Documents on Terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

Juan Cole

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 Documents on Terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, 2004

 

 

Newsweek

WEB EXCLUSIVE  By Rod Nordland

            March  06, 2004

March 6 - The stark fact is that we don’t even know for sure how many legs Abu Mussab al-Zarqawi has, let alone whether the Jordanian terrorist, purportedly tied to al Qaeda, is really behind the latest outrages in Iraq. What is clear is that the Iraq conflict has elevated suicide bombing as a weapon of war to a scale never before seen, not only in numbers of victims, but in numbers of attackers, and their ability to field large number of suiciders at the same time.

Aside from the evidence suggested in a letter attributed to Zarqawi intercepted by officials earlier this year, we don't really know much more now than we did when Secretary of State Colin Powell made the case before the U.N. Security Council for war in Iraq in February, 2003. In that presentation, Powell cited Zarqawi’s presence in Baghdad--where he may or may not have gotten an artificial limb fitted after a wound suffered in Afghanistan--as, if not a smoking gun, at least a smidgen of a powder burn linking Saddam Hussein to al Qaeda. The letter so neatly and comprehensively lays out a blueprint for fomenting strife with the Shia, and later the Kurds, that it's a little hard to believe in it unreservedly. It came originally from Kurdish sources who have a long history of disinformation and dissimulation. It was an electronic document on a CD-ROM, so there's no way to authenticate signature or handwriting, aside from the testimony of those captured with it, about which the authorities have not released much information.

The other problem with Zarqawi is his history of working for the Iraqi regime, and also apparently with the Iranians. That's a pretty hard trick.  Iran was a bitter enemy of the Saddam Hussein government. Then again, Ansar al-Islam, the Iraqi jihad group, has allegedly had some Iranian support, even though its main role was to do Saddam's bidding in its war against the more mainstream Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Is Zarqawi Ansar al-Islam, or al Qaeda, or both? And even if he is, what really connects him to this week's bombings, except an impulse to find a bete noire, to put a face on the faceless terror. The commanding general of the 1st Armored Division, which patrols Baghdad, said in a briefing March 4 that “it's far more than a supposition and far less than empirical evidence to say that Zarqawi was involved in the blasts Tuesday. It's a very educated guess.” Perhaps the strongest argument in favor of Zarqawi as culprit was a leaflet signed by an unprecedented 12 underground opposition groups, insisting that he had been killed already by American bombs; the leaflets were distributed after the Karbala and Baghdad blasts in the Sunni triangle towns of Falluja and Ramadi. And they may even be right. “There is no direct evidence of whether he's alive or dead at this point,” said Brigadier General David Rodriquez, deputy director of operations for the Joint Chiefs, at a press conference Thursday . . .

. . . sources estimate that 50 suicide bombers have died so far; but these sources, of course, subscribe to the Zarqawi-as-culprit school, without offering much in the way of detail. Still, from what we know of suicide bombers' indoctrination in other places, like Sri Lanka and Palestine, it often takes months to brainwash someone to the point where they're willing to kill themselves. That may well mean there are a lot more willing bombers in training, wherever they come from.

Only a week before the Karbala outrage, American troops leafleting a Baghdad neighborhood were fired upon from inside a house, and returned fire, killing Abu Muhammed Hamza, one of Zarqawi’s lieutenants who was carrying a Jordanian passport and boasting a closet full of fake ID's, C4 explosives, detonators and suicide vest. This is the closest they've yet come to establishing a solid link between Zarqawi, foreign fighters and suicide bombing, if not explicitly with al Qaeda. At a press conference in Baghdad, the coalition's deputy chief of operations, Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, showed off photos taken at the arrest scene: “this is a suicide vest that was found inside the house at which Hamza was killed, contains a plastic explosive, ball bearings, blasting caps, a trigger device and a hand grenade. This satchel is made to loop over the neck and be detonated by hand. Inside of the house, you can see an extensive amount of explosives. There was a pre-made improvised explosive device, a container full of plastic explosives over here. These were a number of suitcases that were found with wires, batteries, items that would be necessary for triggering explosive devices. Outside the house were found some barrels of sodium nitrate, some crates with some Soviet Cyrillic writing on the side, some more bags of sodium nitrate, and other items unknown.” There was one other thing: photographs of the elusive Zarqawi, although we couldn't tell how many legs he had.

 

 

 

Al-Manar TV: Iraqi Police Arrest Al-Zarqawi's Operative in Al-Najaf
Beirut Al-Manar Television in Arabic 2130 GMT 03 Mar 04
Wednesday, March 3, 2004
Journal Code: 9079 Language: ENGLISH Record Type: FULLTEXT
Document Type: Daily Report; News
Word Count: 177

Announcer-read report

(FBIS Translated Text)

A short while ago, Iraqi police sources in holy Al-Najaf have disclosed to Al-Manar TV that a loyalist to Abu-Mus'ab Al-Zarqawi was arrested in the city tonight after storming a house in Al-Shurtah quarter.

The arrested gave information about a booby-trapped car in the city.

The security forces were thus deployed to search for the car. Our correspondent said the security services continue to look for the car.

The story started when the police arrested a person claiming to be an officer with the rank of a major. He was carrying many false identification cards. After interrogating him, he admitted that there was a network of his followers inside Al-Najaf. The police immediately stormed many houses. The sources did not reveal whether the detainees have anything to do with yesterday's bombings or whether they were preparing to carry out similar attacks. Similar bombing attempts had been foiled in holy Al-Najaf.

(Description of Source: Beirut Al-Manar Television -- Affiliated with the pro-Iranian Hizballah)

Compiled and distributed by NTIS, US Dept. of Commerce. All rights reserved.

 

Suspects detained by Polish troops in Iraq linked to Al-Qa'idah - reporter
Warsaw Polish Radio 1 in Polish 0700 GMT 26 Feb 04
POLISH RADIO 1
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Journal Code: 3083 Language: ENGLISH Record Type: FULLTEXT
Document Type: Daily Report; News
Word Count: 264

(FBIS Translated Text)

Suspects detained by Polish troops in Iraq linked to Al-Qa'idah - reporter

Text of report by Polish radio on 26 February

(Presenter) Among the nine men who were detained in the Polish stabilization sector in Iraq and who are suspected of terrorism there are six members of Al-Qa'idah, our correspondent has learnt unofficially. We are now going over to Tomasz Sajewicz in Iraq. What kind of links did the detained have exactly?

(Sajewicz) As it was expected, apart from six Iraqis, there are citizens of other countries among the detained. However, their nationality is still uncertain. It is known, however, that one of the detained was a close associate of Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, one of the young representatives of the Al-Qa'idah wing, who is probably hiding in Iran. Al-Zarqawi is the author of a letter seized by the Americans according to which by means of terrorist attacks Al-Qa'idah wants to cause a conflict between Shi'i and Sunni (groups) in Iraq.

The detainees were found to have various explosives, artillery shells, materials needed for making remotely-controlled bombs, rifles, satellite equipment as well drugs which price on the black market is estimated at more than 1m dollars. The detained terrorists have also probably cooperated with one of the Al-Qa'idah cells in Europe.

(Description of Source: Warsaw Polish Radio 1 in Polish -- nationwide 24 hour public radio network) THIS REPORT MAY CONTAIN COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL. COPYING AND DISSEMINATION IS PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNERS. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of Commerce.

Compiled and distributed by NTIS, US Dept. of Commerce. All rights reserved.

AFS Document Number: EUP20040226000094
City/Source: Warsaw Polish Radio 1
FBIS Document Number: FBIS-EEU-2004-0226
Geographic Names: East Europe; Near East & South Asia; The Americas; Near East; North America; Poland; Iraq; United States
Original Source Language: Polish
Region: East Europe; Near East & South Asia; The Americas
 

Iraq: Paper Reports Al-Zarqawi's Aide Killed in North Baghdad Raid -- PHOTO
Baghdad Baghdad in Arabic 24 Feb 04 p 1
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Journal Code: 9092 Language: ENGLISH Record Type: FULLTEXT
Document Type: Daily Report; News
Word Count: 289

Baghdad report: "Al-Zarqawi's Aide, Terrorist Nidal Arabiyat, Killed in North Baghdad Operation;"

(FBIS Translated Text)

Baghdad -- Baghdad has learned that the coalition forces on Thursday (19 February) killed a close aide to Al-Qa'ida master terrorist Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi in a raid against a terrorist den north of Baghdad.

Reliable Iraqi sources said that Al-Zarqawi's aide, a Jordanian terrorist named Nidal Arabiyat Agha Hamzah, was, as part of Al-Zarqawi's scheme, responsible for a number of operations that left around 270 Iraqis dead in the past two months. These included the double bombing in the headquarters of the two Kurdish parties in Arbil, the suicide bombings in Al-Iskandariyah, the operation against the center of Iraqi Army volunteers in Baghdad, and other operations. With these operations, Al-Qa'ida terrorists confirmed their plans to strike at the national institutions in Iraq and inflict great harm on its people.

The same sources stressed that the den, in which Arabiyat was hiding, housed several non-Iraqi Al-Qa'ida terrorists. The terrorists confirmed that Arabiyat, who fought in Afghanistan under Usama Bin Ladin, was killed in the north Baghdad operation.

The sources said that the Iraqi Police seized explosives, remote control devices, and explosive used in boobytrapped cars.

(Description of Source: Baghdad Baghdad in Arabic -- Daily of the Iraqi National Accord Movement, led by Iyad Allawi).

Compiled and distributed by NTIS, US Dept. of Commerce. All rights reserved.


City/Source: Baghdad Baghdad
FBIS Document Number: FBIS-NES-2004-0224
Geographic Names: Near East & South Asia; The Americas; Near East; North America; Iraq; Jordan; United States
Original Source Language: Arabic

 

 

German Court Told Alleged Islamic Extremist Met Suspected Al-Qa'ida Contact
Paris AFP (North European Service) in English 1738 GMT 17 Feb 04
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Journal Code: 2131 Language: ENGLISH Record Type: FULLTEXT
Document Type: Daily Report; News
Word Count: 372

" Islamist Suspect Met Al-Qa'ida Contact, German Court Told" -- AFP headline

(FBIS Transcribed Text)

DUESSELDORF, Germany, Feb 17 (AFP) -- An alleged Islamic extremist on trial in Germany met up with a suspected senior al-Qa'ida contact at the time of the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, a German court heard Tuesday (17 February).

The 39-year-old Jordanian, Mohammed Abu Dhees, behaved in a "conspiratorial manner" but knew he was being shadowed, according to a senior investigator in Germany's BKA federal crime office who led the case.

Dhees flew to Tehran a few days before the 2001 suicide plane attacks and met Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian suspected by Washington of ties to Usama Bin Ladin's al-Qa'ida and to have been a link between the group and the Iraqi regime under Saddam Husayn, the official said.

The suspect stayed in Tehran until September 12, 2001.

Dhees and two other Jordanians, Ismail Shalabi, 30, and Ashraf Al Dagma, 34, are accused of membership of a terrorist organisation and falsifying documents.

They are said to have belonged to al-Tawhid, a radical Islamic group whose operational leader is thought to be Zarqawi. The BKA official said Zarqawi also led a wing of al-Qa'ida.

The three are accused of plotting attacks against Jewish targets in Berlin and Duesseldorf, western Germany.

A fourth man, Algerian Djamel Moustfa, 30, who is accused of supporting a terrorist organisation, has admitted in the past week that he procured weapons and falsified documents but insisted he knew nothing of any terror plans.

Another man, 27-year-old Jordanian Shadi Mohd Mustafa Abdellah, was jailed for four years by the same court in Duesseldorf on similar charges.

His relatively mild sentence reflected the insight that he gave authorities probing Islamic extremism and operations in Germany and elsewhere.

The group was arrested in April 2002, according to prosecutors just as they were preparing to carry out their plot.

(Description of Source: Paris AFP in English -- North European Service of independent French press agency Agence France-Presse).

Compiled and distributed by NTIS, US Dept. of Commerce. All rights reserved.

City/Source: Paris AFP (North European Service)
FBIS Document Number: FBIS-WEU-2004-0217

 

 

Moscow Paper: Prospect of Al-Qa'ida Recruiting Chechens for Iraq 'Realistic'
Moscow Rossiyskaya Gazeta in Russian 17 Feb 04 p 10
ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Journal Code: 1855 Language: ENGLISH Record Type: FULLTEXT
Document Type: Daily Report; News
Word Count: 879

Article by Oleg Kiryanov and Timofey Borisov: "'Wild Geese' Long for the South. According to Western Experts' Information, Al-Qa'ida Is To Replenish the Ranks of Gunmen in Iraq From Chechnya"

(FBIS Translated Text) According to Western special services' information the international network Al-Qa'ida intends to step up its terrorist activities in Iraq and is planning to send some 2,000 gunmen there from Chechnya. This was reported by America's Time magazine on Monday, citing information received from the well-known French expert in international terrorism, Roland Jacquard.

In September 2001 Mr. Jacquard published in the West the sensational book "In the Name of Osama Bin Laden," in which he revealed the extensive terrorist network that has developed in West European countries. Even then, on the basis of an analysis of the text and the totally confidential information that was presented, it was clear that the book's author had reliable sources in the Western special services. Back then, incidentally, the sensational revelations were never refuted by a single Western politician. And now there is a new sensation whose authenticity can hardly be doubted. All the same, a number of questions remain unclear in the article.

There can be no doubt that the main coordinator of this kind of large-scale movement of gunmen from Chechnya to Iraq might be the Jordanian Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, who is regarded by the US special services as Al-Qa'ida's top man in Iraq. May we remind you that back in January Al-Zarqawi distributed an audiotape in Islamic extremist circles calling on Muslims worldwide to join the struggle against the United States in Iraq under his leadership. This has now been followed by a more specific call to 2,000 gunmen fighting on the side of the separatists in Chechnya.

According to experts, the Jordanian Al-Zarqawi has had links to Islamic radicals since the 1980s when he helped the Afghan mojahedin in their struggle against the Soviet troops. Now, as far as is known, he is in charge of Al-Qa'ida operations in Iraq and is responsible for the rotation of gunmen between Afghanistan and Chechnya. Mountain regions in northern Iraq play the part of transshipment center in this process.

The United States is conducting an intensive search for Al-Zarqawi, believing the terrorist to be hiding somewhere in the "Sunni triangle" in Iraq. Last week the American special services intercepted a letter written, they believe, by Al-Zarqawi to the Al-Qa'ida leaders. In this message, in particular, he expounds the tactics for using suicide terrorists in the struggle against American servicemen and Iraqis who collaborate with them. It is not ruled out that it was from this same letter that American counterintelligence learned of the Arab sponsors' secret plans with regard to Chechnya.

After the US authorities learned of the contents of this message they doubled the reward on Al-Zarqawi's head. The United States is now prepared to pay up to $10 million for information helping to catch the terrorist.

All this is evidence of how seriously the Americans take this man and his plans. Only one thing remains unclear: who Al-Zarqawi is counting on when he talks about Chechen gunmen. If you take the international mercenaries from various countries of the world who are operating in Chechen territory, one can say that he will not find the required 2,000 there. In recent years the federal troop grouping in Chechnya has severely reduced this contingent. According to information reported to us a few months ago by a source in the Chechen law-enforcement agencies, not more than 300 Arab mercenaries are left in Chechnya. And these are mainly not fighters but instructors, explosives experts, and administrators responsible for distributing money among the gunmen.

The required number of mercenaries for the war against the Americans in Iraq could be assembled if all the Chechen gunmen headed by Basayev and Maskhadov were to set off for Baghdad. It is interesting that Al-Zarqawi, if he really did mention that number (2,000), is confirming the figures given several times by the (Russian) Joint Troop Grouping leadership in Khankala for the number of gunmen in Chechnya.

But it would be naive to think that Basayev and Maskhadov will actually go to Iraq. They may be terrorists, but they are "home-grown" terrorists who dream of creating a "Caucasus caliphate" and establishing Wahhabite Muslim power in a quite specific territory. And that is not Iraq, but Chechnya.

It is another matter that unemployment is quite high in Chechnya itself and Al-Zarqawi's promises could attract young unemployed Chechens to the war in Iraq as ordinary mercenaries. That turn of events is perfectly realistic. In addition, numerous Chechen refugees could fly into Iraq from Turkey, Georgia, the United Arab Emirates...

Maybe Al-Zarqawi is giving a total number based on the number of gunmen whom he personally is paying in Chechnya. After all, it would never occur to him that the Arab envoys, first and foremost Abu al-Walid, are presenting greatly exaggerated accounts.

(Description of Source: Moscow Rossiyskaya Gazeta in Russian -- Government daily newspaper.) THIS REPORT MAY CONTAIN COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL. COPYING AND DISSEMINATION IS PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNERS. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of Commerce.

Compiled and distributed by NTIS, US Dept. of Commerce. All rights reserved.


City/Source: Moscow Rossiyskaya Gazeta
FBIS Document Number: FBIS-NES-2004-0217

 

Iran Paper: Call for Extremist Groups in Iraq To Be Confronted
Tehran Tehran Times (Internet Version-WWW) in English 0001 GMT 14 Feb 04
TEHRAN TIMES
Saturday, February 14, 2004
Journal Code: 2747 Language: ENGLISH Record Type: FULLTEXT
Document Type: Daily Report; News
Word Count: 879

(FBIS Transcribed Text) From the "Opinion" section: "Extremist Groups in Iraq Should Be Confronted" by Hassan Hanizadeh

US forces in Iraq claim to have recently obtained a letter written by notorious terrorist Abu Musab Zarqawi to Ayman Al-Zawahiri, in which he proposed creating and magnifying differences between the Shias and Sunnis in Iraq in order to start a civil war.

Referring to the diverse ethnic groups in Iraq such as Kurds, Turkmens, Christians, and Arabs, Al-Zawahiri, who is incidentally the closest aide to the fugitive leader of the Al-Qa'ida terrorist network, Usama Bin Ladin, had once said that creating conflicts and causing bloodshed between the different sects and ethnic groups in Iraq, particularly through massacring Shias, is the only option for the terrorist network.

The letter, if authentic, indicates that Al-Qa'ida is trying to create a civil war in Iraq in order to strike back at US forces in the sensitive region and prevent the establishment of a national government in Iraq.

In fact, the recent bombings in Iraq that killed about 100 people and the assassination attempt against the leader of the Iraqi Shias, Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani, indicate that Al-Qa'ida and/or other extremist groups are not only targeting US forces in Iraq but are also fighting all of humanity.

Al-Qa'ida, which has experience in creating sectarian and ethnic divisions in Afghanistan and Pakistan, is now trying to turn Iraq into the next battlefield through which to realize its evil intentions. In choosing Iraq, it is pursuing various objectives.

Making assassination attempts on Kurdish and Shia members of the Iraqi Governing Council with the aim of preventing the establishment of a democratic government is the first objective of the extremist groups.

In addition, through the attacks on Iraqi Kurds, Shias, Turkmens, and Christians, they intend to spread the unrest to neighbouring countries in order to engulf the whole region in war.

The extremist groups are trying to take revenge on US forces by initiating a long-term war.

The third objective of Al-Qa'ida is making use of the resulting unrest to pave the way for Usama Bin Ladin and Ayman Al-Zawahiri to leave their current hiding places and enter Iraq to direct the guerrilla war from Iraqi territory.

However, establishing a permanent base in Iraq with the aim of organizing and directing terrorist attacks against the interests of the United States and the West all over the world and recruiting new members is the most important long-term objective of the terrorist group.

It is clear that if a rational, logical, and nonpoliticized approach is not adopted to deal with this dangerous strategy, the world will soon witness a new wave of terrorism.

As a matter of fact, the Al-Qa'ida members, who do not heed the life-giving teachings of Islam, are capable of committing any crime in order to achieve their goals. For them, it does not make much difference whether they kill a US soldier, a British military officer, a Kurdish child, or a Shia clergyman. Their existence depends only on creating dissension, violence, and murder and causing conflicts and wars between other nations.

For this reason, if the US is serious about its campaign against terrorism, it should quickly revise its policy.

Influenced by misinformation from sources such as the Salafis, US officials have constructed an unrealistic image of Shia Muslims in their minds. They view the oppressed religious sect of Islam as an extremist entity. In fact, the Shias, in their clashes with the US, have never killed an innocent woman or child.

Therefore, the real threat lies with the extremist factions affiliated to Al-Qa'ida and other groups, not the Shias, 1.5m of whom were martyred and five million made homeless during the rule of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Husayn.

However, now that the threats from the Salafis and extremist Al-Qa'ida members who have significantly infiltrated the Sunni Triangle have become clear, the US should seriously revise its strategy to confront the threat. The US should try to understand the Iraqi Shias and Kurds, who have been denied their rights for decades. The ground should be paved for the establishment of a government in Iraq in which these two groups play a significant role, in line with the country's demographic makeup.

As a matter of fact, the Iraqi Kurds and Shias together comprise some 85 percent of the population of the country. They are capable of playing a major role in the campaign against terrorism, which threatens to engulf the region in a conflagration.

Abu Musab Zarqawi's remarks should be taken seriously, because he and people like him would destroy all of humanity if they acquired nuclear or biological weapons. The international community, with the assistance of regional countries, should attempt to defuse the evil plots of the dangerous alliance of extremists through adopting a prudent and rational policy and avoiding politicization of the situation.

(Description of Source: Tehran Tehran Times (Internet Version-WWW) in English -- conservative English-language Tehran daily published by the Islamic Propagation Organization. Occasionally critical of some conservative excesses)

Compiled and distributed by NTIS, US Dept. of Commerce. All rights reserved.

AFS Document Number: IAP20040214000007
City/Source: Tehran Tehran Times (Internet Version-WWW)
FBIS Document Number: FBIS-NES-2004-0214

 

Iranian Paper Reports on Iran's Decision to Try Al-Qa'ida Suspects
Tehran Iran News (Internet Version-WWW) in English 0001 GMT 25 Jan 04
IRAN NEWS
Sunday, January 25, 2004
Journal Code: 2732 Language: ENGLISH Record Type: FULLTEXT
Document Type: Daily Report; News
Word Count: 468

(FBIS Transcribed Text)

(Political: "Iran to Put on Trial 12 al-Qaeda Suspects")

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) - Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said Friday that his government planned to put 12 al-Qaeda suspects being held in the country on trial.

"It's in the process," he told The Associated Press in Davos, where he was attending the World Economic Forum. Asked when the trials would begin, he replied: "That's not in my hands." He said the identities of those to be tried "has not been announced." The United States said the Iranian plan was not acceptable to Washington. "We've heard these reports before. It's not new. Our position hasn't changed. We have long made it clear that we believe that Iran should turn over all suspected Al Qaeda operatives to the United States or to countries of origin or third countries for further interrogation and trial," said State Department deputy spokesman J. Adam Ereli. Kharrazi disagreed. It's "our right to put on trial anyone who has committed crimes in our territory," he told reporters. "So this is our legitimate right to try them inside Iran." Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi confirmed for the first time in July that Iran was holding "a large number of small and big-time elements of al-Qaeda" who had illegally crossed the border.

In September, Iran gave the UN Security Council the names of 225 suspected al-Qaeda operatives it detained and returned to their home countries. U.S. officials have said intelligence suggests that al-Qaeda figures in Iran include Saif al-Adl, a top al-Qaeda agent possibly connected to May bombings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Abu Mohammed al-Masri, wanted in connection with the bombings of two U.S. embassies in East Africa in 1998; Abu Musab Zarqawi, whom some U.S. officials describe as the key link between al-Qaeda and toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein; and al-Qaeda head and mastermind Osama bin Laden's eldest son, Saad. The al-Qaeda operatives are believed to have fled to Iran from neighbouring Afghanistan during the Taliban's fall in late 2001 or early 2002. Kharrazi also welcomed what he called the positive role the European Union has played in the nuclear controversy, adding that the bloc might be able to help in improving Iranian relations with the United States. "Of course the European Union can play a role. They may have a better understanding of Iran being closer to Iran. At the same time, they have only good relations with the United States."

(Description of Source: Tehran Iran News (Internet Version-WWW) in English -- pro-Khatami English-language Tehran daily. Strongly defends freedom of the press) THIS REPORT MAY CONTAIN COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL. COPYING AND DISSEMINATION IS PROHIBITED WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNERS. Inquiries regarding use may be directed to NTIS, US Dept. of Commerce.

Compiled and distributed by NTIS, US Dept. of Commerce. All rights reserved.

City/Source: Tehran Iran News (Internet Version-WWW)
FBIS Document Number: FBIS-NES-2004-0125

 

Zarqawi Letter Captured by the US in February, 2004 and Dated Early January

From:

http://www.cpa-iraq.org/transcripts/20040212_zarqawi_full.html

 

In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate,
From ……………to the proudest of persons and leaders in the age of the servants,
……To the men on the mountain tops, to the hawks of glory, to the lions
of [the] Shara [Mountains], to the two honorable brothers……………..,
Peace and the mercy and blessings of God be upon you.
 


Even if our bodies are far apart, the distance between our hearts is close.

Our solace is in the saying of the Imam Malik. I hope that both of us are well. I ask God the Most High, the Generous, [to have] this letter reach you clothed in the garments of health and savoring the winds of victory and triumph …. Amen.

I send you an account that is appropriate to [your] position and that removes the veil and lifts the curtain from the good and bad [that are] hidden in the arena of Iraq.

As you know, God favored the [Islamic] nation with jihad on His behalf in the land of Mesopotamia. It is known to you that the arena here is not like the rest. It has positive elements not found in others, and it also has negative elements not found in others. Among the greatest positive elements of this arena is that it is jihad in the Arab heartland. It is a stone’s throw from the lands of the two Holy Precincts and the al-Aqsa [Mosque]. We know from God’s religion that the true, decisive battle between infidelity and Islam is in this land, i.e., in [Greater] Syria and its surroundings. Therefore, we must spare no effort and strive urgently to establish a foothold in this land. Perhaps God may cause something to happen thereafter. The current situation, o courageous shaykhs, makes it necessary for us to examine this matter deeply, starting from our true Law and the reality in which we live….

Here is the current situation as I, with my limited vision, see it. I ask God to forgive my prattle and lapses. I say, having sought help from God, that the Americans, as you know well, entered Iraq on a contractual basis and to create the State of Greater Israel from the Nile to the Euphrates and that this Zionized American Administration believes that accelerating the creation of the State of [Greater] Israel will accelerate the emergence of the Messiah. It came to Iraq with all its people, pride, and haughtiness toward God and his Prophet. It thought that the matter would be somewhat easy. Even if there were to be difficulties, it would be easy. But it collided with a completely different reality. The operations of the brother mujahidin began from the first moment, which mixed things up somewhat. Then, the pace of operations quickened. This was in the Sunni Triangle, if this is the right name for it. This forced the Americans to conclude a deal with the Shi`a, the most evil of mankind. The deal was concluded on [the basis that] the Shi`a would get two-thirds of the booty for having stood in the ranks of the Crusaders against the mujahidin.

First: The Makeup [of Iraq]

In general, Iraq is a political mosaic, an ethnic mixture, and scattered confessional and sectarian disparities that only a strong central authority and a overpowering ruler have been able to lead, beginning with Ziyad Ibn Abihi (tr. note: 7th century A.D.) and ending with Saddam. The future faces difficult choices. It is a land of great hardships and difficulties for everyone, whether he is serious or not…..

As for the details:

1. The Kurds

In their two Barazani and Talabani halves, these have given the bargain of their hands and the fruit of their hearts to the Americans. They have opened their land to the Jews and become their rear base and a Trojan horse for their plans. They (the Jews) infiltrate through their lands, drape themselves in their banners, and take them as a bridge over which to cross for financial control and economic hegemony, as well as for the espionage base for which they have built a large structure the length and breadth of that land. In general, Islam’s voice has died out among them -- the Kurds -- and the glimmer of religion has weakened in their homes. The Iraqi Da`wa has intoxicated them, and the good people among them, few as they are, are oppressed and fear that birds will carry them away.

3 [sic]. The Shi`a

[They are] the insurmountable obstacle, the lurking snake, the crafty and malicious scorpion, the spying enemy, and the penetrating venom. We here are entering a battle on two levels. One, evident and open, is with an attacking enemy and patent infidelity. [Another is] a difficult, fierce battle with a crafty enemy who wears the garb of a friend, manifests agreement, and calls for comradeship, but harbors ill will and twists up peaks and crests (?). Theirs is the legacy of the Batini bands that traversed the history of Islam and left scars on its face that time cannot erase. The unhurried observer and inquiring onlooker will realize that Shi`ism is the looming danger and the true challenge. “They are the enemy. Beware of them. Fight them. By God, they lie.” History’s message is validated by the testimony of the current situation, which informs most clearly that Shi`ism is a religion that has nothing in common with Islam except in the way that Jews have something in common with Christians under the banner of the People of the Book. From patent polytheism, worshipping at graves, and circumambulating shrines, to calling the Companions [of the Prophet] infidels and insulting the mothers of the believers and the elite of this [Islamic] nation, [they] arrive at distorting the Qur’an as a product of logic to defame those who know it well, in addition to speaking of the infallibility of the [Islamic] nation, the centrality of believing in them, affirming that revelation came down to them, and other forms of infidelity and manifestations of atheism with which their authorized books and original sources -- which they continue to print, distribute, and publish -- overflow. The dreamers who think that a Shi`i can forget [his] historical legacy and [his] old black hatred of the Nawasib [those who hate the Prophet’s lineage], as they fancifully call them, are like someone who calls on the Christians to renounce the idea of the crucifixion of the Messiah. Would a sensible person do this? These are a people who added to their infidelity and augmented their atheism with political cunning and a feverish effort to seize upon the crisis of governance and the balance of power in the state, whose features they are trying to draw and whose new lines they are trying to establish through their political banners and organizations in cooperation with their hidden allies the Americans.

These [have been] a sect of treachery and betrayal throughout history and throughout the ages. It is a creed that aims to combat the Sunnis. When the repulsive Ba`thi regime fell, the slogan of the Shi`a was “Revenge, revenge, from Tikrit to al-Anbar.” This shows the extent of their hidden rancor toward the Sunnis. However, their religious and political `ulama’ have been able to control the affairs of their sect, so as not to have the battle between them and the Sunnis become an open sectarian war, because they know that they will not succeed in this way. They know that, if a sectarian war was to take place, many in the [Islamic] nation would rise to defend the Sunnis in Iraq. Since their religion is one of dissimulation, they maliciously and cunningly proceeded another way. They began by taking control of the institutions of the state and their security, military, and economic branches. As you, may God preserve you, know, the basic components of any country are security and the economy. They are deeply embedded inside these institutions and branches. I give an example that brings the matter home: the Badr Brigade, which is the military wing of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution, has shed its Shi`a garb and put on the garb of the police and army in its place. They have placed cadres in these institutions, and, in the name of preserving the homeland and the citizen, have begun to settle their scores with the Sunnis. The American army has begun to disappear from some cities, and its presence is rare. An Iraqi army has begun to take its place, and this is the real problem that we face, since our combat against the Americans is something easy. The enemy is apparent, his back is exposed, and he does not know the land or the current situation of the mujahidin because his intelligence information is weak. We know for certain that these Crusader forces will disappear tomorrow or the day after. He who looks at the current situation [will] see the enemy’s haste to constitute the army and the police, which have begun to carry out the missions assigned to them. This enemy, made up of the Shi`a filled out with Sunni agents, is the real danger that we face, for it is [made up of] our fellow countrymen, who know us inside and out. They are more cunning than their Crusader masters, and they have begun, as I have said, to try to take control of the security situation in Iraq. They have liquidated many Sunnis and many of their Ba`th Party enemies and others beholden to the Sunnis in an organized, studied way. They began by killing many mujahid brothers, passing to the liquidation of scientists, thinkers, doctors, engineers, and others. I believe, and God knows best, that the worst will not come to pass until most of the American army is in the rear lines and the secret Shi`i army and its military brigades are fighting as its proxy. They are infiltrating like snakes to reign over the army and police apparatus, which is the strike force and iron fist in our Third World, and to take complete control over the economy like their tutors the Jews. As the days pass, their hopes are growing that they will establish a Shi`i state stretching from Iran through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon and ending in the Cardboard Kingdom of the Gulf. The Badr Brigade entered carrying the slogan of revenge against Tikrit and al-Anbar, but it shed its garb and then put on the emblem[s] of the army and police to oppress the Sunnis and kill the people of Islam in the name of law and order, all under cover of smooth talk. The noxiousness of falsehood rides the horse of dissimulation. Their Ghunusi religion (one based on special personal enlightenment) veils itself with lies and covers itself with hypocrisy, exploiting the naivete and good-heartedness of many Sunnis. We do not know when our [Islamic] nation will begin to learn from historical experience and build on the testimony of the empty eras. The Shi`i Safavid state was an insurmountable obstacle in the path of Islam. Indeed it was a dagger that stabbed Islam and its people in the back. One of the Orientalists spoke truth when he said that had the Safavid state not existed we in Europe would today be reading the Qur’an just as the Algerian Berber does. Yes, the hosts of the Ottoman state stopped at the gates of Vienna, and those fortifications almost collapsed before them [to permit] Islam to spread under the auspices of the sword of glory and jihad all across Europe. But these armies were forced to return and withdraw to the rear because the army of the Safavid state had occupied Baghdad, demolished its mosques, killed its people, and captured its women and wealth. The armies returned to defend the sanctuaries and people of Islam. Fierce fighting raged for about two centuries and did not end until the strength and reach of the Islamic state had waned and the [Islamic] nation had been put to sleep, then to wake up to the drums of the invading Westerner.

The Qur’an has told us that the machinations of the hypocrites, the deceit of the fifth column, and the cunning of those of our fellow countrymen whose tongues speak honeyed words but whose hearts are those of devils in the bodies of men – these are where the disease lies, these are the secret of our distress, these are the rat of the dike. “They are the enemy. Beware of them.” Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyya spoke with truth and honesty when he said – after he mentioned their (Shi`a) thinking toward the people of Islam – “For this reason, with their malice and cunning, they help the infidels against the Muslim mass[es], and they are one of the greatest reasons for the eruption of Genghis Khan, the king of the infidels, into the lands of Islam, for the arrival of Hulagu in the country of Iraq, for the taking of Aleppo and the pillage of al-Salihiyya, and for other things. For this reason, they pillaged the troops of the Muslims when they passed among them going to Egypt the first time. And for this reason, they commit highway robbery against the Muslims. And for this reason, help for the Tartars and Franks appeared from among them against the Muslims. Deep sadness over the victory of Islam appeared, since they were friends with the Jews, Franks, and polytheists against the Muslims. These are among the customs of the hypocrites…. Their hearts are full of vinegar and ire like no others with regard to Muslims old and young, godly and ungodly.

Their greatest [act of] worship is to curse the Muslim friends of God from first to last. These are the people most anxious to divide the Muslims. Among their greatest principles are leveling charges of infidelity and damning and cursing the elite of those who have ruled matters, like the orthodox caliphs and the `ulama’ of the Muslims, because of their belief that anyone who does not believe in the infallible imam, who is not present, does not believe in God and his Prophet, may God bless him and grant him salvation….

The Shi`a love the Tartars and their state because through it they achieved a glory that they did not achieve through the Muslims’ state.…. They were among the greatest helpers [of the Tartars] as they seized the countries of Islam, killing Muslims and capturing their women. The story of Ibn al-`Alqami and his like with the Caliph and their case in Aleppo is famous. All the people know it. If the Muslims defeat the Christians and polytheists, this causes distress among the Shi`a. And if the polytheists and Christians beat the Muslims, this occasions a holiday and joy among the Shi`a.” – al-Fatawa, part 28, pages 478 to 527

Praise be to God, it is as if veils had been lifted from the hidden for him (Ibn Taymiyya) and he looked at what was before him and then spoke clearly on the basis of observation and information. Our imams have traced a clear path and lifted the veil from these people. Imam al-Bukhari says, not in the house have I prayed behind a Shi`i or behind Jews or Christians. They are not to be greeted. They are not to be congratulated on holidays. They are not to be taken in marriage. They cannot bear witness. The animals they slaughter are not to be eaten. – Khalq Af`al al-‘Ibad, page 125

Imam Ahmad says – he was asked about who had cursed Abu Bakr, `Umar, and `A’isha, may God be pleased with them – “I do not see him within Islam.” Imam Malik says, “He who curses the Companions of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him salvation, has no share or part in Islam.” – Kitab al-Sunna of al-Khallal, number 779

Al-Faryabi says, “I do not see the Shi`a except as atheists.” -- al-Lalika’i, part 8, page 1545

And when Ibn Hazm brought evidence and proofs against the Jews and Christians for distorting the Torah and the Gospel, they found no retort except to say that the Shi`a among them spoke of distortions to the Qur’an. He said, God’s mercy! When they speak of the claim of the Shi`a that substitution has occurred, the Shi`a are not Muslims. They are a sect that follows the path of the Jews and Christians in lying and infidelity.” – al-Fasl, part 2, page 78

Ibn Taymiyya said, “With this, it becomes clear that they are more evil than the sectarians and more deserving of being fought than the Kharijis. This is the reason for the general opinion that circulates that the Shi`a are people of heresy. The populace spreads around that Shi`i is the opposite of Sunni because they show resistance to the sunna of the Prophet of God, may God bless him and grant him salvation, and to the Laws of Islam.” – from Sa’ir Ahl al-Ahwa’, part 28, page 482

And he said, “If the sunna and ijma` are in agreement that -- if [the spirit of] the Muslim attacker could [only] come out by killing, then he should be killed, even if the property that he took was [but] a fraction of a dinar --how could it be with regard to fighting those who deviate from the Laws of Islam and fight God and His Prophet, may God bless him and grant him salvation? – part 4, page 251

And with all this, let the people of Islam know that we are not the first to have begun going down this road. We are not the first to have brandished the sword. These people (the Shi`a) are continuing to kill those who call for Islam and the mujahidin of the community, stabbing them in the back under cover of the silence and complicity of the whole world, and, regretfully, even of the symbolic figures beholden to the Sunnis.

Moreover, they are a bone in the throats of the mujahidin and a dagger in [the backs of] their leading personalities. People without exception know that most of the mujahidin who have fallen in war have done so at the hands of these people. The wounds are still spreading, and they are working the daggers of hatred and cunning in them assiduously, Night or day, they do not let up.


2 [sic]. As regards the Sunnis

They are more wretched than orphans at the tables of the depraved. They have lost the[ir] leader and wandered in the desert of artlessness and negligence divided and fragmented, having lost the unifying head who gathered the scattered [pieces] and prevented the egg from shattering. They also are [various] kinds.

1. The Masses

These masses are the silent majority, absent even though present. “The hooligans following everyone and his brother hungered. They did not seek enlightenment from the light of science and did not take refuge in a safe corner.” These, even if in general they hate the Americans, wish them to vanish and to have their black cloud dissolve. But, despite that, they look forward to a sunny tomorrow, a prosperous future, a carefree life, comfort, and favor. They look ahead to that day and are thus easy prey for cunning information [media] and political enticement whose hiss rings out…. In any event, they are people of Iraq.

2. The Shaykhs and `Ulama’

These are mostly Sufis doomed to perdition. Their part of religion is an anniversary in which they sing and dance to the chanting of a camel driver, with a fatty banquet at the end. In truth, these are narcotic opiate[s] and deceitful guides for an [Islamic] nation that is feeling its way on a pitch-black night. As for the spirit of jihad and the jurisprudence of martyrdom and disavowal of the infidel, they are innocent of all of that, just as the wolf was innocent of the blood of Joseph, may peace be upon him. With all the horrors and bad circumstances, not one of them ever speaks about jihad or calls for sacrifice or self-sacrifice. For these, three is too much, not to say four. They are not suited to this.

3. The [Muslim] Brothers

As you have observed, they make a profession of trading in the blood of martyrs and build their counterfeit glory on the skulls of the faithful. They have debased the horse, put aside arms, said “no jihad” … and lied.

Their whole effort is to extend political control and seize the posts of Sunni representation in the government cake whose creation has been decided, while taking care in secret to get control of the mujahidin groups through financial support for two purposes. The first is for propaganda and media work abroad to attract money and sympathy, exactly as they did during the events in Syria, and the second is to control the situation and dissolve these groups when the party ends and the gifts are distributed. They are now intent on creating a Sunni shura body to speak in the name of the Sunnis. It is their habit to grab the stick in the middle and change as the political climate changes. Their religion is mercurial. They have no firm principles, and they do not start from enduring legal bases. God is the one from whom we have sought help.

D (sic). The Mujahidin


These are the quintessence of the Sunnis and the good sap of this country. In general, they belong to the Sunni doctrine and naturally to the Salafi creed. The Salafis splintered only as the bend curved, and the people of the [distant] regions fell behind the caravan. In general, these mujahidin distinguish themselves by the following:

1. Most of them have little expertise or experience, especially in organized collective work. Doubtlessly, they are the result of a repressive regime that militarized the country, spread dismay, propagated fear and dread, and destroyed confidence among the people. For this reason, most of the groups are working in isolation, with no political horizon, farsightedness, or preparation to inherit the land. Yes, the idea has begun to ripen, and a light whisper has arisen to become noisy talk about the need to band together and unite under one banner. But matters are still in their initial stages. With God’s praise, we are trying to ripen them quickly.

2. Jihad here unfortunately [takes the form of] mines planted, rockets launched, and mortars shelling from afar. The Iraqi brothers still prefer safety and returning to the arms of their wives, where nothing frightens them. Sometimes the groups have boasted among themselves that not one of them has been killed or captured. We have told them in our many sessions with them that safety and victory are incompatible, that the tree of triumph and empowerment cannot grow tall and lofty without blood and defiance of death, that the [Islamic] nation cannot live without the aroma of martyrdom and the perfume of fragrant blood spilled on behalf of God, and that people cannot awaken from their stupor unless talk of martyrdom and martyrs fills their days and nights. The matter needs more patience and conviction. [Our] hope in God is great.

E. (sic) The Immigrant Mujahidin

Their numbers continue to be negligible as compared to the enormity of the expected battle. We know that the convoys of good are many, that the march of jihad continues, and that only confusion over the banner and a muffled reality keep many of them from [answering] the call to battle. What prevents us from [calling] a general alert is that the country has no mountains in which we can take refuge and no forests in whose thickets we can hide. Our backs are exposed and our movements compromised. Eyes are everywhere. The enemy is before us and the sea is behind us. Many an Iraqi will honor you as a guest and give you shelter as a peaceable brother. As for making his house into a base for launching [operations] and a place of movement and battle, this is rarer than red sulphur. For this reason, we have worn ourselves out on many occasions sheltering and protecting the brothers. This makes training the green newcomers like wearing bonds and shackles, even though, praise be to God and with relentless effort and insistent searching, we have taken possession of growing numbers of locations, praise be to God, to be base sites for brothers who are kindling [the fire of] war and drawing the people of the country into the furnace of battle so that a real war will break out, God willing.

Second: The Current Situation and the Future

There is no doubt that the Americans’ losses are very heavy because they are deployed across a wide area and among the people and because it is easy to procure weapons, all of which makes them easy and mouth-watering targets for the believers. But America did not come to leave, and it will not leave no matter how numerous its wounds become and how much of its blood is spilled. It is looking to the near future, when it hopes to disappear into its bases secure and at ease and put the battlefields of Iraq into the hands of the foundling government with an army and police that will bring the behavior of Saddam and his myrmidons back to the people. There is no doubt that the space in which we can move has begun to shrink and that the grip around the throats of the mujahidin has begun to tighten. With the deployment of soldiers and police, the future has become frightening.

Third: So Where are We?

Despite the paucity of supporters, the desertion of friends, and the toughness of the times,. God the Exalted has honored us with good harm to the enemy. Praise be to God, in terms of surveillance, preparation, and planning, we have been the keys to all of the martyrdom operations that have taken place except those in the north. Praise be to God, I have completed 25 [operations] up to now, including among the Shi`a and their symbolic figures, the Americans and their soldiers, the police and soldiers, and the coalition forces. God willing, more are to come. What has prevented us from going public is that we have been waiting until we have weight on the ground and finish preparing integrated structures capable of bearing the consequences of going public so that we appear in strength and do not suffer a reversal. We seek refuge in God. Praise be to God, we have made good strides and completed important stages. As the decisive moment approaches, we feel that [our] body has begun to spread in the security vacuum, gaining locations on the ground that will be the nucleus from which to launch and move out in a serious way, God willing.

Fourth: The Work Plan

After study and examination, we can narrow our enemy down to four groups.

1. The Americans

These, as you know, are the most cowardly of God’s creatures. They are an easy quarry, praise be to God. We ask God to enable us to kill and capture them to sow panic among those behind them and to trade them for our detained shaykhs and brothers.

2. The Kurds

These are a lump [in the throat] and a thorn whose time to be clipped has yet to come. They are last on the list, even though we are making efforts to harm some of their symbolic figures, God willing.

3. Soldiers, Police, and Agents

These are the eyes, ears, and hands of the occupier, through which he sees, hears, and delivers violent blows. God willing, we are determined to target them strongly in the coming period before the situation is consolidated and they control arrest[s].

4. The Shi`a

These in our opinion are the key to change. I mean that targeting and hitting them in [their] religious, political, and military depth will provoke them to show the Sunnis their rabies … and bare the teeth of the hidden rancor working in their breasts. If we succeed in dragging them into the arena of sectarian war, it will become possible to awaken the inattentive Sunnis as they feel imminent danger and annihilating death at the hands of these Sabeans. Despite their weakness and fragmentation, the Sunnis are the sharpest blades, the most determined, and the most loyal when they meet those Batinis (Shi`a), who are a people of treachery and cowardice. They are arrogant only with the weak and can attack only the broken-winged. Most of the Sunnis are aware of the danger of these people, watch their sides, and fear the consequences of empowering them. Were it not for the enfeebled Sufi shaykhs and [Muslim] Brothers, people would have told a different tale.

This matter, with the anticipated awaking of the slumberer and rousing of the sleeper, also includes neutralizing these [Shi`a] people and pulling out their teeth before the inevitable battle, along with the anticipated incitement of the wrath of the people against the Americans, who brought destruction and were the reason for this miasma. The people must beware of licking the honeycomb and enjoying some of the pleasures from which they were previously deprived, lest they surrender to meekness, stay on the[ir] land, prefer safety,, and turn away from the rattle of swords and the neighing of horses.

5. The Work Mechanism

Our current situation, as I have previously told you, obliges us to deal with the matter with courage and clarity and to move quickly to do so because we consider that [unless we do so] there will be no result in which religion will appear. The solution that we see, and God the Exalted knows better, is for us to drag the Shi`a into the battle because this is the only way to prolong the fighting between us and the infidels. We say that we must drag them into battle for several reasons, which are:

1 – They, i.e., the Shi`a, have declared a secret war against the people of Islam. They are the proximate, dangerous enemy of the Sunnis, even if the Americans are also an archenemy. The danger from the Shi`a, however, is greater and their damage is worse and more destructive to the [Islamic] nation than the Americans, on whom you find a quasi-consensus about killing them as an assailing enemy.

2 – They have befriended and supported the Americans and stood in their ranks against the mujahidin. They have spared and are still sparing no effort to put an end to the jihad and the mujahidin.

3 – Our fighting against the Shi`a is the way to drag the [Islamic] nation into the battle. We speak here in some detail. We have said before that the Shi`a have put on the uniforms of the Iraqi army, police, and security [forces] and have raised the banner of preserving the homeland and the citizen. Under this banner, they have begun to liquidate the Sunnis under the pretext that they are saboteurs, remnants of the Ba`th, and terrorists spreading evil in the land. With strong media guidance from the Governing Council and the Americans, they have been able to come between the Sunni masses and the mujahidin. I give an example that brings the matter close to home in the area called the Sunni Triangle -- if this is the right name for it. The army and police have begun to deploy in those areas and are growing stronger day by day. They have put chiefs [drawn] from among Sunni agents and the people of the land in charge. In other words, this army and police may be linked to the inhabitants of this area by kinship, blood, and honor. In truth, this area is the base from which we set out and to which we return. When the Americans disappear from these areas – and they have begun to do so – and these agents, who are linked by destiny to the people of the land, take their place, what will our situation be?

If we fight them {and we must fight them}, we will confront one of two things. Either:

1 – We fight them, and this is difficult because of the gap that will emerge between us and the people of the land. How can we fight their cousins and their sons and under what pretext after the Americans, who hold the reins of power from their rear bases, pull back? The real sons of this land will decide the matter through experience. Democracy is coming, and there will be no excuse thereafter.

2 – We pack our bags and search for another land, as is the sad, recurrent story in the arenas of jihad, because our enemy is growing stronger and his intelligence data are increasing day by day. By the Lord of the Ka`ba, [this] is suffocation and then wearing down the roads. People follow the religion of their kings. Their hearts are with you and their swords are with Bani Umayya (the Umayyads), i.e., with power, victory, and security. God have mercy.

I come back and again say that the only solution is for us to strike the religious, military, and other cadres among the Shi`a with blow after blow until they bend to the Sunnis. Someone may say that, in this matter, we are being hasty and rash and leading the [Islamic] nation into a battle for which it is not ready, [a battle] that will be revolting and in which blood will be spilled. This is exactly what we want, since right and wrong no longer have any place in our current situation. The Shi`a have destroyed all those balances. God’s religion is more precious that lives and souls. When the overwhelming majority stands in the ranks of truth, there has to be sacrifice for this religion. Let blood be spilled, and we will soothe and speed those who are good to their paradise. [As for} those who, unlike them, are evil, we will be delivered from them, since, by God, God’s religion is more precious than anything and has priority over lives, wealth, and children. The best proof [of this] is the story of the Companions of the Ditch, whom God praised. [Imam] al-Nawawi said that this story contained proof that, if the city and the desert fought each other until all without exception perished unless they professed belief in the oneness of God, this would be good. Persons live, blood is saved, and honor is preserved only by sacrifice on behalf of this religion. By God, o brothers, with the Shi`a, we have rounds, attacks, and dark nights that we cannot postpone under any circumstances. Their danger is imminent, and what we and you feared is most certainly a reality. Know that those [Shi`a] are the most cowardly of God’s creatures and that killing their leaders will only increase their weakness and cowardice, since with the death of one of their leaders the sect dies with him. It is not like when a Sunni leader dies. If one dies or is killed, a sayyid arises. In their fighting, they bring out courage and hearten the weak among the Sunnis. If you knew the fear [that exists] among the Sunnis and their masses, your eyes would cry over them in sadness. How many mosques have been converted into Husayniyyas (Shi`i mosques), how many houses have they demolished on the heads of their occupants, how many brothers have they killed and mutilated, and how many sisters have had their honor defiled at the hands of these depraved infidels? If we are able to strike them with one painful blow after another until they enter the battle, we will be able to [re]shuffle the cards. Then, no value or influence will remain to the Governing Council or even to the Americans, who will enter a second battle with the Shi`a. This is what we want, and, whether they like it or not, many Sunni areas will stand with the mujahidin. Then, the mujahidin will have assured themselves land from which to set forth in striking the Shi`a in their heartland, along with a clear media orientation and the creation of strategic depth and reach among the brothers outside [Iraq] and the mujahidin within.

1 -- We are striving urgently and racing against time to create companies of mujahidin that will repair to secure places and strive to reconnoiter the country, hunting the enemy – Americans, police, and soldiers -- on the roads and lanes. We are continuing to train and multiply them. As for the Shi`a, we will hurt them, God willing, through martyrdom operations and car bombs.

2. – We have been striving for some time to observe the arena and sift the those who work in it in search of those who are sincere and on the right path, so that we can cooperate with them for the good and coordinate some actions with them, so as to achieve solidarity and unity after testing and trying them. We hope that we have made good progress. Perhaps we will decide to go public soon, even if in a gradual way, so that we can come out into the open. We have been hiding for a long time. We are seriously preparing media material that will reveal the facts, call forth firm intentions, arouse determination, and be[come] an arena of jihad in which the pen and the sword complement each other.

3 – This will be accompanied by an effort that we hope will intensify to expose crippling doubts and explain the rules of shari`a through tapes, printed materials, study, and courses of learning [meant] to expand awareness, anchor the doctrine of the unity of God, prepare the infrastructure, and meet [our] obligation.

5 (sic) – TheTiming for Implementation

It is our hope to accelerate the pace of work and that companies and battalions with expertise, experience, and endurance will be formed to await the zero hour when we will begin to appear in the open, gain control the land at night, and extend it into daylight, the One and Conquering God willing. We hope that this matter, I mean the zero hour, will [come] four months or so before the promised government is formed. As you can see, we are racing against time. If we are able, as we hope, to turn the tables on them and thwart their plan, this will be good. If the other [scenario] [happens] – and we seek refuge in God – and the government extends its control over the country, we will have to pack our bags and break camp for another land in which we can resume carrying the banner or in which God will choose us as martyrs for his sake.

6. What About You?

You, gracious brothers, are the leaders, guides, and symbolic figures of jihad and battle. We do not see ourselves as fit to challenge you, and we have never striven to achieve glory for ourselves. All that we hope is that we will be the spearhead, the enabling vanguard, and the bridge on which the [Islamic] nation crosses over to the victory that is promised and the tomorrow to which we aspire. This is our vision, and we have explained it. This is our path, and we have made it clear. If you agree with us on it, if you adopt it as a program and road, and if you are convinced of the idea of fighting the sects of apostasy, we will be your readied soldiers, working under your banner, complying with your orders, and indeed swearing fealty to you publicly and in the news media, vexing the infidels and gladdening those who preach the oneness of God. On that day, the believers will rejoice in God’s victory. If things appear otherwise to you, we are brothers, and the disagreement will not spoil [our] friendship. [This is} a cause [in which] we are cooperating for the good and supporting jihad. Awaiting your response, may God preserve you as keys to good and reserves for Islam and its people. Amen, amen.

Peace and the mercy and blessings of God be upon you.

 

 

Al-Qa'ida's Abu-Mus'ab Al-Zarqawi Deplores Muslims' 'Renunciation' of Jihad
Middle East-- FBIS Report in Arabic 05 Jan 04
FBIS REPORT
Monday, January 5, 2004
Journal Code: 9023 Language: ENGLISH Record Type: FULLTEXT
Document Type: Daily Report; News
Word Count: 8,283

(FBIS Report)

The "Islamic Terrorism," an online Jihadist chatroom and news network, located at www.alerhap.com, was observed on 6 January 2004 to post links featuring a 60-minute "audio message by Abu-Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, commander of the mujahidin in Iraq and the person who tops the US wanted list, addressed to the Muslim nation." Al-Zarqawi's real name is Ahmad Fadil Nazzal al-Khalayilah.

The following is the translated text of the audio message:

Praise be to God. We praise Him, seek His help and His forgiveness.

We seek the protection of God from the evils of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Nobody will be able to misguide those who are guided by God, and those who are destined to be misguided will have nobody to guide them. I testify that there is no God but Allah, having no partner with Him; that Muhammad is His servant and messenger; and that he communicated the message and fulfilled the trust and was honest in the counsel he offered the Ummah (Muslim nation or community). He left the Ummah on an uncultivated straight path: Its night is just like its daylight. Whoever budges from this path is doomed.

"O ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam." (Koranic verse) "O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;- reverence Allah, through whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (That bore you): for Allah ever watches over you." (Koranic verse) "O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and (always) say a word directed to the Right: That He may make your conduct whole and sound and forgive you your sins: He that obeys Allah and His Messenger, has already attained the highest achievement." (Koranic verses) God may bring together two displaced men who might have thought that they would never meet. (a line of poetry) O brothers in approach and comrades, O beloved ones of my soul: I address you while the longing to you spurs me on, and while there is still hope that God will bring about a reunion and that the group will gather once again along the path of obeying God and jihad in His cause. I address you while waiting the day when you will renew the old amity and rehabilitate the old fraternity.

O brothers: My love for you is no longer a secret. How can this be a secret while my two eyes speak of this love? With the love of the Almighty God, I love you. I harbor for you a love that is shinning on the sides of my heart. Each individual has a place in my heart. Even though the heart is small, it has space for everybody. (lines of poetry) I address you after the approvers and backers have become in short supply, after the wounds have multiplied and the misfortune has worsened, and after many pioneering knights and legendary heroes have passed away. God has spared us for a reason that He knows. We pledge to the Almighty God and to you to remain a thorn in the throats of the oppressors, a sword that is drawn against the necks of the unjust, and soldiers for Islam to defend Muslim lands. We will surmount difficulties to fight in its cause. Similarly, we are ready to sacrifice ourselves until either God grants victory for our religion or until we die.

I address you as a compassionate man, as an admonisher, and as a sad person who is puzzled as to why people such as you failed to join the caravan and lagged behind to stay alive. You failed to mobilize even though the Crusaders came to you fully equipped and in huge numbers and fought you in unison. Where is the talk of old times, the nightly chats, the wounds of the days, and the sighs of those who yearn to jihad, paradise, and black-eyed maidens? Do you accept to be a bad example? The Almighty God says: "Hast thou not turned Thy vision to those who were told to hold back their hands (from fight) but establish regular prayers and spend in regular charity? When (at length) the order for fighting was issued to them, behold! A section of them feared men as -- or even more than -- they should have feared Allah." They said: "Our Lord! Why hast Thou ordered us to fight? Wouldst Thou not Grant us respite to our (natural) term, near (enough)?" Say: "Short is the enjoyment of this world: the Hereafter is the best for those who do right: Never will ye be dealt with unjustly in the very least! Wherever ye are, death will find you out, even if ye are in towers built up strong and high!" (Koranic verses)

Here is the United States coming fully equipped and in large numbers.

It has come with its pride and haughtiness to fight God and His messenger. Where are the lions that are capable of experiencing inconvenience, the knights of the field, the heroes of monotheism, and the men of the creed? "Is it not possible, if ye were commanded to fight, that ye will not fight?" They said: "How could we refuse to fight in the cause of Allah, seeing that we were turned out of our homes and our families?" "But when they were commanded to fight, they turned back, except a small band among them. But Allah Has full knowledge of those who do wrong." (Koranic verses)

In the past, our imams said: If you want to know your standing, examine the actions that you are carrying out thanks to God's predestination. Blessed be the person who is inspired by God to engage in jihad, in fighting His enemies, and in inciting against them. The Almighty God says: "Then fight in Allah's cause - Thou art held responsible only for thyself - and rouse the believers. It may be that Allah will restrain the fury of the Unbelievers; for Allah is the strongest in might and in punishment." (Koranic verse) The Almighty God says: "O Messenger. rouse the Believers to the fight." (part of a Koranic verse) The Almighty God also says: "O ye who believe! Shall I lead you to a bargain that will save you from a grievous Penalty? That ye believe in Allah and His Messenger, and that ye strive (your utmost) in the Cause of Allah, with your property and your persons: That will be best for you, if ye but knew! He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, and to beautiful mansions in Gardens of Eternity: that is indeed the Supreme Achievement. And another (favour will He bestow,) which ye do love,- help from Allah and a speedy victory. So give the Glad Tidings to the Believers." (Koranic verses)

Bin-Majah, citing Kurayb, relates that he heard Usama Bin-Zayd saying: The messenger of God, may God's peace and blessings be upon him, said: Has anybody rolled up his sleeves and dress to be qualified to enter paradise? There are no perils in paradise. I swear by the God of the Kaaba that it is a shining light, a moving sweet basil, a palace that is built up and high, a flowing river, a ripe fruit, a good-looking and beautiful wife, many garments, eternal abode in an unblemished place, fruits, vegetables, silk shawls, and a life of ease in a lofty and magnificent place. They (the companions of the prophet in attendance) said: "Yes, O messenger of God. We are rolling up our sleeves and dresses for it." He said: Say God willing, and so did the men. He then spoke of jihad and incited jihad.

In a mawquf (restricted) hadith, Ali (Bin-Abi-Talib) cited Prophet Muhammad as saying: Whoever incites his brother to engage in jihad will have the same reward as his brother. Whenever this brother takes a step along the path of jihad, the inciter will be given the same rewards given to a Muslim who worships God over one whole year.

O my folks, the clouds of victory will not cause rainfall unless there is an extremely generous and audacious generation. Take up arms and respond to the call, for there is no comfort in a life of misery. The trunk is Meccan and the branch is Ansari (one of the holy Medina residents who backed Prophet Muhammad when the Quraysh tribe persecuted him in the early years of Islam). The banner of monotheism still flutters, and the extremely sharp edge of the sword is honed. (Lines of poetry) We were pained, and our livers were ulcerated when we saw that the traces of jihad have disappeared, that its lights are not being seen by mankind, and that its nights have become dark after they were moonlit. Its days have become dark even though they were illuminated. Its branches, which were leafy, have dried up. Its beauty, which was shining, has shriveled. Its doors have been closed. They are not being knocked. The rationale for jihad has been overlooked and left unheeded. Its horses have been standing with one foot slightly raised:

They are not running. Its lions are lying down with the chest to the ground: They are not rising up. The servile infidels have extended their hands to hurt Muslims, but these hands were not gripped. The swords were put in their scabbards instead of being used to fight the enemies of the religion. This was prompted by a desire to lead a life of meekness and security. The general call to arms addressed to them was muted even though it was a cry addressed to the believers. The bride of the martyrs has almost become a widow because nobody asked for her hand in marriage. People overlooked jihad as if they are not called upon to engage in jihad. Everybody has either overlooked jihad, been burdened by the ephemeral bliss of the worldly life demonstrating a dislike for jihad, or renounced jihad because he is afraid and scared of death. He might have shunned jihad because he does not want to spend money on jihad or because he is greedy. He might have been ignorant of the generous rewards for jihad; he might have preferred the worldly life to the afterlife. "But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the Hereafter." (Part of a Koranic verse) O brothers in creed: How are you rationalizing things? You are supposed to be the advocates of right. O, people of honesty: What is the cause of this renunciation (of jihad)? Is it the kinfolk, children, and dwelling places? The Almighty God says: "Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce in which ye fear a decline: or the dwellings in which ye delight - are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause;- then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious." (Koranic verses)

The Author of Al-Mashari book elaborated on this noble Koranic verse, which contains warnings and threats to those who give up jihad and remain content with their families and wealth. So, the wise should derive a lesson from this verse.

God says: "Ye who believe! What is the matter with you, that, when ye are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah, ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the Hereafter. (Koranic verse)

Al-Qurtubi, may God bestow mercy upon him, said that this verse rebukes (the believers) for leaving jihad and becoming immersed in the pleasures of life.

God says: "Those who were left behind (in the Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their inaction behind the back of the Messenger of Allah. They hated to strive and fight, with their goods and their persons, in the cause of Allah. They said, 'Go not forth in the heat.' Say, 'The fire of Hell is fiercer in heat.' If only they could understand!

Let them laugh a little: much will they weep: a recompense for the (evil) that they do. If, then, Allah bring thee back to any of them, and they ask thy permission to come out (with thee), say: 'Never shall ye come out with me, nor fight an enemy with me: for ye preferred to sit inactive on the first occasion: Then sit ye (now) with those who lag behind.' Nor do thou ever pray for any of them that dies, nor stand at his grave; for they rejected Allah and His Messenger, and died in a state of perverse rebellion." (Koranic verses)

Consider this strong warning. Look at the severe disgrace and bad fate of those who fail to engage in jihad and hate to spend money for the sake of jihad. Although these verses referred to certain people, they contained a warning and threat to those who do the same and shirk jihad as those people did. This is such an ugly deed. The warning is very strong. Is there worse failure than this failure? So, you have to fear God and those who disobey God's orders must beware of his punishment.

The author of Al-Mashari book said: You, who do not engage in jihad, which is a duty, and fail to pursue the path of success, must know that you will be distanced (from God) and will not achieve your aspirations. You have refrained from fighting, joining the battles of heroes, and spending money for the sake of God, because you had great hopes in life, feared death, and did not want to leave a beloved one, wealth, children, brother, relative, intimate friend, a pretty wife, a high position, a palace, nice clothes, or good food. Nothing else would prevent you from launching jihad and keep you away from God. By God, this is a not a good deed from you, brother.

God says: "O ye who believe! What is the matter with you, that, when ye are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah, ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the Hereafter." (Koranic verse)

Listen to the clear evidence that I cite. You must know that what prevents you from joining jihad is nothing but your soul and Satan. If you hope to live a long life and fear death, then you must know that death is inevitable. You should not fear the path that you must tread.

Jihad does not shorten the lives of mujahidin and failure to join jihad will not prolong your life.

God says: "When their term is reached, not an hour can they cause delay, nor (an hour) can they advance (it in anticipation)." (Koranic verse)

"But to no soul will Allah grant respite when the time appointed (for it) has come; and Allah is well acquainted with (all) that ye do." (Koranic verse)

"Every soul shall have a taste of death." (part of Koranic verse)

Death has stupors. Death is fearful, but you are not aware of that.

There is torture in the grave. Only the good ones will be spared from this torture. In the grave, you will be questioned by two angels.

God says: "Allah will establish in strength those who believe, with the word that stands firm, in this world and in the Hereafter; but Allah will leave, to stray, those who do wrong: Allah doeth what He willeth." (Koranic verse)

Afterward, you will face the great danger. You will either be blessed and enjoy an everlasting paradise or be wretched and be punished in hell. The martyr will not face anything of this sort.

The prophet, may God's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon him, says that when the martyr dies he only feels little pain. So, brother what prevents you from seizing this chance, avoiding the torture of the grave, pleasing God, and avoiding the questioning of the angels and other calamities.

The martyrs "live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord." (part of Koranic verse)

"The (Martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve." (part of Koranic verse)

The martyrs rejoice in the bounty provided by God. Their souls are inside the bodies of green birds that fly in the heaven. There is a big difference between this noble death and the painful death. If your wealth is predestined by God, then it is better not to worry about what you earn. If your wealth will be left (after you die), then why do you hesitate to donate money? If life is precious, then God's reward is far better. If all will die, then getting killed by the sword in the cause of God is much better.

God says: "O ye who believe! if any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him, lowly with the believers, mighty against the rejecters, fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault. That is the grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He pleaseth. And Allah encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things." (Koranic verse)

The verse shows that this is because of supporting the infidels. What will God do? He will bring a people whom he loves and who love him. Who are these elite people whom God preserves to support his religion and raise his banner when people fail to fight and the believers get disunited? They love God and he loves them. They deal gently with the believers and harshly with the infidels. What else? They engage in jihad for the sake of God and fear no blame. God decides that not all people will win this status.

"That is the grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He pleaseth. And Allah encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things." (Koranic verse)

I warn you against not joining this march. My brother in faith, you must be careful to be among those whom God loves and who love God. If the convoy moves, the bad ones will not join it and the right will be distinguished from wrong.

God says: "Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah. then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme." (Koranic verse)

When the number of those claiming that they love God increased, they were asked to give evidence of their claims. If people get all that which they claim, then they will get everything. No claim will be accepted unless evidence is produced.

Say: "If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you." (Koranic verse)

All the people lagged behind and the followers of the beloved prophet remained steadfast by adhering to his deeds, sayings, and morals. They were asked to give evidence. They engage in jihad and fear no blame.

Most of the prophet's followers lagged behind. The mujahidin, who rose to their feet, took the floor, saying "the souls and property of the prophet's followers are not their own. So, come to make your pledge to him." "Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs in return is the garden of Paradise" (Koranic verse)

When the prophet's followers realized how high the price they would pay and what a great reward they would receive and the loftiness of the person who would oversee their pledge-taking, they came to know how important their pledge was. So, they did realize that they would do a grave injustice to themselves if they made this pledge to others. So they made their pledge to him (Prophet Muhammad) at Al-Ridwan upon their own free will.

At the conclusion of the pledge-taking event, they said: "By God, we will never oust you or do without you." When they made their pledge to him, they were told that "your souls and property will be returned to you, and even more."

"Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord" (Koranic verse)

Ibn Kathir (a narrator of Prophet Muhammad's sayings), may God have mercy on him, says: "God will compensate his believers if they sacrifice their property and souls in His cause by granting them his paradise. God's acceptance of compensation for what he bestowed upon his believers is one of His blessings." This is what prompted Al-Hasan al-Basri and Qatadah (Hadith narrators and scholars) to say: "God has accepted their pledge and compensated for that very dearly."

"He may take to Himself from your ranks Martyr-witnesses to Truth." (Koranic verse)

Prophet Muhammad, may God's peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Among those who will be allowed into paradise, none would love to return to the world, except the martyrs. Those would wish to return to the world to get killed 10 times for the great and high reward martyrs would receive from God."

When Abdallah Bin-Amr Bin-Haram was killed in the battle of Uhud, Prophet Muhammad, may God's peace and prayers be upon him, said: "O Jabir, shall I tell you what God said to your father? God has never talked to anyone except from behind a barrier, but he did talk to your father. He said: 'Ask for anything to give you.' He said: Allow me back into life so that I will get killed again for your sake.'"

God, therefore, revealed this Koranic verse to His messenger:

"Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord" (Koranic verse)

Ibn Abbas qouted God's prophet, may God's peace and blessings be upon him, as saying: "When God's calamity befell your brothers in the Battle of Uhud, God ordered that their souls be placed in green birds that fly to the rivers of paradise, eat from its fruits, and sleep in lanterns dangling from God's majestic place. When those came to realize how sweet and comfortable their stay was, they said: who can tell our brothers that we are alive in paradise so that they will not spare any effort in jihad or show leniency in war. God said: I will tell them instead of you."

God, therefore, revealed his verse "think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord" to Prophet Muhammad, may God's peace and blessings be upon him.

Abdallah Bin-Umar, may God be pleased with him, said: "I heard Prophet Muhammad, may God's peace and blessings be upon him, saying that the first group of people who would be allowed into paradise is the poor. Those listen attentively when asked to do something. Although their needs were not met in the world by their rulers, Almighty God will place them in paradise on the Day of Judgment. Paradise will be fancily decorated with ornaments to welcome those poor people. God will then call on the believers who fought and got killed in his cause. Then, He will ask them to enter paradise. The angels will be summoned to bow in front of them. The angels will tell God: We always worship you, day and night. Who are those who were accorded precedence over us? Who are those? God Almighty will say that those are the believers who fought and got harmed in my cause."

Ibn Mas'ud (a hadith narrator), may God be pleased with him, was asked about God's saying "think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord." He said: "We were told that their souls would be placed in green birds in paradise. They go wherever they want and sleep in lanterns dangling from God's majestic place. God asked them: Do you want anything more? They said: O Lord, what more shall we ask for? We go everywhere in paradise. He then asked them again. When they realized that God would keep asking them, they said: Bring our souls back to us so that we can return to the world to get killed in your cause once more."

God's messenger, may God's prayers and peace be upon him says: "By God, I wish I could fight in God's cause and get killed several times."

What more blessings can one get? What more honors can he receive?

Here is America among us. So, come take revenge on it and extinguish your thirst from its blood. Come defend the honor of the Muslim women and receive this generous award.

Citing Prophet Muhammad, may God's peace and blessings be upon him, Abu-Hurayrah (a Hadith narrator) says: "No infidel and his killer will meet in hell."

Ibn Abi-Shaybah, citing Salman Bin-Abi Rabi'ah, said: "I killed with my own sword 100 infidels, all of whom did not worship God."

Ibn-Sirin (a hadith narrator) once said: "Al-Bara Ibn-Malik lay down and began singing. Anas told him: Remember God, O brother. So he sat upright and said: O Anas, the son of my father, I wouldn't die in my bed, I would not die in my bed, for I have killed 100 polytheists in duels, not to mention those I helped in killing. O brother of monotheism, beware of the pitfalls and mazes of Satan. Be careful not to make him stand between you and jihad for the sake of God and place obstacles and reasons that justify for you the failure to observe (the duty of) jihad, even if these were in obedience to God and His messenger. For this ousted, rebellious Satan does not cease to prevent man from doing what pleases his God."

Ibn-al-Qayyim (early Muslim scholar), may God have mercy on his soul, drew attention to this dangerous matter. He said that the devil is importunate and does not despair fast. He lies in wait for the believer and sets traps for him along his path toward God. (In setting traps), Satan does not stoop to using light methods unless his serious methods fail. He begins with the trap of polytheism and disbelief in God. If he (the believer) survives this trap, Satan would set for him the trap of heresy. If he survives this one, Satan would set for him the trap of grave sins; and if he survives this one, he would set for him the trap of minor sins. If he survives these, Satan would make him preoccupied with what is permissible. If he fails in this, he would place before him the obstacle of acceptable rituals (Ibadat Maqbulah) and make him preoccupied with them. He made them (rituals) look beautiful to him and showed him what advantage and profit he could get from them so that he would be distracted from what is better and more profitable.

When Satan failed to make him lose the essence of (God's) reward, he wanted to make him lose his integrity, merit, and high qualities. He made him preoccupied with what is acceptable and thus diverted his attention from what is better for him. He makes him preoccupied with knowledge about collective duties, thus distracting his attention from the individual duty of Jihad.

While the door for jihad by sword is wide open, Satan would make the jihad of call (for Islam) look better.

"Do ye make the giving of drink to pilgrims, or the maintenance of the Sacred Mosque, equal to (the pious service of) those who believe in God and the Last Day, and strive with might and main in the cause of God? They are not comparable in the sight of God: and God guides not those who do wrong." (Koranic verse)

Our imams had said that an (Islamic) jurisprudent is not the one who can recognize good, but rather the one who can recognize what is the best of two good things.

Ibn-al-Muabark quotes Safwan as citing Abu-Huryarah as saying: "Can anyone of you remain awake (for worshipping God at night) without getting tired and fast without breaking his fast as long as he is alive. Abu-Hurayrah was told: Who would bear that? He said: By God, the sleep of a mujahid for the sake of God is better than that." If this is the status of a sleeping mujahid, what would then be the status of a conscious mujahid? If this is the rank of an inactive mujahid, then what would be the rank of an active one?

By God, this is an undisputed virtue. Let active people work for the sake of it and let the negligent and weak cry for having missed it. And let the careless grieve for having wasted their lives. How many of our beloved ones have You, God, chosen from among us, thus depriving us of that (fate of them) because of our sins? God, do not deprive us of their reward, do not put us to tests, and make us join them. (A religious song is heard in the background)

If I forget, I would here not forget our brother martyrs, may God's mercy be upon them. They were with us in good and bad times. They were patient with us despite the adversities of the path. Chief among those is the beloved brother, martyr Abd-al-Hadi Daghlas, (nicknamed) Abu-Ubaydah. After God showed me the right path, I have had no misfortune such as the loss of this brother. I used to see myself small in front of him because of his excessive courage, boldness, patience, and good morals. Let eyes cry for people like Abd-al-Hadi. Whenever I remember him, I remember the hadith of the prophet, may God's blessings be upon him, which was narrated by Ahmad and Ibn-Hubbal. They cited Ibn-Mas'ud as quoting the prophet as saying: God was surprised by two men. He talked about one of them, who engaged in a raid for the sake of God and whose companions were defeated. He knew what he would lose if defeated and what he would get if he retreats. He retreated until his feet got worn. God tells his angels: Look at my servant; he retreated hoping to win what I have until his feet got worn.

When the mujahidin were forced to evacuate their positions as a result of the continuing heavy bombing, he (Daghlas) refused to retreat.

He and a group of his brothers vowed to die. They engaged the enemy. I ask God to accept them (as martyrs).

They died and their bodies were buried in earth; bones decay, but victory is sweet-smelling. (poetry)

He was a mountain, a lion, a worshipper, and an ascetic. Frankness could be recognized in his face. He ignites a war even if accompanied by (a handful of) men. He does not fear blame when he does what he does for the sake of God. He is tough on the enemies of God and lenient toward his brothers. May God have mercy upon you, Abd-al-Hadi.

You were a beloved brother and compassionate friend. You were ears and eyes (to me). Your position is still vacant and no one can fill it. With your loss, I lost a part of me. If I forget, I will not forget that day when you told me: "I pray to God for your sake more than I do for my parents." What loss is more severe than this? What catastrophe is more terrible? I lost you when I needed you badly. I ask Almighty God to make Paradise your abode and make us join you as righteous martyrs along with prophets and faithful ones. They are the best of companions.

You and your brothers, whom I did not mention in this short message,

have been like sweet basils for our souls. I should not forget here to give a piece of advice to the scholars of the nation and those who call (for Islam).

"And remember God took a covenant from the People of the Book, to make it known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it; but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And vile was the bargain they made!" (Koranic verse)

God took the pledge from you to do what He ordered you to do in propagating good and renouncing evil; engaging in jihad for God's sake; preserving His religion; and sacrificing lives for the sake of His religion. Extremely regrettably, instead of observing the duty ordained by God, you preferred safety, rest, family, money, and children. You left the mujahidin face the strongest power in the world, which came to them with weapons and men.

(a religious song is heard in the background)

Where are you, o scientists of the nation? For how long will you bow and be unwilling to do right. Are interests and corruption still a religion and methodology for you? Is it not time for you to return to your religion?

Ibn-Umar, may God be pleased with him, said: Prophet Muhammad, may God's peace and blessings be upon him, said: When you enter into usury, hold the tails of cows, are pleased with agriculture, and give up conducting jihad, then God will make disgrace prevail upon you and will not withdraw it until you return to your religion. The prophet's saying until you return to your religion implies that leaving jihad and seeking worldly existence is deviating and abandoning religion, and that by itself is a manifest sin.

Is it not time for you to awaken from your carelessness. Is it not time for this long night to end? Which sedition are you talking about and what interests are you speaking about? Is there sedition, o scientists of the nation, greater than what we are in? Sedition is polytheism. Sedition is the rise of wrong over right. Sedition is the loss of God's rule on earth. Sedition is when lions are trapped behind cages in Cuba and elsewhere. Some of you are 30, 40, or 50 years old, or even more, but you do not burden himself with one day for tBy God, it is one of two things; either that you are dearer to God than his prophet, who suffered different pains for the sake of God, or that you follow a path different from the prophet's. God forbid, that it be the first one. God forbid, that it be the first one. (preceding sentence repeated twice as heard). By God, no one has brought up what you have and was not contracted the enmity of others.

For whom have you left the nation? Have you left it for the tyrants of the east and the west to violate it and impose the worst punishment on it, massacre the best of its mujahidin sons, and seize its wealth? Is this what our virtuous ancestors, who were watchful over their nation, like? Where are the sacrifices, o scientists of the nation? Where do you stand from the saying of the prophet, God's blessings and peace be upon him, about the master of all martyrs Hamzah and a man who went to an unjust imam and enjoined for what is right and forbade what is wrong, so the imam killed him.

Where do you stand from Sufyan al-Thawri, the divine scientist who said: By God, I may see something against which I ought to speak out but I cannot, then I urinate blood.

Sufyan urinated blood when his soul became devoted to God without a need for worldly existence. He urinated blood when his blood and breath became mixed with his love for this religion.

Have you not heard, o scientists, that Yunis Ibn-Ubayd, may God have mercy upon him, looked at his feet when he was dying and cried. He was asked: What makes you cry Abu-Abdullah? He said: My feet did not become covered with dust for the sake of God Almighty.

His feet did not become covered with dust when jihad was a collective duty; if a group performed it then others were exempt from this duty. What if jihad was an individual duty? If Ibn-Ubayd lived in our time, what do you think he would have said? By God, he would have said the same thing. O mountains, hurl stones, and o sky rain molten brass and corruption from the washing of wounds, and o planets, it is time for pelting stones, so begin, for it would not be you if you did not pelt the devils.

The catastrophes and setbacks that have befallen the nation and the disorder in the laws of God of heaven and earth took place once the scientists of the nation failed to sacrifice for the sake of this religion and once the usefulness of jihad weakened in their chests and they lagged behind. Once they forgot that the nation cannot have a place except through the blood of scientists and that sacrificing their blood is the natural result of the prophetic inheritance that they inherited in their chests.

May God rest the soul of Ibn-Hazm, who said: (verses of poetry in which Ibn-Hazm says his wish in this world is to spread knowledge everywhere about the Koran and religious practices).

As for you, our scientists, you have reconciled with the idols, and handed the country and the servants (of God) to the Jews and the Christians and the subservient of our apostate leaders when you were silent to their crimes and were cowardly to publicly declare right and failed to carry the banner of jihad and monotheism, with which God entrusted you when you killed the protectiveness and enthusiasm over God's religion from the hearts of young men and prevented them from blowing the trumpets of war so they would protect this religion. The battle grounds were empty from lions, except for those who God had mercy on.

You hardly find a scientist among us who is asked for counsel. O servants of God, you can hardly find a scientist among us who can be asked for counsel or a divine leader to guide us.

You have let us down in the worst circumstances and have surrendered us to our enemy. You have neglected the saying of the prophet, may God's peace and blessing's be upon him, which was told by Abu-Dawud and in which he said: If a man lets down a Muslim in a homeland where he is belittled or his sanctity violated then God will let him down in a homeland where he needs to be helped.

Is there no one among you like Sa'id Ibn-Amir? It was said that when he was their leader, the people of Hims complained about him to Umar and criticized him for things; one of these thing is he used to sleep and go into a stupor that it became intolerable for people. He would respond apologetically, I saw the death of Khubayb al-Ansari in Mecca. The people of Quraysh were carrying him on a branch and were saying: Would you rather that Muhammad were in your place and that you are among your people and with your money. He would say: By God my people, it does not please me that Muhammad, may God's peace and blessings be upon me, would sacrifice for my sake with as much as a thorn in his foot. Each time I mention what I saw, and at that time I was a polytheist, I remember Khubayb that day and shiver from fear of God's punishment and I fall into a stupor. Is there no one among you whose heart shivers from fear of God's punishment and what happened to Sa'id for abandoning the mujahidin?

Yes, you have handed us to the enemy and you handed the nation before us when you failed to support us, o ulema of the nation. The hand that killed the camel of Salih is the same hand. And God destroyed a whole nation as a result of this. The camel of Salih, peace upon him, is not dearer to God than hundreds of thousands of the Muslims of this nation, who are being slaughtered at the hands of the infidels because of your silence.

O ulema of the nation: You should know that -- eventually -- you will face God on a day that will render the newly-born children white-headed and the pregnant women lose birth to their babies. On that day, the person runs away from his brother, his mother, his father, his wife, and his sons. On that day, each will have something to worry about. On that difficult day, prepare the answer for God when he asks you about the nation and what you have presented to it, about the mujahidin and your support for them, and about the enemies of the religion, the hatred you harbored toward them, and hostility toward them.

God will ask you about the prisoners in the hands of the Jews, crusaders, and polytheists. Why did you not save them? Do you not know what Abd-al-Ruhman Bin-Amrah said when (Caliph) Umar Bin-Abd-al-Aziz sent him to save the Muslims in Constantinople? He said: "I asked him: What shall I do if they refuse to swap one for one? The caliph said: Give them more than one." Bin-Amrah then told the caliph: "If they ask for four? The caliph then said: Give them whatever they want in exchange for one single Muslim." By God, one Muslim is worth all polytheists. If you redeem a Muslim you will be victorious because you have championed Islam.

God will ask you about Afghanistan and Iraq. What have you done for them? God will ask you about Mulla Omar and your failure to support him. All he did was obey God and His messenger, and refused to disgrace his religion. May God have mercy on Ibn-al-Jawzi, when he stood in the mosque, urging people to wage jihad, safeguard their religion, and to push the infidels away from the land of Muslims when people failed to carry out their duties. He said: "O people! Why have you forgotten your religion, left your pride, and failed to champion God? So, He will not grant you victory. You imagined that pride is the lot of the infidels while God made pride the lot of Allah, His messenger, and the believers.

Woe unto you! Are you not pained when you see the enemy of God and your enemy stepping on your land, which was watered by the blood of your fathers? This enemy is humiliating and enslaving you and you were the masters of the world. Are you not moved or provoked when you see your brothers surrounded by the enemy, humiliating them? Do you eat, drink, and enjoy the luxury of life while your brothers there are set on fire and sleep on ashes?

"O people! The war broke out; the call for jihad has been raised; and the doors of the sky have opened. If you are not the knights of the war give way to women to wage the war. Go take the braziers and kohl. O women with turbans and beards. If you are not so, then here are the horses and here are their reins. Do you know how these reins are made? They are made by women from their own hair because this is the only thing they have. The hair of women, which was kept away even from the sun, was cut because the history of love had ended and the history of the holy war for the sake of God had begun. If you cannot ride these horses, take the reins because they are made of women's hair (shu'ur) and you have no feelings (shu'ur) in your hearts."

He then threw the reins over the heads of people and shouted: "O pillars of the mosque, come down; o stones of the mosque, come down; o hearts, feel pain. The men have lost their manhood." By God, it is true. Men have lost their manhood.

What shall we say at this time, when supporters are few and when nations gathered against us as people gather at a large bowl? By God, we do not want men like Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Sa'd, Al-Miqdad, Talhat, and Al-Zubyar (Muslim caliphs and leaders). We want men like Safiyah (a woman), who defended the sanctities of the Muslims when that cunning Jew tried to enter the stronghold to look at Muslim women. She fought in defense of the Muslims' honor. O God, help us. Things have come to a head.

O ulema, o youths of the nation, fear God and realize the things you missed. The bond is the sword; beware the enemies of the shari'a among you. Help your brothers with all that you have before history rejects you and before the results appear.

When I address the ulema, I address the real ulema, not the ulema of evil and the shaykhs of the satellite televisions. As for those, the graves have complained to God from the rotten smell of the infidels. But the smell of the ulema of evil is worse. Those are the ones who used religion to make material gains.

As for you steadfast mujahidin, we say to you that despite all the sorrow, hardships, distress, and ordeals that have been inflicted on us, we swear that our actions will inflict harm on the enemies. We will pursue jihad against them by all available means. We are ready to sacrifice everything to fight them. Fighting the tyrants is one of the best deals that bring you closer to God. Be patient, be patient, it is only a matter of a few days and then comfort and victory will ensue, God willing. A late victory does not mean that God will not keep His promise. Beware of retreat and deviation from this path. By God, this path is full of hardships, difficulties, and bitterness, but it pleases God.

It is a great blessing that God has chosen you to defend His religion and fight for His sake. My companions, Abu-Hurayrah said: "One of Prophet Muhammad's followers passed through a mountain pass containing a spring of fresh water. This man wanted to stay there and isolate himself from people, but told himself that he should first ask permission from Prophet Muhammad. The man was advised against doing that by Prophet Muhammad, who said that jihad for the sake of God is better than 70 years of praying inside a person's house." Do you not like God to forgive your sins and allow you to enter heaven? Fight for the sake of God, he who fights for the sake of God, heaven will be his reward.

(Islamic scholar) Ibn-Taymiyah, may God have mercy on his soul, said: "He is blessed by God who is allowed to live until this time when God is renewing religion, reviving the spirit of Islam, and improving the situation of believers and mujahidin so that they would be similar to the early Al-Ansar Wa Al-Muhajirun (companions of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca and Medina). Believers should thank God for this ordeal, which is truly a generous gift, and for this sedition, which is a great blessing. If members of the early Al-Ansar Wa Al-Muhajirun, such as Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali (Caliphs of Muslims after Prophet Muhammad), and others were present at this place, the best thing they would do is engage in jihad against those criminal people. Such an opportunity will be wasted only by people whose trade is losing and judgment is bad. Furthermore, they will have little benefit in this world and in the afterlife."

After all this, do you seek an alternative? Pray a lot to God, the merciful, to make firm our steps along this path. (He recites several verses of poetry asking God to facilitate his death as a martyr who sacrifices his life for the sake of God)

O God, support mujahdin on earth, strengthen their might, and drive evil away from them. O God, protect the Muslims from America, which came fully equipped to fight God and his Prophet; O God destroy the rule of Bush, just as you did with Caesar; O God weaken their ranks and make them a gain for the Muslims; O God curse Arab and foreign tyrants and punish all apostate rulers. Praise be to God..

Compiled and distributed by NTIS, US Dept. of Commerce. All rights reserved.

City/Source: Middle East-- FBIS Report
FBIS Document Number: FBIS-NES-2004-0107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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