New Fatwā from Minbar at-Tawḥīd wa'l-Jihād by Abū Hamām Bakr Bin 'Abd al- 'Azīz al-'Atharī: "How come the Imām Aḥmad Ibn Ḥanbal Did Not Come Out Against the Rulers of His Time?"

NOTE: Aḥmad Ibn Ḥanbal is considered one of the four great Sunni Imām’s. Ḥanbal is the founder of the fourth Sunni legal school (madhhab) and it is considered the most conservative of the four. The Ḥanbalī school is mainly followed in Saudi Arabia.

Abū Hamām Bakr Bin ‘Abd al- ‘Azīz al-‘Atharī- “How come the Imām Aḥmad Ibn Ḥanbal Did Not Come Out Against the Rulers of His Time”
[scribd id=46319206 key=key-1czgrb5b5bt00ybhk5g7 mode=list]

New statement from Qārī' Yūsef Aḥmadī, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan: "Regarding the Rumors of Ceasefire in Sangin District"


For the past two days,  reports have been appearing in some local and international media outlets,  originating from the rumors spread by the enemy that in Sarwan Kalla of Sangin district, Helmand province,  local people along with the Mujahideen have reached a ceasefire with the enemy. They say,  that they have  agreed to avoid attacking the enemy in the area.   The rumors are being  disseminated by Gulab Mangal –  Helmand province  governor who has  been nominated by the Americans—in a time that the jihad activities of the Mujahideen in Sangin district  like operations  of  Mujahideen in other parts of the Helmand province, are in full swing and are continuing unremittingly. Then what would be the motive of the enemy behind such fatuous claims of ceasefire?   In our view, the enemy is weary of  the war  now and facing defeat at the battle field. Therefore, they want to erect an illusive pillar to support its stance and give empty hopes of victory to soldiers who are  now sagging from exhaustion and fatigues.
Time and again, the enemy spread rumors about areas which are inaccessible to media. Previously, the enemy had claimed that Mujahideen had executed a ten years old boy in the same locality of the Sangin district. But subsequent investigation proved the claim to be a mere baseless allegation.  The local leaders of the Islamic Emirate made investigation about this event. They did not come across any incident in Helmand or in the said area to indicate  the Mujahideen or the local people have reached a deal with the enemy. Therefore, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan refutes these baseless claims of the enemy. Those media outlets which have published the report or are publishing it now, commit violation of journalistic code.
The common Afghans and mainstream media outlets should take their precaution  as regards  the enemy’s  propaganda. The enemy now only relies on hypes. It resorts to disseminating some fatuous and unbelievable reports every day and week, so our astute people and the Mujahideen should not allow the enemy to succeed in these schemes.
Qārī’ Yusef Aḥmadī
Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Jihādī Primary Source Material Data Dump, December 23-January 2

NOTE: Below are all of the primary source materials that I did not post while on vacation. All materials are posted by date that they were first released to the various fora. I hope this is helpful to those who were also on vacation during this time period and did not get the opportunity to follow the fora activities.

December 23:


‘Abdullah ‘Azzām Brigades — Statement Number 3 within the series- Identifying the Way of the Offenders
December 24:

al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula releases its Arabic language magazine Ṣadā al-Malāḥim Issue #14


Ḥarakat al-al-Shabāb al-Mujāhīn releases an Arabic and English translation of their statement, which announced an alliance with Ḥizb al-Islām. See here for the original in Somali language.


Anṣār al-Mujāhidīn English Forum in honor of its two year anniversary presents an English translation of  As-Saḥāb’s Ramaḍān Sermons series #1 by Abū Zayd al-Kūwaytī “Ramaḍān Intensive Course”

The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan presents its list of martyrs for the year 1431 H. According to them, fifty-two individuals were killed.
December 25:


al-Furqān Media, which is affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq [al-Qā’idah in Iraq] has released “Risen Alive #3,” which is one of their many martyrology series’

December 26:

Kavkaz Jihād Blog translates into English a jihādī story titled “Fight in the Forest,” which was originally published by Hunafa.
December 28:
Ḥizb al-Islāmī al-Turkistānī [Turkestan Islamic Party] released its martyrology video series  “Lovers of Paradise #5,″ which you can see below. For previous videos see #3 and #4.



Dār al-Jabhah Publications and Distribution and the Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF) released “The Explosives Course” by Shaykh Abū Khabbab al-Miṣrī

Ma’sadat al-Mujāhidīn — Claiming Responsibility for the Attack on the Israeli Train
December 29:


al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula releases its Arabic language magazine Ṣadā al-Malāḥim Issue #15
December 30:

Anṣār al-Mujāhidīn English Forum publishes an English translation of the Global Islamic Media Front’s release by Abū Qandahār al-Zarqāwī “The Blazing Light- In Inciting for Jihād”

New article from member of the Anṣār al-Mujāhidīn English Forum titled “Refute the Unbelievers- Mujāhidīn Fighters, Mercenaries Without Boundaries?”


Abū Muḥmmad al-Maqdisī’s Minbar at-Tawḥīd wa’l-Jihād Sharī’ah Council published a new fatwā by Abū Hamām Bakr Bin ‘Abd al- ‘Azīz al-‘Atharī: “What is the Ruling on Congratulating Christians During New Years?”
December 31:

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan releases In Fight Magazine #24. For previous issues see: #23#22#21; and #20.


Abū Muḥmmad al-Maqdisī’s Minbar at-Tawḥīd wa’l-Jihād Sharī’ah Council published two new fatāwā:

January 1:

Statement from Ḥarakat al-al-Shabāb al-Mujāhīn on Opening the Door of Communication with al-Katāi’b Media


The January 2011 issue of Nawaī Afghān Jihād Magazine released


Abū Muḥmmad al-Maqdisī has released a new video sermon titled “Three Assets:”

January 2:

Anṣār al-Mujāhidīn English Forum has translated “The Last Will of the First Sister Who Attacked the Moscow Subway,” which was attack in March 2010.

Abū Muḥammad Jibrīl of Sawt al-Jihād in Nusantara wrote a new article titled “De-Radicalization, The Effort To Extinguish The Light Of Shari’a And Jihad In Indonesia”

Christmas Special – Recent article from ‘Umar Bakrī Muḥammad: “Christmas: The Path To Hellfire”

NOTE: ‘Umar Bakrī Muḥammad also recently wrote an article on Halloween. Muḥammad was the founder and leader of al-Muhājirūn in Britain prior to it disbanding in 2004. Since then, there have been a variety of al-Muhājirūn successor groups in Britain as well as the United States (e.g. Islam4UK, Savior Sect, al-Ghurabā’, Islamic Thinkers Society, Revolution Muslim, Iẓhārudīn, Muslims against Crusades, and others). Following the 7/7 attack Bakrī Muḥammad moved to Lebanon after living in London for more than 20 years. He is still currently associated with the British jihadist scene through over the internet communication and live speeches online. al-Muhājirūn and its successor groups have been involved or linked to a variety of terrorist attacks or plots. Some of the larger ones include: Mohammed Bilal Suicide Bombing (India) in 2000, Mike’s Bar Bombing, Tel Aviv in 2003, Operation Crevice in 2004, 7/7 and 7/21 in 2005, Operation Praline in 2005, Toronto 18 in 2006, and 9/11 Anniversary Plot in 2009. He was recently arrested and then released from jail this past November in Lebanon.


In the world today many Muslims, especially those residing in Western countries are exposed to the evil celebration, Christmas.  Many take part in the festive celebrations by exchanging cards, gifts, decorating homes, having Christmas turkey dinners & congratulating one another for the coming of season etc. For many the practice is viewed as harmless amusement & pleasure for young & old.
The build up to Christmas is aggressively promoted; businesses deploy every possible tactic to captivate the masses in every spectrum of society, in shopping centres, high streets, television, radio, magazine & newspapers.
Even though Christmas has been taken hostage by Capitalist to increase business revenues, many still practice this corrupt celebration as a remembrance of the birth of Jesus, who is considered as ‘the incarnation of God’  second third of the trinity, hence it is a celebration of the birth of divinity.
Though the date 25th December is taken by Christians as the birth of Jesus, the origins of this date can be linked to the birthday of the Hindu god Khrishna, & the Greek god of light, Mithra.  This evil celebration is from many angles of origin is a deeply rooted practice of Shirk (worshipping along with the Creator [i.e. Allah], a crime which Allah will never forgive.
“Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, & whoever sets up partners with Allâh in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin” [4:48]
How can a Muslim possibly approve or participate in such a practice that bases itself on the notion that Allah has an offspring?
Allah (swt) said,
“Such was Jesus, the son of Mary; it is a statement of truth, about which they vainly dispute. It is not befitting to the majesty of God, that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! When He determines a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be’ & it is” [19:34-35]
If the prophet of Allah, Jesus (Isa the son of Maryum, peace be upon him) was to return now, he would never tolerate such accusations being levied against him.  Rather when he was born his first proclamation was clarifying his status as slave & messenger of Allah & nothing more.
He (Jesus) said: ‘Verily! I am a slave of God; He has given me the Scripture & made me a Prophet; “[19:29-30]
The very concept of Christmas contradicts & conflicts with the foundation of Islam, & that is the testimony of faith, “La Ilaha Ila Allah – None has the right to be worshipped but Allah”.  Any person with basic knowledge of Islam could never accept or tolerate such a false accusation against Allah.  Allah is free from having any offspring or being an offspring, for He (swt) said,
“Say: “God is Unique! God, the Source [of everything]. He has not fathered anyone nor was He fathered, & there is nothing comparable to Him!” [112:1-4]
Even though this practice is heavily glamorised & practiced by the majority, it is paramount for every worshipper of Allah to avoid following the masses in this evil celebration, Allah (swt) said,
“If you obey most of those upon the earth, they will lead you away from the way of Allaah.” [6:116]
It is the ruling of Allah & His Messenger, that those who imitate anyone in dress, manner, behaviour, speech or even celebration becomes part of that community, for the messenger of Allah (swt) said,
“Whoever imamates a group of people he is one of them”. [Reported in Abu Dawood]
Every Muslim has a responsibility to protect his family from the misguidance of Christmas, because its observance will lead to hellfire (a punishment which is seventy times hotter than the fires of this world).
“O you who believe! save yourselves & your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men & stones..” [66:6]
Know dear Muslim, to offer Christmas cards, attend any Christmas events, to congratulate others (i.e. by saying “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year” etc), Decorating the house, purchasing Christmas trees, or having Christmas turkey meals are completely prohibited by Allah.  Protect your Paradise from being taken away from you & your family; protect yourself & your family from Christmas.

New video release from Abū Yaḥyā al-Lībī: "'Aāfīa Ṣiddīqī…Captured and Subjugated…Where are the Heroes?"

NOTE: Below are transcripts (in Arabic and Urdu) of the video that Abū Yaḥyā al-Lībī released yesterday titled “‘Aāfīa Ṣiddīqī…Captured and Subjugated…Where are the Heroes?” This is the first time we have heard from al-Lībī since June when he released a video that mourned the death of the Islamic State of Iraq’s [al-Qā’idah in Iraq] former senior leaders: Abū Ayyūb al-Maṣrī and Abū ‘Umar al-Baghdādī. For more background on the video see Florian Flade’s write-up about it. If I have time before I leave for vacation next Wednesday, I’ll try and add my two cents.

Arabic:

Abū Yaḥyā al-Lībī: “‘Aāfīa Ṣiddīqī…Captured and Subjugated…Where are the Heroes?”
Urdu:

Abū Yaḥyā al-Lībī — “‘Aāfīa Ṣiddīqī…Captured and Subjugated…Where are the Heroes?” (Urdu)

New statement from 'Alī Abū Muḥammad al-Dagestanī, the Qāḍī‎ of the Supreme Sharī'ah Court of the Caucasus Emirate

NOTE: The below message is a translated copy of ‘Alī Abū Muḥammad al-Dagestanī’s statement on behalf of the Caucasus Emirate. The below translation is from the Kavkaz-Jihād blog and was originally published in Russian on the Guraba website. This message is in response to the leadership disputes in the Caucasus Emirate, which I wrote about here.


In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, peace and blessing be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, companions and all those who follow him until the Judgement Day, and then …
As-Salam ‘Aleykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
As we all know, our Amir, Dokku Abu Uthman, appointed me as the Qadi of Caucasus Emirate after the martyrdom of our brother Sayfullah, although I do not deserve this charge, because our Faqih (scholars expert in Fiqh) have placed condition and established the qualities that the Sharia Qadi should own.
One of these conditions is that he must be a Mujtahid scholar (which is able to preform Ijtihad – the interpetation of the Qur’an and Sunnah). I am not one of them. Due to the lack of such people, not only in the CE, but also outside its limits, I was forced to accept this heavy burden, may Allah forgive me. In this regard, I want to make the following appeal:
Dear brothers and sisters, our Lord requires of us that we resolve all our differences through His Shariah, otherwise, we are not Muslims.
Allah says in the Qur’an: «O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.» (Surat An-Nisā’ : 59).
In this verse, Allah clearly indicates the responsibility of solving our problems through the book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessing be upon him. And those who do not want to ask for the decision to Allah and His Messenger, these people just say they believe, although they are not. Allah the Almighty said in His Book:

«Have you not seen those who claim to have believed in what was revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you? They wish to refer legislation to Taghut, while they were commanded to reject it; and Satan wishes to lead them far astray.» (Surat An-Nisā’ : 60).
And after that, Allah describes such people as hypocrites:
«And when it is said to them, «Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger,” you see the hypocrites turning away from you in aversion.» (Surat An-Nisā’ : 61).
And then Allah amplifies and swears by Its own lordship that they are not believers.
The Most High says:
«But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.» (Surat An-Nisā’ : 65).
In this verse, Allah indicates not only the obligation to apply for a court referring to Him and His Messenger, but also the need for a full agreement with the decision accepted [by the court], without any constraints in the heart and with a complete submission to this decision.
This is a legislation issue (al-Hakimiya), and it directly enters in the Tawheed-ar-Rububiya wal-Uluhiya, i.e. the Tawheed of Lordship and Worship. With the help of Allah, we will examine in detail the issues of Tawheed and of al-Hakimiya in our upcoming messages.
In this appeal, I want to talk about the disagreements that arose between our brothers from the Wilayah Nokhchicho and the leadership of the Caucasus Emirate. On this occasion I want to say: the Sharia does not give anyone the right to voice their assumptions and speculation, while a decision on a Sahria issue has not yet been rendered by the competent persons, and this is in order to avoid Fitnah. Because some assumptions are sinful.
On this regard, Allah says: «O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.»(Surat Al-Ĥujurāt : 12).
And Allah calls us to reconcile our brothers. Allah says: «The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.» (Surat Al-Ĥujurāt : 10).
So, here, I want to say that at the moment, our only legitimate leader, as recognized by all the Mujahideen in the Caucasus, is the Amir Dokku Abu Uthman and we are all obliged to obey and submit to him as he leads us by the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him), even if it is hateful to our souls*.
And this is indicated by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in a hadith transmitted from Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him: «One who dislikes a thing done by his Amir should be patient over it, for anyone from the people who withdraws (his obedience) from the government, even to the extent of a handspan and died in that conditions, would die the death of one belonging to the days of jahilliyya (paganism, ignorance).» (Sahih Muslim, 4560).
Although this hadith refers to the ruler of all Muslims (the Caliph), it does not preclude our position.
Likewise, in a hadith which is transmitted from Ubada ibn as-Samit : «The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) called us and we took the oath of allegiance to him. Among the injunctions he made binding upon us was: Listening and obedience (to the Amir) in our pleasure and displeasure, in our adversity and prosperity, even when somebody is given preference over us, and without disputing the delegation of powers to a man duly invested with them except when you have clear signs of his disbelief in (or disobedience to) God-signs that could be used as a conscientious justification (for non-compliance with his orders).» (Sahih Muslim, 4541).
I once again, urge all brothers and sisters : do not speak on this subject and do not spread your assumptions, which may alienate you from Allah. And if someone hears differents others accusatory statements, then let him know that whoever does this, consciously or not, only contributes to the further propagation of the fitnah and does not contributes to reconciliation of Muslims. So, I call all the brothers immediately ‘driven crazy’ (or disturbed) by this Fitnah, to take no actions and to refrain from any statements on this subject while the matter is reviewed according to the Sharia and until a Sharia decision is not issued.
Our last prayer is: praise be to Allah, the Lord of the world.
The Qadi of the Caucasus Emirate, Ali Abu Muhammad al-Dagestani
*Meaning : even if, for some reasons, it becomes hateful to our souls to obey him.

As-Saḥāb Media Production releases second edition of Dr. Ayman aẓ-Ẓawāhirī's "Knights Under the Prophet's Banner"

NOTE: The first edition of Knights Under the Prophet’s Banner (which you can download here) was completed around the time of 9/11 and it was published and serialized by the Saudi newspaper Ash-Sharq al-‘Awsaṭ in October 2001. Click here to see an in depth description of the first edition from Ash-Sharq al-‘Awsaṭ. Also see Youssef H. Aboul-Enein’s critical review of the book here. The first edition was 252 pages while the second is 507 pages.

Click the following link for a safe PDF copy of the second edition of the book: Ayman al-Zawahiri — Knights Under the Prophet’s Banner (Second Edition)

The Global Islamic Media Front releases an English translation of Shaykh Ibrāhīm bin Sulaymān al-Rubaysh's audio message: "Between Islamists and Liberals"

NOTE: Ibrāhīm bin Sulaymān al-Rubaysh is one of the senior leaders within al-Qā’idah in the Arabian Peninsula and is their chief ideologue.Prior to joining up with AQAP, al-Rubaysh was in Guantánamo Bay prison until December 2006. Following his release he entered into the Saudi rehabilitation program, which supposed to reform jihadists and transition them back into regular society. He went to Yemen, though, in 2008 and joined up with AQAP. The below English translation/transcription is unedited and came from al-Rubaysh’s Arabic audio message, which was released on September 18.

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful Praise be to Allah, Lord of Creation, prayers and peace be upon the noblest of the prophets and messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and companions until the Day of Judgment. Thereafter:

I send this message to every sympathizer of the Ummah in the Land of the Haramain (the Two Sanctuaries: Makkah and Medinah). I send it to the scholars and the preachers, to the sermonizers on the pulpits and the imams of the mosques, to the teachers and instructors in the universities, to the caretakers in the homes and to the jealous fathers and guardians, to every Muslim man and woman who prefers the commandments of Allah over all other else, and are not among those who, if provided a salary,, pay no mind to what is occurring to the religion. To all those, I send this message asking them to take it into great consideration. I remind you of Allah who entrusted you with your Religion and granted you guardianship over what is under your hands. As the Honest and Trustworthy, prayers and peace be upon him, said
“If the shepherd to whom Allah granted guardianship dies having neglectedhis flock, Allah will ban him from Paradise.”
I remind the people of knowledge of the covenant by which Allah bound them:

{ وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّه ُمِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّه ُلِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَكْتُمُونَه ُفَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَاءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَاشْتَرَوْا بِه ِثَمَنًا قَلِيلًاۖ فَبِئْسَمَا يَشْتَرُونَ }

“And remember Allah 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!” (Aali Imran: 187)
If Allah had not made it a duty for us to give advice to Muslims, I would not have taken it upon myself to send this message.
To begin, I ask this question: Are you satisfied with the situation of society and its state of deterioration from which is apparent that it is heading towards an abyss? Each year brings more evil than the last.
Some will answer me by casting a hadith of the Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace be upon him and his household, in which he said:


“If a man says that people are damned, he is more damned than they.”

I will be characterized as a fear-mongerand conspiracy theorist but all this does not matter. He, who wishes to ascertain the truth, let him examine the situation without prejudice.
What will be apparent to those who study the situation is that the problems of sinfulness and corruption have increased and diversified to the point that the senses are inured to them. Inappropriate veiling of women has increased and no market is without it. Even the Masjid-ul-Haraamhas not been spared from it. Cases of impermissible seclusion and its consequences have increased manyfold, and those who sit with the Committee for the Prevention of Vice and Promotion of Virtue know of these calamities!
The calamity is that our society has delivered itself to its executioner through carelessness or feigning indifference. You see society toying with it without arousing the least resentment, resulting in the appearance of all kinds of legalized sinfulness and corruption, aimed at transforming and westernizing society and effacing all that bespeaks an Islamic identity in societal customs.
As a result, we see foreign exchange programs whereby women are sent out more than men, and they are provided more jobs than men. An identification card for women has been instituted and a serious effort made to gradually enforce this upon them. We hear of a female dean of a certain college who refused to allow female students to take a test without an ID card and the judge who suspended a case until a female client was issued an ID card. It is as if they can do what they want: they will stop marriage contracts, the distribution of inheritances, the purchase or sale of property until the women clients are issued ID cards.
Another form of sinfulness and corruption, of which there is inundation of reports, is the employment of women as actresses and their work as announcers and correspondents on official networks.
Part of the legalized sinfulness and corruption that we see is the mixing of sexes in the hospitals, even though the ability to segregate the sexes is easily available to any who wish to do so. And if they claim that there is a need for men to treat women in some cases, why are the male sections filled with female doctors and nurses?
Another kind of intermingling has come, contrived by the king’s genius. He has realized his dream for which he has been waiting 25 years through the universities where men and women, male and female students mix.
Their plan is to spread corruption and transform society, but gradually so that society will not reject it. As it is said, “Slowly but surely”. Although in fact recent years have witnessed an acceleration in their measures, this will perhaps expose them quicker. Perhaps their haste is due to the fact that they feel secure. Those who think they are safe from punishment will misbehave! They do not fear Allah, and all past experiences have proven that there is no reaction from the people to be feared.
One of their cunning plots to introduce sinfulness and corruption is through claiming journalistic freedom. The beginning was when the Minister of Justice issued a circular to the Shari’ah judges requiring adherence to article 37 of the press and publication laws, stipulating that issues of publication in the newspapers are the purview of the Ministry of Information and not the Shari’ah courts. When the wolf is entrusted with the flock, the field has been opened for people to write what they want with no accountability or supervision, but of course this privilege is not given to all. It is only for certain kinds of writers. They write what they want, in violation of the Shariah, and rejected by our societal customs. Then many voices which are raised in response are disregarded, and with the passage of time, society becomes numbed to this issue.
The closest example of this is the women’s ID card. The newspapers wrote much about this issue, and much has been said about it. When the people were prepared to receive the blow, it was instituted. When its institution was accepted, the time came to gradually enforce it. The turn is coming for women’s athletic clubs and women driving cars.
Their increased audacity is derived from the weakness of those in the forefront of the Islamist movement. You see that a vast majority of the newspapers will not publish an article by them. As for those who do write in the newspapers, they do not even think of discussing these topics, because they know they will not be published. Nothing remains for them but the internet, and one or two satellite channels. As for the other networks, they seldom host them unless they feel that their words will serve their (the network’s) own benefit. When they do appear, their weakness becomes apparent. They expose themselves to shame and melt away with these changes to a shocking degree. Their words they use and the concepts they hold are almost identical to those newspaper writers from other ideologies. They now speak of nationalism, dedication to it, and identification with it, rather than jealousy for Islam. They have begun to utter that such and such is “against the regime and the law”, when previously governance was for Allah alone. You will but seldom hear from their tongues (any talk) of enforcing Allah’s law.
This calamity is not limited to the fact that they will not reject forbidden acts unless the regime also forbids them. Indeed the situation has become worse with many of them, in that they have come to advise people not to condemn forbidden acts unless the regime itself has stipulated that they be banned. And whoever openly rejects forbidden acts, they proceed to admonish him more than the ones who actually committed the forbidden acts. As for he who rejects the forbidden act by deed, this to some of them is a kind of open sin that requires public rejection of the sinner.
Sometimes you see them having discussions with the liberalists in meetings or on TV. Then you will see the weakness of their rhetoric and their lack of audacity. You will see each of the two parties claiming to be the chosen one. Each claims that the rulers back them and what they say, that the regime favors them, and they want to serve the homeland and the interest of the people. Frequently their argument in responding to an opponent is “I do not know more than those in authority” or “the people in authority know where the benefit lies”!
Before, during and after this, they try to strikes the right note to please their rulers. This is done by condemning Jihad under the name of terror. With some of them, it is like salt on food, or purification for prayer. They are afraid that if they are silent their mouths will be muzzled or their Dawah efforts impeded. The situation has reached the point where some of them slander lies against the Mujahideen. And if they talk about the liberalists, they say “My brother liberals”. You see their rulers smile upon them, but give them nothing but more restrictions and spread of sinfulness and corruption.
You see them rejoice because Nayef Ibn Abdul Aziz criticized this newspaper