rahman Hasan 

القذافي مسيلمة العصر :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Qadhdhafi(al-) Musaylima al-`asr 

Title (Translated): Al-Qadhdhafi: the Musaylima of the Era 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 1998 

Place of Publication: Libya 

Publisher: Al-jama`a al-islamiyya al-muqatila bi-libya 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Qadhdhafi, M u`ammar,

66.1%

Ibn Taymiyya, 2.7%

`Iyad, al-Qadi, 6.3%

Other, 3.6%

Ibn Hazm, 2.7%

Ibn Sahnun, 1.8%

Ibn Kathir, 1.8%

Abu Hanifa, 1.8%

Ishaq b. Ibrahim b.

Rahwayh, 0.9%

M uhammad Na`im 

Yasin, 0.9%

Ibn M as`ud, 0.9%

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd alRahman b. Hasan, 0.9%

Ibn Hajar, 0.9%

Sa`di(al-), `Abd alRahman b. Nasir, 0.9%

`Abd al-`Aziz al-`Abd alLatif, 0.9%

`Abd Allah b. alM ubarak, 0.9%

Ahmad Shakir, 0.9%

Cooley, John K., 0.9%

Sayyid Qutb, 0.9%

`Abd Allah `Azzam, 1.8%

Sa`idi(al-), Abu alM undhir, 1.8%

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

This book reflects the problematic relationship between conservative Islamic movements

and the authoritarian regime in Libya. The author aims to de-legitimize the rule of 

Mu`ammar al-Qadhdhafi on two basic premises to justify the fight against it: first, the lack of 

popular and national legitimacy and second, the fact that all that Qadhdhafi stands for is 

77
against Islam. He argues that the Libyan independence from foreign powers was simply a

play to cover the secret relation between Qadhdhafi and the West and that Qadhdhafi runs 

on a course planned ahead since he took power in 1969. 

The author also blames Qadhdhafi for the bad relations between Libya and other Arab

countries, in addition to misusing public resources and banning political and religious 

freedoms. On the religious level, the author accuses Qadhdhafi of hating Islam, disrespecting 

the Prophet, misinterpreting the Qur'an, separating religion from the state, and separating 

the public and private sphere in Libyan society. Qadhdhafi is definitely a polarizing figure, 

and it seems he directly or indirectly provokes Islamic movements in Libya by issuing 

"blunt" statements about sensitive subjects of religion. For instance, the author thoroughly 

contends the arguments of Qadhdhafi that Islam has nothing to do with politics, and 

Qadhdhafi as well contradicts many aspects and facts about the Prophet and the Shari`a. The 

author has also reservations on the foreign policy of Qadhdhafi. 

Finally, he asserts that the launching a holy jihad against the Libyan regime is a legitimate 

cause due to the reasons mentioned previously and announces in the name of Al-jama`a alislamiyya al-muqatila that the war against this regime shall continue until God makes his

judgment. 

Notes: 

The preface by Abu al-Mundhir al-Sa`idi shows that this book was written around 31 March 

1998. Musaylima, also known by the name of Haroun, is the man who sent a letter to 

Prophet Muhammad claiming prophethood. The author is accusing Qadhdhafi of claiming

the same. 

78
Author: `Amili(al-), Abu Sa`d 

الحرب الصليبية على العراق :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Harb(al-) al-salibiyya `ala al-`Iraq 

Title (Translated): The Crusaders’ War Against Iraq 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Majallat al-Ansar 

People the Author Cites: 

Abu `Ubayd al-Qurashi (1) 

People Who Cite the Author: 

None 

Issues Discussed: 

After a long introduction on how Muslims became accustomed to the reality of occupation

(Palestine, Afghanistan), the author explains that Iraq was occupied because it symbolizes

the epicenter of Islam: it played a determinant role in spreading Islam in the world, stopping 

the crusaders’ invasions and as a center for the diffusion of knowledge and an object of

pride for Muslims for centuries. After mentioning how Iraq failed under foreign occupation 

twice: under Hulaku the Mongol and under the Americans, he gave another justification for 

invading Iraq. Americans were ousted from Afghanistan by the Taliban and al-Qaeda and

thereafter needed another way out to save face and to reconsider their political and military 

interests. 

Although very different, Iraq and Afghanistan share historic roles in the Islamic nation.

Afghanistan has always been a chosen field for jihad and resistance to occupiers. The author 

wonders if the invasion of Iraq was motivated only by oil. He believes that Iraq was also 

occupied because of its strategic position inside the Muslim world and for the growing role 

of the Islamic movements in the region that are fighting in order to restore Islamic sources. 

The final motivation of the invasion of Iraq is to provide protection for Israel. 

The author describes the war in Iraq as a continuation of a crusaders’ war against the Islamic 

nation that started with Afghanistan. This war is 1) global: it aims controlling economic, 

political, cultural affairs of Muslims; 2) atrocious: forbidden and mass destroying weapons

are being used; 3) continuous and 4) religious: it aims to push Muslims to deny their faith. 

The author suggests ways for the Islamic nation to face the invasion: 1) by acting against the 

media and cultural institutions in Islamic countries the purposes of which are to drive away

Muslims and their religious identity; 2) by reviving the spirit of collective work and the spirit 

of jihad. Only jihad will mobilize people and will have enough impact on the enemy, to the 

point that it is called terrorism; 3) by uniting jihadi efforts: Muslims from all over the world 

are called to act against the occupier, therefore, there is no such a thing as foreigner fighters 

(ansar) since Islam is the denomination of all of them. 

79
The strategy jihadis need to adopt shall be based on: 1) Extending the duration of the war:

while the enemy will tire from it and give up, the jihadists will gain more in organization and 

in merit before Allah; 2) Using militias trained on executing punctual actions; 3) Offering 

less exposure than regular soldiers stationed in large numbers and more vulnerable to attack;

4) Enlarging and diversifying the jihadi actions. 

Notes: 

The fourth article of the third issue. 

80
Author: `Uyayri(al-), Yusuf 

عملية "مسرح موسكو": ماذا ربح المجاهدون منها و ماذا خسروا؟ :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): `Amaliyyat "masrah Musku": Madha rabiha al-mujahidun minha wa 

madha khasiru? 

Title (Translated): Operation "Moscow Theatre": What Did the Mujahidun Gain From it 

and What Did They Lose? 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2002? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Markaz al-dirasat wa'l-buhuth al-islamiyya 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Interfax,

33.3%

Putin,

Vladimir,

33.3%

Niza

Fisimaya

New spaper,

33.3%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 3

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 11

Markaz al-Dirasat wa'l-Buhuth al-Islamiyya

A - 4

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 12

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 11

Issues Discussed: 

81
This text discusses the aims and outcomes of the hostage takeover in the Dubrovka Theatre 

Centre in Moscow that took place between the 23 and 27 of October 2002. The Mujahidin 

that carried out the operation consisted of 40 Chechen rebels, including women. After a

four-day standoff, Russian forces besieged the theatre, using in the process a controversial 

mystery gas that killed at least 120 hostages in addition to the rebels. Al-`Uyayri calls for an 

end to the Christian Russian animosity to the Chechen Muslims, and for the establishment 

of an independent Islamic government by and for the Chechen Muslims. 

Among the aims of the operation are: 1) moving the battle into the heart of Russia, 2)

increasing stress on Russian security, 3) putting strain on Russian war against Chechens, 4) 

terrorizing the Russian people who support warmongering politicians, 5) highlighting the 

reality of war so that people will reconsider conflict, 6) lifting the spirits of the Chechens, 7) 

making the world take notice of the Chechen cause. Among the outcomes achieved are: 1) 

publicizing of Russia's bad policy towards Chechnya, 2) demonstration by Muscovites 

against war in Chechnya, 3) showing the weakness and shame of Russian security, 4) sowing 

division in Russian society, 5) turning the world's attention to the Chechen cause. 

He defends the operation from criticisms that the Mujahidin failed in not killing hostages 

themselves, saying that in fact that was not an aim. Yet al-`Uyayri warns that suicide 

bombings and other homicidal tactics are still options if necessary. He argues, citing 

Qur'anic proofs, that the Mujahidin must fight fire with fire, and targeting civilians is part of

that view. Al-`Uyayri hopes for more plans similar to the Moscow theatre operation. 

Notes: 

Year of publication is not given. The text deals with an event that occurred October 23-27, 

2002. The Source Author says that the event has come to a conclusion; therefore, the date 

of publication must be after October 27, 2002. 

82
Author: `Uyayri(al-), Yusuf 

حقيقة الحرب الصليبية الجديدة :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Haqiqat al-harb al-salibiyya al-jadida 

Title (Translated): The Truth About the New Crusader War 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2001 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Taymiyya, 11.6%

Naw aw i(al-), 4.8%

Ibn Qudama, 4.2%

Ibn Hajar, 3.7%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 3.2%

Shaw kani(al-), 2.6%

Shatibi(al-), 2.6%

Other, 45.0%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab,

Muhammad, 2.6%

Al al-Shaykh, Sulayman, 

2.1%

Bush, George W., 2.1%

Hamad b. `Ali b. `Atiq,

1.6%

Safar al-Haw ali, 1.6%

Qurtubi(al-), 1.6%

Ahmad Shakir, 1.6%

Sharbini(al-), 1.6%

`Abd Allah al-Ahdal,

1.6%

Muhammad `Abbas,

1.6%

Ibn Hazm, 1.6%

`Abd al-`Aziz b. Baz,

1.1%

Mulla Muhammad `Umar,

1.6%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 3

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 11

Markaz al-Dirasat wa'l-Buhuth al-Islamiyya

A - 4

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 12

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

83
A - 11

Issues Discussed: 

In this work, al-`Uyayri provides a multi-faceted defense of the 9-11 attacks. In general he 

primarily addresses Muslims who denounce the attacks on various grounds by providing 

methodical responses and arguments with rigorous support from the Islamic scholarly 

tradition (theology, jurisprudence, etc.). Interestingly, he repeatedly mentions that it is as yet 

uncertain who carried out the attacks, (whether they were Muslim). But beyond this thinly 

veiled agnosticism, he proceeds to explain why they would be justified in carrying them out. 

In the first section, he addresses the (evidently Muslim) critiques of the 9/11 attacks based 

on the Islamic tradition's general prohibition of killing non-combatants (women, children,

the elderly). He does this by means of a lengthy, systematic explanation of seven exceptions 

to that protection of civilians. Of particular note is one that is based on the definition of 

'non-combatants'--and denying that American women and elderly, for example, qualify as

non-combatants. 

President Bush was clear about his plans of military intervention in the Middle East (“his 

aggression against Muslims”) during his election campaign; the American voting population 

elected him to office; and since democracy is functional in the US, it reflects popular will, 

ergo the election of Bush reflected Americans' intentions for military aggression against 

Muslims. That means that the American (voting) population--including women, elderly, etc.-

-is engaged in war against Islam, rendering them combatants and thence, depriving them of

the protection that is otherwise accorded to non-combatants. 

The following section reviews the advantages and benefits of the attack as well as a

presentation of some of their alleged disadvantages—which are all duly debunked, again, by 

reference to Scriptural exegesis and jurisprudence (Islamic law). Al-`Uyayri adduces a 

plethora of quotations in which medieval authorities denounce Muslims' aid, support, 

friendship, etc. of infidels—indeed, such a course of action renders them apostates, since all

scholars agree that whomever supports and mixes with a people is to be considered one of 

them (i.e. an infidel). This step is integral to discrediting those Muslims who denounce the 

attacks. 

Notes: 

This article was published in Rajab, 1422; apparently sometime in September 2001 following 

the 9/11 attacks.

84
Author: Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

الانتصا ُر للمجاهدين و الرد على بيانِ "آبار علماء" السلاطين :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Intisar(al-) li'l-mujahidin wa'l-radd `ala bayan "kibar `ulama' " alsalatin 

Title (Translated): Championing for the Mujahidin and Disputing the Declaration of the 

Sultans' "Senior Scholars" 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Taymiyya, 25.8%

Ibn Kathir, 7.5%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 6.5%

Other, 28.0%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab,

Muhammad, 5.4%

Ibn Humayd, `Abd Allah 

b. Muhammad, 2.2%

Ibn Mas`ud, 2.2%

Ibn Hazm, 2.2% Abu Bakr, 2.2%

Ibn Hajar, 1.1%

Ibn al-Tin, 1.1%

Ibn al-Jaw zi, 1.1%

Ibn Abi al-`Izz, 1.1%

Ayman b. Khuraym alAsadi, 1.1%

Abu Basir al-Tartusi,

2.2%

Ibn `Umar, 1.1%

Hassan b. Thabit, 1.1%

Hasan(al-) al-Basri,

1.1%

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd alLatif, 2.2%

Hamad b. `Ali b. `Atiq, 

3.2%

Sulayman b. Sahman,

2.2%

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

Al-`A’idhi put together this publication to dispute an anti-jihad declaration issued by Saudi 

Arabia’s Senior Ulema (religious scholars) Committee. `A'idhi stresses that those scholars are 

employed by the tyrannical rulers of the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia), who are notorious 

for their animosity towards Mujahidin. `A'idhi expresses the huge disappointment in those 

85
so called Senior Scholars who catered for the wishes of their rulers after the invasion of Iraq 

instead of calling for jihad against crusaders. Responding to the committee’s statements that 

condemn actions of killing, bombing and destruction, `A'idhi asserts that those actions by 

mujahidin are well justified and should be carried out anywhere against the assailant enemy 

and its supporters as well. In response to the commission’s warning to whoever provides 

support or shelter to mujahidin, `A'idhi states that it is the duty of all Muslims to join jihad 

and fight against crusaders and taghut (tyrannical rulers). 

`A'idhi rejects the commission’s reference to Saudi Arabia as the “fortress of Islam” and

claims it to be an agnostic state for reasons such as its animosity towards mujahidin and 

religious scholars who speak truly, applying foreign agnostic and secular laws instead of 

Shari`a, and its absolute loyalty to Jews and Christians headed by the United States. 

Notes: 

The date of publication is not mentioned on the website. From my research I found that the 

declaration al-`A'idhi is disputing in this publication was issued around August of 2003. I can 

only assume that the book was published in late 2003. 

86
Author: Abu `Ubayd al-Qurashi 

ماذا بعد احتلال الحراق :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Madha ba`da ihtilal al-`Iraq? 

Title (Translated): What Will Follow the Occupation of Iraq? 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Majallat al-Ansar 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Athanasiadis,

Iason, 25.0%

Kolko, Gabriel,

25.0%

Williams, Ian,

25.0%

Friedman,

George, 25.0%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Amili(al-), Abu Sa`d

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Markaz al-Dirasat wa'l-Buhuth al-Islamiyya

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

The American occupation of Iraq has had a deep effect on Arab and Islamic collective

memory, especially since it occurred after 50 years of Zionist occupation and successive 

defeats of Arab and Islamic minorities. However, this injustice will soon come to an end as 

resistance is growing and America is not feared anymore. 

American occupation will create an imbalance in the region by soon occupying Syria, which 

resists Israeli existence, and by threatening the Iranian regime (in using Nadjaf to compete 

with Qom, in encouraging Iranian opposition and controlling oil prices by flooding the 

market with Iraqi oil which will affect the Iranian economy). Turkey, which refused to 

87
support the Iraqi occupation, now claims the Incirlik military base. The American decision to 

move the military bases from Saudi Arabia to Qatar; the investiture of Mahmud Abbas (the 

Bahaist) at the head of the Palestinian government in preparation for action against 

Palestinian jihadists, and finally the animosity of Arabs towards America will help jihad to 

grow into a conflict between Islam and America where only one of them will survive. 

The new strategic situation is not completely in favor of the US as many factors are 

unknown: how will Iraq, Iran, and Syria react? What if there is a coalition between Syria and 

Turkey? The impact of American occupation in other parts of the world has lead to

unforeseen reactions: France, Germany, Belgium and Luxemburg, humiliated by the 

American stance, concluded a military agreement, as did Russia with 7 former soviet states.

Furthermore, the occupation of Iraq led some countries to believe that in order to escape to

an American invasion, it is better to have weapons of mass destruction (such as the case in 

North Korea that threatens to use and export its nuclear technology if America doesn’t 

respond to Korea’s requirements). A possible consequence of the invasion of Iraq would be 

to have a growing competition between different countries for the purpose of acquiring 

nuclear weapons. The new strategic context sees emerging international agreements whose 

target is to realize a balance of force with the US for a multi-polar world. 

At the political level, the invasion generated lootings that were encouraged by American 

forces in order to divert Iraqis from resistance by defending first their families and 

belongings. By doing so, America is endorsing a role as safety and peace keeping, not as an 

occupier. Apparently, the American political strategy seems to be failing; the large ethnic 

and religious conflict it was seeking is actually restricted to the economic field which makes

the invaders look like they are willing to protect only oil, banks and Saddam’s palaces and

neglect reconstruction. Furthermore, American analysis was wrong. After the collapse of

Saddam’s regime, Iraqis went unexpectedly to structures they experienced for 14 centuries:

religious structures. Therefore, Shiite voices called very early, supported by Iran, for an 

Islamic regime in Iraq. Sunnis showed less organization at the national level, but played an 

important role in keeping safety at the community and local levels. The second 

disappointment for Americans, according to the author, consists of the marionettes brought 

by America to rule Iraq (including Challabi) that failed in establishing their authority vis-à-vis 

the Iraqi people. The third surprise for Americans was that occupiers were expecting

100,000 Iraqi soldiers to surrender and to use them to occupy the territory. Instead, Iraqi

soldiers melted into the civilian population. American occupation failed since the beginning 

for lack of planning. Spreading democracy is a lie and goes against the American experience 

of occupation in the Philippines, Liberia and Afghanistan. 

At the economical level, the American occupation will not result in reconstruction and 

prosperity because of the deep economic crisis America is facing. The timing of the Iraqi 

invasion was meant to coincide with the publication of the numbers of economic growth 

that was only 2.4% in 2002 and the deficit reached 435.2 billion. Even the services sector

was showing a deficit of 49.1 billion which is the worst level since 1991. With a deficit in the 

budget that will reach 1.4 trillion by 2012, nothing could be expected from America in terms

of rebuilding Iraq. Of 70 billion for the war budget, only 2 billion is mentioned for 

rebuilding Iraq. Even if America wanted to rebuild Iraq with Iraqi oil, it won’t be possible as 

Iraq could produce, at most, 3 million barrels a day: 25 billion per year. Knowing that the 

reparation of the electric web will cost at least 20 billion, the restoration of oil platforms will 

88
reach at least 6 billion and the rebuilding of Iraq will cost, according to the estimates of 

Nordhaus, 105 billion. Flooding the market with Iraqi oil (8 million barrels a day) won’t be 

enough nor possible as America needs to stabilize countries such as Russia (for its nuclear 

weapons), Mexico and the Gulf. By occupying Iraq, the US secured their oil need: control oil 

prices and impose the dollar as a strong exchange currency despite the economic crisis. 

After exposing the situation resulting from the invasion, the author discusses the jihadi ways 

to face the aftermaths of the invasion. Given the fact that Sunnis are the only ethnic and 

religious group that doesn’t bow to foreign considerations (as opposed to Kurds and 

Shiites), they are the most concerned by the invasion and by ending it. In order to reach the 

goal of freeing Iraq, Iraqi Sunnis need to 1) get organized and use both political and military 

instruments; 2) propagate the appeal for jihad; 3) resist constantly to the occupier and gain 

peoples’ support; 4) forget about marginal conflicts and focus on the occupier; 5) take profit 

of the mistake of the invaders who lack experience with colonization; 6) use the military 

weaknesses of the invaders; 7) focus attacks on oil constructions; 8) focus attack on 

American soldiers; 9) use means (missiles, mines...) that will save jihadi lives; 10) avoid 

rushing in its action. At the Islamic world level, the author calls for: 1) facing a global 

invasion with a global war; 2) calling for a global jihad by using Islam as a force of action. 

The author concludes by stating that: 1) the Islamic answer to the crusaders’ invasion is 

logical; 2) resistance to invaders inside and outside Iraq is a natural consequence to a global 

crusader’s war against Islam. 3) The invasion of Iraq is an important opportunity for the 

Islamic movement to confront the US and a starting point for the liberation of all Islamic 

countries and the establishment of an Islamic empire (khilafa). If jihadists fail to do so, they 

will lose their identity and blend into the secularized society. 

In order for the Islamist movement to accomplish its liberation mission, it has to 1) show 

leadership and independence from political rulers. The author criticizes vehemently Islamic 

Brotherhood for asking political and religious leaders for permission to engage in jihad. 2) 

Forget about regional and national differences and focus on the factor common to all: Islam. 

3) Take initiatives and provoke events instead of undergoing them. 

Islamic movements from all over the world should unite for the purpose of organizing a 

large Islamic front which will impact on the global political map for Islam, Muslims, and 

Islamic movements being spread out all over the world. The duty of such a front is to take 

responsibility for the destiny of Muslims. 

Notes: 

Second article in this issue of Majallat al-Ansar. 

89
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

حرآة الجهاد الإسلامي الإرتري إلى أين ..؟ :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Harakat al-jihad al-islami al-iritri ila ayna?! 

Title (Translated): The Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement: Where is it Heading?! 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2002 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Abu al-Harith (1) 

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

The issues addressed in the publication all concern the goals and nature of the Eritrean 

Islamic Jihadi Movement. Abu Basir criticizes the spokesman of the movement (Abu alHarith) for depicting the movement as 1) primarily interested in the overthrow of the 

current Eritrean government, 2) open to cooperation with other (non-jihadi or even nonMuslim) Eritrean resistance movements, 3) interested in establishing positive relations with

other countries in the region and with non-Muslim countries, and 4) aimed at establishing 

general freedoms for the Eritrean populace. Abu Basir's basic complaint is that the 

spokesman (Abu al-Harith) presents the EIJ movement as primarily a political movement

focused on the welfare of Eritrea rather than a religious, jihadi movement focused on the 

welfare of Islam. 

Notes: 

This publication contains two separate statements: 1) a letter written by anonymous

members of the Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement (Harakat al-Jihad al-Islami al-Iritri) seeking 

the advice of Abu Basir al-Tartusi, and 2) the response of Abu Basir. The initial letter seeks

Abu Basir's opinion on the propriety of statements made by the deputy amir and official

spokesman of the movement, Abu al-Harith, during an interview published in the Jaridat alZaman on 10/21/2002. Abu Basir's response—dated 11/21/2002—condemns the

90
statements by the movement's spokesman, offers Quran'ic grounding for his condemnation, 

and requests that the movement remove the interview from its website. 

91
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

احذر ثقافة المهزومين :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Ihdhar thaqafat al-mahjumin 

Title (Translated): Beware the Culture of the Defeated 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2000 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Basir discusses the dangers for the umma in adopting the culture of defeat. He says the 

umma today suffers and is poisoned by this culture, and that God preserves the religion by 

placing the work in the hands of the (true) sect of believers. Author describes the main 

characteristics of the defeated: they promote democracy, socialism, nationalism, etc for the 

umma, but it will lead them away from their religion. They talk about peaceful co-existence,

but it will be placed above Islam and ultimately destroy the umma; he sees this as an 

extension of the age-old struggle between good and evil. They talk about only a defensive 

jihad. Abu Basir argues that if one accepts that jihad is the way to free the people from

worshipping creation and the rule of tyrants, then the culture of defeat will not prevail.

Among their signs is that they go to lengths to call for peace, but making peace with tyrants 

is not the peace God prescribed. Author says it is upon the believers and servants of God to 

be cautious of these people and avoid their writings, and those that they have deceived with 

this ideology; they are a cancer, and they are the enemy. 

Notes: 

Brief article in which Abu Basir repeats a few of the same themes throughout; a call to turn 

away from the culture of defeat that further aids the tyrants. Describes them and their 

attributes then addresses them at the end of the text. No citations found. 

92
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

مبادرة الجماعة الإسلامية اعتراف بالخطأ أم انهيار وسقوط :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Mubadarat al-Jama`a al-Islamiyya al-Misriyya: I`tiraf bi'l-khata' am

inhiyar wa-suqut 

Title (Translated): The Egyptian Jama`a Islamiyya initiative: Acknowledging an Error or 

Collapse and Ruin [of the movement]

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibrahim, Najih, 21.0%

Zuhdi, Karam, 9.9%

Jama`a(al-) al-Islamiyya

bi-Misr, 9.9%

Other, 4.9%

Hamdi `Abd al-Rahman,

9.9%

Jama`a(al-) al-Islamiyya

bi-Misr, 4.9%

Hudaybi(al-), Hasan,

3.7%

Usama Hafiz, 3.7%

Mamduh Yusuf, 2.5%

Ibn Taymiyya, 2.5%

Safw at `Abd al-Ghani,

2.5%

Gharib al-Jaw hari, 

1.2%

Hamza, Mukhtar, 1.2%

`Asim `Abd al-Majid,

1.2%

Zuhdi, Karam, 2.5%

`Iyad, al-Qadi, 1.2%

Muhammad Yasin, 1.2%

`Ubada b. al-Samit,

1.2%

Badri Makhluf, 2.5%

Makram Muhammad

Ahmad, 7.4%

`Ali al-Sharif, 4.9%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

93
Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Basir sets the tone of his article in the first two pages with his harsh critique of the 

Egyptian al-Jama`a al-Islamiyya who had recently declared their suspension of all acts of 

violence. The first section of the article, starting on p. 3, prepares the ground for the critique 

with a presentation of what the source author sees as important preliminary notions relevant 

to the "ill-fated initiative" (sic. mash'uma). On pp. 7-10 Abu Basir cites interviews with 

imprisoned leaders of the Jama`a who express an almost complete reversal of their previous 

policies regarding carrying out jihad. All the leaders state that the group's violent, subversive 

activity against the Egyptian government was wrong and very harmful to the integrity of the 

nation. They still maintain that the real enemy is "the Jews" (cf. Najih Ibrahim, p. 8). The

reversal of their policies are at a regional and global level (cf. `Ali al-Sharif, p.9). 

The leaders of the Jama`a emphasize their desire that Egyptian youth no longer be mislead

and propelled to commit crimes against their nation, and be engaged in destruction instead

of construction. The Jama`a leaders would like to see the youth protect the country and its 

institutions, and respect its laws (p. 9). On p. 10 a question is posed by one of the inmates

regarding the policy reversal: is the cessation of violence a temporary tactic or a new 

permanent strategy? Karam Zuhdi replies that a temporary tactical agreement is only 

permissible with "the Jews or the Serbs" (10), whereas an agreement with other Muslims 

must be permanent and binding. `Ali al-Sharif is then quoted adding: "all that is needed is 

that the brethren put their nerves (i.e. "hot heads") in a cooler and stay away from (religious) 

zeal and extremism, because the state has its own particularities that we should not interfere

with" (10). Abu Basir replies in utter disagreement with the leaders' words, and especially

takes issue with their acceptance of the Egyptian government as a legitimate Islamic regime 

(10ff). 

Abu Basir states that a regime whose constitution enshrines the right of the people to govern

themselves and the notion of equality of all people under the law cannot be considered 

Islamic. Abu Basir specifically refers to the ruler of Egypt (i.e. Husni Mubarak) as "falsely 

being described as a Muslim", p. 15). He refers to him as "taghut Misr" (the despot of 

Egypt). In section 2 of the article regarding the Jama`a's new position on jihad and

Mujahidin, Abu Basir continues (dissentingly) to quote snippets of the interviews with the 

group's imprisoned leadership. The main idea expressed in all the quotes is that the way jihad

was carried out in the past against the Egyptian regime as well as against other elements was

very damaging to Muslims, to Islam, and to the integrity of the nation. Instead of being a

positive tool for guidance, the leaders say, it became a means unto itself (p. 19). Particularly 

damaging, they state, was the event on Sept. 11, 2001 (19); there is and was no association

between their organization and al-Qa`ida and bin Ladin, or other jihadi groups who sought 

bin Ladin's financing (19). 

Abu Basir responds to the leaders' position on jihad by repeating the line that there are 

hundreds of texts in the Qur'an and the Sunna that indicate that jihad is sanctioned by Allah 

as a religious duty to his community of believers (21f). It is a means to an end, he says, and a

goal in itself. He counters the leaders' argument that carrying out jihad was damaging to

94
Muslims everywhere with the notion that jihad is life, it is good for the community even if it 

seems otherwise (p.24) So, what is the new jihad that the Jama`a purports to engage in, asks 

Abu Basir (p. 27). It is, he says by the leaders' own admission, the jihad of the Algerian

President Bouteflika (against abject poverty). 

Abu Basir derides the Jama`a's new declared enemy: poverty and underdevelopment (p. 35). 

In section 3 of the article, Abu Basir discusses the Jama`a's position on the role of "Hisba",

commanding the good and forbidding the evil, in light of government's role in regulating 

society (37ff). Abu Basir responds to a number of quotes from the Musawwar interviews, 

challenging the leaders' definition of "hisba", especially what he sees as a grave 

misconception on their part with regards to the responsibility of individuals to report crimes 

to the proper authorities. Abu Basir says encouraging people to be the eyes and ears of law 

enforcement units underscore the leaders' true intention which is to turn members of society 

into spies for the government (40). 

With their new "ill-fated initiative," posits Abu Basir, the leaders of the Jama`a, like the Jews, 

have ignored and distorted all that has been revealed by God (42). Section 4 (pp.44ff)

discusses the Jama`a's position vis-à-vis Christians and Copts. The source author takes issue 

with the fact that under the new initiative Christians and Copts are considered part and 

parcel of Egyptian society (44). This position, argues Abu Basir, renders the Jama`a 

apostates. Section 5 (pp.45ff) is devoted to debunking Hamdi `Abd al-Rahman's assertion 

that the interest of society (al-maslaha) must take precedence over scripture and tradition. 

And in response to the question, "what sets the Jama`a apart from al-Qa`ida," Hamdi `Abd

al-Rahman replies: "the realization that the interests of society do take precedence over 

scripture and tradition" (45). 

With this stance Abu Basir sees the Jama`a as beyond the pale of Orthodoxy and within the 

realm of the Mu`tazila. He singles out Hamdi `Abd al-Rahman for utmost contempt, calling 

him a liar and devil, and even questions the latter's title of "faqih" by repeating it and using 

the form "mutafaqqih" (or some creative diminutive form "mutafayqih", 48). Interests that 

are based on the faculty of reason are false (46). Section 6 (49ff) discusses apostasy and 

belief. Whereas leaders of the Jama`a (namely, Najih Ibrahim) shy away from declaring 

others apostates, Abu Basir responds harshly to this position (e.g. see 52). And based on the 

criterion of practicing "tawhid", he contests, the Egyptian government must be considered

infidel and thus the Jama`a's acceptance of the Egyptian government as Islamic because "it's

enough that the government supports Muslim institutions, holidays..." is false (54-55). In 

fact, he argues, one of the main reasons for the decline of the Jama`a is its unwillingness to 

declare the Egyptian government infidel, and without this critical dimension of principled 

conviction the Jama`a stripped itself of the ability to confront the government (55). 

On p. 56 Abu Basir turns to what he sees as the big lie that erodes religion and Muruwwa

(manliness or virtue), and that is the positive input Egypt has made in the Palestinian

problem. When Badri Makhluf, one of the Jama`a leaders, says Egypt has contributed greatly 

to closing (Arab) ranks behind it in order to confront the Jews who have rooted themselves 

in their midst, Abu Basir gives his harsh riposte centering it on Egypt's diplomatic relations 

with the Jewish state (pp.56-57) and with its current leader Sharon to whom he refers to as

"the shedder of blood" (al-saffah) (57). The most damaging aspect of the Jama`a's new 

position with regards to the Palestinians, says Abu Basir, is the Jama`a's call to their 

95
Palestinian brethren to cease all violence immediately for a period of a year while the 

Zionists Jews (sic.) continue to perpetrate slaughter amongst innocent people (p. 57, source 

author uses Form II "taqtil"). In section 8 Abu Basir attacks the Jama`a's use of the initiative 

as a litmus test in maintaining relationships with other groups (59). Section 9 rules out the 

element of coercion in the Jama`a's statement of policy reversal and adoption of the initiative 

(62-63). 

The final section before Abu Basir offers general comments and observations is section 10 

entitled "what was gained in exchange and [what is] the price?" (64-67). The last section of 

the article is a diatribe, full of derision and critique of the Jama`a for their initiative. Abu 

Basir's angry tirade centers on assuring the Jama`a that their new policy will never be 

embraced around the Muslim world because it is based on fallacies and fallacies are never

accepted (68). The Jama`a played into the hands of their enemies, the crusaders, the Zionist 

Jews (uses the derogatory term al-Sahayina), and the Zanadiqa (Manicheans) (69). Abu Basir 

dismisses all arguments the Jama`a posits as evidence for the veracity of their new policies; 

one way or another, he says, none of the evidence is valid (70-71). By adopting this "ill-fated

initiative", exclaims Abu Basir, al-Jama`a al-Islamiyya al-Misriyya has ceased to be an Islamic 

organization (pp. 71-72). 

Notes: 

`Abd al-Mun`im Mustafa Halimah, aka Abu Basir. He is one of the leading Saudi clerics to 

support the Salafi-jihadi trend of Tawhidi neo-Wahhabism. Like many of his colleagues that 

belong to a variety of Islamic trends in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world, he has his own web 

site, built and maintained by his followers – www.abubaseer.com (see 

http://www.intelligence.org.il/eng/g_j/rp_g_11_03.htm). From p. 7 Abu Basir cites

interviews with several different al-Jama`a al-Islamiyya leaders and only gives one general

reference on p. 5 in a footnote (magazine al-Musawwar, vols. 4054-4056). His language 

contains a lot of instances of the “Path” metaphor, relying heavily on phrases "al-sirat almustaqim", "jaddat al-haqq" with only two possible interaction with the path, being on it, or 

straying from it. Abu Basir uses classical rhetorical devices, like rhetorical questions (see p. 

28,35) and attempts to silence his opponents (and thus win the debate) with "either, or"

arguments commonly associated with the Socratic method. Abu Basir has a tendency to 

mismark quotation, starting a quote with parenthesis and ending with quotation mark. 

Source author is inconsistent in his references, at times he gives references in the body of the 

texts and other time he puts the information in a footnote (e.g. p. 33-34). It is difficult to 

decide how to enter the interview into the DB. I decided to enter chucks of Q&A according 

the topic discussed and the interviewee. The actual citation author is Makram Muhammad 

Ahmad, the interviewer. Under citation author I entered the interviewee's name, because it is

the latter's views that Abu Basir is interested in conveying to his readers. 

96
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

اسباب فشل بعض الحرآات الجهادية في عملية التغيير :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Asbab fashal ba`d al-harakat al-jihadiyya fi `amaliyat al-taghyir 

Title (Translated): The Reasons Behind the Failure of Some Jihadi Movements in the 

Process of Change 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2002 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Basir is answering those who disagree with the concept of challenging the authority of

infidel, criminal and agent regimes. He asserts that whenever the subject arises of replacing 

those regimes with Islamic rule, opposing views emerge asking not to repeat the same 

mistakes of some jihad groups in Egypt, Syria and Algeria which brought devastating

outcomes as a result of their attempts. In making his case, Abu Basir says at the outset that

those who refuse to challenge infidel regimes are opposing God, his Prophet and the Shari`a. 

He suggests 9 reasons for the failure of some jihad groups in their quest for regime change, 

such as not preparing, organizing or planning enough and rushing into confrontation;

expanding the scope of the battle beyond the capacity of the Mujahidin facing more wellresourced regimes; taking the easy road and haunting the marginal figures of the system and

not those few who actually run the system; the division between the leaders of the Islamic 

movement about the necessity of challenging those regimes; the fact that many Islamic 

groups stand on the side in this confrontation to stay safe and keep company with the 

potential winner; the support that some prominent religious figures provide for the regimes; 

the fact that many jihadi groups start the struggle by challenging regimes and end up calling

for democracy and patriotism; finally ignoring and not integrating people in this process 

while keeping the mission in the hands of a few elite among the Mujahidin. 

97
Notes: 

This article was published in June 25, 2002. No mention of place of publication. 

98
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

الإرهاب ؛ معناه وواقعه من منظور إسلامي :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Irhab(al-): ma`nahu wa waqi`ahu min mandhur islami 

Title (Translated): Terrorism: Its Meaning and Reality From an Islamic Viewpoint 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2001 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Washington Post

Newspaper, 7.7%

Oxford Dictionary, 7.7%

Ibn Kathir, 15.4%

Indyk, Martin, 15.4%

Jazira(al-), 15.4%

Ibn al-Mundhir alNaysaburi, Muhammad 

b. Ibrahim, 7.7%

Bahz b. Hakim, 7.7%

Ibn al-Athir, Majd al-Din,

7.7%

Ibn al-Jawzi, 7.7%

Mawrid(al-) Dictionary,

7.7%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

99
Author sets out to answer the following questions: what does the word terrorism mean; what 

are the reasons and factors behind it; who are the terrorists and how is terrorism practiced in 

our modern age; does it apply to states, or only to groups; does it have a legitimate and

positive side, or is it always repulsive and illegitimate? Author defines terrorism from 

dictionaries, historical Arabic references and Qur'an. From the definitions provided, he 

concludes there is a legitimate and appropriate form of terrorism—that which terrorizes the 

enemies of God, the unbelievers and tyrants—and a repulsive and unlawful form. Waging 

jihad and battling an enemy who occupies other countries is an acceptable form of terrorism. 

By the definitions provided, the author argues that states are the ones who terrorize other 

states, communities and people with their armies and weapons. He encourages resistance to 

occupation, especially in Muslim lands; says terrorism directed at women, children, and the 

elderly in general is reprehensible and unlawful. Examples of 1.5 million children killed in

Iraq (because of sanctions) as terrorism, and a list of Israel's crimes during the course of the 

occupation from 1947. Abu Basir criticizes the UN for not having a clear definition of 

terrorism and who the terrorists are that they are condemning; reiterates that states like the 

US and Israel are the biggest terrorists—using armed threats, killing women and children, 

etc. 

Author responds to those who say Islam encourages violence that it is a religion of kindness 

(rifq), and provides hadith, but Islam cannot tolerate hostility from the unbelievers and

polytheists, therefore violence or armed actions can be acceptable. Concludes discussion by 

focusing on US intents behind the war on terror—primarily that it is an excuse for the 

crusader raid on Muslims. 

Notes: 

Largely rhetorical piece where the author argues that the international community practices

or supports terrorism against Muslims, while legitimate terrorism, as the author terms it—

e.g. resistance against occupation—is used as an excuse to further organized state terrorism, 

led by the US and Israel. Author does not discuss specific tactical/operational issues in 

regard to killing of innocents or other Muslims. 

100
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

إرشاد ذوي البصائر من مجاهدي أهل الجزائر لما في هذه المرحلة من مخاطر :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Irshad dhawi al-basa'ir min mujahidi ahl al-jaza'ir lima fi hadhihi almarhala min makhatir 

Title (Translated): Guidance for Those with Insight Among the Algerian Mujahidin 

Regarding the Dangers of This Stage 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2001 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

`Abd Allah b. Ubayy

b. al-Salul, 16.7%

Jama`a(al-) alsalafiyya li'l-da`wa

wa'l-qital, 33.3%

Salim al-Hilali,

16.7%

`Umar b. alKhattab, 16.7%

`Ali b. Abi Talib,

16.7%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

101
Author lays out the sunna and hadith that incite Muslims to jihad. The act of jihad is the best 

act of worship one can undertake, on two conditions: sincerity and following a command. 

Without both, one's worship and jihad will not be accepted. He provides hadith on the 

gravity of killing other Muslims and emphasizes the error in this path, as it is like plunging 

one's sword into the heart of the people--the Muslims--and no doubt it nullifies one's jihad 

and its rewards. Fulfilling the Shari`a is the only legitimate intention before carrying out 

jihad. 

He divides the types of people in contemporary society into categories; those that are 

committed to waging war against Muslims and Islam should not be tolerated. One should

fight them, in a limited battlefield. On countries with compulsory military service he says 

one must differentiate between those that have mandatory service and those that have 

volunteer service. Compulsory service brings down everyone in the society. (He encourages 

those in compulsory military service to conceal their intentions and then ambush their units 

in a raid, to limit the battlefield with those that are volunteer units, and focus on fighting 

those tyrant regimes that are the most influential and most criminal, those that cause discord

within Islam. I assume he means that those forced into compulsory service are more likely to 

be willing to participate in an ambush on their own forces.) 

The mujahidin of Algeria ask Abu Basir, should we differentiate between committed

apostate regimes and those that are not dedicated [to destroying the umma and Islam], and

between the parts of the military that are compulsory and those that are on a volunteer

basis? Aren't they all apostates that should be fought in the end? Abu Basir responds that 

not everyone in the compulsory service of an army is a kafir, even if the government is an 

apostate one. He suggests that one should not kill indiscriminately. Furthermore, engaging in

long, drawn-out battles is of no benefit to the mujahidin. He is concerned that people will

misinterpret killings, who is killing who, and it may be harmful to the mujahidin, especially 

the appearance of them killing each other. 

The Prophet fought those against Islam, but it was never said that he fought any of his

companions. He argues there is a difference between fighting unbelievers in a mixed

environment, with Muslims and others living together—this type of action brought Muslims 

few benefits in the early centuries of Islam—and fighting the various fronts that represent 

the people of disbelief against the people of truth and belief. He again relates this to the 

soldier who has compulsory military service under his country and the hateful volunteer 

soldier who fights of his own accord. The author then cites hadtih in support of his 

argument that it is forbidden to kill women and children. In the event that the ruling 

authorities carry out a criminal act that affects the security of the citizens, he advises the 

mujahidin to issue and widely distribute a statement on it to discredit the authorities and 

distance the movement from their actions (point 8). 

There is no doubt that there is the need to develop and advance the media capabilities for 

the umma in general, and the mujahidin in particular. He encourages the various groups to 

explain the (legitimate) motives behind their actions to the people if they fear that they might 

be misunderstood (point 9). In such cases where the intent of mujahidin actions may be 

unclear or interpreted as harmful, he urges them (the GSPC, and also any group acting on

behalf of the umma and for jihad in the way of God) to issue a statement showing the 

102
benefit and purpose of their actions. He says it is unadvisable and against the fiqh to 

disregard the interest and importance of the people, and think that you know what is best for 

them whether or not they understand. And this advice is important so that the GSPC does

not live in isolation from the people, and to avoid negative repercussions from jihadist or 

da`wa acts. 

He relates the story of ibn `Abd Allah bin Abi, the "chief of hypocrisy", who the Prophet 

did not fight, because it would look like he was fighting one of his companions, so he 

banned him from entering the city until he retracted his insulting statement against the 

Prophet. He also advises them not to dismiss the scholars and preachers in Islam who bring 

balance to the religion. He advises anyone who undertakes jihad sincerely to consider why 

they want to fight before they take up arms. When an amir is captured or killed, jihadist 

groups fall apart, some into many fragments; then all aspects of the movement are 

weakened. 

Armed struggle does not necessarily have to triumph over intellectual and cultural activities 

for the mujahidin; the latter can be just as important. He asks them if they should only invite 

people to fighting (with reference to the name of their group). He advises that it is most 

effective not to carry out more than one or two operations in a given place and not have

more than one or two groups operating in any one place. He advises his brothers not to rush 

to martyrdom, because this benefits the oppressors. To target someone who is a kafir while 

killing Muslims who may live near him or be sitting by him causes more harm than good, 

and is forbidden by the Shari`a. Killing a kafir who fights against Islam does not justify the 

killing of an innocent Muslim. 

He declares that they should not blow up any coffeehouse, building, embassy or the like if 

there is a chance a Muslim might be in it. (He says in footnote that this ruling does not 

extend to the frontlines of battle.) One hears often about Muslims being killed 

unintentionally by the Mujahidin in Algeria and elsewhere, but one never hears about them

coming to pay blood-money to the families of those they killed. If any Muslim dies 

unintentionally at the hands of the mujahidin, and it can be demonstrated that he was a

Muslim, the killer must pay blood-money and repent. 

Abu Basir provides some basis for the payment of blood-money with hadith and encourages 

Muslims to follow the principles of Shura (consultative committee). The kufr of the Algerian

government represents the smaller offense (i.e. they are not actively against Islam in Abu

Basir's view). Provides some specific commentary on the struggle against the Algerian 

government; those who are merciful with tyrants are bloodsuckers, and that was one of the 

primary characteristics of the Khawarij. He advises them that if they cannot follow the best

of the mujahidin (who are guided by the shari`a)—and this is the weakest form of faith—

then at least do not betray them. This is followed by a discussion of some of the pitfalls that 

have plagued contemporary shaykhs in Algeria. 

Notes: 

The article is the text of a letter Abu Basir received from the Jama'ah al-salafiyya li-da'wa

wa'l-qital (GSPC), which is shared as an open letter for all Muslims. The mujahidin of GSPC 

send Abu Basir a letter asking for advice on matters of Shari`a and politics, and he responds 

103
to them, including the text of his letter in this article. There seem to be clear points of 

difference between the two on how to conduct jihad and the legitimacy of certain targets, 

though the letter remains generally cordial throughout (although he asks tough/somewhat

sarcastic rhetorical questions of them at times). This may reflect Muslim etiquette--that the 

author disagrees with GSPC's agenda but is at the same time a promoter of unity for Muslim

movements.

104
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

الجماعات الجهادية بين الاعتراف بالخطأ والتراجع عن الثوابت :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Jama`at(al-) al-jihadiyya: Bayn al-i`tiraf bi'l-khata' wa'l-taraju` `an althawabit 

Title (Translated): Jihadi Groups: Between Acknowledging Mistakes and Retracting 

Established Truths 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2002 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Basir starts by asserting that it is the right of every jihadi group to rectify mistakes, to

retract erroneous positions, to strengthen positive aspects and abandon negative ones (p. 1). 

Abu Basir is also careful to immediately qualify his assertion by exclaiming that: 

هذا الحق .. لا يبرر لها مطلقاً الاعتراف بشرعية الطواغيت الظالمين الخارجين على عقيدة وثوابت الأمة .. أو

الرآون إليهم .. أو الدخول في موالاتهم !

وأيما جماعة تفعل ذلك .. تخرج مباشرة عن وصفها آجماعة إسلامية تعمل من أجل الإسلام .. ومن أجل

قضاياه .. وإعلاء آلمته .(1-2 .pp(

It looks as though, at the time this short article or statement was issued, Abu Basir was trying 

to address the problem of decline in the popularity of groups engaged in jihad within the 

broader Muslim population (p. 2). For this reason Abu Basir differentiates between the duty 

of jihad and the people carrying out that duty, emphasizing that when mistakes are made in

the course of operations they are solely the responsibility of men and not the fault of what 

has been divinely sanctioned. The principles of jihad, he claims, stand as immutable truths 

(3). He exhorts those engaged in jihad to study the principles in order to carry out the duty 

correctly. He says for example that one person should not be held responsible for another

person's sins (4). Indiscriminate killing of women, children, the elderly and the like should be

105
avoided (p.5) Operations should be carried out with minimum or no collateral damage (5). 

Treaties and contracts between Muslims and others should be upheld, and thus those who 

enter Dar al-Islam under such agreements (e.g. tourists, workers, businessmen) should not 

be targeted. If an infidel utters the "Shahada" before being killed, he is no longer an infidel 

and no harm should come to him (6). A true "mujahid" carries out the duty of jihad for the 

sake of God and for His sake only, so that His word may reign supreme. With the utterance 

of the shahada that condition is thus fulfilled. 

Notes: 

There are no citations, only a handful of hadiths on the authority of the Prophet and

Qur'anic verses. This short article is a strange mixture of the typical rhetoric supporting jihad 

against "evil governments" and "despots" and a distancing from those who have carried 

terrorist operations that are clearly no longer popular with the target audience of the paper.

This is to be expected, since the date of this short statement is March 24, 2002; six months

after Sept. 11, 2001. 

106
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

لماذا المماطلة في تحديد معنى ومفهوم الارهاب :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Limadha al-mumatala fi tahdid mi`na wa mafhum al-irhab 

Title (Translated): Why Stall in Defining the Meaning and Concept of Terrorism? 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2001 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Basir argues that the slogan of combating terrorism was kept flexible on purpose 

despite the urgency to define the word terrorism in order to differentiate between right and

wrong. Abu Basir suggests that there are 5 reasons behind this stalling, which can be

classified in two points: 1) There is a fear that Muslims would profit from this definition of 

terrorism in a way that any act outside this terminology would become legitimate such as the 

Palestinian resistance and other freedom fighters around the world. 2) The fear that this new 

term might create legal troubles and might constrain many international oppressive states 

from practicing terrorism and interfering in the affairs of weaker states. Abu Basir concludes

that this call for ending the financial resources of terrorism is in reality a call to end financial

support for the poor people and the victims of international terrorism led by the United

States, saying that if this end of terrorism is a honest slogan they ought to stop the American

support for the Israeli occupation of Palestine through the taxes of the American people. 

Notes: 

This is an Op-Ed article, published on September 30, 2001, with no clear place of 

publication. 

107
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

نوع من الجهاد لا نريده :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Naw` min al-jihad la nuriduhu 

Title (Translated): The Type of Jihad We Do Not Want 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Basir writes that he does not want jihad including boredom, impatience, or being hasty 

in collecting the fruits of jihad before its time. He does not want jihad as an excuse to escape 

reality or a rush to battle without even minimal preparation. Abu Basir does not endorse any 

jihad run by the desires and interests of oppressive rulers regardless of their nature and

stances. He concludes by saying that he does not agree with jihad not having hopes and

aspirations beyond martyrdom or a jihad without a horizon to achieve its goals. 

Notes: 

No indication of a place or date of publication. It is an article reflecting the personal opinion 

of its author. 

108
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

شرعية جهاد الكندري والهاجري للامريكان :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Shar`iyyat jihad al-Kandari wa'l-Hajiri li'l-Amrikan 

Title (Translated): The Legitimacy of the Jihad of al-Kandari and al-Hajiri Against the 

Americans 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2002 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Basir asserts that the actions of al-Kandari and al-Hajiri were legitimate acts of jihad

against American soldiers occupying Kuwait, and a step in the right direction. The debate is 

over whether those non-Muslims are in the trust of Muslims, and thus is it permissible to 

attack them? He argues that non-Muslims who enter the land of Muslims requesting peace 

and security under the protection of the Sultan can stay for a defined period as long as they 

stay neutral and do not cooperate with the enemy in waging war against Muslims, or else the 

trust is broken and fighting them becomes legitimate. Abu Basir says that the American army 

is occupying Kuwait and other neighboring Gulf countries through large military bases and 

America is clearly leading those who are fighting Muslims under the pretext of combating 

terrorism, and thus the United States is not only cooperating with the enemy because it is the 

enemy itself who is pursuing his interest by threatening the interests of Muslims and

committing atrocities against them. He also adds that in this case, the American troops are 

protecting the Kuwaiti Sultan and not the other way around as if it is a state within a state 

where Americans have the final say. 

Notes: 

It is a Q&A style publication, with Abu Basir answering a question about how legitimate the 

attack of al-Kandari and al-Hajiri was against American soldiers in Kuwait, since they came 

109
in trust and security. It was published in October 2002 with no mention of a place of

publication. 

110
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

شبهة ترك الجهاد بحجة عدم وجود الراية الواضحة :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Shubhat tark al-jihad bi-hujjat `adam wujud al-raya al-wadiha 

Title (Translated): The Error of Excusing Oneself From Jihad by Stating There is No 

Banner [of the Imam] 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Ibn `Atiyya (1) 

Qurtubi(al-) (1) 

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

The article is in a question and answer format where Abu Basir answers a specific question 

about whether it is legitimate to prevent fighting the occupier of Muslim lands in the event 

that there is no Islamic banner (of an Imam) to fight under. Abu Basir is also asked about 

how to respond to this error according to Islamic law. 

Abu Basir says that the jihad, as the act of forcing the enemy out of the land of Muslims, 

should be carried out even by one individual, whether there is an Imam leading the jihad or 

not. He adds that if there is an Islamic banner that is ideal, otherwise every person or group 

can have their own banner as long as they overtly or discreetly declare their intentions to do 

so. Abu Basir argues that this is a legitimate jihad, regardless if there is a banner or not, and

the one who dies in it is a martyr trying to defend his home and family. 

Notes: 

There is no mention of any place or date of publication. 

111
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

شبهة ؛ حلف الفضول وجواز محالفة الأحزاب العلمانية :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Shubhat hilf al-fudul wa jawaz muhalafat al-ahzab al-`almaniyya 

Title (Translated): The Entanglement of al-Fudul Alliance and the Validity of Allying with 

Secular Parties 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors 

`Ubada b. alSamit, 25.0%Ibn Kathir, 25.0%

Sayyid Qutb, 

25.0%

`Abd Allah b.

Ubayy b. Salul,

25.0%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

Some Islamic groups cite the hadith of al-Fudul Alliance as an authorization to form 

alliances with secular parties. Abu Basir bluntly states that it is not admissible to cite the

112
hadith for that purpose or to hold al-Fudul Alliance as a model for such alliances. Abu Basir 

then details the following four supporting reasons for his answer. 

1) Those who attended to al-Fudul Alliance were polytheists while those attending to secular

parties in our countries are apostate atheists, and what’s allowed to be carried out with

original polytheists is not allowed with apostate atheists. 

2) Al-Fudul Alliance had an honorable base in Shari`a, since its principle was to advocate for 

the oppressed against the oppressor, while alliances between some of today’s Islamic groups 

and secular parties are based upon non-Shari`a purposes that defy the teachings of Islam. 

3) Muslims should be the stronger party in an alliance so they can reap its benefits and 

safeguard against any betrayals. In the cases of alliances with secular parties, Muslims are the 

weaker side that, most likely, is no more than just a ride that others get on to reach their 

goals. 

4) By most thought-after opinions, the very principle of allying with atheists is rejected and 

should not be considered except for an absolute necessity that calls for extraordinary 

measures. Contemporary Islamic groups get into alliances with secular parties for no 

necessary reasons, and very often their goals and benefits are in defiance to Shari`a, like 

winning elections for polytheistic parliaments. 

In conclusion, the article raises the question of alliances between Muslims and non-Muslims. 

Abu Basir strongly stands against such alliances. 

Notes: 

There is no indication of when the article was published. 

113
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

التربية أولاً أم الجهاد :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Tarbiyya(al-) awwalan am al-jihad 

Title (Translated): Education or Jihad First? 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Basir asserts that there is no contradiction between jihad and education since educating 

oneself is an ongoing process which is not in conflict with fulfilling the obligations of jihad. 

He adds that a strong Muslim is the one who keeps on being fair to each and every aspect of 

his life despite his engagement in jihad. Abu Basir criticizes the sheikhs who raise the slogans 

of education as a priority or as an obstacle to jihad, arguing that those do not understand the 

core of Islam and have a defeated spirit of running from duties. 

Notes: 

It is a question and answer style publication, answering a question about the priority of jihad 

or education, and whether they are contradictory or not. 

114
Author: Abu Basir al-Tartusi 

هؤلاء أخافهم على الجهاد والمجاهدين :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Ha'ula' akhafuhum `ala al-jihad wa'l-mujahidin 

Title (Translated): What I Fear About Jihad and the Mujahidin 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2004 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 2

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 5

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 8

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

In this article, the author raises concerns about the jihad movement and the mujahidin. He 

addresses the fear that there exist groups of people with certain characteristics—that the 

article details in fourteen points—who claim to serve the cause of jihad and to be supporters 

of mujahidin, while they indeed harm jihad and endanger mujahidin. Since the author believe

that such groups are not easily identified, he attempts to identify them so their dangers can 

be avoided. The author describes them as: Those of bad manners who tend to be obnoxious 

and loud; they take up over-enthusiasm as a means of justifying their disrespectful behavior 

towards scholars and whoever dares to challenge them. They always support overly-strict or

unnecessarily-violent concepts with no regard to the Shari`a, and they terrorize whoever 

disagrees with them and accuse them of being anti-jihad. They are unorganized, 

undisciplined and have no leader to follow but their own whims. 

The author then details some of the perceived dangers of these groups and individuals, such

as: By their out-of-control, obnoxious behavior they create an enormous psychological 

pressure on mujahidin leaders that might negatively affect their decisions and positions, 

bringing harmful consequences to the jihad movement. This behavior also creates an 

environment of intellectual terrorism, preventing some scholars and religious intellectuals

from educating and providing guidance during these times when the Muslim nation needs 

them the most. They give the jihad movement negative publicity and a dark image that scares

supporters and potential mujahidin away, hence permitting the tyrannical rulers to extend

115
their power and maintain their regimes. Such groups provide a fertile breeding ground for 

spies and enemy agents to infiltrate jihad groups. 

Finally, the author advises their mujahidin brothers to be aware of such groups and not give

in to their ways. 

Notes: 

Abu Basir signs the text with his full name, Abd al-Mun`im Mustafa Halima. It is dated 

(1425/9/14) Islamic calendar. 

116
Author: Abu Jihad Tal`at 

حرب الاغتيالات: دراسة في أساليب الاغتيالات التي نفذتها المخابرات الصهيونية ضد :(Arabic (Title

المناضلين الفلسطينيين والعبر المستخلصة منها

Title (Transliterated): Harb al-ightiyalat: dirasa fi asalib al-ightiyalat allati nafadhatha almukhabarat al-sahyuniyya dud al-munadilin al-filistiniyin wa'l-`abr al-mustakhlasa minha 

Title (Translated): The War of Assassinations: A Study in the Styles of Assassinations

Used by the Zionist Intelligence Services 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 1995? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Khalil alWazir, 33.3%

Muhammad

Hasanayn

Haykal, 33.3%

Meir, Golda,

33.3%

People Who Cite the Author: 

None 

Issues Discussed: 

The core argument of this study is that the Israeli Intelligence executed its assassinations 

against key Palestinian figures by exploiting some of their points of weakness on the 

personal, organizational and security levels. Abu Jihad Tal`at paves the way for his argument

by saying that the assassination track of the Israeli Mossad was never seriously analyzed in 

order to explore ways to resist or prevent it. Tal`at asserts that the factor of surprise in the 

assassination is not subject to any standard rule since the killer undergoes the task in a 

secretive way to avoid being caught or discovered. The author admits that the cycle of 

alliance and enmity has been changing along the time frame of the study, and points out the 

wide geographical scope of assassinations all around the world. 

117
The case studies analyze the different social, intellectual, and political background of the 

Palestinian figures assassinated in order to find common behaviors among them to see what 

best can be done to avoid the factor of surprise in future assassination. Tal`at asks two main

questions: What is the personal factor of the target that allowed this assassination to succeed

and how the Mossad was able to be close enough to make the assassination. 

Tal`at starts with a general description of the concept of assassination in Israeli history,

before suggesting that the Israeli intelligence give more attention and credit to the cultural 

and intellectual level of this struggle than most of the Palestinians do. Abu Jihad suggests 

some principles for "revolutionary action" by which there should be complete separation

between secretive, private and public action, criticizing the openness of Palestinian factions 

in that regard, and suggesting that their meetings should be held in changing places and they 

should avoid banking transactions. They also should not have predictable routines and they 

should make necessary security measures in all aspects of their activity to prevent any 

technical and human intrusion by the Israeli Intelligence. Later, the author moves to a profile

about the Mossad as the executive office of intelligence and security linked to the Israeli 

Prime Minister with a goal to spy, recruit agents, gather and analyze information, and execute 

assassinations. He elaborates on that note, highlighting 11 ways used by the Mossad to

execute their assassinations. 

In the conclusion, Tal`at criticizes five aspects of Palestinian activism: the organizational, 

security, intellectual, politics and finance, and argues that those deficiencies should be 

corrected without explaining how. He asserts that Arafat withdrew himself from this struggle 

by making many compromises and arresting many among the Palestinian ranks. He closes

the study with an interesting comment blaming those series of assassinations on a systematic 

crises within the Palestinian factions asking again for a change at the heart of this behavior. 

Notes: 

This is a security-oriented study analyzing and drawing lessons from the styles of 

assassinations executed by the Israeli Intelligence against key Palestinian figures. It covers a 

time frame of 44 years of assassinations, between the 1950s and 1994. The author dedicates 

the study to Hani `Abid, who was assassinated on November 2, 1994. Tal`at says he wrote 

his text as a reaction to this event, so most likely it was written in 1995. The paper can be 

mostly put in the context of the Arab-Israeli conflict rather than the war on terror, and has a 

scientific approach of argument and case study, but is not overly convincing since the author 

did not suggest any relevant alternative or vision for the change he seeks. 

118
Author: Abu Qatada al-Filistini 

الحرآات الإسلامية والتحالفات المعاصرة :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Harakat(al-) al-islamiyya wa'l-tahalufat al-mu`asira 

Title (Translated): Islamic Movements and Contemporary Alliances 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Yusuf al-Qaradawi (1) 

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 6

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad

A - 4

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 2

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

In this article, Abu Qatada al-Filistini claims that one of the most dangerous developments

to impact the modern Islamic movement is their involvement in alliances with modern nonIslamic powers. That catastrophe as he describes it has started with the introduction of 

nationalistic thought that occurred with the latest crusade into Islamic societies. 

That wave of deviation took two forms or faces, he explains; one was the support of Islamic 

leaders and scholars to the nationalistic cause, or “The Great Arab Revolution,” opposing

the Ottoman Empire and subsequently playing to the hands of the imperialistic powers of 

that time, most notably Great Britain. The second is the disguise under serving the Islamic

cause which fooled a lot of Islamic leaders and scholars into alliances with regimes that use 

Islam only as means of securing their existence while their loyalty is aimed westward. 

Advocates still come out with different names and claims to justify those alliances on an 

ongoing basis. 

In bullet points, the author mentions some examples of those alliances, like that between the 

Muslim Brotherhood and Nasser in Egypt on one side and the secular nationalistic powers

in Syria on another; alliance between the Islamic leaders and the Saudi regime; alliance of 

virtually all the Islamic groups in Yemen with its regime; alliance of many Islamic groups 

with Saddam Hussein; the entrance of many Islamic groups in formation of executive and 

legislative authorities in more than one country. 

119
What are the causes and the roots of those tendencies by Islamic leaders and scholars to act 

in such a manner? A hypothetical question that Abu Qatada al-Filistini answers by stating

that those leaders and groups lack deep understanding of the religion and they also lack deep

understanding of reality. 

Notes: 

By clicking on the hifz al-mada (save the document) button on the web page, I got a 

different article saved on my disk. I had to copy the article and paste it into an MS Word 

document. The article is not dated. 

120
Author: Abu Qatada al-Filistini 

ماذا الجهاد :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Limadha al-jihad? 

Title (Translated): Why Pursue Jihad? 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Taymiyya, 20.0%

Shinqiti(al-), 8.6%

`Iyad, al-Qadi, 5.7%

Ahmad Shakir, 5.7%

Al al-Shaykh, Muhammad b.

Ibrahim, 5.7%

Tabari(al-), 2.9%

Ru`ayni(al-), Abu Yusuf b. Ubayy b. Ka`b, 2.9%

`Abd Allah, 2.9%

Qurtubi(al-), 2.9%

Ishaq b. Mansur, 2.9%

Ibn Khuzayma, 2.9%

Ibn Kathir, 2.9%

Ibn Humayd, `Abd Allah b.

Muhammad, 2.9%

Ibn Hazm, 2.9%

Ibn al-Tin, 2.9%

Ibn al-Jaw zi, 2.9%

`Ubada b. al-Samit, 2.9%

Ajari(al-), 2.9%

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd al-Latif,

2.9%

`Abd Allah b. Ahmad, 2.9%

Other, 11.4%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 6

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad

A - 4

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 2

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

121
Allah gave humankind a crucial responsibility: to venerate him solely. Allah sent prophets to

remind and warn people about their duty. Muhammad, the last prophet, was sent to all 

mankind in order to accomplish 2 missions: have the believers venerate only one God and 

fulfill Allah’s revelation. For this purpose, Allah provided the Prophet with two means: a 

book (the Qur’an) that leads people to the right way, and a sword that brings the recalcitrant 

to the right path. Therefore, there were two kinds of good believers fighting for God’s will:

religious scholars and warrior-jihadists. The author considers himself as part of a third 

category that combines aptitudes and qualities of both scholars and warriors. Its main

responsibility is to show the path to Muslims and fight for Allah’s will until the resurrection. 

The author goes on to explain the context of emergency of this third category and concludes 

that Islamic societies are ruled by insincere Muslims, unbelievers and apostates. The third

category follows two ways in its action: peacefully guide the believers to the true religious 

path and pursue jihad against apostates rulers—those who built collaborative relationships 

with Jews, Christians, communists, socialists, or are committed to political institutions such 

as the UN, the Arab League, and embrace non-Muslim values such as democracy, socialism,

and secularism; all deserve death. 

The author then discusses what religious scholars have to say about political rulers who 

changed the Shari`a, and condemns courts that apply foreign laws in Islamic countries and 

that contradict Islamic laws. Given the fact that Islamic countries are ruled by apostate 

governments, these have to be removed. Since only a true believer can rule Muslims, it is

therefore mandatory for Muslims to disobey their atheistic rulers. Moreover, it is forbidden

for Muslims to serve in rulers’ institutions such as secret services, the army or the police 

force. Whoever does so will pay a hefty price. The second obligation of a Muslim is to 

combat the unbelieving ruler (as an apostate, he does not even deserve to be buried). Among 

the institutions that are spreading non-Islamic values (and therefore need to be combated) 

are the ministries of Information, Justice, Education and financial institutions. 

The author concludes stating that jihad is the only way for Muslims to recover glory and

respect. By doing so, jihadists accomplish their duty to Allah. 

122
Author: Abu Qatada al-Filistini 

معالم الطائفة المنصورة في عقر دار المؤمنين (بلاد الشام) :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Ma`alim al-ta'ifa al-mansura fi `aqr dar al-mu'minin (bilad al-sham) 

Title (Translated): Characteristics of the Victorious Sect in the Muslim's Home Land 

(Greater Syria) 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Hajar, 7.7%

Ibn Kathir, 3.8%

Qurtubi(al-), 3.8%

Mawardi(al-), 3.8%

Shawkani(al-),

3.8%

Ibn Hazm, 3.8%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJawziyya, 3.8%

Ahmad b. Hanbal,

3.8%

Sadiq Hasan Khan

al-Qanuji, 3.8%

Baghawi(al-), 3.8%

`Iyad, al-Qadi,

7.7%

`Ali b. Abi Talib,

15.4%

Ibn Taymiyya,

26.9%

Ibn Qudama, 7.7%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 6

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad

A - 4

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 2

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

123
The author begins with a preamble on Muslims living in a period of estrangement from their 

true faith. In these times, they are distanced from the people of truth (the salaf). He leads

into a discussion of fulfilling the compact, for those who fight in the way of God, is 

paradise, and the fighting sect is the victorious sect. He continues: all kuffar are kuffar, 

regardless of how they demonstrate their disbelief, and should be fought with the same rigor, 

those who say otherwise are innovators. Uses hadith to support the concept that jihad is the 

essence and identity of the Muslim, and he should fight until there is no ruler but the ruler 

who governs for the sake of Islam. Continues on to discuss fighting under the condition that 

there is no Imam (or caliphate); which he finds lawful, and fighting in Muslim countries 

under 'apostate' governments. A Muslim should fight, he argues, even if it is just he himself 

fighting against an apostate government, as it is obligatory upon him. Author describes 

parliamentary/secular Muslim countries as disbelievers and apostates, upon which it is Fard 

Ain (an individual obligation) for Muslims to expel them by force. 

Notes: 

The section on fighting without an Imam, or not under "ra'yat al-Imam" (the banner of an 

Imam), is particularly important in its implication: that it becomes the individual Muslim's 

duty to expel by force secular governments, even if they are Muslim in name, with the means

available to the individual. 

124
Author: Abu `Umar al-Sayf 

أخلاق المجاهد :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Akhlaq al-mujahid 

Title (Translated): The Noble Character of the Mujahid 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Abu Bakr, 16.7%

Ibn Mas`ud,

16.7%

Aslam Abu `Imran, 

16.7%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 16.7%

Khalid b. al-Walid,

33.3%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah `Azzam

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 2

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 1

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

Author uses extensive quotations from Qur'an and Hadith to discuss the following: the goal

of jihad is to make God's word the highest and [institute] his law; jihad is obligatory; the best

jihad is speaking truth to a tyrannical ruler; there are levels of heaven awaiting mujahidin; 

jihad is the pinnacle of Islam; forsaking jihad is a characteristic of hypocrisy; on those that sit 

125
by and avoid the duty of jihad; the necessity of unity among mujahidin; the reasons for the 

Mujahidin's victory and their characteristics; the good in being injured in the way of God; the 

benefits of martyrdom and martyrdom operations; that the martyr is not tormented in his 

grave and the reasons for this, on the souls of mujahidin in paradise, etc; the hopes and

requests of the shahid; that whoever dies in the way of God is a martyr; the obligation of 

loyalty to the amir; the benefit of numbers (manpower) and capability to attack; jihad is one 

of the doors to paradise; bravery and trustworthiness in battle, and avoiding selfishness and

cowardice; on equipping a raiding party or leaving others to carry out a raid; greater respect 

for the women of Mujahidin; the benefit in killing a kafir in battle; on the spoils of war and 

the wealth of the umma; and assassinating hostile disbelievers. 

Notes: 

This text is almost entirely comprised of Qur'an and hadith quotes. There is very little 

argument involved, but instead, it seems to serve as a primer supporting the basis of jihad 

and the benefits for those who undertake it. Some of the ahadith are not strongly in support 

of violent jihad, such as, "al-mujahid man jahidu nasfahu". There are also explanatory notes

following some of the ahadith defining the less frequently used terms in them. That may be a 

result of the author being a Chechen commander and writing for Chechen—non-native 

Arabic speaking—mujahidin. 

126
Author: Abu `Umar al-Sayf 

حال الامة الاسلامية والارهاب المفقود :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Hal al-umma al-islamiyya wa'l-irhab al-mafqud 

Title (Translated): The State of the Islamic Nation and the Absent Terror 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah `Azzam

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 2

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 1

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

Abu `Umar al-Sayf starts the article on a note that the Islamic Nation is currently passing 

through one of the most difficult periods in its history, where its enemies are attacking from 

all sides in the context of an ongoing crusade aimed at fighting Islam as a religion, occupying 

Islamic lands and exploiting its resources. Abu `Umar argues that occupying oneself with the 

details of everyday life is akin to leaving the duty of jihad and refusing to fight; he links the 

guilt of the state of the Islamic Nation today to the spread of sins among Muslims. 

The author notes that the crusaders started their campaign towards the Islamic world 500 

years after the inception of Islam, but failed to retain control due to the Mujahidin, however

the crusaders meddled again two centuries ago under the cover of colonialism to avoid any 

eruption of Islamic feelings or the spirit of jihad. Through this cover, Abu `Umar argues, the 

colonialists were capable of removing Islam from power and society, giving Palestine to the 

Jews, drawing the borders of the region and establishing friendly regimes to protect those 

laws that substituted the Shari`a. Abu `Umar adds that those regimes were instructed to 

prevent Islamists from returning to power. However, he elaborates that those regimes failed 

to prevent the rise of a new Islamic awareness with the Mujahidin, which pushed the 

crusaders to declare a new campaign on Islam and Muslims under the banner of combating

terrorism. Abu `Umar asserts that this campaign was to terrorize the Islamic Nation and 

push it away from the jihad. He points out that this terminology revolving around terrorism 

is not randomly selected but it is purposely chosen by Western states so those words can 

have a magic touch influencing the public opinion in order to achieve the political and

military aims of their strategies and interests. 

127
Abu `Umar states that Muslims never committed massive massacres in their historical

campaigns by killing children, women and elders, unlike what he describes as the real crimes 

against Muslims in Palestine, Chechnya, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. Abu `Umar criticizes 

what he calls " unjust American rule" saying that those who don’t stand with us are against 

us, which force the political regimes in the Islamic world to provide assistance and facilities 

to crusaders in their campaigns. Abu `Umar argues that an American victory in Afghanistan

does not represent a danger to this country only, but that this danger extends to other

countries since the Americans might feel the greed to seek more victories throughout the 

Islamic world. He asks Muslims to stand with each other in this crisis or else God will let 

them down and he calls upon Muslims to cover the expenses of jihad without expecting an 

immediate outcome as the confrontation may last for many years. 

Notes: 

The article was published in February 2003, the period between the war on Afghanistan and 

the war on Iraq. There is no mention as to place of publication. Although the author belongs 

to the mainstream of Islamist writers, he seems to have a more pragmatic approach as 

compared to others. 

128
Author: Abu al-Fadl al-`Iraqi 

التوحيد والجهاد :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Tawhid(al-) wa'l-jihad 

Title (Translated): Monotheism and Jihad 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Ibn Taymiyya (1) 

People Who Cite the Author: 

None 

Issues Discussed: 

This piece is in essence a conversation between Abu al-Fadl al-`Iraqi and another individual 

regarding the priority of jihad. This person debates Abu al-Fadl on how this new Islamic 

awareness focuses on jihad and neglects political, economic, and social aspects of Islam. The 

author argues that the Salafi current is a positive influence for Islam and has returned some 

of the lost glory to the Islamic nation. 

Abu al-Fadl asserts that the failure of Islamic parties to make any practical change on the 

ground by gaining power has led to a defeated ideology flirting with oppressive 

governments, giving some religious legitimacy to them in return for the right of public 

political action for those parties or a bigger share of seats in the parliament. The author says

that the Salafi groups came out to rectify the process and create a banner of Sunni-Salafi 

jihad, which brought great terror and fear plus tight security measures. Thus he draws a clear 

line between this Salafi movement and other misleading Islamic groups who try to fit Islam

in their political reality. Abu al-Fadl adds that every Muslim is delegated to fight till the

religion of God is spread the world over. The author asserts that the Salafi concept is built 

on a comprehensive view of religious proofs, adding that the sword is a sign of mercy 

bringing right and good. He concludes by saying that the goal of establishing a proud and

capable Islamic state can never be achieved without Jihad since the nature of this religion is 

about an old struggle between right and wrong. 

Notes: 

This is a purely editorial piece, wherein the author engages in a debate with another

individual who appears to be a prominent member of an Islamic party in the Arab world. 

Abu al-Fadl al-`Iraqi dedicates most of the article to contradicting and berating the opponent 

of his debate, while failing to provide much in the way of convincing argument. 

129
Author: Abu Jandal al-Azdi 

الباحث عن حكم قتل أفراد وضباط المباحث :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Bahith(al-) `an hukm qatl afrad wa dubbat al-mabahith 

Title (Translated): The Scholar's Ruling on the Killing of Soldiers and Secret Police 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2002 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Taymiyya, 24.6%

Abu Qatada al-Filistini,

9.2%

Abu Basir al-Tartusi,

7.7%

Ibn Qudama, 4.6%

Ibn Hajar, 3.1%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 3.1%

`Abd al-`Aziz b. Salih

al-Jarbu`, 3.1% Ibn `Abidin, 3.1%

Shafi`i(al-), 1.5%

Ibn al-Talla`,

Muhammad b. Faraj,

1.5%

Ibn al-Murtada, 

Ahmad b. Yahya, 

1.5%

Ibn `Abd al-Zahir,

Muhyi al-Din, 1.5%

Ibn Qutayba, `Abd 

Allah b. Muslim, 1.5%

Ghazali(al-), 1.5%

Harakat al-Islamiyya li'lIslah, 1.5%

Kasani(al-), 3.1%

Maqdisi(al-), Abu 

Muhammad, 6.2%

Abu al-Layth alSamarqandi, Nasr b.

Muhammad, 1.5%

Abu Mus`ab al-Suri,

1.5%

Ibn Juzayy, 1.5%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 1

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 2

Issues Discussed: 

130
In this article the author justifies the killing of Muslim soldiers and security officers (secret

police). He does this by citing Qur'an, sira and tafsir, and to a lesser extent hadith, 

contemporary sources (for example Sayyid Qutb), poetry, and what he calls the "consensus 

of the people of knowledge (`ilm)." One gets some insight into his methodology on pp.12-

13, where he states that the Salafiyya (to which the author belongs) is both `ilmi and `amali 

(scientific and practical); a mujahid must be able to distinguish the practical (real) intent of 

the Qur'an and not be distracted by the abstract (see conclusion), nor bound by blind 

adherence to the misguided (taqlid). 

This approach leads him to conclude that although (presumably Saudi) soldiers and security 

officer profess to be Muslims, their service to the tyrannical state, as well as their actions 

against the mujahidun, is an affront to God and His Shari`a. They have been tainted; they are 

no longer Muslims. They are murtaddun (apostates), and apostasy (ridda) is a major 

violation of Islamic law, punishable by death. The majority of Muslims agree on what 

constitutes apostasy, and what punishment is appropriate for apostates. Citing the Qur'an, 

he argues that killing apostates is more righteous than killing unbelievers (kuffar) and 

Christians (and implicitly Jews as well). 

The mujahidin should not conceal themselves, they should rise up, as the Muslims did 

during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr, and fight and kill the apostates among them. This article 

is very rhetorical in its scope and language, it is meant to stir the reader to action by 

providing authoritative (according to the author) evidence in support of his thesis. He 

concludes the slain of the soldiers and security officers abide in hell fire, while the slain of 

the mujahidin die as martyrs. 

Notes: 

Abu Jandal al-Azdi is a salafi mujahid based in Saudi Arabia. He was in the circle of Shaykh

Yusuf al-`Uyayri. He was arrested by Saudi security forces on the 5th of August, 2003. 

131
Author: Abu Jandal al-Azdi 

برامج ما نريكم إلا ما يرى آل سعود وما يهديكم آل سعود إلا سبيل الرشاد :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Baramij ma nurikum illa ma yara al-Su`ud wa ma yuhdikum alSu`ud illa sabil al-rashad

Title (Translated): The [Saudi] Plan: "We only show you what the Saud family sees and 

the Saud family guides you only to the right path" 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Sayyid Qutb (1)

People Who Cite the Author: 

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 1

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 2

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Jandal al-Azdi is highly critical of the Saudi royal family and of the ban on the Salafijihadi movement from the public political space and from media outlets. Throughout the 

text, he compares the behavior of the Saudi family against the Mujahidin to the Pharaoh’s 

treatment of Moses. Abu Jandal accuses the Saudi royal family of recruiting intellectuals and 

religious leaders to promote ideas and slogans to distort the image of the Salafi movement.

He asserts that they control most media outlets and restrict fair and public debate with 

others about critical issues and questions since they cannot back up their arguments. 

Azdi argues that the rule of the Saudi royal family is in contradiction with the Shari`a and the 

word of God, in addition to the fact that this regime is serving and defending the interests of 

Christians and Jews. He adds that anyone who challenges the mainstream policy of this

ruling family is banned, threatened, tortured and imprisoned since they cannot make a 

convincing case on scientific basis. Abu Jandal notes that there is a major disunity among 

this public and intellectual circle of the Saudi regime, saying that if they consider this Salafi 

movement to be limited, why then do they not allow it to interact freely with the public? 

Abu Jandal asserts that the Saudi royal family presents itself as the perfect symbol of 

security, prosperity and religion in a mission to squash the Mujahidin, the enemies of the 

nation and religion. 

Notes: 

132
This piece was published in November 2003 and the author kept the place of publication 

ambiguous intentionally, saying it is somewhere in a valley of the Arabian Island. 

133
Author: Ansar Magazine 

االعراق من الاحتلال إلى التحرير واقع الأزمة وآفاق الحل :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Iraq(al-) min al-ihtilal ila al-tahrir: waqi` al-azma wa afaq al-hal 

Title (Translated): Iraq from Occupation to Liberation: The Reality of the Crisis and the 

Horizons of the Solution 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Majallat al-ansar 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

The author analogizes the war against Iraq to a crusaders’ attack and depicts the military 

presence in Iraq as a knife in the heart of what used to be the capital of the universe. He 

then states that the responsibility for this sin is shared by Islamic governments, Islamic 

movements and Muslim populations. The author holds Arab secular regimes responsible for

not preventing the occupation, and accuses them of helping the crusaders accomplish their 

goal. If both nationalist and Islamic movements condemned the occupation, they had no 

effect on the events; therefore, some of the questions asked during the Gulf war remain: Do 

we have to resort to jihad to confront the crusaders’ occupation? Do we have the means to 

do it? 

The position of the Iraqi population reflects the deep crisis in the Islamic world where 

people rely on foreign enemies to overturn tyrannical rulers instead of doing it themselves 

through an effective jihadi action. In his conclusion, the author considers the occupation of 

Iraq as a necessary lesson that will pave the path for a project aiming to liberate the Islamic 

nation. 

Notes: 

The book of al-Ansar to confront the crusade’s war. An exhaustive study published quarterly 

by al-Ansar Review, vol. 3, June 2003. The author of the introduction is unknown. 

134
Author: Ansari(al-), Sayf al-Din 

الاحتلال والتحرير قراءة في المفاهيم :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Ihtilal(al-) wa'l-tahrir qira'at fi al-mafahim 

Title (Translated): Occupation and Liberation: A Reading of the Concepts Involved 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Majallat al-Ansar 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Sayyid Qutb,

12.5%

Qutb, Muhammad,

12.5%

Markaz al-Dirasat 

w a'l-Buhuth alIslamiyya, 25.0%

Ibn Taymiyya,

12.5%

`Abd al-Qadir b. 

`Abd al-`Aziz,

12.5%

Hazm al-Madani,

12.5%

Khalil, Faw zi,

12.5%

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

The author explains how, despite the opposition of international democratic institutions, the 

war against Iraq occurred because a powerful country—the U.S.—wanted to launch the 

attack. Therefore, when a powerful country wants to serve its sole interests, international 

institutions are implicitly required if not to justify and support the iniquitous action, at least, 

to avoid opposing the project. These values and institutions are, in fact, means for tyrannical 

regimes to legitimize their colonialist mission and seize other’s wealth. Accomplishing this

becomes so easy nowadays when mass media is exploited to craft public opinion (by 

weakening its psychological and intellectual resistance) and facilitate the actual occupation of 

the land. 

135
The author shows how in mass media the crusader’s war is called liberation, the occupation

rebuilding, the jihad terrorism and the attachment to Islam extremism. Concepts and

representations are falsified and brains are washed creating an emptiness that will be fulfilled 

by the occupation. 

The tragic occupation of Iraq should become the starting point for an intellectual effort to

clarify concepts and build a strong Islamic identity. Muslims need to evaluate their crucial 

causes through an Islamic active thinking that will transcend theoretical spheres. Rather than 

considering events as an object of news report, Muslim intellectuals should consider them as

life changing. The intellectual effort will accomplish its role of generating action by using the 

basis of Sunni thinking. The author aims to reach the purpose of transforming thought into 

action by 1) answering the question about why the occupation of Iraq happened 2) 

examining the notion of occupation and 3) explaining how jihad will lead to the liberation. 

According to the author, the occupation occurred for 3 reasons: 1) Most Islamic movements

(except for the jihadists) aligned themselves with the official position of their governments.

Their protestations against the occupation of Iraq were limited and did not have any impact 

on the government. Furthermore, Islamic movements, instead of calling for jihad, wasted 

time and energy by asking their treacherous governments to free the way for the jihad. 

2) Is the jihad licit against a Ba`athist regime? This regime was acting towards Iraqis as a 

force of occupation. Iraqis did not demonstrate resistance to foreign occupation, as their

goal was to see the regime eliminated; resisting would have meant keeping Saddam and its 

clique. Leading the jihad against the Ba`athist regime is licit since its main purpose is to free 

a Muslim country from a crusader occupier. 

The implication of Arab tyrannical regimes helped Americans to reach their goals of 

occupying Iraq. If Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan hadn’t helped at the 

military level, the occupation of Iraq wouldn’t have been possible. The author holds the 

Islamic nation as the first responsible of Iraqi occupation because in virtue of political 

determinism, they let treacherous regimes rule them. 

3) Just as misrepresentations could lead to behavioral deviations, falsified representations 

came to lead Muslims, through a long history of intellectual domination by crusaders, to

misrepresent concepts such as: faith, impiety, jihad, terrorism, occupation, and liberation. 

The author develops the last two concepts. 

The author examines the difference between civil and military occupation to conclude that 

they are all alike and states that both need to be combated. The other form of occupation is 

occupation by proxy: it is the case in Iraq, where government is imposed by America and

ruled by those who will serve American interests, and, consequently, Jewish interests since 

they are behind American crucial decisions. This government will therefore be obliged to 

agree to these conditions: recognition of Israel, permitting Iraqi Israelis to go back to Iraq 

and recover Iraqi citizenship, and to engage in combating terrorism against Israel. The third 

form of occupation is embodied by an impious national government that represents internal 

occupation. The author then criticizes the notion of nationalism as it represents a loyalty to a 

land and not to a religion. Given the fact that Islam brought a new concept of how people 

relate to one another, religion should be considered as the first and only factor in

136
determining citizenship. All government in Islamic countries are not only alien even though 

run by Muslims, but also illegitimate as they rule by non-Islamic principles. All need to be 

overthrown; only jihad will lead to that end. 

Peaceful resistance and protest through media could be used to support the jihad and 

provide legitimacy, however it has to be done carefully as this medium could fall into the 

hands of government and end up combating the jihad instead of supporting it. 

Jihad, as a strategy to end occupation, should be realistic and accompanied by media 

support. In order for it to be successful, objectives and timing have to be carefully chosen

and execution need to be as precise as a brilliantly accomplished surgery. 

Notes: 

This is the first article of this issue of Majallat al-Ansar. 

137
Author: Hamid al-`Ali 

آيف تكتشف " تكفيريا " ؟! خطير وسري للغاية :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Kayf taktashif "takfiriyya"?! Khatir wa sirri lil-ghaya 

Title (Translated): How to Uncover a "Takfiri", Dangerous and Top Secret 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

Hamid b. Abd Allah al-`Ali presents his point of view in a creative way—a satire about the 

way governments in Muslim countries try to isolate mujahidin by giving them negative labels 

such as “takfiriyyn” (those who label others, especially other Muslims, of being unbelievers). 

The main character of this satire is a government official who comes across this file labeled 

“How to disclose a takfiri” and classified top secret. As he reads along, he finds out that 

those characteristics described in the document and attributed to those “bad” Muslims are 

indeed the noblest qualities. He struggles between his position’s duties and the fact that he 

wants to become one of those described in the report. Following his instinct, he joins the 

jihad and becomes a martyr. 

The author glorifies the qualities of mujahidin and ridicules the attempts by governments to

give them bad labels in order to isolate them from the rest of Muslim society. 

Notes: 

The article is poorly written, it contains many grammatical errors and poor choice of words 

in more than one occasion. It's an attempt by the author to present an issue in an indirect,

creative way. 

138
Author: Hamid al-`Ali 

من هم الخوارج :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Man hum al-khawarij 

Title (Translated): Who are the Khawarij? 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Taymiyya,

22.2%

Ibn Qudama,

44.4%

Badaw i(al-),

Muhammad 

Taha, 22.2%

Ibn al-Qayyim

al-Jaw ziyya,

11.1%

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

At the outset, Hamid al-`Ali says that political leaders should be called khawarij, not those 

who fight the infidels, since they deviated from the orthodox Sunni path, stopped the

application of the Shari`a, and killed thousands of Muslims. When addressing the core issue 

of the question in debate, Hamid highlights 3 points: 1) There are two types of al-khawarij:

those who step outside the realm of the legitimate ruler and those who step outside the 

infidel system or the international system for that matter. 2) Al-Bughat (the infringers): 

There are also two types here: those who refuse the authority of an Imam with or without 

questioning and on the other hand challenging the international order. 3) The mistakes made 

by the Mujahidin during the fight. 

He defines Khawarij as a group who lost the way of convictions and should be advised and 

logically convinced before forcing them to obey. After this background, Hamid asserts that 

the conflict between al-Qa`ida and the United States is an international one since America is 

139
investing this war in an attempt to use it as a cover for passing its strategies and facilitates its 

grip on the region. However, he adds, this plan is failing with the deterioration of the 

situation in Afghanistan. Hamid differentiates again between two kinds of systems: the 

Islamic one built on Shari`a and the pre-Islamic one which includes all the remaining 

systems. 

He notes that no sheikh should issue a fatwa endorsing international treaties signed by rulers 

without 4 basic conditions: 1) Reading the treaty and all its provisions. 2) Making sure it

includes no secretive provisions that cannot be revealed. 3) Making sure it does not include 

provisions in contradiction with the Shari`a such as perpetual truce which would ban jihad.

4) Conditioning their approval on the right of monitoring the true implementation of this 

treaty in accordance with the Shari`a. On that note, he asserts that no signed treaty is

legitimate if it does not serve the interests of Muslims and if the co-signer is exploiting and

defying Muslims. Hamid agree with the realists' perspective in political science where they 

see that no international policy can exist without enmity with an interaction between a 

national and an enemy foreigner, which he compared it to the Islamic idea of home of peace 

and home of infidels. 

In conclusion, Hamid calls upon the Mujahidin to take into consideration the limits of the 

Shari`a during their fight, not to let anger control them, and never completely rule out the 

jihad against the infidels. 

Notes: 

This article is in question and answer format, where Hamid al-`Ali answers two questions

about whether those who fight infidels should be called khawarij (Kharijites, an early Islamic 

sect that broke with the main body of Muslims) or not; and when the signed international

are legitimate or when they are not? Apparently it was written after the last war on Iraq in 

2003 since the author talks about how the United States launched this war despite 

international opposition. The place of publication is mentioned.

140
Author: Hani al-Siba`i 

الإرهاب في المنظومة الغربية :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Irhab(al-) fi al-manzuma al-gharbiyya 

Title (Translated): Terrorism in the Western Framework 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Schmid, Alex P., 11.5%

U.S. Department of

Justice, 3.8%

Jenkins, Brian M ichael,

3.8%

Other, 15.4%

Lafu, J., 3.8%

US Department of

Defense (DOD), 3.8%

Clare, M ichael, 3.8%

Harris, David, 3.8%

US State Department,

3.8% Domenach, Jean-M arie,

3.8%

Russian Encyclopedia,

3.8%

Academie Francaise,

3.8%

Dolewise Liekedourie 

and Company, 3.8%

Billala, al-Sanusi, 3.8%

Chomsky, Noam, 3.8%

German bureau for the

protection of the

constitution, 3.8%

Fadil, Dr. Khalil, 3.8%

Federal Bureau of

Investigation, 3.8%

Seale, Patrick, 3.8%

Special Operations Team

under US Vice President,

3.8%

US Army, 3.8%

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

Various groups and authors' definitions of terrorism, which are subjected to close reading 

and author argues, owe many of their essential components to the influence of US-based and 

-biased definitions. The most important blind spot in all these is the failure to include any 

reference to state terrorism; similarly, the lack of attention to the goals of said acts. On the 

other hand, he concludes with leftist definitions and discussions of terrorism and violence,

and also critiques them for inadequacy and support of their ideology (support of Soviet 

Union or Marxist ideology). In conclusion, the author argues that the existing definitions of

141
terrorism are all unsatisfactory—all are complicit in the interests of one ideology or another, 

one set of interests or the next. 

N.B.: I consider this essay as a simple paper in criticism without any incendiary content;

while the author's own position and religiosity appear from time to time, his primary goal is 

to take apart what seem like—and claim to be—objective definitions of terrorism, revealing 

their hidden ideological component and complicit nature. It is, in other words, a critique of 

semantics—not a manifesto or other form of propaganda. It is analytically worthwhile, if not 

necessary, to distinguish persistent criticism from incendiary literature that incites or justifies 

violence. 

Notes: 

There are repeated (almost predictable) mistakes in spelling the names of key names: e.g. 

"Wavid" for David Harris (of the American Jewish Committee)... e.g. Jonathan conference 

for the "Johannesberg Summit"... e.g. "Dolewise Liekedourie and Company" who I have 

not been able to identify elsewhere (independently)... There are others I was not able to 

crack, e.g. Lafu, or Michael Klair (?), etc. 

142
Author: Hani al-Siba`i 

 "تعليق على آتاب "أيمن الظواهري آما عرفته :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Ta`liq `ala kitab "Ayman al-Zawahiri kama `araftahu" 

Title (Translated): Commentary on the Book "Ayman al-Zawahiri as I Knew Him" 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2002 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

Hani al-Siba`i classifies this book by Muntasir al-Zayyat as a pioneering work for self 

criticism of the Islamic movement. The book is a biography of al-Zawahiri and a history of 

this Islamic movement, as well as a systematic review of the ideas of al-Zawahiri with a

critique of the partial changes that occurred in his priorities after the alliance with Usama b. 

Ladin. Zayyat describes Zawahiri as an ethical and wise person, paving the way for some 

criticism about the time when Zawahiri gave information about one of the suspects in the 

killing of Egyptian president Anwar Sadat under severe torture and investigation, which 

made him feel guilty and leave the country after being released. On this point, Siba`i asserts

that this incident is irrelevant to the leadership of Zawahiri since many figures of the Islamic 

movement were forced to give up information under pressure. 

Zayyat argues that two unfortunate political events defined Zawahiri: Egypt’s defeat to Israel 

in 1967 and the death sentence against Sayyid Qutb. Al-Siba`i contradicts Zayyat on this 

argument, claiming that the thoughts and actions of Zawahiri were not out of despair. AlSiba`i tries to defend the relations between the two persons, though he seems to lean

towards supporting Zayyat. Apparently, Zawahiri previously accused Zayyat, in a book titled

"fursan tahta rayat al-nabiy", of having relations with the government by taking privileges

that not even ministers acquire during his visits to prisons. Al-Siba`i blames Zawahiri on this 

accusation since Zayyat is one of the founders of the Islamic movement in Egypt, and Siba`i 

justifies the behavior of Zawahiri due to the harsh environment of Afghanistan and the lack

of advisors around him. 

On the other hand, Siba`i also criticizes Zayyat for his tough words against Zawahiri, 

although he acknowledges that no one except the Prophet is exempted from criticism. In the 

last part of the book, Zayyat talks about an important phase in the life of Zawahiri when he 

co-signed with Usama b. Ladin the statement of the Global Front which paved the way for 

the alliance between the two. Siba`i agrees with Zayyat on the point that this alliance harmed

"the jihad group", which is the local Egyptian branch of the Islamic movement initiated by 

143
Zawahiri himself in 1966. Zawahiri is also criticized for not consulting the base of "the jihad 

group" before taking this decision. 

Notes: 

Hani al-Siba`i is the director of "Al-Maqrizi center for historical studies". It is a review of a 

book by Muntasir al-Zayyat titled "Ayman al-Zawahiri kama `ariftahu", noting that al-Siba`i 

himself wrote the introduction for this book. This piece was written in 2002, the year the 

book was published, and the place of publication seems to be either Egypt, where the stories

are taking place, or London, where Siba`i is located. Both al-Zawahiri and al-Zayyat are the 

early leaders of "the jihad group" in Egypt, despite the fact that they represent two trends of 

religious and political thinking, particularly in matters related to violence. 

144
Author: Harith `Abd al-Salam al-Misri 

قـالـوا.... فـقـل! آشف شبهات المُرْجِفين والمُخَذِّلين عن الجهاد :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Qalu...fa-qul! Kashf shubhat al-murjifin wa'l-mukhadhdhilin `an aljihad 

Title (Translated): [If] They say...then you say ! Revealing the Doubts of the Tremblers 

and Abandoners Regarding Jihad 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2002 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Hajar, 21.0%

Qurtubi(al-), 6.2%

Ibn Kathir, 4.9%

Other, 27.8%

Tahanawi(al-),

M uhammad A`la b. `Ali,

3.7%

Ibn Qudama, 3.1%

Ibn Humam, 3.1%

Ibn al-Nahhas, 3.1%

Kasani(al-), 2.5%

M unawi(al-), 1.9%

Sharbini(al-), 1.9%

Shafi`i(al-), 1.9%

Ibn `Abidin, 1.9%

Ahmad b. Hanbal, 1.9%

Suyuti(al-), 2.5%

Ibn Khaldun, 1.2%

Bujayrimi(al-), Sulayman 

b. M uhammad, 1.2%

Bahuti(al-), M ansur b.

Yunus, 1.2%

Shawkani(al-), 2.5%

Nawawi(al-), 3.7%

Ibn Taymiyya, 3.1%

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

The point of this article is to defeat the arguments of the (real or imagined) interlocutors, 

who 1) question the use of jihad; and 2) believe that jihad, in the present condition, is a fard 

kifaya (mitigated obligation), rather than a fard `ayn (complete obligation). The author 

makes heavy use of hadith, sira/maghazi, tafsir, and to a lesser extent tarikh. The author 

also makes use of poetry to rouse the passions of his readers. Opinions of the four Sunni 

145
law schools cited in the course of the article. The central question emerges, when does jihad

cease to become a fard `ayn for all Muslims? The author argues that jihad today is fard `ayn

(obligatory) because Muslim lands are under attack and under occupation by foreign 

invaders. As long as this situation persists, all Muslims are compelled by their religion to use 

all means at their disposal to fight the non-Muslims. But the obligation to carry out jihad is 

not restricted to Muslim lands. The attacks in New York and Washington D.C. (that is

attacks on non-Muslim lands against non-Muslims) are also legitimate expressions of jihad. 

Notes: 

This is the second edition, to which "important additions" have been made. 

146
Author: Hilali(al-), Abu Ayman 

الاحتلال الأمريكي ومهام المرحلة :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Ihtilal(al-) al-amiriki wa maham al-marhala 

Title (Translated): The American Occupation and the Importance of this Stage 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Majallat al-Ansar 

People the Author Cites: 

Beilin, Yossi (1) 

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

The author uses Sahyuni-Salabi (Zionist-Crusader) to describe the forces that have occupied 

Islamic territories, and laments that 1) Muslims are not yet able to understand the tactics of 

the occupier, and 2) agree to formal independence from the occupier. He then condemns

the Arabic satellite TV stations that do not play their role in informing people about the true 

situation of the occupation. The author points to the American double standard in the case 

of North Korea, examines the justifications of the war against Iraq and denounces the 

Arabic media that contributed to the propaganda in favor of the war, and blames

treacherous countries (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait). These regimes, he concludes, 

must be dismantled. Using the argument of George W. Bush for ending totalitarian regimes, 

the author suggests including among these the regimes of Bush and Ariel Sharon. 

Mentioning the bombing of Riyadh,against American interests, he considers it as part of the 

political process of the liberation of Muslims and denounces the voices that rose against it in 

the Islamic world. 

Examining the objectives of the American invasion, the author states that after the 

dismantlement of Saddam, America showed its real motivations: 1)controlling Iraqi oil and 

distracting Iraqis from the occupation; 2) preparing for the occupation of surrounding

countries; 3) preparing all the conditions in favor of Israel. To this end, Syria was ordered to 

close the representations of Hamas and Jihad; Abu Mazen was ordered to accept the road

map and to cancel the right of Palestinians to return to their home; Palestinians were forced

to admit that they were facing an indefectible Israeli army; and Iraq was divided into 

divergent interests (Shiites in the South, secular Kurds in the North and secular Iraqis). The 

author also denounces the hypocritical role of Iran and its role in supporting Iraqi 

occupation through the Shiite population. 

The author examines the regimes in the Islamic world and considers them all as ruling 

against the Shari`a and against their population. He qualifies the Iraqi regime as

schizophrenic and explains its dismantlement by the fact that Saddam, like Arafat, was not 

147
suitable any longer to the new interests of the Zionist-Crusader invaders. The Syrian regime 

has a political game similar to a fox: a weak animal who wants to play the most valuable card

(Hamas, Jihad, Hezbollah); but who will end up eaten? Egypt, by signing the Camp David 

agreement and by accepting American bribes, became like Morocco and Jordan, puppets for

Americans. The Egyptian regime is considered the most dangerous and the one to combat in

priority for its collaboration in treaties against the interests of Islamic nation. The Saudi 

regime is denounced for its role in condemning jihadi actions (Riyadh) and criticized for 

building its political existence on religious legitimization through religious leaders supporting 

its policy, and through religious charities that enables it to control Islamic foundations and to 

cover its policy with religious motives. 

Qatar is denounced for outdoing Egypt and Saudi Arabia in pleasing what the author calls

Zionist-Crusaders through al-Jazira that not only failed to denounce the American invasion, 

but defended the American side and silenced the Iraqi sufferings. By covering some facts 

about jihadis, al-Jazira serves the enemy’s interests by divulging valuable news related to 

safety and secret information. 

Notes: 

This is the third article of the third issue of Majallat al-Ansar. 

148
Author: Jama`a(al-) al-Salafiyya li'l-Da`wa wa'l-Qital (al-Jaza'ir)

ميثاق الجماعة السلفية للدعوة والقتال :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Mithaq al-jama'a al-salafiyya li'l-da'wa wal-qital 

Title (Translated): Charter of the Salafi Group for Preaching and Combat 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Shinqiti(al-), 7.7%

Kasani(al-), 7.7%

Lalaka'i(al-), 7.7%

Abu Ishaq alFarisi, 7.7%

Ibn Manzur, 7.7%

Ibn Qudama,

7.7%

Ibn Taymiyya,

30.8%

Ibn Daqiq al-`Id, 

Muhammad b.

`Ali, 7.7%

Ibn Taymiyya,

7.7%

Dhahabi(al-),

7.7%

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

In describing the traits necessary for the amir, the author emphasizes using the consultative 

process, ruling with justice, dividing wealth and collecting and distributing Sadaqa, being of 

sound intellect, etc.; the tone and content of the text suggests a desire to recreate an ideal

Islamic society such as during the early Caliphate as well as a robust social plan--more than 

the reactionary political ideals of al-Qaeda after al-Zawahiri/EIJ joined(also emphasized by 

the criticism of takfir wal-hijra ideology). 

The source author(s) argues for the importance of organization; under a group, under a

jama'a, and for the creation of a system. The individual alone cannot fulfill Islam. The Shari'a 

defines the group, and gives the group boundaries, structure and stability. Caliph Omar is 

cited to support his statement (la Islam bila jama'a, wa la jama'a bila nidham -- There is no 

Islam without the group, and no group without a system); the article then argues for the 

149
establishment of the Caliphate, governing by the Qur'an, making the word of God the 

highest—this is the goal of the GSPC, embodied in this charter. This movement is based, in 

essence, on two undeniable truths: the agreement (binding them in a pact with the Prophet) 

and the creed, made up of the religion and the Shari'a. 

In describing the 28-point program of the GSPC toward understanding the religion, the 

author(s) again emphasizes the importance of group cohesion, as one of their stated goals is 

the protection of the group and the unification of the words of Muslims, bringing them back

to the correct way of the salaf (point 6). Point ten is also noteworthy in that the GSPC 

claims to not anathematize Muslims for their sins, large or small, and that the blood and 

wealth of Muslims is sacrosanct. Still, jihad against the enemies of Islam is an obligation, and 

in these times it is an individual duty, by joining the physical struggle or through donation of 

one's wealth. Yet, those who fight other than these renegade tyrants receive the same

judgment as the tyrants (points 24-25, p. 7). 

After the Qur'an and Sunnah, the consensus of the Salaf are the third basis one should rely 

upon for understanding 'ilm wal-deen. Sections covering how to deal with those who do not 

follow the sunna, or essentially, non-Salafis; author(s) again displays a more diplomatic 

approach to dealing with other Muslims, emphasizes that one should always speak with

knowledge and justice, to forgive minor sins, and not rush to takfir. The basis for dealing 

with ahl al-bid'a is rejecting them and it is permissible to compel them to return to the 

righteous way, on the condition that it does not lead to them practicing dissimilation

(implying not to use violence against the shi'a). 

The author(s) are critical of the ideology of takfir wal-hijra. After refuting the ideologies of 

the Shi'a, the Khawarij, and other fringe groups, the author(s) explains that the program of 

GSPC, is, therefore, the portrayal of Islam as it was in the beginning, and continuing and

preserving that rule. Among the goals of the GSPC are fighting the ideas and imagery of

ignorance, such as democracy and secularism, and fighting the apostate Algerian 

establishment; and jihad is the pinnacle of Islam. 

The methods used by the GSPC in realizing their goals are: publishing scholarly letters and 

periodicals, establishing schools and sending scholarly dispatches (p 16), creating centers for 

military training and teaching the arts of war. The conditions of membership for GSPC

include exclusive commitment to their cause and a pledge of allegiance to their amir. It then 

discussed the regulations on the emirate: traits the amir should possess, what negates/ends 

rule of the amir, obligations and rights of the amir. Among the powers (salahiyat) of the 

amir are to issue directives and resolutions through the appointed committee. He should also 

open up new fronts of battle, make pacts of peace or ceasefire with kuffar al-Aslieen 

(meaning non-Muslims as opposed to the Algerian government(?)); and coordinate 

operations with outside provinces. A committee/council (majlis) made up of influential 

people will oversee the amir. The majlis will be divided into 8 committees (lijan): legal, 

military, medical, treasury, judiciary, media, administrative and foreign relations. The text 

concludes with descriptions of the functions and responsibilities of these lijan. 

Notes: 

150
The text uses the term jama'a regularly, in place of where most would use umma. Refers to

cooperation with outlying provinces (p. 20), I assume it means in Algeria. 

151
Author: Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali 

الحكم الجديرة بالإذاعة من قول النبي بعثت بالسيف :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Hukm(al-) al-jadir bi'l-idha`a min qawl al-nabi ba`thtu bi'l-sayf 

Title (Translated): The Proper Ruling on Disseminating the Saying of the Prophet "I Was 

Sent with the Sword" 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd al-Akhir Hammad al-Ghunaymi

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 35

Harith `Abd al-Salam al-Misri

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

 A - 2 

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad

A - 2

Issues Discussed: 

The source author takes the phrase from the hadith “I was sent with the sword” to extend

the legitimate use of violence in order to implement Shari’a, call people to Islam, threaten the 

enemies of Islam: “it means that God sent him calling [people] to his oneness by the 

sword...” Essentially making the argument for conflict and battle, that there are orders to 

fight al-mushrikeen, kuffar, etc. Author iterates the often used saying among Salafis that the 

Prophet was sent with 4 swords: against the idolaters until they embrace Islam or are taken

captive, against the hypocrisy of atheism, against the people of the book until Jizya tax is 

paid. Author adds that he has additional swords, against the apostates and renegades

(mariqeen/ahl al-bud’a) like the Khawarij, against whom Abu Bakr and Ali fought. 

Al-Hanbali discusses broad themes in Islam and from early Islamic history, not necessarily 

specific to Salafiyya, e.g. relates stories about Abu Lahab and Abu Talib, the Prophet as

gatherer of the Day of Judgment and as the last prophet, signs of the Hour/last days, such as

the splitting of the moon, etc.—and other uncontentious issues such as that the largest 

purpose for Prophet being sent is to worship God alone, who is without any partner. Briefly 

discusses the mission of the major prophets recognized in the Qur’an, then discusses the 

Jews’ and Christians’ distortion of their message. 

152
Discussion of the use of wealth; most deserving to the believers, and will be used for good,

for jihad in the way of God. He who strives for obedience will be given provision to fulfill 

his work. He also includes passages on the importance of following the orders of the 

Prophet and a discussion on making mistakes and being forgiven. Two kinds of prophetic 

orders exist: outward acts and expressions and inward ones, like belief. 

Notes: 

Source author does not cite hadith nor quotes from tafsir, fiqh, ulema, etc. Some of the 

hadith could be weak, as often prefaced by “it was told that the Prophet said or said such

and thus...” but without the chain of transmission to authenticate the hadith. Also prefaces 

some quotes with “as some of the salaf said.” Many parts of the text seem to not be

specifically Salafi, but could be described as typical of Hanbali scholars based on some of the 

passages. 

On p. 1, I am not sure about the quote in yellow that the author attributes to Jesus. I assume 

he agrees with it, but even to a Salafi it seems an overtly aggressive image to use as a 

supporting argument. It was not clear as to whether the lines of poetry inserted within the 

article were written by the author or not. Lastly, the author ends the text with “Wa Sallallahu 

`ala sayyidina Muhammad...” I believe most strict Salafis do not use the honorific sayyidina 

for the Prophet. 

153
Author: Majdi Ahmad Husayn 

Title (Arabic): 

مصر تتحرك أخيرا وتنتقم لشهداء الانتفاضة

 (حول هجمات سيناء / 7 أآتوبر 2004)

Title (Transliterated): Allah akbar: Misr tataharraku akhiran wa tantaqidu li-shuhada' alintifada; hawla hajamat Sina', 7 Uktubir 2004 

Title (Translated): God is Great: Egypt Finally Makes a Move and Takes Vengeance for 

the Martyrs of the Intifada; on the Sinai Attacks of October 7, 2004 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2004 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

French New s

Agency, 33.3%

Minbar alTaw hid wa'lJihad, 33.3%

Reuters, 33.3%

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

This article discusses the attacks in Sinai on October 7, 2004 that targeted Israeli tourists, 

namely the attack on the Hilton Taba. These attacks were carried out by Egyptian nationals. 

Husayn indicates that 90% of the victims were Israeli. In contrast to reports that many 

Egyptians had died in the attacks, Husayn rejects this claim. In response to accusations of 

terrorism, Husayn argues that such a condemnation is hypocritical without equal

154
condemnation of Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians including children. Regrettably,

innocent people may be caught in the mix, but this is unavoidable. Husayn emphasizes that 

no Zionist is innocent; they are all, including young people (many of whom serve in the 

Israeli military), guilty of extremism and antagonism. 

The specific targeting of the tourist area was selected in order to attack the debauchery in 

which the tourists indulged there, such as drinking and gambling. Husayn denounces this 

behavior as idolatry, and adds that any Muslim contributing to this conduct, even if he only 

works at a casino out of need for livelihood, is also an idolater. Ultimate blame, however,

falls on the Egyptian government, which has allowed for such moral corruption to infiltrate 

its borders and its economy. On page 3 line 13, Husayn identifies with Hizb al-`Amal, a 

group that emphasizes the value of ijma` (consensus). In a number of places in this article, 

this value is underscored, as he argues that the will of the Egyptian people must be 

recognized and honored. This popular will is contrary to the policies of the Egyptian 

government: while the people are generally anti-Israeli, their government maintains a policy 

of cooperation with the Zionist-Israeli-American alliance. 

The attacks of 7 October 2004 aimed at straining the relations between the Egyptian

government and the Israeli government. These attacks served also to bring Egypt back into

the fold of the Islamic umma, to affirm the unity of the Muslim people throughout the 

region. Husayn calls for peaceful struggle against divisions within the community, and

armed struggle against enemies outside the community. Egypt must not allow ZionistsIsraelis into its land until there is a solution to the Palestinian problem. Corruption must be 

stopped, and if the government is itself corrupt, and if peaceful attempts for reform fail, then 

armed struggle is imperative. 

Notes: 

Written on October 8, 2004 (24 Sha`ban 1425), the day after the attacks discussed. 

155
Author: Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin 

تساؤلات وشبهات حول المجاهدين وعملياتهم :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Tasa'ulat wa shubhat hawla al-mujahidin wa `amaliyatihim 

Title (Translated): Inquiries and Doubts Surrounding the Mujahidin and Their Operations 

Type of Publication: Compilation 

Year of Publication: 2004 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: ? 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Taymiyya, 9.7%

Ibn Hajar, 3.8%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 3.6%

Qurtubi(al-), 3.3%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab,

Muhammad, 2.6%

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd alRahman b. Hasan, 2.4%

Ibn Hazm, 2.3%

Ibn Kathir, 2.1%

Ibn Qudama, 2.1%

Naw aw i(al-), 1.8%

Shaw kani(al-), 1.8%

`Uyayri(al-), Yusuf, 1.7%

Tabari(al-), 1.5%

Kissinger, Henry, 1.4%

Usama b. Ladin, 1.2%

Ibn al-`Arabi al-Maliki,

1.1%

Muhammad Rashid Rida,

1.1%

Hamad b. `Ali b. `Atiq,

1.1%

Shafi`i(al-), 1.1%

Nixon, Richard, 1.1%

Other, 53.5%

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

The attack in eastern Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the beginning of 2004 triggered the jihad in 

Arabia as stated by the authors at the outset, adding that they are fighting under the banner 

of Usama b. Ladin and his allies in the "World Front" who declared jihad against crusaders

everywhere, especially in Arabia. They say that the purpose of this jihad is to establish the 

Islamic rule, apply the Shari`a, and support the vulnerable among Muslims everywhere in the 

156
world, considering that those goals are legitimate rights assigned by God. The authors argue 

that the infidel world launched a war on Islam through agents such as the governments of 

Yemen, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia allowing military bases, sharing intelligence information 

and arresting mujahidin. They argue that since the fall of the Soviet Union and the United 

States is exclusively following its interests in an unstable international system passing 

through a temporary transition period. 

The authors argue that that there is two types of colonies: one disguised by agent 

governments serving the American interests, which is the best way for colonial powers; and a 

direct one, which is through military occupation. They assert that the enemy might replace 

the disguised colony with a direct one if this enemy felt that this agent leadership is incapable 

of assuming those interests or if they stepped out of their sphere of hegemony. The authors 

say that the Saudi army is the weakest in the region and is unable to protect the religion since 

the Saudi government cannot overcome the protection treaty with the Americans, which

gives them the sole right for providing weapons. They also criticize the American military 

presence in sensitive positions, such as in army command and American interference in 

crises and its control over military sectors, in addition to sending all this information through 

satellites. 

They also assert that the United States can control the direction of any rocket launched from

Saudi military bases, and consider that the biggest sin is the fact that the Saudi army is built 

on the Western model. They say that the mujahid can declare a ruler infidel if this ruler 

legitimized laws in contradiction with the Islamic law, if this ruler abides by the rules of the 

United Nations, if the ruler supported the infidels against Muslims, if the ruler banned jihad, 

and if the ruler allowed the infidels to practice their traditions and customs in the land with

their own military protection. They add that even if the mujahidin did not seek a battle with

the Saudi army, this confrontation became inevitable after the declared war by the Saudi 

government on the mujahidin. They add that jihad is an ongoing movement and is not 

linked to one person or one group or one battle. 

They suggest the advantage of targeting the Americans in Saudi Arabia is that it leaves a 

greater impact around the world due to the significance of the Kingdom as a source of 

energy, advising to target places where there are less security measures. They say that the role 

of religious leaders is crucial in the jihad by mobilizing the nation for that end, asking those 

leaders who have reservations on the jihad in Arabia to get busy and turn their attention to

other squares of jihad such as Chechnya and Afghanistan. They assert that the argument of

those who oppose the jihad in Arabia rests on two bases: the legitimacy of the Saudi

government and the perception that this jihad is a wrong act. They add that the judgment 

needed in the path of jihad is two folds: judgment in knowing the reality on the ground and 

the judgment in knowing the religious duty towards this reality. They suggest that they 

possess both those judgments plus experience in jihad. They elaborate as well that judgment

is not about the commitment to jihad, since this is out of question, the judgment is focused

only on the timing and place of this jihad. They say that there is a wide consensus among

religious leaders that any kind of assistance for the Americans is an act of infidelity. 

Moving on to the subject of Iraq, the authors say that God is wise since the fall of the 

regime of Saddam Husayn paved the way for the rise of the Islamic banner to fill this gap.

They warn against attempts to convert Iraqis to Christianity and pushing them away from 

157
Islam, criticizing the ongoing projects of democracy and secularism, and warning from the 

danger of Iran and the Shiites of Iraq. Despite the experience of the mujahidin with the 

Soviet troops, they argue, the American army has a stronger and more competent air force.

They add, however, that air force weaponry cannot claim victory in battles without the 

assistance of the infantry, especially that the American infantry never fought a successful 

battle in its history. 

They also claim that the propaganda around American might does not match its military

strength on the ground. The authors affirm that this long confrontation effectively started

with the fall of Baghdad, since groups are gradually entering Iraq and each one of those 

groups have an assigned and limited mission. They explain that it is possible to cross the 

long Iraqi border, especially after setting the Iraqi government. They advise the mujahidin to 

be accompanied by a delegate who knows the roads and the selected safe places, plus 

guidelines about how to secretly cross official and unofficial borders. The mujahidin are

advised to face the American troops in cities, since the Northern mountains of Iraq do not 

have thick trees and thus are an easy target for air warfare. Since popular support is 

necessary, they advise the Mujahidin to avoid the Southern, Middle and Northern areas of

Iraq and advise them to fight in the area close to the border they cross and avoid traveling

across the country. 

They define gangster forces as small units with no permanent base, moving constantly

without staying in one place more then 24 hours, working in less populated areas and 

avoiding cities that have their own fighting groups. They explain that the urban field 

necessitates secretive work and requires small separated groups forming a chain of cells, 

when one of those cells is stopped this will not affect the work of another one. The 

membership of this group should be around 4 persons, and the best cells are those made by 

the locals. Members are advised to have a civil job as a cover for their original duties, and 

they emphasize the independence of each cell from hierarchy and centralization. The 

membership of the lead group ranges from 2 to 4 persons, with a mission to supervise the 

operations, set the plan, link between remaining cells, and secretly exchange information

with interacting or getting to know each other. The survey and information group is 

composed of 4 persons, and is assigned by the leadership group to search for general and

specific targets. 

After setting the plan, the leadership group is able to know the weaponry, equipment and

ammunitions needed for the operation. This task is undertaken by the logistics group that 

prepares tools for the leadership group without knowing about the nature or place of the 

target. The execution group does not have a preset membership, depending on the nature of 

the operation; this group is formed out of highly competent members. They also say that the 

fighting in cities is composed of three phases: the first requires quickness and easy targets,

the second stage is when the fighters know their enemy, can predict and absorb its reaction, 

thus become ready to select significant targets and conduct complicated operations; the final 

stage is moving down from mountains to occupy the cities and here the fighting gradually 

progresses from isolation to attack to clearance. They also add that the linkage between the 

fighting groups is a religious request so leadership groups avoid separate decisions, adding 

that coordination requires compromises between the groups on the ground in order to 

sustain a unified leadership that everyone listen to. 

158
They comment that the coordination and management of jihad does not require a stable 

environment to succeed. They advise the targeting of back ranks of the American army, the 

ones who provide logistics. They say that the Americans should not be given the chance to 

feel secure, since if they do, they will move on to attack other areas around the Islamic 

world. Returning to the general subject of jihad, the authors agree that jihad is possible 

before the rise of the Islamic state and does not need the permission of anyone. They say 

that there is no difference between civilians and soldiers in war, and that Muslims should 

never be killed unless they mix with or hide behind infidels, in this case jihad cannot be 

stopped. They criticize the calls for halting jihad in order to protect the interests and the 

status quo, claiming that those voices are absorbing the anger of the society and are 

obstructing the launch of jihad. They add that the infidels should be resisted in order to keep

some relative balance, since without this resistance, infidel expansion would extend. 

They add that personal suicide is not allowed in Islam, however suicide operations are 

allowed. They say that if a mujahid is imprisoned, this is a catastrophic situation that should 

be avoided, so if the mujahid is surrounded he should ask for martyrdom. They say that 

there is no truce with the infidels as long as they have mujahidin in their prisons, suggesting

some means of working for their release such as praying, exchange of prisoners, media 

campaign, press releases, and recommendations for international organizations. They advise 

against looking up or becoming attached to certain figures of jihad, and not to link the jihad 

to a specific land or time, since jihad will continue till the end of time. They say that victory 

in battle is not military only, and suggest some other types of victory: on the personal level 

by winning over the devil, going out for and participating in jihad, killing the infidels and 

becoming a martyr. On the other side, they define loss in following the interests and wishes

of the infidels. 

They argue that women are one of the obstacles on the road to Islamic victory, and is at the 

same time a core factor in influencing this victory on the condition that she performs her

duty in courage and sacrifice. They say that there are three types of donations for jihad: the 

public, the private and special funding sources. They say the first two were stopped but the 

jihad does not depend much on those two sources. However, they add, the flow of the 

special funding can never be stopped. The authors call upon Muslim youth to be aware of 

the nature of the conflict between Islam and the crusaders, since this is a confrontation of

self-defense that was started by the crusaders; they also ask the youth to be convinced that 

the military invasion cannot be met by dialogue and peaceful solutions. They classify the fear

among young mujahidin as follows: those who stopped and joined the state, those who 

couldn’t continue the call and those who made an effort but could not move to the stage of 

fighting on the ground. 

Notes: 

Published around May 2004, "a comprehensive file to clarify the right and enlighten the road

for you" according to the group of editors who dedicated the publication to Usama b. Ladin,

`Abd al-`Aziz al-Muqrin, Yusuf al-`Uyayri, and many other figures and prisoners of the Salafi 

movement. They introduce themselves as a group who does not intend to kill Muslims in 

their operations and who sees that challenging the infidel rulers is a religious duty and their 

goal is to liberate Muslim lands from occupying armies. In the preface, this group argues that 

the debate about jihad was opened, which increased the intimidation and threat of the Saudi

159
regime to anyone endorsing or justifying act of terrors, which had an influence on issued 

verdicts. The group complains as well about the propaganda of the authorities, forcing 

intellectuals and students to issue public statements condemning those attacks and 

describing the mujahidin as sinners killing Muslims. After compiling and classifying the 

questions, the editors say, they looked for answers among the literature of the Salafi 

movement to pick the best and easiest to understand. The main authors picked were Yusuf 

al-`Uyayri, Luis `Attiyya, Nasir al-Fahd, Hamid al-`Ali, Husayn b. Mahmud, `Abd Allah 

`Azzam, Abu Basir, `Abd al-`Aziz al-Jarbu` and many others; while the sources of 

publications were mainly Minbar al-tawhid wa'l-jihad, Sawt al-jihad, markaz al-dirasat wa'lbuhuth al-islamiyya, and majallat al-fajr. 

160
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

براءة الموحّدين من عهود الطّواغيت وأمانهم للمحاربين :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Bara'at al-muwahhidin min `uhud al-tawaghit wa amanihim li'lmuharibin 

Title (Translated): Dissociating the Monotheists from the Covenants of Tyrants and from 

Safeguarding the Aggressors 

Type of Publication: Other 

Year of Publication: 2002 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors 

Jam`iyyat ihya' alturath al-Islami,

21.7%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJawziyya, 8.7%

Ibn Qudama, 8.7%

`Isa(al-), Khalid

Sultan, 8.7% Ibn al-`Arabi alMaliki, 4.3%

Newsweek, 4.3%

Ibn Hajar , 4.3%

Ra'y(al-) al-`Amm,

4.3%

Rice, Condoleeza,

4.3%

`Ajil al-Nashmi, 4.3%

Hadih(al-), `Abd al-

`Aziz, 4.3%

Bush, George W.,

4.3%

Shahin(al-), `Isa

Majid, 8.7% Ahmad Baqir, 8.7%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

161
Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

Maqdisi presents this text as a refutation against those who subordinate divine law to secular 

law, and who subject religion to the whims of the tyrants and crusaders, in order to secure 

worldly gain at the expense of spiritual prosperity. He first quotes a number of sources that

criticize the October 2002 attack on US marines in Kuwait perpetrated by two individuals, 

Anas al-Kandari and Jasim al-Hajiri. Maqdisi disagrees with these quotes, and defends the 

actions of these two individuals. Maqdisi argues that the Americans were in Kuwait not to

protect Kuwait, but solely to wage war against Iraq. These two mujahids, and those like 

them (i.e. true Muslims), are not subject to the secular laws of tyrants, and must not be tried 

in secular courts, for those courts have nothing to do with divine law. The secular justice 

system is neither just nor transparent. Obedience to secular laws written by disbelievers is 

wrong; rather, Muslims must always prioritize Islamic principles. 

Maqdisi criticizes those who condemn the attack as a threat to Kuwait’s national security, 

explaining that it is wrong to emphasize national security and secular interests above the 

security of Islam. It is wrong to condemn killing the crusaders with the argument that they 

are protected People of the Book, for the Qur'an instructs Muslims to fight those who reject 

the basic tenets of faith, and the crusaders are a direct threat to Islam. Maqdisi confronts the 

statement that the Americans in Kuwait were welcomed as protected guests and thus their 

blood is illicit. He claims that this argument is based on a mistaken foundation. It is 

important to have a lucid grasp of two aspects of the issue: knowledge of the matter at hand,

and knowledge of the Shari`a indications. With these two things, one can correctly 

understand the matter without the danger of false equivalences or corrupt judgments. 

It is wrong to give secular leaders authority that is reserved for rightly-guided religious

leaders. Opposing the mujahidin is a form of disbelief. It is an obligation of Muslims to 

resist tyrants, and to dissociate from them, their laws, and their allies. Maqdisi defines Dar

al-Harb as any country that disbelieves and has no alliance or subordination to a truly Islamic 

state. A disbelieving country does not need to express its enmity in physical terms in order

to be a legitimate target for physical resistance. So it is all the more legitimate to target the 

US, since it has implemented physical aggression. 

The US has physically harmed Afghanistan, so it makes no sense to say they are “Allies” 

while the mujahidin are “denied Heaven.” A welcomed protected visitor is obliged to

respect the local laws and beliefs; however, the US has not done this, so they are not 

protected from attack. The realm of jihad is not limited to places where there is direct 

occupation and war; rather, it must be fought wherever the enemy may be. Moreover, 

anyone who cooperates with the enemy must also be fought. Like Bush says, if you’re not 

with us, you’re against us. 

162
Notes: 

Issued after the attack on US marines in Kuwait on 8 October 2002. 

163
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

الديـمقراطـيّة ديـن :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Dimuqratiyya(al-) din 

Title (Translated): Democracy is a Religion 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Jordanian Constitution,

25.6%

Ibn Taymiyya, 7.7%

`Umar al-Ashqar, 7.7%

Ibn Kathir, 5.1%

Kuw aiti Consitution,

5.1%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 5.1%

Qurtubi(al-), 2.6%

Qahtani(al-) alAndalusi, 2.6%

Hamad b. `Ali b. `Atiq, 

2.6%

Mujahid b. Jabr, 2.6%

Ahmad Shakir, 2.6%

Ahmad Ibrahim Khidr,

2.6%

Kuw aiti Constitution,

23.1%

Ibn Ishaq, 2.6%

Egyptian Constitution, 

2.6%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

164
Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

This is a very basic text leaning on the best known medieval sources modern-day Islamists 

draw on–Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn Qayyim and Ibn Kathir. There are only infrequent references to

medieval Islamic scholars outside the scope of Islamist writing such as Ibn Hibban. There 

are a number of Qur’anic citations, but very few hadith references. 

The text is very similar to a letter Ayman al-Zawahiri wrote to Sheikh Abd al-Aziz Bin Baz,

the former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. This text begins by stressing the importance Islam 

places on resisting tyrants. This, however, is a corruption of the historical Islamic tradition

which counseled obedience to wayward rulers (see Mawardi and al-Ashari as well as Q 2:182, 

214). This takes us into a discussion of tyrants and their characteristics. They set themselves 

up as equal to Allah. Democratic legislators do much the same. By legislating man-made 

laws rather than divine ones, they challenge the sovereignty of the Deity. This of course is 

shirk (polytheism) and is the most severe of the sins that one can commit against Allah. 

Because these legislators disbelieve in Allah and His divine law, it is the duty of every Muslim 

to fight them through jihad. We then move to a discussion of democracy. Democracy is 

disbelief in Allah and shirk. It is the rule of tyrants or people, but not Allah. When the 

author says democracy is a din, he does not mean it is a religion per se, but a political 

philosophy that draws adherents to it, much like socialism and communism. In this way it

competes with true religions such as Islam. In fact, democracy is greater than the cogs that

put it to work, for if the people would demand of their representatives to inject the law with

a more Islamic flavor, they would be told it contradicts democracy. 

Then the author spends a few pages discussing how the biblical Josef did not participate in a 

tyrannical regime. After that he examines whether the Abyssinian Negus applied laws that 

were not in accordance with divinely revealed statutes. 

The book closes with a discussion of democracy and shura. The author claims that the 

difference between democracy and shura is that democracy is based on the rule of the 

majority, whereas shura is based on Allah's given law. Democracy came from atheistic 

Europe where church was separated from state; after socialism, it is now the turn of 

democracy to seduce the Muslims and to divert them from the true path–the path of the 

Shari`a. The author condemns those Muslims who claim that democracy and shura are the 

same. He then continues to refute the liberals' claims according to which Muhammad's 

participation in the alliance of the fudul is proof of the legality of democracy. Finally he 

refutes the claim that entering the democratic process is for the benefit of the Muslim 

community (maslaha), stating Allah's law is the only possible path which will bring benefit 

for the Muslims. The author brings as proof of his views the parliamentary experience of 

Ahmad Ibrahim Khadir, who as a parliament member had tried to color legislation with a

more Islamic hue. However, realizing he could not change the system, he decided it was 

futile to try and change society by playing the democratic game. 

Notes: 

165
Our author is best known for his association with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, although the two

broke for various reasons. His work Millat Ibrahim is an important text in the Salafi 

community. The notes in the database make reference to works where more can be learned 

about our author. His real name is Isam Tahir al-Barqawi. For more information, see Fu'ad 

Hussein, Al-Zarqawi - Al-Jil al-thani lil-qa'ida, Dar al-Khiyal, Beirut, 2005. See Gilles Kepel, 

ed. Al-Qaida Dans Le Texte, Presses Universitaires De France, Paris, 2005. See Nir Rosen,

"Iraq's Jordanian Jihadis," The New York Times Magazine, February 19, 2006. 

166
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

هذه عـقيدتنا :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Hadhihi `aqidatuna 

Title (Translated): This is Our Doctrine 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors 

`Iyad, al-Qadi,

14.3%

Abu Ja`far alTahaw i, 14.3%

Ibn Taymiyya,

14.3%

Malik b. Anas, 

28.6%

Qahtani(al-) alAndalusi,

28.6%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6 

Issues Discussed: 

167
Al-Maqdisi discusses the doctrine of God's Unity that individual Muslims must believe in,

including blind belief in certain matters without inquiring into their precise details (that 

excessive curiosity is considered a heretical innovation); belief in the angels, scriptures, God's 

messengers and prophets; the correct veneration of the Prophet's family (warning of 

excessive or insufficient veneration); on the proper belief in the Day of Judgment and its 

signs as well as the afterlife and the limited intercession the Prophet will perform for 

believers; on predestination and free will (charting what he deems the correct middle 

position between extremes of the Jabriyya and the Qadariyya); and on correct belief and on

what constitutes Unbelief (kufr). This section—perhaps the most detailed—is a careful 

consideration of takfir, or the practice of deeming individuals unbelievers (thence calling for 

their execution); the author cautions against unconditional and hasty practice of calling 

individuals (especially errant Muslims) unbelievers. Section 9 turns from issues of belief to

those of law, and the Land of Unbelief versus Land of Islam, prayer, jihad and armed 

resistance (against ruler), and the Victorious Sect (i.e. the true Muslims who enjoy God's

succor). 

In his discussion of unbelief (Aqida, Section 8, “al-Kufr”), al-Maqdisi makes numerous 

tangential references that distinguish his theology from that of other Islamists groups and

mainstream Sunni Muslims in general. First, he introduces the position of some 

contemporaneous Muslims—“today’s Murji`a and Jahmiyya”—who restrict the definition of 

unbelief to matters of the heart, i.e. private belief. This position is exemplified in the 

principle, قلبي بجحود إلا يكفر لا المرء, or “An individual does not become (or, cannot be 

deemed) an unbeliever except with regards to crimes of belief” (Aqida 30). Al-Maqdisi 

argues that this narrow definition simplifies (the offence of) unbelief and facilitates its 

deployment by modern tyrants (i.e. contemporary Muslim governments he deems apostates).

This position constitutes a heretical innovation (bid`a) since it departs from the classic 

position of the `ulama’ who have traditionally defined unbelief as a question of acts as well

as belief. Moreover, al-Maqdisi opposes those who consider that the kufr in matters of belief 

is graver than the kufr of acts (Aqida 31). 

This is not a minor theoretical dispute; rather, it reflects a crucial difference between the 

theology and worldview of Islamists (like al-Maqdisi) and those of reformist, or modernizing, 

Muslims. In brief, reformist (or secular) Muslims are now recasting the role of religion, 

relegating it to the private sphere of personal belief. By contrast, Islamists insist on a much 

wider space for religion: for them, religion is a way of life that pervades all social (and

political) practice and extends throughout the public sphere. Also, while this discussion is 

ostensibly about deeming some people heretics, it is essentially an internal discourse—one 

between Islamists and reformers—on the location and constitution of religion in general. 

This emphasis on the public and practical (as opposed to the private, doctrinal) dimensions

of religion is consistent with al-Maqdisi’s later discussion of judging the faith of others. He 

insists that only outward, public acts of individuals can be interrogated; only God can judge 

their inner, private beliefs or thoughts (Aqida 35f, 38-9). This is consistent with the position

of medieval `ulama’, who often invoke the Prophet’s words that God did not decree 

“peering into the hearts [shaqq al-qulub].” Al-Maqdisī invokes this same authority when he 

paraphrases this hadith in passing: “... so it is not for us to peer into the hearts of people” 

168
(Aqīda 35). (Incidentally, this view explains the absence of any Islamic parallel to the 

Inquisition’s prosecution of belief in the Middle Ages.) It also means that `ulama’ from the 

early Islamic period through al-Maqdisi acknowledge their inability to prosecute or act 

against known hypocrites [munafiqun], whose outward practices may comply with religious 

duties while harboring disbelief.) 

Notes: 

The author locates his position with reference to numerous errant heretical groups (in 

Islamic history), such as Shi'a, Mu'tazilis, etc. He also commonly attributes certain errors as 

bida` or heretical innovation, the classic designation. 

169
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

 حول فتوى مفتي السعودية بشأن "العمليات الإستشهادية” :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Hawla fatwa mufti al-sa`udiyya bi-sh'an al-`amaliyyat alistishhadiyya

Title (Translated): Regarding the Fatwa of the Saudi Mufti on "Acts of Martyrdom" 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2005? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

This is a response by Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi to an unknown interlocutor regarding the 

permissibility of suicidal acts against the enemies of God (in this case Jews, Christians and 

tyrannical Muslim rulers). This response was sparked by a fatwa issued by a Saudi mufti 

(who is unnamed). The fatwa prohibits all aggressive acts that are not sanctioned by a

legitimate government. The interlocutor asks if this is correct. The balance of the text is 

response by al-Maqdisi. 

In short, al-Maqdisi accepts suicidal attacks as a legitimate means of opposition to the 

aforementioned groups. Indeed, he rejects the notion that such acts are suicidal acts, since 

he defines suicide as an inherently selfish act motivated by fear and desperation. He asserts 

that the Mujahidin are not acting out of selfishness, their actions are out of necessity—the 

necessity, he argues, that arises when a small, weak, isolated individual has to stand up to a 

larger force. He offers historical examples, hadith, and quotes from the Qur’an in support 

of his stance. He focuses especially on Palestine and jihad against the Jews. Regarding the 

killing of children and non-combatants—though he is not enthusiastic about killing them, he 

170
acknowledges the inevitability, and indeed necessity of such acts. In short, “suicidal” attacks

are a legitimate means of jihad. 

Notes: 

This is written in response to a fatwa issued by a Saudi mufti. Maqdisi does not name the 

mufti, nor does he tell us when the fatwa was issued. The author does not make specific 

reference to any current events that would allow us to date this text. However, since this

article appears on the main page of the website, and not in the archives, it is reasonable to

assume that it was published sometime in 2005. 

171
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

حوار مع الشيخ أبي محمد المقدسي :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Hiwar ma` al-shaykh Abi Muhammad al-Maqdisi 

Title (Translated): An Interview with Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi 

Type of Publication: 

Year of Publication: 2002 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi says that the Salafi-jihadi movement simultaneously combines 

the comprehensive call for the oneness of God and for jihad in this cause. He stresses that 

the field of this movement is global, not ethnic or national, and that this movement, unlike 

other Islamic ones, never flirts with oppressive rulers to strengthen their thrones. Maqdisi 

also discusses the Salafi movement in Jordan, saying it is a rising current that erupted as an 

organizing movement in the beginning of the 1970s and later grew with the return of many 

youth from the Afghan war against the Soviets and the second Gulf war. But those youth, 

says Maqdisi, lack religious guidance due to their inexperience and youth, and they rush to 

acquire weapons or carry out operations without careful study of the repercussions or 

without calculating interests involved, so they end up detained and facing a media campaign 

that damages their reputation and distorts their message. Maqdisi says that those same youth 

were released in the end of 1990s and have continued their struggle. 

Maqdisi condemns the formation of any political party for this movement since such a party 

will take its legitimacy from the established laws and not from the Shari`a, adding that the 

government’s endorsement of any party would require declaring loyalty to the ruler, the 

172
constitution and the state. He also argues that this movement has profited from the 

battlefields in Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Bosnia through military and jihad experience; yet 

he expresses dissatisfaction with the fact that such battlefields are emptying the local squares

and attracting most of the youth. Thus he calls on the Islamic students not to immigrate to

those battlefields, but instead to stay in their countries and take time to absorb the costs of 

these struggles. Maqdisi praises Usama b. Ladin and Ayman al-Zawahiri and criticizes many 

local Islamic movements.

Notes: 

An interview with Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi conducted by the reporter of al-`Asr online 

magazine and al-Mar'a magazine in 2002. Abu Muhammad answers a series of questions 

about the Salafi movement and political issues. 

173
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

حُسن الرفاقة في أجوبة سؤالات السواقة :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Husn al-rifaqa fi ajwibat su'alat al-Sawaqa 

Title (Translated): Beneficial Answers to the Questions from al-Sawaqa Prison 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 1995 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Taymiyya, 12.0%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 6.0%

Ibn `Abbas, 6.0%

Ahmad b. Hanbal, 

6.0%

Ibn Hajar , 6.0%

Ibn Qudama, 6.0%

Ibn Kathir, 4.0%

Ibn Hazm, 2.0%

Ibn Ishaq, 2.0%

Abu Da'ud, Sulayman

b. al-Ash`ath, 2.0%

`Iyad, al-Qadi, 2.0%

`Ali b. Abi Talib, 2.0%

`A'isha, 2.0%

Anas b. Malik, 2.0%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 2.0%

Allah, 2.0%

Other, 26.0%

Aslam Abu `Imran,

2.0%

Dhahabi(al-), 2.0%

Aw za`i(al-), 2.0%

Zayd b. `Amr b.

Nufayl, 4.0%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

174
Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

The article is a collection of questions presented to al-Maqdisi while serving his prison term 

in al-Sawaqa in Jordan. On pp. 3-4 the source author presents eight questions submitted to

him on various topics. Most of the questions are related to the issue of "takfir" (rendering 

someone an infidel). The first question deals with the manner in which Muslims who have

retracted their "Tawhidi" views, like the Ikhwan, ought to be treated; i.e. what are the "rules 

of engagement" with them? 

The second question asks about the legitimacy of some people's use of a certain Qur'anic 

verse to render any employee of tyrannical governments an infidel, even a sanitary worker 

(Ar. "`amil al-tanzifat"). Question 3 asks al-Maqdisi's opinion on the seemingly loose practice 

of "takfir" of some people based on their assumption that the call to "tawhid" (monotheism) 

is first and foremost based on the principle of "takfir". In his answer on p. 15, the source 

author tries to show that this is not the case. At the bottom of p. 15, al-Maqdisi states that 

"tawhidi" ideology is based on two things: belief in Allah (Ar. Al-Iman bi'l-lah) and declaring 

the tyrannical evil-doer an infidel (Ar. Al-Kufr bil'-taghut). But, he continues, people do tend

to over use and under use this tool; for this reason it is important to adhere to the Shari`a, as

it provides the "golden median", the perfect balance. The Shari'a requires one to furnish 

proof before declaring another an infidel (see p. 16). 

In a related manner, the fourth question asks about those "Muwahhidun" who regularly

declare others infidels while they refuse to render an infidel anyone associated with the 

government (e.g. military personnel, members of parliament, ministers, etc). This results in 

great discord, what then, al-Maqdisi is asked, is his opinion on them? In his answer on p. 17, 

the source author emphasizes the importance of evidence to the process of "takfir" which 

has its conditions and limitations. A conclusive example, according to him, is one who

refuses to declare an infidel anyone who believes in the trinity. This, he says, is expressly 

against what has been revealed in the Qur'an (hence prima fascia all Christians are infidels, 

see p. 19). An example of a case that is inclusive, and there should be no rush to judgment 

about takfir, is the case of those whom the source author calls "Murji'a". Many of these 

Murji'a only differ on the definition of belief (Ar. Iman) and what is implied therein. (see pp. 

21-22). 

The source author briefly touches on the issues raised in the fifth question by circumventing 

his opinion of Ibn Baz and other "takfiri" scholars. He ends by "merely" warning young

people of the potential damage of following faulty opinions and judgments. The fifth 

question asks the Shaykh about his takfir of other scholars like al-Albani and Ibn Baz.

(though when answering the question on. 24, he refers to al-Albani alone and flat out denies 

that he has issued a "takfir" of al-Albani. While he disagrees with him on questions of 

ideology and theology, he does not see him as someone who is influenced by the 

government or associated in any way with the tyrannical powers-that-be (25). 

175
The sixth question again asks about "takfir", positing that many are confused about related

hindrances or impediments. What, then, the person asks, are the obligations and hindrances 

associated with declaring someone a "kafir" (infidel). On p. 26 al-Maqdisi tackles the 

question and begins by enumerating acceptable reasons for avoiding "takfir". One example 

he mentions is blasphemy that is committed under coercion or duress. A coerced

blasphemous act is considered a mitigating circumstance preventing one (Ar. Mani`) from 

being subjected to "takfir" (26). Blasphemy committed in error is also considered a "mani`"

that prevents one from being declared an infidel (see p. 27). 

Question seven asks about al-Maqdisi's judgment on suicide operations in Palestine, that 

have increased dramatically lately. On pp. 33-34 al-Maqdisi tries to differentiate between

suicide that is absolutely forbidden in Islam and the type of suicide missions that are being 

carried out against the "enemies of Allah". In the course of the answer to this question, Abu

Muhammad shows that for all intents and purposes, suicide is forbidden, even when the 

means might seem to be justified by the end. One must be very careful, he says, since "we 

Muslims are not Machiavellians, and the means must be legitimate just like the end" (p. 37). 

The existence of new technology like timers, remote controls etc. should obviate the need to 

kill oneself in order to inflict maximum harm on the enemy (see p. 37 and again p. 45). The 

source author's [I must confess curious] critique of suicide missions spans almost twenty 

pages, when on p. 42 he says, such missions are acceptable only if there is no other way to 

fight the infidel enemy. Still, throughout the discussion he maintains the line that the means 

must bear a Shari`i seal of approval, just like the end. 

On p. 44 al-Maqdisi notes that by no means is he advocating in the course of the discussion 

the nullification of such acts of suicide killings, or that those who carry out such acts do not 

deserve heavenly rewards. He says he merely wants to convey to his readers that there is a 

stark difference between he who takes his own life out of despair or anger and he who gives

his life for the sake of fellow believers (see p. 44 and again pp. 46-47). On p. 48 the source 

author underlines the importance of producing clear-cut evidence that will provide a shar`i 

basis for using suicide as a tactic of war. Al-Maqdisi's response to this question was on a 

general note and not specific to the Arab-Israeli conflict as he was asked originally. 

The final question deals with prayer behind Imams who give their blessing to tyrannical 

leaders from their pulpit despite all Muslims' acceptance of the obligation to pray together as

a collective (pp.51ff). Al-Maqdisi's answer is to point: one is under no obligation to listen to

and pray behind such an Imam. 

Notes: 

On the first page there are three letters: C, P, and Z. C and Z subsequently occur on every 

page of the article. The website where the article was published has been removed from the 

server. After the initial presentation of the questions on pp. 3-4, each question gets 

presented individually and answered. The wording of the questions however is altered by he

source author. The source author refers to himself in the third person at times, which could 

also be a sign of editing, e.g. p. 36 and 37. Moreover, following the phrase: "qala Abu

Muhammad" appears the phrase "`afa Allah `anhu" (tr. God forgive him). It looks like 

176
whoever edited the text didn't agree wholeheartedly with the source author's view on suicide 

operations. 

177
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

إعداد القــادة الفــوارس بهجـر فسـاد المـدارس :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): I`dad al-qadat al-fawaris bi-hajr fasad al-madaris 

Title (Translated): Preparing Chivalrous Leaders to Leave the Corruption of Schools 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: 2001 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Wizarat al-tarbiyya, 46.4%

Qabas(al-), 3.8%

Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya,

3.6%

Qutb, Muhammad, 1.9%

Misri(al-), Muhammad 

Amin, 1.7%

Nadwi(al-), Abu al-Hasan 

`Ali, 1.7%

Siyasa(al-), 1.7%

Anba'(al-), 1.2%

Sa`di(al-), `Abd al-Rahman 

b. Nasir, 1.2%

Siddiq(al-) al-Ghumari,

Ahmad b.Muhammad, 1.2%

Ibn Taymiyya, 1.2%

`Alwan,`Abd Allah, 0.9%

`Abd al-Rahman al-Dusari,

0.9%

Ra'id(al-), 0.9%

Safar al-Hawali, 0.7%

Nashami(al-), `Ujayl Jasim,

0.7%

Sufyan al-Thawri, 0.7%

Tayis al-Jumayli, 0.7%

Ibn Kathir,0.7%

Watan(al-) Newspaper,

4.0%

Other, 24.2%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

178
Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

The bulk of this book is criticism of the educational system in the Gulf states, specifically in 

Kuwait. Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi argues that authoritarian rulers did not and will never 

establish schools on the basis of Islam. Al-Maqdisi says that every Muslim is responsible of 

the education of his own family as long as there is no Islamic state providing an Islamic 

educational system, adding that groups of Muslims can provide alternatives to teach their 

children writing, reading and the Qur’an. He emphasizes that children should be taught 

Islam and good behavior; and insists on how the father should take charge of educating his 

son on Islam even if the society does not. 

Al-Maqdisi differentiates between two kinds of people: those who have a pure and faithful 

heart and those who have a black, sinful heart. Furthermore, he distinguishes at a later stage 

between two sorts of corruptions of the heart: that which is intentional, and that which is 

done through ignorance. He also suggests that the corruption of those gifted with a mind is 

far greater than that of the ignorant or under age, who cannot manage their own affairs. 

Al-Maqdisi condemns that crackdown on Islamic schools and criticizes the schools filled 

with infidelity and corruption, however he admits that those schools are useful only for

learning how to read, write, grammar, math and some general information. He suggests a list 

of tactics or strategies by authoritarian rulers in devising their educational systems: 

implanting loyalty to government and ruling parties; educating on the respect of general laws;

pushing the children away from Islamic nationalism and replacing it with Arab nationalism; 

diverting the youth by wasting their time in corruption; copying the corruption of 

Westerners. 

The author criticizes the Kuwaiti ministry of education and argues that the educational

system in Kuwait is excessive in glorifying symbols of the state like the flag, national anthem, 

army and its rulers. He warns Muslim fathers to save their children from this “absolute evil”. 

Al-Maqdisi elaborates on his criticism about Kuwaiti national holidays and their rituals, 

celebrations and nationalistic sentiments. He condemns schools that are named after the 

rulers and their family members. 

Al-Maqdisi lists a series of quotations from newspapers and high school textbooks to 

support his argument against Kuwaiti schools, while highlighting the corruption of teachers. 

He also condemns the company, the unethical behavior, and the environment in those 

schools; in addition to the educational programs that reflect the corruption of the ruling 

regime and are used to enhance the loyalty to the monarchy. Al-Maqdisi says that all high 

school books carry the symbol of the regime. 

On another note, he adds that colonialism had its impacts on culture and education. At the 

end of the book, al-Maqdisi lists quotations of some Islamic clergies and educators about 

schools to prove his case. 

179
Notes: 

The book was written around 1986 and published in 2001, most probably in Kuwait, on 

which it focuses. Al-Maqdisi specifies that his target audience is those who joined the call of 

Islam through study, jihad or faith. He claims that the purpose of his book is to take Muslim 

children out of darkness to the light of faith. 

180
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

إمتاع النظر في آشف شبهات مرجئة العصر :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Imta` al-nazar fi kashf shubuhat murji'at al-`asr 

Title (Translated): An Enjoyable Look at Uncovering the Suspicious Ways of Today's 

Murji'a ["the postponers" -- an early Islamic sect] 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 1999 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors Ibn Taymiyya,13.4%

Ibn Hazm,12.0%

Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya, 5.1%

Ibn Hajar,4.2%

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd al-Latif,

4.2%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab,

Muhammad, 3.7%

`Abd al-Majid al-Shadhili, 3.7%

Al al-Shaykh, Sulayman, 2.8%

Ibn Hibban, Abu Hatim

Muhammad al-Busti,1.9%

Tabari(al-), 1.9%

Shinqiti(al-), 1.9%

Ibn Kathir, 1.4%

Shatibi(al-), 1.4%

Qurtubi(al-), 1.4%

`Abd Allah b. al-Qana'i,1.4%

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd al-Rahman 

b. Hasan, 1.4%

Ibn `Abbas,0.9%

Hudhayfa b. al-Yaman, 0.9%

Bara'(al-) b. `Azib, 0.9%

Ibn al-Farra', Abu Ya`la, 0.9%

Other, 34.7%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

181
Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

Following a brief introduction, Abu Muhammad starts off his article by discussing the 

Murji'a (p.5ff). There are three major types of Murji'a, according al-Maqdisi: the first group 

believes in postponement with regards to belief (iman) and in free choice (qadar), along the 

lines of the Qadariyya and the Mu`tazili schools of thought. The second group believes in 

postponement with regards to belief and in predestination (jabr) of man's actions along the 

lines of Jahmi school of thought. The third group came out of the Jabriyya and Qadariyya 

schools (and the source author lists 5 subgroups). 

With respect to belief (iman), there are two types: extremists (ghulat) among the Murji'a,

these are the Murji'ite mutakallimun (theologians), and Murji'ite Fuqaha' (those who 

practiced Islamic jurisprudence) (p.5). Al-Maqdisi's argument against the concept of Irja' and

those who believe in it is the fact that to them belief is something personal, is a matter of the 

heart, while deeds and actions are secondary (see p. 7). Deeds or misdeeds are understood by 

the Murji'a as non-indicative of a state of Kufr (blasphemy); they only point to the possibility 

of the latter. It is with this understanding that the source author takes issue (e.g. p. 12) and it 

constituted a large part of the motive to write the current article (p. 13, 20). 

The source author repeats the idea that actions must be taken as an indication of a person's 

inner state (contrary to the Murji'ite view), thus if a person expresses something that is

defined as Kufr, that person must be declared an infidel, pure and simple (p. 25). The 

concept of indication is tied to the notion of "istihlal", which means to "erroneously claim 

that something is lawful (Ar. Halal)". Both notions together constitute the crux of the 

article's argument (cf. 82f). Engaging in "kufr" has a clear cut judgment and valuation (Ar.

Hukm), it does not entail a condition or qualification (Ar. qayd). If the latter were the case,

says al-Maqdisi, Allah's sacred law would become a game in the hands of every atheist (Ar.

Zindiq), (see p. 25 and cf. source author's quote from Ibn Taymiyya pp. 26-27; p.35). On p.

31 source author cites Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab's Kashf al-Shubuhat, which by and large differs 

only slightly from other citations on the topic of things that indicate a state of Kufr, except 

that Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab adds the pronouncement: وماله الرجل دم ويحل) tr. [...Such] a man's 

blood and possessions become lawful [targets]). 

Pp. 35-36 the source author cites examples of pronouncements and judgment on the topic 

from each of the four schools of law. Starting on p. 37 al-Maqdisi turns to discuss certain 

tyrannical lawmakers' use of a hadith attributed to Ibn `Abbas "kufr duna kufr" (or, "that is

not kufr toward which you are going", based on Q 5:44). Al-Maqdisi devotes a lot of space 

to proving that Hisham b. Hujayr is a faulty link in the isnad. And even if the hadith (isnad

and matn) is acceptable, it must be read in the context of Ibn `Abbas speaking to a specific 

group of people in a specific point in time, and thus his statement should be taken as a 

general condonation of later Kharijite behavior. It is inconceivable, says al-Maqdisi, that Ibn 

`Abbas would actually advocate distortion of divine words or transgression of Allah's laws,

like the Jews or others (see pp. 42-43). 

182
It is fascinating to see what the source author decides to contextualize and what he takes as

immutable timeless truth. The Khawarij, the source author remarks between quotes, were 

trying to declare rulers of their time infidels based on transgressions (Ar. Ma`asi) that did not 

actually "reach" (Ar. Tasil, i.e. did not qualify as) kufr, denial of faith. Following the lengthy 

discussion on the use of the "kufr duna kufr" hadith attributed to Ibn `Abbas, the source 

author turns to discuss the idea of governance via legislation. According to al-Maqdisi, this

type of legislative activity, even minute, renders the today's tyrannical rulers infidels and puts 

them beyond the pale of Islam. (p. 49). Engaging in law making, a right such rulers usurped, 

is blasphemous, as human legislators put themselves on the same footing as Allah, as

partners to God (Ar. shuraka' or andad). 

"Activist" rulers are worse than corrupt rulers and judges that abide by most existing Divine 

law only occasionally to follow a whim (49). As an example of the worst kind of kufr, of the 

purely blasphemous behavior (Ar. Kufr mujarrad), al-Maqdisi repeatedly brings up the Jews

who changed the laws of "Zina" (tr. Illicit sexual activity) (42,52,59-60 and 59n46); indeed 

the prevalence of the "dirty Jew" stereotype in this text is palpable. P. 62 marks the 

beginning of discussion on the next "shubha" connected with `Umar b. al-Khattab's alleged

suspension of the Shari`a theft (Ar. sariqa) penalty during the year of the Cinders (`am alramada). On p. 66 al-Maqdisi turns to the third dubious claim that the Prophet and some of

his Companions denied themselves certain things. 

The fourth shubha or even outright lie (sic. See parentheses in the title- "kidhba") has to do 

with the claim that al-Hajjaj engaged in legislation and the Salaf did not declare him an

infidel (p. 74). While al-Maqdisi dismisses what he considered a false and baseless argument,

he asks a question that is very much at the heart of the "Modernity crisis" that has plagued 

the Muslim world almost since the Napoleonic invasion, "if sayings and judgments rendered 

by `ulama' and the Sahaba are not binding", al-Maqdisi asks, "then what about sayings and 

deeds of people that are of lesser stature?" (see 74n52). Al-Maqdisi clearly expresses his and

many others' great fear that the system they know (that is the sum total of Islam) is breaking 

down (and cf. p. 88)—fear that will motivate to kill and be killed. 

On p. 84 al-Maqdisi begins a section devoted to a "shubha" regarding the saying ( نكفر ولا

يستحله لم ما بذنب ًمسلما) tr. We do not declare a Muslim an infidel because of a sin he 

erroneously considered to be halal, lawful). In this section the source author continues 

discussing the same idea of istihlal mentioned above and in a similar fashion on p. 88 alMaqdisi turns to a "shubha" regarding the use of a saying attributed to `Abd Allah b. Shaqiq 

al-`Uqayli by "today's Murji'a". Once more the source author contextualizes the saying and 

refutes the way the latter group use it to prove their argument that there are deeds or 

misdeeds that do not actually render the "doer" an infidel. The next "doubtful thing" (Ar.

Shubha) is the use of the Tawaghit's use of the Shahada (the utterance of "االله إلا إله لا) ("p. 

93). In this section the source author argues against "the contemporary Murji'as" who claim

that tyrannical rulers who utter the "Shahada" should be excluded from being declared

infidels (see 95-96). Uttering the "shahada", says al-Maqdisi, has its requirements, conditions 

and there are things that stand in contradiction to it (Ar. Nawaqid) (p. 97). 

In a similar fashion, the Tawaghit's adherence to prayer (Ar. Salat) can also be misleading. 

Al-Maqdisi briefly turns his readers' attention to this “shubha" (p. 113-115). Next, the source 

183
author seeks to disambiguate a shubha commonly associated with the Jews. These "Murji'a",

 .tr) (وَمَ ْن َلمْ ي ْ َحكُم بِمَا َأْنزَلَ االلهُ فَأوَلئِكَ هُمُ الكَاِفرُون) 5:44 Q interpret erroneously ,Maqdisi-al says

Those who do not judge in accordance with what Allah has sent down, indeed they are the 

disbelievers/infidels), as referring specifically to the Jews. However, al-Maqdisi argues, the 

"man" in the Qur'anic verse is an absolute term, and should not be read restrictively with a

specific meaning (117). The meaning encompasses the Jews but is not restricted to them 

(118). On p. 124 al-Maqdisi proceeds to the next "doubtful thing" that has to do with the 

فلا وربك لا يؤمنون حتى يحكموك فيما شجر بينهم ثم لا يجدوا في أنفسهم حرجًا مما 4:65 Q of interpretation

اًتسليم ويسلموا قضيت) tr. "But no, by the Lord your God, they cannot believe, until they make 

You the judge in all disputes between them, and do not find in their souls any sin of 

shunning Your decision, but surrender themselves [to these decisions] completely." (and cf. 

al-Maqdisi's understanding of the word "haraj" on p. 127). 

P. 132 marks the beginning of the last "shubha". In this section al-Maqdisi sets out to clarify 

the confusion surrounding a tradition that says the Prophet [in a specific context] did not 

declare certain people infidels in spite of their seeming blasphemous behavior. As is 

generally the case when it comes to justifying most instances of "Takfir", al-Maqdisi (and 

other like-minded Salafis) claim that the general command in the Qur'an trumps any specific 

instance to the contrary. Thus instead of seizing upon an instance of tolerance in the Qur'an 

or the Sunna, there is a clear preference for a blanket statement of condemnation (see 133). 

In his conclusions pp. 139-145 al-Maqdisi says it was not his intention to present the entire 

gamut of "shubuhat" raised by "today's Murji'a". That, he says, would be impossible, since 

the devil continuously inspires them with his lies (p. 139). 

Al-Maqdisi ends with a number of warnings for those who seek the truth. First, those who

seek the truth (Ar."talabat al-haqq") must beware of "hawa" (tr. whim, desire or passion). 

"Hawa" is itself a "taghut" (a tyrannical evil). Second, beware of supporting sectarianism or 

of supporting individuals, especially at the expense of neglecting the word of Allah and his 

Prophet (141). Hold on to God's truth (whatever that is) and do not be swayed by anyone to 

forsake it. Third, behave in a just and righteous manner, it is rare nowadays. A true believer 

does not lie (p. 142). Fourth, beware of retreating or deserting the truth just because you find 

yourself in the minority. Lastly, rest assured that the truth prevails, even if takes a long time. 

Pp. 146-148: table of contents. 

Notes: 

2nd edition. The Murji'a was a sect that emerged in the Ummayyid period, they professed the 

belief that all deeds and actions should be put off isolating these deeds from faith. Thus, the 

Murji'a postponed the judgment of Allah and His Prophet and entertained the idea that no 

one can judge. Source author says that originally the article was entitled ( زعم من على ،الهداة رد

in it wrote first he when أن ليس في الأعمال والأقوال آفر ما لم يرتبط باعتقاد إلا الصلاة

1408H/1987CE. He didn't intend the article for published but eventually did publish it in 

1412H/1991CE (this is the date that appears on p. 144). Source author tends to style quotes 

with and without attribution, though very often gives no reference information (e.g. 10 

quoting "some Salaf"). Al-Maqdisi's style of writing is very often piecemeal (e.g. p. 16, 17-

18,27). Also, he tends to inserts short editorial comments into his quotes. For expediency I

copy a quote in its entirety into the DB but I don't highlight the comments. Source author's 

184
piecemeal citation proves to be a bit tricky, since I cannot always be sure where a quote ends

(e.g. p. 20). Many of the verbs the source author uses to talk about today's Murji`a are 

associated with animal behavior (e.g. العصر مرجئة نعق( . On p. 60, in the footnote, there is a 

reference to a page and volume 70/7 with no other identifying details. Footnote 52 is a good 

example of the source author's misuse of footnotes, mostly to go into a diatribe about the 

lies, infidelity and blasphemy of those who don't hold the same views as his. Footnote 52

starts on p. 74 and spans nearly 3 pages! Another example (not nearly as long) is footnote 55 

on p. 80. the source author tends to give different variations on citation authors' names,

which makes a little hard to keep track of them in the DB entries. In the last shubha the 

source author tends to footnote many references and avoids direct quotes by paraphrasing 

and summarizing in his own words. 

185
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

آشف النقاب عن شـريعة الغاب :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Kashf al-niqab `an shari`at al-ghab 

Title (Translated): Unveiling the Law of the Jungle 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 1988 

Place of Publication: Cairo; Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Taymiyya, 9.9%

Shinqiti(al-), 9.0%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 8.1%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab, 

Muhammad, 7.2%

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd Allah 

b. `Abd al-Latif, 7.2%

Ibn Hajar , 7.2%

Ibn Kathir, 6.3%

Hamad b. `Ali b. `Atiq,

6.3%

Ahmad Shakir, 4.5%

Bukhari(al-), 3.6%

Al al-Shaykh, Sulayman, 

2.7%

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd alLatif, 2.7%

Tabari(al-), 2.7%

Muslim b. al-Hajjaj alQushayri, 1.8%

Siyasa(al-), 1.8%

Ahmad b. Hanbal, 1.8%

Abu Hurayra, 0.9%

Balagh(al-), 0.9%

Qabas(al-), 0.9%

Ibn al-Athir, Majd al-Din, 

0.9%

Other, 13.5%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

186
A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

The sources, theories, statutes and applications of the law are the themes of this article. Two 

types of law are discussed by al-Maqdisi: the civil codes of Kuwait (i.e law that is not derived 

from the Qur'an and sunna) and the shari`a (divinely inspired law). Al-Maqdisi is critical of 

the former ("the law of the jungle"); he calls the civil law code of Kuwait the Yasaq—in

doing so he is referring to the legal codes established by Chingiz Khan after the extinction of

the "universal" caliphate in Baghdad in 1258 CE. Al-Maqdisi cites specific articles of the 

Kuwaiti legal code in order to expose their flaws. Oftentimes he follows these citations with

references to the Qur'an and hadith, or commentary from such figures as al-Tabari, al-

`Asqalani, Ibn Taymiyya and Muhammad b. `Abd al-Wahhab. He also makes heavy use of 

Ibn Qayyim's al-Nuniyya. He says that many Muslims today call themselves "servants of

God" (`ibad Allah), but they are really servants of a different master (p. 73). He says that the 

shahada (profession of faith) affirms that there is only one God (p 11), hence Muslims must 

follow the din (religion—here, especially in relation to orthopraxy) of God, not the din of 

the Yasaq (p.21). Tyrants (and by this he means most popularly elected leaders of Muslim 

countries) follow their own law, not the law of God (p. 27). 

Notes: 

I consider references to Yasaq, Dustur and Qanun to indicate the same thing. For the sake 

of consistency, I have chosen to use Yasaq in all cases. 

187
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

آشف شبهات المجادلين عن عساآر الشرك وأنصار القوانين :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Kashf shubahat al-mujadilin `an `asakir al-shirk wa ansar al-qawanin 

Title (Translated): Exposing the Specious Arguments of the Disputants about the Soldiers 

of Idolatry and the Supporters of Profane Laws 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 1995 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Nawawi(al-), 10.7%

Jordanian 

Constitution, 3.6%

Nawawi(al-), 3.6%

Shatibi(al-), 3.6%

Maqdisi(al-), Abu

Muhammad, 25.0%

Ibn Taymiyya, 17.9%

Bara'(al-) b. `Azib,

3.6%

Sufyan al-Thawri,

3.6%

Al al-Shaykh,

Sulayman, 3.6%

Ibn Hajar , 7.1% Halabi(al-), `Ali b.

Hasan, 3.6%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab,

Muhammad, 7.1%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJawziyya, 7.1%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

188
A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

The basic argument presented here is that obedience to tyrannical rulers is shirk 

(polytheism). The disputants who defend the people of idolatry try to present the false as

true. There are some Muslims who are susceptible to theese lies; among the specious 

arguments of those who defend tyrants and idolaters (the “Muslims” who collude with the 

enemies and are hypocrites) are: 

The disbelief of the rulers and their helpers is only a mild form of disbelief if any; 

They declare the shahada;

They pray and fast; 

Whoever calls a Muslim a disbeliever is himself a disbeliever; 

Ignorance is a valid excuse. 

On the important matter of disbelief versus belief, it must be settled once and for all that so

that there can be no excuse for helping the idolaters. Belief in God requires disbelief in

tyrants and profane rulers. To claim to believe in God while embracing tyrants is hypocrisy

and an aspect of disbelief. The hukkam (Arab rulers) believe in the tyrants and their profane 

laws (namely the UN), so they are hypocrites and have a share in disbelief. Moreover, they 

themselves are tyrants who are “worshipped” by their followers. 

Another feature of disbelief is helping the idolaters at the cost of the believers. Another is

treating democracy as a religion in place of Islam. The two cannot coexist in this way. What 

is not Islam is error. Islam is from God, while democracy is from the Greeks. In 

democracy, laws work for man, not for God. Other political ideologies, such as 

communism, are also “religions” that are not Islamic. Belief in them is disbelief in Islam. 

The disputants say that we should obey the rulers simply because they declare the shahada.

But just declaring it is not enough—one has to adhere to its principles and act accordingly. 

Obeying the hypocritical leaders is shirk. 

The conditions for the shahada are: 

Rejecting disbelief and idolatry and worshipping only God; 

Compliance with its principles in action; 

Truthfulness in opposition to falsehood; 

Sincerity in devotion to God to the exclusion of all else; 

Certainty without doubt; 

Love for the declaration and its meanings; and 

Fully accepting its requirements. 

We may accept the declaration of the shahada from someone so long as we do not see any 

contradictions against it in their words or acts. A central condition of tawhid is right action, 

which follows in the example of the prophets. 

189
While the hypocrites pray, their prayers are meaningless and worthless, since they are not 

performed with a full realization of tawhid. For the one who does not affirm the principles

of the shahada (rejection of tyrants and embracing God as the One), failure to affirm this 

renders his prayer, his fasting, and all his actions empty. Both the tyrant and the one who 

accepts the rule of the tyrant pray in vain, and their prayers are rejected. 

Despite what the disputants say, it is possible to call a “Muslim” a disbeliever if his actions 

contravene the principles of faith, which makes him an apostate. It is feasible for a Muslim 

to commit acts of disbelief, and they must be held accountable for that. 

The disputants say that those who obey tyrants out of ignorance of the tyrannical nature of 

the rulers are excused for their ignorance, and cannot be called kuffar (disbelievers). The

author counters this by arguing that once a person accepts Islam, he is no longer excused for 

ignorance, nor is he forgiven for idolatry without repentance. People who have access to the 

divine message cannot claim to be ignorant. The “ignorance” of the tyrants and their 

followers is not a matter of lack of access to the truth, but rather a matter of preoccupation 

with worldly existence and neglect of vigilance in defense of truth. 

Some disputants say that there are those who serve the tyrants while they do not approve of 

them nor support their fabricated profane laws, but only serve as a means of livelihood, and

that this may even benefit the Umma. But the author replies that authentic membership in 

the Umma involves not only belief in the heart, but right speech and right conduct. Since 

belief in the heart may not be discernable by others, the community can only identify each

other through actions. God does not forgive submission to the tyrants unless there is really 

no escape from them. 

Some ask: what is the benefit of deeming people who submit to tyrants to be disbelievers? 

The author answers: it is not up to us to determine the benefit of it; we must do it because

we are commanded to do it. In order to dissociate from disbelievers, we must be able to

identify them. We cannot prefer national and social unity over the greater unity that is true

monotheism. Differentiating between believing and disbelieving people is the way to protect 

true monotheism. 

It is not extreme to deem disbelievers to be disbelievers according to their deeds, for it is not 

as if we deem all people to be disbelievers, nor is it as if we deem all people believers – these 

are the extremes, while our observation-based case-by-case assessment of people is a 

moderate and reasonable approach. We assess people’s belief according to objective criteria

that are based on God’s commands. 

Notes: 

This is one of the letters the author wrote while in the Sawaqah prison. 

190
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

الكواشف الجلية في آفر الدولة السعودية :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Kawashif(al-) al-jalliyya fi kufr al-dawla al-Su`udiyya 

Title (Translated): The Shameful Actions Manifest in the Saudi State's Disbelief 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: 2000 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Al al-Shaykh, Muhammad b.

Ibrahim, 9.8%

Cooperation Council for the 

Arab States of the Gulf,3.9%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab,

Muhammad, 3.5%

Sulayman b. Sahman, 3.1%

Shinqiti(al-), 2.8%

Ibn Taymiyya,2.8%

League of ArabStates,2.8%

Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya,

2.4%

Fahd b.`Abd al-`AzizAl Sa`ud,

2.4%

Jaza'iri(al-), Abu Bakr Jabir,

2.4%

`Abd al-`Aziz b. Baz, 2.0%

Juhayman al-`Utaybi, 2.0%

Wadi`i(al-), Muqbil b.Hadi,

2.0%

Sa`ud al-Faysal,2.0%

Marwan Hadid, 1.6%

`Abd Allah al-Quba`, 1.6%

Ibn Kathir, 1.6%

Talal Muhammad Nur `Attar,

1.6%

Shaykh (allied with Ibn Sa'ud),

1.2%

Faysal b. `Abd al-`Aziz Al

Sa`ud, 1.2%

Other, 47.6%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

191
A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi begins the article with a note to his readers that the contents of

the article are not bound by any copyright law and should be disseminated free as a warning 

to Islam's enemies. The goal of the article, says its author, is to clarify the necessary positions

that are incumbent on the "muwahhid" (one who holds true the doctrine of Tawhid) to hold

in his stance against a false regime such as the Saudi regime (p. 7). It is important to the 

source author that his readers know that he is not a Shi'ite nor a communist but a pure Najdi 

[the land where Wahhabism originated] Sunni Muslim Arab (p.9). On p. 10 there is a

preparatory segment entitled: (lit. tr.) "the goose chick swims well" (i.e. the apple doesn't fall 

far from the tree). There is a dialogue in this segment which appears without any citation 

references. 

In his critique of Ibn Mas`ud's corrupt offspring he levels the accusation against King Fahd 

that he is a Freemason and even dares to adorn himself with the Freemasons cross. King

Fahd is so corrupt that Saudi ties with Britain are not kept secret like back in the days of Ibn 

Sa`ud (see p.12). Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi decries the open relations King Fahd has with 

the Americans, disgusted by Fahd wishing President Reagan well after the assassination

attempt, appalled by the fact that the Americans are allowed to operate bases in the kingdom

(13, and see p. 188). Pp. 2-16 constitute an introductory chapter, somewhat superficially 

divided into smaller segments. The main theme of each segment is essentially much the 

same—the Saudi state and its rulers are corrupt; beyond the pale of Islam. The phrase 

"dawla khabitha" (tr. evil/impure nation) recurs many times. The last segment is entitled 

"طبقة شنٌّ وافق) "tr. There's a pot for every cover) (pp. 15-16). There is a subtitle `Anbar Akhu 

Bilal which the source author leaves unexplained and unrelated to the text. 

On p. 17 Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi starts a new segment on Saudi Arabia's man-made 

laws (qawanin wad`iyya). The source author criticizes any juridical activity that is not bound

by the Shari`a and is beyond its scope. He makes it very clear to his readers that such laws

and regulation should not be recognized or obeyed. To this end, the source author lists Saudi

laws and their provisions to highlight to his readers the magnitude of the Saudis' 

blasphemous behavior (e.g. law concerning Riba (interest), pp. 25-26. a subject to which he 

returns at the end of the article). He criticizes the Saudi rulers for making a mockery of the 

Shari`a and applying it only to the powerless and the poor (pp. 28-29;32). 

Pp. 36-61 the source author cites one fatwa after another by Muhammad b. Ibrahim Al alShaykh. He cites these fatwas for two main reasons: one, to show his readers just how 

impious the Saudis are in their disregard for the Shari`a; the other is to show how `Ulama' of

the establishment render their critique of the Saudi rulers irrelevant and insignificant (see 

esp. p. 46) by sugar coating their criticism with proper salutations and terms of deference.

While the source author agrees with most of the criticism he cites, he vehemently disagrees

with what he sees as obsequiousness and acquiescence of establishment `Ulama' (see 

comment on p. 47). There are some opinions the source author cites that he most certainly 

agrees with the spirit of the opinion, however, he continues to emphasize his negative 

attitude toward the quote since he disagrees with the context, i.e. the fact the opinion is

192
given in the capacity of an establishment scholar who holds no sway over the powers that 

be. 

A general complaint that constantly recurs is the Saudis' circumscription and restriction of

the scope and powers of Shari`a courts (see e.g. pp. 54-55). The section of fatwas ends on p. 

61 with a footnote concerning the circumstances of Muhammad b. Ibrahim's death. Though 

the official cause of death was illness, it is important for Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi to 

introduce the element of conspiracy. On p. 62 the source author turns to Saudi Arabia's

relations with the international community. He divided the discussion into three subsections: 

Saudi Arabia and international infidel despots (sic. Tawaghit), Gulf infidels and Arab infidels

One of the main aspects of international relations is the Kingdom's relations with the evil, 

infidel International Court of Justice at the Hague and the United Nations. What is

particularly appalling to the source author is the fact that the U.N. and other such 

international organizations are ruled by Jews and Christians (pp. 62, 69, 86, 185). Thus if the 

Kingdom partakes in such bodies, how could it possibly claim to be an Islamic state? (65). 

According to this line of reasoning, recognition of international law implies adopting it as the 

state's religion (p.66). The source author's attitude toward Saudi rulers and others around the 

Arab and Muslim world is summed up in the title of the second chapter شقرة يا الخيل مع

الخارجية والطواغيت السعودية, referring to the Kingdom as "Shuqra", a red haired horse: tr. Go 

with the herd oh red haired horse (feminine form!), Saudi Arabia and external infidel despots 

(p. 63). This chapter is essentially a xenophobe's litany of factors to fear. Everything from 

international or interregional treaties, leagues, organizations, to economic, political or 

military agreements with other Arab countries are things that the "Muwahhid" must fear, 

resist and destroy (included in his list are organizations like UNESCO, the Red Cross, the 

International Labor Organization and even international sporting events like Soccer World

Cup, see p.183). The list spans 85 pages ( pp. 62-147), with a two page summary (148-150) 

recanting the idolatrous, blasphemous behavior of the Saudi rulers who dare maintain their 

status as the protectors of Islam and the title Khadim al-Haramayn for its king. 

On p. 151, source author cuts to the chase and calls for hijra (to emigrate from) and jihad 

(wage a holy war) against the corrupt environment of the contemporary world. Only through 

hijra and jihad, he says to his readers, will the state of dischord (Ar. fitna) be removed and 

religion/authority (Ar. din) will be restored in its entirety to Allah, ويكون فتنة تكون لا حتى وقاتلوهم

الله آله الدين) p. 151). This chapter ends on p. 159 only to give way to several other chapters on 

Saudi impieties and misdeeds (160ff). The prospect of all the nations of the world, its 

religions and races creating a global society made up of Jews, Buddhists, Christians, Shi'is, 

Muslims (sic!), etc. is horrifying and defies the nature of things (see p. 67;74 and see 

comments on p. 179). On p. 90 the source author turns to his favorite topic: Saudi - U.S. 

relations. The U.S. is referred to in the title of the section as "habibat al-qalb" (the beloved).

Al-Maqdisi starts the section off with U.S.-Saudi trade and military agreements from 1974, 

which he is all too glad to point out was signed by the U.S. secretary of state, Kissinger the 

Jew. 

In a somewhat amateur effort to show his readers just how bloated the Saudi military budget 

is, the source author cites numbers from 1981-82 comparing the Saudi numbers to other

countries world wide. Not only are the numbers and averages made to indicate certain

193
conclusions, there is a glaring absence of information on Israel (pp. 93-97). For instance, the

source author concludes based on his numbers that Saudi Arabia spends nearly all of its 

bloated military budget to maintain American civilian and military personnel in the country,

based on the fact that Saudi Arabia has one of the weakest militaries in the world despite 

such its budget (i.e. the emphasis to the readers is twofold: the U.S. gets a free ride and the 

Kingdom is corrupt "beyond belief" sic. And see p.110). Rapid construction around the 

Kingdom is mainly for absorbing the tens of thousands of Americans imported to develop

various aspects of the military (e.g. 101,104). 

In connection with this trend the source author brings up the U.S. Rapid Deployment Joint 

Task Force and emphasizes the role of American troops in propping up the corrupt Saudi

regime. It's important to the source author to show Saudi corruption as manifest in the 

amenities and luxuries available to high ranking Saudi military personnel (100-101). Since 

Fahd became crown prince (sic.) Saudi-U.S. relations have grown closer. Within this context 

the source author touches on U.S.-Israel relations (102) and summarily concludes that based

on the nature of the latter relationship no Arab can ever trust the U.S. (102). On p. 107 

source author refers to the "1981 AWACS tragedy (Ar. ma'sa)", alleging that behind the U.S. 

in the U.S.-Saudi deal stood Menachem Begin's government. Saudi Arabia, says al-Maqdisi, 

did not benefit from the deal. Through this deal, he claims, the U.S. furthered its control of 

the region, and Israel received additional aid from the U.S. and a promise to be privy to all

intelligence information that would be collected as a result of the AWACS deal. The Saudis 

got the raw end of the deal, they were shamed and humiliated. In this manner the U.S. and 

Israel ensured their control of Muslims and all the nations of the region (see pp.108-109). 

As a result of the Saudi rulers' complete reliance on the U.S. they have stripped themselves 

of the ability to freely make decisions (111). On p. 112 the source author turns to another

factor in the bane of the Kingdom's existence: its regional relations, or "the brotherhood of 

tyrannical Gulf states" (112). This evil manifests itself in a number of bodies designed to 

foster cooperation in the Gulf region. Thus, argues the source author, the chief goal of the 

Gulf Council Cooperation (GCC) in its effort towards economic, political, educational and 

legislative collaboration and partnership is to sully the minds of young Muslims and ruin the 

next generation (sic., see 114-115). A second regulatory body the source author lists is the 

GCC's Commission for the Settlement of Disputes (115). Abu Muhammad is appalled that 

the Kingdom's rulers, the alleged protectors of Islam, have established a commission within 

the framework of the GCC to settle disputes not in accordance with Allah's sacred law but in

accordance with laws that are the refuse material (sic.) of the minds of Jews and Christians

(116). Even the smallest manifestation of affinity and collaboration between Saudi Arabia 

and its neighbors is taken as evidence of the Kingdom's corruption and evil-doing (see 118-

119). And this affinity puts Saudi Arabia and its rulers beyond the pale of Islam (p.121). 

They must repent, renounce all associations, sever all ties, withdraw from all treaties, in order 

to return to Islam; and the highest form of renunciation is carrying out jihad (121). 

Though p. 121 marks the beginning of the third section in the second chapter, the source 

author seems to have been compelled to spell out his conclusion at this point in his article: 

Saudi rulers are infidels and jihad must be carried out against them. He repeats this

conclusion later at the end of the chapter, but in the meantime he returns to discuss Saudi

Arabia's relationships with Arab "Tawaghit", like the Arab League (122). The kingdom's

rulers cannot be considered Muslims as long as they maintain relationships with Syria's Hafiz 

194
Asad, `Iraq's Saddam Husayn and Libya's al-Qadhdhafi (124). On p. 128 al-Maqdisi 

mentions the Arab human rights document adopted by members of the Arab League; and 

on p. 129 he turns his attention to other collaborative agreements. Source author mentions 

agreements, like: APICORP (Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation), pp. 129-130; 

OPEC, pp. 130-131; Council of Arab ministers of Interior 141f; Organization of the Islamic

Conference (p. 146). On p. 138 the source author urges his readers to confront the Saudi 

tyrants (no one specifically) and gives them a "script" to follow. Al-Maqdisi criticizes the 

collaborative effort to ensure the safety of tourists in Arab countries because Christian and

Jewish tourists are sent by their governments for espionage (see p. 141n72). 

The source author makes it very clear that his version of Islam, his notion of the oneness of 

Allah (tawhid), is absolutely incompatible with the idea of government by the people. A 

system of government in which power is vested in the people is inextricably linked to 

polytheism and divestiture of God from His role as the sole source of law (e.g. see p. 145). 

Thus, for al-Maqdisi there is no other vantage point from which to examine the Kingdom's

rulers' conduct: it is blasphemous legal activism through which the Saudi rulers have 

attributed partners to Allah (148-150; 152). On p. 151 the source author turns his attention 

to what he sees as the only solution for the horrible state of "fitna", i.e. to emigrate and wage 

jihad (al-hijra wa'l-jihad). Until such time when authority is rendered entirely unto God, a

state of fitna persists. Currently, says the source author, authority is shared by Allah, the 

Saud family, the U.N., the International Court, "international law" (sic. 151), etc. A common

epithet for Al Saud is "mushriku al-qanun" (e.g. 155). 

The section that begins on p. 160 seems like an after-thought, it continues the same theme 

of "takfir" of the "abominable, wicked country" (al-dawla al-khabitha). One of the most 

abominable acts the Saudi state is engaged in is application of interest. P. 171 marks the 

beginning of a section the author titles: العلمانية الماسونية السعودية) tr. The secular Masonic 

Saudi Arabia). The first argument the source author puts forth to prove the kingdom's

Masonic character is of the cordial addresses, greetings, and displays of sympathy to nonMuslim heads of state (172). The second argument the source author gives to prove the 

kingdom’s "Masonic" character is Saudi involvement in human rights and other peace 

related efforts(see p. 175). The source author also cites two lines where King Fahd and King 

`Abd al-`Aziz had publicly praised "Masonic thought" (see p. 176). The media constitute one 

of three apparatuses of oppression used by the state. The other two are the military and the 

various branches of the intelligence (see p. 171). The source author challenges anyone who 

doubts the veracity of his argument on the Masonic character of the Kingdom to publicly 

express offensive views and vilify the U.S., Britain, Christians and Jews. If this were not a 

Masonic state, argues al-Maqdisi, one would be allowed to publicly revile all non-Muslims

(see p.181). 

On p. 203 the source author starts a new section on "Saudi Arabia and the Afghan game".

According to al-Maqdisi (in 1989) Saudi Arabia was behind every move of the Afghan

government (see p. 204); moreover, Saudi Arabia finances much of the activity in (terrorist) 

training camps outsides its borders, in particular, Afghanistan (esp. 205, 207,211). The source 

author refers anecdotally to a working relationship between King Fahd and [`Abd al-Rasul] 

Sayyaf (see 205-206). P. 212 introduces the penultimate section of the article and entitled, 

"Saudi Arabia: the burial grounds of the `Ulama and prison of the du`a (tr.

195
evangelicals/callers to religion). The repeated notion is that the (establishment) `Ulama lie in

the bosom of the wicked, infidel rulers, they are their lackeys and do the rulers' dirty work of 

misleading the nation (e.g. 220). These `ulama and their opinions must not be trusted or

followed (221). The source author ends the section with a call to these `ulama' to stop aiding 

and abetting the abominable, infidel rulers (p. 225-226). 

On p. 227 the source author expresses one last plea to all those he sees as transgressing the 

true path, establishment `ulama', mujahidin that have renounced their Holy War, errant 

propagandists that have sold out their noble cause for "the Riyal, the Dollar, and the Cross"

(227). Following the table of contents on pp. 229-232, the source author addresses his 

readers one more time. He warns them that this "book" has been banned by the Saudi

government but he is certain that despite the government's best effort, the light of Allah and 

his unity (Ar. Tawhid) will not be hindered from access. He asks his readers to do everything

in their power to disseminate this material, since dissemination of such material is one of the 

highest forms of jihad (233). 

Notes: 

In the beginning of the article the date 1421/2000 appears (2nd edition); at the end of the 

article the date 1410/1989 appears. `Isam Muhammad Tahir al-Barqawi aka Abu

Muhammad al-Maqdisi is al-Qa`ida’s spiritual leader in Iraq. Source author incorporates

poetry and directly addresses whom he perceives as his main adversary, the Saudi ruling 

family (e.g. pp. 2-3 and p.5). He also addresses his reader/s directly with imperatives such as: 

"look", "behold" (very often coupled with "ya akhi al-muwahhid"), in order to draw their 

attention to quoted texts that supposedly clearly prove the veracity of his argument (e.g. 

p.129,130); usually such an address is accompanied by exclamation marks. Some of the 

notation is inconsistent; footnotes are usually marked with numbers though occasionally he 

(or the editors?) inserts an asterisk footnote (e.g. p.6). There is a table of contents at the end

of the article, but there are no page numbers and the section titles don't follow the content 

accurately. Source author's writing is full of similes and metaphors (e.g. p. 7,75; and see 205), 

as well as rhymed prose (e.g. p. 15). He draws upon many verses of poetry and his style of

writing in many segments is reminiscent of a short story, to the point where I'm not always

sure how to color code the text since I don't know if al-Maqdisi is quoting another source or 

he's composing the dialogues in an original "short story" based on historical knowledge from 

actual history books. So far there is very little reference material. The titles of his chapters

and segments are very often established metaphors and colloquial sayings (e.g. p. 98: ساعة

تديرها ماآينة بدون ولكن ..ذهب من بغلاف, tr. A watch in a pouch of gold but without a mechanism 

to drive it). Source author tends to add exclamation marks in quotes he disagrees with (this a

common practice). The Arabic text contains many typographical mistakes (a very frequent 

one is unconnected letters). The text is riddled with rhetorical questions used most often for 

leveling accusations and insults against the Saudi rulers (e.g. see 21-22 or 75). It is very 

difficult to follow the segmentation of the text and its levels (sections and subsections). 

Source author cites single or more verses of poetry without attributing them to any source. 

Source author cites one fatwa after another by Muhammad b. Ibrahim Al al-Shaykh. It's 

somewhat difficult to quote continuous chunks of the U.N. charter because the source 

author can't contain himself and constantly interjects with accusations (e.g. 72-74). Source 

author expresses his negative attitude toward politicians, statesmen by referring to them with

196
disparaging nicknames, omitting their titles, or by failing to mention to their full name (e.g. 

p. 91, 176 "Fuhayd" for Fahd, the use of the diminutive form). Much of the data the source 

author cites is now outdated (for the second edition it's 20-30 year old data), but what is

important to him (as well as those people making this material available) is not accuracy of

information but rather evincing an emotional reaction from his readers (see e.g. 91-92,93). It 

doesn't seem like the tables on pp. 93-97 are actually quoted from the IISS's reports, it looks 

like the author gather the information and put it in a table format. The time line of the 

discussion is a bit obfuscated because of the outdated sources. The source author goes back

and forth between past and present as if they were one and the same. Source tends to use 

bold formatting (of entire paragraphs at times) to emphasize and to let alert his readers that 

he is expressing something shocking or appalling. The editors add their own comments in 

some of the footnotes (see p. 111). On p. 143 the source author refers to (ENTCK

HARAMOES), it should read: Erik Harremoes, director of legal affairs of the Council of 

Europe. Source author uses quotation marks on text that is not actually cited material (e.g. 

163,164). By and large, the source author expresses very little except his own frustration, 

hatred and anger. 

197
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

لا تحزن إن االله معنا :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): La tahzan in Allah ma`ana 

Title (Translated): Do Not Distress, Indeed Allah is on Our Side 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 1994 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

Maqdisi seeks to examine, under his interpretation of Shari`a jurisprudence, situations in 

which isolated and powerless “Muslim brothers” are being pursued by non-Muslim or 

“atheist” authorities. Maqdisi informs readers that he and some “faithful brothers” were 

pursued by the “agents of taghut” (referring to the Jordanian government.) Some of them

were captured and imprisoned while the rest were notified to report to the authorities. 

In his analysis, Maqdisi illustrates different scenarios and options for those targeted Muslims 

in there dealing with such circumstances. First, he provides evidence to support his 

argument that it is legitimate for those individual Muslims to flee and evade the authorities’ 

pursuit. Second, to scale a situation according to Shari`a jurisprudence, he states that the 

status of the targeted Muslim as well as the posture of the pursuing authority have to be 

considered. If the Muslim under pursuit has the ability to stand to the authorities and defy 

their atheism then it is preferable for him to turn himself in, whereas a Muslim who is likely 

to get humiliated and afflicted should flee their pursuit. If the authority, although atheist,

abides by standards of justice and is unlikely to impose humiliation or affliction upon a 

198
Muslim under request then there is no harm in answering its request, especially if the Muslim

is called upon to provide a testimony of truth to serve justice. 

In the case where a Muslim is being surrounded with no way to flee, Maqdisi states that it is 

up to the individual’s own judgment of the situation to either surrender if he believes he 

would survive, or to fight for his life. Lastly, Maqdisi encourages his fellow Muslims to defy 

taghut and assert their faith despite of the hardships. 

Notes: 

The article is dated Sha`ban 12, 1414 AH. 

199
Author: Maqdisi(al-) Abu Muhammad 

المصابيح المنيرة في الرد على أسئلة أهل الجزيرة :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Masabih(al-) al-munira fi al-radd `ala as'ilat ahl al-jazira 

Title (Translated): An Illuminating Response to Questions of the People of the Arabian 

Peninsula 

Type of Publication: Other 

Year of Publication: 1993 (Originally published) 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Khatib(al-) alBaghdadi, 6.7%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab,

Muhammad, 13.3%

Tabarani(al-),

Sulayman b. Ahmad,

6.7%

Salma b. al-Akwa`,

6.7%

Maqdisi(al-), Abu 

Muhammad, 13.3%

Ibn Taymiyya, 20.0%

Ibn Hajar , 13.3%

Khabbab b. al-Aratt,

6.7%

Abu al-Aswad alDu'ali, 6.7%

Hudhayfa b. alYaman, 6.7%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

200
A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

On the third page of the fatwa, Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi briefly presents three questions: 

1) what is the judgment regarding working for an infidel, tyrannical government? 2) what is

the judgment regarding participation in such a government's armed forces (military, police)?

and 3) what is the judgment regarding being sent out with UN forces for peace keeping or

conflict resolution in various regions of the world? Al-Maqdisi answers the first question by 

enumerating the various ways in which these tyrannical governments violate divine law, and 

how this affects the hearts of Muslims. Following each statement regarding blasphemous

behavior the source author adds a rhetorical question to the effect of: ..."and [a fortiori]

what about those who befriend them, obey them, help them against the Muwahhidun (refers 

to counter-actions on all levels: legislative, judicial and executive)?" (see p. 4). 

The source author expresses this idea outright on p. 5, that it is better to avoid any position 

with an infidel, tyrannical government, at any level. He does note, however, that it is not 

categorically forbidden; it depends on the nature of the position. From the answer to the 

first question, al-Maqdisi says, the answer to the second is inferred, as it relates to positions 

that support the regular operations of a government (i.e. police, military) (see p. 6). 

Moreover, support for any type of infidel, whether local or at the international level, like the 

UN that is designed to maintain the staying power of the powers-that-be, is something to

avoid whenever possible. Having given plenty of examples from a number of hadith 

collections, the source author considers the third question sufficiently addressed (see p. 10). 

Notes: 

Ahl al-Jazira in the title refers specifically the Muwahhidun from the Arabian Peninsula. AlNur li'l-I`lam al-Islami in Denmark published this fatwa. The pagination of the document is 

a bit off. Since the first few pages are not counted I refer to MS Word's auto-numbering in 

both the DB and Issues Discussed. On p. 8, footnote 23 doesn't seem to be in the right

location since it's footnoted to a Qur'anic verse and contains only the reference to "p. 11". 

201
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

ملّة ابراهيم ودعوة الأنبياء والمرسلين وأساليب الطغاة في تمييعها وصرف الدعاة عنها :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Millat Ibrahim wa da`wat al-anbiya' wa'l-mursalin wa asalib al-tugha 

fi tamyi`iha wa sarf al-du`a `anha 

Title (Translated): The Creed of Ibrahim: The Call of the Prophets and Messengers and

the Manner of the Tyrants' Liquifying and Spending it 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Hamad b. `Ali b. `Atiq,

12.9%

Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jaw ziyya, 

8.6%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab, 

Muhammad, 8.6%

Sayyid Qutb, 7.1%

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd al-Latif, 

7.1%

Sulayman b. Sahman, 5.7%

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd alRahman b. Hasan, 5.7%

Al al-Shaykh, Sulayman,

4.3%

Ibn al-Jaw zi, 2.9%

0, 0.0%

Ibn Hajar, 2.9%

Ibn Taymiyya, 2.9%

Sufyan al-Thaw ri, 2.9%

Al al-Shaykh, Ishaq, 2.9%

Al al-Shaykh, Muhammad b.

`Abd al-Latif, 2.9%

Dhahabi(al-), 2.9%

Ibn al-`Arabi al-Maliki, 1.4%

Ibn Abi Hatim, `Abd alRahman b. Muhammad,

1.4%

Muhammad Rashid Rida,

1.4%

Qasimi(al-), Muhammad 

Jamal al-Din, 1.4%

Other, 14.3%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

202
A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

The book is a theological debate about whether Islam is a part or not of the creed of 

Ibrahim. Those who criticize this argument assert that Muslims are requested only to follow 

the way and creed of Prophet Muhammad while the creed of Ibrahim was revealed before 

Islam and thus Muslims are not bound by it. The critics state that Ibrahim was defending 

infidels and sinners. 

Answering those comments, Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi explains that Ibrahim was being 

merciful like any other graceful prophet, adding that he was trying to defend Lut not the 

behavior of his nation. He argues that Muslims are the descents of the creed of Ibrahim and 

the Qur’an explains that all prophets derive from one origin in spite of their different 

branches. He also asks to avoid any condemnation of prophets like Ibrahim, since this does 

not comply with Islam, especially that Muhammad himself instructed to follow the creed of 

Ibrahim. 

Abu Muhammad argues that the Prophet Muhammad destroyed the pagan statue in Mecca, a 

move in line with the creed of Ibrahim, before the hijra to Medina, while the critics say that 

the evidence behind this incident is weak. After defending the story, Abu Muhammad argues

that, regardless if this incident happened or not, the fact that the Prophet Muhammad

followed the creed of Ibrahim remains without any doubt. 

Maqdisi says that the path is clear regarding the creed of Ibrahim, and any other road will 

bring misery for Muslims. He explains that this path cannot be realized while staying silent

or not showing the wrong or else God would not have sent the nation of Lut to hell. He 

reiterates that it is not enough to study and analyze it, since it is a practical path as well which

should be backed up by deeds. 

Abu Muhammad argues that the core characteristics of the creed of Ibrahim are to reflect a

separated distinction with the infidels and their worships, publicly declare them as infidels, 

and show enmity for them until they leave everything and convert back to God. Those 

infidels, he suggests, are those who do not believe in God and worship instead pagans or

planets or human laws. He argues that the cost of this path on the creed of Ibrahim is high 

and not without prices. 

He explains that the creed of Ibrahim is not the last phase after attempts for rational

dialogue and debate, it is the only way to start and this cannot be postponed. Maqdisi calls

to avoid being in the circle of rulers and behave instead like the predecessors and affirms 

that the oppressive rulers in all times are against this creed out of fear, and thus tries to root 

it out of the spirits in all possible ways. 

203
He lays out a dichotomy between the secrecy of preparation and planning to support the 

religion and the public aspect of the calling and information in revealing infidelities. He 

affirms that the ultimate purpose is to elevate the religion of God and save the people from 

infidelities, whereas the Islamic state is just another tool for this end. 

Notes: 

The author is publishing a new version of this book to answer the apparent controversy 

created by this publication among clergies. 

However, it is crucial to provide a background in this section to understand what the author

means and what he is trying to prove: Lut and Ibrahim lived at the same time and place, as 

mentioned in the old testament. Lut was sent to lead a nation neighboring to Ibrahim. The 

nation of Lut was practicing homosexuality, and Lut advised them to stop this behavior or 

else God will punish them, in return, they declined his prophecy. Lut pled with God to tell 

him what to do, God send him two angels as messengers. As persons, those two passed by 

Ibrahim before visiting Lut. The Qur’an mentions that the messengers told Ibrahim that they 

want to banish the nation of Lut, but Ibrahim asked for mercy on them. Later, while meeting 

with Lut, the people surrounded the house of Lut threatening to hurt his guests, which mad 

Lut fear the fate of the messengers and tried to appease their anger. In the morning, God, 

through his angels, inflicted a catastrophe that killed all of them with the exception of Lut 

and few believers. 

In the preface, Abu Muhammad `Asim al-Maqdisi talks about his years in jail and the 

relevance of his book among the Mujahidin. It seems he was trying to cut the road for any 

attempt to discredit his religious convictions. He reports later what happened with him when

he was in jail. It seems there was a heated debate which led a verbal confrontation with an 

inmate about a religious issue, and he was accused of calling to follow the creed of Ibrahim, 

which raised doubts around him as he was told by the other group. 

204
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

النكت اللوامع في ملحوظات الجامع :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Nukat(al-) al-lawami` fi malhuzat al-jami`

Title (Translated): Illustrous Points: Observations on the Book al-Jami` 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 1998 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors 

`Abd al-Qadir b.`Abd al-`Aziz,

66.7%

Ibn Taymiyya, 7.5%

Al al-Shaykh,Sulayman, 1.7%

Bara'(al-) b. `Azib, 1.7%

Bukhari(al-), 1.7%

Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya,1.7%

Ibn Hajar, 1.7%

`AbdAllah b. Muhammad alQurni, 1.7%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab,

Muhammad, 1.7%

Shawkani(al-), 0.8%

Ibn Abi Shayba, 0.8%

Ibn Daqiq al-`Id,Muhammad b.

`Ali, 0.8%

Ibn Mas`ud, 0.8%

Tabari(al-), 0.8%

Sulami(al-), al-`Izzb. `Abd alSalam, 0.8%

Muhammad Na`im Yasin,

0.8%

Ghazali(al-), 0.8%

Qarafi(al-), Shihab al-Din,0.8%

Abu Bakr, 0.8%

Al al-Shaykh, Muhammad b.

Ibrahim, 0.8%

Other, 5.0%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

205
Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

The primary focus of Maqdisi’s criticism of `Abd al-`Aziz’s book al-Jami is on the conditions

of takfir. He also discusses the nature of the Shari`a—directly from God, and he makes clear 

that all in the Qur’an and sunna are from wahi (divine inspiration), not istinbat (deducing

solutions to issues) of the Prophet. Maqdisi is less prone to condemn other Muslims as 

kuffar, insisting that shirk is the only certain act that warrants takfir. He maintains his 

argument throughout the text that shirk is the only certain form of kufr and that even those 

who lived before Islam are punished for polytheism. 

Maqdisi challenges near all of the numerous citations he includes from `Abd al-`Aziz’s book. 

From these, Maqdisi concludes that: to oppose the Shari`a (limits set by Allah) is kufr akbar, 

as is legislating punishments other than what is set by divine revelation in the Shari`a, as is

following that legislation; and abandoning God's rule is a form of kufr. He discusses at 

length the subtle differences between sinning and disbelief in leaving the laws that God 

ordained (i.e. not enforcing stoning for adultery). Maqdisi agrees with some arguments put 

forth by the author of al-Jami` and the authors `Abd al-`Aziz cites within it, but generally 

returns in the end to the conclusion that any intentional abandonment of the Shari`a for rule

by other legislation (and he is referring mainly to Western governments and secular Arab 

regimes) is a form of kufr. 

Maqdisi cites `Umar, and agrees with other scholars, that the blood and wealth of those who 

say "there is no god but God" are protected; in this he disagrees with aspects of Abu Bakr’s 

wars of ridda. He debates the idea of whether one is clear of kufr if they join an apostate 

army for the purpose of doing harm to it (essentially espionage and infiltration, though the 

author avoids these terms); he is not convinced by `Abd al-`Aziz's argument that it is a safe

action according to Ahkam Allah in regard to the conditions of takfir, although Maqdisi says 

if one is already in the apostate army and wants to help in the way of God, he should do 

harm to that enemy army (such as a coup d'etat; but he chooses not to elaborate on this). He 

also cites the actions of Na`im b. Mas`ud in the raid of Khandaq in coming secretly to the 

Prophet and helping the raiding party. 

The act of legislating or being part of a parliament—or voting for members of parliament—

is discussed by `Abd al-`Aziz as an act of kufr by its intention (legislating law other than 

what God revealed). Maqdisi generally agrees with this sentiment, but clarifies that the 

intention of voting itself is an act of disbelief if it is intended for man to make laws to rule 

man (and thus giving a power of representation to man to legislate, rather than the laws of 

God), otherwise the voter is not necessarily partaking in kufr. He says it is only an act of kufr 

if one chooses to participate in the system of the mushrikin (democracy) when there is an 

Islamic state present. Any law that is issued (new legislation), whether it is in agreement or 

contradiction to the Shari`a is of the style of rule of the tyrants (includes kings, amirs, 

presidents and members of parliament)—if it is not of hukm Allah; if it is not from the 

Qur'an but from rule of a constitution. 

206
Maqdisi says that anyone who declares shahada cannot be labeled kufr, that if one is a

hypocrite, he will be judged in the hereafter. It is the duty of a Muslim not to attend or 

empower in any way a court of the tyrants, and avoid their rule in general at any cost, unless

he is made to do so by force. (Maqdisi does not encourage violence here, or in most of the 

text.) Says that jihad is an obligation for the sake of the umma, to realize tawhid and to

defeat shirk, but also says one must act according to the shari`a and he refers to the legality 

of acting under an army under an imam; not explicitly prohibiting jihad in other cases, but 

clearly encouraging careful action and working towards establishing Islamic rule. Maqdisi 

clarifies that he is not calling for random, unorganized acts of violence. He urges the jihad to

be for the intention of establishing the rule of God (Ahkam Allah and Tawhid) for the 

umma. 

Notes: 

Author says he received a copy of the second part of the al-Jami` book while in bulqa'(sp?)

prison in Jordan, in Feb 1998. Maqdisi says he is reviewing the book upon the request of 

prisoners who gave him a photocopy of it. The text does not have a clear political aim, nor 

is it an attempt to support the mujahidin's—or even salafi's—cause, but rather he aims to 

examine issues among salafi thinkers—namely the review of the text Jami(al-) al-talab al-`ilm

al-sharif by `Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz, to which the title refers. It is notable that

Maqdisi does not shy away from criticizing any Salafi or other Muslim thinker, as he says this 

is the way of ahl al-sunna wa’l-jama`a. Maqdisi praises `Abd al-`Aziz's al-Jami as a 

programmatic work for students in a time where impartial religious scholars are lacking, but 

also says that its author is subject to error as anyone is, and he sets out to correct some

minor errors in the book. It is also noteworthy that the author is focused largely on intrasalafi issues, in an effort to produce, presumably, a review of doctrinal issues for educating 

young Muslims into salafi thought. The text is made up of lengthy semantic arguments—one 

comes away with the distinct impression that presenting clear and detailed instruction,

particularly for youth, of the salafi interpretation of Islam is of greater importance than

immediate concerns of the mujahidin or even the state of the umma today; he is a true 

believer in it, and seems to lack any sort of pragmatism, at least as far as `aqida is concerned. 

207
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

الرســالة الثــلاثينية في التحذير من الغلـو فـي التـكفير :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Risala(al-) al-thalathiniyya fi al-tahdhir min al-ghuluw fi al-takfir

Title (Translated): The Thirty-part Letter Cautioning against the Excesses of Takfir 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Taymiyya, 34.5%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 5.7%

`Iyad, al-Qadi, 4.7%

Ibn Hajar , 3.8%

Shatibi(al-), 2.6%

Ibn Kathir, 2.3%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab, 

Muhammad, 1.7%

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd alLatif, 1.4%

Shafi`i(al-), 1.1%

Ibn al-Wazir, 1.0%

Shahrastani(al-),

Muhammad b. `Abd alKarim, 1.0%

Dhahabi(al-), 1.0%

Tabari(al-), 0.9%

Khattabi(al-), 0.7%

Qurtubi(al-), 0.7%

`Abd al-Qahir alBaghdadi, 0.7%

Other, 23.8%

Shaw kani(al-), 2.6%

Ibn Hazm, 3.0%

Ibn Qudama, 3.4%

Naw aw i(al-), 3.5%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

208
A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

Al-Maqdisi clarifies the difference in gravity between the errors of some of the brothers 

(Islamists), which arise from their jealousy over religion, and those graver errors of worldly 

groups—the latter much more serious and irreligious; warning against excessive takfir 

(deeming individuals heretics), although takfir of tyrants and their aides does not belong to 

that category. 

The author discusses the conditions and constraints of takfir, as an application of the 

previously mentioned section, and another outlining some of the common errors committed

in the course of takfir. This is followed by an outline of the nature and practices of the 

Khawarij, who constitute the enemies (and opposite) of the author's muwahhidun. Finally, 

an ethical will advising Muslims on the correct path to pursue towards upholding the faith 

and God's laws (however unpopular such a course may prove in practice), including advice 

against excesses and deviations from that path. 

Notes: 

The title is derived from the 33 errors of takfir, which are outlined in this treatise.The author 

provides the alternate title of: "Risalat al-jafr fi an al-ghuluw fi al-takfir yudi ila al-kufr." 

The importance of takfir lies less in its ethical or theological dimension, but rather in its 

political one: there is too much quietism in the Islamic legal and religious traditions; the only 

way to legitimize rebellion is to find the leader a kafir (unbeliever)—otherwise, it is 

incumbent on Muslims to obey him, however irreligious, immoral, or even tyrannical. Thus, 

for revolutionary vanguard Islamists, the only way to overcome the dozens of hadiths that

stipulate obedience to the ruler is to disqualify his claim to leadership/rule through takfir. 

209
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

الشهاب الثاقب في الرد على من افترى على الصحابي حاطب :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Shihab(al-) al-thaqib fi al-radd `ala man iftara `ala al-sahabi Hatib 

Title (Translated): The Consuming Flame: In Response to Those Who Slandered the 

Companion Hatib 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 1995 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Al al-Shaykh,

Sulayman,

25.0%

Shatibi(al-),

12.5%

Ibn al-Athir, `Izz

Ibn `Abd al-Barr, al-Din, 12.5%

Abu `Umar 

Yusuf b. `Abd

Allah, 25.0%

Tabari(al-),

12.5%

Ibn Hajar ,

12.5%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

210
A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi defends two controversial companions arguing they are loyal

soldiers of Islam, not loyalists of the oppressive rulers like those who accuse them of

infidelity to justify their actions today. 

Maqdisi argues that there is a difference between approaching the infidels on one hand and

supporting the infidels against Muslims on the other hand. He adds that some exploit this

incident of Hatib to say that spying on Muslims for the interests of the infidels or showing 

some compassion for the infidels is not an act of infidelity since the Prophet did not punish 

Hatib. Yet, Maqdisi distinguishes between the intentions of those two acts, adding that the 

protection of the established laws and guarding their constitutions is an act of infidelity. 

Maqdisi also distinguishes between one who falls into fidelity out of fear and one who falls 

into it by force. 

Abu Lubaba b. al-Mundhir al-Ansari is another companion accused of treason and 

supporting the infidels since he did not participate in one of the battles and it seems he sent 

a mixed message to one of his allies who had intentions to challenge the rule of the Prophet.

The controversy lies in the interpretation of him crossing his hand on his neck, whether it is 

a green light for killing the Prophet or killing anyone who challenge him. Some even claim 

that Abu Lubaba had hearing problems. 

Maqdisi also argues that Abu Lubaba repented for not participating in one of the battles and 

decided to punish himself for that end by tying himself, and had to wait for the Prophet to 

come along and free him as a sign of pardon. 

Notes: 

The title refers to a Companion of the Prophet, Hatib b. Abi Balta`a. Hatib provided 

information on the Muslims to the pagans of Makka on the plans and whereabouts of the 

Muslim army. The Prophet questioned Hatib when he learned of his betrayal, and he 

responded that he did it not out of disbelief, but to safeguard his family from the Quraysh. 

`Umar b. al-Khattab asked to execute Hatib but the Prophet pardoned him. The opening 

verses of Sura 60 pertain to these events. 

The byline is followed by (May God forgive him), indicating that others worked on the text, 

in some capacity, besides Maqdisi. 

211
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

تبصير العقلاء بتلبيسات أهل التجهّم والارجاء :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Tabsir al-`uqala' bi-talbisat ahl al-tajahhum wa'l-irja' 

Title (Translated): An Exposé on the People of Gloom and Postponement 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: 1996 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Halabi(al-),`Ali b. Hasan, 19.9%

Ibn Taymiyya, 18.4%

Albani(al-), 6.4%

Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya,4.6%

Shinqiti(al-), 4.3%

Ibn Hazm, 3.2%

Ahmad b. Hanbal, 2.8%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab, Muhammad,

2.5%

Al al-Shaykh, Muhammad b.

Ibrahim, 1.8%

`Uthaymin(al-), Muhammad b.

Salih b., 1.8%

Abu Qatada al-Filistini, 1.4%

Husayn(al-), Muhammad b. `Abd 

Allah, 1.4%

`Abd al-Majid al-Shadhili, 1.4%

Ibn Kathir, 1.4%

Ibn Hajar *, 1.4%

Hamad b.`Ali b. `Atiq, 1.1%

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd al-Latif, 1.1%

Ibn Abi al-`Izz, 1.1%

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd al-Rahman b.

Hasan, 1.1%

Dhahabi(al-), 0.7%

Other, 22.3%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

212
A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Muhammad Maqdisi argues that such religious books (as the one he is critiquing) are 

promoted by the oppressive rulers themselves, even in prison. The main criticism of Maqdisi 

is that the authors of those two books do not acknowledge the ruling of God on earth. 

Maqdisi says that some religious names are absolute such as God and faith, while other

terminologies are relative, depending on each sect. Hence, any terminology is acceptable as 

long as it does not contradict the Shari`a. Terminologies, he adds, are used either for making 

it easy for students to learn or to promote words like "khawarij". Based on this analysis, he 

asserts that the word "hakimiyya", or the ruling of God, does not contradict the Shari`a as 

Halabi claims, and considers it as one of the origin of religion since it means unifying God 

with the Shari`a. 

Maqdisi says that there are two types of actions: one that lacks faith and thus is not classified 

as infidelity and one that is in contradiction with faith and thus is infidelity. Also, he 

distinguishes between three forms of infidelity: with the heart not the tongue, with the 

tongue not the heart, and with both the heart and the tongue. He harshly criticizes the 

accuracy of Halabi in his references and accuses him of distorting quotations and twisting 

words. In addition, he criticizes all the `ulama’ going along with the oppressive rulers. 

Maqdisi refuses the idea that there is a consensus between the people of Sunna on such

issues. Maqdisi also challenges the argument of Halabi that every Muslim leader is 

implementing a certain extent of Islam in his jurisdiction, and he quotes some provisions of 

the Jordanian constitution to show its contradictions with the Shari`a. 

Notes: 

Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi is critiquing two different prefaces of the same book containing 

the religious verdicts of al-Albani. The first version is introduced by Muhammad b. `Abd 

Allah al-Husayn and the second by `Ali al-Halabi. Maqdisi is obviously more critical of 

Halabi, but he maintains respect for al-Albani in his criticism. It seems Maqdisi read those 

two books, under the same title of "al-tahdhir min fitnat al-takfir", while in the Sawaqa 

prison in 1996 and prepared his response to the content since Halabi attacks him in his 

preface. 

213
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

التحفة المقدسية في مختصر تاريخ النصرانية بدايتها ومنتهاها :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Tuhfa(al-) al-maqdisiyya fi mukhtasar ta'rikh al-Nasraniyya 

bidayatuha wa-muntahaha 

Title (Translated): Maqdisi's Masterpiece: A Summary of the History of Christians, Their 

Beginning and End 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 1997 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Other, 22.9%

Jesus, 21.1%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 11.9%

Ibn Kathir, 11.9%

Sahhab, Victor, 0.9%

Muhammad Rashid

Rida, 0.9%

Muslim b. al-Hajjaj alQushayri, 0.9%

Najashi(al-), 0.9%

Ibn Hibban, Abu

Hatim Muhammad alBusti, 0.9%

Constantine I, 0.9%

Makhul, 0.9%

Paul, 1.8%

`Iyad, al-Qadi, 1.8%

Bukhari(al-), 1.8%

Ibn Taymiyya, 4.6%

Hart, Michael H., 

2.8%

Ibn Hazm, 9.2%

Ahmad b. Hanbal,

1.8%

Judas Iscariot, 0.9%

John of Patmos,

0.9%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

214
A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

The goal of the article, according to al-Maqdisi, is to explain and expose the various 

contradictions and the confusion present in the Christian Gospels (p.4).This of course is

very different from the author's intention expressed in the title. The source author says he 

enjoyed reading the stories about Jesus, John and Mary in the Qur'an where they occur

without the lies, confusion and inconsistencies of the Christian version (p.5, 38). His aim is 

to summarize "2000 years of Christian history" so his fellow Muwahhidun do not have to 

bother themselves with onerous and boring task of reading the Christian account of the 

"facts" (p.6). 

The article contains four parts followed by a conclusion section. The first part begins on p. 7

with the description of the development of Christianity and the story of Jesus. A major 

inconsistency, the source author argues, has to do with Jesus' lineage. "...Sometimes they 

[Christians] say he is the son of David, sometimes the son of Joseph, and they claim he is the 

son of God" (p.8). Christians exaggerate, says al-Maqdisi, in that they argue on the basis of 

Mary being a virgin that Jesus must be the son of God (p. 15). The Jews exaggerate, he says,

in that they refuse to accept the "fact" that Jesus was conceived of no father at all, leading 

them to the conclusion that Mary was impure and he was illegitimate (pp.16-17). 

P. 21 marks the beginning of the second part of the Article where the source author

promises to discuss Jesus' calling and philosophy. The cornerstone of this prophet's 

philosophy, says al-Maqdisi, is the concept of Tawhid (tr. Unity of God) (see p. 23: أن ومعلوم

 an'Qur the cites author source The . )قطب رحى دعوة هذا النبي الكريم وأصلها وأهم أرآانها هو التوحيد

as proof (Anbiya': 25 and al-Nahl: 36), and says that something does remain from this central 

concept in the distorted (Sic. Ar. "muharrifa" p. 24) Gospels. Along these lines, many of the 

source author's quotes are included in the article to show to his readers how the Christians 

have distorted the "historical" Jesus and the "real" character of his disciples (see p. e.g. p. 28 

and footnotes 19-21 and 36n40). 

Al-Maqdisi argues from a vantage point that is always hard to respond to, one of belief in the 

face value of a Holy Writ. Such arguments with no outside evidence to support even the 

premise, let alone the conclusion, are very common this sort of propaganda material. Most 

of the quotes from the Gospels are used against the very Christian sources they are taken

from. In spite of article's title, the source expresses little interest in actually investigating "the 

history of Christians, their beginning and end". Rather, he is engaged in what amounts to a 

hostile and useless expression of the superiority of Islam over Christianity. 

The idea of a divine trinity is unacceptable and completely offensive to his "Tawhidi" 

sensibilities (p. 40, and especially see comment at the end of footnote 61). On p. 41 he turns 

215
to dismiss the idea of "original sin". That too, he says, is an idea that is offensive to Muslim 

sensibilities (and cites Q Taha:121-122). The idea of original sin and the doctrine of salvation 

go against the concept of divine justice (Ar. `adala ilahiyya) that is highlighted in the Qur'an 

(p. 43). At the very bottom of p. 45 the source author turns to discuss what he calls the 

"bid`a" (tr. innovation) of Christian exaltation of the cross. Through the exaltation of the 

cross Christians hoped to elevate Jesus while disgracing (Ar. "tashni`") the Jews, turning 

people against them and isolating them. But in the process, says al-Maqdisi, Christians filled 

Christianity blasphemy and ridiculous tales (Ar. Khuza`balat) (see p. 47). 

Al-Maqdisi also takes issue with the Gospels' description of Jesus' resurrection (p. 53f). 

Following a short segment on Jesus' appearance, al-Maqdisi cites sayings of Jesus (as they 

occur mostly in Muslim sources) (57ff). Part 3 of the article (p. 62ff) starts out with a section

on periods of Christian persecution of the Jews. Al-Maqdisi notes that judging by 

contemporary Christian-Jewish relations where Christians "have thrown themselves at the 

feet of Jews, supporting them, serving them, ...one would be extremely surprised about their 

ignorance and lack of intelligence with respect to the beginning of their history that was 

marked by long periods of their persecution waged against them by the Jews.." Following

this statement the source author proceeds to describe how early Christians were persecuted

by the Romans. During this period of persecution, conjectures al-Maqdisi, there was

confusion as these Christians were forced to flee and go into hiding, causing their original 

"true" scriptures (that are mentioned in the Qur'an) to be lost (p. 64). 

In a short segment beginning on p. 68 the source author purports to describe to his readers 

the origins of each canonical gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke and the three pseudo-gospels: of 

which the source only mentions John). His motive for doing this however is painfully 

obvious as he incessantly pokes fun at Christians for basing their entire religion on scriptures 

whose "real" authors cannot be traced or verified. The segment ends on p.74 where the 

source author turns to discuss Paul and his role in altering the face of Christianity. Paul 

contributed greatly, says al-Maqdisi to the infiltration of the doctrine that Jesus possessed 

two natures: divine and human (Ar. Al-Nasut wa'l-Lahut) (see p.75). The source author also 

highlights Paul's role in successfully steering the new Christian community away from the 

"Shari`a of Moses", that is, away from Jewish law (laws like circumcision, dietary restrictions,

etc.). Paul, he says at the start of the section, is the real founder of Christianity, not Jesus (p. 

82). On p. 83, al-Maqdisi turns to discuss the books of the "New Testament". 

The fourth section of the article starts on p. 98. In this section the source author describes

periods of quiet and prosperity for the nascent church. These periods, he says, are marked by 

distortion, falsification and injection of many pagan elements into the developing religion (p. 

98, 99). On p. 106 the source author presents his readers with a brief history of what he 

posits as the main sects in early Christianity: modalistic monarchianism (Sabellianism or 

Catholicism), Nestorianism and the Jacobites (p. 106f). From p. 111 he gives an outline of 

the sects that have survived to this day. The outline includes comments on the sect's history,

ideology and clerical hierarchy. When mentioning Martin Luther and Protestantism, the 

source author makes a connection between the founder of this movement and sect and the 

rise of the Hitler and Fascism in the early 20th century (see p. 115 footnote 151). After 

briefly asserting that the Protestant reformation failed and anyone who claims otherwise is

simply wrong (116-117), al-Maqdisi gives his conclusions. 

216
The article continues with another section on the "real monotheistic belief system" 

introduced by Islam (p. 121). This "tawhid" is real and pure, the source author says, and it is 

the belief that was held and practiced by all prophets from Adam through Moses and Jesus. 

Islam is superior to Christianity, says al-Maqdisi, and Christians have always enjoyed

throughout history their status of dhimma, while Christians from the early Crusade period, 

through the inquisition and expulsions from Spain to contemporary instances of ethnic 

cleansing, colonialism and other abuses, have repeatedly mistreated, tortured and murdered

Muslims (see p. 126). On p. 128 there is a short, partial bibliography. Not all citation titles

mentioned throughout the article are listed. 

Notes: 

The pagination of the document is wrong, I'm going by MS Word's auto-pagination; actual 

page numbers start on p. 5 (which is marked as page 1). On p.6 the source author mentions

he finished writing the article in 1997, so far there is no mention of when it was actually

published. By no means does the account that the source author offers his reader have any 

academic merit, he too falls back on traditions and a Holy Writ. The source author's style 

differs only slightly from other Salafis in that he is cites Christian sources (e.g. the account of 

Mary pp.10-11). The source text is riddled with Qur'anic quotes and references to the 

Gospels (including the Gospel of Barnabas). In footnote 14 (pp. 18-19) a few sources are 

mentioned, I wasn't completely sure where one source started and where the next begins. I 

entered as separate entries in the DB. The source author refers to the citation title a`mal alrusul several times throughout the article. I left the citation title in Arabic as cited by the 

source author, since I thought it was interesting the source author was using a title that was 

reminiscent of titles in the Hebrew bible even though this is the fifth book of the Christian 

gospels, The Acts of the Apostles. 

217
Author: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad 

وقفات مع ثمرات الجهاد :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Waqfat ma` thamarat al-jihad 

Title (Translated): On the Fruits of Jihad 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: 2004 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Hajar, 13.0%

Nadr(al-) b. Shumayl,

4.3%

Naw aw i(al-), 8.7%

Ibn Taymiyya, 21.7%

Ahmad al-Albani, 

4.3%

Abu Ja`far alTahaw i, 4.3%

Abu al-Tayyib alMutanabbi, 4.3%

`Umar b. `Abd al-

`Aziz, 4.3%

`Abd Allah b. alMubarak, 4.3%

Shafi`i(al-), 4.3%

`Abd al-Rahman b.

Mahdi, 4.3%

`Urw a b. al-Ward,

4.3%

`Antara b. Shaddad 

al-`Absi, 4.3%

Ibn Qudama, 4.3%

Ibn Kathir, 4.3%

Ibn Durayd,

Muhammad b. alHasan, 4.3%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 2

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 2

Abu `Abd al-Rahman al-`A'idhi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 4

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

218
A - 9

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

Abu Muhammad al-Maqdisi considers suicide operations against infidels to be legitimate,

though they should have limits like any other fighting instrument. He elaborates saying that 

Muslim civilians could be killed if they are used as shields for infidels and calls upon Muslim 

religious students not to make suicide operations to kill just one or two persons if it is

possible to kill them using a gun. Maqdisi explains that the reason behind this call is to 

glorify the blood of Muslims and to make sure that the purpose of jihad is achieved. He adds

that some youth are fascinated by suicide operations, whether it is necessary or not, as if 

jihad only works in explosions, with no other possible ways, which makes it easy for enemies

to identify those inexperienced youth in their early investigations. Those youth, suggests 

Maqdisi, try to imitate the experienced mujahidin in Chechnya or Afghanistan and fail in 

doing so. Maqdisi criticizes the operations where many Muslims died without targeting the 

enemy. He adds that the targets are becoming the streets and markets of Muslims not the 

infidels. 

Maqdisi argues that the mujahidin should select the most suitable target for Islam, the more 

upsetting for the enemies of religion, and the farthest from distorting the image of jihad and 

scattering the circle of conflict. He points out the contrast between the image of the 

mujahidin who fought against the Soviets in Chechnya and Afghanistan and the image of the 

explosions of the mosque in Sudan, the Shiite’s mosque in Pakistan or the buses in Karachi

and Lahore. Instead of targeting intelligence and government headquarters, Maqdisi states, 

they target churches, elderly tourists, relief agencies or other easy and irrelevant targets. He 

elaborates on this point saying that while the Iraqi insurgency is embarrassing the current 

administration and obstructing its strategies and aspirations, some strange operations occur

killing dozens of Iraqis civilians in the streets of Baghdad. Those random operations, lost 

between the ignorance of jihad and ignorance of reality, end up helping the administration

escapes its crisis, and the international attention shifts from the death toll of American 

soldiers to the death toll of Iraqi civilians; and Americans become the protégé of the Iraqi

people and not the occupying forces and the Iraqi people in return loose sympathy to the 

mujahidin. He even says that some operations help some infidel leaders to win their elections

or divert attention from their internal crisis. 

The rational individual, in the words of Maqdisi, is the one who knows his weakness and the 

limits of his numbers and tools, and thus does not issue verbal threats or shows off before 

the attack occurs to be on the spotlight. He criticizes the irony of repetitive threats that is 

not followed by any act. Leaders of jihad should not depict a larger image of who they are 

and should stay silent in planning if to be considered serious. Maqdisi also disapproves of 

the killing of American civilians on media channels that divert attention from the human 

rights abuse in Abu Ghraib prison. 

Maqdisi asks the young mujahidin not to trust anyone when arrested, especially police and

intelligence. He asserts that most of those youth are motivated by excitement and not by 

reality; they hold weapons in public and brag about it and later are surprised why this 

219
behavior led them to investigations. He also criticizes those who have tribal affiliations since 

most tribes have connections with the rulers and are protected by the regime. 

Maqdisi suggests that most of those who enter the jihad do not fully know its meaning, truth 

and costs. The social and intellectual emptiness lead some of those youth to take weapons

and start robbery or assault on innocent people. He explains that those types of youth have a 

weak faith education and they should be dealt with in a strict way from the beginning. 

Maqdisi says that there are three reactions to the prison experience: it either increases the 

faith of the prisoner or breaks him or distorts him leading him to more fanatic thinking and 

a revengeful sentiment; depending on each case and each country. He also asks not to judge 

any verdict (fatwa) issued behind cells and wait for the prisoner to come out to understand 

the circumstances that made him say what he said. Maqdisi asks not to include any woman in 

any jihad related operations or any other mission that can be handled by men; and not to put 

women in the forefront of protests to be beaten by police forces. He also calls for a swift 

retaliation to any assault on the honor of women. 

Maqdisi says that the group who planned the 9/11 attacks are an example on how to work

quietly and collectively without being influenced by external factors or change of 

circumstances. He adds that there are two main requirements for the jihad: first secrecy and

second consistency and clear purpose in the plan. If there is no strategy, this means the 

group does not respect its efforts, the lives of its member youth, money of Muslims or their 

capacities. He advises not to go far either in secrecy on in sharing information. 

Maqdisi says that it is permissible to fight in the rank of a sinner amir to repel an enemy or

infidel in case there is no rightful amir and in case there is no way for the jihad to occur

without the sinner amir. He explains this theory saying that by sinner it is meant the amir

who drinks alcohol or commits other similar sins. He adds that some youth refused to be 

recruited under the banner of some experienced mujahidin because they misinterpreted this 

theory, and this brings harm to Muslims and scatter their efforts. Maqdisi asks to

differentiate between the amir who has committed personal sins and the amir who has

committed sins beyond himself causing damage to Islam and Muslims. In the first it is 

possible to fight under his banner to repel infidels while in the second it is not accepted to 

fight along his side. 

The fighting, which is a limited assault on the enemies of God to make them stop their harm

on Muslims, is right and legitimate in order to free Muslim countries. However, Maqdisi 

adds, there is a second type of jihad which needs capabilities, conditions, and a 

comprehensive plan set by the well experienced. He asks to focus the efforts on this second

type of jihad, which empowers Muslims so they would have a state that establish their 

religion and to which they can flee. 

On the political level, Maqdisi says that the mujahidin should be involved in politics and

governance and not let other Muslims take over power through elections or democracy,

asking when the projects of mujahidin will go beyond fighting and suicide? He demands 

those mujahidin to reconsider their goals, programs and plans to empower Muslims on this 

planet, giving an example of how the 9/11 attacks did not give any fruits and how the 

assassination of former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat did not empower Muslims or 

brought the mujahidin to power, instead it precipitated the rise of another infidel ruler. He 

220
also suggests that the efforts of Muslims should focus on places where Muslims have power

and religious leadership with a vision that people can rally around. He adds that the youth

should not be mobilized to leave their religious calling and be taken to lost wars. 

Maqdisi argues that the jihad should serve the interest of Islam and the mujahidin should

avoid killing non-fighters who do not show enmity for Muslims. The work of jihad, as

Maqdisi writes, requires a mature mind, clear speech, a defined program known to

supporters and the larger public, or else the enemy will exploit this jihad as they wish. 

Maqdisi asserts that religious calling is the origin of jihad not the other way around, saying 

that the religion of God cannot be established through a confused calling or election ballots

or backward banners. He adds that 3⁄4 of the mujahidin’s efforts and capabilities are wasted 

because of this limited vision. Maqdisi says it is not possible to generate financial support to 

religious calling or educational projects such as building a true Islamic school. 

The lessening of jihad occurs when the organizational work is given to those who are 

inexperienced in this field, or those who do not know how to deal with organizational tools 

or do not know how to use computers, or if they use them, do not know security measures 

to protect their safety. 

Notes: 

Issued in May 2004, this publication is described by its author as an advice for all the 

mujahidin to learn from its lessons and experiences. It was written by Abu Muhammad alMaqdisi inside the Qafqafa prison in Jordan. In the preface, the author affirms that Islam is

facing a war and there should be some revision to the process of jihad so the Islamic nation

can rise to the level of those challenges. The text includes 18 stances to revise the jihad path

today. Maqdisi offers a middle of the road thinking, if compared to others, and seems critical

of Usama b. Ladin. 

221
Author: Markaz al-Dirasat wa'l-Buhuth al-Islamiyya 

غزوة الحادي عشر من ربيع الأول : عملية شرق الرياض وحربنا مع أمريكا وعملائها :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Ghazwat al-hadi `ashar min rabi` al-awwal: `amaliyat sharq al-riyad 

wa harbuna ma` amrika wa `umali'ha 

Title (Translated): The 11 Rabi` al-Awwal [13 May] Raid: the Eastern Riyadh Operation 

and Our War With America and Their Agents 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2003? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors 

Ahmad Shakir,

5.0%

Usama b. Ladin,

5.0%

Nasir al-Fahd,

10.0%

Ibn Taymiyya, 5.0%

Abu Bakr, 5.0%

Abu `Ubayd alQurashi, 5.0%

`Uyayri(al-), Yusuf,

20.0%

`Abd Allah b. Nasir

al-Rashid, 20.0%

Ibn al-Nahhas,

5.0%

Abu Bashar alHijazi, 5.0%

Ibn al-`Arabi alMaliki, 5.0%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJawziyya, 10.0%

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

One of the most striking aspects of this text is the lengths to which the source author goes

to demonstrate that the mujahidin are not targeting Muslims, do not consider most Muslims 

to be unbelievers, and that the attacks in Riyadh in May 2003 were against Crusaders, and the 

number of Muslim casualties was exaggerated to do harm to their cause. 

222
The introductory paragraph of part 1 begins with the argument that God designed the world

to be in continual conflict; that for most of history there have been two powers struggling 

with each other, and the author supports this with Qur’anic verses. The current situation in 

which the US is the sole superpower after the fall of the Soviet Union will ultimately lead to 

one of two results: that the US will overcome this rule of history by sending its forces across 

the world (as occupiers)—economic, social and military—and Solomon and Alexander the 

Great (dhul-Qarnain) did; or that the international situation will become unstable, with 

forces in flux. This second scenario, the author says, is certainly the situation in which we 

currently live. The source author makes reference to Bernard Lewis writing on the desired

map of the world for the US. In order for the crusader plan to work, and for there to be

stable peace through military means, some Muslim countries must participate in it and

cooperate with the US. He adds that Muslim countries today are colonized, through both 

open and hidden colonialism. 

On hidden colonialism: discusses the legacy of colonialism in Islamic countries, the Zionist

role in ensuring the interests of the occupiers. Discusses Karzai in Afghanistan and those 

Karzaites that enable occupation, a group that includes most pro-US rulers in the Muslim 

world, especially the Saudis, who allow foreign forces in the two holy places. Illustrates the 

example of KSA: the hidden colonialism/imperialism permeates the Saudi government’s 

policies on the economy, international relations, with military bases, in its domestic policies,

etc. The hidden colonialism can be more advantageous to the imperial power than open

colonialism in many cases, as in KSA. He discusses Israel as an example of open occupation. 

Part Two: What is the Solution? 

Author states that jihad is the correct and rightful response to the American military 

occupation of Muslim countries, and it is Fard `Ain for every Muslim. The most deserving

two targets are the occupying forces or the agents of the apostates. God ordered Muslims to

fight those unbelievers who fight them; provides some doctrinal justification for jihad. AlQaeda is protecting the unity of effort and jihad, but they are just one group of Muslims

carrying out jihad, all Muslims and mujahidin are their brothers (the Center’s). 

Did the mujahidin know their enemy? 

It is important, the author says, to know the enemy from every angle. The Zionist-Crusader 

alliance, represented in America, is the enemy of the Umma. America was one of two 

superpowers, and has become the sole power at this stage of history. The backbone of this 

powerful enemy is its economy. And its (economic) continuation led to the fall of the Soviet 

Union. The economy is the spirit of American power, and it depends on technological 

advancement, freedom, and security. 

The attacks of September 11 shook the American economy. They led to losses of no less

than a trillion riyals; see forthcoming title on the “Hemorrhaging American Losses”.

America relies primarily on the principle of deterrence (as a means to project power), and the 

weapon America relies on for that deterrence is the media. Through American television, it 

enchants people and nations by projecting an image of itself as a great power across the 

world. The power will retreat if there is no safe place for it, as it did in Somalia and in Aden 

223
after the Cole. And by choosing America as their sole aim and front for jihad, the mujahidin 

have shown they know their enemy well. 

This is followed by a discussion of response to enemy actions, examples of surprise raids on 

the Quraysh as a parallel to modern-day raids by the mujahidin. Provides justification from 

Qur’an and sunna; encourages women to take part in jihad, as they did in early Islamic 

history. 

Past attacks against American targets 

Somalia: says 13,000 Muslims were killed when the US invaded after the gulf war. It was the 

first battlefield in which the Mujahidin faced Americans. The Mujahidin felt the real power

of the American army... and they succeeded with only a small band of Mujahidin. 

Discusses successes in Aden, Kenya and Tanzania. After several warnings to the Americans

to stop oppressing Muslims in Palestine and withdraw troops from al-Haramayn, they 

attacked Kenya and Tanzania with superior logistics and vision. Discusses the 

unprecedented attack on the Cole; describes the size and cost of the ship and that the 

operation cost no more than $10,000. It also made a clear statement to the Yemeni

government who decided to permit such a military presence in a Muslim country. 

Author emphasizes the importance of the September 11 attacks. After that, God opened the 

door for jihad, al-Qaeda attacks before 9/11 averaged 1 every two years, since 9/11 they 

amounted to 2 every year or more. 

Part Three: Why Riyadh?

The jihadists must often keep most of the aspects of their operations in secret. Defends the 

attacks on Riyadh with Qur’an, to attack the kuffar, so they attacked them in Riyadh. 

Part Four: The Operation in East Riyadh 

Author describes the attacks of 11 Rabi` al-Awwal in Riyadh; Muslim youth struck three 

sites: The Vinnell Company compound, the Grenada compound, and Jadawil. These attacks

were a link in a larger war, wherein the brothers in al-Qaeda have carried out attacks in a war 

spanning the world; the mujahidin’s war is based on the strategy of expanding the battlefield. 

The operation is meant as a campaign of intensifying attacks against Americans around the 

world. They are not limited to driving the Americans out of a particular country, but rather

of achieving the interests of Islam or the Umma worldwide. 

Facts about the Operation: 

The 19 wanted: 

Author includes the text of statements about the 19 wanted in the raids in Riyadh, one by 

Yusuf al-`Uyayri, one by Nasir al-Fahd, `Ali al-Khudayr, and Ahmad al-Khalidi. In the first 

statement, the authors repeatedly discuss the issue of it being forbidden for Muslims to harm 

other Muslims, and because these mujahidin were sincere, they could not have harmed other 

224
Muslims in the raids. The authors chastise Muslim countries for not supporting the raiding 

mujahidin party. They ask `ulima’ and preachers to support them, and for people to 

distribute this statement to Muslims to support these mujahidin. 

In al-`Uyayri’s statement, apparently written shortly before his death, he says the charges

against him are fabricated by the Interior Ministry. Questions the Interior Ministry’s 

capabilities, and says the announcements they made about the raids were pre-planned. He

denies a connection to the people pictured on the list of wanted men. The most striking part 

of al-`Uyayri’s statement is that he goes to lengths to defend himself and the mujahidin 

against the claims that they have killed fellow Muslims. The potential damage to the 

mujahidin is apparent to al-`Uyayri, as he details the sincerity of their cause in spilling their 

own blood to help out fellow Muslims in Chechnya and Bosnia and elsewhere where they 

know only the most basic aspects of Islam; the are acting because of their duty, and this is 

clearly not the position they would be in by their own choice. 

Author says the real number of American casualties in the attacks was lowered, and the 

number of Muslim casualties was inflated by the Saudis to turn people against the mujahidin. 

Claims the real number of American dead was between 250-300. 

Author invalidates the concept of America having a presence in the Arabian Peninsula on 

the basis of a previously established pact; sets out the requirements for a pact and argues that 

the relationship is not a valid covenant. Lists reasons for the Saudi government’s apostasy, in 

order to invalidate any pact between them and the Americans on behalf of Muslims. Argues

that it is fard `ain upon the Umma to fight unbelievers, and since both the Saudi government 

and America are, then this is the greatest obligation, and any pact is null. Includes several 

pages from Ahmad Shakir’s Kalimat al-Haqq to support the argument that there is no 

justification for cooperating with the crusaders in the Peninsula (or elsewhere) and that to do 

so is apostasy. 

Describes the terms of non-Muslims living under a peace treaty in Muslim lands; argues that

if non-Muslims violate the pact, it is not necessary for the imam to nullify it. 

Makes a distinction between hostile unbelievers and non-hostiles. The presence of Muslims 

on the compounds does not negate the fact that such compounds are legal targets, because 

they are guarded with force and hostile to the Muslims in the country where the compound 

exists. Argues that the Prophet was not responsible for those that Khalid killed among the 

unbelievers, even if they were Muslims, because by living with the mushrikin, they were 

putting themselves in harm’s way, and the Prophet assigned half the normal payment for

their deaths. But the author maintains that one should never be pleased at the killing of a 

fellow Muslim, even if it is said that he is not righteous. 

Relates Abu Bakr’s wars on apostates as his first priority after the Prophet’s death; that the 

enemies of Islam must know they will face retaliation if they are hostile to Muslims. 

Blames the media for portraying the Mujahidin unfavorably. Cites some of the mistakes 

made in jihad by the companions, and says the mujahidin are not free from these mistakes

either. Yet, the author stresses that the mujahidin act in accordance with the Shari`a in all

their actions. 

225
Author dispels fears that the mujahidin are going to attack Mecca or Medina. He says that 

they only target the Crusaders, and lists the client governments of Karzai, Musharraf, King 

Fahd and Salih in Yemen as legitimate targets. 

Notes: 

The (online) book was wriiten after the May, 2003 attacks in Riyadh. Since `Uyayri is called a 

martyr, and he died in early June 2003, it was most likely written a few months after the 

Riyadh operation was carried out. The book is divided into four parts: part 1: the state of 

the Islamic world; part 2: what is the solution?; part 3: why Riyadh?; and part 4: Don't you

know the Muhajidin yet?

226
Author: Marwan Hadid 

نداء إلى المسلمين :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Nida' ila al-muslimin 

Title (Translated): A Call to Muslims 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

The source author presents the reader with a litany of questions, most, if not all, of which 

are rhetorical. The presence of these questions in the text highlights the negative stance of

the source author toward the state of Muslims, Arab governments, Jews and other nonMuslims, "the West" and Western countries and above all, the immediate need for 

declaration of war. The questions presented overwhelmingly call for regime change 

throughout the Arab and Muslim world and the destruction of Israel. Hadid addresses his 

rhetorical questions to the `ulama' (at the helm of various Islamic organizations) and repeats 

his exhortation for them to issue opinions and explanations in response to his challenges. 

Hadid gives a well known Qur'anic verse as his starting point for the litany of questions and 

asks the `ulama' whether they thought the verse was addressing all Muslims. The verse gives 

an example of takfir. From this point, Hadid builds one question on the basis of another by 

couching his line of thought in a string of conditional sentences, i.e. If X, then Y, where Y is

articulated in the form of a question (hence the rhetorical tone). For example, on page 1

Hadid asks: "and if they [the rulers or the government] don't take from the Qur'an laws [to

live by] in their private and public lives and in the law with which they govern the land, are 

they infidels or not?.... And if they are infidels... what is the difference between them and 

the Jews? And if they are like the Jews, then should we treat them and live with them as if 

they conquered our country and are governing us?"

 

In another example, on p. 3 Hadid asks: "is it better to die obeying Allah, or to live in their

[i.e. the enemies of Allah] oppression, their infidelity, their sins, in fear of them, and lack of 

readiness to fight them". On p.5 Hadid levels an accusation against the `ulama' and asks

them: "with what proof do you excuse yourselves from fighting?" Hadid then lists possible 

responses, negating the responses with more rhetorical questions. The more contentious 

questions and answers are exemplified in the following: "Is it because of a lack of supply of

ammunition and weapons?.... We will take the weapons out of the hands of our enemies..."

(p. 7. Following some "proofs" Hadid gives the Shari`a law that "proves" the "proof" was

227
wrong. On p.8 Hadid summarizes the excuses and says: "do you excuse yourselves from 

fighting because of lack of readiness, caution [from the authorities], fear of being discovered, 

no instruction [for fellow Muslims] on faith and the lack of safeguarding the call to Islam (alda`wa) and its best interest, or is it because the failure of "jahili" revolutions and the absence 

of a supporter to supply us with ammunition and weapons and the distrust of your brethren? 

Indeed God does not excuse anyone from fighting except the lame, the blind and the 

infirm." 

Following this rebuke Hadid posits several questions regarding the duty of jihad and 

permissible excuses (according to his interpretation) from carrying out it out. This section he 

addresses to the Fuqaha' (pp.8-9). The next section turns to the leaders [i.e. militant] of such 

Islamic factions with the same type of rebuke through which Hadid posits his plea for 

action. Again and again Hadid states unequivocally his interpretation of the duty of jihad: it 

must be carried out, and it must be done without further delay (especially p.11). Hadid ends 

with a final plea from his fellow Muslims to meet God as shuhada' (martyrs). 

Notes: 

Since the text was by and large a list of rhetorical questions, I color-coded (blue) only major 

questions that the source author actually answers or deals with in non-question form. 

228
Author: Mawdudi(al-), Abu al-A`la 

الجهاد في سبيل االله :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Jihad(al-) fi sabil allah 

Title (Translated): Jihad for the Sake of God 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 5

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad

A - 3

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 1

Sayyid Qutb

A - 2

Issues Discussed: 

This article discusses the Islamic concept of jihad and attempts to elucidate it. This article is 

a thoroughly modern one using modern terminology and logic. It shuns references to 

Islamic texts and concepts. It claims that Islam is a social revolutionary movement that aims

at establishing social justice and that jihad is the method to do so. There is little if any 

discussion of religion and Allah is an entity more in the mold of Thomas Jefferson than Ibn 

Taymiyya. We encounter modern political philosophy and not medieval religion. 

It is not clear who the audience is though. The hints Mawdudi drops lead us to conclude 

that he is speaking to the West – ‘as for the canons, tanks, machine guns and other weapons

of war and their uses, you are more worthy of them and their lords (p. 2).’ Indeed, the piece 

is quite apologetic, defending Islamic practices rather than preaching them. It defends Islam

against Western claims that jihad is fanatical fighting to submit infidels by the sword. 

The piece begins by striking an apologetic tone claiming the West (dubbing it al-Afranj, the 

medieval term for Franks) misunderstands the concept and wrongly believes it connotes

Muslims crawling searching for infidels to either convert or kill. 

Mawdudi continues this apologetic approach by discussing Western wars. This is quite 

interesting since the article is about Islamic conceptions of jihad, not Christian or Western 

holy war. The West fights to satisfy its desires (shawatihim). It would not be farfetched to 

conjecture that this concept may be tied to fitna, Satanic temptations. And as the Qur’an 

states, ‘fitna is worse than killing (Q 2:191).’ Further evidence of such a link may be inferred 

229
from his statement that ‘their (the West’s) wars are not in the path of Allah but rather in the 

path of its disgraceful desires.’ If we modify the sentence to reflect his thesis we would have

‘Islam’s wars are in the path of Allah with the interest of societal good in mind,’ we can 

contrast it with ‘the West’s wars are in the path of Satan with its disgraceful desires in mind,’ 

since Satan is the opposite of Allah. And because fitna is Satan’s desires, we can substitute 

fitna for desires. 

What are the West’s desires? It does not fight religious wars but economic ones. It seeks

new markets and strives to exploit new regions. Interestingly, Mawdudi the pious Muslim 

views the West’s encroachment from a Marxist perspective – ‘their hearts are greedy and

gluttonous for money.’ 

But the West is able to distort the image of its wars of conquest at the same time that it

misrepresents Islamic wars. This compels Mawdudi to discuss war in Islam and explain its 

purpose. Thus, the article takes a comparative approach, contrasting Islamic concepts of 

war to their Western counterparts. They must be understood through the prism of the 

other. This is the clearest example of the apologetic nature of the article. 

The West misunderstood jihad because Islam and the West view the world differently. It 

begins with the concept of nation (umma) and creed (nihla). The West superimposes these 

concepts on the Islamic world. However they do not match the different nature of Islam. 

According to the West, these groups have the right to go to war under certain circumstances. 

Yet for Islam this is not the case and the right to fight is permitted under different 

conditions. 

In contrast to the other religions and creeds, Islam is a social revolutionary ideal that seeks to

destroy the international social order and install a new one. It does not seek more land, does 

not strive to plunder the natural resources of countries and most importantly, is not 

interested in converting the infidels. It solely seeks social justice. 

Jihad then is a social revolutionary struggle. It does not convey the meaning of war, but 

rather exerting an effort. It is a technical term that explains the Islamic propaganda (dawa). 

Islam does not use the Arabic words for war (harb) but instead substituted the root j-h-d. 

This has puzzled scholars for centuries because pre-Islamic Arabic had numerous words to 

express war but Muhammad chose to use the root j-h-d (see the article jihad in the 

Encyclopedia of the Qur’an and Alfred Morabia, Le Gihad Dans L’Islam Médiéval, pp. 119-

20 (Albin Michel). But for Mawdudi there is a logical explanation why Islam created a new 

word for fighting – harb conveys fighting for personal or societal reasons. Narrow interests

are involved. In contrast for Islam, the welfare of the people dictates action.

Islam, unlike the West, does not seek to invade countries to plunder their wealth. Instead it

seeks to provide for the prosperity of man. But just like the West, it seeks to control the 

world. The only difference is one of purpose. Moreover, for Mawdudi, Islam is an ideology, 

not a religion. Classical Islam posits that jihad and wars are undertaken to ensure that 

‘Allah’s word reigns supreme (see Q 9:40 and numerous hadiths with this phrase’ But in this 

piece rarely does Mawdudi mention Allah or religion. There are few Qur’anic citations and 

even fewer references to hadith and classical texts. In fighting the West here, Mawdudi uses

its tools and logic. This is a thoroughly modern man fighting a rational battle. 

230
Islam resists governments that do not seek to advance the interests of the people. However, 

it is not clear if he is speaking of Islamic governments or Western ones as well. The 

discussion is too general to make this distinction. 

To carry out this resistance, Islam exerts itself to the utmost. From this process is derived

the concept of jihad or making an effort. It devotes all its efforts and attention to staging 

this revolution. Moreover, it is a changing of a state of mind, the adoption of a new 

ideology. Though revolution at the edge of a sword is also jihad, this is a secondary, not 

primary meaning of the term. Thus, jihad has very little relation to relation to war, killing or

religious conversion. 

This last point we can understand if we examine the phrase ‘in the path of Allah.’ Much like

jihad, modern scholars have had difficulty rendering this expression into concrete concepts. 

For Mawdudi, it does not mean forceful conversion. Rather, it is anything done for the 

general interests and welfare of society for altruistic reasons. 

Again Mawdudi places Islamic within a social utilitarian context and strips it of its religious 

garb. In doing so he distorts the classical understanding of Islamic concepts. For the 

expression ‘seeking the face of Allah’ is found in hadiths which discuss military jihad (see 

Ibn Abi Asim, Kitab al-Jihad, hadith 44, Maktab al-Ulum al-Hukm, Medina). 

There is no discussion in these jihad hadiths of social revolution and equality between 

people. 

Islam wants Muslims to exert themselves to overthrow antiquated regimes and replace them

with ones guided by Islamic principles. The regime Islam wants to establish is one of equity 

and justice between people. 

Overthrowing the ancient regime should not lead to the establishment of the same regime in 

different garb. For tyrants are abhorred in Islam. This takes us into a discussion of tyrants

and the etymology of the word taghut. 

Following this Mawdudi returns to the difference between ‘the path of Allah’ and that of the 

others. In this case, he focuses on the tyrants. They transgress all bounds, corrupt the earth

enslave the people and deprive them of their rights. In contrast, the purpose of ‘the path of 

Allah’ is to ‘make Allah’s word reign supreme.’ It is a certain conduct, it is a way of life that 

is different from the behavior of the infidels. One does things for unselfish reasons, for the 

sake of religion, not for personal gain. This is what differentiates Islam from the West. 

They act ‘in the path of themselves,’ with their own interests in mind. 

In line with the modernist approach of the article, Mawdudi avoids delving into classical 

Islamic concepts such as the Pharaoh in the Qur’an. For in Islamic thought, the Pharaoh is

a paragon of the tyrant who tries to set himself up as the equal of Allah. In an article which

discusses how Islam stands for social justice, equality and the abhorrence of tyranny and 

oppression, a review of Pharaoh would be fitting. 

Mawdudi continues by discussing the reasons for fighting. Thus what we see here is that the 

intention in fighting is important. One must have the proper mind set when he sets out for 

231
battle. He should not fight for glory or spoils but rather for the religion. This is one of the 

few places in the piece where he relies on classical sources and Prophetic tradition as proofs. 

Thus jihad is not prescribed to bring religion qua faith to the world but rather, it comes to 

teach people a new way of life with a new purpose. Islam comes to root out the decay and 

rot that exists in the world like a dead tree. 

From here we move to review the Islamic da`wa. It calls people to worship Allah alone and

not associate anything with him, what we call polytheism. It is against the establishment of 

oppression whereby a person forces another to submit to his rule. 

Thus the revolutionary Islamic da`wa abolishes the oppression that prevails in the world and

establishes in its place equity. It prevents would be tyrants and dictators from establishing 

their rule over others. Those that do so set themselves up as equals to Allah and corrupt the 

earth. The reason they do so is because they have forgotten Allah. 

The call to Islam is a social revolution in that it seeks to put an end to tyranny and establish

justice. This is the primary aim of Islam. There is no talk of religion and persuading people 

to embrace the religious teachings of Islam and Muhammad. 

If we look at history, we see that these tyrants have stifled the da`wa of the prophets. It is a

recurring phenomenon. The prophets are social revolutionaries in much the same way as

Islam is social revolutionary. They never came to preach a return to Allah and His ways in a 

religious, moral sense. Their missions were political in nature and focused solely on the 

oppression of the masses. And in continuing the ways of the prophets, Islam is not bid’a or 

something new but a continuation of past practices. Thus though Mawdudi is far from

engaging in a religious discussion, subtle religious hints are sprinkled throughout the text. 

Thus on page two he speaks of the kind preaching (al-mau’iza al-hasana) and arguing with 

Islam’s opponents through ‘what is best.’ These are subtle references to Qur’anic verses 

16:125 and 29:46. They refer to the early days of Muhammad’s mission when he was 

instructed to avoid fighting his enemies. During this time he was commanded to solely 

preach. The jihad verses par excellence, Q 2:191, 9:5 and 9:29 which abrogate the early 

verses commanding preaching are not cited here (See Reuven Firestone, Jihad - The Origins 

of Holy War in Islam, Chapter 3, (Oxford University Press). Mawdudi distorts classical

Islamic teachings here. He continues in this line of thinking by saying that Islam takes up

the sword only when attacked. Thus for Mawdudi, jihad is defensive fighting, there is very 

little offensive characteristic here. 

The Messengers were all renewers. This is a term we encounter with the Salafists or Islamic 

reformers of the early 20th century. These Messengers came to completely overhaul society 

– economically, politically and socially. Their mission was to inject society with a new will 

that was lost.

The difference between the Messengers and the other social revolutionaries is that the 

latter’s position in society influenced the way they related to others. They disdained those 

who were not in their class. But the Messengers look to preserve the interests of everyone. 

232
Mawdudi believes Islam is not just a set of beliefs and religious rituals, but rather a 

comprehensive way of life which is designated to replace all other political, social, legal, and 

religious systems. Thus, Islam is a religion for all mankind. Once the ideal true Islamic 

movement begins to form (named by the author ‘Jama’a Islamia’ or the ‘Hizb Islami’), its

main goal will be to perform jihad – that is, to endeavor to replace all other human systems 

with the Islamic one, everywhere in the world. 

The first purpose of this jihad is to gain political control, to replace those regimes that are 

based not on Islam but on other legal and moral systems. The target of jihad is not a certain 

country, race or culture, but the whole world – it must submit to Islam. This was the course 

of action of the Prophet and his four righteous successors – to conquer the whole world and

spread Islam among all human beings. It is thus irrelevant to regard jihad as being offensive 

warfare or defensive warfare. For its purpose is to spread Islam all over the world, using 

either offensive or defensive warfare. However, the purpose of jihad is not to force people 

against their will to submit to Islam. Rather, its goal is to replace all political and legal 

systems with the Islamic one. 

Once this goal is achieved, people will be free to choose what direction they want to go in - 

to join Islam or continue to adhere to their religions (such as Christianity or Judaism), as

long as they do not sabotage Islamic law, such as engaging in usury. 

The rulers of the Islamic state should not seek political power for their own sake nor should 

they seek financial benefits. Much like the Prophet and the first four Caliphs, they must live 

in modesty and have only the interest of the Islamic state in their minds. Finally, Mawdudi 

argues that the responsibility for the current negative situation of the Islamic society rests 

upon the rulers who claim to be Muslims but who are really not true Muslims, since they do 

not adhere to the right course of actions described above. 

Notes: 

Only quotes from other sources are from hadith (found on pages 6 and 13). 

233
Author: Muhammad b. `Abd al-Rahman al-Khamis 

اعتقاد الأئمة الأربعة :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): I`tiqad al-a'imma al-arba`a 

Title (Translated): Religious Beliefs of the Four Imams 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Abu Hanifa, 18.0%

Ahmad b. Hanbal, 9.5%

Shafi`i(al-), 9.5%

Ibn Hajar *, 5.0%

Dhahabi(al-), 4.0%

Bayhaqi(al-), 2.5%

Malik b. Anas, 2.5%

Ibn Taymiyya, 2.5%

Ibn `Abd al-Barr, Abu `Umar 

Yusuf b. `Abd Allah, 2.5%

`Abd Allah b. Ahmad b. 

Hanbal, 2.5%

Abu Nu`aym al-Isbahani,

Ahmad b. `Abd Allah, 2.0%

`Abd Allah b. Nafi`, 2.0%

Ibn Abi al-`Izz, 1.5%

Husayni(al-), Abu Bakr b.

Hidayat Allah, 1.5%

Marw azi(al-), Muhammad b. 

Nasr, 1.5%

Lalaka'i(al-), 1.5%

Ibn Qudama, 1.5%

Rabi` b. Sulayman, 1.5%

Albani(al-), 1.0%

Ashhab b. `Abd al-`Aziz al-

`Amiri, 1.0%

Other, 26.5%

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

This article is an expansion of the source author's introductory chapter of his dissertation

that included a summary of the beliefs of Malik b. Anas, al-Shafi`i and Ahmad b. Hanbal. 

From the outset, al-Khamis posits that the four scholars' beliefs are compatible with the 

teachings of the Qur'an and the Sunna, as well as being compatible with the beliefs of the 

Sahaba and the Tabi`un. These four scholars, the source author continues, agreed on the 

basic tenets of Islam (Ar. Usul al-din), including the belief in the attributes of Allah, the 

uncreatedness of the Qur'an and the nature of belief (Ar. Iman), see p. 2. Of course, having 

234
started with such a statement sets the stage for the foregone conclusion that those who cling 

to the [so-defined] same tenets (i.e. the muwahhidun) are on the right path. 

The source author divides his article into what he terms "scopes of inquiry" (Ar. Mabahith, 

singular mabhath), which is somewhat an inflated view of what these sections really are: lists

of quotes with very little authorial intervention. Al-Khamis begins with the views of Abu 

Hanifa (pp. 3-8). This section contains quotes from various works of Abu Hanifa and by 

others who have cited or commented on the latter's views. Next appears the section of 

quotes from teachings of Malik b. Anas (pp. 9-13 ). The third scholar whose sayings are 

quoted is al-Shafi`i (pp. 14-21), and al-Khamis deals with Ibn Hanbal in the last section 

entitled "the fifth scope of inquiry" (Ar. Al-mabhath al-khamis) (pp. 22-26). The article ends 

with a few closing words by the source author, mainly comprised of Qur'anic quotes and the 

assertion that the four scholar hold the same beliefs, except with regards to the issue of Iman 

(tr. Faith) where Abu Hanifa differs only slight from the other three (p. 26). 

Thus, on the basis of the quotes that comprised each of the "mabahith" of his article, the 

الحاصل أن عقيدة الأئمة الأربعة هي العقيدة الصحيحة التي جاءت :that assertion his restates author source

 the are Imams four the of beliefs the That .tr (في الكتاب والسنة من منبع صافٍ لا تشوبه شائبة التأويل

true beliefs that occur in the Qur'an and the Sunna stemming from a pure source that has

not been adulterated by commentary). The idea that commentary somehow sullies 

"established truths" and that more importantly that there are thinkers whose understanding 

of those ideas are not considered "commentary" is absurd and unfortunate. It is however the 

very basis of "fundamentalism" (i.e. that there are in reality "pure fundamentals"

recognizable by all). Al-Khamis hopes that this epistle will benefit Muslims and serve to 

unite them with one belief system on one path, i.e. the beliefs encapsulated in the Qur'an 

and the Sunna. 

Notes: 

The source author starts by using footnotes and on page 3 switches to endnotes. There is 

something wrong with the formatting of this document (the endnotes/footnotes don't 

work). The endnotes abruptly end on p. 13; endnote 105-210 are missing, which means that 

all the citation information for the rest of section 3 on Malik as well as the information for 

the entire section 4 on al-Shafi`i is missing. Furthermore, there is actual text missing from

section 4 that would have contained notes 201-209, the only thing in the document is the 

title: الصحابة في االله رحمه قوله – د . The document then picks up again on p. 19 with section 5 

on the beliefs of Ahmad b. Hanbal (starting with endnote 211). There were a number of 

endnotes that contained many references but they all related to a hadith nabawi (e.g. quote 

on p. 15 on the authority of Abu Talib al-`Ushari, endnotes 154-156). The source author 

uses at least three different al-Sunna books, I noted the actual citation author in each case in 

the notes section of a DB entry. There was no mention of a publication date or any other

date. 

235
Author: Sa`idi(al-), Abu al-Mundhir 

 دعوة أهل الجهاد إلى الاجتماع والاتحاد :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Da`wat ahl al-jihad ila al-ijtima` wal-ittihad 

Title (Translated): A Call to the People of Jihad to Gather and Unite 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2000 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Taymiyya, 48.0%

Sa`di(al-), `Abd alRahman b. Nasir, 8.0%

Juw ayni(al-), 8.0%

Ibn Hazm, 8.0%

Tabari(al-), 4.0%

Tha`alibi(al-), 4.0%

Suyuti(al-), 4.0%

Sayyid Qutb, 4.0%

Naw aw i(al-), 4.0%

Qurtubi(al-), 4.0%

Ibn Hajar, 4.0%

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

The source author quotes hadiths, verses from the Qur'an and medieval Muslim thinkers as

evidence for his claim that all Muslims, and those engaged in jihad in particular, must close 

ranks behind their leaders. He compares Muslims to non-Muslims and argues that the salient 

difference lies in the latter's diversity and pluralism. He disparages this characteristic. When

he discusses his third source (ahl al-`ilm, the people of knowledge, p.6) the material he cites 

deals with "ijtihad" not "jihad" (i.e. individual interpretation of Islamic law). The source 

author repeats the idea that Muslims must constantly strive for optimal accord, all forms of

discord ought to be shunned. Prayer is one topic he uses extensively to support his idea of 

236
"ijtihad" toward agreement. At the end of the article the author asks the question: what if 

someone engages in "ijtihad" but fails to reach the truth? Does this make him a sinner? And 

is there a difference between issues of practice and issues of knowledge or theory? To 

answer these questions he summarizes 14 pages from Ibn Taymiyya's Majmu` al-fatawa. 

Notes: 

There is little "authoring" in this article, it is mainly an aggregate of quotes. 

237
Author: Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

 39 وسيلة لخدمة الجهاد والمشارآة فيه :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): 39 Wasilat li-khidmat al-jihad wa'l-musharaka fihi 

Title (Translated): 39 Ways to Serve the Jihad and Participate in It 

Type of Publication: Other 

Year of Publication: 2003 

Place of Publication: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 

Publisher: Markaz al-Dirasat wa'l-Buhuth al-Islamiyya 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors `Uyayri(al-), Yusuf, 7.1%

Maqdisi(al-), Abu

Muhammad, 5.3%

Abu Basir al-Tartusi,

4.7%

`Abd al-`Aziz b. Salih alJarbu`, 4.1%

Ibn Taymiyya, 4.1%

`Ali b. Khudayr alKhudayr, 3.6%

`Abd Allah `Azzam, 3.6%

Sulayman b. Nasir al-

`Alwan, 3.6%

Nasir al-Fahd, 3.0%

Shu`aybi(al-), Hammud b.

`Uqla', 3.0%

Ahmad b. Hammud alKhalidi, 3.0%

`Abd Allah al-Hasan,

2.4%

Zawahiri(al-), Ayman,

2.4%

Sultan b. Bajad al-`Utaybi,

1.8%

Bakr Abu Zayd, 1.8%

Abu al-`Abidin, 1.2%

`Abd al-Karim b. Salih alHamid, 1.2%

`Abd al-Akhir Hammad alGhunaymi, 1.2%

`Abd al-`Aziz al-Muqrin,

1.2%

Other, 39.6%

`Abd al-`Aziz b. Nasir alJalil, 2.4%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 2

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad argues that Islam today is passing through a crisis, which 

the religion never witnessed before in its history, because the whole world declared a war on

238
terror, which he classifies as "war on jihad". Al-Salim asserts that jihad is the only choice of 

the nation and is a duty to force the occupiers out of the homes and countries of Muslims 

and states that force can only be met by force. He believes that the language of the weapon 

is the right road, not negotiations and peace treaties, which always fail and bring misery and

slavery to those who sign it. On that note, he severely criticizes Muslim rulers, or the traitors 

as he calls them, who misled the community and deprived it from its rights. 

Al-Salim warns Muslims against blaming the Mujahidin in their battle and from intentionally 

leaving the cause of jihad. The author suggests 39 ways for serving the jihad. First he talks 

about the role of jihad in renovating the soul once duty calls and argues that followers 

should never regret missing out on the jihad for any reason or alibi. He always emphasizes

the relationship between worldly affairs and the hereafter, how Muslims should strive for the 

latter. Though jihad is the ultimate sacrifice, al-Salim considers funding for jihad a priority 

because it reaches a larger target audience able to meet its requirements. 

The author highlights the importance of taking care of the family of the Mujahid, it is a right 

for those who commits to jihad. He even asserts that a Muslim would be punished unless

he/she does one of the following: To be a Mujahid, to inherit the family of a Mujahid, or to

help a Mujahid getting ready for the cause. He suggests ways to support the Mujahidin such 

as taking care of the families of the martyrs, the detainees, and the wounded as well as raising 

money in public and private spheres, though he insists that this jihad movement will not be 

subject to any compromise that might touch the core of its ideology when accepting 

donations. 

Al-Salim also calls for praising, encouraging, motivating and defending the Mujahidin, while 

pointing out that the history of jihad is a cumulative one since the beginning of Islam. AlSalim argues that clarifying the nature of the ongoing attack waged on Islam is also part of 

the jihad. The author asks Muslims to give advice, support and shelter for the Mujahidin and

not to report on them or reveal their secrets. He also asks to follow, publish and interact 

with the stories of the Mujahidin to break the media embargo on them and to avoid any 

criticism or damage which might affect their performance. He calls upon the religious 

leaders to issue verdicts to support this cause and to guide the nation to stand by the 

Mujahidin. Al-Salim advises the followers to stay in good shape and exercise frequently,

undertake weapons training, swimming, horse riding and first aid, since the nature of the 

fight is changing these days. He also emphasizes the necessity of hating the infidels, raising 

children to love the jihad, leaving behind luxury, and saving prisoners at any cost. 

He later moves on to what he calls "Electronic jihad" to advocate the jihad on the web. He 

considers the internet a blessed domain to follow and disseminate stories about Mujahidin.

He describes hackers as a language of force to attack and destroy anti-jihad American sites. 

He finally calls for boycotting all economic aspects of enemy countries. In the conclusion, alSalim lists some negative consequences of leaving the jihad such as: making God angry, the 

spread of infidelity, slavery and sadness; missing a great interest; and creating enmity and

disunity among Muslims. 

Notes: 

239
This publication is a sort of a jihad guidebook to advance and promote its cause. It was

published 19 July 2003 by Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad for the Center of Islamic Studies 

and Research. It is a very well-designed text with a systematic chain of thoughts. The author 

suggests that there should be practical steps to follow in the jihad as there are for other 

domains of Islam. The author quotes mostly Ibn Taymiyya, `Abd Allah `Azzam and Yusuf 

al-`Uyayri. He also suggests a multi-aspects list of references about jihad for the readers. 

240
Author: Rayyis(al-), Hamid b. Rayyis 

أين تطلب العزة :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Ayna tatlub al-`izza 

Title (Translated): Where Do You Seek Strength? 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2004 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Taymiyya

25%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJawziyya

25%

`Id, al-Ghazzali

Khalil

25%

Sa`di(al-), `Abd alRahman b. Nasir

25%

People Who Cite the Author: 

None 

Issues Discussed: 

The answer to the question posed in the title of this work is, in a word, jihad. The key point 

here is that jihad is a necessary part of Islam--it is an obligation for Muslims. Religion is 

strength, jihad is the manifestation (both physical and spiritual) of this strength. Those who 

walk the path of jihad walk the path of Islam, and when they die they die as martyrs. The 

author examines the various types of jihad (aggressive, reactionary, in defense of Muslim

land, into non-Muslim territory) as well as the various levels of jihad (interior/spiritual and 

exterior/militant). 

The content of this work resembles classical works on this topic—the author's evidence 

comes almost entirely from the Qur'an and hadith. He also cites key moments in the 

formative period of Islamic history, such as the early struggles with the Meccans. The 

author's style is also reminiscent of earlier works—he applies critical hadith terminology 

(such as evaluations regarding a given hadith's isnad) to the hadiths he cites. However, it is

241
important to note that the author only cites hadiths and Qur'anic verses that support his 

point—the voice of opposition is not present in this work. The rather one-sided approach 

of this work is quite different from earlier works in this vein, where it is not uncommon to

find the alternate point of view expressed. 

Notes: 

This article bears the date of 11/30/1424 AH/23 January, 2004CE. This is the only 

temporal marker in the text. No reference is made to contemporary groups or practitioners 

of jihad. The lack of contemporary references, as well as the nearly total reliance on Qur'an

and hadith gives this text a timeless quality. It can be used at any time to validate acts of 

jihad. 

242
Author: Rifa`i Ahmad Taha 

المنهج الثوري والمنهج الاصلاحي يتكاملان أم يتصادمان :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Manhaj(al-) al-thawri wa'l-manhaj al-islahi yatakamalan am 

yatasadaman

Title (Translated): Revolution and Reform: Integration or Confrontation? 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

This article addresses the problematic relationship between Arab regimes and the Islamic 

movement in its quest to change the nature of the state. Rifa`i Ahmad Taha discusses the 

future of the Islamic movement in light of the many attempts by the Arab regimes to

paralyze and end this Islamic current and in light of the weakness of the jihadi current due to

internal reasons or external confrontations. 

Taha says that the Islamic movement does not need to reconcile with local communities

since it is defending their interests. However, he adds that this case is not true for the ruling

regimes. Taha argues that those who share similar ideas should complement each other and 

not allow for passing tactics to diffuse their efforts and disunite their ranks. Thus, he notes 

that the Islamic movement and the ruling regimes do not share similar ideas and are in 

complete contradictory vision in that regard and this disagreement cannot reach a 

compromise and thus they have to confront. The Islamic movement calls for establishing a 

state built on Islamic law in all aspects of life while those regimes need to keep the status

quo to protect their interests and powers. Taha asserts that the ruling regimes want to bury 

Islam as an identity and religion by force while the Islamic movement is seeking to regain 

this identity and religion since the fall of the Islamic caliphate. 

Taha asserts that this Islamic current does not have any organized armies to enter into direct 

combat with expected results, adding that the dynamics of change in societies is not linked to 

standards of victories and losses in certain battles or how the balance of power is distributed;

it is about how rightful and strong the comprehensive vision and the commitment of its

followers, calling for a more unity within this Islamic movement.

Notes: 

243
In Egyptian newspapers there was analysis and opinion on an initiative launched by some 

historical leaders of the Islamic group in Egypt aimed to stop the attacks against the 

government, which opened the debate about the general attitude of the Islamic movement 

towards Arab regimes. This article deals with this crucial subject trying to respond to those 

media articles. 

244
Author: Sawt al-Jihad Magazine 

شبهات وتساؤلات حول الجهاد في جزيرة العرب :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Shubahat wa tasa'ulat hawl al-jihad fi jazirat al-`arab 

Title (Translated): Doubts and Inquiries Surrounding Jihad in the Arabian Peninsula 

Type of Publication: Compilation 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

`Abd Allah b. Nasir alRashid, 17.9%

`Uyayri(al-), Yusuf, 13.1%

Abu `Abd Allah al-Sa`di,

13.1% M aqdisi(al-), Abu 

M uhammad, 7.1%

Lewis `Atiyya, 7.1%

Sultan b. Bajad al-`Utaybi,

7.1%

`Abd Allah b. M uhammad

al-Rushud, 4.8%

Usama b. Ladin, 4.8%

`Abd al-Akhir Hammad alGhunaymi, 2.4%

Abu Jandal al-Azdi, 2.4%

M uhammad b. Salim alDusari, 2.4%

Hasan(al-), Salih b. Sa`d, 

2.4%

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-

`Aziz, 1.2%

Abu `Ali `Abd Allah alSa`awi, 1.2%

Abu Basir al-Tartusi, 1.2%

Abu Qatada al-Filistini,

1.2%

`Abd al-`Aziz al-M uqrin,

1.2%

M arkaz al-Dirasat wa'lBuhuth al-Islamiyya

Website, 1.2%

Other, 6.0%

Abu `Umar al-Sayf, 1.2%

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Din

al-Za'iri, 1.2%

People Who Cite the Author: 

N/A 

Issues Discussed: 

This compilation is an assortment of articles and interviews addressing different issues about 

jihad inside the Arabian Peninsula. It is an effort by Sawt al-Jihad to support the mujahidin 

and refute anti-jihad criticism from the taghut (tyrannical rulers) and their apparatus. Some 

articles address the skepticism of people towards jihad and argue that jihad is the only way to

establish an Islamic nation and end the aggression and humiliation imposed on Muslims by 

the West. 

245
Notes: 

The publication is a compilation of articles and interviews most of which were published in

previous issues of Sawt al-Jihad Magazine. 

246
Author: Sayyid Qutb 

معالم في الطريق :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Ma`alim fi al-tariq 

Title (Translated): Milestones 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: 1964 

Place of Publication: Cairo 

Publisher: Maktabat Wahba 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors 

Ibn al-Qayyim alJawziyya, 30.0%

Mawdudi(al-), Abu 

Ibn Kathir, 10.0% al-`Ala, 20.0%

Nadwi(al-), Abu alHasan `Ali, 10.0%

Zuhayr b. Abi

Sulma, 10.0%

Qutb, Muhammad, 

10.0%

Tarafa b. al-`Abd,

10.0%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd al-Akhir Hammad al-Ghunaymi

A - 5

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 7

`Abd al-Rahman Hasan

A - 1

Abu Basir al-Tartusi

A - 1

Abu Jandal al-Azdi

A - 2

Ansari(al-), Sayf al-Din

247
A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 2

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad

A - 8

Sa`idi(al-), Abu al-Mundhir

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

Sayyid Qutb argues that humanity is bankrupted in its values, and Islam is the only human 

leadership to fill the gap. He elaborates that concepts like democracy, socialism, patriotism 

and nationalism all faded and now it is the time for the path of Islam. Qutb asserts that 

material creativity is not a priority in this Islamic path since “the European genius” is already 

far ahead in it. Hence, the focus is to free people from adoring each other and start adoring

only God and abide by God alone. This would require, Qutb adds, the resurrection of an 

Islamic patch or a leading group. The purpose of this book, he says, is to provide some 

marks for this elite Islamic group so it knows the nature of its role and task. 

Qutb asserts that the call of Islam does not stand on the persona of the Prophet since God

made it available for all until the end of time. He says that the unique generation of the 

companions is a historical phenomenon, but God knew that the call would grow after the 

Prophet, and thus there is no link between the Prophet and the rise of such generation. Qutb

elaborates that the secret behind the existence of this first generation is the pure knowledge 

of the Qur’an away from other books, sciences, publications, studies and cultures in 

contemporary society. He says that this first generation used to read the Qur’an to learn the 

orders of God, like soldiers in the field, not for curiosity or science. Thus he distinguishes

between the path of receiving the call to implement it as the first generation did and the path 

of receiving the call for study and diversion like the generations that came after did. 

On another note, Qutb says that the Qur’an was inspired in phases to adapt to the needs of 

society. He adds that during the first generation, each man used to remove all his past of 

backwardness before entering the new era of Islam. Hence, this path of Islamic movement

should overcome the restrictions of backwardness, saying that the main purpose is to know 

what the Qur’an wants to teach about God and life. Qutb says that Islam has no nation, race 

or state since it equates between all humans by achieving social justice through a 

comprehensive vision, not through sword or terror. 

Qutb argues that Islam is not a theory dealing with assumptions or suggesting a political

system but a path dealing with reality. Thus, he tries to imply that Islam will not suggest any 

legal framework on the ground before the society chooses the Shari`a only and refuses any 

other. Qutb suggests four characteristics for the Islamic movement: seriousness, a 

movement that adapt to the needs of each phase, a movement that does not exit the basics 

of Islam, and a legal regulator for the relations between the Islamic society and other 

societies. 

248
Qutb says that jihad is a necessity for the calling in order to free the humans. The greatest 

jihad, he adds, is the jihad of the self with the devil, the desires, the interests and the 

community. He ends by declaring that the battle between the believers and their enemies is 

at its core an ideological battle and nothing else such as a political or economic battle. 

Notes: 

It is a philosophical and theological book about how to revive a certain Islamic awareness 

similar to the generation of the companions. 

249
Author: Shu`aybi(al-), Hammud b. `Uqla' 

معنى الارهاب وحقيقته :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Ma`na al-irhab wa haqiqatuhu 

Title (Translated): The Meaning and Reality of Terrorism 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2001 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

`Umar b. alKhattab, 25.0%

Tabari(al-), 50.0%

Tufayl alGhanawi, 25.0%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz

A - 1

`Uyayri(al-), Yusuf

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 4

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad

A - 1

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 5

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 1

Issues Discussed: 

This article aims to define terrorism and examine the terminology and points of view 

surrounding it. Hammud b. `Uqla' al-Shu`aybi lists some problematic definitions of 

terrorism, suggesting that those definitions are not enough to have a clear grasp of it. The 

author links this difference in terminology to the difference of "tastes", interests, ideologies 

among states regardless of the core definition of terrorism. He elaborates on this point by 

250
giving the example of Palestine where the Israeli side commits atrocities against the 

Palestinian civilians. The Western world, argues al-Shu`aybi, views this Israeli behavior as 

self defense while interpreting the Palestinian resistance as one of terrorism and violence. 

The author attempts to define the word terrorism on two levels: linguistic and religious. On

the linguistic level, he defines the word terrorism as intense fear, and argues that terrorism 

under Shari`a has two dimensions: first it is against religion to attack secure civilians in an 

attempt to steal money and property or to spread fear outside cities and control the public 

liberties of people. He adds that those who commit such acts, whether a state, a group or an 

individual, deserve punishment since it is one of the biggest sins. The second dimension is

that the Shari`a allows for terrorism by calling upon Muslims to stay ready to fight the 

enemies of God through military means and through the mental power of faith, will and 

good deeds. Shu`aybi asserts that this is the real meaning of terrorism and not what the 

infidels are trying to suggest. 

He points out that there is no proof for a link between the 9/11 attacks on the United States

and Afghanistan, accusing some extreme Christian and Jewish gangs of carrying those 

attacks. The author criticizes the stance of Arab and Islamic rulers in supporting the war on 

Afghanistan, and argues that the goals of this war were to eliminate the jihad and contain the 

spread of Islam in the region, and exercise control over nuclear facilities in Pakistan and 

central Asia. If that is not the goal, Shu`aybi concludes, why don’t the Americans launch a

war against organized terrorist gangs in South America, North America, Russia and some 

parts of Europe? 

Notes: 

This article was published in November 2001 with no clear indication of the place of 

publication. What is strange about this article is that it is full of contradictions, though the 

author attempts to make a point in some arguments. 

251
Author: Sulayman b. Nasir al-`Alwan 

دعنا نمت حتى ننال شهادة :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Da`na namut hata nanala shahada 

Title (Translated): Let Us Die as Martyrs 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 2002 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Uyayri(al-), Yusuf

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 2

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 6

Issues Discussed: 

The author starts by stating that Islam does not become true in the heart of Muslims and in 

the reality of people unless it is served by the jihad. If it was not for jihad, moral corruption

would reign in the world and houses of worship would fall into ruin. The fight between 

good and evil continues, and evil people outnumber the good. Only jihad will eliminate evil; 

jihad will be used until the resurrection. The jihad will bring back the pride to the Islamic 

nation and will lead to victory or to martyrdom. 

One of the major characteristics of the early Muslims was that jihad gave the Islamic nation

its majesty. An education that separates itself from the spirit of the jihad and that does not 

link the present to the past is indeed weak. If Muslims return to their religion and look for 

the secrets of their ancestors’ glory, they will overcome their enemies. Nowadays, Muslims 

are awakening and combating infidels (in Palestine, Chechnya, and the Philippines) and

transcending national and ethnic interests in order to overthrow secular and totalitarian 

regimes. The author wishes for a victory that will link the nation’s present to its past and will 

silence the infidels. He then quotes several Qur’anic verses calling for jihad and promising 

glory to the martyrs. He also states that the jihad is an order from Allah whose purpose is to

save believers from the infidels. Thereafter, if an Islamic country falls under an infidel 

occupier, all Muslims have to fight until the invaders are ousted. For this purpose, it is not 

necessary to obtain an authorization from the ruler, especially if he does not rule according 

to Islamic law. According to religious scholars, the main function of a political ruler is to 

defend Islam and Muslims all over the world and to combat infidels and apostates. The 

Islamic world is in need for sincere scholars to judge rulers and for sincere men willing to die 

as martyrs for the cause of Islam. Martyrs are considered as the best believers. 

252
The author distinguishes two kinds of jihad: 

1.jihad Talab: it targets infidels, even the ones who have not shown any animosity towards 

Muslims, who are to be invaded in their homes and forced to pay scornfully a poll-tax unless 

they agree to embrace Islam. This is a duty for every Muslim unless there are extenuating 

circumstances. The purpose of this type of jihad is to defend the Islamic religion and to 

annihilate infidelity. 

2. The purpose of the second type of jihad is to oust enemies from Islamic countries. It is an

obligation in Chechnya, Palestine, Afghanistan, the Philippines and other countries. America 

and its allies are committed to combating Islam and spreading immorality to Islamic 

countries; Muslims should then unite their efforts to combat the crusaders. 

The author insists that the need to ask permission from rulers to engage in jihad is 

unnecessary because most of them rule on a basis that is not fundamentally Islamic;

therefore, they are not to be obeyed. He also explains that it is a duty for religious scholars to 

spread the spirit of the jihad. The present time requires sacrifice; this will lead to a promising 

paradise. Finally, in a short poem, the author eulogizes jihad, views martyrdom as a rebirth 

and concludes by praising some martyrs who died recently, especially in Afghanistan. 

Notes: 

The article was published on June 21, 2002. 

253
Author: Usama b. Ladin 

توجيهات منهجيلة (1) بتوجيهات بن لادن نواصل درب منهاتن لنرغم أنف أمريكا و نقطع :(Arabic (Title

شرها الشائن

Title (Transliterated): Tawjihat manhajiyya (1) bi-tawjihat Bin Ladin nuwasilu darb 

Manhattan li-nurghiba anf Amrika wa naqta`a sharraha al-sha'in 

Title (Translated): Methodological Guidelines (1) According to the Guidelines of Bin 

Ladin: We Proceed in the Way of Manhattan in Order to Defy America and Put an End to 

Their Controlling Evil 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Abu al-`Abbas alJanubi, 9.1% Muthanna(al-) alShaybani, 9.1%

Ibn Taymiyya, 9.1%

Ahmad b. Hanbal, 9.1%

Talal b. `Abd al-`Aziz

Al Sa`ud, 9.1%

As`ad b. Zarara, 9.1%

Hamad b. Jasim alThani, 9.1%

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab,

Muhammad, 9.1%

Ibn al-Jaw zi, 9.1%

Dhahabi(al-), 9.1% Maqdisi(al-), Abu 

Muhammad, 6.2%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 1

`Uyayri(al-), Yusuf

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 8

Markaz al-Dirasat wa'l-Buhuth al-Islamiyya

A - 1 

254
Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 2

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 4

Issues Discussed: 

This article opens with reports from the Prophetic biography that deal with the call to the 

true religion, which is the duty of Muslims today in the face of Israeli and American forces. 

The "manhaj" referenced in the title is the exemplary method of the Prophet. The author 

identifies six criteria for restoring Islam: 1) love for God, 2) compassion for fellow believers, 

3) counseling each other to goodness and obedience to God's commands, 4) hurting

unbelievers, 5) jihad in the cause of God, and 6) fearlessness in the face of critics. Muslims 

must establish an Islamic state through unity, hearing and obeying, and emigration and

struggle (hijra and jihad). These are the methods of the Prophet and his Companions. 

The current circumstances in which the Muslim community now finds itself is difficult, and 

so too is the path to establishing the Islamic state and the Caliphate. So Muslims must be 

willing to die for their beliefs—this is true jihad. Some individuals are not able to conduct 

jihad, but that does not mean that the community as a whole is not obligated to conduct 

jihad. It is wrong to think that one can preserve their religion without action. The Prophet 

and the Qur'an call for action in the path of God, not idleness and covetousness of the 

comforts of this world. The keys to Muslims' success are unity, obedience, and effort. The 

youth play a central role in the revival of the Islamic community. They must be properly 

educated in religious knowledge. Today's challenge is to fight misguidance—to oppose 

tyrannical leaders and their toadies among the `ulama'. 

As hadith affirm, Muslims must replace an erring imam with a righteous imam. Muslims 

must free their intellects from blind following and imitation. Instead of blindly following a 

leader, people should mindfully follow a path, namely the path of the Prophet. Reliance on 

the Prophetic example is how to assure a solid foundation. The author is critical of the 

usurious policies of banks, and the Jews and Christians who resent Muslims for not 

succumbing to their whims. 

As the Qur'an indicates, the trustworthy friends of God are those who believe and conduct 

jihad in speech and action. The overall emphases are on jihad, critical thinking, and 

emigration. There are some terms that have Khariji and Mu`tazili connotations, e.g. "al-amr 

bi'l-ma`ruf wa al-nahy `an al-munkar" (commanding the right and forbidding the wrong—an

obligation of Muslims), "fasiq" (a hypocrite), "wala'" and "bara'" (association and

dissociation—that Muslims must be careful about those whom they support and on whom

they rely; this is related to the concept of emigration). 

Notes: 

This is a talk given by bin Ladin. Someone added footnotes supporting his various 

statements. For this reason, only works directly cited by bin Ladin in the main text have 

been entered into the DB, although all of the citations have been color-coded in the Arabic 

text. 

255
Author: Usama b. Ladin 

توجيهات منهجية (2) :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Tawjihat manhajiyya (2) 

Title (Translated): Methodological Guidelines (2) 

Type of Publication: Statement 

Year of Publication: 2002? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors 

Ahmad b. Hanbal,

14.3%

Ibn Taymiyya,

28.6% Shatibi(al-), 14.3%

Hay'at al-nasiha 

w a'l-islah, 14.3%

Muthanna(al-) alSykes-Picot Shaybani, 14.3%

Agreement, 

14.3%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 1

`Uyayri(al-), Yusuf

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 8

Markaz al-Dirasat wa'l-Buhuth al-Islamiyya

A - 1 

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 2

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 4

Issues Discussed: 

256
This statement opens by identifying offences against Islam and the Muslim community that 

have incited the jihad response, namely the violence in Chechnya, Palestine, the Philippines,

Kashmir, Sudan, and Iraq. The Bush-Blair alliance is likened to the Sykes-Picot agreement:

both represent crusader occupation and rule, and both aim to oppress and destroy the 

Islamic umma. The Bush-Blair "war on terror" is in fact a war on Islam. US strategy is to 

divide and conquer by pitting Muslim against Muslim. One of the central aims of the 

crusaders is the establishment of "Greater Israel," incorporating parts of Iraq, Egypt, Syria,

Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and all of Palestine. The great threat to Islam is the ZionistAmerican alliance, directed by the Jews. The means to defeat these enemies is jihad. 

The umma is promised victory; if this victory is delayed, it is due to negligence of jihad.

Victory lies not in democratization, but in battle. Success in jihad requires unity, trust in

brotherhood, and mobilization. This is confirmed in the past successes in Islamic history,

e.g. Afghans defeating the USSR, suicide attacks on the USS Cole. The American military is 

fearful and cowardly. The White House says that Muslims envy their lifestyle, but really they 

are despicable tyrants. September 11 destroyed the myths of Great America, democracy, the 

land of freedom, American national security, and the CIA. September 11 proved that the US 

can be struck, that US foreign policy is flawed (esp. in Palestine) and is the reason for their 

disaster, and that jihad can be successful. Mujahidin can accomplish what governments 

cannot. 

As stated in the first part of this series of lectures, a barrier to victory is the corruption of 

some of the `ulama' who work for the disbelievers, such as Karzai. Resistance to corrupt

rulers is the key to faith. Fear has divided the community into three main groups: 1) those 

who sink to joining the government, 2) those who those who praise the government out of 

fear of losing their possessions or statuses, and 3) those who fight in the cause of God. The 

efforts of the Salaf serve as models for the Mujahidin today. Jihad requires risking the 

comforts of family and wealth to conduct jihad in whatever capacity within one's means, 

whether it be speech, money, or arms. 

The jihad in Afghanistan is going well, thwarting the US for two years. While the US and

NATO bemoan the success of "terrorists," we are pleased with the success of the Mujahidin. 

There is a sense of urgency towards the end of the lecture—now is the time! We must 

abandon kitman (concealment and pacifism) and take up jihad. The lecture concludes with 

the wasiyya bi'l-taqwa (enjoinder to piety), in which he urges his followers to read the Quran. 

257
Author: Usama b. Ladin 

توجيهات منهجية (3) :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Tawjihat manhajiyya (3) 

Title (Translated): Methodological Guidelines (3) 

Type of Publication: Statement 

Year of Publication: 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Al al-Shaykh, 

`Abd al-Rahman 

b. Hasan, 12.5%

Bush, George 

W., 25.0%

Hashim al-Rifa`i,

12.5%

Ibn Taymiyya,

12.5%

Yusuf Muhyi alDin Abu Hilala,

12.5%

Fahd b. `Abd al-

`Aziz Al Sa`ud,

12.5%

Qutb,

Muhammad,

12.5%

People Who Cite the Author: 

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

A - 1

`Uyayri(al-), Yusuf

A - 1

Majmu`a min al-muta`atifin ma` al-mujahidin

A - 8

Markaz al-Dirasat wa'l-Buhuth al-Islamiyya

A - 1 

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 2

Sawt al-Jihad Magazine

A - 4

258
Issues Discussed: 

This lecture continues the general rhetoric of the previous two installments, calling for active 

jihad as an indispensable part of Islam, and as the key to the redemption of the Muslim 

community. This lecture contains fewer specific details and examples than were found in

the other lectures. There is a clear attempt to historicize the current situation, to see the 

position of Muslims today vis-à-vis "crusaders" as a continuance of an ongoing pattern.

Likewise, the solutions to improving the situation are to be found in history. The 

occupation of Iraq is the latest link in the chain of Zionist-Crusader incursions. The 

historical pattern of the Umma's successes and failures corresponds to their level of faith and

their adherence to Islam. Islam and jihad are one and the same, comprising the recipe for 

success. Now the Umma must repeat the pattern of previous successful Muslims like 

Saladin by engaging in jihad. Saladin is the historical figure that represents the good leader.

The bad leader, on the other hand, is akin to the Ghassanids, who were mere tools for 

Western Christian tyranny. 

The "neo-Ghassanids" of today are the Arab rulers and `ulama' who sell out to the 

disbelievers and betray the Umma whom they are supposed to protect and defend. These 

bad leaders are most dangerous when they cloak their sins in the guise of faith, in the 

manner of Zanadiqa. The Neo-Ghassanids allowed the creation of the mandate states, and 

the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine (`Abd al-`Aziz Al Sa`ud figures in both of these

betrayals; also mentioned as a traitor is Zayid, amir of the UAE). 

Today's attacks on the Umma are the most dangerous yet, and threaten both din and dunya. 

The current war is both a religious and an economic one. So Bin Ladin agrees with Bush in 

characterizing the current situation as a crusade, a multi-faceted aggression that echoes past 

conflicts. The connection between the worldly and the religious aspects of the struggle are 

inseparable, since the laws of Islam govern all aspects of life. Thus neglecting religion leads

to a degradation of all aspects of communal prosperity. The Gulf region is a key region,

because of its wealth of oil and its weak leadership. These bad leaders betray the Muslims to 

benefit the disbelievers, and misappropriate the Umma's resources, and govern according to 

profane rules. 

The Umma cannot count on sellouts to defend them. The Umma must reject bad leaders. 

Good Muslims follow God, not men. Bad leaders will try to preserve their positions by 

claiming that they are deserving as "uli al-amr," but this is deceptive rhetoric. The Umma is

not obliged to obey bad leaders; on the contrary, they are obliged to command the right and

forbid the wrong, and to ensure rightly guided leadership. The Qur’an and Sunna are the 

guides for right leadership and for right action. Obeying those who transgress these 

guidelines is Shirk. Prior attempts to mobilize the Umma through democracy, communism,

socialism, and nationalism have failed. Bin Ladin proposes that the Umma set up a Majlis, 

consisting of Ahl al-hall wa'l-`aqd, to elect an "imam for the people," whom they can depose 

if he turns to apostasy or deception. This Majlis will act according to the Quran and Sunna. 

It will encourage jihad among the people, and will furnish the people with arms, such as 

RPGs and mines. Jihad must be conducted especially in Iraq, Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya,

and Afghanistan. 

Notes: 

259
Third in a series of lectures by Usama b. Ladin. Footnotes are provided by editor. 

260
Author: Zawahiri(al-), Ayman 

الكلمة الممنوعة :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Kalima(al-) al-mamnu`a 

Title (Translated): The Forbidden Word 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: ?

Publisher: ? 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 4

Issues Discussed: 

A recurring theme in the article is "freedom of speech". Al-Zawahiri repeats the accusation

against the Egyptian government that it quashes any form of speech, particularly that of 

"Jama`at al-jihad". Though ranting and arguing against Western democracy, al-Zawahiri 

claims groups such as the "Jama`a" are entitled to their rights within the framework of 

Egyptian democracy. The first question of the interview asks al-Zawahiri what are the goals

of the Jama`at al-jihad, to which he responds to overthrow Husni Mubarak and the Egyptian 

government. The second question deals with the justification of terrorism and killing 

innocent people as a means to achieve regime change. Al-Zawahiri claims the group's actions

are not "terrorism", rather the removal of an unjust government that is sanctioned by the 

Shari`a. He mentions the arrests, torture and death of members of various factions in Egypt 

as evidence of government corruption and justification of the group's means. 

The third question asks why not engage in a mass movement—if support for the group is as

wide-spread as al-Zawahiri claims—rather than resorting to violence? Zawahiri says support 

is in fact wide-spread but the government arrests and death sentences to too many of the 

Jama`a's members. Moreover, the government discovers supporters daily that even the 

group itself doesn't know about. 

In the fourth question Zawahiri is asked whether or not he believes acts of violence carried

out by the Jama`a hurt Egypt and Islam. He categorically denies that it hurts Egypt or Islam

since their two main targets are the corrupt government and the Jews, and those are 

permissible targets. He supports the violent actions of al-Jama`a al-Islamiyya since they issue

warnings before they carry out an attack. It is not the actions of the various jihadi factions

that tarnish the reputation of Islam but rather it's the actions of the West and Israel. The 

latter are also to blame for the ruined Egyptian economy, not the violence. 

The fifth question presents Zawahiri with a hypothetical: what if in Europe or the United 

States there were religious (Christian) factions carrying out terrorist acts against foreigners, 

261
including Muslims, in their quest to overthrow the government; does Zawahiri see the 

similarity with the situation in Egypt? Zawahiri denies the similarity since Christianity has no 

"Shari`a" to be implemented. Non-Muslim blood in Egypt is permissible because they don't 

have a Dhimmi status from a legitimate government. 

The sixth question asks why "jihad of the sword" is used exclusively when there are other 

types of jihad? Zawahiri denies this claim, but says that the government's actions have closed 

all doors and they must resort to violence. The next question asks if what happened in 

Afghanistan and Algeria can happen in Egypt. Zawahiri explains that in Afghanistan the war

against the Soviets was successful, though recently its fruits have been robbed from the 

Afghan people by the U.S. and its allies. The hardships suffered by the Afghan people are 

blamed on a variety of factors, among them U.S. intelligence, Saudi intelligence, the Iranian 

government and the Afghan Communist party. 

Question eight asks: what does Zawahiri think about Democracy? He does not recognize its 

legitimacy and states that it is antithetical to Islam. He is then asked if Jama`at al-jihad were 

to establish an Islamic state in Egypt, what would be the status of non-Muslim? What would

be Egypt's relations with other countries? How would they deal with the problem of 

implementing Hudud (Shari`a punishments)? What would be its relations with Israel? He 

answers that non-Muslims would be protected under Shari`a law, Egypt's international 

relations would be based on the status of Muslims outside of Egypt, and Hudud would be 

implemented immediately. Finally, they do not recognize a thing called "Israel". 

Question ten asks: what is the difference between Jama`at al-jihad and "Takfiri" groups? The

main difference according to Zawahiri is that Jama`at al-jihad does not render sinning 

Muslims apostates. The following question asks: what is Jama`at al-jihad's relationship to "alJama`a al-Islamiyya"? Zawahiri says they share the same goals and their members are their

brethren. Question 12: what does Zawahiri think of the actions of al-Jama`a al-islamiyya almusalahha in Algeria? Zawahiri praises and condones the group's actions (there is a footnote 

on p. 27 saying that after the interview took place Jama`at al-jihad issued a statement 

disavowing the actions of the Jama`a in Algieria). Question 13: Zawahiri is asked about 

Muslim youth in the West who were caught and accused of stealing; they defended their

actions with the claim that usurping non-Muslim property is permissible. Zawahiri supports 

this claim. 

262
Author: Zawahiri(al-), Ayman 

حوار مع الشيخ أيمن الظواهري"1414/6/8هـ” :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Hiwar ma` al-Shaykh Ayman al-Zawahiri 8/6/1414 H 

Title (Translated): A Conversation with Shaykh Ayman al-Zawahiri, 8/6/1414 AH 

[22/8/1993 CE] 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 1993 

Place of Publication: Cairo, Egypt 

Publisher: Jarida al-`arabiyya al-usbu`iyya al-misriyya 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 4

Issues Discussed: 

The correspondent poses sixty-one questions over the course of the interview. This does

not mean that sixty-one separate issues are discussed, since many of the questions are 

elaborations of previous ones. The article begins with questions about Zawahiri himself 

(how he became affiliated with al-Harakat al-Islamiyya and other groups; when did he decide 

to leave Egypt, etc.). This biographical material is introductory—the majority of the 

questions posed by the correspondent are devoted to Islamist groups in the Middle East and 

Southeast Asia: their origins, connections between groups, prominent members, their 

activities within the Arab world and abroad (for example support for Afghanistan's war

against the former Soviet Union and activities directed against Egypt, which he regards as a

corrupt, dissolute and un-Islamic state, a puppet of the USA, that must be toppled), as well 

as terrorism (see p.18) and "suicidal" attacks (see p.22). 

Three groups are mentioned frequently: Jama`a al-Islamiyya, Jama`a al-Jihad and al-Harakat 

al-Islamiyya. Zawahiri calls for the establishment of an Islamic state/Caliphate to be 

regulated by Islamic law. Zawahiri also states that the geopolitical forces (the economic 

status of Muslims, the Israel-Palestine issue, etc.) that spurred Islamic groups to action in the 

1960s and 1970s have increased over time. Finally, it is interesting to note that Zawahiri is 

adamant that, at least in 1993, there were no relations between Egyptian and Iranian jihadists

(see p.21). 

Notes: 

This is a reproduction of an interview between al-Zawahiri and a correspondent (by the 

name of Salah al-Din) from اللندنية الحياة جريدة) London Life Newspaper). The interview was

never published in al-Haya. Rather, it was first published in المصرية الاسبوعي العربي جريدة

263
(Weekly Egyptian Arabic Newspaper). No reason is given for this—perhaps it was deemed

too provocative by the editors of al-Haya. 

264
Author: Zawahiri(al-), Ayman 

الكتاب الأسود" قصة تعذيب المسلمين في عهد حسني مبارك" :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Kitab(al-) al-aswad qissa ta`dhib al-muslimin fi `ahd Husni Mubarak 

Title (Translated): The Black Book: An Account of the Torture of Muslims in the Time 

of Husni Mubarak 

Type of Publication: Book 

Year of Publication: 1992 

Place of Publication: Cairo 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Munazzamat al-`afw aldawliyya, 40.5%

Sha`b(al-), 14.5%

Nur(al-), 3.5%

Ahali(al-), 2.3%

Haqiqa(al-), 2.3%

`Arabi(al-), 1.7%

Munazzamat(al-) alMisriyya li-huquq alinsan, 1.2%

Jubayli(al-), Ahmad, 1.2%

Shafiq, Hamdi, 1.2%

Zaki, Muhammad, 1.2%

Majdi Hilmi, 1.2%

Samar Siyam, 0.6%

Lajnat al-difa` `an huquq 

al-insan fi misr bi-landan,

0.6%

Muhammad al-Hilaw,

0.6%

Muhammad, `Abd Allah,

0.6%

Muraqabat al-sharq alawsat, 0.6%

Najmi(al-), Ahmad b.

Yahya, 0.6%

Salah al-Sa'igh, 0.6%

Khuli(al-), Muhammad,

0.6%

Other, 11.0%

Wafd(al-), 13.9%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 4

Issues Discussed: 

The title of the book accurately and succinctly describes its contents. Zawahiri presents the 

reader with a large number of reports (culled from a variety of Arabic newspapers) 

265
describing (often in the first person) acts of torture and abuse. All of the abuse is alleged to 

have been committed by state police during the presidency of Husni Mubarak, to whom

Zawahiri derogatively refers as “Pharaoh.” Most of the victims were Muslim men in the late 

eighties and early nineties who were affiliated with one of the sectarian movements in Egypt 

(al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun, Jama`at al-Jihad); however there are accounts of the use of torture 

against women and children, individuals who were not affiliated with a particular group or 

organization, newspaper correspondents, state employees and Christians. The lion’s share of

this text is composed of citations from a variety of Arabic language newspapers and reports

written by national and international regulatory and human rights agencies (Egyptian

Organization for Human Rights [MDE]; Middle East Watch, a Committee of Human Rights

Watch). 

In his conclusion Zawahiri addresses the “noble reader,” noting that they have now seen the 

extent of the corruption in Mubarak’s/“Pharaoh’s” government. In addition to the physical 

and mental torture of individuals from all walks of life, there is the ongoing affliction of 

poverty and ignorance on the masses. These poor, uneducated, downtrodden masses are 

probably the audience Zawahiri has in mind for this work. Bereft of resources and essential

services, the affliction suffered by the masses is no less than the physical torture suffered by 

prisoners/activists. Zawahiri notes that these conditions have been amply attested to in a 

variety of media sources both within and outside of Egypt. 

So what is to be done? According to Zawahiri the answer is to support Jama`at al-Jihad and

other “Islamist” movements. These movements seek to free the people from oppression at 

the hands of the state, to unite Muslim youth in this process, and to provide better living

conditions for the masses. Among the platform issues of Jama`at al-Jihad are the following: 

removing American and Israeli interests/agents from Egypt in particular, and to counteract 

the influences of Zionism and Christianity in the region in general; stopping the use of 

torture against political prisoners; following the example set by the early believers (salaf);

securing human rights for all Egyptian citizens. In a word, he seeks the establishment of an 

Islamic state that is based on the Qur’an, Sunna, and examples of the pious ancestors. 

Zawahiri does not offer any further elaboration on how this is to be done, since this is, in his 

view, an issue of faith—the balance is completely in the favor of Islam and its righteous 

supporters. For him the choice between President Mubarak and Jama`at al-Jihad is as 

unambiguous as the choice between honoring the Pharaoh or God. 

There is a fair amount of thematic repetition in this text—individuals, groups and issues that 

are only noted once in the summary below. 

Individuals: Abuse of Ahmad Isma`il Mahmud; Abuse of Muhammad Khalaf Yusuf; Abuse 

of Muhammad Mu`taz `Ali `Abd al-Karim, a boy of 15 years; Abuse of Muhammad Taha 

`Abd al-`Azim al-Bahiri and Faruq al-Sayyid `Ashur; Abuse of `Abd Allah Muhammad `Ali 

Hasanayn--who was allegedly tortured in December 1990; Abuse of Safwat Ahmad `Abd alGhani, who was allegedly tortured in November 1990; Abuse of Muhammad Bilal; Abuse of 

Tal`at Fu'ad Qasim; Abuse of Ahmad Ibrahim al-Najjar, who was tortured in 1991; Beating 

death of a Christian man; Killing of a man by the authorities because he refused to remove a 

small shack he had built on the roof of his house; Beating of an individual by a friend of an

officer; Eyewitness account from Dr. Suzan Fayad regarding her observations of crimes 

committed by police against women and young girls. 

266
Groups: Abuse of newspaper correspondents; Abuse of the relatives of the accused and 

detained; Arrest of relatives of the accused and detained, and the destruction of their homes

and mosques; Abduction of female students; Preventing prisoner’s access to medical

attention; Suspicions leveled against doctors from Lebanon who visited prisoners; Abuse of

politically active people who are not associated with Islamic groups; Torture of women in 

the city of Akhmim on the east bank of the Nile; Torture of state employees (al-muwazzaf)--

the site of their detention is likened to an abattoir in the title of the cited article; 

Punishments for officers/guards found guilty of torturing prisoners; Use of torture against 

people suspected of hiding escapees; Officers who steal apartment flats; Testimony of

people who heard the screams of prisoners who were being tortured; Detainment and

torture of people who have not committed a crime (i.e. those who are innocent); Detainment

of women in prison until they admit the guilt of their husbands; Torture of defense counsels 

for the accused in police stations; Detention and torture of women without filing charges 

against them; Torture of children stricken with paralysis; State security officers who sell their 

services during hard times; Massacre in the city of `Ayn; What happened at the city of Abu

Hamad; What happened at the city of Adku; Forcible detention of women by the police; 

Attack (ghazw) in the city of Imbaba; Eyewitness account of the incident at Imbaba, in 

which 190 families were forcibly marched [out of the city]; Attack that occurred June 25th, 

1994 in Malawi, in S. Africa; Assault on the Mosque Shabran al-Khima; Police officers who 

killed men in their custody; Police attacks [that are described as criminal] against the 

delegation (al-Niyaba); Police attacks [that are described as criminal] against judges; 

Issues: Justification of jihad against oppressive and tyrannical powers; Death as the result of

torture; Using the threat of rape to damage a girls reputation and to drive a wedge between 

their relatives and potential spouse; Rape/violation of the body. Plucking out (or forced

shaving perhaps) of one's beard (quite a disfigurement in the eyes of a pious Muslim); Death

by hanging; Imprisonment in solitary confinement. Hunger strikes; Stripping prisoners of

their clothes; Disappearance of prisoners; Street abductions; [The State's] reliance on

oppression [to maintain control]; Use of electric shock and the removal of digits; Decision 

from the interior minister regarding releasing prisoners from detention camps; State 

commission on prisons and the use of torture; Use of coercion [methods other than physical 

torture] in prisons; Rights of prisoners to see their family members; Secret agreement 

between state security forces and the national inspection office; Lack of delegation

autonomy when examining the state; State intervention in delegation attempts to gain

autonomy; Police abuse/disregard for Egyptian law, and its reliance on the use of torture; 

Arrest after proof of innocence has been established; Egyptian government abuse/disregard 

of its international pacts [regarding the treatment of prisoners]. 

Zawahiri concludes his text with a summary of an armed insurrection against government

forces in the city of Abu Hamad. The implication here is that more armed resistance is

necessary. 

Notes: 

Full bibliographic information is not given for this book. I classified it as a book, rather than 

an article for the following two reasons: 1) the word "book" is in the title, 2) it is referred to 

267
as a book in Zawahiri's Nass al-hiwar. The second appendix to this work was added

December 1st, 1992. No date is given for the addition of the third appendix. 

268
Author: Zawahiri(al-), Ayman 

موقفنا من ايران: الرد على تهمة التعاون بين الحرآة الجهادية السلفية وايران الرافضية :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Mawqifuna min Iran: al-radd `ala tuhmat al-ta`awun bayna al-haraka 

al-jihadiyya al-salafiyya wa Iran al-rafidiyya 

Title (Translated): Our Stance Towards Iran: Response to the Accusation of Cooperation 

Between the Salafi Jihadi Movement and Renegade Iran 

Type of Publication: Other 

Year of Publication: 1995 

Place of Publication: ?

Publisher: ? 

People the Author Cites: 

None 

People Who Cite the Author: 

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 4

Issues Discussed: 

Ayman al-Zawahiri says that the media news about potential Iranian support for the Islamic 

movement is merely an assumption, and defines the stance of the movement towards Iran

on the following ideological and scientific facts: The Shiites created a heresy in the Sunni 

orthodox religion after distorting the Qur'an and the image of the Islamic caliphate through 

the 12th Imam concept and offending the companions of the Prophet. Zawahiri adds that 

anyone who believes in this, even after being showed all the facts, is outside the realm of

Islam. On the scientific level, Zawahiri notes that when the Iranian revolution came to

power it claimed that it had an Islamic nature without differentiation between Sunni and 

Shiite. However, he adds, this was proven to be wrong by experience since the Iranian

regime stands only for issues affecting Shiite interests around the world. Zawahri gives 

example of this point by showing how Iran supported the assault of Hafiz al-Asad against 

the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria, and their stance on the jihad in Afghanistan, Egypt and

Algeria. He says that Iranian support is always conditional in return for political affiliation. 

Zawahiri concludes that the Islamic group in Egypt never had support from the Islamic 

Republic for those stated reasons and warns those Islamic movements running in Iranian 

circles that the road they took is useless and they shall lose the respect of the Sunni public 

while losing also their own free will to make decisions. 

Notes: 

This is an interview with Ayman al-Zawahiri conducted by Usama b. `Abd al-Fattah from

"Nashrat al-Ansar" in April 1995, talking about the problematic relationship between the 

Salafi movement and the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

269
Author: Zawahiri(al-), Ayman 

مصر المسلمة بين سياط الجلادين وعمالة الخائنين :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Misr al-muslimah bayn siyat al-jalladin wa `amalat al-kha'inin 

Title (Translated): Muslim Egypt Between the Whips of the Torturers and the 

Administration of Traitors 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 1999 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Munazzamat(al-) alMisriyya li-huquq alinsan, 37.0%

Egyptian Embassy in

Washington, 7.4%

Qadaya Daw liyya,

7.4% `Adil Hammuda, 7.4%

Najib Mahfuz, 3.7%

Mustafa, Mahmud

Mahmud, 3.7%

Wali al-Din Yakan,

3.7%

Shiha, Ibrahim, 3.7%

Hashim al-Rifa`i, 3.7%

`Umar `Abd al-Rahman,

3.7%

Munazzamat al-`afw aldaw liyya, 3.7%

Markaz al-Dirasat alSiyasiyya w a'lStratijiyya bi'l-Ahram,

3.7%

Abu Hasana, Nafidh, 

3.7%

Hamdan, Ghassan, 

3.7%

Bisar, Muhammad `Abd

al-Rahman, 3.7%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 4

Issues Discussed: 

Ayman al-Zawahiri lists four types of crimes or "corruption" committed by the ruling regime 

in Egypt against Islam: parliamentary, in foreign policy, domestic policy and educational. The 

first type is about the corruption of the constitution that is designed to be against Shari`a law 

since its inception with the British and he describes how Egyptian courts went along with

this trend by asserting in one of their rulings that Shari'a law does not reflect the values of 

270
Egyptian society and that sovereignty is for the people not for God. Zawahiri argues that 

when the constitution talks about the sovereignty of the people, this provision is only for the

deputies of the parliament who are the representatives of the people. 

On the foreign policy theme, Zawahiri says that the ruling regime is following American and 

Jewish policies and resisting the rising Islamic awareness. The Egyptian government is

allowing American military bases on Egyptian soil and giving administrative and technical

facilities to American Naval and Air forces. Zawahiri says that an American-Israeli network, 

partially based in the Israeli embassy, was discovered sending military, political and economic 

reports by diplomatic pouch to Israel. And the United States pushed for the release of some 

of those spies. Zawahiri also highlights the American military assistance to Egypt. Later, he 

moves to the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, which he considers an Egyptian

surrender. He says that the ruling regime is not allowing any kind of criticism to this treaty, 

which isolates Egypt and gives Israeli troops the chance to re-occupy the Sina' area in few 

hours. He sums up by saying that all Egyptian foreign policies since Nasser were against the 

interests of Muslims around the world. 

On the domestic issue, Zawahiri criticizes the emergency law in Egypt which is allowing the 

persecution of Islamists, saying that so far 60,000 were arrested under Mubarak's rule. He 

describes the ways those persecutions are conducted against Islamists and their families. He 

also criticizes the low performance of the Egyptian media, the corrupted bureaucracy, the 

fraud in the elections, and the government interference in student organizations. On the 

educational level, Zawahiri talks about the government control of all educational programs 

and its control over Islamic schools through al-Azhar; and that speakers in Mosques are not 

allowed to criticize government decisions or create unions. 

Notes: 

Published on January 14, 1999, Ayman al-Zawahiri says that despite the consistent 

intimidation against him, he still has the time to write for his followers for whom he 

dedicates this publication. He argues that there is a tremendous increase in the crimes against 

Islam committed by the ruling regime in Egypt which is satisfying the desires of Jews and

Americans. This publication is to clarify some aspect of those crimes, which Zawahiri 

considers as a sample to what is done across the Islamic world, asking each Muslim who 

reads this publication to support his brothers in Egypt in the best way he can. 

271
Author: Zawahiri(al-), Ayman 

الرد على شبهة خطيرة للشيخ الألباني بشأن السكوت عن الحكام المرتدين :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Radd(al-) `ala shubha khatira li'l-Shaykh al-Albani bi-sha'ni al-Sukut 

`an al-hukkam al-murtaddin 

Title (Translated): Response to a Grave Uncertainty from Shaykh al-Albani Regarding 

Silence in the Face of Apostate Rulers 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: ? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors

Ibn Taymiyya,

19.0%

`Abd al-Qadir b.

`Abd al-`Aziz, 4.8%

Ahmad Shakir, 

9.5%

Ibn Qudama, 4.8%

Isma`il al-Qadi, 

4.8%

Maw ardi(al-), 4.8%

Naw aw i(al-), 4.8%

Shinqiti(al-), 9.5%

Suyuti(al-), 4.8%

Ibn al-Qayyim alJaw ziyya, 4.8%

Al al-Shaykh,

Muhammad b. 

Ibrahim, 9.5%

Ibn `Abd al-Barr,

Abu `Umar, 4.8%

Faqi(al-),

Muhammad Hamid, 

4.8%

Ibn Hajar, 9.5%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 4

Issues Discussed: 

A running theme common to many of Minbar al-tawhid wa'l-jihad articles is the neglect of 

the duty of jihad that plagues the Islamic world. The chief argument of the editing author

Zawahiri as well as that of `Abd al-Qadir is summarized on p.12: أن المسلم أخي يا ترى سبق مما

هؤلاء الحكام لا يدخلون في مسمى "أئمة المسلمين" لا من حيث الشروط ولا البيعة ولا الواجبات، وترى أن تنزيل

وتلبيس خطيرة مغالطة فيه عليهم الأئمة أحاديث" From all of the above you can see, my Muslim 

brother, that these rulers cannot be included in the phrase "the leaders of the Muslims", not 

272
in terms of the conditions [for being called leaders], nor in terms of the alligience [to them] 

or the duties, and you can see that in applying to them Hadiths on "a'imma" [leaders] there is 

a grave mistake and confusion". And again on p.19: آوسيلة التربية على الاقتصار بأن فأذآر أعود آما

 .للإصلاح فيه حيدة عن الواجب الشرعي وهو الجهاد, وفيه مخالفة لهدي النبي صلى االله عليه وسلم

The author time repeatedly expresses the notion that reformation of oneself or of society 

must be accompanied by reform through the act of jihad. The style is noteworthy for its

usage of syntactical structures that have fallen by the literary wayside, e.g. العلم مْتَآ من وهو

 .الملعون صاحبه

The article is divided into three parts: 1) Explanation of infidelity of rulers who do not 

govern according to the Shari`a and the necessity of waging jihad against them. 2) The 

response to Saudi Shaykh Nasruddin al-Albani (d. 1999), in the form of a self contained

epistle by `Abd al-Qadir, and 3) Concluding remarks. What `Abd al-Qadir most disagrees 

with is a paragraph from al-Albani cited on p. 10 which he proceeds to critique point by 

point in 11 points. These 11 points constitute the bulk of the "Radd" (pp. 10-20 in 

Zawahiri's article) and are followed only by a short account of `Abd al-Qadir's conclusions. 

ثم إن لنا أن نسأل الشيخ سؤالا: لماذا قال إن طريق الخلاص من ظلم :asks Qadir-al Abd `10 # point After

الحكام هو طريق تغيير ما بالأنفس بالعلم والتربية، ثم قال إن طريق الخلاص من اليهود هو طريق الجهاد، مع أن آلاَّ

من الحكام المرتدين واليهود هم آفار تسلطوا - قدرا - على المسلمين بذنوبهم، فلماذا فَرَّق الشيخ بين أسلوبي

المواجهة؟) p. 18-19); the gist of the question is why does Shaykh al-Albani make a distinction

between the Jews (i.e. the Israelis) who are the rulers in conquered Muslim lands and Muslim 

rulers in Muslim countries who do not rule according to the Shari`a; why, `Abd al-Qadir

asks, does the Shaykh distinguish between the type of jihad that must be waged against the 

Jews and the type that must be waged against corrupt infidel Muslim regimes? 

On p. 20 `Abd al-Qadir ends with a specific critique of al-Albani's interpretation: من يزيد ومما

خطورة هذه الشبهة للشيخ الألباني أنها أصبحت مدرسة قائمة بذاتها لها أتباع يردِّدونها في آثير من بلدان المسلمين،

 helping for Albani-al at leveled complaint is This بل صارت هذه الشبهة حجة لكل قاعد عن الجهاد

create a "passive" school of thought that condones a refrain from the jihadi duty. This way 

of thinking, says `Abd al-Qadir, is more dangerous to Islam than the divisive notion of the 

Qur'an's "createdness" (p.20), and thus it is not appropriate for the Shaykh to disseminate 

such grave misconceptions. The crux of the argument of this article is the legitimacy of

taking up arms and being engaged in a physical jihad against Israel and regimes in the Arab

world, like Mubarak's in Egypt, who must be defined as outside the scope of Islam. 

Notes: 

The source author is not actually named, it is only stated that the Jama`at al-Jihad in Egypt 

prepared the article was under the supervision of Ayman al-Zawahiri. pp. 9-top of 21 is a 

section of an epistle written by shaykh `Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz entitled "`Umda(al-) fi 

i`dad al-`udda li'l-jihad" (first edition, pp. 290-299). Our source author Zawahiri inserted the 

Radd section of the epistle in its entirety with which he completely agrees. This would mean 

I would have to color-code the entire section in green. For technical reasons and to avoid

losing all the other citation authors cited by `Abd al-Qadir, I treated this section containing 

the epistle as a title unto itself, though for cataloguing purposes I left Zawahiri's al-Radd title 

in the citation title field of the DB. 

273
Author: Zawahiri(al-), Ayman 

شفاء صدور المؤمنين: رسالة عن بعض معاني الجهاد في عملية تفجير إسلام آباد :(Arabic (Title

Title (Transliterated): Shifa' sudur al-mu'minin: risala `an ba`d ma`ani al-jihad fi `amaliyyat 

tafjir Islamabad 

Title (Translated): Healing the Hearts of Believers: On Some Concepts of Jihad in the 

Islamabad Operation 

Type of Publication: Article 

Year of Publication: 1996? 

Place of Publication: Online 

Publisher: Minbar al-Tawhid wa'l-Jihad 

People the Author Cites: 

Most Cited Authors 

Ibn Taymiyya, 14.9%

Ibn Hajar, 12.6%

Qurtubi(al-), 8.0%

Ibn Qudama, 6.9%

Ibn `Abidin, 5.7%

Shafi`i(al-), 3.4%

Ibn Kathir, 2.3%

Shatibi(al-), 2.3%

Naw aw i(al-), 1.1%

Khattabi(al-), 1.1%

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-

`Aziz, 1.1%

Abu Hurayra, 1.1%

Al al-Shaykh,

Muhammad b. Ibrahim,

1.1%

Anas b. Malik, 1.1%

Mudrik b. `Aw f, 1.1%

Bukhari(al-), 1.1%

Dardir(al-), 1.1%

Other, 21.8%

Jassas(al-), Abu Bakr,

3.4%

Mardaw i(al-), 3.4%

Sharbini(al-), 4.6%

People Who Cite the Author: 

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad

A - 4

Issues Discussed: 

The article is divided into two parts. The first part presents the political and Shari`a basis for 

the bombing in Islamabad. The second part deals with the Shari`a basis of similar operations

in general and tackles two issues: martyrdom operations from the point of view of the 

274
Shari`a and the issue of shooting infidels even if Muslims are standing among them or other 

persons whose slaying is not permitted. 

The first part begins with an explanation of Jama`at al-jihad's latest bombing in Islamabad. It 

is stated that the explosion was supposed to decimate some of the false non-Islamic, Jahli

values and beliefs spread by the Egyptian regime. And the main false Jahli belief that the 

bombing of the embassy was protesting was the idea promoted by the Egyptian government 

that Egyptians must obey and be subservient to entities other than God, since the 

government demands loyalty to it and its officials, and loyalty and obedience are to God 

alone. Moreover, because Husni Mubarak and government officials demand such un-Islamic

obedience, they are infidels, and as infidels the embassy (in Islamabad) and its workers are 

not innocent people that must not be harmed in the course of jihad. 

On pp. 5-7 Zawahiri lists ten reasons why the Egyptian government, and by association 

anyone working for the government, is a legitimate target. He repeats this notion throughout 

the article. The Egyptian government is not considered a legitimate governing body, as are 

the U.S., Israel, the U.N. and most governments in the Muslim and Arab world, especially 

because of their ties to and presence in the U.N. There is little difference, Zawahiri says, 

between the various secular parties, communists, supporters of Nasir, Ba`thists, nationalists,

etc.—since they all sold Palestine, and they only differ on the price; be it peace [with Israel],

`Arafat's council, '67 borders, and so on. They have all neglected to bring about the return of 

Palestine to the Islamic "umma" beginning with the 1949 armistice treaties and their

recognition of the legitimacy of the U.N. (p. 6). The Muslim [factions] have not neglected

this task, says Zawahiri, and this is the salient difference between the latter and the 

secularists. It should be noted Zawahiri refers to members of the Islamic factions as 

"Muslims" while all the others are "secularists" (i.e. not Muslims). 

Why the embassy in Islamabad in particular? Because the Pakistanis have been engaged in a

war against the Arab mujahidin there to expel them, and in so doing they are doing the work

of the infidel Americans, the Israelis and the corrupt regimes of all the Arab countries (pp.8-

9; 11). Moreover, states Zawahiri, the Egyptian embassy in Pakistan is engaged in espionage 

against the mujahidin. Another terrorist operation mentioned is "Khan al-Khalili"; Zawahiri 

says it proves the mujahidin operate inside and outside of Egypt, and it was directed against 

the enemies of the Muslim "umma", the Jews (p. 12). 

The second part, under the section on Martyrdom operations from the point of view of the 

Shari`a, gets to the heart of the legitimacy (or illegitimacy) of suicide missions under the 

Shari`a. The issue is presented in ten points (pp. 15-49) through the usual format of

citations. The ten points are a platform for justifying suicide "in the interest of religion" and 

its preservation. Moreover, the ten points cover different contexts where Zawahiri can argue 

with or against the quoted material, taking great pains to show that suicide operations are 

completely and utterly permissible and encouraged in Islam (this is highlighted at the end of 

nearly every point with a brief paragraph stating his explicit opinion on the matter (it begins 

with "qultu"). 

This maneuvering by Zawahiri actually works against him in some ways as it clearly shows 

how medieval Islamic thought did not condone suicide missions as an obvious or common 

means of engaging an enemy. Whereas Zawahiri strips the idea of suicide missions of its 

275
historical contexts by plucking quotes from medieval thinkers (evidently a common practice 

among contemporary Salafis) and applies them to today's world. The medieval thinkers are 

themselves much closer to the actual events they are discussing, and by extension the 

applicability and relevance of their cited material. Unfortunately, with Zawahiri's target 

audience in mind, by the time he is done stripping the notion of suicide from its historical

contexts within Islamic thought, he has made a coherent argument for the absolute 

legitimacy of suicide or martyrdom "in the interest of religion". 

Regardless of the various opinions Zawahiri presents, his entire presentation from the outset 

وهؤلاء ندعو االله لهم بالهداية وأن يلحقهم برآب المجاهدين، آما ندعو :that conclusion the toward geared is

إخواننا المجاهدين ألا يستمعوا في المسائل المهمة إلا لأهل العلم المجاهدين، دون أهل العلم الذين لا خبرة لهم بالجهاد،

ولا العلماء القاعدين، ولا لأصحاب المناصب الذين يقبضون راتبهم من الطواغيت المرتدين، ليصدوا المسلمين عن

الجهاد.) p.64). Moreover, Zawahiri says he agrees with the Shafi`i and Hanbali points of view

that permit hitting Muslims and protected non-Muslims under certain circumstances, and 

doesn't entirely agree with the Maliki and Hanafi view, but in light of his views expressed in 

this article and elsewhere, he is not being completely straight forward with his readers, since 

he does say expressly at the end of this article (p. 61) [and elsewhere] that carrying out the 

duty of jihad for the good of Islam outweighs all other considerations. This view is actually 

much closer to the early Maliki and Hanafi view which puts little if no constraints on a 

"jihadi operation" (without even the requirements of kafara or diya). 

Unlike the distinctions Zawahiri tries to make between Maliki/Hanafi and Shafi`i/Hanbali

views, the complexity of the matter at hand (i.e. hitting a Muslim hiding or captured behind 

enemy lines, as well other innocent by-standers) is recognized by all schools of thought, and 

most thinkers, even those cited by Zawahiri. They all basically say that vulnerable elements 

should be minded in the event of an attack. Zawahiri actually concludes from all the

medieval thinkers he cites that since nowadays it is nearly impossible to get to infidel leaders 

because of security measure taken by them, it is permissible to blow up the entire structure 

they are in even if it will claim the lives of innocent by-standers (see p. 62, especially points 2

and 3). Zawahiri qualifies this statement with the need to warn fellow Muslims who might be

in the vicinity of legitimate targets such as Jews and Americans before such an attack (p. 62,

point 5). 

Notes: 

Zawahiri's notation system is a little overbearing; too many levels in the text making it 

extremely difficult for the reader. Also sometimes he starts out enumerating one way, e.g. 

using أ(, and then goes on to " الثالث" ":الثاني: On p. 21 there's a section entitled and 

 it); 1 section corresponding no is there , إجماع العلماء على جواز تقحم المهالك في الجهاد (2 numbered

is the second of two anecdotes that Zawahiri cites under this first question, which thus 

should have been listed as ب(. Zawahiri mentions an article that circulated in the Egyptian 

المقولة المتهافتة التي رددها الإعلامن المصري المرتبك من زلزال الحادث، وملخصها: آيف يقتل المصري media

وطنه؟ أبناء) p. 10), and then cites a number of phrases and sentences he disagrees with (colorcoded in red; see p.11, 12). He does not mention the name of the article, where it appeared 

or the citation author. There appear to be quite a few typos that make it difficult to render a 

correct reading of the text (e.g. See p. 38). Many times throughout the article Zawahiri uses 

the same citation to prove a number of different arguments, thus the highly repetitious

276
 article the of nature)e.g. reference the رد المحتار على الدر المختار، حاشية ابن عابدين، ج 3 / ص

 .(،222 دار الكتب العلمية، بيروت

277
 

militant IDEOLOGY ATLAS 

Biographies 

Authors and Frequently Cited Figures 

 

278
Table of Contents

`Abd al-`Aziz al-Muqrin..................................................................................................................282

`Abd al-`Aziz b. Salih al-Jarbu`......................................................................................................282

`Abd al-`Aziz b. Baz ........................................................................................................................284

`Abd al-Akhir Hammad al-Ghunaymi ..........................................................................................285

`Abd Allah `Azzam..........................................................................................................................286

`Abd Allah b. al-Mubarak ...............................................................................................................288

`Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid ........................................................................................................288

`Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz......................................................................................................289

`Abd al-Rahman b. `Abd al-Khaliq ...............................................................................................290

`Abd al-Rahman Hasan...................................................................................................................291

Abu `Ubayd al-Qurashi ...................................................................................................................292

Abu `Umar al-Sayf...........................................................................................................................293

Abu al-Fadl al-`Iraqi ........................................................................................................................294

Abu Bakr ...........................................................................................................................................295

Abu Basir al-Tartusi.........................................................................................................................295

Abu Hanifa........................................................................................................................................296

Abu Hurayra .....................................................................................................................................296

Abu Jandal al-Azadi .........................................................................................................................297

Abu Jihad Tal`at...............................................................................................................................298

Abu Qatada al-Filistini.....................................................................................................................298

Abu Tayyib al-Mutanabbi ...............................................................................................................299

Ahmad b. Hanbal.............................................................................................................................299

Ahmad Shakir...................................................................................................................................300

`Ali b. Abi Talib................................................................................................................................300

`Ali b. Khudayr al-Khudayr............................................................................................................301

`Amili(al-), Abu Sa`d........................................................................................................................301

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd al-Latif.............................................................................................................302

Al al-Shaykh, `Abd al-Rahman b. Hasan......................................................................................303

Al al-Shaykh, Muhammad b. Ibrahim...........................................................................................303

Al al-Shaykh, Sulayman ...................................................................................................................304

Albani(al-)..........................................................................................................................................304

Ansari(al-), Sayf al-Din ....................................................................................................................305

Awza`i(al-).........................................................................................................................................305

`Ayni(al-)............................................................................................................................................306

Baghawi(al-).......................................................................................................................................307

Bakr Abu Zayd .................................................................................................................................307

Bayhaqi(al-) .......................................................................................................................................308

Bukhari(al-)........................................................................................................................................308

Dardir(al-)..........................................................................................................................................308

Dasuqi(al-).........................................................................................................................................309

Dhahabi(al-) ......................................................................................................................................309

Ghazali(al-)........................................................................................................................................310

Hamad b. `Ali b. `Atiq ....................................................................................................................311

Hamid al-`Ali ....................................................................................................................................311

Hani al-Siba`i ....................................................................................................................................312

279
Harith `Abd al-Salam al-Misri ........................................................................................................312

Hasan(al-) al-Basri............................................................................................................................313

Hilali(al-), Abu Ayman ....................................................................................................................313

Humud al-Tawayjari ........................................................................................................................314

Ibn `Abbas........................................................................................................................................314

Ibn `Abd al-Barr, Abu `Umar........................................................................................................315

Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab, Muhammad ................................................................................................316

Ibn `Abidin .......................................................................................................................................316

Ibn `Atiyya ........................................................................................................................................316

Ibn Abi al-`Izz ..................................................................................................................................317

Ibn Abi Shayba .................................................................................................................................317

Ibn al-`Arabi .....................................................................................................................................318

Ibn al-`Arabi al-Maliki .....................................................................................................................318

Ibn al-Athir, Majd al-Din................................................................................................................319

Ibn al-Farra', Abu Ya`la...................................................................................................................320

Ibn al-Jawzi .......................................................................................................................................320

Ibn al-Mundhir al-Naysaburi, Muhammad b. Ibrahim...............................................................321

Ibn al-Nahhas...................................................................................................................................321

Ibn al-Qasim, `Abd al-Rahman......................................................................................................322

Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya...............................................................................................................322

Ibn al-Tin...........................................................................................................................................322

Ibn Daqiq al-`Id, Muhammad b. `Ali............................................................................................323

Ibn Hajar ...........................................................................................................................................323

Ibn Hazm ..........................................................................................................................................324

Ibn Humam ......................................................................................................................................324

Ibn Humayd, `Abd Allah b. Muhammad .....................................................................................325

Ibn Ishaq ...........................................................................................................................................325

Ibn Kathir..........................................................................................................................................326

Ibn Manzur .......................................................................................................................................326

Ibn Mas`ud........................................................................................................................................326

Ibn Nujaym.......................................................................................................................................327

Ibn Qudama......................................................................................................................................327

Ibn Qudama al-Maqdisi, Muhammad b. Ahmad b. `Abd al-Hadi............................................328

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali........................................................................................................................328

Ibn Rushd..........................................................................................................................................329

Ibn Taymiyya ....................................................................................................................................329

`Iyad, al-Qadi ....................................................................................................................................330

Jassas(al-), Abu Bakr........................................................................................................................330

Juwayni(al-)........................................................................................................................................331

Kasani(al-) .........................................................................................................................................331

Khalid b. al-Walid ............................................................................................................................331

Khatib(al-) al-Baghdadi ...................................................................................................................332

Majdi Ahmad Husayn......................................................................................................................332

Malik b. Anas....................................................................................................................................333

Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad .......................................................................................................333

Marwan Hadid..................................................................................................................................334

Mawardi(al-)......................................................................................................................................334

Mawdudi(al-), Abu al-`Ala ..............................................................................................................334

280
Mubarakfuri(al-), Muhammad `Abd al-Rahman..........................................................................335

Muhammad `Abduh ........................................................................................................................335

Muhammad Hasanayn Haykal .......................................................................................................336

Muhammad `Illaysh.........................................................................................................................336

Muhammad Na`im Yasin................................................................................................................337

Muhammad Rashid Rida.................................................................................................................338

Nasir al-Fahd ....................................................................................................................................338

Nawawi(al-).......................................................................................................................................340

Qarafi(al-), Shihab al-Din................................................................................................................340

Qasimi(al-), Muhammad Jamal al-Din ..........................................................................................341

Qurtubi(al-) .......................................................................................................................................341

Rayyis(al-), Hamid b. Rayyis...........................................................................................................342

Rifa`i Ahmad Taha...........................................................................................................................342

Sa`di(al-), `Abd al-Rahman b. Nasir..............................................................................................342

Sa`idi(al-), Abu al-Mundhir.............................................................................................................343

Safar al-Hawali..................................................................................................................................344

Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad..................................................................................................344

Sarakhsi(al-).......................................................................................................................................345

Sayyid Qutb.......................................................................................................................................345

Shafi`i(al-)..........................................................................................................................................346

Sharbini(al-).......................................................................................................................................347

Shatibi(al-) .........................................................................................................................................347

Shawkani(al-).....................................................................................................................................347

Shaybani(al-)......................................................................................................................................348

Shinqiti(al-)........................................................................................................................................348

Shu`aybi(al-), Hammud b. `Uqla'...................................................................................................349

Siddiq Hasan Khan al-Qanuji.........................................................................................................349

Sufyan al-Thawri...............................................................................................................................350

Sulayman b. Sahman........................................................................................................................351

Suyuti(al-)...........................................................................................................................................351

Tabari(al-)..........................................................................................................................................352

Tahawi(al-), Abu Ja`far....................................................................................................................352

`Umar `Abd al-Rahman ..................................................................................................................353

`Umar b. al-Khattab.........................................................................................................................354

Usama b. Ladin.................................................................................................................................354

`Uthaymin(al-), Muhammad b. Salih b..........................................................................................355

`Uyayri(al-), Yusuf............................................................................................................................356

Yusuf al-Qaradawi............................................................................................................................357

Zawahiri(al-), Ayman.......................................................................................................................359

281
Name: `Abd al-`Aziz al-Muqrin 

عبد العزيز المقرن :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: Abu Hajar 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1972/3 

Died: 2004 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

`Abd al-`Aziz al-Muqrin became leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula in March 2004 

and was the first of a number of leaders of the group targeted by Saudi authorities. He was

killed during a June 2004 raid connected to the investigation of American contractor Paul

Johnson who was kidnapped and killed by Saudi mujahidin. He is reported to have fought in 

Afghanistan, Spain, Algeria, Somalia, Ethiopia and Bosnia-Herzegovina before returning to 

Saudi Arabia. 

He was captured in Ethiopia in the late 1990s, and was extradited to Saudi Arabia where he

served four years in prison. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: `Abd al-`Aziz b. Salih al-Jarbu` 

عبد العزيز بن صالح الجربوع :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: ? 

Died: ? 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Closely associated with `Ali al-Khudayr, Nasir al-Fahd, and `Uyayri, all Saudi disciples of 

Hammud b. `Uqla' and supporters of Bin Ladin and Zawahiri. He, along with most of this 

group, were imprisoned by Saudi authorities in late 2001, and were held until 2003. On 28

February 2003, the Saudi Islamist researcher Mansur al-Nuqaydan published an article in alWatan about the radical currents in Saudi Islamism, from which I quote a few paragraphs: 

In the mid-1990s the Saudi Government detained a number of opposition Islamists who had 

provoked a riot in Baridah. They stormed the provincial government's offices and held sitins in the mosques. During their detention at the famous Al-Hayir Jail, a disagreement and a 

schism occurred between the first and second classes of religious students. The dispute was 

over what kind of attitude the detainees should adopt versus the government and the 

employees of the Criminal Investigation Department from the most senior to the very 

lowest officials. 

282
Al-Hayir Jail held two types of Islamists: the Resurgent activists and the new Salafis. The 

new Salafis were led by Shaykh Muhammad al-Farraj and his group, who were serving long 

prison sentences in connection with another case that occurred prior to the Baridah

incidents. Included in this group was Shaykh Nasir Bin-Hamad al-Fahd and `Abd-al-Aziz alJarbu`, both of whom represented the movement's hard-line wing. Today these two men are 

viewed as symbols of the jihadist Salafi movement in Saudi Arabia. 

When Shaykh Ali-Bin Khudayr al-Khudayr, who was among the detainees in the wake of the 

Baridah incidents, met with the other Islamists, a new alliance was forged and as a result a 

new schism occurred inside Al-Hayir Jail. This schism was the first spark and nucleus that 

formed a new very hard-line stream [tayyar takfir] prepared to brand other Muslims as

infidels. At a later stage it surfaced and conducted its activities publicly by issuing statements

and religious rulings [fatwas] branding other people as infidels. These fatwas were issued 

every now and then under the sponsorship of Shaykh Humud b. `Uqla al-Shu`aybi and with 

his blessing. After al-Shu`aybi's death, al-Fahd and al-Khudayr became the leaders of this 

stream. 

The new Salafi movement followed the example of Shaykh Ibn-Baz and other Wahhabite 

[reference to 18th-century founder of puritanical Islamic movement Shaykh Muhammad b.

`Abd al-Wahhab] clerics. It also relied on the opinions and religious interpretations of the 

late Hadith [tradition and sayings of the prophet] scholar Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani. 

The al-Suwaydi neighborhood in the city of Riyadh was the base that this stream used. This

movement conducted a thorough search of Wahhabite heritage and examined the fatwas of 

former Wahhabite clerics on the question of the conditions for declaring a Muslim an infidel 

and on the question of what conditions needed to be fulfilled for a Muslim population to 

rebel against their Muslim ruler. This search gave the movement a new interpretation of the 

issues in question and provided it with a lethal weapon that it used against the government. 

It then declared that the government was an infidel government. 

The credit for this development goes to two persons. The first was Muhammad al-Maqdisi, a

Palestinian who lived in Kuwait, who was subsequently deported to Jordan after Kuwait's

liberation from Iraqi occupation. The second was Al-Barqawi, the author of the famous 

book "The Manifest Proofs of the Disbelief of the Saudi State" [al-kawashif al-jaliyah fi takfir

al-dawlah al-sa'udiyah]. Al-Barqawi's dissertation "The Nation of Ibrahim" is regarded as the 

constitution of the repudiators [takfiris], that is, those who accuse others of apostasy.

Informed sources say that this dissertation is actually a commentary on an old dissertation by 

Juhayman al-Utaybi [leader of rebellious group that invaded and seized Mecca's Grand

Mosque in November 1979] on the same subject. 

Notes: 

Author of an oft-cited post-9/11 tract, "The Foundations of the Legality of the Destruction 

that Befell America," (published in November 2001; also sometimes called "Basing the 

Religious Legitimacy of Destroying America") in which he argued that Usama b. Ladin was

the rightful inheritor of the legacy of Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab. It also famously argues for the 

legitimacy of killing women, children and the elderly in the course of jihad. He is also 

credited with a radd (denunciation) of Salman al-`Awda. 

283
Name: `Abd al-`Aziz b. Baz 

عبدالعزيز بن باز :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1909? 

Died: 1999 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

One of the most prominent figures of the Saudi Salafi establishment. Bin Baz was born in 

Riyadh and served as Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia from 1993 until his death in 1999. He

was President of the Islamic University of Medina, one of the elite Salafi Islamic institutions

in Saudi Arabia, until 1971. Four years later, he was appointed to the ministerial rank of chair 

of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatawa (al-lajna al-da’ima li’l-buhuth al-

`ilmiyya wal-ifta’), from which he issued thousands of fatwas. 

Bin Baz lost his eyesight at the age of 20, and studied under Mauritanian Wahhabi/Maliki

Shaykh al-Shinqiti (d. 1973) and Muhammad b. Ibrahim Al al-Shaykh (d. 1969). He was

widely criticized for his ongoing support of the al-Sa`ud family during the first Gulf War, 

which began to erode not only his own legitimacy (especially in the eyes of the Salafi-jihadi 

movement) but also that of the Saudi Salafi establishment. Many of the most prominent 

figures of the contemporary Saudi establishment were his students or followers. 

In 1996, Usama b. Ladin labeled Bin Baz a puppet of the Saudi regime and told Muslims that 

Bin Baz had written "a Fatwa to hand over Palestine to the Jews, and before this, to permit 

entry into the country of the two sacred mosques to the modern day crusaders under the 

rule of necessity" (al-Nida magazine). 

Notes: 

He was famously involved in a controversy surrounding his fatwa that the earth is flat. Bin

Baz's position—based on his interpretation of the Qur'an—is not that the earth is flat, but 

that the earth is a globe at the center of the universe with the sun and moon revolving 

around it. 

284
Name: `Abd al-Akhir Hammad al-Ghunaymi 

NO 

IMAGE 

عبد الآخر حماد الغنيمي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

A prominent shaykh and former member of the senior leadership council of the Egyptian 

Jama`a al-Islamiyya (al-Gama`a al-Islamiyya bi-Misr). He currently resides in Bonn, 

Germany, under political asylum (since the year 2000). He is near the top of Egypt’s Most 

Wanted list, as he was one of the earliest Jama`a members to go to Afghanistan to join the 

anti-Soviet jihad and was among those sentenced to death (in absentia) in the so-called

“returnees from Afghanistan” mass trials of 1992 in Egypt. His position with regard to the 

Jama`a’s use of violence is complicated; in a televised discussion in 2002 (see 

http://www.aljazeera.net/Channel/archive/archive?ArchiveId=90921) he implied that the 

Egyptian government was the party that needed to first forego human rights abuses against 

Jama`a members and other Islamists in prison before resisters could be reasonably asked to 

foresake the use of force, pointing specifically to torture and the absence of due process in

the imprisonment of Jama`a activists in Egypt. However, when Ayman al-Zawahiri

announced that a large portion of the Jama`a had allied itself with al-Qa`ida, `Abd al-Akhir 

denied this. (The official position of the Jama`a is that it has foresaken the use of violence,

though `Abd al-Akhir is no longer an official representative of that organization.) 

Notes: 

Two of his works are included in the jihadi suggested reading list provided by Ibn Ahmad alSalim in the latter’s 39 Wasilat li-khidmat al-jihad wa’l-musharaka fihi (“39 Ways to Serve and 

Participate in Jihad”), one under jihadi fiqh (Ghunaymi’s Marahil tashri` al-jihad) and one 

under jihadi ideology [fikr] (Ghunaymi’s Waqafat ma`a al-Albani).

In a videotaped address aired by al-Jazira on 9 August 2006, Ayman al-Zawahiri announced

that a significant part of the membership of al-Jama`a al-Islamiyya bi-Misr (the Egyptian

Gama`at al-Islamiyya) had allied themselves with al-Qa`ida. In that address Zawahiri named 

`Abd al-Akhir Hammad as one of the the principal leaders of this al-Qa`ida-allied section of

the Jama`a (the others being Muhammad al-Islambuli and Muhammad Mustafa al-Muqri). 

In a subsequent interview with al-Jazira from Germany, however, `Abd al-Akhir denied that 

he or the Jama`a in general had joined al-Qa`ida, saying that some members did so as a 

purely personal decision. 

285
Name: `Abd Allah `Azzam

عبد االله عزّام :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1941 

Died: 1989 

Country of Origin: Palestine 

Background: 

Chief mujahid ideologue in Afghanistan. The following profile is by Col. Jonathan Fighel of

the Israeli Institute for Counter-Terrorism (with transliterations changed for the sake of 

consistency): 

`Abd Allah Yusuf `Azzam was born in the village of Seelet Al-Hartiyeh, in the province of 

Jenin in the West Bank in 1941. He received his early elementary and secondary education in 

his village, and continued his education at the agricultural Khadorri College near Tul Karem,

where he obtained a Diploma. After graduating from Khadorri College, `Azzam worked as a 

teacher in a village called Adder in southern Jordan, and later enrolled in Shari`a College at 

Damascus University, where he obtained a B.A. Degree in Shari`a (Islamic Law) in 1966. 

After the 1967 war, in which Israel conquered the West Bank from Jordan, Shaykh `Abd 

Allah `Azzam immigrated to Jordan. There, in the late 1960’s, he joined the jihad against the 

Israeli occupation. Soon afterwards, he traveled to Egypt and graduated with a Masters

Degree in Shari`a from the University of al-Azhar. 

In 1970 Jordanian forces expelled the PLO militants from Jordan. This effectively ended the 

jihad against Israel from Jordanian territory, and Shaykh `Azzam took up a teaching position 

in the Jordanian University in `Amman. In 1971 he was awarded a scholarship to al-Azhar

University in Cairo, eventually obtaining his Ph.D in Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence (usul 

al-fiqh) in 1973. 

Shaykh `Abd Allah `Azzam spent many years involved in the Palestinian jihad. However, he 

eventually came to believe that those involved in the jihad were too far removed from “the 

real Islam.” For this reason, he turned his back on Jordan and his home in the West Bank, 

and traveled to Saudi Arabia, where he took up a university teaching position. Shaykh

`Azzam became convinced that only by means of an organized military force would the

Umma (Islamic nation) emerge victorious. He became preoccupied with religious warfare: 

“Jihad and the rifle alone: no negotiations, no conferences and no dialogues.” 

In an attempt to practice what he preached, Shaykh `Abd Allah `Azzam became one of the 

first Arabs to join the Afghan jihad against the Soviet forces, who invaded Afghanistan in

1979. He left his teaching position at King `Abd al-`Aziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,

and traveled to Islamabad, Pakistan, to be close to the Afghan jihad. There, he became 

acquainted with the leaders of the jihad. During his initial time in Pakistan, `Azzam was 

appointed a lecturer at the International Islamic University in Islamabad. However, he 

eventually resigned this position in order to devote all his time to the jihad in Afghanistan. 

286
In the early 1980’s, Shaykh `Abd Allah `Azzam immigrated with his family to Pakistan in 

order to be closer to the fighting. Soon after, he moved from Islamabad to Peshawar to be 

even closer to the front lines. In the jihad, he said, he found the “satisfaction of his longing 

and untold love to fight in the Path of Allah”. 

In Peshawar `Azzam founded the Bayt al-Ansar (Mujahidin Services Bureau), with the aim 

of offering all possible assistance to the Afghani jihad and the mujahidin. The bureau’s 

mission was to establish and manage projects in support of the cause, and to absorb and

train the many volunteers pouring into Pakistan to participate in the war. However, this 

work did not satisfy Shaykh `Azzam’s desire for jihad, and his lust for battle eventually drove

him finally to Afghanistan to take part in the fighting. 

In Afghanistan he rarely stayed in one place for long. Instead, he traveled throughout the 

country, visiting most of its provinces and states. Among the places that `Azzam reportedly 

visited at one time or another were Lujer, Kandahar, the Hindukush Heights, the Valley of

Binjistr, Kabul and Jalalabad. These travels made a deep impression on him, allowing him to 

witness first-hand the “heroic” deeds of these ordinary people, who had sacrificed all that 

they possessed—including their own lives—for “the Supremacy of Islam.” 

Upon his return to Peshawar, `Azzam became an active propagandist for the jihad. He 

attempted to bring together the estranged Mujahidin commanders, and called upon those 

who had not yet joined the fighting to take up arms and to follow him to the front while 

there was yet time. In this way, he gained a reputation for leadership, eventually becoming 

one of the foremost figures in the Afghani jihad, apart from the Afghan leaders themselves. 

In particular, he was instrumental in promoting the Afghan cause to the rest of the world, 

especially in the Muslim world. 

In his travels throughout the Arab world, he called on Muslims to rally to the defense of 

their religion and lands. In addition, he wrote a number of books on jihad, including Join the

Caravan and Defense of Muslim Lands. `Azzam’s goal was to impel young Muslims all over the 

world to join the fighting in Afghanistan, which he presented as an Islamic cause, of 

significance to all Muslims. Due to his efforts, the Afghani jihad became an Islamic symbol, 

bringing together Muslim volunteers from every part of the globe. `Azzam saw his goal to be 

the establishment of the Khilafah, or “Allah’s Rule on earth,” which he believed to be the 

responsibility of each and every Muslim. The jihad, according to his belief, was the vehicle 

that would establish the Khilafah (Islamic Rule) over the whole world. 

His work in Afghanistan had made `Abd Allah `Azzam the main pillar of the jihad

movement in the region. He played a significant role in influencing the minds of Muslims 

concerning the meaning of jihad, and served as a role model for the younger generation of 

Muslims, who flocked to Afghanistan in droves. 

However, Shaykh `Azzam was not without enemies within the jihad movement. The 

movement was split by rivalries and factionalism. In 1989 a lethal amount of TNT explosive 

was placed beneath the pulpit from which the Shaykh was to deliver his Friday sermon. The 

bomb did not explode. 

287
On 24 November 1989 three bombs planted along the route that `Abd Allah `Azzam

regularly traveled to the mosque detonated as he passed. The Shaykh was killed, along with 

two of his sons. Rumors have consistently linked Usama b. Laden to `Azzam’s assassination,

though there is no proof of a connection. Upon his death, `Azzam left behind him dozens 

of books on religious doctrines, religious fatawa (rulings) and a comprehensive ideology of 

jihad. 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: `Abd Allah b. al-Mubarak 

عبد االله بن المبارك :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 736 

Died: 797 

Country of Origin: 

Background: 

A merchant and important scholar of hadith and fiqh. He travelled widely, studying under 

many authorities, including Abu Hanifa. Besides his large collection of traditions (20,000 

according to one source), his interests included matters legal, religious and literary. He said

that he heard traditions from 4,000 shaykhs and transmitted from 1,000. Muslim has some of

his traditions in his Sahih. Ibn al-Mubarak studied fiqh with Sufyan al-Thawri and Malik b. 

Anas, whose Muwatta' he transmitted. He was a pious man, devoted to ascetic practices. He 

made the Pilgrimage and engaged in jihad in alternate years. He died at Hit on the Euphrates

after an expedition. 

Notes: 

The background above was derived from the article on Ibn al-Mubarak in the Encyclopedia of 

Islam, 2nd ed., by J. Robson. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: `Abd Allah b. Nasir al-Rashid

عبد االله بن ناصر الرشيد :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: `Abd al-`Aziz al-`Anzi; `Abd al-`Aziz 

 b. Musharraf al-Bakri; `Isa al-Siba`i; Farhan b. 

 Mashhur al-Ruwayli; Akhu Man Ta`a Allah 

 ;عبد العزيز بن مشرف البكري ;عبد العزيز العنزي :(Arabic (Aliases

Born: ? 

288
Died: 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Contemporary Salafi-jihadi ideologue, strategist and operations planner. Born `Abd al-`Aziz 

b. Rashid b. Hamdan al-`Anzi, his most important pseudonym is `Abd Allah b. Nasir alRashid, as it is under this name that his most important jihadi writings have been published.

He was the major contributor to Sawt al-Jihad, the official organ of al-Qa`ida in Saudi Arabia, 

writing under a variety of pseudonyms, making him a central shaper of contemporary jihadi 

discourse. Following the clash between al-Qa`ida and Saudi security forces in the al-Fayha

neighborhood in May 2004, he helped hide Nasir Rashid Nasir al-Rashid and Rakin alSaykhan until they both died of their wounds, after which he buried them in secret. He was

injured and captured after a clash with police in the Rawabi neighborhood of East Riyadh in 

October of 2005. He was carrying forged identity papers at the time under the name `Isa alSiba`i, and had in his car a small arsenal of explosive materials, bombs, assault rifles and 

pistols, as well as nine car plates, various documents and cash. He holds an advanced degree 

in Shari`a from an Islamic university. He was shot during the encounter, but was taken 

immediately to a hospital and treated for his wounds. He was not on any of the Saudi “most 

wanted” lists prior to his arrest. He is in prison in Saudi Arabia. 

Name: `Abd al-Qadir b. `Abd al-`Aziz 

 عبد القادر بن عبد العزيز :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: Sayyid Imam `Abd al-`Aziz Imam al-Sharif, often

simply Sayyid Imam al-Sharif. 

 سيد امام عبد العزيز امام الشريف :(Arabic (Aliases

Born: 1950

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

`Abd al-Qadir was born in 1950 in Upper Egypt, memorized

the Qur'an in childhood, and graduated with honors from the 

Cairo College of Medicine in 1974. He was pursued by police 

in Egypt in 1981 for involvement in the Sadat assassination, but managed to escape the 

country. He moved first to UAE, then to Saudi Arabia and then Pakistan. `Abd al-Qadir 

worked there as the director of the al-Hilal al-Kuwaiti Hospital in Peshawar, during which 

time he made and maintained contacts with other jihadi activists then in

Pakistan/Afghanistan. He moved to Sudan in 1993 and Yemen sometime in the late 1990s. 

`Abd al-Qadir was the founder and first leader of al-Jihad al-Islami fi Misr (Islamic Jihad in

Egypt), until Zawahiri took over in 1991; apparently they disagreed at the time about violent 

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action, and `Abd al-Qadir was opposed to some terrorist acts that al-Jihad al-Islami had

carried out in Egypt. Some reports indicate that `Abd al-Qadir accused Zawahiri of 

publishing the former's writings under the latter's name, and that this was part of the split. 

He was living in Sana`a, Yemen, when after 9.11.2001 he was taken into police custody,

remaining imprisoned in Sana'a for a little over two years, until extradited to Egypt from 

Yemen in 2.2004.

Notes: 

He is the author of "Risalat al-`umda fi I`dad al-`udda li'l-jihad fi sabil allah," an important 

jihad "manual" that has been found in the possession of a number of different terrorist cells

disrupted in Europe. In 12.2004, this book was found in the Stuttgart apartment of one of

the planners of the (failed) assassination attempt on Iyad Allawi during the latter's visit to

Germany; that terrorist was a member of Ansar al-Islam (see 

http://www.verfassungsschutz-bw.de/kgi/files/kgi_arab_2005-03.htm). It was also found 

in the Milan apartment of Bouyahia Maher ben Abdelaziz (Abu Yahya Mahir b. `Abd al-

`Aziz), a Moroccan arrested in Italy in late 2004 for alleged recruiting of jihadis for `Iraq and 

association with Ansar al-Islam (on the discovery of this manual in his apartment, see 

http://italy.indymedia.org/news/2005/07/832872.php.). 

Name: `Abd al-Rahman b. `Abd al-Khaliq

عبد الرحمن بن عبد الخالق :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 

Country of Origin: Kuwait 

Background: 

Known for his books, which are often cited on a range of Salafi websites. Bin Baz wrote a 

fatwa in defense of him as a valid Salafi scholar, issued by the Saudi Permanent Committee 

for Islamic Research and Fatawa. He has also written on the priorities on Islamic da`wah, or

outreach and missionary work, in the West. In addition, he authored the book Scientific Basis

of the Salafi Da'wah, published in Florida. `Abd al-Khaliq has weighed in extensively on 

debates over takfir, legislation, and governance, and is used by both sides of the Salafi debate 

on jihad. 

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Name: `Abd al-Rahman Hasan

NO 

IMAGE 

عبد الرحمن حسن :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: ? 

Died: ? 

Country of Origin: Libya 

Background

A writer and ideologue of the al-Jama`a al-Islamiyya al-Muqatila bi-Libya (The Libyan

Islamic Fighting Group), a militant Islamist group composed mostly of Libyan veterans of

the Afghanistan jihad against the Soviets, formed in Fall of 1995 for the purpose of 

overthrowing the regime of Mu`ammar al-Qadhdhafi and establishing an Islamist 

government in Libya. He is the author of al-Qadhdhafi Musaylima al-`asr (“Qadhdhafi, the 

Musaylima of the Age”) a 1998 jihadi tract against Qadhdhafi written on behalf of this group,

prefaced by Abu al-Mundhir al-Sa`idi, one of the group’s most prominent leaders. [NB:

Musaylima was a rival of the Prophet Muhammad who was killed in battle against the 

Muslims.] `Abd al-Rahman Hasan is most likely a pseudonym. 

Notes: 

On 8 February 2006, the U.S. Treasury Department designated five U.K.-based individuals 

as being al-Qa`ida affiliated, all of them connected to the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group 

(the U.K. government had given the LIGF sanctuary until late 2005, when it was banned as a 

terrorist group). The first-named LIGF member was “Abd al-Rahman al-Faqih,” with a 

number of aliases, none of them identical to `Abd al-Rahman Hasan. It is possible, however,

that these two `Abd al-Rahmans are one person. The individual named by the Treasury 

Department was born 15 December 1959 in Libya and was living at that time (Feb. 2006) in 

Birmingham, U.K. The Department’s press release said of `Abd Al-Rahman al-Faqih: 

“Abd al-Rahman al-Faqih is a senior leader of the LIFG and is involved in the provision of 

false passports and money to LIFG members worldwide. 

Al-Faqih has been tried and found guilty in absentia by the Rabat, Morocco Criminal Court 

of Appeals for his involvement in the series of suicide bombings in Casablanca, Morocco on 

May 16, 2003 that killed over 40 people and caused more than 100 injuries. It was strongly 

suspected that the Moroccan Islamic Combat Group (GICM) carried out that attack. GICM 

was designated pursuant to Executive Order 13224 on November 22, 2002. 

Al-Faqih has a history of GICM-related activity, notably representing the LIFG during 

meetings held in Turkey in the late 1990s with GICM. During these meetings, LIFG agreed 

to host weapons training and jihad indoctrination at LIFG camps in Afghanistan for 

Moroccans.” 

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IMAGE 

Name: Abu `Ubayd al-Qurashi 

أبو عبيد القرشي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Al-Qa`ida leader and strategist, close aide to bin Ladin. He was a frequent contributor to the

jihadi journal (print and online) al-Ansar. His writings are generally devoted to jihadi strategy 

and insurgency tactics. One of his works, “al-Qa`ida and the Art of War” (al-Qa`ida wa fann

al-harb), was listed in the recommended reading list of Muhammad b. Ahmad al-Salim’s “39

Ways of Serving and Participating in the Jihad” (39 wasilat li-khidmat al-jihad wa'l-musharika

fihi). Much of his strategy writing is in the form of historical analysis, a sort of after-actionreport method of breaking down the successes and failures of Islamist and jihadi movements 

around the world in recent history. He is also keenly aware of Western military strategy 

discourses, and famously described al-Qa`ida’s combat doctrine as a manifestation of 

“fourth-generation warfare,” a concept first formulated in 1989 by a group of American 

military officers and published in the Marine Corps Gazette, October 1989 (Qurashi cites this 

article a number of times); see the MEMRI analysis of this, in their Special Dispatch No. 344 

(http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP34402). Abu `Ubayd

al-Qurashi is a pseudonym. 

292
Name: Abu `Umar al-Sayf 

أبو عمر السيف :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1968? 

Died: 2005 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Muhammad b. `Abd Allah al-Sayf al-Jabir al-Bu`aynayn al-Tamimi is from the Bani Tamim 

tribe dispersed throughout the Arabian Peninsula; originally from Jubail in northeast Saudi

Arabia. He was born in Qassim and died at the age of 37. Abu `Umar al-Sayf's brother, Ali 

al-Tamimi, told the al-Hayat newspaper, "my brother participated in jihad in Afghanistan. He 

studied with Dr. `Abd Allah `Azzam then returned to Saudi Arabia after the Russian army's 

withdrawal and the civil war broke out in Afghanistan. My brother completed his university 

education in the College of Shari`a at Imam Muhammad Bin Sa`ud Islamic University. Upon 

graduation, he was offered a job opportunity in the judicial field, but he declined and joined 

up with the Mujahidin again." 

Abu `Umar al-Sayf, who was responsible for the Islamic courts in Chechnya when thenChechen president, Zelimkhan Yandarbiev, attempted to declare Chechnya an Islamic state,

became an ideologue of the Arab fighters in Chechnya and connected the presumed state in

Chechnya with groups of Muslim clerics in the Arabian Gulf (qoqaz.com). 

The al-Ra’y al-`Amm newspaper in Kuwait published the details of his trip to Afghanistan in

1986, where he stayed for two years. During that time, he only went back home once. Later,

he returned home and graduated with honors from Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic 

University. The newspaper also indicated that Abu `Umar al-Sayf went back to Chechnya in 

"1996 with his Saudi wife; two-year-old firstborn son; and two-month-old daughter, Asmaa, 

at the time" (al-Ra’y Al-`Amm, December 11, 2005). 

Abu `Umar al-Sayf married a Chechen woman, who was killed with him in Chechnya. He 

had three children with his Saudi wife—the youngest a six-year-old boy he had in Chechnya 

when his wife was staying with him before she returned to Saudi Arabia in 1999 with all her

children. 

Abu `Umar al-Sayf had "five brothers, two older ones, Mubarak and Ibrahim, who work at 

the Royal Commission in the Jubail Industrial Zone East of the Kingdom of [Saudi] Arabia,

and three younger ones: Faysal, Badr and Ali, respectively. He also had six sisters. His father

died while Abu `Umar was in college, and his mother still lives with her children in Jubail, 

where the whole family moved after they left Qassim" (al-Ra’y al-`Amm newspaper,

December 11, 2005). 

Notes: 

He was called the “Mufti of Arab fighters in Chechnya.” 

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NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Abu al-Fadl al-`Iraqi 

أبو الفضل العراقي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 

Country of Origin: `Iraq 

Background: 

A senior al-Qa`ida leader, affiliated now with al-Qa`ida in `Iraq (Tanzim Qa`ida al-Jihad fi 

Bilad al-Rafidayn). A number of his recent web-posted communiques are signed Abu al-Fadl 

al-`Iraqi, The Global Islamic Media Front (al-Jabha al-i`lamiyya al-islamiyya al-`alamiyya),

Propaganda Section (qism al-i`lam al-taw`iyya, lit. section for consciousness-raising 

information). The Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF) is the internet organ for al-Qa`ida in

`Iraq. The GIMF also has a Jihad Information Brigade, which has been posting psychwarfare materials (such as footage the mutilated bodies of U.S. troops) from `Iraq on the 

internet and distributed by email since Summer, 2005, in some cases being sent via email to 

the families of U.S. troops. Abu al-Fadl al-`Iraqi is a pseudonym. 

Notes: 

In cross-examination on 6 February 2001 at the U.S. District Court, Southern Disctrict of

New York, during the trial of three suspected al-Qa`ida militants connected with the 

bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, witness Jamal Ahmad Muhammad 

al-Fadl identified Abu al-Fadl al-`Iraqi as having been present at a meeting of al-Qa`ida

leaders in Afghanistan in the early 1990s at which the decision was made to relocate alQa`ida to Sudan (also present were Abu `Ubayda al-`Iraqi, Abu Ayyub al-`Iraqi, Abu

Hammam al-Sa`udi, Abu `Unays al-Sa`udi and `Ali Harun, AKA Abu Hasan al-Sudani). The 

same witness spoke about a discussion among al-Qa`ida leaders in the Sudan regarding the 

Sunni/Shi`a divide, in the course of which al-`Iraqi reportedly argued in favor of trying to

get Sunni and Shi`a to work together in the larger Salaf-jihadi project, saying that it would be 

better for the two sects to fight the enemy together than to be in conflict with each other. 

(See the court transcript, here 

http://www.ict.org.il/documents/documentdet.cfm?docid=43). 

 

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NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Abu Bakr 

أبو بكر :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: al-Siddiq 

Aliases (Arabic): الصديق

Born: 570 

Died: 634 

Country of Origin: Arabia 

Background: 

The first caliph, chosen upon the death of the Prophet Muhammad. Some traditions 

consider him to be the first male Muslim. He was in any case one of the earliest Meccan

converts, and the most prominent Muslim before the hijra. He accompanied Muhammad on 

the latter's hijra to Medina. At the death of Muhammad, a gathering of the Medinan Ansar

and some of the prominent Meccan Muslims, including `Umar, elected Abu Bakr as the 

khalifat rasul allah, or the successor of the prophet of God. He reigned in this caliphate from

632-634, during which time he intitiated many of the great conquests of the Muslim armies. 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Abu Basir al-Tartusi

أبو بصير الطرطوسي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: `Abd al-Mun`im Mustafa Halima 

عبد المنعم مصطفى حليمة :(Arabic (Aliases

Born: 1959 

Died: 

Country of Origin: Syria 

Background: 

Contemporary Jihadi-Salafi shaykh and one of the most important living jihadi ideologues, 

residing in London. He is linked to al-Qa`ida and has been in close contact with jihadi 

groups in Algeria. Until recently, he has been vociferously militant, stating for instance that 

jihadi attacks against the Saudi regime are legitimate. He has been severely critical of Hamas

for what he considers their deviation from "true jihad." He has also condemned Hizballah 

as a tool of the "global Shi`i movement." After the bombings in London in 2005, Abu Basir 

put a fatwa on his website condemning the actions, calling the London bombers cowardly 

and Islamicly illegitimate, and questioning whether the attackers were actually linked to alQa`ida. He subsequently distanced himself further from the jihadi mainstream, posting on 

his website in mid-2005 a fatwa prohibiting suicide operations. In May of 2005, he led a 

protest in London, staged outside the U.S. embassy, against the desecration of the Qur'an at 

Guantanamo. His wife is Palestinian, and they have three daughters and one son. He 

performed the pilgrimage from Syria in 1980. 

295
Notes: 

Websites: http://www.abubaseer.bizland.com/ and http://www.altartosi.com/. His 

abubaseer.bizland.com website provides a telephone number - 0044/ ( 0 )7900362085 - a 

UK mobile phone number probably from either Orange or T-Mobile (formerly one2one) 

phone companies. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Abu Hanifa 

أبو حنيفة :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 699 

Died: 767 

Country of Origin: `Iraq 

Background: 

Eponym of the Hanafi madhhab (legal school). Often called simply al-Imam al-A`zam (the 

greatest imam), Abu Hanifa al-Nu`man b. Thabit was born at Kufa, `Iraq. He was a silk 

merchant, though he attended the lectures on religious law of Hammad b. Abi Sulayman at 

Kufa and `Ata’ b. Abi Rabah in Mecca. After the death of the former, Abu Hanifa became 

the leading Kufan authority on Shari`a law and gathered a large following of students. He 

left no writings, and the teaching that forms the basis of the Hanafi legal tradition is

contained in works written by his direct disciples (principally Abu Yusuf and al-Shaybani). 

He was never a qadi (practicing Shari`a judge), and died in an `Abbasid prison in Baghdad, 

for reasons which are still obscure. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Abu Hurayra 

أبو هريرة :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 678 

Country of Origin: Yemen 

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Background: 

One of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad. More hadith are traced back through 

Abu Hurayra than through any other of the companions (sahaba). The Caliph `Umar

appointed him to the governorship of Bahrain, but deposed him after reports of corruption 

and graft, having him flogged and forbidding him from transmitting hadith (Mu`awiyya later 

rehabilitated him and made him governor of Medina). Medieval hadith scholars often 

judged him a liar and unreliable relater of hadith, but contemporary Salafi reverence for the 

sahaba has overridden this judgment, and he is considered by modern Salafis to be a

trustworthy source of tradition. 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Abu Jandal al-Azdi 

أبو جندل الأزدي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: Faris b. Ahmad Al Shuwayl al-Zahrani 

فارس بن أحمد آل شويل الزهراني :(Arabic (Aliases

Born: 

Died: 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

A leading Saudi al-Qa`ida ideologue, succeeding al-`Uyayri (d. 2003) in this regard. He is a 

graduate of the Imam Muhammad b. Sa`ud University, Shari`a College, Abha branch. He is 

married and has two children. He has been in prison in Saudi Arabia since 2004, and his real 

name (al-Zahrani) was only revealed when he was listed on one of the Saudi “most wanted” 

lists. He was number 13 on that list, and was captured in a park in the southern Abha

Province on 5 August 2004 (he held a hand-grenade at the time of his capture, but did not 

use it; one other person was arrested with him, not identified to the press). Prior to his

capture he had declared the legality of killing Saudi security forces and had publicly rejected 

the Saudi government’s amnesty offer. He is the author of a large (460 page) encomium to

Usama b. Ladin, entitled Usama b. Ladin: mujaddid al-zaman wa qahir al-amrikan (“Usama b.

Ladin: Renewer of the Age and Conqueror of the Americans”). (The title mujaddid – 

“renewer” or “reviver” – is typically given to only those perceived to have dramatically 

furthered the interests of Islam in a given period, and in the modern period has been applied

to relatively few scholars, such as Hasan al-Banna and Abu al-A`la al-Mawdudi.) His next

most-popular work (according to the number of downloads from the Minbar al-Tawhid wa’lJihad site) is al-Bahith `an hukm qatl afrad wa dubbat al-mubahith (“An Enquiry into the Ruling of 

Death upon the Soldiers and Officers of the Security Forces”). On 27 March 2004, he 

released an article entitled “The al-Qa`ida Organization and Asymmetrical Warfare” 

(“Tanzim al-Qa`ida wa’l-harb ghayr al-mutawaziyya”), distributed by the Global Islamic 

Media Front. As with other contemporary jihadi strategists, he is conversant with Western 

297
military strategy discourses, and refers in the above-named article to a report by General 

Henty Shilton of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on asymmetrical war.

Name: Abu Jihad Tal`at 

NO 

IMAGE 

أبو جهاد طلعت :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 

Country of Origin: 

Background: 

A leader and media spokesperson of the Palestinian group Islamic Jihad. Abu Jihad works in 

the media office of Islamic Jihad, located in Damascus. A number of his writings on jihad 

have been posted on Salafi-jihadi websites, including the Minbar al-Tawhid wa’l-Jihad sites. 

Name: Abu Qatada al-Filistini

أبو قتادة الفلسطيني :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: `Umar Mahmud Abu `Umar 

عمر محمود أبو عمر :(Arabic (Aliases

Born: 1960 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Palestine 

Background: 

Born in Bethlehem when this was still Jordanian territory, so is a Jordanian national. Moved 

to London 1993, and lived in Acton, a West London suburb. Has five children, is 6' tall and 

ca. 127kg. He is alleged to be a member of al-Qa`ida’s Fatwa Committee, according to 

testimony by Jamal al-Fadl in Southern District Court of New York in February, 2001. The 

Jordanian government is currently seeking his extradition to face terrorism charges there. 

Notes: 

Was freed in 3.2005 on bail from Belmarsh (UK) after a more than two-year term of 

imprisonment there. The Madrid train bombers attempted to contact him at Belmarsh 

before they committed suicide in their apartment. Tapes of his sermons were found in 

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Muhammad Atta's apartment in Hamburg. Richard Reid and Zacarias Moussaoui are both 

said to have sought religious advice from him. 

Name: Abu Tayyib al-Mutanabbi 

NO 

IMAGE 

أبو الطيب المتنبي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 915 

Died: 965 

Country of Origin: `Iraq 

Background: 

Renowned Arab poet, considered by many the greatest Arab poet of all time. Born in Kufa, 

al-Mutanabbi followed the Qarmati armies after they attacked his home city and learned old 

Arabic from them. He came eventually to lead the Qarmati armies, claiming to be a prophet;

hence his sobriquet, mutanabbi, “would-be prophet.” He was the court poet for a long series 

of Muslim states, finding himself expelled or on the run from each in turn on account of his 

iconoclastic and often satirical verses, as well as his proverbial arrogance. He was killed en 

route to Kufa, supposedly by the chief of a tribe he had insulted. His verses have ever been 

and remain today extremely popular in the Arabophone world, and scores of commentaries 

have been written on his Diwan. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ahmad b. Hanbal 

أحمد بن حنبل :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 780 

Died: 855 

Country of Origin: Central Asia

Background: 

Eponym of the Hanbali legal tradition. 

 

299
Name: Ahmad Shakir 

NO 

IMAGE 

أحمد شاآر :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 1958 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

Salafi, one of the most widely-respected traditional hadith scholars of the 20th century, an 

associate of Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani. Son of the great al-Azhar hadith scholar 

Muhammad Shakir, Ahmad Shakir helped revive the traditional sciences of hadith 

scholarship in the context and cognizant of modern academic methods. In his later years he 

worked tirelessly to edit hadith texts, and, with Muhammad Hamid al-Faqi, founded an 

institute dedicated to collecting and editing hadith manuscripts. He was educated and taught 

at al-Azhar. As with other modern Salafi thinkers, Ahmad Shakir advocated individual 

determination of Shari`a law (ijtihad) as opposed to adherence to a pre-determined legal 

canon (taqlid), though in contrast to contemporary jihadis he taught that this could only be 

done in the context of rigorous traditional Islamic education. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: `Ali b. Abi Talib 

علي بن أبي طالب :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 599? 

Died: 661 

Country of Origin: Arabia 

Background: 

Cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, fourth caliph and first Shi`i Imam,

whose short reign was marked by constant civil war and strife. He is considered one of the 

first Muslims, either second after Muhammad’s wife Khadija (the Shi`i view), or third after 

Khadija and Abu Bakr (the Sunni view). `Ali married Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad,

and fathered on her al-Hasan and al-Husayn, the second and third Shi`i Imams, respectively. 

He succeeded to the caliphate upon the murder of `Uthman in 656 and immediately 

attempted to put down a rebellion led by Talha b. `Ubayd Allah, al-Zubayr b. al-`Awwam 

and `A’isha. `Ali’s armies were victorious, Talha and Zubayr were killed and `A’isha was 

captured. Soon thereafter, `Uthman’s kinsman Mu`awiyya raised an army in revolt from 

Damascus, demanding vengeance for the killing of `Uthman. Their armies met at the Battle 

of Siffin in 657, and the conflict was submitted to arbitration after Mu`awiyya’s forces fixed 

300
copies of the Qur’an to their spears and demanded settlement by reference to the book. For 

agreeing to this arbitration (which was decided in Mu`awiyya’s favor), a group of `Ali’s

supporter’s broke with him and formed what became known as the Khariji movement. A 

Khariji assassin later managed to stab `Ali in the head while the latter was in prayer at a 

mosque in Kufa, and `Ali died three days later, 28 January 661. 

Name: `Ali b. Khudayr al-Khudayr 

علي بن خضير الخضير :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1955 

Died: 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Saudi Jihadi-takfiri, supporter of al-Qa`ida, close associate of Jarbu`, Nasir al-Fahd, and 

`Uyayri, all disciples of Ibn `Uqla' al-Shu`aybi. He was arrested after the May 2003 

bombings in Riyadh (which he supported and subsequently wrote in praise of), and was held

in the al-Hayir jail. When he was imprisoned, Usama b. Ladin posted a message on a Web 

site warning the Saudi government not to harm Khudayr, calling him "our most prominent 

supporter" and saying that any harm that came to him would draw from al-Qa`ida a 

response "as great as the Shaykh's standing with us." He wrote a fatwa after 9/11 calling for 

Muslims to rejoice, and defended the killing of civilians. He and this circle of takfiris is 

extremely critical of the Saudi regime. After his arrest, and along with Nasir al-Fahd and

Ahmad al-Khalidi, al-Khudayr recanted his jihadi-takfiri position and repudiated his earlier 

writings and fatawa; this recantation was widely published in the Arab press. After his 

recantation, he was denounced by `Abd Allah al-Rushud and other jihadis, who view the 

actions of this group as a betrayal of Islam. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: `Amili(al-), Abu Sa`d 

أبو سعد العاملي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: ? 

Died: ? 

Country of Origin: 

301
Background: 

Possibly a pseudonym; Saudi al-Qa`ida supporter. Co-authored articles with Sayf al-Din alAnsari, Abu `Ubayd al-Qurashi and Abu Ayman al-Hilali. 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Al al-Shaykh, `Abd al-Latif 

عبد اللطيف بن عبد الرحمن بن حسن آل الشيخ :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1810 

Died: 1876 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Major 19th century Wahhabi, of the family of Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab. Born in al-Dirr`iyya, in 

the province of Najd. When the armies of Muhammad `Ali captured his home town, he 

escaped to Egypt and studied at al-Azhar. With the reconquest of Najd by the house of

Sa`ud, he returned to the Kingdom, living in Riyadh and serving his father as one of the 

most powerful Wahhabi religious leaders of the 19th century. 

 

302
Name: Al al-Shaykh, `Abd al-Rahman b. Hasan 

NO 

IMAGE 

عبد الرحمن بن حسن آل الشيخ :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1779 

Died: 1869 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Wahhabi, from the family of Muhammad b. `Abd al-Wahhab. Born in the Najdi town of alDirr`iyya. His first shaykh was his grandfather, Muhammad b. `Abd al-Wahhab, and he 

subsequently studied with the leading disciples of Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab and later with the 

leading shaykhs of Egypt. He supported the house of Sa`ud in its struggle to take over the 

peninsula, and when it did, he returned to Najd in 1825 and was made the most powerful 

religious leader of the kingdom, the marja` (authoritative exemplar) to all other clerics in the 

kingdom. 

Notes: 

The `Abd al-Rahman b. Hasan described in the "Background" section had a relative in the 

next generation by the same name, who was also one of his disciples. It is thus possible that 

a citation of "`Abd al-Rahman b. Hasan Al al-Shaykh" refers to the younger, and not the 

elder `Abd al-Rahman. Resolution of this depends on context and checking the title of the 

cited work against lists of the works of these two shaykhs, available at various Arabic sites on 

the Internet. 

Name: Al al-Shaykh, Muhammad b. Ibrahim 

NO 

IMAGE 

محمد بن إبراهيم ال الشيخ :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1893 

Died: 1969 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Grand Mufti under King Faisal, director of the Islamic University of Medina at its founding 

(1961). Descendent of Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab. Was the president of the Muslim World League

(Rabita al-`Alam al-Islami) at its founding in 1962. He supported King Faisal in his power

struggle with his brother King Sa`ud. 

303
Notes: 

He died in the latter half of the twentieth century; his birth and death dates are not given in

any of the sources available to me, and will probably need to be mined from contemporary 

prosopographical literature. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Al al-Shaykh, Sulayman 

سليمان آل الشيخ :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1786 

Died: 1818 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

The grandson of Muhammad b. `Abd al-Wahhab, Sulayman was a foundational formulator 

of Wahhabi doctrine. He was the chief qadi of his hometown of Dar`iyya, an advocate of 

Wahhabi-style reforms, deeply hostile to the Ottomans and opposed to any contact 

whatsoever between a true Muslim (as he defined it) and all others, especially Ottoman

officials. Anyone practicing “polytheism” as defined by his school should be declared a kafir 

and immediately executed, he argued. He was sentenced to death by Ibrahim Pasha after the 

Ottoman capture of Dar`iyya and executed in 1818. 

Name: Albani(al-) 

محمد ناصر الدين الألباني :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1914 

Died: 1999 

Country of Origin: Albani 

Background: 

Considered by many to have been the greatest Salafi scholar of the 20th century, Albani has

been repudiated by the hardline jihadis for insufficient militancy. 

304
 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ansari(al-), Sayf al-Din 

سيف الدين الأنصاري :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 

Country of Origin: 

Background: 

Most likely a pseudonym; al-Qa`ida supporter. Co-authored articles with Abu Sa`d al-`Amili, 

Abu `Ubayd al-Qurashi and Abu Ayman al-Hilali in Majallat al-Ansar and other jihadi 

publications. 

 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Awza`i(al-) 

Name (Arabic): الاوزاعي

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 774 

Country of Origin: Syria 

Background: 

Traditionist and early scholar of jurisprudence. He taught prior to the formation of the 

classical madhahib (schools of jurisprudence) and gathered around him a "school" that 

anticipated later developments. Was famed for his piety and asceticism. Was a 

contemporary of Abu Hanifa and is credited with writings and opinions that were critical of 

Abu Hanifa's teachings. Schact, in his article on Awza`i in EI2, calls him "the main 

representative of the ancient Syrian school of religious law." 

 

 

305
NO 

IMAGE 

Name: `Ayni(al-) 

Name (Arabic): العيني

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1361 

Died: 1451 

Country of Origin: Syria 

Background: 

Hanafi scholar and Mamluk courtier, author of a famous commentary on the Sahih alBukhari, entitled `Umdat al-Qari fi Sharh al-Bukhari. He also wrote works of history,

jurisdprudence, literary criticism, and poetry. He held a variety of high appointments in the 

Mamluk state over the course of his adult life, though his courtly career was marked by 

periodic purges and rehabilitations (as seems to have been true of many court scholars at this

period of Mamluk history). At one time he was the court muhtasib (comptroller), nazir alahbas (inspector of pious endowments), and chief Hanafi qadi, an unparalleled achievement. 

306
Name: Baghawi(al-) 

NO 

IMAGE 

الحسين بن مسعود البغوي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 1122 

Country of Origin: Iraq 

Background: 

Shafi`i hadith scholar, Qur'an commentator and belle-lettrist. Author of the Masabih alSunnah, an important hadith collection. Also wrote a Sharh al-Sunna and al-Mu`jam. 

 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Bakr Abu Zayd 

بكر أبو زيد :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1945 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Born in Shaqra, Riyadh Province. After higher education at Imam Muhammad b. Sa`ud 

Islamic University and the Advanced Institute for Jurisprudence, went on to become one of 

the leading shaykhs in Saudi Arabia; was appointed a third-rank (darajat jim) qadi in 1968, to 

second rank (darajat ba) in 1972, and first-rank (alif) in 1974, after which he became imam

and khatib (preacher) of the Prophet's Mosque (al-Masjid al-Nabawwi). Appointed minister 

to the Ministry of Justice in 1979f. In the same year, appointed to the Higher Council of 

Jurists (Majlis al-qada' al-`ala) and subsequently to the Senior Council of Clerics (Hay'a

Kubbar al-`Ulama). 

 

307
Name: Bayhaqi(al-) 

NO 

IMAGE 

أحمد بن الحسين البيهقي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 994 

Died: 1066 

Country of Origin: Central Asia

Background: 

Of the generation of al-Ash`ari's students, he is most famous for his voluminous works on 

the sunna of the Prophet. He was a Shafi'i in fiqh and wrote authoritative works defending 

the principles of Shafi'i jurisprudence. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Bukhari(al-) 

Name (Arabic): البخاري

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 810 

Died: 870 

Country of Origin: Bukhara [present-day Uzbekistan] 

Background: 

Early hadith scholar, whose early, massive hadith collection (the Sahih al-Bukhari) is 

unparalleled in its authoritative status.

Name: Dardir(al-) 

NO 

IMAGE 

أحمد بن محمد الدردير :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1715 

Died: 1786 

Country of Origin: 

308
Background: 

Maliki jurist. Author of the Aqrab al-masalik, an important Maliki fiqh manual which is still 

much cited today. 

Name: Dasuqi(al-) 

NO 

IMAGE 

محمد بن أحمد بن عرفة الدسوقي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 1815 

Country of Origin: 

Background: 

Maliki jurist. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Dhahabi(al-) 

أبو عبد االله الذهبي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1274 

Died: 1348 

Country of Origin: al-Sham (Greater Syria) 

Background: 

Disciple of Shafi`i and student of Ibn Taymiyya, was a great Shafi`i scholar of hadith, Qur'an,

and history, author of scores of books that are still much-used today. Though a student of 

Ibn Taymiyya, he became very critical of him. 

 

309
Name: Faqi(al-), Muhammad Hamid

NO 

IMAGE 

محمد حامد الفقي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1892 

Died: 1959 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

Prominent 20th-century Egyptian Salafi Hanbali shaykh, studied at al-Azhar (1910-1917). 

He founded the Jama`at Ansar al-Sunna al-Muhammadiyya in 1926, a Wahhabi Islamist 

organization, and was its president while alive. In 1937 he founded the Islamist journal 

Majalla al-Hadi al-Nabawi. One of his students was Shaykh Muhammad al-Albani. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ghazali(al-) 

ابو حامد محمد بن محمد الغزالي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1058 

Died: 1111 

Country of Origin: Khurasan 

Background: 

One of the greatest theologians of medieval Islam, head of the Nizamiyya College in 

Baghdad from 1091. Achieved a lasting synthesis of certain trends in prior kalam and

rationalist theology with piety-oriented traditionalism, a synthesis that rejected much of the 

rationalist current and legitimated the mysticism of classical sufism. 

 

310
Name: Hamad b. `Ali b. `Atiq 

NO 

IMAGE 

حمد بن علي بن عتيق :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 1883 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Extreme conservative Hanbali Wahhabi shaykh, ever on the far right in the various disputes

and developments within Wahhabism during his time. He was the archtypal advocate of

jihad under imperial rule, condemning fellow Wahhabis and others who did not take the 

hardest possible stance with regard to the shari`a demands of jihad against the invaders. He 

declared that Muslims living in lands occupied by non-Muslims were themselves unbelievers,

arguing that it was incumbent upon them to either die fighting or emigrate out of such

territories. 

 

Name: Hamid al-`Ali

حامد العلي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1962 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Kuwait 

Background: 

A leading salafi ideologue in Kuwait, former secretary general of al-Haraka al-Salafiyya (Salafi 

Movement) and professor of fiqh and hadith at Kuwait University. He wrote a famous

fatwa in early 2001 (i.e., long before 9.11) on suicide bombing, in which he sanctioned flying 

planes into targets. 

Notes: 

In October 1999, al-Siyasiyya, a Kuwaiti newspaper, was ordered closed for a week after

running comments from al-`Ali that were critical of the US and of Kuwait's relationship with 

the US. In 2004 he was sentenced to two years prison for his public opposition to Kuwait's

support of the invasion of `Iraq, including a fatwa stating that it is kufr for any Islamic state 

to support or aid aggression by a non-Islamic state against another Islamic state. In 

November 2004 this sentence was upheld, but the prison term was suspended; al-`Ali was 

fined $3400 and put on what amounts to probation. In early 2005 he was forbidden by the 

311
Ministry of Religious Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Wazara al-awqaf wa'l-shu'un alislamiyya) of Kuwait from preaching or teaching in any of the mosques under its jurisdiction,

a reaction to the extremism of his rhetoric. In January 2005, Kuwaiti security forces arrested

three members of a Kuwait-based al-Qa`ida cell that were planning attacks on an arms cache 

in Umm al-Hamayn; in interrogations of these three people, it came out that al-`Ali had been 

working at recruiting Kuwaiti youth for attacks against US forces in Kuwait and `Iraq. He 

had a popular website - www.h-alali.net - on which he posted jihadi materials etc., but this

has been pulled down. 

Name: Hani al-Siba`i 

هاني السباعي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1961 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

Alleged member of the 14-person shura council of Egyptian Islamic Jihad, which is allied 

with bin Ladin. Siba`i was convicted in absentia in Cairo on terrorism charges and is resident 

in London after Britain granted him political asylum. He currently operates the al-Maqrizi 

Center for Historical Studies (http://www.almaqreze.com) and is a commentator in the 

Arab and Western media on terrorism. Was designated a terrorist by US Treasury on Oct 3,

2005 along with six other Egyptians for Islamic Jihad’s support of al-Qa`ida. 

Notes: 

His email is hanisibu@hotmail.com 

 

Name: Harith `Abd al-Salam al-Misri 

NO 

IMAGE 

حارث عبد السلام المصري :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 

Country of Origin: 

Background: No available information. 

312
NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Hasan(al-) al-Basri 

الحسن البصري :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 642 

Died: 728 

Country of Origin: Arabia 

Background: 

Famous Basran preacher in the `Umayyad period, famed for the eloquence of his sermons

and his personal piety. From the article in EI2: "The Ahl al-sunna wa 'l-jama`a and the 

Mu`tazilis both considered him as one of them, although the latter at times claimed that their

origin was not connected with him. The followers of futuwwa considered him, because of

his ukhuwwa, as their imam. His name appears in the silsilas of many Sufi orders as a link in 

the chain, and he is cited innumerable times in moral works of exhortation. The influence of 

his ascetic piety persisted in Basra. In the chief work of the Sufi school of Basra, the Qut alqulub of Abu Talib al-Makki, it is stated:“and Hasan is our imam in this doctrine which we 

represent. We walk in his footsteps and we follow his ways and from his lamp we have our 

light”. 

 

Name: Hilali(al-), Abu Ayman 

NO 

IMAGE 

أبو أيمن الهلالي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

One-time "official interpreter" for Usama b. Ladin, according to Reuven Paz (see Qa`idat alJihad: A new name on the road to Palestine, 2002) and Saudi al-Qa`ida member. 

313
Name: Humud al-Tawayjari 

NO 

IMAGE 

ابو عبد االله حمود بن عبد االله حمود بن عبد الرحمن التويجري :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1915 

Died: 1992 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Conservative Saudi Wahhabi scholar. Born in Majma`a, Mantaqat al-Riyadh, he studied all 

the branches of traditional Islamicate education from the `ulama of his hometown of 

Majma`a; he had an ijaza from Shaykh al-`Anqari. He held various state-appointed qadi

positions (in Sharqiyya province [1949] and in the city of Zulfi [1950-52]. He was also

appointed to a variety of adminstrative positions in shari`a education, including the Islamic 

University of Medina, but he declined and withdrew from administrative work in order to 

pursue research and writing (he was a prolific author). 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn `Abbas 

ابن عباس :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 619 

Died: 686 

Country of Origin: Arabia 

Background: 

Father of Qur'anic exegesis, widely considered one of the greatest scholars of the first 

generation of Muslims. From the article in EI2: "Proud of his knowledge, which was not 

based only on memory, but also on a large collection of written notes, he gave public 

lectures, or rather classes, keeping to a sort of program, according to the days of the week, 

on different subjects: interpretation of the Qur'an, judicial questions, Muhammad's

expeditions, pre-Islamic history, ancient poetry. It is because of his habit of quoting lines in

support of his explanations of phrases or words of the Qur'an that ancient Arabic poetry 

acquired, for Muslim scholars, its acknowledged importance. His competence having been 

recognized, he was asked for fatwas (especially famous is his authorization of mut`a marriage,

which he later had to vindicate). The Qur'anic explanations of Ibn `Abbas were soon

brought together in special collections, of which the isnads go back to one of his immediate 

pupils ( Fihrist, 33); his fatwas were also collected; today there exist numerous manuscripts

and several editions of a tafsir or tafsirs which are attributed to him (whether rightly or

wrongly cannot be said, as no study of this material has yet been made)." He later became 

the symbolic grandfather of the `Abbasids, though his importance in early Islamic politics 

314
was generally exaggerated by `Abbasid and later writers. He did follow the Muslim armies 

into the first major battles of expansion (into Egypt, North Africa, Tabaristan, and 

Constantinople), and led a wing of `Ali's troops at the battles of the Camel and Siffin. 

`Uthman delegated Ibn `Abbas as his proxy on the pilgrimage just before `Uthman was 

assassinated. Later writers make Ibn `Abbas into the leading counselor of `Umar, `Uthman 

and `Ali, though in fact he did not enter political life until the reign of `Ali. He was a 

signatory to the agreement to arbitration at Siffin, though he later broke with `Ali and 

withdrew to Mecca (he has been `Ali's representative in Basra). He served as al-Hasan's

military general, though maintained contact with Mu`awiyya and helped to arbitrate their

agreement, whereby al-Hasan ceased any political claims. He refused to recognize the 

caliphate of Ibn al-Zubayr, and was therefore expelled from Mecca. He eventually made his 

way to al-Ta'if, where he died. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn `Abd al-Barr, Abu `Umar 

أبو عمر بن عبد البر :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 

Country of Origin: Algeria 

Background: 

Founder and leader of the Algerian Jama`a al-Salafiyya li'l-Da`wa wa'l-Qital, a jihadi 

organization dedicated to the overthrow of the current Algerian and the establishment of an 

Islamist khalifate in Algeria. He founded the JSDQ in 1998. The current Amir of the JSDQ

is Abu Mus`ab `Abd al-Wudud (Ibn `Abd al-Barr is the head of the Media Department of 

the JSDQ). No birth or death dates are currently available for him. 

Notes: 

In the interview with him cited in "Sources" above ( للدعوة السلفية بالجماعة الإعلامية اللجنة رئيس

بالجزائر ،والقتال(, Ibn `Abd al-Barr posits continuity between his JSDQ and the GIA (Groupe 

Islamique Arme); for the background of this group and its collapse in 1997, see G. Kepel, 

Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam, ch. 11. 

 

315
Name: Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab, Muhammad

NO 

IMAGE 

محمد بن عبد الوهاب :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1703 

Died: 1792 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Eponym of Wahhabi movement, dedicated to purifying Islam of "innovations" that have 

corrupted it since its inception and returning to the ways and beliefs of the "pious forebears" 

(al-salaf al-salihin). 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn `Abidin 

محمد أمين بن عمر بن عابدين :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1783 

Died: 1836 

Country of Origin: 

Background: 

Hanafi jurist. 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn `Atiyya 

ابن عطية :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1088 

Died: 1147 

Country of Origin: Spain 

Background: 

Andalusi mufassir (Qur'an commentator) and Maliki faqi. From Granada, he wrote an

important, ten-volume commentary of the Qur'an, entitled al-Muharrir al-wajiz fi tafsir alkitab al-`aziz. 

316
 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn Abi al-`Izz 

ابن ابي العز :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1331 

Died: 1390 

Country of Origin: Syria 

Background: 

Hanafi faqi, author of a commentary (Sharh) on Tahawi's `Aqida (Sharh al-`aqidat tahawiyya),

a work that has been accorded an extrememly high status by Salafis and the Islamic right 

generally. He was of the intellectual milieu of Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Kathir, etc., 

all of whom were either his contemporaries or had died in the previous generation. For 

intance, the work has been edited a number of times in the 20th century by prominent 

Salafis, including al-Albani, Ahmad Shakir, and `Abd Allal al-Turki, then rector of Imam 

Muhammad b. Sa`ud Islamic University. The Sharh al-`aqidat al-tahawiyya can thus be

considered an authoritative compendium of contemporary Salafi dogma. 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn Abi Shayba 

ابن أبي شيبة :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 775 

Died: 849 

Country of Origin: `Iraq 

Background: 

An important early hadith scholar. Born to a family of religious scholars (his grandfather

was the qadi of Wasit), Ibn Abi Shayba compiled an early hadith-compendium organized by 

the primary transmitter (musnad), an important stage in the burgeoning science of hadith 

scholarship took in Islam. His work was particularly popular in the Islamic West, especially 

al-Andalus, where it was in continuous use as a textbook for `ulama for many centuries. Ibn 

Abi Shayba also wrote noted works of history, and was a teacher of many important scholars 

of the period, most notably the hadith scholar Ibn Maja. 

317
Name: Ibn al-`Arabi, Muhyi al-Din 

NO 

IMAGE 

محمد بن علي بن محمد بن العربي الحاتمي الطائ :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: Muhyi al-Din (the reviver of the religion) 

محيي الدي :(Arabic (Aliases

Born: 1165 

Died: 1240 

Country of Origin: Spain 

Background: 

Widely acknowledged to be one of the most influential Sufis, often confused with fellow 

scholar from al-Andalas, Ibn al-`Arabi al-Maliki. He wrote over 350 works: his best known is 

Fusus al-hikam (Bezels of Wisdom); his longest work is the 37-volume al-Futuhat alMakkiyya (the Meccan Illuminations). Ibn al-`Arabi was born in Murcia, in southeastern 

Spain, and spent 35 years in the Maghreb. After making Hajj, he later settled in Damascus,

where he resided for the last 17 years of his life. 

Ibn al-`Arabi knew and influenced significant Muslim figures such as Ibn Rushd, Jalaluddin 

Rumi and Suhrawardi. Ibn al-'Arabi is primarily known as a mystic of the middle period of 

Islamic mysticism who believed that he possessed divine knowledge, and is a deviant figure

for most Salafis, many considering him blasphemous. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn al-`Arabi al-Maliki 

ابن العربي المالكي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1076 

Died: 1148 

Country of Origin: Spain 

Background: 

Medieval jurist and scholar, popular with modern Salafis for the strictness of his

monotheism, polemicizing against anthropomorphism and the attribution of temporal or 

physical attributes to God. His most oft-cited works in modern literature are his `Aridat alAhwadhi (or al-Ahudhi), a commentary on Tirmidhi, and the Kitab al-Qabis, a commentary 

on the Muwatta of Malik b. Anas. He also took a hard line on the permissibility of Muslims 

living in non-Muslim lands, stating that hijra out of Dar al-Harb was obligatory. 

318
Name: Ibn al-Athir, Majd al-Din 

NO 

IMAGE 

مجد الدين ابن الأثير :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1149 

Died: 1210 

Country of Origin: Iraq 

Background: 

Important philologist and hadith scholar, whose work on obscurities in the hadith was

incorporated in the Lisan al-`arab. From the EI2 article (by F. Rosenthal): Majd al-Din Abu 

'l-Sa`adat al-Mubarak was born in 544/1149. His entire adult life was spent in Mosul, where 

he worked for the government in the service of Ghazi b. Mawdud, Ghazi's brother Mas`ud, 

and the latter's son Arslan Shah. For a while, he was attached to Mujahid al-Din Qaymaz,

who, formerly of Irbil, had moved to Mosul and been entrusted there by Ghazi with the 

running of affairs. Though he was paralyzed in his later years, his administrative services and 

advice were still very much in demand. However, an anecdote reported by his brother, the 

historian, depicts him as preferring the contemplative quiet of the invalid to the distractions

of politics. He died on Thursday, 29 Dhu 'l-hijja 606/24 June 1210. 

Of his works, a hadith collection entitled Jami` al-usul became a much used standard

reference work (autograph copy of the first volume in Istanbul, Feyzullah 299, cf. H. Ritter, 

in Oriens, vi (1953), 71-7). His dictionary of less common words and meanings occurring in 

the Prophetic traditions, al-Nihaya fi gharib al-hadith (Cairo 1322, also 1963-65), gained 

especially wide currency from the fact that it was incorporated in the Lisan al-`Arab . He 

wrote on particular kinds of names in the Kitab al-Banin wa-'l-banat wa 'l-aba' wa'l-ummahat 

wa'l-adhwa' wa'l-dhawat (= Kitab al-Murassa`, incomplete ed. by C. F. Seybold [Weimar

1896, Semitistische Studien, 1h/11]). While his works on the Musnad of al-Shafi`i, on the 

pious men and women of early Islam ( al-Mukhtar fi manaqib al-akhyar, table of contents by 

O. Spies, in MO , xxiv (193h), 31-55), and, it seems, a collection of Rasa'il (listed in

Brockelmann as No. 5) are preserved, his major works on grammar and Qur'an 

interpretation, together with a number of works on other subjects, have not yet been

recovered. 

 

319
Name: Ibn al-Farra', Abu Ya`la 

NO 

IMAGE 

القاضي ابو يعلى محمد بن الحسين بن الفراء الحنبلي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 990 

Died: 1066 

Country of Origin: `Iraq 

Background: 

Important early Hanbali jurist and hadith scholar. He was the notary (shahid) of the 

`Abbasid court at Baghdad, and appointed qadi of the palace and of the towns of Harran 

and Hulwan. Late in life he was polemicized by a group of Ash`aris for anthroporphism. 

He authored many polemical works, included refutations of the Batinis, the Karramiyya, the 

Mujassima, and of kalam generally. His most famous work is the Kitab al-Mu`tamad, a work 

of Hanbali doctrine modelled after the form of kalam treatises. For three centuries he was

considered the leading scholar of the Hanbali school, referred to simply as al-Qadi (“The 

Judge”), though this position was later conferred upon Ibn Qudama, and later al-Mawardi. 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn al-Jawzi 

ابن الجوزي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1126 

Died: 1200 

Country of Origin: Iraq 

Background: 

Leading Hanbali of his era, scholar of all the traditional disciplines, spokesperson for

conservative traditionalism in the cosmopolitan environment of 12th century Baghdad. 

Theologically he was a conservative Ash`ari and a vehement opponent of what he saw as

anthropomorphism and polytheism of rival theological schools. His relative extremism drew 

much criticism from other Hanbalis, both of his time and afterward, though for the same

reason he is a hero of modern salafis. 

Notes: 

A good article on him by G.F. Haddad is online, 

http://www.sunnah.org/history/Scholars/ibn_aljawzi.htm 

320
NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn al-Mundhir al-Naysaburi, Muhammad b. Ibrahim

محمد بن إبراهيم بن المنذر :Aliases

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 756 

Died: 931 

Country of Origin: Persia 

Background: 

Medieval fiqh scholar and governor of Mecca (shaykh al-haram). Author of many works on

fiqh, hadith interpretation and Qur'an commentary, Ibn al-Mundhir is still much-read today 

as an authority on matters of law. His works, called incomparable by Dhahabi, include the 

Mabsut, the Kitab al-Awsat fi'l-sunan, a Tafsir al-Qur'an, and biographical dictionaries of 

fiqh scholars, including the Ashraf `ala madhahib ahl al-`ilm. He died at Mecca. 

Name: Ibn al-Nahhas 

NO 

IMAGE 

بهاء الدين ابن النحاس :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 1414 

Country of Origin: 

Background: 

Author of an important work on jihad, one of the earliest to address the question of the 

permissibility of suicidal attacks in jihad. His work is extremely popular among modern 

jihadis. 

321
Name: Ibn al-Qasim, `Abd al-Rahman 

NO 

IMAGE 

عبد الرحمن ابن القاسم :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 749 

Died: 806 

Country of Origin: Palestine 

Background: 

Most prominent disciple of Malik b. Anas, considered the most reliable transmitter of his 

opinions and one of two initial lines of recension for the Muwatta'. The Mudawwana, a

central text of the Maliki school, second only to the Muwatta', is based entirely on Ibn alQasim's answers to questions about Malik's teachings on various topics. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya 

ابن القيم الجوزية :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1292 

Died: 1350 

Country of Origin: Syria 

Background: 

Along with Ibn Taymiyya, the foundational thinker for Salafi Sunnism. Like Ibn Taymiyya,

he was a vituperative critic of the forms and trends of Islam in his time, seeing them as

heretical departures from the pure way of the Companions of the Prophet; also like Ibn 

Taymiyya, he was persecuted by his contemporaries for his extremism in this regard. 

Name: Ibn al-Tin 

NO 

IMAGE 

محمد بن عبد الواحد السفاقسي المعروف بابن التين :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 1214 

Country of Origin: North Africa 

322
Background: 

Biographical information in the classical sources is slim; he was a commentator of Bukhari's 

Sahih, and is oft-quoted by Ibn Hajar. It appears that his works survive only in quotation.

One source - Hasan Husni `Abd al-Wahhab's Kitab al-`umr fi'l-musannifat wa'l-mu'allifin altunisiyyin, pp. 300f., give his death date as 611AH. 

Notes: 

His famous commentary is called al-Khabar al-fasih al-jam` li-fawa'id musnad al-Bukhari alSahih, but I don't see this in any catalog, so I'm not sure if it's lost. All of the quotations of 

Ibn al-Tin that I saw on the internet were via Ibn Hajar. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn Daqiq al-`Id, Muhammad b. `Ali 

ابن دقيق العيد :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1228 

Died: 1302 

Country of Origin: Arabia 

Background: 

Jurist, hadith scholar and alchemist, taught jurisprudence in the Maliki and Shafi`i madhahib. 

His most famous fiqh/hadith work is the twenty-volume al-Ilmam fi ahadith al-ahkam. None 

of his alchemical works have survived, though an account of his methods in transmutation

of quicksilver and sulfur into gold are described in the anonymous treatise Fi bayan `amal alfidda wa'l-dhahab. 

Name: Ibn Hajar 

NO 

IMAGE 

الحافظ أحمد بن علي بن حجر العسقلاني :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1372 

Died: 1449 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

323
Background: 

Medieval Shafi`i hadith and Qur'an scholar, author of Fath al-Bari, a commentary on the

Sahih al-Bukhari. 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn Hazm 

علي بن أحمد ابن حزم :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 994 

Died: 1064 

Country of Origin: al-Andalus (Muslim Spain) 

Background: 

Medieval Zahiri faqih, belles-lettrist, philosopher and polemicist. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn Humam 

محمد بن عبد الواحد بن همام :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1388 

Died: 1460 

Country of Origin: 

Background: 

Hanafi jurist and author of the gigantic (scores of volumes) Fath al-Qadir, often cited by 

contemporary Salafi and extreme conservatives on a variety of legal issues, including jihad. 

 

324
Name: Ibn Humayd, `Abd Allah b. Muhammad

NO 

IMAGE 

عبد االله بن محمد بن حميد :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1908 

Died: 1981 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Saudi Wahhabi shaykh and jurist. Born in Riyadh, blind from childhood, he studied with the 

leading shaykhs of Riyadh. While stile a youth he worked as Muhammad b. Ibraham Al alShaykh's teaching assistant. He was appointed qadi of Sudayr by King `Abd al-`Aziz in 1922; 

appointed qadi of Burayda region in 1928. He withdrew from work as qadi (Islamic judge) in 

1942 to pursue teaching. He was then appointed to supervise religious affairs at the Masjid 

al-Haram, and, in the 1970s, was appointed to the Saudi Majlis al-Shura (Senior Judiciary 

Committee) and made its president (ra'is). He was one of the leading Saudi Wahhabi

shaykhs of the 20th century, and his writings on jihad are frequently cited by jihadis and 

extremists today. 

Notes: 

Western library catalogues usually transliterate his name as Ibn Hamid, but the correct 

vocalization is Humayd. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn Ishaq 

محمد بن إسحاق :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 704 

Died: 768 

Country of Origin: Arabia 

Background: 

Author of the earliest biography of the Prophet Muhammad, the Sira Rasul Allah, which 

exists today in the recension of Ibn Hisham and in quotations in Tabari's works. 

325
Name: Ibn Kathir

NO 

IMAGE 

ابن آثير :(Arabic (Name

Full Name: Abu Al-Fida, `Imad Ad-Din Isma`il 

bin ‘Umar b. Kathir Al-Qurashi Al-Busrawi 

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1301 

Died: 1372 

Country of Origin: Al-Sham [Greater Syria] 

Background: 

Medieval Muslim scholar. Wrote a major history of Islam and a tafsir of the Qur'an. He was

a student of both Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn al-Qayyim, and so is very much a part of the 

imagined "silsila" of contemporary salafis. Ibn Kathir, though, was a Shafi`i. He is buried

next to Ibn Taymiyya in the Sufi Cemetary of Damascus. 

 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn Manzur 

إبن منظور :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1232 

Died: 1311 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

The greatest pre-modern Arab linguist and lexicographer, author of the monumental Lisan 

al-'arab. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn Mas`ud 

عبد االله ابن مسعود :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 653 

Country of Origin: Arabia 

326
Background: 

One of the earliest Muslims (most sources say he was the eighth), he was one of the most 

prominent companions of the Prophet, the first to publicly recite the Qur'an; he had a 

unique recension of the Qur'an, known as the Mushaf Ibn Mas'ud. Many hadith go back to

him; one in particular is often cited in the discussion of the legality of killing other Muslims 

in the course of jihad. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn Nujaym 

ابن نجيم :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1520 

Died: 1563 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

Prominent Hanafi scholar, author of numerous works on Hanafi fiqh, including the Kitab alashbah wa'l-naza'ir; the Fawa'id al-Zayniyya, in which he established more than 1000 rules of

fiqh; the Bahr al-ra'iq, a commentary on al-Nasafi's Kanz al-daqa'iq; and a collection of his 

fatwas, compiled after his death, entitled al-Zayniyya fi madhhab al-Hanafiyya. He was a 

friend and close associate of `Abd al-Wahhab al-Sha`rani, and was inclined toward sufism. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn Qudama 

موفق الدين بن قدامة المقدسي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1146 

Died: 1223 

Country of Origin: Palestine 

Background: 

Leading Hanbali scholar of his generation. Born near Jerusalem, he lived most of his life in 

Damascus. He was a disciple of the great Hanbali mystic `Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani in Baghdad 

until the latter's death. He is most famous for his jurisprudential writings, including al327
Mughni, al-`Umda, and Rawda al-nazir, all Hanbali fiqh texts. A large number of important 

Damascene scholars are descendents of his family, the Banu Qudama. 

 

Name: Ibn Qudama al-Maqdisi, Muhammad 

b. Ahmad b. `Abd al-Hadi 

محمد بن أحمد بن عب :(Arabic (Name

د الهادي شمس الدين ابو عبد االله ابن قدامة المقديسي

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1306 

Died: 1344 

Country of Origin: al-Sham 

Background: 

Important and prolific Hanbali scholar. A disciple of both Ibn Taymiyya and Dhahabi, Ibn 

`Abd al-Hadi (also commonly known as Ibn Qudama al-Maqdisi), was an extremely prolific 

author. He didn't live to the age of forty and yet wrote more than seventy works, one of 

which is in excess of a hundred volumes long. His most-cited work is his `Uqud al-durriyya fi 

manaqib Shaykh al-Islam Ahmad Ibn Taymiyya. 

Name: Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali 

ابن رجب الحنبلي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1335 

Died: 1392 

Country of Origin: Iraq 

Background: 

Hanbali hadith scholar and jurisconsult, author of a tabaqat work on the Hanbaliyya (Dhayl

`ala tabaqat al-hanabila) and a manual on Hanbali fiqh (al-Qawa`id), both of which are still 

cited today. 

NO 

IMAGE 

NO 

IMAGE 

328
Name: Ibn Rushd 

NO 

IMAGE 

ابن رشد :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: Averroes 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1126 

Died: 1198 

Country of Origin: Spain 

Background: 

Maliki qadi of Seville, one of the greatest Islamicate philosophers in history. His writings 

provided the basis for the understanding of Aristotle in the Latin Middle Ages. He was a 

prominent figure at the courts of Seville, Cordoba and Marrakesh, was friends with the 

greatest scholars of his day (Ibn Zuhr, Ibn Tufayl, etc.) Ghazali's Tahafut al-falasifa was the 

polemical target of his greatest philosophical work, the Tahafut al-tahafut. Following the 

conquest of al-Andalus by the Almohads (al-muwahhidin), he was marginalized and exiled to 

Lucena, a small town near Cordoba that was largely Jewish in population. While his works

on Aristotle gave him lasting fame in European intellectual history, he is best known in 

Islamicate letters for his Maliki manual of jurisprudence, the Badayat al-Mujtahid. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Ibn Taymiyya

ابن تيمية :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: Shaykh al-Islam [honorific] 

شيخ الإسلام :(Arabic (Aliases

Born: 1263 

Died: 1328 

Country of Origin: Harran [in present-day Turkey] 

Background: 

The most influential scholar of the late Hanbali school, Ibn Taymiyya was among the most 

prominent medieval jurists. His life and work was surrounded with controversy, his 

contemporaries were strongly divided between his supporters and opponents. A widely 

prolific author and oft-cited polemic of the Salafi movement, he was highly critical of Sufis 

and other groups that did not go far enough in emphasizing tawhid. 

329
 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: `Iyad, al-Qadi 

القاضي عياض, أبو الفضل عياض بن موسى اليحصبي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1083 

Died: 1149 

Country of Origin: Spain 

Background: 

Major Maliki faqih (lawyer and jurisconsult) and hadith scholar, qadi of Ceuta, then Granada 

and finally Marrakesh. One of the most celebrated scholars of the Muslim West, `Iyad went 

to Spain from his native Ceuta in 1113 to seek Islamic legal training in an era when it was

much more common for one to go East for this purpose. He in fact never went East, not 

even to make the pilgrimage. Throughout his adult life he was attached to the Almoravid 

court. He was appointed to the position of qadi of Ceuta a second time in 1145 and was the 

center of resistance to the Almohads (al-Muwahhidun) there. After the latter conquered the 

city, he was sent into exile in Tadla and subsequently Marrakesh, where he died. He was an

extremely strict Maliki faqih, and was deposed from his post of qadi of Granada by its 

governor for being too censorious. According to M. Talbi (Encyclopedia of Islam, s.v. `Iyad b.

Musa), “His best-known published works are: al-Shifa’ bi-ta`rif huquq al-Mustafa, which 

enjoyed an enormous success and which still continues to play an important part in popular 

piety; Mashariq al-anwar `ala sihah al-athar; Tartib al-madarik wa-tarkib al-masalik bi-ma`rifat a`lam 

madhhab Malik, which constitutes the best defence for and illustration of the Maliki school.” 

The last-named work is the most oft-cited work of `Iyad in contemporary Salafi-jihadi 

literature. 

Name: Jassas(al-), Abu Bakr 

NO 

IMAGE 

أبي بكر أحمد بن علي الجصاص :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 917 

Died: 982 

Country of Origin: 

Background: 

Hanafi jurist, polemicist against Shafi`i fiqh, and codifier of the thirty-nine legal rules of 

Hanafi jurisprudence. 

330
Name: Juwayni(al-) 

NO 

IMAGE 

أبو المعالي عبد الملك بن عبد االله الجويني :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: Imam al-Haramayn 

الامام الحرمين :(Arabic (Aliases

Born: 1028 

Died: 1085 

Country of Origin: Persia 

Background: 

Ash`arite theologian and Shafi`i jurist, his writings were foundational for the educational

system of Islamic law. 

Notes: 

His work on the principles of Islamic statecraft, the Ghiyathi, are often quoted by 

contemporary jihadi Islamists like bin Ladin, Maqdisi, and Abu Qatada.

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Kasani(al-) 

Name (Arabic): الكساني

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 1191 

Country of Origin: 

Background: 

Important Hanafi jurist, author of the authoritative Bada`i al-Sana`i. 

NO 

IMAGE 

 

Name: Khalid b. al-Walid 

خالد بن الوليد :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 584 

331
Died: 642 

Country of Origin: Arabia 

Background: 

A Muslim Arab soldier and leader of Muslim armies during the conquests of the seventh 

century. 

Name: Khatib(al-) al-Baghdadi 

NO 

IMAGE 

الخاطب البغدادي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1020 

Died: 1071 

Country of Origin: Baghdad 

Background: 

Shafi`i j jurist and hadith scholar; student of the al-Ash`ari school and contemporary of alDhahabi. 

Name: Majdi Ahmad Husayn 

مجدى أحمد حسين :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: ? 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

Opposition journalist and political figure in Egypt. Husayn is editor of al-Sha`b newspaper

and member of Hizb al-`Amal. His website is: http://magdyhussien.blogspirit.com/ 

332
 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Malik b. Anas 

مالك بن أنس :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 795 

Country of Origin: Arabia 

Background: 

Eponym of the Maliki school of Islamic law (fiqh). Author of the Muwatta`, an early hadithcollection oriented around questions of legal ruling. 

Name: Maqdisi(al-), Abu Muhammad

أبو محمد المقدسي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: `Asim Muhammad Tahir al-Barqawi 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1959 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Palestine 

Background: 

Born in Nablus; one of the most influential jihadi ideologues. He is currently in jail in 

Jordan. While in prison in the 1990s, he mentored Abu Mus`ab al-Zarqawi, for which he 

came to the attention of the West. He studied the works of earlier Salafi writers and thinkers 

and traveled through Saudi Arabia, where he developed a view of Salafi ideology akin to the 

Saudi Salafis, yet with endorsements for jihad and armed resistance to tyrannical rule. He

later traveled to Pakistan and Afghanistan where he met various mujahidin groups and 

members of Takfir wal-hijra, whose ideology he found dangerous. After returning to Jordan

in 1992 he angered Jordanian officials by denouncing their rule as illegitimate and opposed 

to the Shari`a. Maqdisi has not shied away from criticizing other Salafi thinkers, and his 

focus on intra-Salafi issues demonstrates his intentions to form a body of Salafi beliefs, 

which have appeal for young Muslims—particularly those disenfranchised youth in 

Jordanian prison and elsewhere. 

Notes: 

See English-language materials on Maqdisi's website: http://www.revivingislam.com/

333
Name: Marwan Hadid 

مروان حديد :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: ? 

Died: 1976 

Country of Origin: Syria 

Background: 

Founded al-Tali`a alMuqatila (the Fighting Vanguard) in Hama in 1965 and was an 

influential until his death in 1976 (some data says he died in prison, while others say he was 

executed by the Syrian government). Hadid was said to have been a close associate of Abu 

Mus`ab al-Suri. 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Mawardi(al-) 

أبو الحسن علي بن محمد بن حبيب الماوردي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 972 

Died: 1058 

Country of Origin: Basra (Iraq) 

Background: 

`Abbasid qadi of Baghdad and one of the most important political theorists of early Islam. 

Author of Kitab al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyya, Qanun al-Wazara, Kitab Nasihat al-Mulk, and 

Kitab Adab al-Dunya wa al-Din. 

Name: Mawdudi(al-), Abu al-A`la 

أبو الأعلى المودودي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1903 

Died: 1979 

Country of Origin: India 

334
Background: 

Prominent Islamic revivalist and founder of Jamaat-e-Islami. Mawdudi worked tirelessly 

toward establishing an Islamic state in Pakistan after partition, and was jailed for his repeated

criticisms of secular principles in organized the nascent state. He was a prolific writer, 

particularly on Qur'anic exegesis, but also in applying early Islamic principles to modern

societal problems, as is a common trait of 19th and 20th century Islamic revivalists. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Mubarakfuri(al-), Muhammad `Abd al-Rahman 

محمد عبد الرحمن المبارآفوري :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 1934

Country of Origin: India 

Background: 

Salafi hadith compiler and commentator, author of an oft-cited commentary of al-Tirmidhi, 

the Tuhfat al-ahwadhi fi sharh jami` al-Tirmidhi. 

Name: Muhammad `Abduh 

محمد عبده :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1849 

Died: 1905 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

Prominent Egyptian reformer and pioneer of modern Islamism. Born into a peasant family 

in lower Egypt, `Abduh moved to Cairo and studied at al-Azhar. He was strongly influenced 

by Iranian pan-Islamist Jamal al-Din al-Afghani (1839-1897). `Abduh was exiled to Beirut 

from Egypt after he participated in a revolt against British authorities. 

335
In 1884 `Abduh joined Afghani in Paris to publish a journal, The Indissoluble Bond (al-`Urwat

al-Wuthqa), which preached Muslim unity against Western imperialism. In 1888 he returned 

to Egypt and became a judge on the National Courts; eleven years later he became grand

mufti. Through his official positions, he tried unsuccessfully to reform Egypt's constitution. 

After Abduh's death, his closest disciple, Syrian reformer Muhammad Rashid Rida (1865-

1935), continued to spread his message throughout the Islamic world. Rida's magazine, alManar, spoke for their self-named Salafiyya movement. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Muhammad Hasanayn Haykal 

محمد حسنين هيكل :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1923 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

Prominent Egyptian politician, confidant and adviser of Gamal Abdel Nasser, leading voice 

of Egyptian Arab nationalism. Now retired from government, he is an extremely popular

journalist and author in the Arab world. 

Notes: 

According to one source, Haykal is the best-selling Arab non-fiction author. He is currently 

delivering a serialized oral memoir on al-Jazeera TV. 

Name: Muhammad `Illaysh 

NO 

IMAGE 

محمد عليش :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1802 

Died: 1882 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

336
A leading 19th-century Egyptian Maliki jurist, the state mufti of the Maliki madhhab from 

1854, active in anti-British anti-colonialism, and head of a Sufi order (the Shadhiliyya

`Arabiyya, in which the writings of Muhyi al-Din Ibn al-`Arabi had pride of place). He was 

associated with the circle of scholars and political thinkers around the Algerian revolutionary 

`Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza’iri. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Muhammad Na`im Yasin 

محمد نعيم ياسين :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1943 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Jordan 

Background: 

Is the head of the department of comparative Islamic law and Islamic political theory, 

College of Shari`a and Islamic Studies, Jordanian University (he appears to have the same 

position at Kuwait University). He also has many other academic appointments and 

positions at a variety of universities and institutes (see his CV, indicated in Sources below). 

Is the author of an extremely popular book on Ibn Taymiyya's teachings, translated into 

many languages, including English ("Book of Emaan According to Ibn Taymiyya"). 

Notes: 

One site calls him "among the greatest scholars of the Ikhwan al-Muslimin," but I don't find 

any other reference to his connection to this organization. Full DOB: 6.11.1943. Some 

posts on message boards refer to him as deceased, but his CV lists publications and 

academic appointments as late as 2004; one of these posts was dated 2002, so at least some 

of these references to his passing are erroneous. If he has died, it was since 2004, and I 

found no news items to this effect. Given his international prominence, this would be very 

unusual. 

337
Name: Muhammad Rashid Rida 

محمد رشيد رضا :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1865 

Died: 1935 

Country of Origin: Syria 

Background: 

Influential proponent of Islamic reform (islah), Pan-Arabism, and Arab nationalism, Rashid 

Rida was the principal student and successor of Muhammad `Abduh. Educated in Ottoman

state schools in Qalamun and Tripoli, Rashid Rida traveled to Egypt in 1897 seeking to 

become `Abduh’s student, and almost immediately began working on the important Islamic 

reformist journal he founded and was to edit until his death, al-Manar. Like `Abduh before

him, his primary concern was the relative backwardness and weakness of Muslim societies

with regard to Western colonialism, blaming Sufi degeneracy, the unexamined following of 

past tradition (taqlid), the stagnation of the `ulama, and the resulting failure to achieve 

progress in science and technology. He held that these flaws could be alleviated by a return 

to what he saw as the true principles of Islam, albeit interpreted (ijtihad) to suit modern 

realities, in concert with reform-oriented national education initiatives throughout the Arab 

and Muslim world. 

Name: Nasir al-Fahd 

ناصر الفهد :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1968 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Disciple of Hammud b. `Uqla', close associate of `Ali al-Khudayr, Jarbu`, and the circle of 

Saudi takfiri-jihadis supportive of al-Qa`ida and involved in Saudi terrorism in 2003. Was 

arrested in late 2003, held at al-Hayir jail, and, along with `Ali al-Khudayr (and later Ahmad

al-Khalidi), subsequently recanted his jihadi positions, a recantation that was widely televised 

and published in the Arab media (all three of these people were arrested together after the 

May 2003 suicide bombings in Riyadh, for issuing fatwas that declared it licit to kill Saudi 

police and security forces). Prior to his 2003 imprisonment, he had maintained his own

338
jihadi website (al-fhd.com), but it ceased operation with his arrest and, with his recantation,

is unlikely to resurface. Prior to his repentance, he was probably most famous for issuing a 

fatwa declaring the legitimacy of using weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in the course of 

jihad. 

 

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Name: Nawawi(al-)

NO 

IMAGE 

أبو زآريا يحيى بن شرف النووي :(Arabic (Name

Full Name: Abu Zakariyya Yahya b. Sharaf al-Nawawi 

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1233 

Died: 1278 

Country of Origin: Al-Sham [Greater Syria] 

Background: 

Medieval Shafi`i hadith scholar. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Qarafi(al-), Shihab al-Din 

شهاب الدين القرافي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1228 

Died: 1285 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

Prominent Egyptian Maliki scholar of North African Berber extraction. Was the head of the 

Maliki madhhab in Caira and had the Maliki professorship at the Salihiyya madrasa. His 

compendium on Maliki fiqh, al-Dhakhira, is still a much-cited and authoritative Maliki 

manual. In theology he was an Ash`arite. Like a number of other prominent Muslim 

intellectuals of the 13th century, he engaged in correspondence with Emperor Frederick II 

of Sicily, in this case on questions of ophthalmology and astronomy. 

Notes: 

His nisba comes from the Qarafa neighborhood of old Cairo, where he grew up. 

 

340
Name: Qasimi(al-), Muhammad Jamal al-Din 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name (Arabic): 

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1866 

Died: 1914 

Country of Origin: Syria 

Background: 

From a prominent Damascene family of religious scholars, Jamal al-Din was one of the 

leading voices of shari`a-based social and economic reform in the early twentieth-century, 

though he has long been overshadowed by the likes of Muhammad `Abduh and Rashid

Rida’. Jamal al-Din was a harsh critic of the economic system and inequitable wealth 

distribution of the late Ottoman state. 

Notes: 

For a re-appraisal of al-Qasimi’s importance in the early history of modern “salafi” 

discourses, see David Commins, “The Salafi Islamic Reform Movement in Damascus, 1885-

1914: Religious Intellectuals, Politics and Social Change in Late Ottoman Syria,” unpublished

PhD dissertation, University of Michigan, 1985. 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Qurtubi(al-) 

محمد بن احمد القرطبي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 1273 

Country of Origin: al-Andalus (Muslim Spain) 

Background: 

Author of al-Jami` li-Ahkam al-Qur'an, one of the standard classical Qur'an commentaries.

 

341
Name: Rayyis(al-), Hamid b. Rayyis 

NO 

IMAGE 

حمد بن ريس الريس :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 

Country of Origin: 

Background: No information available. 

Name: Rifa`i Ahmad Taha 

رفاعي أحمد طه :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: ? 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

Former leader of the al-Gama`a al-Islamiyya in Egypt who became close to bin Ladin in the 

late 1990s. He signed onto bin Ladin and Zawahiri’s fatwa in 1998 calling for attacks against 

Americans. He was arrested in 2001 and transferred from Damascus to Egypt shortly after 

September 11. Taha is believed to still be in prison in Egypt awaiting his death sentence. 

 

Name: Sa`di(al-), `Abd al-Rahman b. Nasir 

NO 

IMAGE 

عبد الرحمن بن ناصر السعدي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1889 

Died: 1956 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Born in al-Qasim, became one of the 20th century's most prominent and respected Wahhabi 

scholars. His tafsir (Taysar al-Karim al-Rahman fi tafsir kalam al-mannan, aka Tafsir al-Sa`di) 

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has a status equal to the classical commentaries of Ibn Kathir etc. among contemporary 

Salafis. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Sa`idi(al-), Abu al-Mundhir 

أبو المنذر الساعدي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: al-Kamil Sami Mustafa al-Sa`idi 

الكامل سامي مصطفى الساعدي :(Arabic (Aliases

Born: 1966 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Libya 

Background: 

A spokesperson of the Libyan Jama`a al-Islamiyya al-Muqatila. Sole signatory of a statement 

from this group dated 6.10.2000 calling upon the people of Libya to rise up and overthrow 

Qadhdhafi. He fought in the anti-Soviet Afghan jihad until 1988, when he returned to Libya 

and studied engineering at the College of Engineering of the al-Fath University of Tarablis 

(Tripoli). He then moved to England, but returned to Afghanistan in 1998 to work with the 

Taliban government. After the fall of the Taliban subsequent to 9.11.2001, fled with other 

non-Afghan militants into Iran, but as many such refugees were being arrested by Iranian 

security forces, he fled to China. Learning that Chinese security forces were looking for him, 

he decided to flee to an Arab country, but was arrested at Hong Kong airport in early 2004. 

The US, after weeks of interrogation, determined that he was not associated with al-Qa`ida 

and turned him over to Libya, where he currently lives under house arrest. 

Notes: 

"Abu Mundhir" (or "Abu al-Mundhir") is a nom de guerre. 

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Name: Safar al-Hawali 

سفر الحوالي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1950 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Dissident Saudi preacher, militantly opposed to the US military presence in Saudi Arabia 

subsequent to Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait; was imprisoned for five years in the 

1990s for these activities. His PhD dissertation was on the Murji`a, and is perhaps a 

foundational work in which firqa categories from early Islam are mapped onto the 

contemporary ideological spectrum. Is currently secretary general of the Supreme Council of 

Global Jihad; was one of the 26 Saudi scholars who issued an open letter in late 2004 calling 

on 'Iraqis to fight the US. Is closely associated with Salman al-`Awda and is considered by 

some to be a significant mentor to Usama bin Ladin. Is named as a "theologian of terror" in 

the 10.2004 petition to the UN signed by 2,500 Muslim intellectuals calling for a treaty to

ban the religious incitement to violence. 

Notes: 

While a number of Safar al-Hawali's writings and speeches are available on tawhed.ws, he 

also appears in the Firaq wa madhahib ("Sects and Schools") section of tawhed.ws as a leader 

of the "Sururiyya," an artificial sect-name used mostly by opponents to refer to the ideas and 

followers of Muhammad Surur Zayn al-`Abidin, a Saudi supporter of the Muslim 

Brotherhood until 1968, when he broke and established his own group (he now lives in exile 

in London). This may indicate the Safar al-Hawali has an ambivalent position for the 

tawhed.ws people, but needs to be researched more closely.

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Salim(al-), Muhammad b. Ahmad 

محمد بن أحمد السالم :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: ? 

Died: 

Country of Origin: 

344
Background: 

Member of al-Qa`ida in the Arabian Peninsula (Tanzim al-qa`ida fi jazirat al-`arab), 

Muhammad al-Salim is a jihadi theorist and religious scholar, and the author of numerous 

works on the religious legitimacy of aspects of warfare and terrorism. On 19 July 2003 alSalim released his popular "39 Ways of Serving and Participating in the Jihad " (39 wasilat likhidmat al-jihad wa'l-musharika fihi). He contributed many articles to the jihadi periodical Sawt 

al-Jihad, causing controversy in the jihadi community for publishing appeals in that journal 

to Saudi and other would-be mujihidin to refrain from going to `Iraq and instead help the 

cause of jihad in their own countries, especially of course Saudi Arabia. 

Notes: 

Not to be confused with the Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior of Saudi Arabia 

of the same name. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Sarakhsi(al-) 

محمد بن أحمد شمس الدين السرخسي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: ? 

Died: 1090 

Country of Origin: 

Background: 

A leading Hanafi jurist of his time, author of al-Mabsut, a thirty-plus volume fiqh classic. 

Name: Sayyid Qutb 

سيد قطب :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1906 

Died: 1966 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

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Background: 

After early college education, worked as in the Ministry of Education in Egypt, from 1939 

and into the '40s. Studied in the US from 1948-50. Upon returning to Egypt, resigned from

civil service and became an active member of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt (Ikhwan alMuslimin). One of the most important mid-twentieth century ideologues of salafi/jihadi 

thought, whose extension of the category of jahiliyya to modern contexts was foundational 

for present salafi and jihadi discourses. His Fi Zilal al-Qur'an is one of the most influential 

modern commentaries of the Qur'an. Was executed by hanging on 8.29.1966 along with six 

other Muslim Brotherhood activists for plotting to overthrow the Egyptian government. 

He articulated a militant anti-modernist analysis of modernity in the terms and categories of 

classical Islamic thought, a project which involved sweeping redefinition of some of these 

fundamental categories – most notably the term jahiliyya – and which therefore established

the basic lexicon and methodology of moder Salafi-jihadi discourse. Following his execution 

by Egyptian authorities his martyr status helped fuel the explosive growth and strength of 

the Muslim Brotherhood, making him partly and posthumously responsible for the 

widespread growth of Islamist political movements. His narrow definition of true Muslim

identity and broad denunciations of existing Muslim societies helped determine the takiri or 

excommunicative tendencies of subsequent jihadis, who are thus sometimes known 

interchangeably as Qutbis and as Takfiris. Born and executed in Egypt, traveled to the 

United States. 

Name: Shafi`i(al-) 

NO 

IMAGE 

ابو عبد االله الشافعى :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 767 

Died: 820 

Country of Origin: Palestine 

Background: 

Eponym of the Shafi`i legal madhhab.

346
Name: Sharbini(al-) 

NO 

IMAGE 

محمد بن أحمد الشربيني الخطيب :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: ? 

Died: 1569 

Country of Origin: 

Background: 

Shafi`i scholar, author of an important Qur'an commentary, as well as commentaries on 

classical works of hadith such as Nawawi's Minhaj al-Talibin. He was theologically Ash`ari, 

Shafi`I in fiqh. His death date is given variously between 1560 and 1570. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Shatibi(al-) 

إبراهيم بن موسى الشاطبي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 790 

Country of Origin: 

Background: 

Jurist and educational theorist of early Islam, author of the Muwaffaqat. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Shawkani(al-) 

Name (Arabic): الشوآاني

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1759 

Died: 1839 

Country of Origin: Yemen 

Background: 

Zaydi Shi`i scholar, chief qadi of the Zaydi state from 1795-1834. Often called Imam or 

Mujaddid al-Shawkani. He was ideologically aligned with the conservative Hanbalis, and is 

347
widely respected by contemporary Salafis and Wahhabis. Like other Wahhabis of his time,

and in contradiction to the main stream of Zaydi thought, he opposed taqlid and promoted

the idea that every Muslim had to rediscover the tradition of the salaf al-salih, the pious 

companions of the Prophet. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Shaybani(al-) 

محمد بن الحسن الشيباني :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 750 

Died: 804 

Country of Origin: Al-Sham (Greater Syria) 

Background: 

One of the two leading students of Abu Hanifa, he learned the Muwatta` from Malik b. 

Anas himself. He is the most important Hanafi authority after Abu Hanifa, and is credited

with setting the teaching of the earliest Hanafiyya in writing for the first time. He is usually 

cited in classical and modern jurisprudential literature as "Muhammad b. al-Hasan." His 

Kitab al-`Asl was so central to Hanafi fiqh that some later Hanafi scholars held that 

memorization of that text alone was sufficient for being considered a mujtahid. He was also 

the main teacher of al-Shafi`i. 

NO 

IMAGE 

 

Name: Shinqiti(al-) 

محمد الأمين بن محمد المختار الشنقيطي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1907 

Died: 1973 

Country of Origin: Mauritania 

Background: 

Muhammad al-Amin al-Shinqiti was a prominent 20th century Wahhabi shaykh. He studied 

in Medina under `Abd al-`Aziz b. Salih. He wrote an important Wahhabi Qur'an 

commentary. Resident most of his adult life in Saudi Arabia, his writings helped to define 

the tenets and legal structure of the Saudi Wahhabi mainstream. Many of the twentieth 

348
century’s most prominent Wahhabi (and Salafi) shaykhs studied under him, including `Abd 

al-`Aziz b. Baz, Ibn `Uthaymin, and Hammad al-Ansari. He died in Mecca and the funereal

sermon was delivered by Bin Baz. 

Name: Shu`aybi(al-), Hammud b. `Uqla' 

Name (Arabic): 

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1927 

Died: 2002 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Former professor at Imam Muhammad bin Sa`ud University. Student of Bin Baz and 

Muhammad b. Ibrahim Al al-Shaykh, was the most prominent Saudi shaykh who supported

al-Qa`ida until his death in 2002. He was a "thesis adviser" for PhD candidates at Islamic 

University of Medina and Muhammad b. Sa`ud University; from the former he reviewed the 

theses of Abu Bakr al-Jaza'iri and Rabi`a al-Madhkal. From the latter he reviewed the thesis

of Muhammad b. Sulayman `Uthaymin. He was given an ijaza to issue fatwas from

Muhammad b. Ibrahim Al al-Shaykh. The latter also gave him an appointment as qadi 

(judge), but Muhammad al-Amin al-Shanqiti asked that he remain teaching at university 

instead, and he did. Bin Baz gave him ijaza to teach the core texts of the Wahhabi madhhab, 

including the works of Ibn Kathir, Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn `Abd al-Wahhab, etc. He supported

the Taliban and the attacks on the U.S. on 9/11. He died of a heart attack on 1.18.2002, 

surrounded by many of his supporters (including Ibrahim Jar Allah, his brother Muhammad,

and his sons Ibrahim and `Aziz). 

Name: Siddiq Hasan Khan al-Qanuji 

NO 

IMAGE 

صديق حسن خان القنوجي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1832 

Died: 1889 

Country of Origin: India 

349
Background: 

Important nineteenth-century Indian Islamist revivalist, salafi author and commentator of 

salafi/wahhabi texts (including a sharh on Shawkani). He studied with the salafi and

wahhabi shaykhs of Delhi and Bareilly. In 1871 he married Shahjahan the Begum of Bhopal 

and had a role in the governing of that central Indian state. His principal ideological sources

were those shared by the Wahhabiyya elsewhere: Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn al-Qayyim, and alShawkani. He was extremely prolific, and wrote in Arabic, Persian and Hindi. 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Sufyan al-Thawri 

سفيان الثوري :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 778 

Country of Origin: `Iraq 

Background: 

Revered pietist and important early theorist of Islamic law. Born at Kufa and participant 

there in the circles of early Islamic legal study, he is credited with having established a 

distinct “school” of legal theory, known as the Thawriyya. In contrast to the other early 

legal “schools,” especially the Hanifiyya and Malikiyya, Sufyan al-Thawri was a scholar of 

hadith and grounded his interpretation of Islamic law in the hadith. He was a student of 

many of the thinkers formative for the development of Sunnism at that time, including `Abd

Allah b. `Awn, al-Awza`i, Wasil b. `Ata’ and others. He was to be continuously cited as a

major authority in the various disciplines of hadith, fiqh and tabaqat literature from the 8th

century to the present, by members of all of the Sunni madhhabs, a fact which illustrates his 

foundational position with respect to the earliest period in the developments of hadith and 

law. His hadith-centered legal theory was the predecessor of that of al-Shafi`i. He is often 

considered by both Sufis and - to a lesser extent - the Shi`a as one of their early members, 

though the former claim is anachronistic and the latter is probably false. Large parts of his

numerous works are preserved via citation in a great many classical texts, and his theology is 

described in detail by both Abu Nu`aym (in the latter’s Hilya) and Ibn Abi Hatim (in his 

Takdima). 

350
Name: Sulayman b. Sahman

NO 

IMAGE 

سليمان بن سحمان :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1849 or '50 

Died: 1930 or '31 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Salafi Hanbali scholar of Najd. He studied Islamic law and theology with his father and the 

`ulama of his home province (`Asir; was born in the village of al-Saqa), then moved with his 

father to Riyadh where he continued to study with the `ulama there. He moved again to alAflaj, then returned to Riyadh to complete his studies. He was the secretary and counsellor 

on Islamic law to Imam `Abd Allah al-Faysal, and was a special counsellor to King `Abd al-

`Aziz al-Sa`ud. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Suyuti(al-) 

عبدالرحمن بن أبي بكر السيوطي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: Jalal al-Din 

جلال الدين :(Arabic (Aliases

Born: 1445 

Died: 1505 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

Polymath and one of the most prolific writers of medieval Islam, author of more than 500 

works. Though he wrote on a broad variety of subjects that Salafis abhor, modern Salafis 

often claim him as one of their own. 

351
NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Tabari(al-) 

ابن جرير الطبري :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 838 

Died: 923 

Country of Origin: Persia 

Background: 

Medieval Islamic historian. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Tahawi(al-), Abu Ja`far 

أبو جعفر الطحاوي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: ? 

Died: 933 

Country of Origin: ? 

Background: 

Medieval Hanafi, wrote an important and widely-used statement of the creed (`Aqida alTahawiyya). 

352
Name: `Umar `Abd al-Rahman 

عمر عبد الرحمن :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: The Blind Sheikh 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1938 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

Imprisoned spiritual leader of the Egyptian Jama`a al-Islamiyya (Gama`at al-Islamiyya). He 

lost his eyesight at an early age from diabetes and studied the Qur’an and the writings of the 

Salafi ideological architects (e.g., Ibn Taymiyya, Sayyid Qutb) in Braille editions. He 

graduated from al-Azhar University, having studied with then-professor `Abd Allah `Azzam, 

and developed close ties with the Jama`a and Egyptian Islamic Jihad in the 1970s. He was 

imprisoned in Egypt following the 1981 assassination of Sadat, and was reportedly tortured 

repeatedly during this incarceration. He was subsequently acquitted of the charge of 

conspiring to assassinate Sadat, and was expelled from Egypt upon his release from jail. He 

then joined the anti-Soviet jihad in Afghanistan, where he became a close associate of `Abd

Allah `Azzam and Usama b. Ladin. He was also linked to Qulb al-Din Hikmatyar and the 

CIA/ISI funding for the jihad, and he travelled around the world recruiting fighters and 

raising support for the jihad for five years in the late 1980s. After the murder of `Azzam, he

assumed a leading role in the latter’s Maktab al-Khadamat (MAK) as well as in al-Qa`ida. He 

was sent to New York in 1990 to lead the MAK in the U.S., where it had important financial

resources. He became the imam of three mosques there and gathered a large following of 

extremists, including those involved in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the 1990 

assassination, in New York, of Israeli terrorist and religious extremist Meir Kahane. 

Following the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, intense FBI surveillance of `Abd alRahman led to his arrest in the same year, and he was convicted in 1995 of seditious 

conspiracy and sentenced to life in prison. He is currently serving a life sentence at the 

Maximum Penitentiary hospital in Florence, Colorado. His release has been a consistent and

high-priority demand of a number of Salafi-jihadi terrorist groups, including the Jama`a alIslamiyya, al-Qa`ida, and others. A faction of the Jama`a killed 58 European tourists in 

Luxor, Egypt in 1997, distributing leaflets at the scene of the attack demanding `Abd alRahman’s release. In videos and audio recordings, the leadership of al-Qa`ida has also 

repeatedly called on the U.S. to release him or face further attacks. 

Notes: 

In 2005, members of the legal team representing `Abd al-Rahman were convicted of crimes 

relating to their representation of `Abd al-Rahman. His lawyer, Lynne Stewart, was

convicted of providing material support (through a press conference and allowing access by 

her translator) to a terrorist conspiracy to kill persons outside of the United States and 

conspiring to defraud the U.S. government when acting as counsel to `Abd al-Rahman. She 

was accused of passing along `Abd al-Rahman's blessing for a resumption of terrorist 

operations to his terrorist cell in Egypt after cell members inquired whether they should

353
continue to honor a Jama`a ceasefire that was in place against the Egyptian government.

Sentencing is scheduled for October, 2006. 

 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: `Umar b. al-Khattab 

عمر بن الخطاب :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: `Umar al-Faruq

عمر الفروق :(Arabic (Aliases

Born: 581 

Died: 644 

Country of Origin: Arabia 

Background: 

Second caliph, reigned 634-644. An early and forceful opponent of Muhammad, he 

converted during the Meccan period to Islam, becoming one of Muhammad's most 

prominent supporters. He promoted Abu Bakr for the position of the first caliph. His reign 

saw massive expansion of the Islamic empire, including the effective overthrow of the 

Persian empire, the taking of all of North Africa, and the conquest of Armenia from the 

Byzantines. He was assassinated in the Prophet's Mosque in Medina by Abu Lu`lu`a, a 

Persian slave, who then committed suicide. He was succeeded in the caliphate by `Uthman

b. `Affan. 

 

Name: Usama b. Ladin 

أسامة بن لادن :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1957 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

There are numerous biographies available; the following is primarily from the MIPT 

Terrorism Knowledge Database: 

354
Usama b. Ladin was born in 1957 to Mohammad bin Awdah bin Ladin, originally of 

Southern Yemen, who moved to Saudi Arabia for financial opportunities. The elder bin 

Ladin eventually became a construction magnate and the bin Ladin family became highly 

respected in Saudi Arabia for their work in renovating the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Usama b. Ladin graduated from King `Abd al-`Aziz University in Jedda, where he met his 

first mentor, Dr. Abdullah Azzam, a Palestinian of Jordanian origin who was a member of 

the Muslim Brotherhood and was to become the leader of Hamas later in life. 

Bin Ladin traveled to Afghanistan during the 1980’s to aid the mujahadin in their fight 

against the Soviet Union. There he organized what came to be known as al-Qa`ida—initially 

guest houses for the mujahidin—to provide money, shelter and communications for the 

fighters and to encourage more Arabs to travel from Saudi Arabia to Afghanistan to fight. 

At the end of the anti-Soviet campaign in Afghanistan, bin Ladin returned to Saudi Arabia. 

After Saudi rulers failed to expel US troops following the successful Gulf War against 

Saddam Hussein, bin Ladin started a campaign against the Saudi royal house. He claimed the 

Saudi rulers were corrupt puppets of the West and failed to meet their obligations as Muslim 

rulers, stating that they should be deposed in order to install a true Islamic regime in Saudi 

Arabia. The Saudi regime deported him in 1992 and revoked his citizenship in 1994. 

After his deportation from Saudi Arabia, bin Ladin brought his organization to the Islamic 

state of Sudan. Sudan received widespread international criticism for hosting the terrorist 

group and it eventually expelled him, causing bin Ladin and al-Qa`ida to return to 

Afghanistan, then ruled by the Taliban. Despite the American attacks in October 2001 that 

ousted the Taliban from power and destroyed much of al-Qa`ida’s infrastructure in 

Afghanistan, bin Ladin remains at large. He is believed by many to be hiding in the 

mountainous region on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: `Uthaymin(al-), Muhammad b. Salih b.

محمد بن صالح بن عثيمين :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1926 

Died: 2001 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Prominent Salafi scholar and jurisconsult. Born in `Unayza, Qasim province, `Uthaymin 

came from a distinguished family of religious scholars and studied under the leading Salafai 

and conservative Sunni shaykhs of his day. His shaykhs included `Abd al-Rahman al-Sa`di, 

Muhammad Amin Shinqiti, and `Abd al-`Aziz b. Baz, of whom `Uthaymin was seen as a

355
successor. As the representative of "establishment" Salafism, `Uthaymin has long been 

vilified by the jihadi right, in Saudi Arabia and abroad. He has given prominent rulings in 

recent years on issues related to jihadi activism, consistently finding the jihadi jurisprudence 

in violation of Islamic law. Thus, he famously and repeatedly ruled suicide bombing illegal 

and declared that such bombers are not martyrs but denizens of Hell. He was a professor of 

usul al-din (fundamentals of religion) at the Shari`a College of Muhammad b. Sa`ud Islamic 

University in Qasim. He was appointed to the Council of Senior Scholars of Saudi Arabia 

(Hay'a kubar al-`ulama fi mamlaka al-`arabiyya al-sa`udiyya) in 1986. He was the imam and

preacher at the large mosques of `Unayza, and had a large number of other appointments,

titles and positions. 

 

Name: `Uyayri(al-), Yusuf 

يوسف العييري :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: al-Battar (The Cutting Edge) 

Aliases (Arabic): البتار

Born: ca. 1967 

Died: 2003 

Country of Origin: Saudi Arabia 

Background: 

Saudi al-Qa`ida ideologue, military commander and mujahidin trainer. He joined the antiSoviet jihad in Afghanistan at the age of 18, and was quickly elevated to positions of 

leadership in Afghanistan on account of his ability and leadership skills. In 1993 he was sent 

with Abu Hafs al-Misri to Somalia to train Islamist militias and teach them to use antiaircraft weaponry. He was imprisoned in 1995 in Saudi Arabia in connection with a 

bombing of a U.S.-Saudi military office in Riyadh, but later released. He was a pioneer in the 

use of the Internet to further jihadi goals. He served at one time as Usama b. Ladin's 

bodyguard, and was active in the establishment and running of mujahidin training camps in 

the Arabian Peninsula. Was closely linked to the takfiri-jihadi circle under Hammud b. `Uqla 

al-Shu`aybi, though `Uyayri had more direct leadership involvement in the 2003 attacks in

Saudi Arabia. He was one of the principal writers (cf. now Najdi) on jihadi military strategy 

and training techniques, having written many articles for "Mu`askar," a jihadi strategy 

periodical that was counterpart to Sawt al-Jihad, the primary al-Qa`ida organ. He wrote 

"The Future of `Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula After the Fall of Baghdad," which argues

that the greatest weapon of "Zio-Crusaderism," his term for a putative U.S.-Israeli alliance, is

the spread of democracy. He was killed by Saudi security forces in June 2003 while trying to 

flee the country. Subsequent to his death, he was identified as the webmaster of alneda.com, 

also known as the Markaz al-dirasat wa'l-buhuth al-islamiyya. 

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Notes: 

His name sometimes transliterated in the media as Ayyiri. His date of birth is not given in

any sources available to me, but the fact that he joined the Afghan jihad at the age of 18 

means that he was almost certainly born between 1967 and 1970. 

 

Name: Yusuf al-Qaradawi 

يوسف القرضاوي :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1926

Died: 

Country of Origin: Egypt

Background: 

Prolific Egyptian-born, al-Azhar-trained conservative Muslim shaykh living in Qatar. He 

was a follower of Hasan al-Banna in his youth and was imprisoned three times in Egypt in

the first half of the twentieth century for his involvement in Islamist activism there. Though 

a member of the Ikhwan al-Muslimin, Qaradawi has several times turned down offers to lead

the organization. After relocating to Qatar, he was appointed the Dean of the Islamic 

Department at the Faculties of Shariah and Education in Qatar and was also made chairman

of a council overseeing Islamic education in Algeria. Qaradawi has a popular television 

program on the al-Jazeera Network called al-Shari`a wa’l-Hayat (Islamic Law and Life), and

was a co-founder in 1997 of the popular Islamic web portal, IslamOnline.net. Author of

more than fifty books, Qaradawi is a major voice in the contemporary Muslim world, where 

he is generally considered a moderate conservative, making him a frequent target of attacks 

from both the left and the right. More liberal voices in the Muslim world, as well as the bulk 

of his Western critics, take issue with Qaradawi’s support of suicide bombings in Israel as a 

legitimate means of resistance on the part of the Palestinians, with his uncompromising 

views on hot-button social issues like homosexuality and the status of women, and with his 

unqualified rejection of secularism as fundamentally impossible in an Islamic society. Many 

of these critics view Qaradawi for these reasons as a radical, even jihadi shaykh. 

Contemporary jihadis, however, revile Qaradawi for his general opposition to violence 

outside of Israel and Palestine and for what they view as his heretically liberal construal of

Islamic law. After a car-bombing by jihadi terrorists in Qatar on 20 March 2005, for 

example, Qaradawi condemned the act in the strongest of terms, and it is this sort of 

reaction that has made him one of the most hated of the establishment salafis living and

writing today. 

Notes: 

357
In a response to `Abd Allah b. Jibrin’s fatwa that forbade Muslims from supporting or

praying for Hizb Allah in the recent conflict with Israel on account of their Shi`i religious

beliefs, Qaradawi issued a counter-fatwa arguing that it was the duty of all Muslims to 

support Hizb Allah in its fight against Israel. He has denied being the author of a 2004 

fatwa published in al-Sharq al-Awsat and subsequently translated by MEMRI which declared 

that all Americans in `Iraq, military and civilian, were legitimate targets. He has called for a

total boycott of Israeli and American goods. He has been banned from entering the United 

States since 1999, though he made a visit to London in July of 2004, amid much controversy. 

358
Name: Zawahiri(al-), Ayman

أيمن الظواهري :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: Abu Muhammad (Abu Mohammed), Abu Fatima,

Muhammad Ibrahim, Abu Abdallah, Abu al-Mu'iz, 

The Doctor, The Teacher, Nur, Ustadh, Abu

Mohammed Nur al-Deen, `Abd al-Mu`izz (Abdel 

Muaz, Abdel Moez, Abdel Muez). 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 1951 

Died: N/A 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Background: 

Al-Qa`ida Second-in-Command; former leader of Egyptian Islamic Jihad who issued a

statement with Usama b. Ladin in 1998 forming the World Islamic Front Against Jews and

Crusaders. Full DOB: 6.19.1951. Ayman al-Zawahiri was born to a prominent middle class

family in Maadi, Egypt, a suburb of Cairo, and was reportedly a studious youth. His father

was a pharmacologist. By fourteen he had joined the Muslim Brotherhood (al-Ikhwan alMuslimin), and had become a student and follower of Sayyid Qutb. Al-Zawahiri studied 

behavior, psychology and pharmacology as part of his medical degree at Cairo University. 

By 1979 he had moved on to the much more radical Islamic Jihad, where he eventually 

became one of its leading organizers and recruiters. He was one of hundreds arrested 

following the assassination of Anwar Sadat. Al-Zawahiri's lawyer Muntasir Al-Zayyat 

contends that Zawahiri was tortured in prison. However, the Egyptian government was

unable to prove any connection between al-Zawahiri and the assassination and he was

released after serving jail time for illegal arms possession. 

In the 1980s he journeyed to Afghanistan to participate in the mujahideen resistance against 

the Soviet Union's occupation. There he met Usama b. Laden, who was running a base for 

mujahideen called Maktab al-Khadamat (MAK); both of them worked under the tutelage of

the Palestinian `Abd Allah `Azzam; later when the MAK fractured al-Zawahiri joined bin 

Laden in organizing the al-Qa`ida group. 

In 1990 al-Zawahiri returned to Egypt, where he continued to push Islamic Jihad in more 

radical directions employing knowledge and tactics learned in Afghanistan. 

In 1996, he was considered the most credible threat and a highly lethal terrorist who could

strike against the USA. A warning issued at the time specified suicide bombing as the likely 

form of attack. In late 1996 he was detained in Russia for six months by the FSB after he 

apparently tried to recruit jihadists in Chechnya. According to the FSB spokesman Sergei

Ignatchenko, "He had four passports, in four different names and nationalities. We checked

him out in every country, but they could not confirm him. We could not keep him forever, 

so we took him to the Azerbaijani border and let him go." In November 1997 he was held 

responsible for the massacre of 62 foreign tourists in the Egyptian town of Luxor, for which 

he was sentenced to death in absentia in 1999 by an Egyptian military tribunal. 

359
On February 23, 1998, he issued a joint fatwa with Usama b. Laden under the title "World 

Islamic Front Against Jews and Crusaders", an important step in broadening their conflicts 

to a global scale. 

On September 25, 2001, Interpol issued an arrest warrant for al-Zawahiri in response to the 

terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and The Pentagon. 

On October 10, 2001 Dr. al-Zawahiri appeared on the initial list of the FBI's top 22 Most 

Wanted Terrorists, which was released to the public by President Bush. 

In December 2001, he published the book Knights Under the Prophet's Banner outlining al-Qa`i 

da’s ideology. English translations of this book were published, but are currently difficult to 

locate due to security reasons. However, extracts are available online. He is also currently 

working on another book. 

Following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, al-Zawahiri's whereabouts are unclear. It seems

likely he stays with bin Laden in the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan. On 

December 3, 2001, airstrikes were launched on a complex of caves near Jalalabad. Zawahiri's

wife, Azza, and their three children were reportedly killed in the attack. 

In May of 2004, the Pakistani government had announced that he was surrounded in a tribal

area of Pakistan bordering the Afghan mountains, along with 50-100 hardcore al-Qa`ida

fighters. Although there were significant casualties, no trace of him was discovered. It is

now believed he was never in the area to begin with or slipped out of the dragnet just as the 

fighting commenced. 

On January 13, 2006, the CIA launched an airstrike on Damadola, a Pakistani village near the 

Afghan border, where they believed al-Zawahiri was located. The airstrike killed eight men,

five women and five children but Al-Zawahiri was not killed. Many victims were buried 

without being identified. Anonymous U.S. government officials claimed that some foreign 

fighters were killed and the Bajaur tribal area government confirmed that at least four

foreign fighters were among the dead. Anti-American protests broke out around the country 

and Pakistan's government condemned the U.S. attack and the loss of innocent life. On 

January 30th a new video was released showing al-Zawahiri unhurt. The video did discuss

the airstrike, but did not reveal if al-Zawahiri was present in the village at that time. 

NO 

IMAGE 

Name: Zuhri(al-), Ibn Shihab 

ابن سهاب الزهري :(Arabic (Name

Aliases: 

Aliases (Arabic): 

Born: 

Died: 742 

Country of Origin: Arabia 

360
Background: 

"One of the founders of the Islamic tradition in the widest sense of the word," as the article 

on him in the Encyclopedia of Islam puts it. Attached to the court of the `Umayyads, al-Zuhri 

was one of the most prolific hadith transmitters and compilers. Several thousand extant

hadith go back through his transmission, making him one of the four or five most important

originators of the body of the Sunna. 

361