May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you!

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful!

Praise be to Allah Lord of the Worlds and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family and companions, furthermore: 

This is a statement I read on behalf of my brothers from Tanzim al-Qa'idah fi Jazirat al-Arab/Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) concerning what was said in the last address of the noble Sheikh Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, may Allah protect him, leader of Dawla al-Islamiyya/Islamic State (IS) titled "Although the disbelievers dislike it", issued on the 20th of Muharram 1436 AH. 

We say firstly: We did not want to speak about the discord and current sedition in Levant. Especially at this sensitive stage, in which the enemies of Islam from amongst the crusaders, Safawiyeen (Safavids) and apostates are rushing into a war against the Mujahideen in Levant and Iraq, in fact against the entire Muslim Community. This war was and continues to be a crusade against all of the truthful Mujahideen. 

We took a position that we were obligated to; to assist our brothers however we are able, and we remain that way out of the belief that it is incumbent upon us to aid our brothers, the Mujahideen, with all their groups, entities and different movements. We ask Allah to defeat the confederates and turn their plots against them, Verily He is capable of that. 

And we took all efforts internally amongst our soldiers, as well as in our media, not to discuss the conflict that has occurred in Levant, considering what had occurred, a conflict and dispute between a number of parties, each claiming to be in the right, which made it incumbent upon us to take one stance towards all (parties). Calling on them to seize the fighting and spread of the sedition, and encouraging them to take the matter to an Islamic court to pass judgement on the matter. 

We tried and continue to do so despite the rift and chasm (created), until the hearts are united and the stance united on the fight against the real enemies, the crusaders, Rawaafidh (Shias) and apostates. And to stop the fighting and spilling of blood between the Mujahideen, that has become the greatest calamity that the Community is being trialled with at this stage. How, when Messenger, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said:

"The extinction of the whole world is less significant before Allah than killing a Muslim man".

And we have avoided (addressing) in our media the arguments and debates that have arisen from the conflict and fighting in Levant, among it, the accusation that al-Qaeda has deviated and their methodology has changed and have turned away from the path. Despite this we forgave (the person) that brought this up, may Allah pardon him, and we left the controversy incited not for the lack of clarification and proof but, in preference that the Muslims do not become preoccupied with side issues and marginal bickering, confusing our message to the Muslims, and sending us into a position in which we are distracted by fighting each other instead of our enemies. We overlooked this out of the desire to stop the evil. 

But our brothers in IS after the victories achieved by their hands in Iraq, that brought happiness and cured the hearts of the believers, surprised us with a number of steps and independent judgements, amongst them, the announcement of the Caliphate. This aided in the exportation of the fighting and sedition into other fronts. They declared this to appoint a Caliph over every Muslim, without this Caliphate having fulfilled all the conditions and without finding a path to resolve the disputes with the other Jihadi groups in Levant. 

They then made it incumbent on the Community, the entire Community, to give pledge of allegiance to the Caliph, and regarded those Muslims who do not (give pledge of allegiance) in every place as sinful. Then, more than that, they annulled the legitimacy of any group working for Islam whether they be Jihadi or those preaching. 

Then they strove to split the ranks of the Mujahideen, by gathering pledges from within the Jihadi groups. Through this they have taken a step that holds the most danger and is the most destructive to the entity of the Community and the Jihadi groups. They have split the ranks of the Mujahideen across The Islamic World through erroneous divisions that they have established since the declaration of the Caliphate. 

They have also announced the expansion of their Caliphate to a number of the lands, in which they have no control over, and have considered these areas as 'states' belonging to them and have appointed leaders over them, and have nullified any Jihadi groups that have not given them pledge of allegiance in that area. 

And when we speak about this topic, we do so with bitterness and sadness, out of compulsion and force. We are alerting the Muslim Community, the scholars of the Community and our bothers the Mujahideen to a number of matters: 

Firstly: Emphasising our stance regarding the fighting between the Islamic factions in Levant, that it is a Fitnah, and we do not support one faction against the other nor do we legitimize the taking of the blood of any of them. And we call for an end to the fighting and the for the appointment of a Sharia court to examine all the injustices claimed by these parties, Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, 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 that which you have judged and submit in (full, willing) submission". 

And we see this to be the only solution to stop the injustices and return the rights, which will not be dropped by the passing of time or the changing of events. As we express our utmost joy and happiness at the news of signs of stopping of the infighting between the Mujahideen in Levant. We call upon all parties to formalize and strengthen it, and to strike forcefully the hand of all those who wish to break it, to spare the blood protected by Islamic Law and preserve the strength of the Mujahideen. 

Secondly: We emphasise our stance regarding the Crusader campaign against our brothers the Mujahideen in Levant and Iraq. And it is incumbent on all the Muslims to assist their brothers against this new crusader campaign. It is not permissible, under any circumstances, to fight under the banner of the crusaders or to be among their campaign against IS or any other Jihadi group. 

Thirdly: Pertaining to the announcement of the Caliphate we say: to live under the protection of the rightly guided Caliphate, established on the Prophetic methodology is the highest of our wishes. Striving to establish it has been our path since the first day, which has prompted us to take up arms against the apostate rulers and the crusaders behind them. To this day we have not rested nor seek exemption (from the task). 

We see that the appointment of a leader is compulsory but when the times change. We do not oppose the establishment of the Caliphate or the appointment of a leader for the Muslims, but we strive to fulfil the conditions of this establishment and to remove all obstacles, and prepare the means, so it may be a Caliphate established on the Prophetic Methodology. 

As we wait for the appropriate time in which all the elements required are completed such as: fighting off those attacking us from among the crusaders and their helpers, the removal of the constraints over the people, unifying them, until the announcement finds it share of acceptance and the proof (for establishing it) holds true. 

We are in a time where there is an absence of those who are knowledgeable in the religion and the Fitnah (sedition) is great and there is an abundance of doubt and greed, and the people fail to distinguish between truth and falsehood which have been mixed. They are in a storming, oppressive sea and to Allah we complain. 

The declaration of the Caliphate upon all the Muslims by our brothers in IS has not fulfilled all the necessary conditions. They have not gone through with the consultation of all the People of Influence in the Muslim Community, or at the very least some of them from the truthful scholars and leaders of the Jihadi groups across the Islamic world. Let alone others that are worthy of consultation in the Islamic Community. Among that which was narrated showing that consultation and the consent of the majority of the People of Influence in the Community is necessary, what has been narrated in Bukhari:

"Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, delivered a speech to a gathering of the Companions present in the Prophet's Mosque in which he said:

''If any person gives the pledge of allegiance to somebody (to become a Caliph) without consulting the other Muslims, then the one he has selected should not be granted allegiance, lest both of them should be killed'."

And Sheikh ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah in (his book) Minhaajis Sunnah has said, emphasising the condition of the consent of the majority of the People of Influence:

"Supposing if Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, and a group along with him, gave him pledge of allegiance, meaning Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, and the rest of the companions did not he would not have become the leader through that, but only become the leader by the pledge of allegiance of the majority of the Companions that were the people of power and influence, this is why the absence (of the pledge of allegiance) of Sa'd bin U'badah did not diminish the objective of governance, because the objective is to achieve power and authority, through which the benefits of leadership is achieved, which was established by the agreement of the majority on that".

In addition to the announcement of the Caliphate lacking the condition of consultation and the approval of the majority of the People of Influence of the Community, the actual authority of IS, in which the Muslims are able to give and receive the rights and incumbent actions of the Imam, does not exceed the geographical areas that they control in Iraq and Levant. As for the rest of the regions, they do not have the true structure of a state, but rather groups and individuals fighting, working to repel the assailing enemy. 

This form that they are in, does not agree with the meaning of the Greater Caliphate, that which gathers the Muslims, where the Imam is a shield for those behind him, and does not permit except for a Muslim to give pledge of allegiance to. 

Based on all of the above, we do not see the validity of this Caliphate nor the consequences that results of it. We do not regard sinful those who do not give pledge of allegiance. And we do not consider that this announcement nullifies the legitimacy of other Islamic Groups active in the fields. 

Fourthly: The matter of the announcement of the Caliphate, with their acceptance that it is a matter of independent judgement, but the policy of our brothers in IS has caused the splitting of the ranks of the Mujahideen and the division of their unity during this sensitive stage in the history of the Mujahid Community. And this is from the absolutely forbidden matters in the Religion of Allah, as is shown by the general proofs in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, (which is) the call to expel all differences and anything that leads to it.

Speculative judgments that are only probabilities (such as) the announcement of the Caliphate does not supersede a matter that is absolute and established, which the incumbency thereof is stipulated, (such as) stopping all division and separation that leads to the spilling of blood and sedition. Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, says:

"And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and (thus) loose courage and (then) your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient". 

And from that which is known as a necessity of religion is that the fulfilment of promises, and the completion of pledges, is from the most emphasized Islamic obligations upon the Muslims, and breaking them is from the major and most destructive sins. Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, says:

"'And fulfil every commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever (that about which one will be) questioned".

And Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, says:

"And fulfil the covenant of Allah when you have taken it, (O believers), and do not break oaths and their confirmation while you have made Allah, over you, a witness. Indeed, Allah knows what you do".

"And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong (by) taking your oaths as (means of) deceit between you because one community is more plentiful (in number or wealth) than another community. Allah only tries you thereby. And He will surely make clear to you on the Day of Resurrection that over which you used to differ".  

And the greatest and most binding of the covenants is the pledge of allegiance and the covenant of obedience, which is presently practiced through the covenants of the Jihadi groups, the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

"There will be for every betrayer on the Day of Judgement a flag by which he will be recognised (agreed upon)"

and in the narration of Muslim: 

"When Allah will gather together, on the Day of judgement, all the earlier and later generations of mankind, a flag will be raised (to mark off) every person guilty of betrayal, and it will be announced that this is the betrayer of so and so (to attract the attention of people to his guilt)".

And from that which we obey Allah in, is that it is not permissible, under any circumstances, to violate these binding pledges, nor break these irrevocable covenants except that which is in accordance with Islamic rulings. Likewise it is not permissible, under any circumstances, to change and transfer from the pledge of allegiance of one person to that of another, unless it becomes an Islamic obligation to do so. As the outcome of that is the belittlement of the matter of pledge of allegiance, and its degradation and negligence (therein), whereas, the wise Sharia has glorified it and has commanded that it be respected and fulfilled, as mentioned previously.

Needless to mention, we are bound by a pledge of allegiance according to Sharia Law that we have taken to the leader of Al-Qaeda, the first being to Sheikh Osama bin Laden, may Allah have mercy on him, then we renewed it to Sheikh Ayman, may Allah protect him. And it is known that al-Qaeda has a pledge of allegiance bound to Mullah Mohammed Omar, may Allah protect him, since the moment of both pledges. And we have not found any reason that necessitates the breaking of the covenant nor the pledge of allegiance.

Based on this we refuse to heed the calls to split the ranks of the Jihadi groups. And we emphasise to our brothers, the fulfilment of the covenants, and we renew our pledge of allegiance to our Leader Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri, may Allah protect him, included in this is the pledge of allegiance to Mullah Mohammed Omar, may Allah protect him. What would our position be when this declaration and its consequences came at a time where the campaigns of the enemies from the apostates and crusaders has intensified on all fronts, starting from Waziristan, Somalia, Egypt, Yemen and in Maghreb al Islam. 

We have requested from our brothers in IS their support and help, but they surprised us with these independent judgements that causes destruction in one body and divides the unity. And we call upon our brothers in IF to retract their legal ruling regarding the nullification of the groups and the split of its ranks, for it is from transgression, oppression and (leads to) the breaking of ties, that Allah does not approve of for His servants. 

Is it logical, oh you who are just, to split the ranks of all of these Jihadi Groups from the east to the west of the earth, in Afghanistan, Somalia, Pakistan, Sham, Palestine, Egypt, the Caucuses, the Islamic Maghreb such as Libya, Algeria and Mali and in the Arabian Peninsula and other areas?

Is it logical that their structures be destroyed, and their efforts be demolished, while they have been fighting for decades against the enemy attacking their religion and property, or should the thousands of martyrs, wounded, prisoners, widows and orphans be denied?

Should all of these (people) have the legitimacy of their groups nullified, their ranks split and Fitnah incited among them, so that they can spill each other's blood?

This is surely from oppression and injustice. 

Likewise we call upon all our Muslim brothers, and specifically our brothers in the army of IS to reject this great evil, Imam Ahmed has reported from Huthayfa, may Allah be pleased with him, who said: 

"You either enjoin good and forbid evil and encourage goodness or Allah will put over all of you a punishment, and will place the worst of you as leaders over you, the best of you will then invoke to Allah and will not be responded to".

And in Sahih Muslim, Abdullah bin Amr Bin Al A'as reported that Allah's Messenger, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

"'How would you be, O people. When Persia and Rome would be conquered for you?

Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf said:

''We would say as Allah has commanded us and we would express our gratitude to Allah'.

Thereupon Allah's Messenger, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

''Nothing else besides it? You would (in fact) vie with one another, then you would feel jealous then your relations would be estranged and then you will bear enmity against one another. Or something to the same effect. Then you would go to the poor emigrants and would make some the masters of the others'."

Fifthly: We hold responsible our brothers in IS with all the consequences of these independent judgements and dangerous steps of weakening the strength of the Mujahideen which is an inevitable outcome of dispute. We hold them responsible for the loyalty to a certain groups opinions that has risen, the spread of independent judgements being made in the spilling of inviolable (Muslim) blood with the excuse of expanding and spreading the power of IS. And we emphasise that we do not begin (dealing with) a Muslim with aggression, fighting, and making their property and wealth permissible (to take). And in the case of the occurrence of dispute, we adhere to seeking judgement from the Sharia Law through an independent court, to judge between the matters and resolve the dispute between any parties of the Muslims. 

And we are at all times occupied with defending against the Crusader-Shia alliance, and we have, for this purpose, gathered our strength, mobilised the capacities of the Community, and incited the Muslims (to fight) obeying the word of Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He:

"So fight, (O Muhammad), in the Cause of Allah; you are not held responsible except for yourself. And encourage the believers (to join you) that perhaps Allah will restrain the (military) might of those who disbelieve. And Allah is greater in might and stronger in (exemplary) punishment".

And Allah is our Helper, and the Protector of the believers. 

Sixthly: We remind our brothers that are aiding the Mujahideen, to abstain from debate and arguments that are of no use. And to adhere to equity, truth and justice and to strive to unite the word and bring unity, not to split the ranks through disapproved alliances and loyalty to one group which is detestable. And to protect the rights of those entitled or to those who have priority in rights, and Allah says: 

"'And (there is a share for) those who came after them, saying, 'Our lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts (any) resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful'."

The dispute should be put in its appropriate place and given the appropriate concern, and should be debated with proof and evidence, far from insults and curses upon each other, for this is not the behaviour of a believer. The Messenger, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

"The believer is not a slanderer, nor does he curse others, and nor is he immoral or shameless".

And each speaker should understand that he will be asked about each word he utters regarding this sedition. In the prophetic traditions reported from Mua'th ibn Jabal, may Allah be pleased with him, the Messenger, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to him:

"'Shall I tell you of the root of the matter, its pillar and its highest point?'

I replied:

'Yes! Certainly, oh Prophet of Allah'.

He said:

''The root of this matter (foundation) is Islam, its pillar (mainstay) is As Salaah (the prayer) and its highest point is Jihad (fighting in the cause of Allah)'.

Then he asked:

''Shall I tell you of that which holds all these things?'

I said:

''Yes, Oh Messenger of Allah'.

So he took hold of his tongue and said: 

''Keep this in control'.

I asked:

''Oh Messenger of Allah! Shall we really be accounted for what we talk about?'

He replied:

'May your mother loose you oh Mu'ath! People will be thrown on their faces into the Hell on account of their tongues'."

Seventhly: To our brothers the Mujahideen on the frontlines of the Arabian Peninsula: Oh those guarding the frontiers in the faces of your enemies, oh those sacrificing for the sake of your religion, oh those that have sacrificed their souls in the Path of Allah, do not let the building blocks of the path distract you and do not let the afflictions of the journey hinder you. And remember that Devil is unable to have the worshippers worship him in the Arabian Peninsula, but (is able) to instigate between them, as narrated in the prophetic traditions. 

Do you wish to occupy yourself with argument and debate, at a time when the nations of infidelity are attacking you? Or (wish to) afflict the Community with distress through your conflict and become estranged from each other at a time when the Community waits on you to assist and aid it? Is this the time for argument and debate and frequency of irrelevant talk? It is narrated in the prophetic traditions from the Messenger, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him:

"'Verily Allah disapproves for you: irrelevant talk, persistent questioning and wasting of wealth".

The enemy has descended on our own ground through their viscous Crusader-Shia campaign. Do you leave them to violate the sanctities, desecrate the honours and wreak havoc and corruption in the land? No By Allah, we did not entrust you to this. And far be it, that you ruin the hopes of the Community in your Jihad. And far be it that you slip into sedition and degenerate therein. 

May my soul and what my right hand possesses be sacrificed,
Knights that have made my beliefs in them come true,
Knights that do not tire of meeting the fate of death,
Even if fierce battle breaks out,
(Poetry) 

So occupy yourselves with fighting your enemies, and protect your tongues and fear Allah that the Community be slaughtered by yourselves. 

Lastly: The statement of Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has hurt us and has hurt the Muslims on the frontlines of Yemen when he said: the Houthis found no monotheists to fight them. With the fact that these words are fantastical in this context, it negates Monotheism from a large group of Muslims that have fought the Houthis. We never thought that such (words) would emanate from the likes of the Sheikh. 

And the oppression of those that are close is more intense in agony,
Upon a man than the striking of a sharp sword.
(Poetry) 

And we say to you oh noble Sheikh: Bukhari and Muslim have reported from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him:

"The Messenger, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said:

''There have come the people of Yemen; they are tender of hearts, the belief is that of the Yemenites, the understanding (of the faith) is that of the Yemenites, and wisdom is that of the Yemenites'."

And the monotheists of the people of Yemen assisted Islam in the conquering of Levant and Iraq, Egypt, the Islamic Maghreb and Spain. And the martyrs of the people of Yemen are in Sind, India and Afghanistan. And there still remains Monotheists from the people of Yemen in every frontline of the frontlines Islam, defending the Religion and fighting in the Path of Allah. 

And this noble people of Yemen have fought with whatever they possess, and have sent forth thousands of martyrs in the fight against the Rawaafidh (Shia) Houthis and they continue to do so. Just as many of the tribes and Islamic groups have fought, and have sent forth great heroic acts and immense sacrifices. Their houses have been bombed and they have left their homes, they have been put under distress and suffering, and this continues. 

But the conspiracy was bigger than all their efforts and the plot was greater than their capabilities. The American crusaders have gathered against them, killing them with planes, and have placed over them their agents from the Rawaafidh (Shia) and their armies on the ground. The Government of agents handed over the country to the Houthis on a golden platter. And this noble generous people, who have and continue to support Islam, are capable with the help of Allah to face the aggression and fight the tyranny, despite their poverty, destitution and the immensity of the conspiracy against them.

"If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely".

And we the Mujahideen are but a portion of the sacrifice of this noble people, we will not hold back anything valuable or precious to us (in their support). 

Oh Allah establish a guided matter for this Community, Oh Allah unite the hearts of the Muslims, and unify their words, and protect their blood and eliminate any evil from their hearts. Ameen 

Tanẓim al-Qa'idah fi Jazirat al-Arab/Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)