FOLLOWING its tradition of discussing (issues) with Ulema (scholars),
students of (legal Islamic) knowledge and reformers, we present before the
hands of the dear readers this interview. It is with one of the forerunners
of Jihad in this era. Hiwar (dialogue) with Mujahideen is - with no doubt -
one to which the soul longs, and for which one's mood relaxes. It is no
doubt that Jihad has become in these days a grave accusation not only in
the Arab and Western media, but also in the minds of many within the rank
and file of the youth of Revivalist Islam. Their views and legal rulings
are confused because of unclear experiments, and sometimes phony symbols.
Jihad remains (an authentic expression of Islam) for the people of (Islamic
religious and legal) knowledge and the people of Jihad (Ahl al-Jihad);
those who know the (legal) conditions of Jihad in the Qur'an, Sunnah and
the understanding of the pious generations (as-Salaf as-Salih). Here is, my
brother, the reader, the interview we conducted with Sheikh Abu Abdel Aziz.
THE BEGINNING
Q. To begin with, we would like to welcome the Mujahid Abu Abdel Aziz. We
would like him to give us a brief overview of how he came to know Jihad.
What are in your opinion the characteristics of the Mujahid in this time
and era?
A. All grace be to Allah, as is due unto Him, and I bear witness that there
is no one worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is his slave and
messenger. To begin with, I would like to thank the newsletter Al-Sirat
al-Mustaqeem for its interest in Jihad and Mujahideen, and its interest to
propagate (Islam) in this land, which is a land of Kufr (unbelief), and
permissiveness. I would like to commend them for propagating (the right
knowledge about Islam), especially reminding Muslims of their role in
standing up to the propaganda of others (against them) in this land, so
that the light of Islam and its purity become clear. May Allah reward you
with the best.
Now, concerning the beginning of Jihad in my case, I was one of those who
heard about Jihad in Afghanistan when it started. I used to hear about it,
but was hesitant about (the purity and intention of) this Jihad. This --
and Allah knows best -- is most probably because we forgot the concept of
Jihad in Islam. We became part of those who subscribe to the conception
that Islam means Istislam (submission) and Salam (peace), and that Jihad
was only prescribed at the dawn of Islam, and now it is history and that
the present forum is one of call and propagation of the faith (Da`wah).
This credo reached the point that the lights of Jihad, its rules and
prescriptions (as detailed in the coded Islamic legal text), faded (and
disappeared) from our daily reality in the Ummah (World Muslim Community).
But Allah -- in His infinite wisdom and planning -- made it such that these
brothers in Afghanistan declared Jihad (against the communist government
and the Russian intruders) and revived this important element of Islam to
teach people anew that Jihad means "to fight to make the word of Allah
supreme and the word of the disbelievers low and despised." (Qur'an)
One of those who came to our land (presumably Saudi Arabia) was sheikh Dr.
Abdallah Azzam -- may his soul rest in peace -- I heard him rallying the
youth to come forth and (join him) to go to Afghanistan. This was in 1984
-- I think. I decided to go and check the matter for myself. This was, and
all praise be to Allah, the beginning (of my journey with) Jihad. I am
still following this same path. I have found that the best sacrifice we
can offer for the sake of Allah, is our souls, then our possession. This
is because Allah said in his holy book, "Behold, God has bought from the
believers their lives and their possession, promising them paradise in
return, (and so) they fight in God's cause, slay, and are slain: a promise
which in truth He has willed upon Himself in (the words of) the Torah, the
Gospel and the Qur'an. And who could be more faithful to his bond than God?
Rejoice, then, in the bargain which you have made with Him: for this, this
is is the triumph supreme!" (At-Tawbah 9:111)
Then the conquest of Kabul came, and we thanked Allah, praised be He. The
joy of Jihad overwhelmed our hearts. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said,
"The highest peak of Islam is Jihad." We were looking for Jihad (after
Afghanistan). We found it in the Philippines, and in Kashmir. Only fifteen
days lapsed (after the conquest of Kabul) and the crisis of Bosnia begun.
This confirmed the saying of the Prophet (of Islam), peace and blessings be
upon him, who said, "Indeed Jihad will continue till the day of Judgment."
A new Jihad started in Bosnia, (we moved there), and we are with it, if
Allah wills.
As to your question about the characteristics needed for someone to be a
Mujahid, I say: Belief in Allah, praised be He (comes first). He should be
in our sight, heart and mind. We have to make Jihad to make His word
supreme, not for a nationalistic cause, a tribal cause, a group feeling or
any other cause. This matter is of great importance in this era,
especially since many groups fight and want to see to it that their
fighting is Jihad and their dead ones are martyrs. We have to investigate
this matter and see under what banner one fights.
THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN (AGAINST JIHAD)
Q. Within the context of the International media campaign against Jihad,
how do you evaluate the Muslims' approach to Jihad, especially after the
intended distortion of the Afghan experiment?
A. The main purpose of the International media campaign against Jihad is to
paint it with the trait of terrorism and things of that sort. (This is
done) to push people away from it. They know that Muslims, if they hold
tight to Jihad, will achieve the intended thrust which will make them reach
whatever Allah wills. They know quite well that the Muslim zeal to Jihad
stems from the belief that Allah is the sole source of victory, He will
send His help from the sky and that if the Mujahid dies, his abode shall be
the highest Firdaws (Peak of Paradise), among the prophets (Nabiyyin), the
truthful (Siddiqin) and martyrs (Shuhada'), and those near to Allah, as
Allah, praised be He, said, "They are with their Lord receiving their
bounty (Rizq)." The media campaign wants to convince people and prove to
them that the Jihad in Afghanistan failed, that the Afghan experiment is
utter shame. This thesis is widespread whether you consider Western sources
or the secular (Arab ones). The truth of the matter is that there is a
confusion of facts. What is happening (today) in Kabul is erroneous,
however it does not tarnish the brightness of Jihad and its necessity (as
an Islamic injunction).
THE WESTERN MEDIA AND ABU ABDEL AZIZ
Q. Many people - especially in the West - came to know Abu Abdel Aziz
through the Western media first. What do you think about the present
Islamic media and their presence in Jihad battle-zones?
A. It is a pity that the media is in the hands of the West. They are far
ahead of (official and otherwise) Islamic media; manifolds indeed. They
have institutes teaching this art and they compete to obtain information
and news, especially when it comes to Jihad. Westerners wanted to present
Jihad and those participating in it and I am one of those they featured
personally. This is a new breed for them, especially in the West. It is
(also) because Bosnia is in the heart of Europe and from it Jihad was
declared. The Islamic presence is very poor (in this journalistic domain).
Most Muslims are content with translations and report what the Westerners
themselves investigate. The events and analyses are not presented from an
Islamic angle. We hope Muslim reporters come to us and research the events
themselves and not stay behind their desks and simply translate reports and
news. (They must investigate claims themselves).
HOW DID JIHAD START IN BOSNIA?
Q. In short, how did (your) Jihad start in Bosnia, and what is the truth to
the existence of an Arab Mujahideen Brigade under your command? What is its
role and what are its relations with the Bosnian government?
A. As I told you before, when Jihad in Afghanistan was over, with the
conquest of Kabul, I went with four of those who participated in
Afghanistan to Bosnia to check out the landscape. We wanted to see things
with a closer eye. I wanted to find out the truth to what is reported by
the Western media. And surely, as was reported, there was persecution of
Bosnian Muslims. Many were slaughtered, others were killed, while others
were forced to exile. The chastity of their women was infringed upon for
the simple reason that they were Muslims. The Christians took advantage of
the fact that the Muslims were defenseless with no arms. They recalled
their age-old hatred. As to Arab Mujahideen (in Bosnia), they do not have a
separate battalion. There is a battalion for non-Bosnian fighters. Arabs
are a minority compared to those of the Mujahideen (gathered from around
the World). This battalion is under a unified command and is called
Kateebat al-Mujahideen (Mujahideen Battalion), Odred "El-Mudzahidin" as
they call them in Bosnian. Militarily, it has a link to the Bosnian
government under the general command of the Bosnian Armed Forces. It is in
fact part of the seventh battalion (SEDMI KORPUS, ARMIJA REPUBLIKE BH) of
the Bosnian Army.
I am a field commander under the "General Unified Armed Command". We have -
and all grace be to Allah - full jurisdiction in the region we are
responsible for (Editor's note: Mostly central Bosnia). The general command
of the Muslim forces wants to see results, it does not dictate strategy or
action.
THE MEETING WITH ULEMA
Q. We heard, and many brothers heard, that you met with prominent Ulema and
scholars in the Muslim World and discussed with them the question of Jihad
in Bosnia. Can you tell us some of their views and the issues you
discussed?
A. First, we consider our scholars the light and guidance of Islam. They
are the heirs of prophets (as the Hadith says, "warathat al-Anbiya"). Our
duty is to seek knowledge from them and guidance from their scholarly light
(sic). I - alhamdulillah - met several prominent Ulema. Among them Sheikh
Nasir ad-Din al-Albani, Sheikh Abdel Aziz Bin Baz and Sheikh Muhammad Bin
Otheimin and others in the Gulf area. Alhamdulillah, all grace be to Allah,
they all support the religious dictum that "the fighting in Bosnia is a
fight to make the word of Allah supreme and protect the chastity of
Muslims. It is because Allah said (in his holy book), "Yet, if they ask you
for succor against religious persecution, it is your duty to give [them]
this succor." (Lit. "to succor them in religion", Qur'an, al-Anfal, 8:72).
It is then our (religious) duty to defend our Muslim brethren wherever they
are, as long as they are persecuted because they are Muslims and not for
any other reason.
(You asked about) the circumstances of my meeting with Sheikh Nasir ad-Din
al-Albani - may Allah protect him. (I must note) that he is one of the
great Ulema of this time and one seeks guidance in the light of his
knowledge and view. (I say) in my last meeting with him, he was supportive
of Jihad in Bosnia-Herzeg (as a religious duty). However, he told us not to
attack - that is we, the Arab Mujahideen - since we were the smaller host
(Editor's note: In reference to King Saul and his army. Check Surah Baqarah
(2: 250). "[Yet] those who knew with certainty that they were destined to
meet God, replied: How often has a small host overcome a great host by
God's leave! For God is with those who are patient in adversity.") (The
Sheikh) was afraid we might get killed in large numbers if we engaged
people in the fight. However, he requested that we dig in and be at the
most advanced defense-lines (Khat ad-Difa` al-Awwal) to defend those
persecuted. This is a brief summary of his view - may Allah protect him.
The rest of the Ulema support Jihad by any means (defensive or offensive).
You must understand that - militarily speaking - the number of those killed
in defense is (far) higher than those killed in attack. This is due to the
fact that in attack, clashes and skirmishes take place between Mujahideen
and Kuffar (non-believers). The Kafir (unbeliever) does not throw himself
arbitrarily in the cross-fire for fear of killing his companions. This fact
lowers the number of the dead and this is the most important fact of the
matter.
BETWEEN AFGHANISTAN AND BOSNIA
Q. People speak these days about Jihad. What comes in their minds though,
is the in-fighting between different Islamist groups in Afghanistan. Do you
think - based on your on-the-field-expertise and knowledge of Bosnia and
Afghanistan - that Bosnia will, one day, become just another Afghanistan?
A. First, each crisis has its own circumstances and many reasons (which are
not clear) as to why things happen the way they do. (For instance), what
comes in the minds of many Muslim brothers when questioning the reasons for
the in-fighting between the Islamists groups in Afghanistan: Could such a
thing happen in Bosnia in the future? God forbid. I say: First, what is
happening in Afghanistan is due to the absence of religious conscious and
restraint (Wazi` Deeni) as the primary factor (for such a dire condition).
This is what (salafist) Sheikh Nasir ad-Din al-Albani (of Jordan)
recounted: "We were hesitant and afraid to spread the correct Sunni
practice (Da`wa) within our brethren. We were afraid to cause a fitna,
dissension, and clash between the different schools of jurisprudence."
(Editorial note: Most Afghans are Hanafis. Sheikh al-Albani refers to Ahl
al-Hadith school, mostly Hanbalite-Salafist understanding). (He used to
say), "We were afraid to give religious injunctions (fatawa) and used to
say: 'Let us wait until the Afghan crisis is over. We will spread the
correct practice then'. We let each leader work according to his
understanding and Ijtihad. The end result is what you see today. Each
leader wants to prove that he is on the right path and the rest are
wrong-doers." We ask Allah to end the Afghan crisis and have our brethren
come together under one Majlis (council) and one government and ask Him to
guide them to abide by the rules of the book of Allah and the tradition of
His Messenger, instead of slaughter and warfare.
Now as to Bosnia and whether it would one day become another Afghanistan? I
say: There is a clear distinction between the two cases. In Bosnia, there
aren't many political parties. There is no tribal rivalry (as there is in
Afghanistan). In Bosnia, all fight under one state, under one rule, that of
the Bosnian Army and its general command. The sole supreme commander of
chief is Dr. Ali Izzet (Begovic). He is also the president of the state.
There is no need for disputes as those of the type in Afghanistan. All
grace be to Allah, alhamdulillah.
CAUSES FOR RIVALRY IN AFGHANISTAN
Q. Based on your connections and past participation in the Jihad in
Afghanistan, what are the causes - in your view - for the rivalry that is
going on there. How can Muslims elsewhere take lessons from the events on
the Afghan battlefield.
A. (Of course), I have already answered this question. At least most of
it. What we can learn from the Afghan experiment is that we should not
allow parties to mushroom in one region. We should make people aware. We
should educate people and remind them of Islam. We should show them how
the Sahaba, the first disciples of the Prophet of Islam, may Allah be
pleased with them, performed Jihad. Theirs was the true Jihad, the one
that increases belief (Iman) and fear of the Almighty (Taqwa). This will
not give chances for Satan to enter the hearts and create dissensions by
highlighting the work of one party and dismissing the effort of another.
JIHAD IN KASHMIR
Q. We heard that you have strong connections in Kashmir. What is the latest
from that battle front?
A. Jihad in Kashmir is still going on. It is healthy - alhamdulillah. Our
Kashmiri brothers have achieved a lot. Some of our Mujahideen brethren,
whether Arab or (Ajam non-Arab), such as the Pakistanis and our brethren from
South-East Asia, have also helped. Their actions have been very successful,
especially in the lands under Indian government control. Mujahideen execute
hit-and-run operations. However there is a lack of support by Islamic
governments and a lack of media coverage by Islamic outlets, on the level
of atrocity and destruction by the non-believers in those lands: From
killings to bulldozing to the burning of Muslims, sometimes alive, in
public squares. Action is slow. There is also a lack of trained Jihadist
cadres to stand to this dire situation. We ask Allah to give them and us
success.
THE FUTURE OF JIHAD IN BOSNIA
Q. How do you perceive the future of Jihad in Bosnia, based on what has
happened in the past and what is going on now? What are the best and worst
case scenarios there?
A. Of course, knowledge of the future is with Allah. As to what we foresee
based on our expertise and participation, in the past and now, I see that
the future is for Jihad. Yes, Jihad in Bosnia should continue. This is
because Westerners do not want Jihad to find a launching-board. We say to
them what Allah said in His holy book, "If you champion Allah, Allah shall
assuredly champion you and ground you feet." And He said, "It is our
prerogative to champion the believers."
We have to strengthen our belief and the belief of our brethren the
Bosnians by all means: through training, through education, through
awareness programs and other means.
Now as to the best and worst case scenarios that things might turn out to:
The best is the establishment of a state for the Muslims by any means and
under any rule (religious or secular). When we went there, we did not go to
train state employees and create cadres for it. We went to defend and
champion our Muslim Brethren. The worst scenario is to have a mixed state
or a mixed parliament or a mixed government between the Muslims and
Christians as the case that happened in some Arab countries of having a
Muslim president and a Christian vice-president or the opposite (Editor's
note: the only such state in the Arab world is Lebanon).
WHAT ABOUT THE BOSNIAN PEOPLE?
Q. Based on your participation and long stay in Bosnia, how do you perceive
the Bosnian Muslim people? What about their government? Do you think that
the Christian onslaught has strengthened their attachment to their
religion?
A. Concerning the Bosnian people, and this is not my view, but what our
Muslim Brethren themselves say: They say that this is not a crisis (Azmah),
but a blessing (Rahmah). 'If it were not for this, we would not have known
Allah, glorious be He. We would not have known the road to the Mosque. Our
men, women and children were loose morally and in their appearance, one
could not distinguish the Muslim from the Christian. Muslim women were
dressed, but were really exposed (Kasiyat-Ariyat). But now alhamdulillah,
all grace be to Allah, our Mosques are full. Our women are wearing the
complete Hijab' (Editor's note: commonly known as Niqab whereby women cover
the body and face, as in Saudi Arabia and some Arab and Muslim countries).
That is, they cover their faces completely. They are proud when they
parade in the market-place or bazaar in it. The complete Hijab is
something natural now. This, alhamdulillah, is due to Da`wa that our
youth, the freelance Mujahideen, do in their spare time.
In general, commitment to religious doctrine and the return to Allah is
fast in the midst of these Bosnians.
Now as to your question about the (Bosnian) government, I say: After my
meeting with president Ali Izzet (Begovic) in the past, and according to
what we hear and gather, the members of his government perform the five
(obligatory) prayers. We, in general, do not expect them to be like the
Sahaba, may Allah be pleased with them. These (Bosnian) people lived and
knew nothing of the Deen (system and religion) and creed of Islam, except
the name.
Qur'an and religious studies were absent during the communist days (of
General Tito).
The Christian onslaught strengthened their attachment to their religious
values. This is what they say: 'Our return to the Deen was caused by this
onslaught.'
PEACE WITH THE CROATS
Q. What is the truth to reported peace with the Croats? How do you perceive
the stands of America (US), Europe, Russia and the UN on the fighting in
Bosnia?
A. We must seek the reasons and truth to this truce with the Croats. Once
the Muslims made advances on the battlefield and got territory back from
the Croats, they (Croats) latter betrayed the trust and joined with the
Serbs to stab the Muslims in the back. Allah glorious be He, made it that
the Muslims defeated the ambitions of the Croats. (Bosnian) Muslim Army
forces backed by Kateebat al-Mujahideen were able to establish themselves
in several Croat cities and villages. They were also able to siege other
(localities) for extended periods. This lead Europe and America to rethink
and assess this force which had established itself in Central Bosnia.
This, of course, with the fact that all the roads were closed plus the
imposition of sanctions. They realized that a truce between Croats and
Muslims was necessary. They created a new formula and started to think of
a "confederal" structure and union that will link Croats, Serbs and
Muslims. They were successful in brokering a partial agreement between the
Muslims and the Croats; this with the full backing of Europe, America,
Russia and the UN. Muslims accepted the agreement with bitterness and
compulsion. Lots of factors were involved: Harsh economic conditions with
(for example) the price of 1 kg of sugar running at US$ 40 and a liter of
Diesel at US$ 30! The agreement will be effective for one year. This will
give time to the Muslims to weigh its positive and negative aspects.
Concerning (your inquiry) on the military options for American, European,
Russian or UN forces (and their positioning on Bosnian soil). This runs
counter to the Muslim interest. They aim to put a hindrance for Muslim
advancement. These forces used the bombing of the Sarajevo central market,
when a bomb fell in the heart of the Sarajevo Bazaar, as a means to curtail
the Muslims. They declared Sarajevo a "safe heaven" and said that it would
come under the control of the UN forces and ordered the Serbs to remove
their heavy weapons from the center of Sarajevo to about 20 km off the
city-limits. They demanded that Muslims deliver their heavy weaponry (to
the UN). What happened is that the Serbs moved from Sarajevo to other
cities and the same masquerade was played again. NATO and UN forces opened
the roads for them to enter Gorazde, Bihac and other regions. When the
Muslims tried to defend Gorazde (from falling), they were held back by UN
forces. In general, what is happening is in accordance with what Allah
said in his holy book, "Christians and Jews will not be satisfied with you
until you follow their ways."
MATERIAL SUPPORT
Q. A lot of noise and rambling is made when one talks of material support.
Whether it is officially given by different governments or that offered by
different philanthropic Islamic institutions. People question whether such
money reaches the Mujahideen or those who need it most. Can you shed some
light on this issue? What is the best way, in your view, to send help to
fighters there?
A. Yes, dear brother! Many Muslim states collected material help, aired
what is happening in Bosnia, created relief agencies in all Arab and Muslim
lands. But did these agencies deliver this money or send it to fighters?
I can assure you that no Muslim or Arab state delivered money or food for
Mujahideen. Where did this money go? What is delivered to the Bosnian
government directly? Did these agencies open their own refugee camps and
offer food services for the needy in different regions? This, I can
neither confirm nor deny.
As for Mujahideen, it is a pity that no Muslim state wants to help or even
deal with them. They are fought by these states and are considered
terrorists. This is what they say. (Official) heads of relief agencies say
that they do not want to deal with Mujahideen because they are terrorists.
"All power and glory are to Allah" (for such accusations)!
Does any help reach us? Yes, from individuals. Our good brothers collect
donations for us and bring them directly to us. We use these donations to
buy food and clothing. May Allah reward them the best, Jazakum Allah
Khayran. The best way to send donations - in my view - is for Islamic
centers to deliver them directly, in the person of their Iman or Mosque
official. He collects these donations and sends them personally to the
Mujahideen (as a religious duty). Donations trough relief agencies or
governments do not necessarily make it to Mujahideen, even if they are
collected in their name (as is done in some countries).
A FINAL WORD
Q. Do you have a final issue you would like to address?
A. May Allah reward you the best. And this is not a final word, but a
request and announcement. (I would like to say) that the number of
Mujahideen in Bosnia is small. A very small number of brethren came from
Muslim countries and despite their Islamic commitment, they have little
religious knowledge to do Da`wa in the midst of these brothers and sisters.
We need - and this is unfortunate - Ulema, scholars of Islam, in Bosnia.
Believe me dear brother, until now, two years since we established our base
there, there isn't a single scholar in our midst for us to seek his
religious judgment. For the small number of youth that make it here, we
ask them do Da`wa, and they reply, "We came seeking martyrdom. We did not
come to sit in Mosques and public squares to teach people and educate them.
We want the word of Allah to be supreme and the word of the dis-believers
to be low and despised. All we wish for is a bullet that hits our chests
through which we reach Shahada (the state of witness and martyrdom)." The
other issue I would like to address is the question of material support.
Again, I say that collections made in the name of Mujahideen, through
official means, I have no knowledge of. You should consult with such
institutions and agencies as to where the money goes. (Again) many relief
agencies do not like to deal with the Mujahideen. They are afraid of
"helping and assisting terrorists" as the saying goes.
Finally, I ask Allah to make you and I successful (in this world and the
hereafter). I ask Him to help the workers and those who support this
newsletter to perform their religious duty of Da`wa, to publicize
Mujahideen news and Jihad, not just in Bosnia, but also in Kashmir,
Tajikistan, Philippines and Armenia. Again thank you for your interest. Our
final prayer, alhamdulillah, all grace to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
END OF TRANSLATION