A Message On ISIS Practices From Sheikh Abu ‘Abdullah as-Shami, Member Of Majlis Shura Of Jabhat an-Nusra And A Member Of The Shariah Committee
March 2014
On March 5th Abu ‘Abdullah as-Shami
spread a message making several allegations against
ISIS, The Islamic State in Iraq and as-Sham.
Translation:
Peace and blessings upon he who said "Beware of
extremism in religion for it has destroyed those that
came before you."
God aided in helping Mujahideen to expose secular
projects to Muslims. all these projects aim to keep
Muslims servile to the Crusaders. Just like God aided
Mujahideen to expose calls to waiver our rights (Saudi
scholars ). These need more devotion to be exposed to
Muslims. And previous projects should be focused on by
Mujahideen so that we they can expose its falseness to
the nation. So that we can foil it.
What's remaining is for the Mujahideen to warn people
about the people of extremism and excess. As it
presents a threat to the Jihad. We have in Algeria a
good example, what sabotaged the Jihad there was
extremism. And if you read history of Algeria you will
understand why there was no revolution like in
Tunisia/Libya even though they need one. And we mean
the events in the early 90′s as for today we have
brothers there that have learned from past
experiences. And they started making a new path of
Jihad led by the Shaykh Abu Musab Abdul-Wadoud (AQIM)
may God protect him. And to avoid the problems of
Algeria repeating in Syria we have to explain ISIS
group and paint a clear picture as we have lived it.
And we received what the scholars said to us like
Sheikh Abu Qatada and Sheikh al-Maqdisi to not wage an
open war against ISIS. we respond by not expanding
fight against them and it will be restricted to
repulsing their aggression in areas where they
attacked us. And this will continue until they accept
an Islamic Court. And we call on our fighters in
Aleppo to help the brothers in Sharqiyah. We call on
scholars to increase their writings/instructions to
Mujahidin in Syria. Now we register our Shar'i
position towards ISIS.
First we must declare that we are innocent of ISIS
ideology/idea and that this is not from us. Or from
al-Qaeda (Central). Especially looking at Sheikh Osama
bin Laden, Sheikh Dr. Zawahiri, Sheikh Abu Yahya &
Sheikh Attiyah al-Libi, Sheikh Zarqawi messages you
will find a clear difference in the Manhaj/methodology
and dealing with those that don't agree with you. ISIS
has deviated from the right path. And we would like to
emphasis on Zarqawi's innocence from this idea, for he
did not make Takfir on those who opposed them. And he
used to work with those he could work with and did not
change the battle against America to fight those who
opposed him. And it's known that majority of the
groups in Syria (Islamically) are better than the
groups of Iraq. And people think that the problems
between Nusra & ISIS started when ISIS was announced
which is not true. The reason for announcement was due
to (prior) 9 months of suffering by Nusra when ISIS
tried to take the mistakes from Iraq to Syria. Even
though Nusra & ISIS had agreement regarding that, as
Sheikh Baghdadi said to Sheikh Jawlani: Transferring
Iraq's reality to Syria is suicide.
Nobody denies Jihad in Iraq has many positives, but
we're talking about mistakes that happened in Iraq
which could happen everywhere.
Our refusal of announcing State was for several points
like not being from Manhaj of Sunna as it forced
itself on Syrians without Shura. Which is violation on
Syrians as there are many groups here that want
Shariah & the damage it would cause to Syria, which it
has. They built their thought that only what worked in
Iraq will work in Syria and that's what they built
their strategy on. The reason for announcement was to
cut connection between Nusra & al-Qaeda (Central). And
this is what Baghdadi said to the mediators. As they
didnt have elements necessary to create a state. How
can you declare something then work on building that
what you've announced?
We asked Baghdadi if a direction connection between
Nusra and Al-Qaeda Central would be accepted by him
(without ISI), he said yes. And regional commanders
like Baghdadi are not allowed to take such big steps
without consulting AQC which they are part of. And
transgressing the powers of a regional commander will
be considered a sin as Baghdadi admitted infront of
the mediators that the announcement was premature, so
if he's a Mujtahid and he realizes his mistake he
should turn away from the mistake but he persists on
the mistake he sins and if we follow him we sin.
We raised this issue to Sheikh Dr. Zawahiri as both
parties were satisfied with having him as a judge as
he's the leader of both of us. We were told to raise
all the issues to the Shaikh which we did and the
decision was that Nusra was AQ's branch in Syria. Not
obeying Baghdadi has several similar examples in the
Salaf [Describes a Sahabi refused to execute prisoner
on command of Khalid] But ISIS rejected Sheikh Dr.
Zawahiri's verdict and continued its aggressive
behavior which brought Syria to today's abyss.
So they ruled on Nusra to be aggressors and Munafiqin
(hypocrites), corrupting the land and sometimes
apostates. And they ruled on the majority of groups
fighting the Nusayris to be apostates. And we will
mention here some of the crimes committed by ISIS
since its beginning a year ago, which we have
experienced and seen:
A: Lies and frauds which is used by ISIS to infer the
legitimacy of their ideology and the remaining of
their State. Like dodging their relations to AQC as
they used to say to us and their men that they will
obey their leader Ayman [verdict]/ Baghdadi said that
he had Bayah to sheikh Osama bin Laden and after he
died a Bayah to Sheikh Dr. Zawahiri and based on this
did Sheikh Jawlani do Bayah to Sheikh Dr. Baghdadi.
Then ISIS raised tale of Leader that ordered
(Baghdadi) & soldier that disobeyed (Sheikh Jawlani)
to their soldiers to discredit Nusra. And when Sheikh
Dr. Zawahiri's message came to us saying everything
will be frozen until final verdict comes, they hid
first bit (freezing situation) And their aggression on
HQ and wealth of Nusra continued until the final
verdict of Sheikh Dr. Zawahiri came (letter). They hid
it again. This time they made an inside statement to
ISIS fighters that they do not know of a letter (‘s
authenticity). They also said that their relationship
to AQC is just organizational and is not final as in
not to obey Sheikh Dr. Zawahiris verdict. This at the
same time as they were carrying out a campaign of
smearing the leaders of Jihad in their circles.
B: Seizing the wealth of Nusra. After their
announcement of their state they carried out
successive takeovers of military camps, HQS etc. Nusra
at the time issued a command to avoid clashing with
ISIS even if they take all their weapons until Sheikh
Dr. Zawahiri's verdict comes out.
C: "Killing of interrest" – he explains a long Hadith
of how you can kill those that seek to disunite
Muslims when its under one Leader. And that this is
being taught in ISIS circles, which is something he
says he didn't believe until they saw it. Meaning that
Baghdadi is Caliph of Muslims & that ISIS soldiers
will implement this on reality. Meaning Nusra =
seeking to disunite.
D: Cutting of roads, in Raqqah they blocked Nusra
supplies such as wheat etc. even though its beneficial
for most of Muslims. They dressed this (cutting of
roads) in Islamic clothes and taught this to their
soldiers as if this is good for their religion. And
lately this led to cutting of road to those on the
frontlines, like in Deir ez-Zour where hundreds of
soldiers of Nusra were cut off.
E: "Debauchery in rivalry" when someone disagrees with
them they start turning on him & discrediting. Even if
they praised him before. Like Nusra leaders, Sheikh
Dr. Zawahiri, Sheikh Iyad Qunaybi, and the mediators
in the First Fitnah like Sheikh Abu Sulayman al-Muhajir.
For example they used to praise Sheikh Dr. Zawahiri &
call on people to obey him because he used to praise
them before finding out about them. So when Sheikh Dr.
Zawahiri issued verdict they started criticizing his
recognizing Sykes Picot and that they have Shar3i
objections to his verdict They did same with Sulayman
al-Alwan & Abu Qatadah & al-Maqdisi, as soon as they
disagreed with them they became "Unaware of reality".
F: Treachery and betrayal. Like what their Shar'i did
when entering upon Liwa Tawhid as a messenger to
discuss a peace treaty. Liwa Tawhid handed some of
their soldiers in to ISIS as hostages as in to show
his safety. ISIS then committed 3 treacheries. The
messenger blew himself up. Which is the first
treachery as messengers do not kill nor are they
killed. Then ISIS raided place which is second
treachery. Then they executed Tawhid hostages & sent
bodies back accompanied with a dogs body.
G: Breaking treaties. Like when Baghdadi said they
would obey Sheikh Dr. Zawahiri's verdict. and his
second in command said: If the verdict is in favour of
Nusra then we will all become Nusra. As well breaking
agreements with Nusra in the recent events when Nusra
used to come in as a mediator in several cities. Like:
When Nusra intervened between ISIS & Jaish al-Mujahidin
to hand over Shaikh Sulayman Camp to Nusra. They
bombed village from that base.
H: Leaving frontlines. 1 of leaders said we will
withdraw, let Nusayris enter city & rape/kill and lets
see what other groups will do.
I: Taqiyah, they used to say lot of things in front of
other groups but when they are in their own circles
it's completely opposite. Like in a private meeting
between Adnani & Ahrar he said their Aqidah was right
so Ahrar asked if he could put that in a statement. He
didn't as in not to fall in his soldiers eyes, so what
was it he said to his men (about Ahrar's ideology). ?
J: False swearing (on God), their leaders swore on God
that they would obey Sheikh Dr. Zawahiri's verdict.
Adnani said "I swear to God if verdict comes we will
adhere to it." They didn't. Just as they swore they
didn't kidnap Hadrami.
K: Hiding suspects/criminals – like they hid a man
that stole money from Nusra not only that but they
made him a Wali of Deir ez-Zour. Just like the Wali of
Raqqah who killed/tortured the Muslims and even
Mujahidin such as al-Hadrami. And the Wali of Sahil
(Coast) who said I will rule by the Shariah of the
jungle and he attacked many groups and persons. And
Liwa Dawud who killed two people in a Islamic court
and then joined ISIS in Binnish.
L: Reckless act (used a Shar3i term) like attacking
villages with pretex of Sahwat being there + using
suicide bombers against Ahrar. Just as Attiyah al-Libbi
said that the leaders of suicide bombers should not
deceive them or sending them to questionable targets.
And that the Istishadi (suicide bomber) should be sure
of what he's targetting or else Allah will question
him and punish him.
M: Deception. not just to other groups but even their
soldiers. Like making them think they're attacking PKK
while it's the Mujahidin.
N: Killing of leaders & threatening others such as Abu
Khalid alSuri, Abu Sad al-Hadrami, Abu Rayyan,
Mohammad al-Faris, Abu Ubaydah etc In their statement
did not clear them from charges, rather it implicated
them as saying that they did not order for it. They
did not but they were fueling their fighters to do it
and they should hand the perpetrator in to an Islamic
court. They threatened him before that and even said
the way they would kill him and what other group sends
Inghimasis to Mujahid HQS? They did not even say their
condolences by saying "Rahimahu Allah".
O: Taking groups rights. Like when after battle they
will take war booty for themselves like in Raqqa where
they took all the tanks. Just like their continuous
attacks on smaller and weaker groups and taking their
weapons and HQs/wealth. Like what happened in Shadadi
where they attacked Ahrar's HQ and took their weapons
which later also happened to Nusra.
P: Refusing to accept a Islamic court, they rejected
all reconciliation efforts which I will mention in
details later.
Q: Attacking Mujahidin on the front lines like when
they attacked Nusra/Ahrar on the front lines against
PKK. Or when they attacked Liwa Tawhid when they were
fighting against the Nusayris.
R: Extremism, like in Takfir, for Khawarij used to
make Takfir for Kaba'ir (big sins) while ISIS makes
Takfir of sometimes not even that Shaykh al-Islam says
the Khawarij make Takfir of a sin, while that sin is
not even a sin. Shaykh al-Islam said a sign of
Khawarij is they mke something which is not a sin a
sin & something which is not a good deed a good deed.
ISIS make Takfir of someone because he sat with a
Kafir while sitting with Kufar is not Kufr & not a sin
on its own. And another sign of their extremism is
them making Takfir based on thoughts and probabilities
and characteristics. So they make rulings on
probabilities of what might happen in future, like
calling groups Sahwat of future so they treat them
like that And now everyone that fights them is called
Sahwat even if it's a reaction to their aggression. So
they made spilling of blood halal. Like what happened
with the IF and other Islamists groups & at the end
with Nusra like in their Deir ez-Zour statement when
they said: "That they" meaning Nusra "are in the same
trenches as Sahwat and those who work for the West.".
Or Abu Sad al-Hadrami, where the ISIS leader in Raqqah
said he was executed for taking Bay'ah from FSA, is
that now apostasy? And their extremism in Bay'ah, just
like they requested a Bay'ah ‘Amah & everyone who
doesn't pledge allegiance is sinning [Aathim]
Those are some of the crimes commited by #ISIS in
Syria, as for what happened in Regiment 46 camp we
will explain:
Before Atarib fighting, ISIS kidnapped a FSA commander
in Atarib and he was found dead in the same area and
they kidnapped another FSA. FSA asked Nusra for
protection and we referred it back to the Islamic
Court in Aleppo as in not to get involved directly. On
night before ISIS raid on camp, ISIS asked Liwa al-Ansar
to borrow their checkpoint for the night. Liwa al-Ansar
left them. The next morning ISIS did not give it back
or the weapons and they started to besiege the Camp
and threatened those inside. So we came to an
agreement that everyone would leave the camp including
ISIS, and like usual everyone complied except ISIS. So
ISIS took the opportunity to raid the camp and killed
some people including Nusra fighters. So ISIS shelled
Atareb to get into Qibt al-Jabal village and clashed
with Nur al-Din Zinki group. So there the fight
started.
Then Ahrar moved on several fronts/reasons – some for
Abu Rayyan, others to recapture Maskanah and others to
help the 46 Regiment Camp. Majority of groups moved
against ISIS to regain their rights from ISIS. Inc.
Liwa Tawhid as they had prisoners at ISIS. Liwa Tawhid
kidnapped group belonging to ISIS & even though ISIS
knew that they still chose to execute Tawhid hostages.
In Raqqah clashes started between Ahrar & ISIS in
which ISIs attacked a checkpoint belonging to Nusra
which led infighting to kick off. In Raqqah they put
snipers on buildings & started shelling Tal Abyad. And
they entered a hospital and killed the Ahrar injured
soldiers They killed about 70 of Nusra and about a 100
of Ahrar.
As for Dana, a stronghold of ISIS, they were besieged
by all sides/groups so they decided to hand it over to
Nusra. And after Nusra's enter and raised Nusra's flag
broke the treaty and Nusra withdrew and after a few
days they were forced to leave. And this happened in
most areas where they agreed to hand over HQs/towns to
Nusra and then breaks it.
As for Aleppo, there were clashes between Ahrar and
ISIS in Maskanah where ISIS took over some Ahrar HQs.
They withdrew from hospital after executing everyone,
the images in media are real and they killed one that
belonged to Nusra. They were supposed to hand over the
hospital but they didn't – they withdrew after
executing everyone.
They brought Shishani from the East under pretex that
women got raped if that's true then our Martyrdom will
come before their honor. But ISIS used this as a media
tool to incite against those they made Takfir of and
called Sahwat. Where Shishani entered al-Bab and broke
treaties he had with Abu Khalid al-Suri and is still
fighting till today. The regime used this for its
benefit & Today Aleppo is in danger. After ISIS
withdrew to Badiya they started their aggression
there. ISIS pressure on groups in Aleppo forced some
groups to withdraw from the frontlines to repulse
ISIS.
In Hasakah they attacked Ahrar and forced some to flee
and others pledge allegiance while they were fighting
against the PKK.
This was followed by attacks on Nusra in Deir where
they occupied some HQs of Nusra and Oil plant. And
they blocked of the road for supplies where we have
100s of soldiers. And this wasn't the only reason for
infighting to start there This was only after months
of aggression against the Islamic Court and Nusra.
ISIS plan is to take over entire Eastern Region &
kicking out all groups. So Nusra sent a message saying
we wanted a court hearing. They said. "This is only
the beginning." So Nusra gave ISIS an ultimatum. And
after the end. Nusra got ready to regain HQs. So then
ISIS started attacking our HQS in Hasakah which forced
Nusra to withdraw to Deir province. After the
infighting started, ISIS sent a suicide bomber to
attack the Nusra convoy but he was uncovered and the
next day. ISIS got a suicide bomb ready but when the
car broke down he asked people to help push the car
but when they saw the bomb. The people got suspicious
the ISIS fighter blew the car up. Just like how ISIS
sent 3 suicide bombers to a Nusra leaders house. Just
like they sent a motorbike with suicide bomber who
attacked another leader's house – two kids got injured
who are now in hospital. As well as car bombs they
used in Mayadin against Ahrar. Nusra from the
beginning took path of reconciliation and calling to
Shariah. But ISIS from its first day rejected all
reconciliation efforts, which will be mentioned now:
A: The verdict of Sheikh Dr. Zawahiri who appointed
Sheikh Abu Khalid as a mediator, they rejected this
and even killed Abu Khalid.
B: Sheikh Dr. Jawlani sent a initiative that Sheikh
Jawlani would leave leadership position and that ISI
and Nusra would elect a new leader > Rejected.
C: Sheikh Jawlani sent with Abdul-Aziz al-Qatari that
ISI and Nusra would merge into "Al-Qaeda" but would
keep Nusra policy > Rejected.
D: Sulayman al-Alwan after the First Fitnah >
Rejected.
E: We contacted all groups to accept a peace treaty,
Ahrar, Tawhid, Suqor al-Sham etc. all agreed. ISIS
agreed but only for one area. And that was so that a
local leader could leave a siege that was implemented
on him.
F: Jawlani's public statement where he proposed a
treaty also rejected by ISIS. And then Adnani's audio
message came out dripping blood, with "We have hungry
lions that drink blood and are accompanied by bones."
By God, tell me who you are talking to Adnani? Bush
when he invaded Iraq? Or to Abu Khalid al-Suri,
Vanguisher of Nusayris?
G: And Sheikh Dr. Zawahiri's initiative which was
ignored by ISIS.
H: Then Sheikh Muhaysni's Initiative which they
indirectly refused by putting conditions which have
nothing to do with the problems at hand.
All these peace initiatves with support from all
scholars came ISIS leader Baghdadi's response that
That they will leave everyone that leaves them even
though they haven't and ALL the attacks in Sharqiyah
came after ISIS leader Baghdadi's statement where
there was no infighting. if Baghdadi tells his men to
return injusticse then process is Islamic Court NOT
laying down weapons and repenting to God at ISIS HQs.
The last initiative was Sheikh Jawlani's 5 Day
Ultimatum to go to a Islamic Court with no conditions.
After all these details it became clear to us that
everyone who fights ISIS they will consider to be
fighting against Islam. And this is from the way they
act and conduct themselves even if it's not in their
official statements. ISIS refused to be judged under
Gods law for fake excuses and fought Mujahidin and
made money/blood Halal due to wrong interpration So
ISIS is a Taifah Mumtaniah (refusing sect) that
refuses the ruling of (a portion) of Shariah. [Shar3i
explanation follow for a bit]
We shouldn't be surprised for their extremism when the
problem is their interpretation and this is how all
Ahl ul-Bid'ah started. ISIS shares several attributes
with those people like Khawarij like Takfir and Imamah
& way they treat people who disagree with them. More
Shar3i talk explaining Khawarij attributes.
And what we found common in the Khawarij and ISIS is
their haste in Takfir based on suspicions and
probabilities etc. And making Takfer of jst one person
is a very dangerous issue and nobody but high scholars
should go into these things. More Shar3i talk.
Another attribute they share is their not taking Ulema
serious/disrespecting. So they call their soldiers not
to listen to them. And you might even see them
accusing the Ulema and leaders of Jihad because they
do not agree with them like Sheikh Abu Qatada and
Sheikh al-Maqdisi.
Another attribute they share with the Khawarij is
questioning people's Iman/faith and testing it.
Another attribute is killing Muslims but leaving
Kuffar. 10 suicide bombings against Assad vs 40
car/suicide bombs against Mujahidin.
So ISIS is a aggressor refusing ruling of Shariah (Taifa
Mumtani3a) and they are the closest group resembling
the Khawarij. On top of that they have attributes not
shared with the Khawarij like breaking treaties,
Taqiyah and swearing on God whilst lying etc. And
until this day they refuse to be judged under Gods Law
so we say you are Islamically allowed to fight this
group.. And that is for several reasons:
A: They started this aggression against us and our
wealth so Islamically we are allowed to fight them.
[Gives Shar3i proof]
B: ISIS is who started agression against the other
factions (IF). Shar3i talk.
C: ISIS is considered the biggest obstacle in the
Jihad against the Nusayris, so it's Wajib to get rid
of this obstacle.
D: ISIS takes the interpration of Ahl ulBiddah like
the Khawarij when it comes to Takfir. If they don't
leave this we allowed to fight.
E: ISIS blocked roads of supplies to Mujahidin so as
long as they block the roads we are allowed to fight
them.
F: ISIS is sheltering criminals and if they don't want
to hand them in to Islamic Courts we are allowed to
fight them.
Now we want to make some things clear:
We do not fight for revenge or to settle personal
scores and we do not start the aggression. We are not
fighting them for the Fitnah that happened but due to
their aggression against us. If it wasn't for them
forcing us we would not have fought them as fighting
Nusayris a priority for us. We do not coordinate with
the lackeys of America from the Coalition/SMC or those
like them. And not everyone that ISIS declared Kafir
is Kafir in our eyes, like the Islamic Front. If our
fight coincides with ISIS's fight against puppets
sponsored by the West that does not concern us. We are
fighting to repulse ISIS's aggression and coinciding
of a battle is one thing and an alliance is a
competently other thing. The previously mentioned
notes do not apply to every single soldier but they
take it as a group. Muhajireen are our brothers, they
are better than us for they made Hijrah & they have
high positions in Nusra & we still take them in. Our
fight with ISIS is not Ansar (Syrians) vs Muhajiren
(foreigners) even though ISIS wants to picture it like
that. They are propagating this because majority of
their fighters are Muhajireen & they want to tell them
there's no other choice than ISIS.
At the end we declare our innocence of ISIS's ideas –
and to free ourselves to fight the Nusayris. We repeat
Sheikh Jawlani's call to accept a Shariah Court to
avoid bloodshed. If you come back to the Muslim nation
it will forgive you. But if you don't the nation won't
forgive you for sabotaging the Jihad which almost
completed its goal (of getting rid of Assad.)