Analyzing the Spring 2004 RAND Report

All praise and devotion is due to Allah alone. We ask Allah to send peace and blessings on Prophet and his companions .

To Proceed:

Most of us who have listened to the lecture titled “The Battle of Hearts and Minds” by Shaykh Anwar Al-Awlaki, have a general idea about the intent of the enemies of Islam when it comes to what they call the “War on Terror”. To those of us who have either not listened to the lecture, or have been persuaded by Popular Media to stay away from the Sheikh’s lectures, here is an overview of the famous RAND report titled “Redefining the Enemy”. This analysis will shed some light on how the enemies of Islam are planning on attacking us and how to protect ourselves from their tactics.

What is the RAND Corporation all about ?

Before we analyze the report itself, we should know a little bit about RAND. According to Wikipedia:

The way that RAND Corporation helps it’s clients (in our case the United States government) is one of several options as listed on their website such as:

RAND improves policy and decision-making through research and analysis. At times, grantors or clients may ask RAND to deliver research without suggesting a specific course of action. At other times, RAND may provide a range of solutions with an analysis of advantages and disadvantages. On certain occasions, RAND may formulate or even support clear-cut policy recommendations. (RAND Website)

In other words, we can say that US foreign policy is directly or indirectly affected by  RAND suggestions and reports. RAND researchers often make direct recommendations that, in turn, affect the foreign policies of US and her allies. It is, therefore, a good place to look if one wants to ‘Redefine the (real) Enemy’ (i.e. US and her allies).

The Story of Salman Al Farsi (RA)

This is the true story of one of the companions of the Prophet , Salman Al Farsi . It is being narrated by Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki referencing the Sahih Ahadith of our beloved Prophet . There is much to be gained from this story as we shall discover. Salman Al Farsi’s commitment to truth and his undying love for righteousness is a fruitful source of inspiration in our modern world. Allah says:

All who obey Allah and the apostle are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of Allah,- of the prophets (who teach), the sincere (lovers of Truth ), the martyr-witnesses, and the Righteous (who do good): Ah! what a beautiful fellowship! (4:69)

Praise be to Allah , what a beautiful fellowship it truly is!

Salman Al Farsi  Part 1 of 4:

Why did they target Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki ?

After the Fort Hood attack, there has been much confusion not only among the non-Muslims but also the Islāmic community. Some Muslims do not know what to think about Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki any more. Some of them who, up until November 5 2009, held the Imam in great respect, found themselves questioning their allegiances and reviewing their moral and religious alliances. As soon as the United States media started focusing on him, many of so-called Muslim blogs from around the world condemned the Fort Hood incident and even went so far as to call Imam Anwar a non-Muslim. I believe it would be a good idea, therefore, to review the facts and analyze them in the light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah to see where our Deen stands on this issue. Is Imam Anwar really outside the bounds of Islam or are his opponents the hypocrites ?

Before we study the incident and it’s aftermath, we should cover a little background information on Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki (especially for those of us who don’t quiet know him yet).

Who is Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki?

Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki was born to Yemeni parents in the United States. His father, Nasser al-Awlaki, worked in the US from 1957 to 1977. In 1978 the family returned to Yemen, where Imam Anwar received his Islāmic Education. Al-Awlaki returned to Colorado in 1991 to attend college. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University and an M.A. in Education Leadership from San Diego State University.

A Note on US Army Infiltration into Muslim Groups

As we’ve discussed in the first two posts titled “As-Sirat-al-Mustaqim”, the characteristics of Progressive Muslims categorize them outside the fold of true Islam because they want to change the religion of Allah . I wanted to warn people of a few Progressive Muslim groups that have popped up on social networking sites such as Facebook.

It is important to know that these groups have nothing to do with Islam and must be exposed as anti-Islamic propaganda. They have been created by the enemies of Islam for the simple purpose of introducing falsehood in our religion. For proof let’s consider one of the more famous ones on Facebook. It’s called “The Washington Progressive Muslims Group” Look at it’s main information page (particularly at the guy who created it).

Haiti Analysis

Some of you might not know this but Haiti, over the last 500 years, has seen an entire continent’s share of tragedies. From constant pounding by 7+ magnitude earthquakes to the more human tragedies like poverty, oppression, and even colonization.

To list a few:

In 1751: 7+ Earthquake

In 1770: 7+ Earthquake

In 1842: 7+ Earthquake

In 1946: 8.1 Earthquake

The reason for this is simple: Haiti just happens to lie on an unstable geographic fault line. In other words, earthquakes are just going to happen. Being on a well-known (and researched) fault line also means that any possible earthquake should be predicted with a fair degree of accuracy. One may ask, why didn’t any one see this one coming ? The facts suggest that someone did know about it and deliberately chose to stay silent.

A Quick Message Regarding the Media

The WakeUpProject and the Arrivals Series

Every one these days is talking about the fact that the Media lies to us. All these conspiracy theorists such as Alex Jones and Webster Tarpley talk about our governments trying to brain wash our hearts and minds to gain more and more social and economical control over us. It’s common knowledge among youngsters that not everything you see on the television is true. There is, however, a slight problem. Most of these people, while admitting that the governments lie to us, take these very governments’ word when it comes to Islam. Even well-known Islāmic preachers of today, such as the creators of the “Arrivals” project, fall into this trap. I see thousands of videos on YouTube from the ‘wakeupproject’ meant to attract the new generation into this ‘stick it to the man’ philosophy. They spend years on research proving how the Media lies to us, only to end up with the conclusion that the Islāmic Jihad being waged in Afghanistan at the moment is actually a ‘terrorist’ activity. I checked out the website of one of the creators of the wakeupproject to figure out why he believed that the Jihad groups around the world are actually CIA agents. What I found was astonishing. He quoted CNN and BBC reporters. He listed investigative journalists who are on the payroll of the very think tanks that created the Iraq War. When asked why he believed that 9/11 was an inside job, his response was, and I quote “Look at this CNN footage”. If you don’t take my word for it, find it out for your self. Look up their videos on YouTube and see the evidence they give to prove their points of view. Then ask your self whether it makes sense to trust the media when it suits us, and assume it’s lying when it doesn’t? Shouldn’t we be constant in our beliefs regarding the Media’s truthfulness.

So which is the right Islam?

As a conclusion to my last two blog posts titled As-Sirat-al-Mustaqim let us hand the final verdict about the right path to the Holy Qur’an and the Ahadith of the Holy Prophet :

At Taifa Mansura (The Victorious Group) Part 1

At Taifa Mansura (The Victorious Group) Part 2

A short summary of the videos posted above:

O ye who believe! if any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him,- lowly with the believers, mighty against the rejecters, fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault. That is the grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He pleaseth. And Allah encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things. (5:54)

The people who Allah loves are:

• Lowly with the believers: Meaning that they are kind and humble towards the believers. They love and respect all believers regardless of country of origin. Note here that there is absolutely no mention about any ‘race’ or ‘color’ or ‘creed’. They just love all believers and feel their pain and their suffering and respond to that.

• Mighty against the unbelievers: They are strict and strong against the unbelievers. They don’t establish friendship with oppressors and evil doers. They don’t support crazy ideas like “Pakistan India Friendship Pact” after knowing what is being done to Muslims in both Pakistan and India by the United States sponsored governments.

• Fighting in the way of Allah : They don’t hesitate and make excuses when it comes to fighting in the situations where Allah commands it. When it comes to oppressors and evil tyrants such as many governments of today, they are strict in opposition of it and fighting against it.

• Never afraid of reproaches of such as find faults: They are not afraid of the blame of the blamers. CNN, BBC and the entire world might join hands in calling them terrorists, but they do not care about what people think. They are only out to please Allah .

This was a short description given in the Qur’an about the kind of people that Allah loves. Rest is assured here, that should we abandon these commands, Allah will replace us with others that He will love.

I would like to end by reminding everyone of a saying of Prophet :

Remember that the Prophet said:

“The supplication that gets the quickest answer is the one made by one Muslim for another in his absence.”

(Reported by Abu Daw’ud and Tirmidhi)

For this reason, let us end with a prayer for Muslims around the world:

“Ya Allah: You are the Protector and Cherisher of the Worlds.

It is in You that we keep all trusts, and it is to You that we turn.

You are the reliever of sufferings and the deliverer from oppression.

Ya Allah: Defeat the enemies of Islam and help those who are on as-Sirat-al-Mustaqim be firm and patient.

Ya Allah: Protect the believing men and women from oppression and falsehood and keep them stern on your path.

Ya Allah: You are the All-Mighty the only One worthy of all devotion and servitude.

Ya Allah: You are the Opener of hearts and also their Sealer. No one can guide those whom You have caused to be misguided and no one can misguide those whom You have chosen, in Your infinite wisdom, to guide.

Ya Allah: Provide me with the opportunity and capacity to help my brothers and sisters around the world with my wealth and person.

Ya Allah: Make me kind to the believers and strict against the rejecters.

Ya Allah: Ya Wali-ul-Wadid (Loving Protector), make me of those whom You love and who love You.

As-Sirat-al-Mustaqim (Part 2 of 2)

4. Modern Muslims

Modern Muslims are the most numerous of all the groups. A majority of them are women. They believe in updating Islam to make it more in line with modern advancements of humanity,  both culturally as well as socially. To make it more cool and accessible so to speak. Just like the Christians have done with their religion. They either forget or deny that Allah clearly said:

This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. (5:3)

If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah., never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost (3:85)

After reading these verses, not much doubt remains in the fact that Allah  will not accept any religion other than Islam. One may ask: which Islam though? The Islam that was completed and perfect when verse 5:3 was revealed. A little over 1400 years ago. The Islam that was practiced and followed by the companions of the Prophet Muhammad . The Islam that our Rightly Guided Caliphs  led their lives by.

The argument posed by these modernists is that ‘times are different now’. It’s a more polite way of saying ‘I find it too hard too follow Allah’s commandments’. Don’t get me wrong: Islam allows change, modernity and advancement: just not with Allah’s commands. If some day society would start viewing belly dancing as an acceptable form of entertainment, that does not mean that the social limits ordained by Allah can be forgotten in order to please society. We need to keep in mind that we serve Allah , not the society.

As-Sirat-al-Mustaqim (Part 1 of 2)

We live in a time where the question “It’s so confusing, how do I know who is right?” is heard quiet a lot in religious circles. Modern day Christians find themselves questioning their Bible and wondering whether their devout parents were a product of a logic-deprived generation or the Bible is more like a book of guidelines as opposed to a literal word of God. Modern day Jews wonder whether the God described in the Torah fits what is humane and logical in the world of today. They ask themselves why Torah is substantially different when compared to the Talmud and what purpose does the abundance of literature besides the scriptures serve in their spiritual growth. The confusion is understandable considering the fact that there are 33,820 denominations in Christianity and more than 6 different versions of Judaism.

Muslims aren’t far behind in this confusion. With more than 70 different sects laying claim to the truth and more than 300 tafsirs of Qur’an, many Muslims find themselves wondering the same question: “With so many options, how do we know which one is right?” To those of us who are honestly hunting for truth, let’s analyze some of the options: