From the Mouths of our Enemies, Pt 6

Here is the next installment from the book.  Gather the little ones around, this is going to be exciting!

Chapter 2

Hate Speech from Al-Qaeda

Osama bin-Laden

Arabic: أسامة بن محمد بن عوض بن لادن

    A name now inscribed in history and the one man everyone knows of is a key player in the spread of fundamental Islam.  Sheik Osama bin-Laden holds power and sway among the ulema (Islamic scholars) and his writings on Islamic topics: sharia law, warfare, women, property are considered legitimate among Muslims.  His fatwas carry weight and his voice is one of many voices which help determine rulings by the ulema, or Islamic council. 

    He is very iconic to the west, a figure splendid in his stature but cartoonish in his ways.  Muslims see him as one who can help bring about the next caliphate, destroy the west, Israel and the Jews and make religion for Allah alone. 

   The words from OBL since the early 80s has not changed, they have only become more strident.  Osama bin-laden’s views are based not because of what Americans do, who we are as a people or how we "define" Islam, it is all due, in whole to his understanding of the tenets of Islam, the Qur'an, hadiths and the Sunna of Muhammad. 

    Sharia law is an integral player in this sick Passion play, uniting Islamic principals, goals and structure within a legal codec, valid for all, and for all time.  Osama bin-Laden knows well his philosophy and takes no chances with what his words mean.

   Born sometime around 1957, no one, not even OBL knows for sure, in Saudi Arabia he is the 17th of 52 children.  Born to a father who was an immigrant from Yemen and a mother who was one of four wives was claimed to be either Syrian or Palestinian, again no one knows for fact.

     Dad is killed when the helicopter he was riding in crashed.  OBL was 10 and eventually inherits a portion of the family construction business worth tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars. 

    Osama bin-Laden’s first marriage occurred when he was 17 and was to a Syrian cousin.   OBL attended King Abdul Aziz University in Jedda, Saudi Arabia and it is there he experiences for the first time the power and glory of fundamental (militant) Islam.

   

    Instructor Abdullah Azzam, a Palestinian who is a major player in the growing Islamic jihad revival grabs Osamas ear and begins to plant the subtle seeds of Islamic hatred and superiority.        

   Abdullah Azzam is considered to be the "Godfather of Jihad" and his coalescing of the 4 main schools of Islamic jurisprudence with a fundamental interpretation of Islam via the Qur'an, hadith and Sunna provided the strong foundation for today’s rabid expression of Islam towards the world.  Abduallah Azzam's trademark slogan was, "Jihad and the rifle alone: no negotiations, no conferences and no dialogues.”(1) 

   When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, Azzam produced a fatwa (religious proclamation), and had it confirmed by high-ranking clerics including Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti (highest religious scholar), Abd al-Aziz Bin Bazz. The fatwa declared that both the Afghan and Palestinian struggles were jihads and that killing kuffar in those countries was fard ayn (a personal obligation) for all Muslims.

    He founded Mekhtab al-Khadimat (Services Office, MAK), establishing guest houses in Peshawar, Pakistan and training camps in Afghanistan, working closely with OBL from an early stage. Any recurring elements in bin Laden’s declarations duplicate the ideas Azzam expressed in works such as Defense of the Muslim Lands.  

   At the feet of Azzam bin-laden learned how deep his hate would plumb, and under which worldview they would fester.   By Nov 1989 Azzam had wore out his welcome and was killed by a devastating bomb blast that also killed two of his sons. No perpetrator was ever found responsible although the US has been accused of being a player in the assassination. 

   Until OBL saw the bright white light of Islam, he was studying to be an engineer, and was enjoying the decadent western lifestyle popular with young Muslim men his age.  His affection for western behavior didn't last more than a few years and the teachings and indoctrination into what would become Al-Qaeda fueled his zeal to enter the arena of the mujahedeen and jihad.    The Russian incursion into Afghanistan solidified bin-laden’s theological beliefs and he threw himself into the battle against the "crusaders" with all the fervor demanded and expected of a true follower of Islam. 

  

   Throughout the war in Afghanistan OBL played the part of financier, patriot, leader, fighter and father, eventually forming into the "Afghan" Arabs, or as we know them the Mujahedeen.

     Almost 10 years passed before OBL and his legions managed to drive the Soviets out and at his return to Saudi Arabia he was greeted as a war hero (which he was, Islamically speaking) and someone who should be looked up to as an example of the perfect Muslim, the most high practitioner of Muhammad’s final revelations to the world. 

    He was at his pinnacle in SA with construction contracts guaranteeing him millions and a life which afforded him all the time he needed to satisfy his four wives.  The Arabian honeymoon ended with the kingdom tossing OBL out and revoking his citizenship, due mostly to his scathing condemnation of the rulers of SA who, in bin-laden’s eyes were less than pure Muslim and deserved the scorn, and the sword if possible. 

    Numerous plots and plans were laid and hatched with bin-laden at the helm, providing everything from logistics to financing and organization of those he fought with against the Soviets in the 80s. 

   Iran and Syria, starting in the 80s have played a large part in the growing problem of Islamic hate, a role which they still practice today.  Their influence in the spread of fundamental Islam, in concert with OBL, Zawahiri, Masha'al, Khameini and others is more powerful and more determined than ever.  

   Starting in 1991 OBL began to appear more frequently in the public eye.   He had joined with the newly created Al-Qaeda in a number of targeted bombings beginning with the twin explosions in Aden which were aimed at American servicemen on their way to Somalia to help with humanitarian and peacekeeping duties. 

    Massive monies were sent to Somalia as well as material, men and machines, all courtesy of bin-laden and his courtiers of friends resulting in the infamous "Blackhawk down" episode and the eventual withdrawal of US personnel from the Horn of Africa.  Islam-1, America-0. 

    His continued rise from within the bowels of Islam helped form the plan for Islamic dominance in Africa, continued attacks against the "crusaders" worldwide and the never-ending struggle to make Islam the dominate religion both in America and across the planet. 

   The words of OBL were beginning to creep into western ears, the rhetoric and invective becoming much more deliberate in describing how this was a "religious" struggle pitting the infidels against those peace-loving Muslims.  To illustrate the depth of his dedication to Allah, in 1993 he said,

"I was never afraid of death ... As Muslims, we believe that when we die, we go to heaven. Before a battle, God sends us ... tranquility."(2)

Bolstering his position are these passages from the Qur’an which are used routinely by bin-Laden and global jihadists as foundational texts.

002.190
Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.

002.207
And there is the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah: And Allah is full of kindness to (His) devotees.

002.216
Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.

003.158
And if ye die, or are slain, Lo! it is unto Allah that ye are brought together.

004.074
Let those fight in the cause of Allah Who sell the life of this world for the hereafter. To him who fighteth in the cause of Allah,- whether he is slain or gets victory - Soon shall We give him a reward of great (value).

009.052
Say: "Can you expect for us (any fate) other than one of two glorious things- (Martyrdom or victory)? But we can expect for you either that Allah will send his punishment from Himself, or by our hands. So wait (expectant); we too will wait with you."

009.072
Allah hath promised to Believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah: that is the supreme felicity.

  

To be absolutely sure that your death is a greater ideal and higher calling than the sanctity of life, and to teach that doctrine as right for all time seems to preclude any chance of a compromise, especially if your the one playing for the "life" team.  There is no greater sin than that of the intolerance of life and its inherent beauty. 

   Continuing on with jihad and the terrorizing of you, me and the societies of the world bin-laden never stopped saying what he was going to do, and why.  Always using theological foundations to bolster his rational there is no doubt, or shouldn't be, that his interpretation   of Islamic doctrine and the execution thereof was and is legitimate and valid for all Muslims for all time.  To put a much finer point on this here is OBL being a bit blunter.  From an interview with CNN in 1997 he said

"Being killed for Allan's cause is a great honor achieved by only those who are the elite of the nation. We love this kind of death for Allah's cause as much as you like to live. We have nothing to fear for. It is something we wish for."(3)

    Is there a lack of crystal clarity in these words?  There doesn't seem too much room for debate or even wiggle room in the interpretation.  When hearing words such as these there should be no debate, no parsing of context or disingenuous rantings in an attempt to cover up or spin the true meaning.  It is what it is, period.

 

 How do you, as one of the worlds leading fundamental Islamists insult the great Satan and his gang and stir the pot even faster?  By calling for all-out war against your enemies: everyone NOT Muslim.  On August 23, 1996, bin Laden issued Al Qaeda’s first “declaration of war” against America, the full title being, “Message from Osama bin Laden to his Muslim brothers in the whole world and especially in the Arabian Peninsula: declaration of jihad against the Americans occupying the Land of the Two Holy Mosques (Saudi Arabia); expel the heretics from the Arabian Peninsula.”  Not easy to yell out as you’re charging your enemy, but it does have a ring to it. 

     Claiming the religious high ground while upholding the ideals of the perfect man, Muhammad, OBL knew the US, having no real clue as to who, or what he was or what he believed, would have no response.  He was right, we didn't.

   In February 1998 bin Laden and several leading Muslim fundamentalists formed a coalition called "The International Islamic Front for Jihad Against the Jews and Crusaders". 

    Players in this evil cabal included Al Qaeda, Egyptian Islamic Jihad led by Dr Ayman al-Zawahiri and the Egyptian Islamic Group.  Others involved were with organizations from Kashmir and Bangladesh.  The head of the Shura council for this group was bin-laden.

     In a fatwa published in the London-based Arabic newspaper Al Quds Al Arabis, it called on all Muslims world-wide to "kill the Americans and their allies-civilians and military wherever you find them"(4)  In the past decade nothing has changed. Whether it's the voice of Osama bin-Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, Kahlid Masha'al, the Ayatollah Kohmeini or any other prominent Islamic figure, the message is as clear as glass.  There will be no getting along until Allahs religion is supreme. 

  

  In 2009 Osama bin-Laden is as much the power player for Islam as he has ever been.  His vitriol has never wavered, his duty-bound invective always based soundly in Qur'anic texts. 

    There is nothing enigmatic about the man, he is exactly as he portrays himself.  Unfortunately, we infidels are told that he is just another Arab extremist, twisting the words of Muhammad and interpreting the Qur'an completely wrong.  If this is so, where are the millions of Muslims protesting how bin-Laden is sending the wrong message to the non-Muslim world about Islam?

Here are a few select words from bin-Laden over the course of the last 10 years.

"Hostility toward America is a religious duty, and we hope to be rewarded for it by God . . . . I am confident that Muslims will be able to end the legend of the so-called superpower that is America”(5)

"Every American man is an enemy to us"(6)

"We--with God's help--call on every Muslim who believes in God and wishes to be rewarded to comply with God's order to kill the Americans and plunder their money wherever and whenever they find it. We also call on Muslim ulema, leaders, youths, and soldiers to launch the raid on Satan's U.S. troops and the devil's supporters allying with them, and to displace those who are behind them so that they may learn a lesson"(7)

``We are seeking to incite the (Islamic) nation to rise up to liberate its land and to (conduct) jihad (holy war) for the sake of God"(8)”

“…And expect more that will further distress you. The Islamic nation, thanks to God, has started to attack you at the hands of its beloved sons, who pledged to God to continue jihad, as long as they are alive, through words and weapons to establish right and expose falsehood…in conclusion, I ask God to help us champion His religion and continue jihad for His sake until we meet Him while He is satisfied with us. And He can do so. Praise be to Almighty God”(9)

"Acquiring weapons for the defense of Muslims is a religious duty. If I have indeed acquired these weapons, then I thank God for enabling me to do so. And if I seek to acquire these weapons, I am carrying out a duty. It would be a sin for Muslims not to try to possess the weapons that would prevent the infidels from inflicting harm on Muslims"(10)

    These powerful and frightening words explain everything.  There is nothing to study, no verse needs interpreting and no amount of head-scratching can change the core meaning.  If ever there was a study in glaring reality, these words of hate are it.  By ignoring, or worse taking them as false, these words we run the very real risk of finding out much too late that the water in the pot has killed the frog.