By Kyle Orton (@KyleWOrton) on January 8, 2015

Soon after the public emergence inside Syria of the then-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the spring of 2013, a treatise was published by the Bahraini jihadi scholar, Turki al-Binali, which is to date the only official biography of the group’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and piloted the idea that he was the caliph, i.e. the leader of Muslims worldwide. Al-Binali’s document, “Stretch [Out] the Hands to Give Allegiance to Al-Baghdadi”,^[1] first published on August 5, 2013, would be amplified throughout late 2014 after ISIS declared that it had restored the caliphate last June and Abu Bakr took the mantle of caliph. An English translation of the document was produced on December 21, 2014, by someone using the name Ubaidullah ibn Adam al-Ibrahim on the pro-Islamic State Ansar al-Khilafa blog. It is reproduced below, with some editions for syntax and transliteration, to preserve it for study.

 

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All Praise belongs to Allah the Guider and Benefactor, Salutations and Peace upon the one who was sent for all the city dwellers and desert folk, and upon his family, companions and whoever follows them in goodness until the day of assembly.

As for what follows:

This is a short article to rouse the believers towards giving the bay’a to the khalifa Ibrahim al-Badri al-Samarrai, hafidhahullah [may God protect him].

His noble lineage:

He is the Shaykh, the Mujahid, the Ascetic Worshipper, Emir al-Mu’mineen [Commander of the Faithful, Prince of the Believers] and leader of the battalions of mujahideen, Abu Bakr al-Qurashi al-Husayni al-Baghdadi, from the grandsons of Armoosh Ibn Ali Ibn Eid Ibn Badri Ibn Badruddeen Ibn Khaleel Ibn Husayn Ibn Abdillah Ibn Ibrahim al-Awwah Ibn al-Shareef Yahya Izzuddeen Ibn al-Shareef Basheer Ibn Majid Ibn Atiyyah Ibn Yala Ibn Duwayd Ibn Majid Ibn Abdir Rahman Ibn Qasim Ibn al-Shareef Idrees Ibn Jafar al-Zaki ibn Ali al-Hadi Ibn Muhammad al-Jawwad Ibn Ali al-Ridha Ibn Moosa al-Kazhim Ibn Jafar al-Sadiq Ibn Muhammad al-Baqir Ibn Ali Zayn al-Abideen Ibn al-Husayn Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib, and Fatimah Bint Muhammad, sallallahu alayhi wa-ala ali-hi wa-sallam [the blessings of God and peace upon him and his family].

Ibn Katheer says in his Tafseer:

“Do not deny the bequest regarding the Ahl al-Bayt [“People of the House”; the family of the Prophet Muhammad], and the command to be good to them as well as honour and respect them, because they are from a pure lineage, from the best households to be found on the face of the earth, from the point of honour, nobility and lineage, especially if they are followers of the true, clear, certain Prophetic Sunnah, like how their forefather Al-Abbas, radiallahu anhuma [may God be pleased with him], and his offspring were upon, and Ali with his household and offspring, radiallahu anhum ajmaeen [God bless them all].”

Imam Ahmad reports in his Musnad from Al-Abbas Ibn Abdil Muttalib, radiallahu anhuma, who said:

“I said O Rasul of Allah, indeed when the Quraysh meet one another then they meet them with good faces, but when they meet us then they do so with faces that we don’t recognise. So Nabi, sallallahu alayhi wa-ala ali-hi wa-sallam, became very angry and said: “I take an oath by Allah that Eeman will not enter the heart of a person until he loves you for the sake of Allah and for being my relative.”

His Journey Seeking Knowledge:

Shaykh Abu Bakr al-Husayni, hafidhahullah, was brought up in a house of goodness and piety, and flourished by love for the deen [creed] and to be successful, until his studies took him to the academy of Islamic Studies, he graduated from the Islamic university in Baghdad after having completed therein his Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees. The Shaykh has a wide knowledge of history and noble genealogy, and has mastered the ten Qira’at of the Qur’an, and this is from the success that Allah has granted him intending to use him for goodness. It comes in the Saheehayn from Mu’awiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan, radiallahu anhuma, from Nabi, sallallahu alayhi wa-ala ali-hi wa-sallam, who said:

“When Allah intends goodness for a person He grants him understanding of the deen.”

This is the second reason to honour this noble man, because Imam At-Tabarani and Al-Hakim have reported from Hadhrat Ubadah Ibn al-Samit, radiallahu anhuma, from Rasulullah, sallallahu alayhi wa-ala ali-hi wa-sallam, who said:

“He who does not honour our elderly, have mercy on our youngsters and recognise the rights of our scholars, then he is not from my umma [Islamic Nation].”

Imam Abu Dawood reports from Hadhrat Abu Musa al-Ashari, radiallahu anhuma, from Rasulullah, sallallahu alayhi wa-ala ali-hi wa-sallam, who said:

“Indeed it is from the Grandeur of Allah Taala to honour an elderly white haired Muslim, and the bearer of the Qur’an who does not overstep the limits (By doubting anything mentioned in it, or misinterpreting it etc.) or turns away from it(By not acting upon its commands and prohibitions, doesn’t recite it, or doesn’t recite it with its rules etc) honour a just ruler.”

There exists within Shaykh Abu Bakr something which is not found in many others; Knowledge which links to Nabi, sallallahu alayhi wa-ala ali-hi wa-sallam, and a lineage which links up to Nabi, sallallahu alayhi wa-ala ali-hi wa-sallam.

The honourable Shaykh has personified that which was related from Hadhrat Umar Ibn al-Khattab, radiallahu anhuma—which is reported by Imam Al-Bukhari Rahimahullah—when he said: “Study and get an understanding of the deen before you are appointed as a leader.” So he did not move from his position until he had gained a proper understanding of the deen. He went from teaching to being the Imam and khatib [preacher] in many masajid [mosques] in Iraq, from there he went on to being placed in charge of a group of the mujahideen in Iraq, then to being a member of al-Majlis Shura al-Mujahideen [MSM or the Mujahideen Shura Council], to being in charge of the general committee overseeing the running of the provinces of the Islamic State [of Iraq], then being the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq, receiving the bay’a from the Shura Council, as well as the Ahl al-Hall wal-Aqd [lit. “the people who loose and bind”; the committee that can depose a caliph], and after the passing of some years under the bay’a of this Imam the boundaries of his state reached the regions of Sham [Levant, Syria], thus he became the Emir al-Mu’mineen of the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham, and after just more than a year Allah granted victory at the hands of the Imam and purified vast expanses of land in Iraq and Sham from the filth of the Safawis [Shi’is], Nusayris [Alawis], and apostate Sahawat [anti-ISIS Sunnis, i.e. the Syrian rebels], and he spread therein the law of Islam, and the announcement of the Islamic Khilafa was made on the first of Ramadhan in the Hijri year 1435, and Abu Bakr was given the bay’a as the Khalifa [caliph] of the Muslims.

His Efforts and Jihad:

This virtue would not have happened (if the Shaykh were to live in peace) but it did not happen—after it being the Grace of Allah—except because of his continuous giving and fruitful efforts, because he had donned the garments of war years ago and not removed it since, and he confronted all the sly plotters without fearing anyone, there was nothing easy for him and his sacrifices knew no limit. The way the Shaykh rose up from the time when the Americans entered his land to repel the audacious enemy from his deen and honour, and created a group of jihadi-Salafis that fought the enemies bravely and faced many trials and tribulations.

Then the jihad in Iraq took off in full swing, and the enemy was weakened and came close to death, so the Ahl al-Hall wal-Aqd created al-Majlis Shura al-Mujahideen, so the Shaykh and those mujahideen with him joined it, then the clear victory happened, and the armies conquered many towns, villages and provinces, and announced it to be part of the Islamic State wherein the servants of Allah are ruled by the Book of Allah and the Prophetic Sunnah.

At this juncture the Shaykh undertook a great amount of difficulty, in travelling throughout the provinces listening to the complaints of the people, sitting with the young and the old, the rich and the poor, to rule amongst them with the law of Al-Lateef Al-Khabeer.

At the same time the Shaykh also used to visit the tribes and clans, as well as the jihadi groups and the armies of Eeman, calling them towards unity and rejection of breaking into sects and discord. He would discuss with them in a completely neutral manner and with justice, and would call them towards giving the bay’a to the Emir al-Mu’mineen—who at the time was—Abu Umar al-Baghdadi (rahimahullah [God have mercy upon him]), and the people responded to him from the old to the young.

Then the groups from the murtadeen [apostates], the Rafida [derog. “Shi’is”] and the Ahl al-Kitab [“People of the Book”; Christians and Jews] joined forces, and they attacked the Islamic State as a united front, so much so that the Muslims suffered the loss of both Shaykhs—Abu Umar and Abu Hamza—in one battle!

But then after them came the honourable Imam, as the Mujahid Shaykh Abu Muhammad al-Adnani, hafidhahullah, said: “We are such people, alhamdulillah [praise be to God], that we are not struck but that we increase in power and solidity as a result”. When Abu Umar fell, we said, “Where will we get another leader like Abu Umar?” But then Abu Bakr rose in his wake, and what do you know of Abu Bakr? If you were to ask about him, then he is a Husayni, Qurayshi, from the progeny of the pure Ahl al-Bayt, a practising scholar as well as a devout worshipper and Mujahid, I saw within him the aqeeda [creed], endurance, fearlessness and aspiration of Abu Musab [al-Zarqawi], as well as the tolerance, justice, guidance and humility of Abu Umar [al-Baghdadi], alongside the intelligence, resourcefulness, determination and patience of Abu Hamza [al-Muhajir].

The adversities have taught him much, and the tribulations have polished him further. After spending eight years in jihad, drinking from those rivers, until he became the person whose opinion everyone looks for and who they rely upon, he is a person who to gain closeness to Allah is deserving of having his feet washed and kissed, and to call him Emir al-Mu’mineen, and to ransom him with one’s wealth, life and children, and Allah is a Witness upon what I am bearing witness to.

And the Shaykh acting upon his knowledge is the third reason why he is loved by every person who researches and seeks the truth. There are many other reasons, and abundant virtues to love and respect the Shaykh.

As for those who don’t admit to these virtues, and who finds fault with the Shaykh while he is a criticising insulter, then let him burp elsewhere away from us, because it doesn’t harm us but rather only makes himself look bad.

Some Doubts and its Answers:

If it’s said:

“Are the conditions to be a Khalifa met in Shaykh Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi?”

The conditions to be the Khalifa are those which have been mentioned by the Ulama [Clergy] of Islam, which are established by the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the best of mankind. Not those which have been stipulated by the modern countries or what the oppressive United Nations decides.

Imam Badruddeen Ibn Jamaah says regarding the conditions of a Khalifa:

“There are ten conditions to qualify for it and they are:

1: The Khalifa must be male

2: Free (not a slave)

3: Have reached the age of puberty

4: Sane

5: Muslim

6: Just

7: Brave

8: Qurayshi

9: A Scholar

10: Adequate to be able to see to the political affairs of the umma and its wellbeing.

So when a person with these qualities is given the bay’a, and there is not an existing Khalifa, then his bay’a and Khilafah will be established, and it will become obligatory to obey him as long as it is not in disobedience to Allah and His Rasul, sallallahu alayhi wa-ala ali-hi wa-sallam.”

(References: Tahreerul Ahkam Fee Tadbeeri Ahl il-Islam, as well as al-Rawda, Al-Ahkamus Sultaniyyah and Ghiyathul Umam.)

Emir al-Mu’mineen Abu Bakr al-Husayni has fulfilled all of these conditions, and not one of the conditions was he found to be lacking, not the obligatory ones nor the recommended ones.

If it is said:

“How can the leadership of Shaykh Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi be valid when all the people have not given him the bay’a?”

It is not a condition that all the people give the bay’a, in fact it’s not even required for all of the Ahl al-Hall wal-Aqd to give the bay’a, but rather it suffices for those of the Ahl al-Hall wal-Aqd to give the bay’a who are available to do so.

Imam al-Nawawi says in the explanation of Sahih Muslim:

“As far as bay’a is concerned, the ulama are in agreement that it is not a condition for the Khilafah’s validity that everyone should give the bay’a, nor even all of the Ahl al-Hall wal-Aqd. But rather the condition is that a group of ulama, leaders and ordinary people who are available to do so to give the bay’a.”

This is also the view of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyya and others.

Al-Qalqashandi says in Ma’athir al-Anaqah:

“The eighth condition—and that is the most correct view according to our Shafii scholars—is that it (i.e. the Khilafah) becomes established by those who are able to be present at the time of the bay’a in that place, of ulama, leaders and otherwise ordinary people who qualify to bear testimony, so much so that if the matters of authority depended on one man who is obeyed (and he gives the bay’a) then it will suffice.”

The leadership of Emir al-Mu’mineen Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, hafidhahullah, had become complete when he was given the bay’a by the Ahl al-Hall wal-Aqd.

As for the condition that all of the Ahl al-Hall wal-Aqd has to give the bay’a then that is the belief of the Mu’tazila [Rationalists], and the condition that every person must give the bay’a then that’s the view of the democrats. So let those who oppose the Khalifa check with which group’s words they are speaking.

If it is said:

“How can the leadership of Shaykh Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi be valid when he had conquered some of the regions through force and not through receiving the bay’a of the Ahl al-Hall wal-Aqd therein?”

Those regions which the armies of Shaykh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, hafidhahullah, had conquered were under the control of people who ruled by other than the shari’a of Allah Ta’ala, and to remove the land from such people by force is the pinnacle of Islam (i.e. jihad), in fact even if the Shaykh, hafidhahullah, were to take it from Muslim rulers who were ruling according to the shari’a, it would become obligatory upon them to listen and obey him as long as it is not a sin that he is commanding and as long as he rules according to the shari’a.

Hafidh Ibn Hajar has reported Ijma (consensus) on that point and said:

“The fuqaha [jurists] are in agreement upon the obligation of obeying the ruler who came to power through force, and to fight jihad alongside him, and obeying him is better than rebelling against him because it will prevent bloodshed and allow the people to live in peace.” (Fathul Bari)

Shaykhul Islam Muhammad Ibn Abdil Wahhab said:

“The scholars from every madhab [school] are unanimous that the person who one or two towns, then he has the right of rule as the Imam in all matters, and were it not for this then the world wouldn’t be able to function, because mankind from ages ago, before the time of Imam Ahmad until this day today, have never agreed upon one ruler.” (Ad-Durarus Saniyyah Fil Ajwibatin Najdiyyah)

Some Kind Advice:

To those who fight in the path of Allah and are still continuing to do so, who spend their lives and everything they hold dear to repel the audacious enemy. To the leaders of the various groups and the chiefs of the tribes: Has the time not come for you to unite with your brothers? To establish and strengthen your Islamic State? Because the enemy has united to fight you all, so unite to fight them. They have come to you with their armies, so cut off their road. Because by you uniting and joining the Islamic State there will be honour and strength, as well as aid and a clear victory, and before anything else, it will be obedience to the Lord of the worlds.

O elders and leaders, and O people of authority and leadership: If you regard yourself to be equal to the Shaykh and Emir, or that he’s lower than you in virtues and goodness, then humble yourself to the truth and so not consider yourself to be better than others.

So stretch forth your hands to give the bay’a to Al-Baghdadi!

How strange it is that some people—who are not amongst you—are pleased to have bay’a to a taghut for years, but he is displeased with the bay’a for Emir al-Mu’mineen.

Felicitations:

To conclude, we congratulate the lions of the Islamic State with the coming of Shaykh Abu Bakr, and we congratulate all the Muslims on their Khalifa, for what a wonderful Islamic State it is and what a wonderful Khalifa he is, and woe to the one who hates and insults it.

Our final call is that all Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, salah [goodness] and salam [peace] upon the most noble of all Anbiya [Prophets] and Mursaleen [Transmitters (of the faith)].

 

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Notes

[1] UPDATE: The Arabic title of al-Turki’s monograph, mud al-ayadi li-bay’a al-Baghdadi (مد الأيادي لبيعة البغدادي), can be variously translated. Ubaidullah ibn Adam al-Ibrahim gives it as, “Stretch Forth Your Hands To Give The Bay’ah To Al-Baghdadi”. Also correct: “Extend Your Hands to Pledge Allegiance to al-Baghdadi”.