Salafus-Saaliheen سلف صالحين

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

سُئل شيخنا عبدالمحسن بن حمد العبَّاد البدر عن مقتل الخارجي أسامة بن لادن
الموافق لـيوم الأثنين 28/5/1432هـ بعد صلاة العشاء (بدون تسجيل)
السؤال: ما هو القول الوسط في مقتل أسامة بن لادن فهناك من فرح بمقتله,
وهناك من قال إنه كان مجاهداً وحكم له بالشهادة؟

أجاب شيخنا: كيف مجاهد؟! نعم هو مجاهد في سبيل الشيطان.
أسامة بن لادن جلب شراً عظيماً على المسلمين
ولا شك أن ذهابه فيه راحة لهم, يرتاح الناس بذهابه



In The Name of Allah – The Beneficient, The Merciful

On Monday May 2, 2011. Sheikh 'Abdul Muhsin al 'Abaad (may Allah preserve him) was asked concerning the death of Usama bin Laden.

Question:

What is the just opinion concerning the death of Usama bin Laden? There are some who have rejoiced over his death, and there are others who claim that he died as a martyr.

Answer:

How is he considered a martyr?! Yes, in fact he fought in the path of the Shaytan. Because of Usama bin Laden, much evil has befallen the Muslims. There is no doubt, his absence brings about comfort for the Muslims. They can relax now that he is gone.
(Arabic text provided by the Sheikh's student 'Abdul Rahmaan al 'Umaysaan: http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=120559

Translator's comment:

After reading this, some may find within themselves dislike for the statement of the Sheikh, but the reality is, due to the actions of Usama bin Laden and those who follow his methodology, much evil has befallen the Muslim 'Ummah. Entire Muslim countries have been fought, innocent Muslims have been killed, Muslim women have been raped, and the list goes on and on. Therefore, the speech of the Sheikh is not strange. The Muslims need those who can bring about benefit and ease to the 'Ummah, instead of those who cause harm and turmoil. The Prophet r said:

المُسْلِمُ مَنْ سَلِمَ المُسْلِمُونَ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ وَيَدِهِ

"The (true) Muslim, is the one who the other Muslims are safe from his tongue and hands." Sahih al Bukhari #10

Abu Sa'eed al Khudri t mentioned that the Prophet r was asked:

أَيُّ النَّاسِ أَفْضَلُ؟

Who is the best person?

The Prophet r responded:

مُؤْمِنٌ يُجَاهِدُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ

The believer who fights in the way of Allah with his body and his wealth.

The companions then asked: And then who?

The Prophet r replied:

مُؤْمِنٌ فِي شِعْبٍ مِنَ الشِّعَابِ يَتَّقِي اللَّهَ، وَيَدَعُ النَّاسَ مِنْ شَرِّهِ

The believer who fears Allah, remains amongst the people and protects others from his evil. Sahih al Bukhari#2789

The above proofs, and many others, inform that the true believer is one who protects others from his evil (direct evil, or indirect evil), and he is one who does not wish harm for himself nor does he wish it for others.



If a person were to say:

Isn't it correct that we fight the disbelievers in order to raise the word of Allah?

The answer would be:

Yes, fighting is legislated but with conditions and regulations. If a person seeks to fight in the way of Allah, he must understand these conditions and regulations before doing so. If not, he may cause greater harm than good, thereby causing greater trials and tribulations upon himself and the Muslim community.

It is because of this that we find the scholars of Islam mentioning, in their books of Islamic jurisprudence, chapters on Jihad. This informs us that the matter of Jihad is not based on mere desire and emotion, but rather it is a very important issue in Islam that must be studied and adhered to in order to bring about correct results.



An example of the fact that Jihad has conditions and regulations is illustrated in the statement of the companion Rabaah bin Rabe'a who said:

While we were with the Messenger of Allah r during a battle, he noticed some people crowding around something. Upon seeing this, the Messenger of Allah r said:

Go and see why they are crowded around.

They informed him that it was a (disbelieving) female who was killed during the battle. Upon hearing this, the Prophet said:

مَا كَانَتْ هَذِهِ لِتُقَاتِلَ

She should have not been killed.

Then the Prophet r sent someone to inform Khalid bin Waleed that he should not kill women.

(Sunan Abi Dawood #2669 and declared authentic by Sh. Al Albani)

It is likewise reported in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet r forbid the companions from killing disbelieving children. (Sahih Muslim #1731)



Sheikh al Islam Ibn Taymiyah stated:

The Quran and Sunnah are filled with orders related to Jihad and its merits, but it is incumbent that one knows the difference between the legislated Jihad, which was ordered by Allah and His Messenger, and the innovated Jihad which is performed by the deviants, those who fight in obedience to the shaytan. These individuals believe that they are fighting upon the path of Allah. This (deviant) Jihad is performed by the likes of the people of innovation and desire, such as the Khawarij and those who are similar to them. (Al Eknaiyah pg.473)



An example of the important principle (preventing harm takes precedence over bringing about good) is derived from the statement of Allah – The Mighty and Majestic:

وَلَا تَسُبُّوا الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ فَيَسُبُّوا اللَّهَ عَدْوًا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ

{Do not insult those whom call on other than Allah, and as a result, they will then insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge.}

Surah al An'am:108



Al Hafith Ibn Katheer mentioned:

In this verse Allah is prohibiting His Prophet and the believers from insulting the false deities, which are worshipped other than Allah. This is the case even though insulting them may contain some benefit, but (the prohibition is mentioned) due to the greater harm that may occur This harm occurs when the believers insult the false deities of the disbelievers, this would cause for them (disbelievers) to insult that which the believers worship, Who is Allah, The One there is no deity worthy of worship except Him. (Tafsir ibn Katheer)

The above proof informs that it is forbidden for a Muslim to indulge in that which is recommended or even commanded, if that act will cause greater harm.

In present times, there is no doubt that the actions of the khawarij of our time have been the direct or indirect reason of much of the turmoil which the Muslim 'Ummah is facing today.

May Allah correct the affairs of the believers.



Note: After translating this fatwa by our beloved Sheikh 'Abdul Muhsin, I noticed that the brothers at www.salafitalk.com had already posted it. May Allah bless them and reward them for their work.

Mustafa George DeBerry

Riyadh, KSA.
http://salafee.multiply.com/