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Concerning the Algerian Affair
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THE FATWAA OF IMAAM IBN BAAZ (D.1420H)
CONCERNING THE ALGERIAN AFFAIR
AND ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES CONCERNING TERRORISM AND REVOLT
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn 'Abdullaah Ibn Baaz (d.1420H) ­ rahimahullaah
Former Muftee of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and President of the Committee of Major Scholars

V e r s i o n 1 . 0

Allaah the Glorified and Exalted said, "And do not kill a person whom Allaah has
declared unlawful, except with due right." [Sooratul-An'aam 6:151]

Allaah ­ the Lord of the Worlds ­ said, "And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his
recompense is Hell to abide therein, and the wrath and the curse of Allaah are upon
him, and a great punishment is prepared for him." [Sooratun-Nisaa` 4:93]

Said Imaam Muhammad Naasirud-Deen al-Albaanee (d.1420H) ­ rahimahullaah, "We
support everyone who calls for the refutation of those who come out against the Rulers,
and those who encourage the Muslims in coming out against the Rulers." [Fataawaa al-
'Ulamaa`il-Akaabir (p. 97)]

Said al-'Allaamah Ibn Baaz (d.1420H) ­ rahimahullaah, "If anyone from amongst the callers
in Algeria said about me that I said to them, `Assassinate the police, or use weapons in the
call to Allaah,' then this is wrong, it is not true. Rather, it is a lie!"

Said Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-'Uthaymeen (d.1421H) ­ rahimahullaah, "We view it
obligatory upon them to put down their swords and to meet in peace. And if not, then
they must endure the continuance of those who fight and take wealth by force and rape the
women. Since they are responsible for it in front of Allaah the Mighty and Majestic. And
the obligation upon them is to come back."







Adapted by: Shaykh 'Abdul-Maalik Ramadaanee al-Jazaa`iree
Translation: Maaz Qureshi
Source: www.troid.org

THE FATWAA OF IMAAM IBN BAAZ (D.1420H)
CONCERNING THE ALGERIAN AFFAIR
AND ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES CONCERNING TERRORISM AND REVOLT

Indeed, the Shaykh was asked in Makkah upon the 26th day of Dhul-Hijjah 1414H, what
follows:

[Q.1]: `The armed Islaamic Jamaa'aat of Algeria say that you support them in what they
have undertaken of police assassinations and the overall carrying of weapons. So what is
the ruling concerning their actions, along with mentioning what is feasible of evidences,
may Allaah reward you with good?'

[A.1]: "With the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. The praise is
for Allaah and may the Peace and Greetings of Allaah be upon the Messenger of Allaah,
his Family, his Companions and whomsoever is guided with their guidance. To proceed:

Indeed, we advise all of our brothers in every place ­ I am referring to the callers ­ we
advise them to be upon knowledge and clear evidence (baseerah). They must advise the
people with good speech, good manners and good admonitions. They must debate with
that which is best, acting upon the statement of Allaah the Glorified,

"Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and a good admonition. And argue with
them with that which is best." [Sooratun-Nahl 16:125]

And the statement of Allaah the Glorified,

"Do not debate with the People of the Book, except with that which is best, except with
those who transgress from amongst them." [Sooratul-'Ankaboot 29:46]

So Allaah the Sublime and Exalted commanded the servants to call to Allaah and He
guided them to the wise path. This path is the call to Allaah with wisdom, meaning with
knowledge: `Allaah said,' and `His Messenger said.' And He commanded them to use good
admonitions and to debate with that which is best, so as to remove the doubt that had
come with debating with that which is best, and using good manners until the doubt had
been removed.

And if anyone from amongst the callers in Algeria said about me that I said to them,
`Assassinate the police, or use weapons in the call to Allaah,' then this is wrong, it is not
true. Rather, it is a lie! The da'wah (call) is merely to be done with good manners: `Allaah
said,' and `His Messenger said.' It is to be done by reminder, admonition, encouraging and
warning. This is the call to Allaah, as the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and his
Companions used to do in Makkatul-Mukarramah before they had a leader. They did not

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used to call the people to the sword.1 They used to call the people with the aayaat of the
Qur`aan, good speech and good manners, because this was more effective in rectification
and more effective and causing others to accept the truth.

As for da'wah by assassinations, fighting or striking, then this is not from the Sunnah of the
Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), nor from the Sunnah of his Companions. However,
when Allaah gave him authority in al-Madeenah and the emigrants moved there, he
became a leader in al-Madeenah. And Allaah legislated al-Jihaad and the prescribed
punishments (hudood). He (sallal aahu 'alayhi wa sallam) performed Jihaad against the
polytheists (mushrikeen). And he established the prescribed punishments after Allaah
ordered him with that.

So it is upon the callers to Allaah to call to Allaah with good manners, with aayaat of the
Qur`aan and the Prophetic ahaadeeth. And if the da'wah is not found, then the affair must
be raised to the ruler. And they must advise the ruler until he enforces it, and he is the one
to enforce it. They must raise the affair to him. So they must advise him that such and
such is obligatory and such and such is obligatory, until co-operation between the Scholars
and the leaders from the kings and presidents of republics can be attained. The callers
must raise unto them the affairs that are in need of action, or in need of jail, or fighting, or
establishing the prescribed punishments. So they must advise the rulers and direct them to
goodness with good manners and beautiful speech. Due to this, Allaah the Sublime and
Exalted said,

"Do not debate with the People of the Book, except with that which is best, except with
those who transgress from amongst them." [Sooratul-'Ankaboot 29:46]

So if anyone from amongst the People of the Book, or other than them transgresses, then it
is upon the ruler to do to him what deserves. As for the callers, then it is upon them to use
gentleness and wisdom due to the statement of the Prophet (sallal aahu 'alayhi wa sal am),
"Verily rifq (gentleness) does not exist in something, except that it beautifies it. And it is
not taken out of something, except that it harms it."2 And he (sallal aahu 'alayhi wa sallam)
said, "Whomsoever declares rifq (gentleness) unlawful) declares all good unlawful."3

So it is upon them to admonish the people and to remind them with the aayaat and
ahaadeeth. And whomsoever is entertaining a doubt, then they must debate with him with

1 BENEFIT - THE PEOPLE OF INNOVATION ARE UNITED UPON THE SWORD: Stated Aboo
Qilaabah, "Never does a man introduce an innovation, except that he makes lawful the usage of the sword."
Related by ash-Shaatibee in al-I'tisaam (1/113) and ad-Daarimee (1/58). From Ayyoob as-Sakhtiyaanee who
relates that Aboo Qilaabah said, "Indeed, their statements may differ, but they have united upon the sword,
and I do not consider their destination to be but the Fire." Related by ad-Daarimee (no. 100). Ayyoob as-
Sakhtiyaanee would call all of the people of innovation: Khawaarij, and he would say, "Verily the Khawaarij
differ in their names, but they are agreed upon the usage of the sword." Related by ash-Shaatibee in al-I'tisaam
(1/113).
2 Related by Muslim (no. 2594)
3 Related by Muslim (no. 2592) and Aboo Daawood (no. 4809)

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that which is best: `The aayah means such and such,' and `The hadeeth means such and
such,' and `Allaah said such and such,' and `His Messenger said such and such,' until the
doubt is removed and the truth has been made manifest.

This is obligatory upon our brothers in Algeria and other than Algeria.4 So the obligation
upon them is to traverse the path of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and the
Companions when they were in Makkah, with beautiful speech and good manners. This is
because the ruler is not with them, right now he is with other than them. So it is upon
them to advise the ruler and those responsible by using wisdom, beautiful speech and visits
to them with good intentions until they are able to co-operate with them in the
establishment of the command of Allaah upon the earth of Allaah and until they can all
co-operate to prevent the crime and to establish the truth. So it is upon the rulers and
presidents to enforce and it is upon the Scholars and the callers to Allaah to give advice,
explain and clarify. We ask Allaah to guide everyone."

[Q.2]: `The armed Islaamic Jamaa'aat have begun to threaten the Scholars of the Ministry
of Religious Affairs in Algeria either by boycotting the Friday and congregational Prayers,
or by killing them under the pretence that they are employed by the tawaagheet,5 since they
do not rush to speak ill of the rulers upon the pulpits. Indeed, the enforce fighting the
group of Scholars who do not answer them by keeping away from the congregational Prayer
in some of the cities. So what is the ruling concerning this action?'


4 In this is evidence that the fatwaa is generally for all the Islaamic areas. It seldom separates between the
various Islaamic societies of today. So it is upon the fanatics in other countries, who set up trials spilling the
blood of the Muslims time after time, to adhere strictly to this fatwaa. Not to mention that it has come from
the muftee of the Muslims: al-'Allaamah, Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Baaz ­ rahimahullaah ­ about whom it was
truthfully said, `It was as if the grounds of the earth were a slate in front of his eyes,' due to his
acquaintedness with the conditions of the Muslims. This is contrary to what the activists divulge in their
private sittings. Then they say `noble father' since they are afraid of the many people who are upon the
manhaj of the buried Shaykh. And Allaah is the Reckoner of those who possess two faces.
5 BENEFIT ­ THE MEANING OF AT-TAAGHOOT: Allaah the Exalted said,

"And to every nation We sent Messengers, ordering them that they should worship Allaah alone, obey
Him, and make their worship purely for Him; and that they should avoid at-Taaghoot." [Sooratun-Nahl
16:36]

'Umar Ibnul-Khattaab (radiyallaahu 'anhu) said, "The taaghoot is Shaytaan." Related by at-Tabaree in Jaami'ul-
Bayaan 'an-Ta`weelil-Qur`aan (no. 5834), al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar said in Fathul-Baaree (8/251), "Its chain of
narrators is strong." Jaabir (radiyallaahu 'anhu) said, "The taaghoots are the soothsayers and fortune-tellers
upon whom the devils descend." Related by at-Tabaree in his Tafseer (no. 5845). Imaam Maalik (d.179H) ­
rahimahullaah ­ said, "Taaghoot: that which is worshipped besides Allaah." Related by as-Suyootee in ad-
Durarul-Manthoor (2/22), by way of Ibn Abee Haatim. So this is what has been mentioned by certain people.
Staated Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim (d.751H) ­ rahimahullaahu ta'aalaa, "The taaghoot is all that which causes the
person to exceed the limits with regards to that which is worshipped, followed, or obeyed. So the taaghoot in
any nation is whosoever turns to other than Allaah and His Messenger for matters of judgment; or is pleased
to be worshipped besides Allaah; or is followed without a clear proof from Allaah; or is obeyed in that which
is known to be disobedience to Allaah." Refer to I'laamul-Muwaqqi'een (1/53).

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[A.2]: "This contains no good! This is also incorrect, this is not good! The obligation
upon the callers is to advise the people with beautiful speech. They must advise the
speakers (khutabaa`) and the Scholars until they begin to do what Allaah legislated.

As for reviling the rulers from the pulpits, then this is not from the treatment. The
treatment for this is to supplicate for their guidance, success and rectification of their
intention and action and an inward rectification. This is the correct treatment, since
reviling them does not increase them, except in evil, it does not increase them in good.
Reviling them contains no benefit. However, one must supplicate for their guidance,
success and rectification until they establish the Command of Allaah upon the earth of
Allaah. And one must supplicate that Allaah rectifies them inwardly, or replaces them with
those who are better than them if they refuse. One must supplicate that Allaah rectifies
them inwardly, or replaces them with those who are better than them. As for reviling and
cursing them, or reviling cursing and striking at the police, or striking the speakers
(khutabaa`), then all of this is not from Islaam.6

The obligation is to advise, explain and clarify. Allaah the Sublime and Exalted said,

"This is an explanation for mankind." [Soorah Ibraaheem 14:52]

So the Qur`aan explains and the Sunnah explains. Allaah the Sublime and Exalted said,

"And this Qur`aan has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and
whomsoever it may reach." [Sooratul-An'aam 6:19]

And Allaah the Sublime and Exalted said,

"And warn the people." [Soorah Ibraaheem 14:44]

"You are only a warner, and Allaah is the Guardian over all affairs." [Soorah Hood
11:12]

So the Scholars are the successors of the Prophets, they warn and caution the people from
the punishment of Allaah, and they direct them to the obedience of Allaah. And they

6 Said Imaam al-Barbahaaree (d.329H) in Sharhus-Sunnah (p. 113-114), "If you see a man supplicating against
the ruler, then know that he is a person of desire. And if you see a man supplicating for the ruler, then know
that he is a person of Sunnah if Allaah so wills." Then he ­ rahimahullaah ­ mentioned the statement from al-
Fudayl Ibn 'Iyaad (d.187H), "If I had a supplication that was accepted, I would not make it except for the
ruler." It was said to him, `O Abaa 'Alee, explain this to us.' He said, "If I were to make it for myself, it
would not go beyond me. If I were to make it for the ruler, then by his rectification, the servants and
countries would become rectified." Related by Aboo Nu'aym in al-Hilyah (8/91) and al-Laalikaa`ee in Sharh
Usoolul-I'tiqaad (1/197). And al-Barbahaaree added to this saying, "So we have been commanded to supplicate
for their rectification. And we have not been ordered to supplicate against them, even if they transgress and
sin. This is because they transgress and sin upon themselves and their rectification is for themselves and the
rest of the Muslims.

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command them to have taqwaa (fear) of Allaah and they warn them against disobeying
Allaah. And they advise the rulers and other than them. They advise them and direct
them to goodness and supplicate for their guidance, since this is closer to salvation and
closer to goodness, until the da'wah becomes widespread and until the people gain
understanding of the Religion and until they act in accordance to the rulers and
regulations of Allaah. As for when they begin to strike or threaten the speakers (khutabaa`)
or other than then, then this is from the causes of evil becoming manifest and goodness
decreasing. There is no might, nor power, except with Allaah."

[Q.3]: "Likewise, this Jamaa'ah fights some of the distressed women who refuse to wear the
hijaab. So is this correct for them to do?"

[A.3]: "This is also wrong, this is not correct for them to do. The obligation is advise. It is
to advise the women until they begin to wear the hijaab, and to advise the one who has
abandoned the Prayer until he prays and to advise the one who eats usury until he leaves
the usury alone and to advise the one who comes close to zinaa (adultery, fornication) until
he leaves zinaa alone and to advise the one who comes close to drinking khamr (intoxicants)
until he leaves the khamr alone. They must advise with: `Allaah said,' and `His Messenger
said.' They must advise by using the aayaat of the Qur`aan and the ahaadeeth of the
Prophet. And they must warn them against the Anger of Allaah and against the
punishment during the Day of Judgment.

As for striking, fighting or other than that from the types of hardship, then this is not good
for the callers. This becomes an obstacle in the way of da'wah. However, it is upon the
callers to be forbearing and to have patience with forbearance and to use beautiful speech
in the mosques and in other than them until the people of goodness become many and the
people of evil become few. They must continue until the people attain benefit through the
da'wah (call) and answer it."

[Q.4]: `O Shaykh, this is the last question may Allaah bless you! It seems that there are
some brothers from amongst those who incline towards Salafiyyah and love the Scholars
and they lean towards the words of the Scholars. So what advice you have for those who
have become entangled in these assassinations or something of this O Shaykh?'

[A.4]: "I advise them with repentance to Allaah and to adhere strictly to the path which the
Salafus-Saalih7 were upon in calling to Allaah with wisdom and a good admonition and to
debate with that which is best. Allaah says,

7 Reflect upon the answer of the Shaykh ­ rahimahullaah ­ since his path contains no crookedness. It only
takes that which is short and concise. And in these few words are two meaningful affairs: He ­
rahimahullaah ­ advises the carrier of the sword to repent, being a clear evidence that what they are upon is
disobedience to Allaah and his Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam); [ii] He advises them to adhere strictly
to the path of the Salafus-Saalih, because the questioner described some of them as inclining towards
Salafiyyah. So the Shaykh directs them to the fact that what is obligatory upon them is to return to the path

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"And who is better in statement than he who calls to Allaah and does righteous deeds."
[Soorah Fussilat 41:33]

So they must not involve themselves in actions that will block and restrict the da'wah and
cause harm to the callers and cause knowledge to become scarce. However, if the da'wah is
carried out with beautiful speech and good manners, the callers will increase and the
people will benefit through them. And they will listen to their words and benefit from
them and the circles of knowledge and many admonitions will take place in the mosques
and other than the mosques until the people have benefited. Allaah is the guide for
everyone. We ask Allaah to guide everyone and grant them success."8

And our final call is that the praise is for Allaah, Lord of the Worlds

of the Salafus-Saalih as long as they claim to be inclining towards their way. And Allaah is the Guardian of
success.
8 The preceding segment was taken from the book Fataawaa al-'Ulamaa`il-Akaabir feemaa Ahdira min Dimaa` fil-
Jazaa`ir of Shaykh 'Abdul-Maalik Ramadaanee al-Jazaa`iree (hafidhahullaahu ta'aalaa). The book consists of the
statements of Imaam al-Albaanee, Imaam Ibn Baaz, Imaam Ibnul-'Uthaymeen and Shaykh Rabee' Ibn
Haadee concerning the Algerian Revolution and fighting. All of the fataawaa of Imaam Ibnul-'Uthaymeen in
the book have been checked by the Imaam himself (rahimahullaah) and every single fatwaa has his personal
signature at the end of it.

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• And additional Guidelines Concerning Terrorism and Revolt

From SP