Initiative to End the Fitna in al-Shaam
Al-Fateh Abu Mohammed al-Joulani
Rough English Translation of the Main Points:
We consider the conflict in the north to be a Fitna among Muslims, though some traitors are exploiting the situation to realize Western or personal interests.
Many aggressions have taken place in the field by factions against each other and the incorrect policies that the Islamic State (ISIS) follows in the field has greatly contributed to the exasperation of the conflict.
Add to that the failure of prominent factions to establish a Shari'ah sanctioned mechanism to solve disputes that arise and whose rulings everyone would accept. The result is the accumulation of disputes and the increase in misunderstandings.
Consider, as an example, the case of jabhat al-Nusra's Emir in the city of al-Raqqa. The Islamic State (ISIS) arrested him and then accused him of apostasy. Today we do not know if he is "missing" or "dead," and la hawla wala quwa ila billah.
The accumulation of these disputes has erupted into a big conflict and the price will be paid, first, by the field of Jihad in al-Shaam, and second, by the Muslim blood from all parties that's being spilled with no right. The price will also be paid by the Syrians who will be violated by the regime in its prisons, in the camps, in the fronts of Aleppo, Homs, Damascus and al-Ghouta who have been expecting help, after Allah, from the North. A great field of Jihad will also loose Ansars and Muhajireen and the regime will be reinvigorated after it's been on the verge of collapse. Both the West and the Rafidha will gain a great foothold in this conflict if remedies are not found.
We also warn people from getting dragged into a Jahiliyya conflict between Muhajireen and Ansars. The presence of the Muhajireens is inevitable and necessary in any field of Jihad as the most concrete sign of Islamic solidarity.
This sad state of affairs has made us put an initiative together to save the field of Jihad in al-Shaam from collapse. It consists of the following points:
1. Assembling an INDEPENDENT Shari'ah committee from all the significant factions.
2. That all warring factions cease fire against each other.
3. That the Shari'ah Committee rules in all cases of blood and property lost.
4. That all factions pledge to stand TOGETHER AND BY FORCE if necessary against anyone who refuses to abide by the rulings of the Committee, until they abide. The Qur'an says: "And if two groups of believers fight each other, reconcile them. If one of them assaults the other still, then fight the aggressor till they comply with the law of Allah."
5. That all parties free the prisoners they have
6. That the front lines fighting the regime be given the utmost priority, and that all roads be opened to everyone to use.
This initiative has been accepted by some factions. Some factions have made their acceptance conditional on the acceptance of other factions, and some have hesitating or wasting time to respond.
This initiative is an opportunity to save the field of Jihad and no faction will be treated unjustly by another. There is still time to save the field by this initiative, a modified form of it, or by another initiatives.
As for us in Jabhat al-Nusra, we make the following points clear:
1. We consider this fighting a Fitna among Muslims, and we declare our innocence from every drop of blood spilled without right.
2. We will maintain all our front line positions against the regime. We will even reinforce them as much as we can, and we invite all those who abhor seeing the regime violate lives and honor and who want to protect the field of Jihad in al-Shaam, to join the front lines and we undertake to secure all whatever they might need insha Allah.
3. We will defend ourselves from any aggression against our lives and our wealth from any party.
4. Concerning al-Muhajiroon: It is the obligation of everyone in Jabhat al-Nusra and the people of al-Shaam to protect anyone who comes to them seeking refuge. This is a Shari'ah sanctioned duty and no one should act like they are doing a favor to people. We will be held to account for this responsibility by Allah on the Day of Judgment.
And I warn my Muhajireen brothers not to let their Hijra and Jihad be exploited for other reasons than the supreme goal that they have set for it. Do not let your Jihad be used for the wrong priorities. Fear Allah in your Jihad and in your people, the people of al-Shaam.
Finally, there is no doubt that this Fitna will be resolved, the ranks unified again and the guns pointed where they should be pointed at. We will achieve more victories and stand as a wall against the Nusayris, the Rafidha and the invaders. May Allah unify the ranks.
This is my testimony, Allah is my witness
Wasalamo alaykom warahmatu Allah.
Al Fateh Abu Mohammed al-Joulani
General Commander of Jabhat al-Nusra
Al-Qaeda in al-Shaam