In the aftermath of the October 9 Taliban attack on Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai, a document was issued jointly by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Harkat-e-Islami Uzbekistan (the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, or IMU), the two leading terror organizations based in the Pakistani tribal region. The document, typed in Urdu and produced in a PDF format, was emailed to journalists in Pakistan. A similar document was recently released by Ustad Ahmad Farooq, head of Al-Qaeda's Dawah and Media Department for Pakistan, questioning the favorable public opinion of Malala.
Justifying the attack on Malala Yousafzai, the joint TTP-IMU document cites Prophet Muhammad's orders in his time for killing women and Jews. Noting that in the modern era the media does more harm than a sword can, the document argues that Malala was using the media to further the Western agenda against Islam. It also cites Islamic shari'a injunctions to argue that Malala is over 15 years of age and is therefore an adult, who must be held responsible for her actions.
Malala and her two school friends, Shazia and Kainat, were shot by a Taliban militant who has been identified as Ataullah, who was previously jailed in Pakistan but later released by a court. According to a Pakistani media report, two relatives of Ataullah have meanwhile been detained by Pakistani officials.[1]
Following is the text of the TTP-IMU document:
"The Present War Underway In The World Is A War Between Two Faiths And Struggle Between Two Religions"; "This Is The War Of Two Faiths, A War Between Islam And Kufr [Unbelief]"
"Clash Of Faiths
"The present war underway in the world is a war between two faiths and a struggle between two religions. A war is continuing around the world presently between religiosity and irreligiousness. One says put on clothes; the other says don't [do that], remain naked, it is your right. One says maintain the veil; the other says no, don't violate women's rights. One says don't do sinful [sexual] things [because] this would destroy the race; the other says it is not so, it is your fundamental right, do whatever you want to do.
"One says acquire education; the other says no, in the name of education and art, do immoral acts and indulge in dancing and singing, obscenity, music and jumping. One says be steadfast to your religion; the other says no, keep religion and the world separated and keep mullahs away from government.
"One says give respect to the elders; the other says no, insult revered persons and, god forbid, commit blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, because this is the era of freedom [of expression] and everyone has a right to exercise his/her opinion. One says give education to girls [and] take care of their veils; the other says no, appear on TV and give interviews to unknown males [the males with whom marriage is permissible] also. One says protect women; the other says no, instead mock those Taliban and Mujahideen too who stop Muslim girls from obscenity, immorality and Western civilization. In short, it is a war of two faiths.
"Now we come towards the real issue, and that is 'Malala'; and behind her cover the infidels and their agents are spiting venom against the Taliban continuously day and night. We would like to say something on this issue which is being raised by the pro-West people: Malala is a doll [puppet] in their hands.
"We would analyze the question one by one which is being raised in the media, but they are not giving any chance ever [to us] as so many things are being said against you [us] after all; what is your opinion on that? This is the time of freedom of expression! And in this, the Taliban are not given an opportunity to put their stand anywhere, anytime. Sometimes, their statements are broadcast but after cutting them, and then so many ignorant critics are given the opportunity to speak on it that the real issue gets lost."
"Malala Is 15 Years And Four Months Old"; "[As Per Sharia] A Girl Is Considered Adult At The Age If 15 Even If Other Signs Of Adulthood Like Menstruation, Etc., Are Not There, And An Adult Person… Is Considered Responsible For His/Her Words And Deeds"
"Let's consider it:
"First thing: was Malala a young girl?
"Malala is 15 years and four months old, according to her birth date July 17, 1997. I don't know in which language this [adult] girl is being called a young girl.
"Since we talk about shari'a, that is why we would like to say that a girl is considered adult at the age of 15 even if other signs of adulthood like menstruation, etc., are not there, and an adult person, be it male or female, is considered responsible for his/her words and deeds."
"The Prophet Of Allah [Muhammad] Gave The Order To Kill Many Women"; "Prophet Muhammad Ordered To Kill Two [Female] Slaves Of Ibn-e-Khatal Who Used To Commit Blasphemy Against Prophet Muhammad And Muslims"
"Second thing: Whether killing of women is permissible in shari'a?
"Yes, of course! It is permissible to kill a culprit woman. The Prophet of Allah [Muhammad] gave the order to kill many women.
"1. At the time of the conquest of Mecca, Prophet Muhammad ordered to kill two slaves of Ibn-e-Khatal who used to commit blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad and Muslims, and used to instigate passion in infidels.
"Some points are to be noted here. i) They were women. ii) They were slaves and they were not independent, and they did what they were told to do. iii) These women were in the Haram [Holy Mosque in Mecca], where shedding of blood is not permissible. iv) An announcement of general forgiveness was made but they [these two female slaves] were not forgiven. Even Hinda, who had chewed the heart of Hazrat Hamza [uncle of Prophet Muhammad], was forgiven. This proves that a verbal war is more dangerous than a war waged by the sword. Those who fought with swords were forgiven, but those who committed blasphemy and incitement against Muslims were not forgiven. The wounds of a spear get healed but the wounds inflicted by words don't heal."
"When A Blind Companion [Of Prophet Muhammad] Killed His Insolent Wife, Prophet Muhammad … Declared The Killing As Permissible"; "Prophet Muhammad Had Termed The Killing Of The Jewish Woman By A Companion [Of The Prophet] By Strangling Her As Permissible"
"Jahil Online [literally: ignorant online, a slap at Pakistani television program Alim Online (Scholar Online) hosted by] Amir Liaquat should rectify his studies [of Islam], who declared the Mujahideen as Khwarij [a sect considered outside of Islam] by ignoring these important incidents at the time of the Mecca conquest.
"2. Hazrat Ibn Abbas narrates that when a blind companion [of Prophet Muhammad] killed his insolent wife, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared the killing as permissible.
"3. Hazrat Ali [the fourth caliph of Islam and son-in-law of the Prophet] narrates that Prophet Muhammad had termed the killing of the Jewish woman by a companion [of the Prophet] by strangling her as permissible because she used to abuse Prophet Muhammad.
"4. A Ghamdi [tribe] woman was stoned to death by His [the Prophet's] order.
"Besides that, it is known that a culprit woman is given capital punishment in retaliation. Our aim here is to make it clear that this notion is wrong that killing of women is not permissible while she keeps doing anything. Instead, shari'a is for all, and there is rule for all in shari'a.
"Third thing: What does the Pakhtun [Pashtun] culture say about it?
"This is very simple, though it is not permissible in shari'a; and since it is being said in the media that this is against the Pakhtun tradition too, we would like to say that according to the Pakhtun tradition a boy and a girl are both killed on mere suspicion [of having an illicit relationship]. Malala used to give interviews against shari'a and in favor of Western education, and that too in full make up [using cosmetics].
"She used to participate in the mixed [male and female] gatherings as the spearhead. It would be intolerable for the bashful Pakhtun even for a moment. It should be noted that we are not for Pakhtunism; we believe in shari'a and the traditions that are in accordance with the shari'a; or those that are not contradictory to it, we appreciate them, whether it may belong to any nation or people. We don't consider killing people on mere suspicion valid."
"Was Malala A Culprit?"; "Our Aim Is To Make It Clear: My Child Malala, How Come Obama Became Your 'Ideal,' Who Is Killing Muslims All Around The World?"
"Fourth thing: Was Malala a culprit?
"Yes, she is a culprit. She was exceeding her boundaries; her diaries which were written or got written [by the BBC Urdu Online] under the pseudonym of Gul Makai are based on false and petty allegations [against the Taliban when they were enforcing shari'a rule in Pakistan's Swat region in early 2009].
"To a great extent, this diary has been pivotal in preparing an atmosphere against the Taliban throughout the world. The things did not stop there only; her statements with every passing day against the Taliban and in favor of the Lord Macaulay's education system [introduced by the British colonial rulers and mostly prevalent in government schools of Pakistan and India] kept adding to her crime. That is why the infidels who abuse our prophet keep awarding her!
"This 'innocent girl' calls [U.S. President] Obama as her ideal and says that 'the black Satan' has brought peace in this world. We would like to say to Malala supporters that the Obama for whom Malala has expressed her love openly has shed the blood of so many Malalas in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Waziristan and has cut them into pieces. We don't want to say this here, that if the Americans are killing innocent people, we would also kill. Our aim is to make it clear: my child Malala, how come Obama became your 'ideal,' who is killing Muslims all around the world? And it is a rule that an enemy's friend is also an enemy, and especially the one [like Malala] who adds salt to our wounds. If Malala is a child she should live her childhood. Making statement against the Taliban, shari'a, and the Islamic system is not work to be done by children!"
"In The Current Era… The 'Media' Has Taken The Shape Of A Dangerous Weapon"; "Language Is Used In Media And Its Wounds Are More Fatal Than The Wounds Of Spears"; "Malala Was Fighting Against The Taliban With Words And Pen"
"Fifth thing: Was Malala an unarmed girl/child?
"There is no need to reply to this question in the current era, as the 'media' has taken the shape of a dangerous weapon. Language is used in media and its wounds are more fatal than the wounds of spears. The pen is used, whose blade is sharper than a sword. Those who say that she was barehanded and unarmed are trying to hoodwink the people. Malala was fighting against the Taliban with words and pen. It should be noted that wars are fought in three ways:
"Firstly: by hands.
"Secondly: through tongue (the nib of a pen is also included in it).
"Thirdly: with wealth.
"Malala was harming Islam and Muslims through her tongue and pen and she has been, by the Grace of Allah, punished for that."
"When A Jew, Kaab Bin Ashraf, Was Killed [For Writing Poems Against Muslim Women], Jews Came To Prophet Muhammad Protesting"; "The Prophet Of Allah Said: 'Kaab Bin Ashraf Had Spoken Against Us… And If Anyone Among You [Muslims] Did The Same Thing, Then The Sword Would Make A Decision Between Us'"
"When a Jew, Kaab bin Ashraf, was killed, Jews came to Prophet Muhammad protesting and, they said three things.
"1. We had an agreement between us.
"2. Kaab bin Ashraf did not come against you in the battlefield.
"3. You have killed him by 'Gheela' [trickery] i.e. by deception.
"Then the Prophet of Allah said: 'Kaab bin Ashraf had spoken against us. Had he kept silent like other people of his thinking then we would not have said anything [to him], and if anyone among you did the same thing, then the sword would make a decision between us.'
"Kaab bin Ashraf had not committed blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad; instead he used to write poems about Muslim women to defame them.
"Malala kept speaking nonsense about religion, jihad, and Islamic tradition and culture, and kept proving the Taliban as dreaded beasts ... A Christian NGO nominated her for an award for her services to the infidels. Malala is the flag-bearer of Western education, and we have come out to stop the way of Western education system. As democracy is a hindrance in the way of the Islamic system, the Western education system is also a thorn in the way of Islamic shari'a.
"When Malala came into prominence as the flag-bearer of that [Western] system, she had openly declared that she was a liberal... she was also the propagator of that liberalism. We want to say that whosoever would lead in creating hindrances in the way of an Islamic system, he/she would be eliminated, Allah willing, no matter how much there be opposition, criticism, and objections."
"Boys Of 15-17 Years Of Age Were Shot Dead [In Captivity By Pakistani Army Soldiers] In Swat By Making Them Stand In A Row"; "Where Were The Media People, Hired Maulvis [Clerics], And Intellectual Journalists At That Time?"
"[Note: the writer of the document shifts into first person here] Now I would like to ask as to where was the media... at the time when Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai (may Allah bless him), who belonged to that very Swat and who taught Hadith [sayings and deeds of Prophet Muhammad] at Jamia Binoria Town Karachi, an embodiment of good ethics... was martyred? He was also [like Malala] bare-hand [unarmed]... Why were Mufti Atiqur Rahman, Maulana Mohammad Aslam Sheikhupuri (who was a disabled man), and Sheikh Naseeb Khan martyred? They were also unarmed. Where were these animals, goons, and Satans of the media at that time?
"Boys of 15-17 years of age were shot dead [in captivity by Pakistani Army soldiers] in Swat by making them stand in a row and by asking them to recite Kalima [the words that are also recited before death, that 'there is no God but Allah is and Muhammad is His Prophet']. Where were the media people, hired maulvis [clerics], and intellectual journalists at that time?
"Thousands of Malalas were burnt alive in phosphorus bombs at Lal Masjid [during the 2007 military operation by Pakistan Army in Red Mosque of Islamabad]; they were also unarmed; they were also students; there were girl-children breast-feeding too. They were cut off from gas, water, and electricity, and bombs were dropped on them. Why was there no 'prayer day' observed at that time? The wife of Umar Patak [Indonesian militant captured and handed to Indonesia by Pakistan] was paraded naked in the streets of Abbottabad. Why was this evil media silent then?
"Amal, the wife of Hazrat Sheikh Osama bin Laden, benefactor of the Ummah, was shot at; she was also a woman. Why did the lips of media remain stitched shut at that time? Why is it that no voice is raised regarding the shamefulness and cuckoldry of Pakistani leaders on Aafia Siddiqi, the Ummah's daughter and honor of Pakistan [who is jailed in the U.S. for trying to kill American soldiers in Afghanistan]? Why does the media get dumb on the sale of this bashful daughter of the nation at the hands of the Americans?"
"When You Are Reading These Lines, The Daughter Of The Nation [Aafia Siddiqui] Is Being Searched Totally Naked Because It Is The American Rule To Do Routine Naked Searches Of The [Jailed] People Alleged In The Crime Of Terrorism"; Why Is The Media Silent…?"
"At this time when you are reading these lines, the daughter of the nation [Aafia Siddiqui] is being searched totally naked because it is the American rule to do routine naked searches of the people alleged in the crime of terrorism. Why is the media silent on these things? Why were the media silent when the innocent sisters of Chechnya, including a pregnant woman, were being shot at? On July 5, 2005, when six women and 13 children below ten years of age were martyred at Miranshah [the main town in North Waziristan] in the firing of the defiled army, why did the Satan media close its eyes? The whole infidel world, the media, sold out maulvis, and foolish Muslims who learn their religion through media are shouting about Malala being injured.
"Even Obama and [UN Secretary General] Ban Ki-moon have expressed sympathy. But why were all these not done for the thousands of martyred Malalas of Lal Masjid? Then people listen to it. This could not happen [for them] because they used to recite the Book of Allah [Koran], they read the Hadith [sayings] of Prophet Muhammad…; they used to observe the veil; they used to give the slogan of shari'a and martyrdom; they were against obscenity, while today's so-called Muslims, hired maulvis, and media are the flag bearers of 'progress.' There is no status of Koran and no respect for shari'a in this progress.
"There is no respect for chadar [veil] and chardiwari [boundary/wall behind which women are supposed to spend their lives] in this progress, but girls enjoy the status of a 'show piece' in offices, markets, and for wealthy people. Their work is to 'please' other males and show their 'art' on the screen. O people! This is a war between two faiths about which God has declared: Truth has come and falsehood has vanished [Koran].
"Since it is a war between two faiths, that is why [George W.] Bush had praised eunuch Pervez [Musharraf, the military ruler of Pakistan] on the martyrdom of thousands of Malalas [in the 2007 military operation]; whereas today the killer of thousands of boys and girls, Obama, is expressing sympathy to Malala. Because this is a war between two faiths, that is why the infidel-funded media is taking full advantage of the Malala incident and those journalists, who if asked to recite Darood [peace on Prophet Muhammad]… are busy issuing fatwa [decrees] against the Taliban. And when we get busy in killing them, they start shouting that unarmed people are being killed!
"This is a general declaration for intelligent people
"Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan
"Harkat-e-Islami Uzbekistan
"28 Zeeqadah [11th month of Islamic calendar], 1433 Hijri. [October 16, 2012]"
Endnote:
[1] The News (Pakistan), October 18, 2012.
