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On January 6, 2025, the pro-Al-Qaeda Risalat Mujahid [Message of a Mujahid] media group published a five-page essay titled "Advice and Guidance to the Members of the Jihadi Movement in Our Blessed Syria."[1]
The essay opens with a lengthy quote from slain Al-Qaeda ideologue 'Atiyatallah Al-Libi, who urged his fellow mujahideen to "take the means [leading to] guidance," detailing deeds such as fearing Allah, acting justly, piously, and humbly, and praying often.
It then declares: "This Divine conquest which deposed the rule of the Nusayri [a pejorative term for the Alawite sect] regime is a great blessing which Allah has allowed to successfully carry out," urging the mujahideen in Syria to thank Allah for their victory and to "adhere and act according to the means [leading to] victory and empowerment." Declaring Syria "an important center for Muslims" and a "blessed" land, the writer urges Muslims to devote attention to it and make efforts to protect it, calling on those following "the path of da'wah [preaching] and jihad" to "prepare themselves for … worship[ful acts] of da'wah and jihad." Asserting that the country is currently the "center of attention for the world, particularly the nations of unbelief and apostasy," the essay claims the latter have "employed their intelligence agencies and studies to plot against the people of da'wah and jihad in Syria and to divert people from their religion and belief," urging the mujahideen to remain steadfast against "the enemies' plots."
Asserting that Assad's "Nusayri regime" spent decades corrupting Syrians and distancing them from Islam, the essay declares that many of the Muslims in the newly "liberated areas" need "someone to take them by the hand [and lead them] to goodness, knowledge, and awareness," and "relate to them some of the history of the Syrian jihad against the Nusayri regime, and explain to them the shari'a status of that jihad and its goals and aims." It urges the mujahideen to dedicate time to religious studies and understanding jihadi ideology, advising them to "designate a group of books and speeches of the jihadi movement to read among themselves in groups … in the mosques, [religious] institutes, and other places."
Cautioning that many "preachers of the schools of dilution"[2] are arriving in Syria and being giving free reign to spread their ideas, the essay calls to combat them, explaining: "We do not mean to clash with them, but to debate them and respond to their mistakes and warn the masses of the awakened youth against their path and methodology and against studying from them." The writer argues that because Syria is a "good, blessed land," "the prevailing methodology in it should be that of da'wah and jihad," while other "conflicting or deviant methodologies" must be rejected. It urges the mujahideen to focus on "the youth at large" by preaching to them, "linking them to the mosques" and organizing lectures for them, encouraging them to "adhere in word and deed to the path of da'wah and jihad." In addition, it calls to "acquaint the people with some of the history of the jihadi movement in the ummah [Islamic nation] and … organize gatherings for the youth and the masses where some of the publications of the blessed jihadi movement are displayed."
The essay again quotes 'Atiyatallah Al-Libi, who praised foreign fighters for their influence on the people of the country where they wage jihad: "Know, my brothers, that the muhajireen[3] who come from various countries for jihad have a great effect, immense significance, and great benefit for jihad … When the people of the country see these muhajireen who mobilized to defend them and wage jihad with them, … that will affect them greatly and … sharpen their resolve and make them compete with and emulate them." 'Atiyatallah Al-Libi added that for every foreign fighter waging jihad, there are "tens, or hundreds, or more" locals who come into contact with him, help him, and may even marry their daughters to muhajireen, enabling them to influence a large number of people in the country where they fight. "If he is martyred among them, that is the greatest influence." The jihadi ideologue explained that foreign fighters help link locals to Muslims in other countries and make them feel the unity of the ummah, as well as bringing new skills and experience from their home countries, causing "cross-fertilization of ideas and cultures and a good intermixing." He declared: "The benefit the muhajireen brothers bring to any jihad is great; through them Allah supports the jihad so that it becomes stronger, more powerful, and firmer to [withstand] trials and defy plots and machinations."
The article also quotes another slain Al-Qaeda ideologue, Abu Yahya Al-Libi, who praised the "hidden soldiers" of jihad – media operatives – and encouraged them to act sincerely for the sake of Allah.
Concluding: "This is the advice and guidance we have been able to collect, praise and thanks to Allah," the essay is dated January 1, 2025.
On December 23, 2024, Risalat Mujahid published an essay by Sami Al-'Uraydi, head of Al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate Hurras Al-Din, celebrating the fall of the Assad regime and urging the mujahideen to continue to act in a way that pleases Allah in order to be worthy of further victory.[4]
[1] Telegram, January 6, 2025.
[2] A pejorative term used by jihadis for moderates whom they believe have watered down their jihadi principles.
[3] In Islamic history, the term muhajireen (literally "immigrants") refers to the Prophet Muhammad's followers who fled with him from Mecca to Medina, in contrast to the ansar (literally "supporters"), the local population of Medina, who welcomed Muhammad and his followers. Modern jihadi groups often use the term muhajireen to refer to foreign fighters and ansar to local mujahideen.
[4] See MEMRI JTTM Report: Leader Of Al-Qaeda's Syrian Affiliate Credits Decades Of Jihad With Toppling Assad Regime, Urges Mujahideen To Act In Way That Pleases Allah, December 24, 2024.
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