An Address to the Muslims from Abû Qatâdah, ‘Umar ibn Mahmûd Abû ‘Umar
23-03-2009
Commentary on the decision of the British House of Lords approving of the
government rendering him to the Jordanian government.
Translation and footnotes by At-Tibyân Publications.
All praise is due to Allâh, the Lord of all the Worlds. And may the blessings
and peace be upon the unlettered Prophet. And to proceed…
As-Salâmu ‘Alaykum Wa Rahmat Allâhi Wa Barakâtuh,
I begin my words by praising Allâh, the Most High, for His great favours and His
grand, sweeping bounties, because, by Allâh, He has been generous to me with
many gifts and bounties, which I’m unable to enumerate, nor am I able to extend
(suitable) praise for it nor to fulfill my gratitude towards them. The greatest
of them was that which I was afflicted with in His path from imprisonment,
confinement and harm, then I was given in these six years bounties and gifts the
likes of which, had I spent all of my life outside of the prison, I would not
have attained them, so the gift of prison then the many gifts within it, took
place through His praise, His virtue and His choosing.
In the first three years, I completed the memorization of the Book of Allâh, the
Most High, along with lengthy contemplations about it, which helped me in
writing a number of books, the most beautiful of them, in my opinion, was the
book: “Fann al-Qirâ’ah” (”The Art of Reading”), which is a book in which I hoped
to narrate my experience with the great endeavour of reading, so that the person
may reach through it, to what which I labelled: “Al-Qirâ’ah al-Jadaliyyah”
(”Forensic Reading”), in which I mentioned many of the dreams, advice and
conclusions, so that the reader may reach to the exaltation of Allâh, the Great,
and His glorification. And I wanted to make the reading of religious material a
scientific (style) of reading, just as I wanted to make reading - any reading -
to be a religious-based reading through its correct meaning. In other words,
that the ‘Ubûdiyyah (servitude of worship) would be completed for Allâh, the
Most High. I hope from Allâh, the Most High, that He will make its distribution
easy, because I believe that nothing has been written like it before on this
topic.
And while inside, I also wrote the book: “Limâthâ Intasarnâ? ” (”Why Were We
Victorious?”) I clarified in this book the meaning of victory from the Book of
Allâh, the Most High, and I discussed the status of the Jihâdî movements;
specifically and its effects on the world in general. And in it, I came to the
certain conclusion that we are living in a victory, because the grid line for
the Ummah (nation) of Islâm is on the rise and the line of Kufr (disbelief) is
descending and falling. And within this book there are many hypothetical debates
with the defeatist side within the Islâmic ranks.
From the first day of my first imprisonment - three years - I recorded my
thoughts and my dreams and likewise that which I saw with my eyes and that which
I remembered from the stances (of men) in a manner such as “Sayd al-Khâtir”
(”Capturing Ideas”), [1] which I named “Shatharât Min al-Fikr Wal-Hayyât”
(”Fragments From The Ideology and Life”), with which I filled three notebooks.
From that which kept me busy for a long while was the understanding of “Al-’Aql”
(i.e. the Intellect). And it is from the matters, which have specific ties to
the Qur’ân, as it was not mentioned in the Qur’ân as an independent entity,
rather it was mentioned as a possessive action: ﴾…Ya’qilûn (those with
intellect)﴿. [2]
So I wrote a paper, which I called “Al-Farqu Bayn al-’Aql ash-Shi’rî Wa’l-’Aql
al-Jihâdî ” (”The Difference Between the Poetic Intellect and the Jihâdî
Intellect”). And that was through following what He, the Most High, said in
Sûrat Ash-Shu’arâ’:
﴿ وَالشُّعَرَاء يَتَّبِعُهُمُ الْغَاوُونَ ﴾
﴾ As for the poets, the erring follow them. ﴿[3]
And in those days I recorded some memories, which I did not complete, and I
named it: “Wa Fî Balmârsh Kanat Lanâ Ayyâm” (”And In Belmarsh We Experienced
Days”). And the last of what I wrote there was “Al-’Arba’ûn al-Jiyâd li-Ahl al-Tawhîd
Wa’l-Jihâd ” (”The Forty Steeds For the People of Tawhîd and Jihâd “) and it is
the only one, which Allâh, the Most High, decreed to be released to the
brothers.
The condition, which I lived during my first imprisonment, was what helped me in
these releases, as I wrote tens of poems, along with these books. From those
which were released, was my poem in regards to the elegy of Shaykh Ahmad Yâsîn,
a poem regarding the longing for Palestine, others regarding personal
development, many of which were introspective and another which I kept hidden,
due to who it was about; and that was my wife, may Allâh preserve her and
protect her, as a fulfillment towards her, for her patience and her
steadfastness, as well as her teaching me much of what I was in need of during
my trials. During that stage, we were with our brothers in solitary cells
wherein we remained for more than twenty-three hours of each night and day, as
the person could not see anyone; rather he would be secluded by himself. This
imprisonment - three years - was without any charges or trial. And also,
reviewing the evidences, which were claimed as the basis of your imprisonment by
the government, was not permitted, as their parliament approved a law, which
permitted the state to imprison any strange foreigner who did not process
British citizenship, for an indefinite period using secret evidence. This law,
in reality, can be considered - as I have labelled it - a re-emergence of those
who used to eat their false gods. Because we know that some of the Mushrikîn
(polytheists) long ago, as part of their polytheistic worship, used to make
idols out of dates and then they would worship them. But if they became hungry
they would eat them. And this is what the English government did, as it is the
one that claims that it respects the human (rights) regardless of his religion,
his colour, his language or his citizenship. But here it is, eating its god. And
it comes up with this law, which differentiates between one person and another.
Approximately ten brothers were imprisoned with me under this law and each one
of the brothers took advantage of his imprisonment in a unique way. And myself;
in addition to these books and (research) papers, I was able to - by the virtue
of Allâh - shed excess weight, as I was able to lose more than twenty-five
kilograms, by means of exercise and diet. And those who had never seen me
exercising had assumed that it was due to my illness, but it was not due to
this, praise be to Allâh. Rather, I was completely cured from my diabetes up to
this day. And likewise (I was cured from) the severe back pains, which I used to
experience while walking, as I have begun to run for a full hour and for a
distance of eleven kilometres. And all praise is due to Allâh, the Lord of all
the worlds.
We have defeated the British government, by the virtue of Allâh, the Most High,
and in our imprisonment, there was an uncovering of their filthiness and their
criminality and their false claims of humanism. And we were able to demonstrate
to the Muslims in Britain specifically, that the British government is one which
opposes Islâm and the Muslims. And a fracture, which can never be set after
that, took place by the virtue of Allâh.
The era of lies has finished and it has spread amongst the people, that there is
a Guantanamo in Britain, just as there is a Guantanamo in America, and it is
(called) Belmarsh. And a new generation of the Muslim youth has been raised, and
especially amongst our brothers who originate from the Indian subcontinent, who
were no longer mesmerized by the English authority, nor regarding the English
values - rather they hate it and they know its enmity towards them, so they have
become enemies towards it as well.
No one ever imagined that someone would be in prison for this length of time
without any charge or trial in Britain, but this is the reality. And it is the
true face of the arrogant person who sees that the other person is only a number
who has no value.
After three years, the House of Lords issued a decree, which voided this law and
they made harsh statements about it, so it was not renewed. But the approval of
another law in its place was ratified and it was the law, which gives the
British government the right to confine any person with restrictions (even) when
he is out of prison. And that is through preventing him, for a length of time,
from leaving his home, as well as preventing him from using a telephone or
computer or meeting with certain people, or going to certain places, or to
restrict the places where he may go.
We came out of the racist Belmarsh prison - the Guantanamo of Britain - under
this law; myself and my brothers. And I spent approximately five months outside,
while the British government played a new game. And it (i.e. the game) was
forming personal deals - yes, personal deals - with Jordan and Libya, which had
no lawful or legislated aspect, according to their religion or their laws,
through which the rendition of Muslims to their (original) countries takes
place.
After Salât al-Fajr, the police raided our homes and they lead us to prison
again, without any charge or civil trial. Rather with a private trial and secret
evidences. In other words, they were special for the foreigners, excluding the
children of their own skin (i.e. non-British citizens). And we - more than
seventeen brothers - were placed in a separate area, living together. Amongst us
were Palestinians, Jordanians, Libyans and Algerians. Then after a time, the
Libyans were released when the Libyan government - through a French liaison -
released the Bulgarian doctors who had been accused of spreading AIDS, while it
did not do the same for the English (doctors). So the British government took
revenge by releasing the Libyans. [4]
The British government was unsuccessful in forming a deal with Algeria, so it
entered into an endless spiral with the Algerians, while their game continued
being played with those who held Jordanian citizenship.
We were three, and two of us were together. Myself and the brother, ‘Abd Allâh
As-Samâmarah “Abû Shaymâ’ ” and the third was Abû ‘Îsâ Ar-Rifâ’î. And Abû ‘Îsâ
used to move back-and-forth between Belmarsh and the hospital, due to his health
condition, and he was not with us.
We remained with the brothers in this prison for three years and regretfully, I
did not complete very much in it, because the prison was communal with the
brothers (i.e. everyone were together) and discussions with them were deep.
Along with this, we were joined by the brother, ‘Âdil ‘Abd al-Majîd al-Misrî and
the brother, Khâlid al-Fawwâz an-Najdî, who were both charged in America, which
was seeking (extradition) to have them tried. And added in with us was the
brother(s), Bâbar Ahmad, Hârûn Aswât and Talhah Ihsân. And they all shared one
case, which was their being extradited to America.
A long while after the Libyans had been freed; all of us were able to be
released on bail, while awaiting a decision from the House of Lords regarding
our case. And after less than five months (passed), they raided my home at Fajr
and led me to Belmarsh under the claim that I broke the conditions of my bail,
which was that I considered fleeing Britain.
Think about this accusation: “considered fleeing”. In reality, it was not like
that. Rather, it was - as it has been stated in the documents: “…that it is
possible for him to consider fleeing…”
This is the fair, British judiciary, as the Zandâdiqah (hypocrites) of our
countries say.
So I returned to prison and the restrictions and harm had increased in the
prison, as I was placed upon the high security level. I was strip-searched twice
monthly and I returned to my former brothers, ‘Âdil, Khâlid, Bâbar and Talhah,
and another brother had been added in with them who was from Jamaica, who had
recently entered Islâm and taken the name, Bilâl. And he was also being sought
in America under other criminal charges, which had no tie to the Jihâd, unlike
the rest.
From the first day, I made the decision to not waste any time except in writing.
So by the virtue of Allâh, the Most High, I began to write about a topic, which
I had wished to write about since the Americans entered Afghanistan, and the
events of Tora Bora and other events had taken place. Because I had seen
Jâhiliyyah (pre-Islâmic Ignorance) reactions from the people of turbans and the
Shaykhs of the Sahwah [5], against the Jihâd and the Mujâhidîn. These statements
were precisely what the hypocrites said after (the battle of) Uhud.
The point was firstly, to explain the verses regarding the battle of Uhud, then
I saw that the battles of the Messenger of Allâh, mentioned in the Qur’ân
deserved to have their own book. So the book (I wrote) became: “Ghazawât
Rasûl-Allâh, Sall Allâhu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam, Fil-Qur’ân al-Karîm” (”The Battles
of the Messenger of Allâh, may the Blessing and Peace of Allâh be upon him, in
the Noble Qur’ân”) and that was under the larger title, which was: “Sibghat
Allâh” (”The Nature of Allâh”) and it will be (released) if possible and with
ability. And that is a discussion of the questions regarding the existence and
Jihâd from within the Book of Allâh, the Most High.
Now after the decision has been made by the House of Lords, agreeing with the
government in rendering me to the Jordanian government, what can be said?
The judges of this country, at all of their levels, have said that there is
justice in Jordan and that the military courts therein fulfill the necessities
of justice, and that torture in the prisons and the intelligence circles are
issues which are possible to work around.
This is the summary of their judgements without any polishing or beautification.
This means, to the people of strong understanding and intellect, that Jordan is
the daughter of Britain in its system, its security and its very essence. And
whoever does not understand this, then having a discussion with him is a waste
of time.
Allâh, the Most High, has blessed me in this case of mine, in that He exposed
the British justice system, because some of the people, due to their
heedlessness, declare that the British judicial system is free from the criminal
element within it, in other words, the legislative and executive (branches). And
I say: My case is one of the true cases in which the racism of the British
judicial system becomes clear, along with its hatred towards Islâm and the
Muslims.
I am unable, within these papers - and it is only a brief letter - to give
details or explain, but it suffices me to say a word, which was said by one of
the judges while arguing the issue of deporting ‘Abd Allâh As-Samâmarah “Abû
Shaymâ’ ” to Jordan, when the closing statement of the Shaykh was presented to
him, as the judge said: “This statement reminds me of the statements of the
Muslims during the wars of the Crusades.”
Here in the solitary wing, where we have been secluded away from the world and
the rest of the prisoners, Allâh has decreed that I was able to meet, for a
short time, with the doctor Muhammad ‘Ashâ. And he was the one who was charged
along with the Iraqi doctor, Bilâl ‘Abd Allâh. And he was a brother whom I met
in the Masjid, while I was secluded alone in Belmarsh, on the day of Jumu’ah,
and then I met him (again) within the prisoner transport van, which was taking
him to the trial. And this doctor, Bilâl ‘Abd Allâh is truthfully a man from the
men of Islâm, in knowledge, action, steadfastness and manhood, as he has
memorized the Book of Allâh. He is a scholar in Fiqh and Hadîth and he took
faithful stances, during his trial, in which he said words that can be raised up
with the words of the Salaf - may the pleasure of Allâh be upon them. I felt
insignificant, while he was saying (to me): “I have been influenced by your
audio tapes a lot. And all praise is due to Allâh, the Lord of all the worlds.”
I say: “The doctor, Muhammad ‘Ashâ - who is a specialist in neurosurgery - said
to me that the Attorney General used to say, during the trial, when he was
confirming the charges against him: “It is correct that ‘Ashâ does not have any
evidence against him, but remember that he is intelligent, and this is
sufficient. It is correct that ‘Ashâ does not have any evidence against him, but
remember that he is of Palestinian origin, and this is sufficient (to conclude
his guilt).”
These are the protocols of the courts of the British judiciary system when the
accused one stands before them as a Muslim.
Should I mention another one for you? [6] One is sufficient for you here.
The former Interior Minister, David Blunkett, is the one who signed off on a
strange law between the British government and America, in order to render to
America those whom they were seeking from Britain. And the reason that it is
strange is that this law forces Britain, but does not force America. In other
words, Britain is forced to render those whom America seeks, but America is not
forced to render those whom Britain seeks. And as they say, “What do we care?”
because what is intended is something other than this (anyway).
What took place was the following:
America sought a British person, who was not Muslim, who was accused - according
to them - of committing certain actions on the internet, which violated American
law. And the courts approved of rendering him, but the members of parliament
objected to this verdict. And from the strongest of opponents was David Blunkett
himself. And the government responded to the pressure from the parliament while
presently it is studying the possibility of trying him here and (later)
rendering him to America.
So the agreement is against the Muslims [7] and it was put in place specifically
for Abû Hamzah al-Misrî and the other brothers.
And the time allows for another incident (to be mentioned).
Abû Hamzah al-Misrî was sentenced to a number of years under the charge of
inciting hatred and with vague ambiguous phrases, they turned it to mean what
they wanted (to understand) from that. And days later, the leader of a British
party, who is known for bigotry named Nicholas Griffin was tried for the same
charges and with even stronger phrases than Hitler, the Nazi, but the Briton
emerged innocent.
There is no problem for another (incident to be mentioned).
When Bâbar Ahmad was arrested, the police beat him severely - him and his wife,
who was his bride that day, and his face looked like an inflated water-skin, [8]
due to the beating. And the severe bruises were witnessed over all of his body,
and when the matter was brought for trial, the response of the judge was: “Thank
you to the British police for its preservation of security.”
As for me, Abû Qatâdah, despite the fact that I am Palestinian and I was born in
Palestine and with my knowledge regarding the history of the British government
and its crimes in general, along with its crimes in Palestine specifically, I
acknowledge and admit that I was ignorant regarding this contempt and hatred,
which the British governments holds against Islâm, the Muslims and the Arabs.
And due to that, there were many instances where I wished that all of the
Muslims could be imprisoned here in Britain, for an amount of time, not less
than a year, so that they could see with their own eyes, the reality of what I’m
saying. Because hundreds of volumes could not convey that which the person who
experiences it, while living it, being inside it, seeing it and feeling it.
Here, I returned to prison so that a new stage could begin, the end of which I
do not know. But I am upon certainty that my Lord is Merciful and Generous, and
Allâh is where His slave’s good assumption is regarding Him. [9] I know that
Allâh is more merciful with me than I am towards myself and more merciful than
my father was to me. So due to my weakness, I hope for safety and wellbeing, but
Allâh, the Powerful, the Mighty, is more wise and knowledgeable and all of my
supplications are for Allâh to keep me steadfast upon the truth until I meet
Him. Because, by Allâh, I do not fear anything except turning back on my heals
and that is the most evil (fate) of what a person can meet. But I say that the
truth is with the Mujâhidîn in every matter. Support them whether they are
oppressors or the oppressed, based upon that which the Messenger of Allâh, صلى
الله عليه وسلم, indicated. [10]
And I will write this continuously, as long as I am alive and able to do so.
Because truthfully they are the people of the Qur’ân, and they are its
inheritors and the inheritors of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allâh, صلى الله
عليه وسلم. And when the people hear other than that from me, then I will either
have become misguided, a liar or insane. Or else I am compelled under lashes and
torture. I ask Allâh to be excused and for wellbeing.
Those arrogant criminals and Tawâghît (false rulers) wanted to imprison the
words that I am saying, but when they do that they are decreeing that they are
in support against the Da’wah of Tawhîd and against the Mujâhidîn. And due to
that, that which angers them and enrages them the most after the spear and
weapons, is the pen and words. So I call everyone who loves the religion of
Allâh, the Most High, to be enthusiastic in spreading this religion and
spreading the words of the imprisoned ones and to always remember them in order
to nullify the sorcery of those criminals against Islâm and its people.
Likewise, I advise some of the Muslims who do not love any of the prisoners, due
to a personal or ideological reason, to fear Allâh with regards to their
oppressed brothers. Because that which some of them do from trying to find the
shortcomings and understanding words according to their worst (possible)
meanings, or by understanding them in ways which were not (even) intended by the
ones who said them; this is a support for the disbelievers against their
brothers and this is an evil against the religion, even before the ones who they
are disputing with. So they must fear Allâh with regards to their religion and
the honour of their brothers.
I do not say this because their words harm me or harm my brothers in any way,
rather I say this as an advice to them and it is obligatory upon me towards
them. And I say this so that they may know the harmful effects of these words of
theirs and how it pleases the disbelievers. Yes, there is a small group of
people who are not harmed nor are they concerned with anything aside from
quenching the thirst of their hatred and jealousy. And regarding those ones, we
seek the help of Allâh against them and we say: Allâh is sufficient for us and
the best upon Whom to rely.
During these tests, it becomes clear those who oppose you as a noble and
scholarly person and those who oppose you as a hateful, envious, ignorant
person. As for the scholar, then he stands with (the person upon) the truth
despite some of his mistakes against the disbelief, which has no truth within it
(whatsoever). As for the hateful, ignorant one, then he will envy you even
despite this test of yours.
By the virtue of Allâh, we see the great signs of Allâh within these prisons, as
I have seen this religion and how young men enter into Islâm and then they turn
into students of knowledge and they learn Arabic and the Sharî’ah in a short
number of months along with an understanding of the reality of Tawhîd, which one
who lived as a Muslim in the Muslim countries is ignorant of.
My children have been raised far away from me for a period of six years in which
I have not seen them except for an hour each month, or every two months. But
despite that, they grew up better than when I was present with them in every
part of life, as the older ones have memorized the Book of Allâh, and some of
the others (have memorized) most of it. And they are from those who have
excelled in their studies along with excellent manners and etiquette, which
their peers bear witness to, so all praise is due to Allâh, the Lord of the
worlds.
Verily, the greatest favour, which your brothers here are living in, is their
conviction in Allâh and their conviction regarding this religion and in the
methodology of Jihâd, which has fulfilled goodness for the Ummah of Islâm, the
likes of which had the Du’ât (callers) spent hundreds of years in, they would
not have attained it:
The meanings of allegiance and disavowal have become clear with their clearest
meanings between the Muslims and the Mushrikîn.
Allâh has uncovered the disbelief of the disbelievers and their hatred and lies,
which no one would deny except of a Zindîq (hypocrite) or a blind person.
The connection of your brothers with Allâh has increased in the issues of
obedience, supplication and tranquility.
They are confining our bodies only, but our souls are stronger than their
prisons and the words of truth, which we are declaring, defy their confinement.
The bodies were never - even for a single day - a means of measuring victory or
defeat. Rather, the scale of the truth and its loftiness is the scale, which is
judged with.
They place us here in solitary cells secluded, wherein we cannot see anyone or
address anyone, due to (their) fear that we will influence the people. But they
are ignorant of the fact that this is the religion of Allâh, the Most High, and
it (i.e. life) is souls travelling in existence and history; the Shaytân and his
soldiers are unable to imprison them.
We never hoped that we would reach to this strength in that the presence alone
of Abû Qatâdah amongst his family, wherein he does not come out except of a
period of two hours each day, while out on bail, would be a reason for the
Interior Ministry to say that this raises the level of danger against Britain
and that these words would be said in a trial and in front of everyone.
Does our imprisonment deserve this? The answer is that it is something small in
comparison to these favours and we hope from Allâh, the Most High, that our end
would be in Al-Firdaus, the Highest Level, in Paradise, by the virtue of Allâh
and His mercy.
May Allâh give the Mujâhidîn and their leaders and best reward, and may Allâh
give the callers to the truth the best reward, because had it not been for them,
the disbelievers would have entered our women’s quarters and we would have
become nothing but dogs that lick up their crumbs.
I wished that I had been able to explain in detail the conditions of your
brothers in these prisons one-by-one, but the situation and the time does not
suffice. But know that the matter is bigger than can be described and that the
meanings are greater than can be encompassed with words. And I hope from Allâh,
the Most High, that the day will come in which I will write some about that
which I have seen and witnessed and felt, so that it may be a fuel for the
Islâmic Ummah and the Mujâhidîn. So harm and grief should not reach them, rather
they should remain upon the path, as it is the path of the Prophets and the
Allies (of Allâh), truthfully and in actuality. Because had the Mujâhidîn and
those whom they love seen some of what we have seen here, they would have known
what type of victory is being achieved everyday by their hands. And that is
through the act of their Jihâd and their steadfastness. So may they never be
deceived by the falsified, deceitful news that you are the cause of the
imprisonment and torture of the people. Rather, by Allâh, they are the mercy and
guiders for the people of the prisons, just as they are for others from the
people from the Earth.
I wished to be able to detail the names of the young men and how they entered
into Islâm and sold themselves to Allâh, due to the news of martyrdom and Jihâd.
I wished to be able to give detailed accounts of the young men who lived in
Jâhiliyyah for a long time and then when the Jihâd in the path of Allâh came,
they turned into worshippers and people who prayed the night and memorizers of
the Book of Allâh and they learned Arabic. I wished to be able to explain to you
about the anxiety, angst and confusion of those British criminal authorities
regarding these events, which were strange to them, as they did not know what to
do with this extraordinary faithful outpouring:
They gather the Muslims, at times, into one place assuming that they would
reduce the influence of the Muslims, then the sorcery backfires against the
sorcerer, and the results would be against what they wanted, so they would
disunite.
They would leave them (i.e. the Muslims) so the coals of faith would begin to
have an influence in its new area, so they would be harmed and begin to scream.
They would scream out falsely that the Muslim prisoners were forcing the other
prisoners into Islâm without finding one (single) example, which they could use
for their lies, their false claims and their fabrications.
They scream and lie and all of their misguidances turn back upon them.
And speaking of the favours of Allâh, the Most High, upon me; the newspapers
claim that I was influencing the prisoners despite the fact that - by Allâh - I
am the least of the people in this regard, as there are brothers who are
astonishing in this area. And in a meeting with the supervisor of my first
imprisonment here in Long Lartin, one of the brothers replied to him that Abû
Qatâdah does not even speak English well, so how can he influence them? So the
supervisor replied: “Through his appearance and the way he carries himself he
has an influence over the others.”
The reins have slipped away from them and their anger became severe against the
Muslims. And due to that, the prison supervisors been allowed to place your
brothers in special wings within every prison and in disciplinary zones, which
have been filled with the Muslims. So in the disciplinary zones within the
maximum security prisons, you see nothing except that the majority of its people
are Muslims. And they have no one to defend them except Allâh, the Most High.
Alongside these divine gifts are severe trials, as the searches are extreme and
the removal of clothing is complete and the restrictions are the most harsh,
because we six prisoners have been placed in a specific cellblock and prevented
from any activities, which the rest of the prisoners take part in. And I
specifically have been placed upon a high security level, as I am unable to
contact my family unless this contact has been prearranged a week beforehand.
And I am moved to a different place each month and I am searched twice each
month with a special search within a special cellblock of the prison.
The obligation upon the Muslims has become intense for them to fulfill the order
of the Messenger of Allâh, صلى الله عليه وسلم, regarding the freeing of the
prisoner [11] with everything that they are able to put forward from ability,
capacity and various methods through which this great faithful obligation can be
fulfilled.
So this is a trust and an obligation, which I place upon the necks of the
Muslims generally, and the people of this matter specifically, as much as they
are able to do in whatever they are able to do.
O Allâh, Lord of the seven heavens and the Earth, Lord of the great throne,
grant victory to the Mujâhidîn in Your path in every place and free the
oppressed prisoners from the Muslims and curse the disbelieving polytheists (Mushrikîn)
who block Your path and fight Your allies and oppose Your religion and Your
Messengers. Âmîn.
Point of notice: An interview took place between myself and the brother, ‘Âdil
‘Abd al-Majîd, along with an address regarding Gaza. Some of the comments about
it have reached me and some of them were upon my head and my eyes [12] and
others, which we throw behind our back as a mercy toward the hatred and
ignorance of those who said it. And may Allâh give those who gave advice, the
greatest reward.
Your brother,
Abû Qatâdah,
‘Umar ibn Mahmûd Abû ‘Umar
Long Lartin Prison,
Britain
[1] Referring to the book “Sayd al-Khâtir ” by Ibn al-Jawzee, may Allâh be
merciful to him
[2] Look to Sûrat Rûm, 24 & Sûrat al-Hujurât, 4
[3] Ash-Shu’arâ’, 224
[4] An attempt by the British government to annoy the Libyan government by
releasing their sworn Islâmist enemies of ex-patriot Libyans in British custody.
[5]
[6] Meaning: Do you need to hear more than this?
[7] Meaning that when a legal precedent is implemented, it is unanimously
against the Muslims whereas there may be disputes regarding the implementation
of this precedent upon the non-Muslim.
[8] Meaning that it looked like a swollen leather vessel.
[9] Referring to the Hadîth of Abû Hurayrah, may Allâh be pleased with him, that
the Messenger of Allâh, صلى الله عليه وسلم, narrated from his Lord, “I am where
My slave assumes I will be (for him).” Narrated by Al-Bukhârî in his “Sahîh”,
(#7,505) and elsewhere, as well as Muslim.
[10] Referring to the Hadîth of Anas ibn Mâlik, may Allâh be pleased with him,
that the Messenger of Allâh, صلى الله عليه وسلم, said, “Support your brother,
whether he is an oppressor or oppressed.” So a man asked, “O Messenger of Allâh,
I support him if he is oppressed, but if he is an oppressor, how can I support
him?” He said, “You prevent him, or stop him from oppression, as that is
supporting him.” Narrated by Al-Bukhârî in his “Sahîh“, (#6,952)
[11] Referring to the Hadîth of Abû Mûsâ al-Ash’arî, may Allâh be pleased with
him, that the Messenger of Allâh, صلى الله عليه وسلم, said, “Free the subjugated
one, feed the hungry one and visit the sick one.” Jarîr or Qutaybah explained
that the subjugated one is the prisoner. Narrated by Al-Bukhârî in his “Sahîh”,
(#3,046)
[12] “Upon my head and my eyes,” is an Arabic expression meaning acknowledged
and accepted.
__________________
Okay, I admit, I'm a bad guy. A bandit, a terrorist. Okay. So, I'm a terrorist.
But what would you call them (the Russians)? If they are keepers of
constitutional order, if they are anti-terrorists, then I spit on all these
agreements and nice words. And I want to spit on the whole world if the whole
world spits on me. Shaheed Shamil Abdallah Abu Idris Basaev (r.a.)
Submitted by a Mujahid