Al-Qaeda : The 39 principles of Holy War
By Joel Leyden - Israel News Agency 4 September 2003

No media vehicle has proven more potent for the spread of radical teachings
of "Islamic Holy War" than the Internet.

And Al-Qaeda knows it. In fact, one of the 39 principles of Al-Qaeda's
Jihad, which has recently been exposed in a private study by Israeli
researcher Col. Jonathan D. Halevi, explicitly illustrates a how-to chapter
on Performing the Electronic Jihad . These people are not riding donkeys,
rather these 21st century Jihadists have their fingers dancing on computer
keyboards across the globe.

From the thousands of Islamic and Arabic Websites riding ISDN and ADSL,
Halevi found the proverbial terror manual needle in the Islamic Web village
haystack. He descended upon the Al- farouq Web site which is directly
affiliated with Osama Bin-Laden's Al-Qaeda terror network. The Web site
bears the donkey and automatic rifle insignia of Al-Qaeda on its homepage.

Al- farouq recently published a newly written book on its Web site entitled:
"The 39 Principles of Jihad".

According to the author, Mohammad Bin Ahmad Al-Salem, the preface was
completed on July 19, 2003 in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh. The author's
name Mohammad Bin Ahmad Al-Salem does not appear in other writings,
suggesting the possibility that the author preferred to conceal his identity
from the Saudi government. The Saudis are presently under intense American
pressure and have hardened their grip in recent months on Islamic terror
organizations and operatives.

"There has been a vast infrastructure for Al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia," said
former UN Ambassador Dore Gold. "Saudi Arabia's financial support for
terrorism is well known and documented."

Gold, who recently published Hatred's Kingdom: How Saudi Arabia Supports the
New Global Terrorism, says that Halevi's research illustrates the dangerous
idealogical support for modern terrorism that is "spilling over into
neighboring areas of the Middle-East including Iraq and the Gaza Strip."

"It is evident from Al-Salem's style that he represents the "Salafi" outlook
originating from Ibn Taymia's and Mohammad Abd Al-Wahhab's school of thought
and other Saudian, Palestinian scholars affiliated ideologically with
Al-Qaeda and the Taliban regime in Afganistan," said Halevi.

"Islam is under over-all attack waged by infidel forces," Al-Salem states.
This was the underlying motive which prompted Al-Salem to set pen to paper,
says Halevy. The enemy, which is directly implied as the United States and
Western world (including Israel), is said to be dominating Muslim countries
one after the other and forcing Islam into a defensive posture. The Islamic
commandment of Jihad (holy war against the infidels) is injected as the cure
to the illness which plaques the Islamic nation. Jihad, in the eyes of
Allah, is the first and foremost value for all Muslims seeking victory and
is the choice weapon of delivery for the introduction of Islamic rule
worldwide. The study reports that there are several elements which have been
created to facilitate Jihad by every Muslim regardless if they are
financially or physically handicapped in approaching the implementation of
carrying out the commandment of Jihad.

The Jihad transcends expressions of violence against infidels as it
comprises of diverse acts for which every Muslim is commanded to perform in
sustaining the Jihad. All of these activities are based on the Islamic
religious fundamental of reward and punishment. The Muslim who executes
these actions wins a reward equivalent to that of the Mujahid (The Muslim
fighter) who takes part in battle. On the other hand, neglecting these
activities will bring about punishment from God in this and the next world.
The favored activities which sustain the Jihad have varied aspects for which
the most cherished is the gathering of money and donations to the Jihadi
organizations and their fighters. The study reveals that these fund raising
activities are performed on a private basis or by various Islamic non-profit
associations. While asserting, "money is the lifeline of the Jihad" Al-Salem
also unintentionally points out the "wicked spot" of currency.

Other aspects of Jihad mentioned in Al-Salem's book are compatible with
"Daawa" activity conducted by radical Islamic organizations which establish
allegedly innocent civilian infrastructure that supports the Jihad. In most
cases the Al- farouq Web site and Al-Salem note that these organizations
possess separate and unique educational systems which supply generations of
believers in Jihad and the organizational framework in which to spread Jihad
throughout Islamic society. "This serves as its ideological and logistic
backing," said Halevi.

Al-Salem designates an important role to the academic community which does
not confine itself solely to the planting of ideological foundations for
Islamic organizations which practice terrorism but also includes
"courageous" activity in avoiding any kind of submission to a government's
dictations, say Halevi. Therefore, Al-Salem gives legitimation to the Jihad
against infidels as well to the defiance of local Muslim regimes which do
not comply with the religious fundamentals set by the radicals.

Al-Salem's book sheds light on the intimate ties between the political and
ideological echelon of Islamic organizations and of their military wings
which clarifies the importance of civil infrastructure in terrorist
activity. "Once again the remarkable role of the Saudi and Palestinian
scholars in supporting terrorism is exposed," says Halevi. "They still serve
as the ideological source to radical Islam and the concept of waging
constant Islamic holy war against the West and all democratic nations."

Following are the 39 principles of Jihad as described by Al-Qaeda in
Al-salem's book:

1. Preparing and urging the mind for Jihad - Every Muslim must obey the
call for the Jihad against the infidels out of sheer belief and intention.
2. Sincere desire to attain martyrdom - Al-Salem, basing his arguments
on Sheik Abdallah Azzam (the spiritual leader of Osama Bin Laden, killed in
Afghanistan in 1989), emphasizes the importance of the sincere endeavor in
order to attain martyrdom from Allah. The believer can perform the
commandment concerning the "preparation to the battle" (I'dad Al-'oda) and
gain a reward from Allah equivalent to the Saheed's reward (72 virgins and
secure a close place near the Divine presence in Heaven) even though he may
die from natural causes.
3. Taking part in the Jihad - Every Muslim has to take an active role
in holy war against the infidels, prepared to self sacrifice for the sake of
Allah. Participation in Jihad is the most distinguished action in the eyes
of Allah.
4. Financing Jihad - Muslims can take part in the Jihad by making
donations dedicated to the Jihad and the Mujahideen. The donation's value is
determined by its quality and destination and not by the sum total which is
donated.
5. Supplying the fighters' needs - A believer who is unable to take
part in the Jihad (for instance women and handicapped) can perform his duty
by supplying the Mujahideens' needs in money and equipment. By doing so the
donator is considered Mujahid and deserves the same reward.
6. Taking care of the Mujahid's family - A believer who supplies a
Mujahid's family needs is considered Mujahid and deserves half of his
reward. If one neglects this act it may bring him misfortune and death by
the hands of God.
7. Assisting the fallens' families - by supplying the special needs of
the orphans and widows.
8. Assisting the families of prisoners and wounded fighters - by
supplying their necessities.
9. Fund raising for the Mujahideen - money is the lifeline of the
Jihad. Its importance also stems from gathering donations which would arouse
the spirit of Jihad in the believers' hearts. There are many ways of
carrying out this duty: in mosques, public places, family gatherings,
charity events, monthly donation or by urging the wealthy to open their
hands to the Mujahideen.
10. Granting charity donations to the Mujahideens - who enjoy priority
status in Islam.
11. Financing medical treatment for wounded Mujahideen
12. Praising the Mujahideen and their deeds - It is essential to educate the
Islamic Nation on their values and to see them as a role model.
13. Encouraging the Mujahideen to stick to their ways - in order to
strengthen their spirit and moral.
14. Protecting the Mujahideen -avoid publishing any information that may
place them in jeopardy or spoil the spirit of Jihad. Al-Salem warns his
readers from the Arabic daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (Saudi orientated, published
in London) which conducts the "crusader - Jewish scheme" against Islam by
publishing false information designed to destroy the steadfastness of the
Islamic Nation and the Mujahideens' spirit.
15. Publicizing the disgrace of hypocrites and defeatists - who strive to
weaken the Islamic Nation.
16. Preaching to Jihad - Enormous reward is promised to every Muslim who
serves as a catalyst for other believers to commit the duty of the Jihad.
17. Providing strategic advice to the Mujahideen - This can be translated in
many ways including the supply of essential information on the enemy and his
plans in order to be well prepared.
18. Keeping secrecy concerning the Mujahideen
19. Prayers to Allah for the sake of the Mujahideen and for the defeat of
the enemies.
20. Holding special prayer to avoid misfortune and to strengthen the Muslim
community.
21. Publishing the Mujahideens' activities in order to arouse the notion of
solidarity and strengthen pride and hope among the believers, to praise the
ideal of self sacrifice for the sake of Allah and to break the media siege
imposed by the enemy. There are varied ways recommended for distributing
information praising Jihad including Internet websites and forums,
distribution lists, circulating publications in public places (for instance
mosques, schools), sending SMS, etc.
22. Participating in publishing process of books on the Mujahideen
23. Publishing Islamic laws supporting the Jihad - This mission falls on the
shoulders of the Muslim scholars who have the duty to guide the Islamic
Nation in the light of the Jihad and to call believers to join the
Mujahideen and pray on their behalf. Their followers are demanded to urge
the scholars to act. In this context, Al-Salem glorifies the role of Sheik
Hamoud Al-Oqala Al-Shu'aybi (radical Saudi scholar, deceased 2 years ago,
backed the Taliban regime and al-Qaeda) as an adorable scholar who thrived
to strengthen the Jihadi organizations worldwide by publishing Islamic laws
justifying terror suicide attacks and holy war against the infidels.
24. Keeping steady, consistent contact with scholars and preachers in order
to update them about the current happenings in connection with the
Mujahideen. The believer is asked to assist Islamic scholars who on certain
occasion are under government pressure or influenced by false information.
He has to update them regularly with reliable information, to support them
and urge them to persist with the call to Jihad.
25. Physical practicing - A Muslim who designates himself to become a
Mujaheed has to start gradually by improving his physical fitness. Al-Salem
elaborates in his book a recommended practicing program which includes
enhancing the endurance of both the heart and lungs, increasing muscle mass
and strength.
26. Acquiring shooting skills - Al-Salem calls on Muslims not to be
satisfied solely with the tuition of Jihad but to prepare in performing in
this duty by acquiring shooting skills.
27. Practicing swimming and riding horses - riding horses, explains Al-Salem
is still relevant in the battlefields of Afghanistan, Chechnya and Iraq.
28. Learning first aid skills - to help wounded Mujahudeen (splicing broken
bones, providing infusions, etc.).
29. Learning the doctrine of Jihad - Al-Salem recommends dozens of books,
articles and Islamic laws published in recent years by Muslim radical
leaders and scholars most of them Saudis by origin (Osama Bin Laden, Hamoud
Al-Oqala Al-Shuaibi, Abd Aziz Jarbou', Yusouf Al-'ayyiri, Naser Al-Fahed,
Ali Al-Khudier, Suliman Al-Olwan and more). One of them is the Al-Khudier's
Islamic law which justifies the use of weapons of mass destruction against
the U.S.
30. Supplying refuge and shelter to the Mujahideen
31. Expressing hostility and hatred toward infidels - A call for
reconciliation or co-existence with the infidels might weaken the
Mujahudeen. One may call for a Hudna, but to place it in practice is
forbidden.
32. Constant action to achieve the release of all prisoners - held in enemy
jails and to use all means for their escape or release.
33. Distributing current information on the prisoners in order to keep their
high moral.
34. Performing electronic Jihad - Al-Salem attributes paramount importance
to the Internet as a component for Jihad. He calls believers to join the
Jihad by participating in Internet forums to defend the Islam and
Mujahideen, to preach Jihad and to encourage Muslims to learn more about
this sacred duty. The Internet provides an opportunity to reach vast, target
audiences and respond swiftly to false allegations. Computer experts are
asked to use their skills and experience in destroying American, Jewish and
secular websites as well as morally corrupt web sites.
35. Alienation of infidels - Believers in other religions have to be
isolated from Muslim communities so they will be prevented from committing
hostile actions.
36. Educating the younger generation to adore Jihad and the Mujahideen - The
children, asserts Al-Salem are the "fuel" of the next stage of confrontation
with the infidels. Parents have the duty to educate them to adore Jihad and
the Mujahideen and to prepare themselves mentally for self-sacrifice for the
sake of Allah. Al-Salem recommends believers to tell their young stories
about the life of Prophet Mohammad, his associates, the great Muslim
conquerors and the Mujahideen in our time. In addition it is recommended to
display to the children Jihadi films and taped preaches which praise
martyrdom.
37. Abandoning the luxuries of materialism - which might weaken the spirit
of Jihad.
38. Boycotting enemy's commodities - as part of the economic Jihad.
39. Avoiding the employment of foreign workers - from enemy countries.

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