English translation, An address to the youth of the Ummah regarding the scholars, By Amir Muslim Shishani.

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, peace and blessings be upon the Messenger Mohammed. And what proceeds 

It has become very common nowadays that many of the so-called students of knowledge and mujahedeen that have recently come out to jihad (i.e. inexperienced) act as experts and now slander the Muslims. I would like to warn young people about the turmoil caused by such people who are doing nothing but abusing the noble banner of jihad.

 In the beginning it was out of ignorance and bad manners that they slandered the ordinary Muslims but refrained from criticizing well-known personalities amongst the Muslims. But today these same people have lost their fear of Allah and dare to slander even the ulama and umarah of jihad that have been guarding Islam and its Ummah over the past three decades.

 And these ungratefuls have forgotten that the tiny part of knowledge, which they possess, they yesterday learnt from these same ulama (ulama of jihad). And today with arrogance and envy they state that they are upon the truth and that the ulama of this Ummah are upon error. And some of them have accused the ulama that they do not join the ranks of the Mujahedeen and say: “if they hadn't sat amongst the tawagheet and would of come out for jihad we would have followed them.”

 Firstly these ignorant do not understand that the jihad is not only to fight with arms. Allah Exalted says in the Qur'an:

 "And it is not for believers to go out to fight all together. Of every troop of them a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may get instructions in religion and that they may warn their people when they return to them, so that they may beware (of evil).

(Tawbah: 122)

 Also, in a narration of Abu Said al-khudri, (may Allah be pleased with him), the messenger of Allah (S) said,

 "The best jihad is a just word said before the cruel tyrant ruler."

Secondly, we all know that it is not true that the ulama do not participate in jihad, and proof of this is the 'alim, mujahid, Doctor Ayman Az-Zawahiri (may Allah preserve him). And when some wanted to break their oath and get out of submission, they began to slander and accuse him, Zawahiri, of all possible sins. But, Alhamdulillah, they could not bring any single proof in the truth of their words, except for the same slander they invented. Also there are many other ulama that participate or did participate in jihad, other than Zawahiri: Khalid al Aga alAnsari, Ibrahim Rubaysh, Harith an Nazari (r) and others. And in the Caucasus we have Sheikh Ali Askhab, Abu Muhammad and Sheikh Abu Usman Al Gimravi (may Allah preserve them)

 They, the ignorant, often like to say that the majority of ulama in the history of Islam were not on the truth, as it was in the time of Salah ad-Din Al-Ayyubi (may Allah have mercy on him) But they are not able to present at least one case, wherein all ulama erred and the ignorant’s were on the truth. Perhaps they have forgotten what was the state of the Ummah, when the ulama headed jihad and what were the consequences of their victories that worked as the fuel and awakening for our Ummah.

Here are some names:

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, Sheikh al Islam ibn Teymiyya, 'Izz ibn Abd as Salam, Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab, Izz ad Din al Qassam, Abdullah Azzam, Fathi Shishani, Muhammad at Tamimi (Abu Umar as Seyf) and many others, may Allah have mercy over them.

 I call upon the sincere brothers who are looking for the truth, and ask them, what is the goal of our struggle and what is it based upon? Is it based upon a call to truth and unity and it's strengths directed against the aggression of kufr? Or is it based upon the division of this Ummah: on the good and bad, the strong and weak and its forces directed to humiliate the ulama and to separate them from the Muslim society, whereas we should forgive them and try to justify their actions.

All of us should understand that they, the ulama, are the fortresses and shields of this Ummah. And we know from our military experience that if a fortress falls then there is no defense. Dear brothers, it is possible that we might disagree with some Ulama in certain issues and they may have evidences for their ijtihad. If we look carefully, we will see these scholars stand against so called oriental studies, atheism, philosophy, and so on, the issues which cause doubts in the minds of the Muslims which then lead to corrupted beliefs.

They also protect the Sunnah of our Prophet (s). They explain to us issues of fiqh and aqida. So, is there any good for Islam and the Ummah of their letdown?

We have to think carefully of whether our disagreement with them is based on the sharia proof, or it is just talk, which has no basis, as it’s so common nowadays amongst youngsters over the Internet.

And then, is it so that they have no right over us and that we can’t pay them credit for all that they do for this Ummah?

Especially, when there are so few ulama who support jihad and the mujahedeen, and we are not able to replace them in their roles for this Ummah. And because of this we are in such a need for them, who can lead Muslims to the correct way? Would these ignorants be capable to stand against a systematic ideological attack by the enemies of Islam? And above all, when we criticize scholars and mention some of their errors, which they are allowed, is it not possible to show morality and ethics of Islam in our statements?

Thus, we should always remember that the spirit of Islam in the first place should be shown in us to defeat the western empty civilization. And when we will be such, then we will be able to reach our goal, for the sake of which we went out on the way of Allah.

 Sheikh Abu Mus'ab As- Suri (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

"No doubt that we are in danger if our position remains as such as now. I do not say that the Ummah is endangered, because the Messenger (s) notified this Ummah that it will survive and win but we might face more oppression, suffering ,torture, hunger, fear, murder, humiliation and shame."

On this I can say that if we continue to make erroneous actions and inspire ourselves constantly that we are better than others, the bitter fruits as a result we might collect in the near future. Also, we have to understand that a partial control, empowerment, so called "tamkeen,” which we now have is incomplete and temporary and by this Allah is checking to see if we are ready for the time when we are going to have full control, are we going to hold shar'i and worldly reasons, or are we just enjoying our worldly gains and what benefits our own groups but not the whole Ummah?

And if we do not know how to work, and Allah is our witness that our acts contradict our words, the consequences of this will be bitter, and the victory will be late, and Allah might replace us with sincere people who love Him and Allah loves them. In a meeting dedicated to the issues of jihad and takfeer where some people of knowledge and intellectuals participated, Sheikh

AtiyatuLlah Al- Libi (May Allah have a mercy on him) was asked about the scholars. He said: "With regard to scholars whom we disagree with in some issues, and they have their evidences we do not exceed the limits in our attitude towards them and in opposite we pay our due respect to them and act justly.

Allah says in the Qur'an: "O you who believe! Stand out firmly, as witnesses to Allah, even though it to be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both(than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do"

(Surah Nisa: 135)

 Continuing the topic Al Libi says: “we do not transgress the permitted border when discussing with someone. Also we do not lose respect to our opponents and do not reject the truth, even a small part of it, in the contrary we recognize the truth and accept it, from whom it would be and reject the error and lie. And whatever happens we adhere to morality, showing calm and dignity.

 There is no contradiction between adhering to the truth and respect of those whom we disagree with in some issues, especially if they are amongst the ones who preceded us in Islam and showed strength. These scholars have merits and good, and also they are older than us in age, they aged in Islam in search of knowledge and in the call to Allah.

Regarding the issue of Muslims who follow the scholars, which do not perform takfeer on rulers in Muslim countries Al Libi, says:

"There is a benefit for average Muslims in following a scholars in general matters but it is our duty to explain to people that they have to study their religion and stick to the truth, because it is a common thing that there are many disagreements between scholars in various issues”.

It is commendable when any Muslim who is not amongst the seekers of knowledge apply his question to a scholar who is trustworthy, credible, pious, the one who always says the haqq and who enjoin the good and forbid evil."

Concerning corrupted scholars he said:

 "We suggest the youth not to be distracted to such scholars. Leave them and they will not harm you. And do not go ever the limits in dealing with them, because Allah Exalted says:

"Verily the evil-doers will never be successful." (Yusuf:23).

It can be good and evil in man, in every Muslim there has to be some good, that is why we have to balance ourselves, if we cannot resolve some issues we should apply to scholars and mujahedeen who have been in jihad for a long time.

Dear brothers, Allah Exalted has promised us that Islam will prevail and He has made the scholars to be the reason for that. The disbelievers try very hard to spread turmoil amongst us and they are well aware that they can succeed in this by disgracing the scholars.

But our scholars give them no chance, Alhamdulillah, to change even a bit of this religion. If the majority of the scholars were to be corrupted then we would read today many false ahadith and would be unaware about false statements towards major scholars.

Abdallah ibn 'Amra narrates from the Prophet (s):

"Verily Allah does not take away knowledge from people at once but He takes it by death of scholars. When people see no Scholar around they then choose ignorant leaders for themselves. When these leaders asked about matters they fall in errors and force people around in errors as well." (Bukhari, Muslim)

This hadith encourages us to rethink our attitude towards the scholars of the Ummah, because it is said that Allah does not take away mujahedeen or their leaders but He takes scholars.

Praises to Allah that we have scholars who firmly stay on the truth and guard this religion. We see how the ignorant compare scholars of jihad and scholars who adhere to the truth with those scholars who are always close to the unjust rulers and issue suitable fatawas for them.

These ignorants cannot distinguish between truth and falsehood. They have a narrow horizon and limited view. They want to drive this entire religion into a narrow frame. They break the ranks of the mujahedeen and shed the blood of those who do not agree with them.

There is a excellent saying from one of our brothers:

"a Mujahid without knowledge and with weak imaan is a zaalim, but a scholar always remains scholar”.

Praises to Allah, behind everything there is His wisdom. If this turmoil did not happen we would not be able to recognize those who deceive the Ummah.

Allah Exalted says in Qur'an:

"Is he, then, to whom the evil of his deeds made fair seeming, so that he considers it as good (equal to one who is rightly guided)? Verily, Allah sends astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. So destroy not yourself (O Muhammad(S)) in sorrow for them. Truly, Allah is the All Knower of what they do!" (Fatih: 8).

We praise Allah that there are Muslims who are not deceived by false statements and they listen to what the scholars have to say and follow their advices; and we work hard for Allah to be pleased with us, and the reward is with Allah.

And in conclusion we want to say to our respected sheikhs:

we are proud that you give us your support and we will continue to stay under your command until we see that you have erred yourselves.

We ask Allah that He strengthens you and rewards you for your good.

 

Your faithful followers, Junud Ash Sham.