The emergence of a jihad group which named themselves Tandzim Al Qaeda of “Serambi Mekah” (Front Porch of Makkah) in early March 2010, surely baffled many parties. Especially that it was followed up by a series of hunts, shootings and arrests on this Tandzim Al Qaeda which had their shares in executing resistance and inflicting heavy losses. All parties made analyses together according to each of their perspective. There are those who agreed, not a few who are reviling. What follows is an analysis which was featured in a blog, ‘elhakimi’, presented in parts. May it be useful!
The Aceh Jihad that took place in early March 2010 was very surprising. When earlier before that, the society was preoccupied with the pandemonium of the Century (corruption case-ed), and all of a sudden reports about jihad in Aceh appeared, the Century was forgotten right away. Surprising because Aceh, which all these while was known as the base for the GAM (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka or Independent Aceh Movement), which was very local (GAM) in image, suddenly turned into the base of Al-Qaeda which is global in image.
What is more surprising, they – who are always called terrorists – carried out resistance in the form of gunfights in the open wilderness. The result was so surprising, a number of the Densus 88 members, which was projected as a gangster forces like the Blackwater – the sleeves rolled up to display a macho impression- were killed by them.
All of a sudden, the news about Aceh Al-Qaeda turned booming. The hot news of the Aceh gunfights had not settled, it was immediately followed up by the killing of (Ab)Dulmatin alias Amar Usman whose head was priced at 10 million Dollars by America. The Mass media were in noisy uproar blowing up the event.
SBY, who had been struggling with grief by the insistent pressure concerning the Century case, suddenly had his face turned joyous and radiant. He had found a good ammunition to cover the Century case. On another angle, he who was on a visit to Australia and received the “honor” to be the speaker in the parliament of Australia – it was said that only 5 heads of state had been given the chance for it – was having the special opportunity to bootlick Australia. He, by saying “alhamdulillah“, reported to his master the success in capturing the ringleader of the terrorists (read: a Mujahid figure) who all these while had been targeted by the entire kafir world.
A lot of analyses circulated amongst the society. Unfortunately, in general they are divided into two camps which are both equally wrong in addressing this issue. Viewing the issue through wrong spectacles.
The First Camp: The Followers Of the Theory Of Conspiracy
The followers of this mazhab see the Aceh jihad as the conspiracy of SBY and the police of RI (Republic of Indonesia) to merely divert the public attention from the Century case which had its climax in early March 2010. Or, the conspiracy of maturating a situation to muzzle the radical camp so that a maximum security is created for Obama’s visit to Indonesia scheduled for late March. (Alhamdulillah, delayed till June, it was said).
A conspiracy theory in its essence is a mechanism to “blame” the enemies by closing the eyes to the reality that the movement of a resistance in the midst of the Islamic ummah is real and cannot be refuted. The conspiracy theory always has the connotation that the enemies of the Islamic ummah are very superior, they could plan anything and achieve it just like in movie storylines, meanwhile, the Islamic ummah are just a flock of “deaf sheeps” who are stupid and oppressed. A conspiracy theory is based on views that the film director of all these events is the Jew, Israel, USA, Europe, CIA, BIN, the police and etc. This theory wipes out the taqdeer of Allah, the abilities of the Mujahideen and the Islamic ummah. Whatever events that harms the Islamic ummah, the answer is always the same: there is a Jewish conspiracy behind it. As if the Jews are “The Rulers Of The Whole Worlds” whose entire plan could be accomplished resembling movie scenarios at the hand of the film directors.
For example, when dissecting the attacks on the WTC which had destroyed the symbol of the American economy, these followers of the conspiracy theory are chained by the beliefs that it was all invented by America. Usamah bin Ladin was just a pawn used by America to mess up the Islamic ummah. The proof? In the past, when Afghanistan was fighting the Soviet Union, the Mujahideen got supports from America. It included Usamah bin Ladin.
The chain-links of logic were arranged, and the conclusion that came out was so ridiculous. They did not realize that this theory could drag other conclusion; that Prophet Musa AS was actually an agent of Fir’aun. The proof? Because, he had been brought up by Fir’aun in his palace.
The followers of the conspiracy mazhab do not believe that the Mujahideen are capable of launching such a spectacular attacks as the 11 September. They are imprisoned by the experiences of the Islamic ummah which have been occupied for so long, it is not possible that from amongst the Islamic ummah, there are some who are able to resist the kafir.
The followers of the conspiracy mazhab bicker that the American technology is so sophisticated that it is impossible for a civil aircraft to slip away from the espionage radar of the Americans, in its own country. They are forgetting the Powerfulness of Allah, Who could make the fire that burns, unable to burn Ibrahim AS. They are forgetting the taqdeer on the WTC destruction had precisely allowed the Jews to sniff the plan of the attacks earlier, and they allowed it to happen so as to inflame the war against the Islamic ummah which they liked to happen. This is the way of the taqdeer which Allah wills for the destruction of the WTC.
The followers of the conspiracy mazhab wrongly concluded. They think that the acts of the Jews that allowed the attacks to run smoothly was a proof of the conspiracy between the USA and Usamah bin Ladin. Subhanallah… just because of this misleading theory, they accused the Mujahids, whose jihad performance are acknowledged by the world, as agents of America. Blaming the jihad figures as betrayers because of the conspiracy theory.
The followers of this mazhab are numerous in number. The PKS, HTI and almost all the elements in the Islamic ummah, which are opposition in ideology but modernists, use this mazhab. Look for example at the websites of Eramuslim and Hizabuttahrir. Their analyses are always founded on conspiracy theory. How sad!
Second: The Followers Of Neo-Murji’ah
The followers of this mazhab believe 100 percents in the information that come from the government, in this case the police. That, the executors are from amongst the Islamic ummah who are deliberately fighting a “valid” government. The followers of the Neo-Murji’ah react by being hostile towards the executors and believe that the incidents are certainly real, not the inventions or the products of a certain conspiracy, such as from the government.
The followers of this mazhab are generally from amongst the Salafi Murji’ah. They reject the conspiracy theory, but on another angle, they blaspheme the Mujahideen with sharp words. Normally, by calling them Khawarij. Feel free to see this phenomenon at, for an instant, the websites of the SM (Salafi Murji’ah) and Radio Rodja Cileungsi. One of the important figures of this mazhab is Zainal Abidin (the founder of Radio Rodja).
The error of this mazhab lies on their blind hatred towards the Mujahideen. They totally do not want to acknowledge the status of the “terrorists” as Mujahideen. To them, the Mujahideen are more hated compared to their hatred for George Bush, Ariel Sharon, Geert Wilders and other destroyer of Islam personalities.
Yours truly wonders, perhaps they have never truly learn the concept of Wala’ wal Bara’. Even if they had studied it, it was surely in a wrong perception. They love the Sunnah very much, unfortunately they are unable to choose which are friends and which are foes. They identify the term Terrorist as Khawarij. The result, according to them, the Terrorists will become the dogs of Jahannam!
Wasath (The Middle Path) Mazhab
Contrary to the blasphemies of the SM, the followers of the wasath mazhab, with full of love, refer those who are given the title ‘Terrorist’ as Mujahideen. Terrorists who are Muslim of course, and are defending Islam and the Islam ummah. Unlike the Terrorists of the Basque Forces in Spain who are Christian.
As well as, not wanting to view the Aceh jihad with the conspiracy theories. All are true, executed by a small number of men from amongst the Islamic ummah who are yearning for jihad and shaheed. They are motivated by the rewards which are so tantalizing for the activities of jihad and the bounty of dying shaheed. As for its occurrence, which was soon after the Century scandals began to expose more offenders, they could not take it that the Aceh jihad was the product of the police fabrications. It was purely the taqdeer of Allah, which perhaps is a form of istidraj for SBY so that he feels he is loved by Allah, as he is saved from the Century scandal. Whereas, the way he was doing his bootlicking on Australia by giving reports to that of his “master”, showed that SBY is not a personality who fits to obtain help from Allah in the context of love and mercy. But, a “help” in the context of istidraj.
On another angle, the wasath mazhab also do not blindly defend the Aceh jihad as an absolute truth without any flaw. This Mazhab still give critical analyses on the amaliah (work) of Aceh jihad, with evaluating comments so that they will become lessons for the following generations. Not because of the factors of hate or envy at all. But the spirit of mutual consultation with love. Rabbana la taj’al fi qulubina ghillan lilladzina amanu !
This reflection is written in the paradigm of the wasath mazhab. Thus, it might be hurtful for those who are supporting the Aceh jihad blindly as if there was no flaw. My apology!
Reviving The Aceh Jihad
The Aceh jihad attempted to maintain the land of Aceh, which is full of blessings, so that it remains having the aroma of jihad, continuing what had been done for a long time by Allah Yarham (the late) Daud Beureuh (Read: Ber’eh) with his DI/TII movement, in the time of the holy war (fi sabilillah) launched by the people of Aceh against the kafir Dutch.
The jihad land of Aceh had its chance of being straddled by the aroma of tribalism; the sentiment of the Acehnese fighting the Javanese under the name ‘GAM’ (Gerakan Aceh Merdeka or Independent Aceh Movement). With the death of the ruh of the GAM opposition- as the ruh of tribalism is genuinely weak – the opportunity to cleanse the aqeedah of the people of Aceh from the tribal sentiment is open. To return them to the aqeedah of Islamiyah, by which the jihad must be in the paradigm of fi sabilillah, not fi sabili GAM.
Unfortunately, it appears that the executors are still unable to realize this mission, because the people have been so pro-government after having been through the traumas from the impacts of the GAM’s activities in the past. They had been so traumatic towards anything that reeks of weapons. They had been tired of violence.
This trauma can only be healed with da’wah, which would straighten the aqeedah of the people of Aceh from the aqeedah of Nationalism or Tribalism and return it to the aqeedah of Islamiyah. To conduct da’wah and preach to them to love jihad, die shaheed and hate the systems which are non-Islam.
The choice of Aceh to be made as a jihad front, or any other territories in Indonesia for that matter, should be studied in depth. Jihad requires a “trigger” which could attract the Islamic ummah to unite in a massive number. If the igniter is not strong enough, the society won’t be motivated to support jihad. The fact is that the executors did not think well about this igniter. They only make the fardh (obligation) of jihad and the honor of dying shaheed as the igniters. Whereas, the Islamic ummah had already been so chained by materialism and the pleasure of living (in peace).
The doubts of the society will still be unanswered, if in case they are already signaled to support the Aceh jihad: so jihad against who if the location is in Aceh? This question is apparently to be more fluently answered by the police; “see, these people are evil, there is no manifest enemy but they are inciting people to war. The only want to make troubles. If the people Aceh join them, it would only add to the sufferings.” This DA’WAH of the POLICE is proven more effective and more simple, that it could be easily understood by the people.
The success of Abu Mus’ab Az-Zarqawi in reviving jihad in Iraq, was due to the very strong igniter i.e. the presence of the foreign invaders who are kafir and very barbaric. Those three words (in bold) became the igniters which are very strong, that it even managed to attract the forces of Saddam into the ranks of jihad.
The triggers used by the executors are the vocabularies of jihad, fardhu ‘ain, Al-Qaeda and die shaheed. Whereas, these words are still very absurd amongst the society who inhabit the surrounding areas of that “jihad proclaimed” land of Aceh . How could jihad in the mountains exist, if the society in the foothills do not support, give logistic assistance and etc. In the count of days, they would surely be furled easily.
The Aceh Mujahids seemed to be in the belief that jihad is an objective, not the means. In fact, what’s even more extreme is making the death of shaheed as the objective that results in the absence of the contemplation on the analysis of victory or defeat, being capable or incapable. The essence is simply jihad. Just like the solat, the essence is that it has to be performed anywhere and in any condition, even in sickness. Whereas, if the Mujahid only plans to die (shaheed), he is already planning for defeat.
Busy In Blaming The Enemies
When the Islamic ummah receive attacks from the enemies, there are still many who are busy blaming the enemies. America is made as a target of revilement. America is evil, the government of SBY is arrogant and etc. These are all true, there is nothing wrong with the expressions.
The problem is, this attitude tends to make us accustomed to covering our weakness and failures by scapegoating other parties. Blaming the enemies who are cleverer. Whereas, the genuine errors depend on the weakness of the Islamic ummah themselves.
As an illustration, the soccer team of Indonesia is having a match against the soccer team of Brazil. If defeated in the match, Indonesia could not blame Brazil. Because, it is natural that the one and only task of the Brazil players in the match is to beat Indonesia, just as Indonesia’s highest obsession in the match is to defeat Brazil. When defeated, every soccer team would surely be busy in fixing its squad, not blaming the cleverness of the opponets or blaming the referee. The attitude of always blaming the enemies is a stupidity which will be laughed at by the world. A childish sentimentality.
Unfortunately, a lot of Muslims are always busy blaming the Densus 88, the police and government – whoever the president is. Those apparatuses are paid to defend the ideology of Nationalism, Democracy and the non-Shari’ah law. How could we be in the imagination that they would give love and mercy to the Mujahideen who are ‘paid’ by Allah to defend the Tawheed, the Islamic ummah and the Shari’ah law. The two camps are having opposing ideologies. Victory or defeat will defend wholly on the mechanisms of the struggle, without having to whine so that the enemies will soften their resistance. We can only busy ourselves in lamenting over our internal weakness, evaluating our mistakes and rectifying whatever had been mistaken.
Why are the Islam ummah easily invaded by America? Why could the Mujahideen, who should have been strong, be easily furled by the Densus 88?
The paradigm has to be reversed. Not blaming the Densus 88, the government of SBY, Israel or America. But blaming one’s own; what has been wrong that the Mujahideen could be finished that easily? What mistaken strategy had been used that caused them to be defeated ? What had been ignored? and so on.
As for blaming the Densus 88 as a strategy to weaken the Densus 88 in front of the ummah, this could be justified. Because, by weakening the image of the Densus 88 in the eyes of the ummah, the support for the Densus will lessen. With that, the ummah could be invited to support the Mujahideen, not supporting the Densus 88.
So from here, the Islamic ummah should be busy in evaluating what had been done by the Acehnese Mujahideen. It needs to combed strand by strand, so that in the future it would become a group of lessons to be used for reflections. If we were to do the same thing, what needs to be improved.
So, stop blaming the enemies, but blame one’s self (the self of the Islamic ummah where we are a part of it together) .
The Yardstick of Muhasabah: The Sustainability Of Jihad and The Victory of Islam
We, before doing a muhasabah, must agree on the yardstick that would be used. Because, choosing the wrong yardstick would make a defeat seen as victory.
For example, if we use to die shaheed as the yardstick, then the Aceh jihad 2010 is considered successful enough. Successful in what? In presenting the shuhada‘s! Because, the fact is, there had been reasonably many who fell as shuhada‘s (kama nahsabuhu wala nuzakki ‘alallah ahadan).
If the yardstick is the ability to kill the enemies, the Aceh jihad could also be considered as quite successful because for the first time it could reverse the facts: normally the Densus 88 and their stooges are in the position of the killers, but now they could be made in the position of the killed. And the number is also fantastic! Kompas reported that 5 were killed.
If the yard stick is the arrest by the Densus 88, the Aceh jihad is also relatively “successful”. Because it presented cadres of jihad in a number that is quite high, as occupants of “Prodeo hotel” (prodeo = free i.e. local term for prison – ed). And their arrest was also relatively easy.
If the ability to emulate Al-Qaeda in the style of its propaganda, the Aceh jihad was also quite successful. They were able to record their propaganda with a beautiful background; the forest and its dense hills. Its call was also clear; inviting the Islamic ummah to unite with them in the forest. Only a little difference from Al-Qaeda, they did it by undervaluing da’wah and the social development of the ummah conducted by the elements in the ummah themselves. They carry off anything else except jihad. THE MAIN THING IS JIHAD!
It seemed that Al-Qaeda has become the most important inspiration. This could not be avoided, because anybody who discusses about jihad, cannot neglect the phenomenon of Al-Qaeda which is getting more global with the expansion of the internet. Al-Qaeda has become a dream model for all activities obsessed with jihad. Available on the internet, its messages are very potent in the “black-white” style and burning the adrenalin of the young people. They do not need to climb the hill sides. Their adrenalin are already burning just by sitting down in front of the internet.
All of these, according to yours truly, are not the yardsticks for the success of the Aceh jihad. Though, generally, we must appreciate the jihad that they had proclaimed. There is no do’a from us to them except all their ‘amal ibaadah are accepted by Allah. And there is no choice in the reaction for us, except to become the cadres who would one day continue their jihad, of course without repeating their “mistakes” after doing some evaluations. But continuing doesn’t mean it has to be in Aceh or other Indonesia territories. The continuing that we mean is the continuing of its jihad, not its Aceh, let alone the “mistakes”. Meaning, we must become the chain links and network of the global jihad of the Islamic ummah, after they had, before us, ascertained themselves as one of the rings that makes up the chain of the global jihad.
Therefore, the yardstick for the success must be agreed by us upon the sustainability of its jihad, the support from the Islamic ummah and the ability to weaken the enemies till they are defeated. If the Aceh jihad 2010 could be furled by the enemies only in a matter of weeks, it means that we must do some evaluations, what was wrong. If the Islamic ummah do not support and feel called to join the caravans of jihad, it means that there is something that needs to be improved (next time better). If the Aceh jihad 2010 was incapable of weakening the enemies, let alone defeat them, it means that there is something that requires serious preparations in order to defeat them.
True, we are not burdened by Allah with the obligation of defeating the enemies, but it cannot be denied that the Shari’ah of jihad is the best tool that Allah provides for us to defeat the enemies. But if its best weapon alone cannot be used , then how else can we defeat the enemies?
Its basic theory is; JIHAD SURELY RESULTS IN VICTORY IF DONE RIGHT. When the result is defeat, it means that we must have the courage to evaluate it gracefully. It might be that, this experiment happens repeatedly and we keep on doing the evaluations in order to achieve the greatest goal: to produce victory. Abu Mus’ab As-Sury exemplified, by writing a reflection on the Syrian jihad, and then a more extensive reflection in his book “Da’wah muqawamah”. This book contains reflections on the global jihad, evaluations on its shortcomings and how the forward strategies are, in order to ensure that jihad would produce victory.
Jihad; Objective or Means
One of the stiff debates that is spreading amongst the jihad activists is; is jihad seen as a means to achieve victory or an objective and the last terminal from a series of servitudes to Allah? Though this debate does not stick out to the surface in the form of oral dispute, but it is reflected in the choice of actions.
The “means” mazhab will place jihad parallel with other ibaadahs. Every ibaadah is framed by the maqashid shari’ah which suit its character. Solat is framed by the objective of the union in the ritual of vertical submission. Sawm is framed by the objective of restraining the carnal desires and the personal sincerity to Allah. Zakat is framed by the objective of social solidarity in matters of wealth and the removal of the selfish mentality. Nahi munkar is framed by the objective of the eradication of munkar within the Islamic ummah. Meanwhile, jihad is framed by the objective of personal sacrifices in defending Allah and defeating the enemies of Allah.
Jihad is an ibadah. But in its implementation, it is not merely based on the objective of performing that ibaadah per se. There are a number of requirements in performing it, there are rules that come with it. It is not simply a matter of – “as long as the command of Allah called jihad is accomplished”.
This is the same as the ibaadah of nahi munkar. Not simply doing the nahi munkar per se. If the nahi munkar is predicted to cause greater munkar, then the nahi munkar cannot be carried out.
The followers of the “means” mazhab are inclined to prepare jihad by conducting da’wah, the development of the community, social services, educations and etc. They do not annihilate the role of da’wah as another tool in establishing Islam. Its position is parallel, because the dependability of the ummah upon da’wah is no less than the dependabilityof the ummah upon jihad. Both have to be done simultaneously, none is to be favored over another. It is this paradigm that must be used in viewing the ibaadah called jihad.
Meanwhile, for the followers of the “objective” mazhab, their actions are only focused on the implementation of their jihad as a fardhu ‘ain duty. They neglect the little jobs which have the roles of supporting the sustainability of jihad. They want all the Muslim to come in their multitude and accept their call, go to the forest and mountains in Aceh and join them. They are leaving its da’wah, pesantrens, social institutions and everything else that does not have the portrait of “carrying weapons”.
Whereas, jihad requires the support of da’wah, the funds, journalistic, communication and technology experts and other kind of expertises. It requires the continuity of the human resources that will carry the burden of this jihad. How could jihad continue if the Mujahid-supplying machines are abandoned such as the pesantrens, madrassas, Majelis taklim (non-formal Dieniyyah educational institutions) and their like?
A strong effect that came out from the Aceh jihad was the making of jihad as the objective, not the means to achieve the victory of Islam. When jihad becomes the objective, then a Mujahid would neglect the little supports that would influence the success of jihad. For example, da’wah, the supports from the surrounding communities, the support of the mass media and etc.
The focal points are just how to conduct jihad and invite the Islamic ummah to conduct jihad, though the invitation becomes so absurd (blurred) in the eyes of the Islamic ummah who do not understand anything about the discourse of jihad. They are listening to the invitation like a blowing wind that passes by, because they do not understand the purpose of the invitation.
For example, if there are those who welcome the calls, they would still be in difficulties in finding the committees. They are clueless with the address of the secretariats. They still do not know, whether it requires some kind of test in order to participate? They do not know the location of the hills, they also do not know, who the enemies are. This is what we mean by absurd.
In the eyes of the Islamic ummah, jihad against the Densus 88 is something that is difficult to understand. They would say; Islam against Islam. It’s natural, as the majority of the members of the Densus 88 are surely Muslim, according to the total number of the Islamic ummah who are the majority in this country.
These problems need da’wah. Moreover, how would jihad gain big support if da’wah is neglected? Da’wah was such undermined in the message released by the Aceh Mujahideen. As if they are living in another planet and are only busy with their own world. In medical terms this is called autism.
Formulating The Map Of Contributions Of The Islamic Ummah
The Mujahideen need to formulate the map of contributions of the ummah which is required for the establishment of Islam, in order to make sure that all elements of the ummah can play their roles according to interests and abilities. Because, in the reality such as Indonesia today (2010), it is unlikely that we can be imagining that the entire Islamic ummah are supporting jihad, let alone to go to the jihad arena.
Unless if the reality is like Iraq or Afghanistan, when the kafir enemies are savagely attacking the Islamic ummah, then as many cadres as possible are required to come to the jihad arena. In a situation like this, the most needed and effective contribution is the picking up of weapons to expel the kafir invaders as immediately as possible.
The map of contributions that we meant is, for example, on how to answer the query of a Muslim journalist; what kind of contribution could he give for jihad and the establishment of Islam if he does not plunge directly into the battlefield? As well as, a similar query from the traders, teachers, farmers, drivers, sailors, IT experts, engineers and all kind of human professions and expertise.
Does inflaming jihad in Indonesia mean summoning them all to abandon their professions and come in droves towards the jihad arena? Once again, in the case of a country with the size of Indonesia, where the total population is more than 200 millions, and with the absence of a “trigger” to ignite the fight, is that a wise choice of method in the establishment of Islam here?
Or will there be tolerance for them to pursue their professions but are still able to contribute for the establishment of Islam? If the answer is yes, then what they need is a map of contributions. They could still work in each of their field, while giving contributions in a chain of links that culminates in jihad fie sabilillah. As far as I know, there has never been a blueprint of the map of contribution made, which covers the entire fields and expertise of the Islamic ummah, at least in Indonesia.
The Islamic ummah in Indonesia have a number of websites which are incessant in voicing out the jihad theme and news, such as Arrahmah.com, Muslimdaily.net, Eramuslim.com and others. The Mujahideen do not need to provoke the admins of those websites to leave their posts and go to the battle hills. Because, the existence of those posts is very vital in educating the ummah about jihad and in advocating the Mujahideen from the cases that are ever ready to ensnare them.
The same goes with the doctors, whether it be the general practitioners or the specialists. Their expertise needs to be maintained in each of their workplace, to be used one day. The cadres of the ummah who are engaging in the technical and engineering field, let them develop in each of their workplace, because jihad really needs their expertise when the time comes one day.
In fact, the da’wah bodies which are alive in the midst of the ummah, with all their diversities and focuses of attention, are also required to be maintained. For example, the institution which focuses in eradicating munkar (FPI), pursuing educations for Muslim children (pesantrens and schools), specialization in dealing with the deviated sects (LPPI), specialization in fighting Liberalism and Pluralism (INSIST: Adian Husaini and Co.), specialization in fighting Shiah, specialization in fighting Christianization (FAKTA, etc.) and all other elements of the ummah which have the roles of guarding the big house from the gnawing of the rats of munkar and falsehood.
This paradigm is founded on the view that jihad is not the medicine for every disease. Jihad is not like the advertisement of a drink product: “whatever the food, the drink is always Sosro- the Bottled Tea.” To oppose the Shiah in Indonesia, it can’t be done by threatening them with weapons from the battle hills. Because, they are like a chameleon, cleverly infiltrating all lines of livelihood in the cities and villages. They have the kind of aqeedah called Taqiyah, i.e. the necessity of appearing just like the enemies in order to defeat them. The best and most effective way to disclose their guise is by al-kitab, not by as-saif.
Exposing their evils is through ‘ilm and da’wah, not challenging them to gunfights, whereas their own existence itself is hard to detect. Wasn’t Islam established on two mediums; al-kitab al-hadiy and as-saif an-nasir (the Kitab that functions as guidance provider, and the sword that functions as helper). The kitab symbolizes ‘ilm and da’wah, while the saif symbolizes jihad fie sabilillah. Without the blend of both, the journey of Islam will be imbalanced. If only featuring the kitab, Islam will be abused by the enemies. If only featuring the saif, Islam will appear fierce like a gangster, thus people will be scared to approach it.
The region of Indonesia, with its Muslim majority, is best to be made as the object of da’wah, not the object of jihad yet. Not just any da’wah, but the da’wah that supports the journey of jihad. The ummah are guided so that they are able to understand, practice and defend Islam in the right way. If their expertise and professions are well managed, the strength of the ummah could be used to establish Islam in time, when the momentum has arrived. Unfortunately, mankind are always unable to subdue their true nature; isti’jal (in hurry). Wanting to establish Islam like a magician. Or at least wanting to achieve results like the thugs; point the guns, all will be done.
Careful In Recruiting The Jihad Cadres
The jihad that is interpreted as fighting in the battlefields, should choose the best cadres who have a high level of security. Because, it had already been repeated times that armed jihad was proclaimed in Indonesia, but it always ended up in pitiful arrests. We must always be careful and selective in choosing the cadres who are prepared to conduct jihad with weapons, because, the character of jihad is different from the character of da’wah.
Not all people whose speeches are sweet in supporting jihad are right to be invited to jihad in the battlefield. The intelligence are swarming about, many of whom looking very “salafi” and very “jihadi”. It is too difficult to tell those who are really truthful and safe to be invited for jihad from those we are harming jihad instead.
The intelligence are working very seriously in order to sabotage the ranks of the Mujahideen. We cannot just rely on the cadres of jihad by looking at the external appearances, but we must really feel safe and very familiar with the persons who would become our partners in jihad. Be careful with the questionable jihad cadres i.e. those who are only enthusiastic in talking about jihad, but are reluctant when invited to talk about the correct ways of making wudhu’ as per the sunnah of the Prophet SAW, about the subject of cleanliness (thaharah), and the subject of uncleanliness. They are averse and not enthusiastic in talking about the subject of jilbab on their wives and children, the subject of the school of choice for his children, the subject of the Islamic home interior, the subject of crying due to the fear of Allah, the subject of zuhd, the subject of wara’ , the subject of halal activities, the subject of riba, the subject of ittiba’ to Rasulullah SAW and so on.
Indonesia is not a place that is currently raging with conflicts like Afghanistan, Iraq or Somalia. In the regions of conflict, carefulness that is too tight is not really required in recruiting the cadres of jihad. Anyone who have enough bravery to come to the battlefield and who want to participate in jihad along with the Mujahideen, should be received with open hands.
But for a case like Indonesia, which is not a country of conflict, we cannot instantly feel safe working with the questionable cadres of jihad. Not all who show their interest in the theme of jihad are suitable to be invited to the jihad arena.
This is the character of jihad. Different from the character of da’wah, which is very open. Anyone could be invited to join in the ranks of da’wah. It is compulsory upon us to explain to anyone who enquires about Islam, we cannot refuse it. In fact, even if those enquiring are from amongst the intelligence who want to entrap a da’ie. Anyone who are interested in da’wah and spreading Islam, as long as their good faith is observed, we must appreciate them.
Meanwhile, in jihad, the ranks of Mujahideen can (in fact, must) refuse the munafiq who want to participate in jihad, if they would apparently harm the agenda of jihad. See Surah At-Tawbah verse 83. But, when Rasulullah SAW was in Madinah, he still appeared to be close and intimate with the munafiq, because the life in Madinah was patterned in da’wah. History mentioned that the leader of the munafiq during the Prophet’s time, named Abdullah bin Ubay, could pray behind the Prophet SAW.
War, Not Battle
Jihad must be interpreted as a ‘universal war’, not a ‘momentary clash’. Being mistaken in the perception of jihad will produce confusion in realizing jihad.
In the English language there is the term ‘war’ and the term ‘battle’. ‘War’ is a long warfare between two parties, while ‘battle’ is a short-term clash between two armed groups. Or in other words, war is a series of battles performed by two parties that are mutually hostile to each other.
The fight between the Islamic ummah against the kafir with all of their stooges is a long fight and battle which is of a cross-generation in nature. Due to that, its more accurate to be called ‘war’. An enmity which involves the entire aspects of life, all kinds of expertise and livelihood of mankind. In fact, without the limit of time.
Both sides are using all capabilities and means in order to defeat the opponent. There is rivalry in patience on espionage. There is rivalry in cleverness on sabotaging. There is rivalry in smartness on fooling the enemies. There is rivalry in the strength of the armies in arm fights. There is rivalry in the advancement of technology. There is rivalry in the strength of the economy. There is rivalry in the strength of mental toughness. There is rivalry in the solidness of the ranks. There is rivalry in the sharpness of shooting (sharpbootings). The entire peak of sciences and all of their magnificence are mixed and blended as best as possible in order to produce victory.
Jihad fie sabilillah—therefore—is more accurate to be placed in the interpretation of ‘war’, not ‘battle’. Jihad is not how to hit and beat the enemies in a short time but unable to sustain that victory. If the measure is the ability to hit the enemies in one of the combat sessions, that is not the victory of jihad. The victory of jihad is when we are able to triumph in a battle and we are able to sustain that victory by the establishment of a power, because the main purpose of jihad is to eliminate the barriers that hinder the implementation of Islam at the state level.
With that, jihad also needs the proficiency in politics, besides developing the strength of the economy. There is an interesting reflection made by an Afghan jihad figure who came from the Arab land. This reflection was presented by Hazim Al-Madani in his book, Hakadza Nara al-Jihad.
Below is the documentation by Hazim Al-Madani:
The final result from the combination of the Islamic ummah’s global jihad experiments: we are quite successful in achieving figures on the military success, but our achievement is nil in the field of politics. I remember (Hazim Al-Madani said), one day an Arab jihad personality in Afghanistan said: “We were engrossed in the military battles, success was forged on the sincere souls and we succeeded in reviving the love for shaheed. But we were negligent in thinking about power (politic), as we were not embracing it wholeheartedly. We were still seeing politic as a filthy thing. The result was that we were successful in changing the direction of the wind of victory with priceless sacrifices, until approaching the last round when victory was ready to be reaped, the enemies were unleashing their shots of “mercy” to us – thus was the vocabulary they usually use – in order to tame us.”
At that time, many people disagree with this reflection, though many agreed as well. But, the reality that later transpired proved the truth in what this signalman pointed out. The entire world was throwing out the Arab Mujahideen after the war against Russia (Soviet Union at that time). The Mujahideen who returned to their villages were “given mercy” (read; arrested) by their own countries. Thus was the documentation by Hazim Al-Madani.
However, it should be remembered that this kalimah is not to justify the filthy politic, in the style of the political parties in Indonesia. Not the dirty politic exhibited by the worshippers of the dunya by means of intermixing al-haqq with al-bathil, covering the truth or reducing the value of the truth. No, not at all! But what we meant is the politic that we had read from the Prophet SAW’s way of managing the affairs of the ummah, whether in matters of social, da’wah or jihad in the battlefield. The politic that is a standard mechanism in upholding the human civilization. If we neglect this globally applicable standard mechanism, we will only go round without end as we are not taking example from the Prophet SAW and not following in the footsteps of his sunnatullah: natural law of cause and effect.
Jihad can take a very long time, like the Crusader War that took place for about 200 years. The Afghan jihad, during its success in conquering the Soviet Union in the 90’s, becomes an invaluable lesson for us. Apparently, after the Mujahideen were helped by Allah in that they managed to expel Soviet Union, they disputed amongst themselves and Afghanistan became very weak and exhausted from the internal enmity. Alhamdulillah, Allah rescued the result of that long jihad in the form of the emergence of the Taliban, which succeeded in unifying the ranks of the Islamic Afghanistan into one saf (row), before it was eventually disturbed by America with its jargon, the “War on Terror”, in 2001.
Therefore, we must interpret jihad with ‘war’, not ‘battle’. It is also differentiated in the Arabic language. ‘Battle’ is called ‘qital’, ‘harb’ or ‘ma’rakah’. As for ‘war’, the term ‘jihad’ is used. That is the reason why we do not find in Al-Qur’an a terminology which is a combination of words formed by ‘qital’ and ‘amwal’. Meaning, there is no “battle with properties”. The combination of words available is the word ‘jihad’ with ‘amwal’, in which its meaning is to conduct jihad with properties. There are 9 verses which contain the combination of the words ‘jihad’ and ‘amwal’, whereas there is not even one verse which have the combination of words ‘qital’ and ‘amwal’.
This means, jihad is not solely a rivalry in arm fights in the battlefield, because jihad can also be done with properties. If jihad only means combat, there would be no term of “jihad with properties”. Jihad is a war that is universal in characteristic, covering every element of man’s life. Covering military, politic and economy. Therefore, make sure the entire Islamic ummah know the map of contribution in jihad in order to establish Islam. Lest there would be potentials of the Islamic ummah which are scattered and not threaded in a network strand of global jihad in order to make Islam prevail and bury the arrogance of the kafir with all of their stooges.
The Mujahideen Should Unify With The Ummah
The Mujahideen are like the fish and the ummah is its water. If the Mujahideen leave the ummah, the ummah would also leave the Mujahidieen . Both are mutually in need of each other in a balanced way. Due to that, the relationship of the Mujahideen with the ummah must be harmonious and synergistic, not mutually disparaging each other, much less cursing.
The Islamic ummah needs guidance in order to understand Islam. They need to be given enlightenment about how to defend and establish Islam. Their contributions must be appreciated, not underestimated.
The Mujahideen need to tell clearly the meaning of their struggles, by giving the feeling of security to the Islamic ummah from the impacts that would possibly come with the struggles. Sure, it cannot be denied that bad worldly impacts would always accompany every one of those struggles.
Hazim Al-Madani, in his book Hakadza Nara al-Jihad reminded us about the importance of this issue. Just for information, Hazim Al-Madani was one of the Afghan jihad figures who had a close link with Al-Qaeda.
Below are what he wrote:
“Today, the international world is fighting a war against us. If there are those who do not take part in the coalition to fight us, it is not because they are sympathizing with us. But, more to because of their wish to obtain a larger share from this ghanimah (we are all ghanimah for them). Though the reality was as such, they who do not join in the international coalition have the potential to weave partnerships with us. But the problem is, we must prioritize loyal partners who are prepared to sacrifice for us, not the partners who would one day betray us. And in brief, the loyal partner is the Islamic ummah itself.
I am stressing this point with the availability of historical evidences that support it. With these evidences I hope the sons of this ummah, who are involved in the scene of Islamic practices, are confident that the ummah are standing behind them, defending them and repaying their sacrifices with whatever they possess, without ever leaving them to strive alone in the battlefield.
Afghanistan, after the escape of the Soviet Union, at the time when the supports from the Arab and Islamic governments were stopped due to the intervention of America, when the governments were not attracted to support the Mujahideen to reap the fruits of victory, who were the ones to extend assistance until the emergence of the Taliban movement? Was it the government and their army who helped the sons of this ummah? Wasn’t it the individuals in the Islamic ummah who voluntarily set aside a part of their incomes to be donated to the Mujahideen?
Somalia, when the captivating jihad attraction against the international coalition erupted, who were the ones to extend relief aids to the Mujahideen that had made the Americans running away helter skelter from there? Who were the ones who carried out that jihad attraction? Was it the government of Somalia with its army or was it the sons of the Islamic ummah? Wasn’t it the elements in the Islamic ummah who were willing to partially allocate from their income to be contributed to the Mujahideen?
Bosnia, the time when it was raging in civil wars, who were the ones to extend aids in order to protect the Islamic ummah who had become victims of massacres? Was it the government and its army or was it the Islamic ummah through its best sons? Who extended the economic aids? Wasn’t it the Islam ummah who set aside part of their subsistence to be donated voluntarily?
Chechnya, which was twice hit by waves of invasion by the Russian forces, at the time when the world was in the grip of the American hegemony. Who funded the Mujahideen in defending every every inch of the ground in Chechnya? Was it the government and their soldiers, or was it the Islam ummah with all of their souls, bodies and properties?
Palestine, along their series of agony, and heroic story of the Intifadhah resistance. All these become an example of how sacrifices are currently being fulfilled by the ummah and will always be fulfilled.
In fact, we do not know, if the material supports from the Islamic ummah would reach the hands of the Palestinian Mujahideen or they would be seized by the Arab governments. It is clear here, who are sacrificing and who are on the other hand, stopping it.
Yemen, who exploded the American aircraft carrier, the USS Cole, until it was torn. It is clear, it wasn’t the Yemen armed forces, but the elements in the Islamic ummah.
Who struck New York and Washington on the fully blessed Tuesday in 2001? Was it the governments and their armies, or was it the Islamic ummah? They presented their best sons and voluntarily gave away part of their subsistence for jihad and the Mujahideen.
The map of the battle has been firmly locked. But not between the West and the East, or the North and the South. But between the bloc of kufr and the bloc of iman. Like the two sides of a scale, on one side are the kafirs with all of their accomplices and outfits, while on the other side are the Islamic ummah with all their supports and outfits.
It is clear, the Islamic ummah are occupying one battle board, while the other is occupied by the world kafir bloc. This fact is well understood by the West and the rulers of the world. Due to that, they are always carrying out systematic efforts in order to separate us (Mujahideen) from the Islamic ummah. Allah will always win, but many of mankind are not confident with it. Indeed, the ultimate reliance of the Mujahideen after Allah is on the Islamic ummah, who are always longing for the establishment of the laws of the Qur’an in their lives until they meet Allah. Not relying on the governments and their apparatuses in countries with the Muslim majority, because their brain and abdominal cavities have been clogged up with the obsessions towards the dunya and the politics which are of low taste.
The duty of the Mujahideen is to make the Islamic ummah to come within their ranks, it is not allowed to leave them even just for a short time because it will be taken advantage of by the rulers and the kufr laws.” (end, quoted from Hakadza Nara Al-Jihad).
May we be able to revive jihad in Indonesia and ensure that Islam is liberated here. Ameen.
Warmest Salaam to all the jihad and da’wah enthusiasts out there.
(Mujahid/TUM/arrahmah.com)
