On June 2, 2011, the jihadi forum Al-Tahadi published an essay by Salafi-jihadi cleric Abu 'Uzair Al-Jazairi (the Algerian), who resides in Aarhus, Denmark, titled "The Killing of Great Leaders – A Harbinger of Conquest and Destruction in the Lands of the Infidels."[1] The essay, written in rhymed prose, aims to console the Muslims over Osama bin Laden's killing by assuring them that it heralds the imminent destruction of the infidel West and its conquest by the Muslim ummah.
Al-Jaza'iri, who identifies himself as Abu 'Uzair 'Abd Al-Ilah Youssef Al-Youbi Al-Husni Al-Jazairi, has in recent months gained some prominence in Salafi-jihadi circles. On April 11, 2011, the Salafi-jihadi website Minbar Al-Tawhid Wal-Jihad announced that he has joined its shari'a committee, and the jihadi forum Al-Tahadi has established a discussion board on his writings.
Following is an overview of the essay:[2]
Only War Can Settle the Score with the Infidels
In the introduction to the essay, Abu 'Uzair states that humanity is engaged in an eternal, fateful battle between "the supporters of the merciful One," i.e., the Muslims, and "the supporters of the devil," i.e., the infidels. The latter, he explains, are constantly trying to sway Muslims from their faith, and will only be deterred by force. The first part of the essay elaborates on this eternal struggle. Abu 'Uzair stresses that it will only be decided through military confrontation, and whoever claims otherwise is lying: "By the Lord of the Ka'ba, whoever wishes to deceive by [proposing to resolve the conflict through] dialogue, or tries to cover it up with neighborly relations or reconciliation and friendship – is lying." He adds that, out of their arrogance and hatred of the Muslims, the infidels are always trying to separate the Muslims from their faith, which is the aim of all their crimes against the Muslims, from colonialism to the current NATO campaign in Afghanistan and the war on terror.
Abu 'Uzair asserts that the secularism of the Western world is a mere pretense, because the West is actually driven by deep Christian beliefs and Crusader ambitions, and its techniques have remained unchanged throughout the ages. As evidence of this, he cites verses from the Koran, comparing them to current events. For example, he quotes a verse in which Pharaoh accuses Moussa (Moses) of "spreading corruption in the land." He explains that the same accusation is being leveled today against Al-Qaeda: "Observe how this insolent infidel [i.e., Pharaoh]... accuses Allah's prophet Moussa of [spreading] corruption in the land. This is the very same description that is now being applied to the group that is fighting the hostile alliance [i.e., NATO], the slaves of the Cross, and the Jews, and also to its senior leaders, especially to the heroic lion Osama [bin Laden], may Allah have mercy on him... and to the other members of the elite, the loyal martyrs who have passed away and did not change [their faith]... [Bin Laden's death] was the reason for my writing these words. I do not wish for [this essay] to be a eulogy, but rather an [expression] of loyalty. [I also wish to] explain the nature of the conflict that is raging in all the lands, as well as the momentous message concealed in the death of great men, and the affect [of their death] on the believers and the infidels."
Abu 'Uzair emphasizes that, though the infidels are fighting Islam, they will be defeated in this world and are destined to suffer great torments in the next. The rest of the essay's first part is dedicated to a polemical argument against Muslim scholars in the religious establishment who defend the war on terror, calling them "apostates loyal [to the secular regimes]," "Rafidites" (i.e., Shi'ites), "groveling Sufis," etc.
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Death in Battle Is the Privilege Granted to the Best of Men
In the second part of the essay, Abu 'Uzair presents his main argument, namely that bin Laden's death – like that of many leaders and prominent figures throughout Islamic history – heralds great victories for Islam. First, he again emphasizes that humanity is divided into believers and infidels: "When Allah decided to divide [humanity], He did so in the following manner: '[One] party shall be in paradise and another party in hellfire' [Koran 42:7]. [God made] the two groups different in order to ensure a clear distinction between them, so that good may be spread, so people can tread [the earth safely], so lands can be cultivated, and so the believers may be reassured. Otherwise, deceit would grow, calamity would swiftly come, good would be fought, and vice would be promoted. Therefore, there is no choice but to wage war, so that the believers may live and the heads of the infidels may be cut off and so they meet [their] calamitous fate...
Abu 'Uzair then stresses that for martyrs, death is not a defeat but a victory, and quotes a verse describing God's imminent annihilation of the infidels: "Allah said: 'How many of the prophets fought [for the sake of Allah] and with them fought large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart if they met disaster in Allah's way, nor did they weaken in will nor give in. And Allah loves those who are firm and steadfast. All that they said was: Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and anything we may have done that transgressed our duty: Establish our feet firmly, and give us victory over the unbelievers. Therefore Allah gave them a reward in this world, and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. For Allah Loves the righteous' [Koran 3:146-148]. 'And that he may test the faithful and annihilate the infidels' [Koran 3:141].
"Whoever studies this verse... knows that death along the way and the splitting of the body with catapults is not a sign of defeat, as the people of unbelief and enmity believe, but rather a [sign of] vigor, mobilization, and striving for purification – as evident from Allah's words: 'They never lost heart if they met disaster in Allah's way, nor did they weaken in will nor give in.' He who dies [as a martyr] sits by Allah's side, so he may worship only God. He is by no means defeated. Rather, he is content in his death, thanks to the fate that Allah Himself promised to award this sublime sect [i.e., the mujahideen] in saying:... 'We have already given our word to Our slaves the prophets, that they will be the victorious ones. Our forces – surely they will conquer' [Koran 37:171-173]. In most cases, 'to conquer' in the Koran means to conquer with the sword and the spear..."
Abu 'Uzair then explains that death on the battlefield is a privilege of the very best of men: "This fate befell the prophets who were commanded to [wage] jihad... This reward is promised to the prophets and their followers, until the day comes for their souls to be taken. As Allah said: 'Allah hath bought from the believers their souls and their properties because paradise will be theirs: they shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is binding on Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Koran: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: for that is the supreme triumph' [Koran 9:111]... In saying, 'They... shall be slain,' [Allah] teaches us that [their death] will pain us, [and that it will be primarily] the leaders and the devout [who are slain]... There is no escape from this. The Lord referred to the death of the great leaders as a blow: 'If you have suffered a blow, so did the enemy. We alternate these vicissitudes among mankind so that Allah may know the true believers and choose martyrs from among you.' [Koran 3:140]. This was said of the death of Hamza bin 'Abd Al-Muttalab, [who died] with seventy others in the Battle of Uhud. Had this not been a severe blow, the Prophet would not have felt such deep sorrow. The purpose of this painful, dreadful blow is [explained in the same verse]: 'And so he may take witnesses [i.e., martyrs] from among your ranks.' Pay heed, O believer, to the words 'from among your ranks.' You will find that the best of men [i.e., those who will be martyred] are an exclusive and designated group. Not everyone who fights will be killed. But those who are destined to be killed – to be martyred – must be celebrated for the status they have [achieved] when they are killed, thanks to divine predestination..."
The Infidels Will Soon Regret Killing Bin Laden
Abu 'Uzair goes on to list cases from Islamic history in which the death of great men heralded new conquests by the Muslims and the fall of infidel countries to the Muslim armies: "Upon the death of Hamza bin 'Abd Al-Muttalib, the greatest of martyrs, humiliation befell the infidels of [the] Quraysh [tribe]. Their lands were conquered and became dar al-Islam [the Abode of Islam] for as long as the world exists – and the Arabs began converting to Islam in their multitudes.
"After the death of the Prophet, the apostates were eradicated, the head of [the Persian emperor] Khosrau was cut off, and there will be no more Khosrau until the Day of Resurrection. Allah humiliated the Persians, who were a people of strength and iron, but the whip of Islam struck them and their lands were conquered. This happens, inevitably, after the death of every great [Muslim] leader..."
Abu Uzair concludes his words of encouragement by calling bin Laden's death a torch to light the path toward action, and says the infidels will regret having killed him and that the day of vengeance is approaching: "The nation of Islam is fertile, and on its head are many blessings. It experiences a reawakening of monotheism and of the war against its rivals every 100 years, receiving divine reinforcement. It is said in the Koran that when a dreadful [event] befalls [the Muslim ummah], it cleaves to [Allah]. The killing of its great leaders is a torch [lighting the path toward] action... [The Muslim ummah] will not accept falsehood, as the Jews and Christians accepted treacherous bida' [forbidden innovations]. They distorted the Holy Book and claim that God begat children. Allah will bring forth someone to refute their ideas and, using proof, put sense into them. [The Muslim ummah] is protected by this proof, and by the sword and the spear. The Muslim ummah will overcome those who attack the Koran, even if it faces increasing disasters.
"Will the evil infidels and the brazen hypocrites... regret killing the heroic lion, the pure Osama bin Laden...? Regarding this, we [repeat] what the righteous scholars have said... They will regret [killing bin Laden] just as their predecessors [regretted their deeds]: 'On that day all mankind shall be assembled. That shall be a fateful day. And We defer it only to a term already reckoned' [Koran 11: 103-104]. This verse speaks of the day of the infidels' calamity, which will inevitably be the day of vengeance for the innocent... And this day is drawing near..."
