And when Tora Borah was being pounded.............

ummah.com forum - عرض مشاركة واحدة - And when Tora Borah was being pounded there was a young man named Surakah-Andalusi: "An And when Tora Borah was being pounded there was a young man named Surakah-Andalusi

Azzam.com correspondent Suraqah Al-Andalusi was martyred by an American cluster bomb in the Battle for Tora Bora, Eastern Afghanistan, on the night of Friday 29 Ramadan 1422AH (corresponding to 14 December 2001). He was 28 years old and left behind him a wife and two young children: a boy and a girl.
Words of Remembrance
From His Brother
From the Friend and Companion of Shaheed Suraqah
The Last Will and Final Testament of Shaheed Suraqah Al-Andalusi
Farewell
Words of Remembrance
Inspiration
Your life did change since you had heard,
The tape, “In the Hearts of Green Birds”
You sought then to invite others,
“Jihad is the way my brothers!”
Rise up and free Islamic land,
From the kafir oppressive hand.
You lived the words of Sheikh Azzam,
The scholar, mujahid, great man.
Your work not limited to your lips,
Translating, writing, making trips,
Your family you left behind,
For dunya had not made you blind.
This was not easy as you did,
Love them – but for Allah your bid!
You fasted on the hottest day,
Hoping Allah would guide your way.


Love and Compassion

Compassion that was in your heart,
Took you to the midst of the mart.
Naught for yourself was what you sought,
All for others was what you bought,
For the old and poor man a bike,
For your little one the clothes he’d like,
But for your wife you found nothing,
That was worthy of her liking.
So then you sent her all your love,
And made instead, for her above,
What no man of this world could give,
Even if very long he’d live,
A lovely house in Paradise,
With gifts and flowers very nice.
So dear sister, be patient,
And turn to Allah repentant,
And hold on tight to your Iman,
And beware of evil Shaitan,
And then be happy and rejoice,
Thank and praise Allah for His Choice!


Action

You loved action, and act you did,
No illness, trouble, could forbid,
You from your mission, even if,
Come mountain, rock, or dangerous cliff.
While bombs and bullets came your way,
You still were firm and did not sway.
You ran uphill and then downhill,
To treat the injured, sick, and ill.
A doctor? No, but better than,
The doctors – are they even men?
Who know the pain and hear the sigh,
Of a brother hurt or a martyr high,
Yet come not they to lend a hand,
Like insects, clinging to the land.


Dua in the Heat of Battle

With shelling, bombing day and night,
Explosions mighty left and right,
No lull, no break, not a respite,
The U.S. showing all its might.
But all this did not lead to fright.
Our brothers continued to fight,
For Paradise was ‘neath their sight.
That surely was a blessed night,
When you alone stood on the rock,
Your rifle set, bullets in stock.
Your hands you raised up to the sky,
And to Allah let out a cry:
“O Allah let me leave not here,
Until I get what I hold dear,
That is to be killed in Your way,
My life for You, Allah, I lay.”


Acceptance

Allah took you, in His Mercy,
In the blessed “Night of Destiny”.
The night better than every night,
You were raised up the highest height,
Of which we can only but dream!
You are that shining light, that beam,
That is shining up to this day,
Lighting our path, showing our way,
Along the road that goes uphill,
Which we do hope to climb until,
We raise our level very high,
And in the Path of Allah die.
We hope then with the likes of you,
In Paradise we will live too!

By Sister AM

From His Brother
As a child, Suraqah was a normal child. He went to a comprehensive school and achieved very high grades in his secondary education. His upbringing was nothing out of the ordinary; his parents attempted to protect his family from the corruption of society and taught their children the fundamentals of Islam.

He grew up in an area where there were few Muslims, and none whatsoever at school. When he went to university, his thinking become broader. He met many Muslims who were engaged in Islamic work. This gave a new dimension to his life and he began to attend many study circles and partake in the Islamic work with the Islamic Union at his University. Whilst at university, he met numerous disparate groups and as time passed, he began to realise many of the flaws of each group. He could not find a single one that had the correct balance and gave everything its complete understanding. He felt many were very eloquent, but they lacked the actions which their words necessitated.

One day, he came across an audio cassette called In The Hearts Of Green Birds. After hearing this cassette, he realised that this was the path that he had been searching for, for so long. This was shortly followed by various videos showing the Mujahideen from Bosnia. To him, it was as if he had found a long lost friend, from whom he could not depart. In the Hearts of Green Birds deeply moved him as it narrated the true stories of men who personified the message that they carried, men who were prepared to give up their most precious possession (life) in order to give victory to this Message.

Then he came into contact with the works of the Mujadid (Reviver) Sheikh Abdullah Azzam. This was a scholar he deeply respected , as he was not a textbook scholar, but one who truly followed in the footsteps of the Prophets . His preaching was their preaching. He had an excellent character, always ready to sacrifice much and was tribulated by the people of falsehood.

At University, Suraqah would give much dawah to his brothers on his own course and those around him. He would stay up sometimes late at night giving dawah. The brothers in his year - by the grace of Allah - began to practise and they would do many activities together, solidifying and building up a strong brotherhood between themselves.

His was a good character and was very resolute when trying to accomplish anything. The Islamic scene had indeed been an eye opener for him and he was very grateful for the benefits he had gained from it, but many key issues still had not been answered. The issues which vex many a youth today constantly troubled him:

How will true change occur to the Ummah?
What is the way forward?
Who are the true inheritors of the Prophets?
What is the ruling upon the regimes that rule the Muslim lands?

The more he researched , the more he saw clear contradictions in the thinking of many peoples and patent double standards in the methodology of many of the callers to Islam. A statement he always clung onto was that of the great Companion of the Prophet (SAWS), Abdullah bin Masood (RA): "The jama'ah (body of Muslims) is what agrees with the Truth, even if you are alone."

Many of those who claimed scholarship were silent in front of unmistakable evil ; their silence justified by contortion of Islamic text. Suraqah adhered to his opinions, even if it cost him friends - as the words of Ibn Masood would reverberate in his head. He felt that the worldview of many of the Muslims had lost its true and comprehensive meanings.

For instance, the meaning of the Shahadah - people would speak about this issue with respect to Tauheed, neglecting the first pillar of the Shahadah , which is to reject false deities. Suraqah felt that the main false deities of today are the man-made systems in the Muslim World (primarily democracy), that the pharaohs of today are their apostate regimes and that whoever preached this statement (La ilaha ilalallah) would surely descend upon himself the enmity of these false deities. Suraqah oft repeated the statement of Waraqah bin Nawfal to the Prophet (SAWS): "No one came with that which you came with except enmity was shown against them."

The crux of his philosophy was based upon the statement of Imam Abu Bakr bin Ayyash:

"Ahl-us-Sunnah die and memories of them are given life to, and Ahl-ul-Bidah die and memories of them die with them; because Ahl-us-Sunnah revive what the Prophet (SAWS) came with and so they have a portion of Allah's saying: 'And have We not raised high your fame.' [Quran 94:4] Ahl-ul-Bidah made it hard to revive what the Prophet (SAWS) came with so they had a portion of His saying: 'For he who hates you (O Muhammad) he will be cut off (from posterity and everything good in this world and the Hereafter)' [Quran 108:3]"

Imam Ahmad famously stated at the time of his imprisonment, explaining his stance: "If a scholar practices tuqiyyah (concealing the truth that he believes) and the people are ignorant of the truth, when will the truth ever be manifest to them?"

The more Suraqah read and heard about the Prophets and their struggle for La ilaha ilalallah; how the early generations and scholars like Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik , Ahmad bin Hanbal and Ibn Taymiyyah strived in this path, the more he came convinced that the path to be taken was the path of knowledge and Jihad hand in hand.

Contemporary scholars and callers who had significant impact on his thinking included Syed Qutb, Sheikh Abdullah Azzam, Fizazee and Sheikh Abu Muhamad Al-Maqdisi. Everyone Suraqah would meet, from his relatives to his friends, he would call them to this great path, trying to the best of his abilities to convince the people of the truth of his call. Many a time what he was saying would be rejected; people would ridicule him saying things such as "What are you going to do, change the world? What has the path of Jihad changed and what have they achieved?"

The debates and discussions he had would not be for personal victory, but borne out of his love for the Mujahideen. On one occasion, when he had a lengthy discussion with a close companion , his eyes filled with tears at how people simply brushed his ideas aside.

Despite all this, he did not despair and he continued upon this path. He finally came to understand that to adhere to this path means that you are to be a stranger in this world. He read a book by Sheikh Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi and was amazed by one of the Sheikh's arguments: "Two worlds exist: the apparent world and the world of the unseen. Actions done in the apparent world are rewarded in the world of the unseen despite sometimes no change being brought about in the apparent world." This statement quelled any of the remaining doubts in his heart about his chosen path.

After completing university, he got married and Allah granted him two children - a boy and a girl. He also started a study circle in his community where he would to teach young brothers the fundamentals of Islam and the various milestones on the path.

His wife said that he would up get up for Tahajjud (voluntary night prayers) and recite Surah At-Taubah, reflecting upon its verses, which continued to increase his determination and solidify his resolve. His children delighted him and whenever he saw them or played with them, he would always quote the statement of Allah "Al maalu wal banoona fitnah" (your Wealth and your Children are a trial for you). His character could best be described as saying that he was very patient and organised. If a job needed to be done, he would do it regardless of what sacrifices were required. Suraqah was very close to his parents; he would look after them and supplicate much for them.

The year before his martyrdom, Suraqah decided to make Hajj, and up to this point, this was the trip that had the most impact on him. Suraqah used to say: "If anyone wonders why the Ummah is in this bad state, then Hajj will give you the answers." There he saw the ignorance of the Muslims: a people whose tongues were filled with expletives as if they were remembrance duas, and their failure to understand sharing and generosity when dealing with one another. He saw their innovations and Shirk when performing the Hajj. He saw outside the Sacred Mosque of Makkah, the interest-based banks in the very same land which 1400 years ago was purified from shirk by the first group of Muslims led by the Prophet (SAWS). His blood boiled at how this sacrifice, purchased for the Ummah by the sweat and blood of the Companions - had been affronted by the establishment of interest-based institutions everywhere. This consolidated his commitment to this path .

His Contribution to the Work of Azzam.com

Suraqah was part of the team that translated and typeset the script for the video The Martyrs of Bosnia. He was also part of the team that conducted interviews, translated and researched the material for the Jihad Lands section of Azzam.com, namely the lands of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, East Turkestan (China) and Central Asia. He translated an entire book on the Jihad in Central Asia by himself, written by a Mujahid in Afghanistan, even though Arabic was not his mother-tongue.

From the Friend and Companion of Shaheed Suraqah:

My dear brother, friend and companion, may Allah have mercy on him and accept his martyrdom, his life and departure from this world, reminds me of the words of Allah (SWT):

"O you who believe what is the matter with you that when you are asked to march forward in the cause of Allah you cling heavily to the earth. Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? Little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter, if only you knew." [Quran 9:38] and:

"Do you really think that you will enter Paradise before Allah knows which of you who fought (in His Cause) and which of you are patient?" [Quran 3:142]

The Journey into Afghanistan

The first time I met Suraqah was when we were about to embark on our journey to enter Afghanistan. I can still recall the smile on his face as I approached him and greeted him with salams. He was a thin man, of medium height, fair complexion with bright, shining eyes that emanated sincerity. The noor (radiant shine) of his face and smile that day was something my heart will never forget. He was patient throughout the journey, remaining alert to any dangers and always looking out for the well-being of his brothers. At our first stop, I can remember asking him jokingly why he hadn't eating anything, to which he told me how bad his diarrhoea had been and that he didn't want to risk anything!

He had been very patient despite not having any food for many hours, something that is very difficult on a long journey, but he didn't want to inconvenience anyone, so he bore his hunger in silence. I smiled because he was a new brother and I told him that his stomach problems were only going to get worse when we were inside! He smiled and gave me a determined look, almost as if he knew exactly what he was here for and that no sacrifice was to be too small for his Lord.

En-route we stopped to pray Fajr. We had a short break and then set off again. After a while, we reached one of our pre-planned stops and all of us were to rest here before we were to be taken into Afghanistan. We had some food, of which he did eat a little and that made me smile. We had only rested an hour or so, before we were told that we could go in now, and as we were all keen, we agreed to this and set off once again. This was to be the more dangerous part of the journey and we all began to make remembrance of Allah and pray that we would reach our destination safely.

I remember when we had finally crossed the border and I saw him with a big grin on his face. We had entered the one land where every Muslim and Mujahid felt safe, may Allah return that safety to the Muslims in Afghanistan. As our journey into Afghanistan continued, I can remember seeing that he had become a little more relaxed and even light hearted at times. All of us were happy that we had got through safely and I noticed how he was just continuously looking out of the window, admiring the scenery and perhaps thinking about the future this land would hold for him, his family and his religion.

The First Stages of Struggle

How wonderful the lands of Jihad are, in that those who have travelled, lived and been patient together with sincerity, whilst having left their families and materialistic life behind, become of the closest of companions and friends in this world.

We had some preliminary work to do before Suraqah could go and get his training. There was a lot of research, meetings and translations that needed to be done and Allah had blessed him with many skills, all of which were vital to our task. This was the time that I would get to know him properly. During this time, one of our brothers fell very ill and had to return; the rest of the brothers went to those places they had come here for, which left him and I alone to do the work and this is how Allah had destined that we were to spend time together.

Initially, we had been living in a place on the outskirts of the city, where we had a lot of work to do. However, progress was slow and I can remember how much of a testing time this was, since both of us wanted to be in the 'action', but we always exhorted each other to patience. Our typical day during this time was usually uneventful and we would sometimes remind each other of our times back in the West and all the things we used to get up to!

One time we were speaking about families and I was telling him how difficult it always is to say goodbye to a tearful mother, not knowing whether you will meet her again in this life. He was silent for a while and then said, "No, brother, the bond between the wife and husband is a bond that is different than that of the mother and her son. It is something much stronger." I could sense that he felt a little sad when he said that, for he had told me that he had left his young wife and two young children behind, but I saw from the expression on his face that this was the sacrifice he was willing to give for the honour of this Deen (Islam).

He would tell me how hard he had to work for the past year so that his family would have enough money when he left. He told me how he hated living in the West and how happy he was to be in this land of Islam. I would always see him reciting and memorising Quran. Once we were speaking about the Muslims in the West and he said: "What have we to do with the countries of the disbelievers? By Allah, it's like living haram (forbidden things) every day, from the morning you wake up until the night that you sleep in. I had so little time for my prayers, for reading the Book of Allah, for learning this Deen and now I am free to worship Him as he deserves to be worshipped."

Throughout the times when we had nothing to do but be patient, I would see him reciting Quran or praying to his Lord. I saw in him a man who was determined to do something for this Ummah, a man with ambition for this Deen and true concern for the honour of this Ummah.

He would tell me how much he longed to seriously learn this Deen and that he wanted to sit with a certain Sheikh in Afghanistan, and to become a serious student of knowledge. I would talk to him about all the plans we could have for the future and after meeting many important people, he told me how he wanted to migrate here with his family. He loved to see Islam being established in its entirety like he saw in Afghanistan and whenever he heard something of justice or good that had happened, his face would light up in happiness. I was amazed at how quickly he became attached to this place and the people, almost as if Allah had rewarded him for all his efforts of Dawah (Islamic propagation) and preparation when he was at home and that He had answered his supplications. Indeed Allah had chosen this as his final destination and brought his precious soul here to honour it with martyrdom in His Way.

The Character of a Shaheed

As the weeks went by, we had started to make some progress, but there was still a lot to do. There came a time where I became lazy in completing the tasks and I would take long breaks of rest due to illness. However, he would always continue from where I had left off and I remember waking up in the middle of the night and saw him typing away at the work. It was because of him that we met our deadlines and Allah Willing, the work he did will continue to inspire many in the future.
There was an Afghani man who would come and give us food and he would spend a lot of time with him, since I wasn't always in the place we were staying in. This man was very poor and he would walk for hours on end just to get to the place where we were staying. Suraqah came to me one day and suggested that we should buy him a bicycle, so that he could be self sufficient in doing more work and feeding his family. It's as if he was genuinely concerned about this man, and this is from the many things that made Suraqah so special.

I can remember how much of a task it was to get that bike back to the place we were staying! I remember how much he laughed when we both tried to sit on the bicycle, only to end up puncturing one of the wheels and we got so fed up and tired in the end that we stuffed it in a taxi! Suraqah kept saying that 'this is to help a good man' and I kept quiet and smiled.
When we used to walk in the streets, we would have many poor children and old women coming to us and asking for money. I had become used to this, but it affected Suraqah in a big way. He couldn't help but give 10 rupees to every child he saw, and this happened on a number of occasions. I asked him as to why he didn't just ignore them, because it only fed their habit. He replied, "Every time I see these children, it reminds me of my own kids and I can't bear to see their faces so sad." It was almost as if he relived the memory of his own family through being generous to the people, may Allah have mercy on him.

After meeting many of the Foreign Mujahideen, he had made the intention that he would bring his family here and live a life of a Mujahid. I remember how sometimes he regretted not bringing his family with him. He would always tell me about what he would say to his mother and father especially in trying to convince them to come here and help the Muslims through their skills. As soon as he had intended this, he spent a lot of his free time in writing letters to his wife and his brother. I can remember him smiling as he would write, perhaps this was his way of feeling there was still a physical connection between him and his family - such is the life of a Mujahid.

I can remember that he wanted to get into the 'action' as soon as possible and go to the front-line, but I kept stressing how important this work was and that he should be patient. He was a little frustrated one day and said to me: "I'm not made for sitting around, I want to go where the action is, this is what my nature is…." I said to him: "Be patient my brother, your time will come.. .." He smiled and continued with his work in silence. I could feel how much he wanted to be free and be training and fighting with his brothers for the Sake of Allah. It was almost as if he had been waiting for this all his life and now that he was here, he didn't want to be delayed any longer.

Our Final Moments

We had to move to another city, for we had many people to meet and liase with. Suraqah was happy that we were on the move again and that his chance for being in the action was drawing near. I can remember the journey being a very difficult one and a brother with us had become very weak, dehydrated and couldn't stomach anything. Suraqah had studied basic first aid and medicine before, so he would very patiently make some re-hydration preparations for his brothers. Not once did I hear him complain throughout the journeys we had and I would always see him in deep thought and reflection. We would always try and pass the time by being light hearted and if provoked, he could always bring me to tears of laughter! May Allah bless me to join you dear friend so that we may laugh together in the highest of Paradise as we used to laugh in this life.

After we arrived at the city, then, as my time was drawing to an end, it seemed as if Suraqah became more detached from talking and speaking like he used to. He had become very inspired by meeting all the people he had only ever heard about and I saw that he had become much more serious than before.

Throughout the few weeks that we were in this new place, Suraqah started to become regular in Tahajjud (voluntary night prayers). I remember waking up in thirst one night and I saw him standing in prayer. He excelled in his memorisation of the Quran and I always found him attached to his personal copy of the Quran. I never saw him leave the remembrance supplications of the morning and the evening and he would be regular in reciting the Quran after the Fajr prayer. He had fasted a few days when we were in the previous city but it was here that he became more regular. The days here are very long and Suraqah wasn't used to fasting in these environments. I knew he had stomach problems, but still he continued to fast. There was one day where we were both fasting and it had been a very hot day. In the last hour before sunset, we were just lying on the floor, utterly exhausted, when he said to me, "Don't you know that the Salaf would cry on their deathbeds in that they wished they had fasted on those days that were long and difficult?" I can never forget the way he said that to me, may Allah accept all of his deeds.

On another occasion, we had a small journey to undertake and I suggested that he didn't fast so that he wouldn't tire himself out so much. Suraqah looked at me and said, "It is through these extra deeds that Allah will rise our status and give us the victory, just like the Sahabah…I will not stop fasting." I thought a lot about what he had said and realised then that this was no ordinary man. It was statements and actions like this that I believe made him so special infront of Allah, for Allah only takes the best of believers as martyrs.

The Dream

One hot summer's night in August 2001, he woke me up in the middle of the night and said, "I had a strange dream tonight." I asked him about what he saw and he said, "I saw a tall structure that looked like the Eiffel Tower and it had been destroyed and there was a news broadcast saying how thousands of people had been killed." We joked about it and I told him to go back to sleep, but maybe he had seen what was to happen in the future, Allah knows best, for Allah bestows good dreams to those whom He loves.

Two Companions Part

The time had come for me to leave and Suraqah was to join his brothers in the action. I remember sitting with him a lot and he advised me to come back and give help and victory to the Muslims in this blessed land. We went to the market one day and he was looking for a gift for his wife and children. I remember him joking about how he wouldn't buy just any old clothes for his wife and that nothing was here that she would have liked! He smiled a lot that day. We walked by a shop and he saw some clothes for his son and he asked for the best quality and chose the best colour. He bought it and handed it to me and said, "I want you to get this to my kids, so that my wife and they know that I haven't forgotten them." I was taken aback by the way he said that and I can still remember the sad look on his face. I cheered him up and started joking about how we got ripped off in the market and how terrible his bargaining skills were!

He asked me to get his letters to his brother, who he always spoke very highly of. I could see that they were close and I can remember him saying how much he wanted him to get married and come here to join him. He always spoke with such enthusiasm for he had many ambitions for his Deen and his family - may Allah rejoin them in the highest of Paradise.
A few days went by and it was time for Suraqah to leave for the action. We sat and talked that morning and I advised him on things to do when he got there and what do in certain situations. He was so happy that day, for he was finally about to go where he had been longing for all his life. I felt happy for him but sad that we were to part company and that maybe I would never see him again.

His transport came that morning and I embraced him. Since there was nothing more for me to say; I just smiled and asked him not to forget me in his prayers. He smiled back at me and sat in the jeep. I just stood there looking at him and I can remember feeling very sad and thinking as to whether I would see him again. I remember this moment as if it was yesterday and when I found out that Allah had taken him as a martyr, a day hasn't gone by that I haven't thought about my friend.
He was from the sons of this Ummah, who fled from the deception of this materialistic life to the honour and light of Jihad. A patient warrior who lived his ambition for the victory of this Deen is how this Ummah will remember you, my dear friend. May Allah inspire many from the story of your sacrifice and may He join your family, loved ones and Companions with you in the highest of Paradise.

The Battle for Tora Bora

Thus began the latest Crusade against Islam and its people in October 2001. When the Taliban decided to leave the cities and withdraw to the mountains, Suraqah was amongst the brothers who withdrew to the lofty mountain range of Tora Bora, in Eastern Afghanistan. In November 2001, the American Crusaders attacked the positions of the Mujahideen in Tora Bora and there commenced some of the fiercest battles of the war to that date.

The Tora Bora mountain range comprises of low foothills and high mountains. It was expected for the Americans to land at the lower foothills first. Therefore, the Commander of the Mujahideen gave the order for new and relatively inexperienced brothers to go to the higher mountains, leaving the experienced fighters at the bottom. Suraqah tried to persuade his Section Commander to allow him to stay at the bottom since he wanted to face the Americans when they arrived. However, he was denied permission and reluctantly made his way up to the higher mountains, in obedience of his leader.

Throughout November 2001 in the month of Ramadan, 1422AH, the battle raged, with the Americans dropping bombs indiscriminately on the mountains such that there was no difference between the night and the day: there was fire on the ground and fire in the sky. Suraqah had with him a personal first-aid kit that he had brought with him. He was not a Doctor, but his contribution to the battle was more than what the Doctors of the Muslim Ummah contributed. Whenever he would hear on the radio that a brother Mujahid had been injured, Suraqah would take his first-aid kit and make the perilous journey to the site of the injured brother, dodging aerial bombs, bullets and mortars. No sooner had he tended to one injured brother that he would hear on the radio that another brother had been injured 2000ft lower. He would rush to tend to the new injury. Thus it was that he spent his battle going up and down the steep mountains of Tora Bora. At times when he would face the enemy, he would bravely face them and not shy away from a fight.

The Dua of a Mujahid

The Prophet (SAWS) said: "The Mujahid in the Path of Allah and the one who performs Hajj and the one who performs Umra, all are the guests of Allah! He called them and they answered. And they asked Him, and He shall grant them (what they ask for)!" [Saheeh, narrated by Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibban].

Suraqah had been there for a few weeks now and the blessed last ten days of Ramadan had arrived. Whilst on the mountain during one night of the battle, a fellow Mujahid saw Suraqah alone, standing on the mountainside. He was in his camouflage clothes wearing his chest rig of magazines and his AK-47 rifle in his hands. Despite the sub-zero temperature and howling icy-cold winds, he was sweating as is normal during intense physical activity. All of a sudden he raised both of his hands straight up in the air and shouted at the top of his voice, "O Allah! Do not let me leave these mountains before you have granted me my martyrdom here!"

The Martyrdom

The night was the night of Friday, the 29th of Ramadan 1422AH and many of the Mujahideen there testified to the Lailatul-Qadr (Night of Power) that year having fallen on the 29th of Ramadan. The time was approximately 9pm and Suraqah was with a group of 20 Mujahideen who were making their way to another position, on the steep Tora Bora mountainside. Suddenly, the roar of an American fighter-bomber was heard above their heads, followed by the whines of the falling bombs: huge, solid, metal masses of falsehood. As the cluster bomb exploded into many small bomblets, the sound of explosions similar to that of fireworks was heard. One of these bomblets had the name of Suraqah on it and it was in this glorious manner that this lion and hero surrendered his innocent soul to his Lord, thereby irrigating with his pure blood the land of heroism, bravery, valour and Jihad. May Allah accept him amongst the ranks of the martyrs.

Dreams Following His Martyrdom

After Suraqah was martyred, his family and friends had numerous dreams. His wife saw a dream of a bird on a remote island. The bird's feathers were badly burnt and it was lying prone and immobile. Suddenly, in the distance, another bird flew towards the first bird, and eventually sat next to it. The first bird, which was burnt, then removed its external feathers and from it arose a bird with the most beautiful coloured feathers that she had ever seen. Both birds then rose up and flew away.

His brother had a dream where he came up to someone and asked with great anxiety, "Where is my brother (Suraqah)?" The people then pointed to a distant mountain. He asked again, "Where is my brother?" and they gave the same response. Then he approached as close as he could get to the mountain and asked again. The people then pointed to a white mountain.

His sister had a dream in which he visited her family. There was an immense amount of light shining from him and his size was so large that the people around him had to crane their necks in order to take a look at him.

The Last Will and Final Testament of Suraqah Al-Andalusi

Excerpts from Personal Message to Family:

May Allah bear witness to my love for you, but Islam came to give the limits to this love. Allah says:

"Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight … are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah)." [Quran 9:24]

Message to the Muslim Ummah:

So we can see that our love of our family and other matters of the worldly life cannot be such that it is greater than our love for Allah and His Messenger and Jihad in His Path. If our excuse on the Day of Judgement for not answering the call of Jihad is family and loved ones, then we must see what Allah (SWT) warns us of in Surah Abasa:

"Then, when there comes As-Saakhkhah (the Day of Resurrection's second blowing of Trumpet),
That Day shall a man flee from his brother,
And from his mother and his father,
And from his wife and his children.
Everyman, that Day, will have enough to make him careless of others."
[Quran 80:33-37]

So here is a grave warning to those who reject Allah's call, in favour of their loved ones and the other temptations of the worldly life (wealth, house, etc) All of these things will be of no avail on the Day of Recompense in serving as an excuse for leaving Allah's commandments.

If we look around us at the reality of the Muslims we see a regretful state of total humiliation, with very few instances of dignity for the Muslims. The Muslims have generally, as an Ummah, abandoned the teachings of this Deen and Allah (SWT) has left us at the mercy of the forces of disbelief from the Crusaders, the cowardly Jews, arrogant atheists and evil apostates.
Nothing embodies this more than the state of affairs in Palestine today. Allah (SWT) has placed this small nation of cowardly Jews over the necks of the Muslims. Allah (SWT) is most angry with these people "Al-magh doobee alayhim (those upon whom is Allah's anger)" [Quran 1:7] and He (SWT) says about them in Surah Al-Baqarah "And verily, you will find them (the Jews) the greediest of mankind for life and (even greedier) than those who - ascribe partners to Allah (and do not believe in Resurrection - Magians, pagans, and idolaters, etc.). Everyone of them wishes that he could be given a life of a thousand years. But the grant of such life will not save him even a little from (due) punishment. And Allah is All-Seer of what they do." [Quran 2:96]

Yet these cowards have become lords of the Middle East and this is truly a sign of how far the Muslims have strayed off the Straight Path. We are currently observing the massacre and oppression of a Muslim people in the holy land of Palestine and the Ummah does nothing. The Ummah by its inaction seems to be saying to them: "Bury your children and your elders and all your dead, and here are a few dollars (to relieve our guilt) and be patient."

Subhanallah! This is what has happened to the Ummah of Muhammad (SAWS) whom Allah (SWT) describes in the Holy Quran in Surah Ale Imran: "Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful." [Quran 3:104]

The Caliphs in the past used to send out whole armies to avenge the honour of a single Muslim woman, but today the honour of the Muslim women is violated time and time again, and the Muslims are slaughtered and massacred in a most horrible manner, yet the Ummah does not move collectively. The reason is clear from the Islamic text. The Prophet (SAWS) said in an authentic hadith:

"If you practised Tabaiya al Ainiya (i.e. selling goods to a person for a certain price and then buying them back from him for a far lesser price), followed the tails of cows, satisfied yourselves with agriculture, and abandoned Jihad, Allah will cover you with humiliation and will not remove it until you return to your religion." [Reported by Abu Dawud. Saheeh. Silsilah Al-Ahadith As-Saheehah No. 11]

The Ummah has abandoned the principles of its religion, leaving the most beloved action to Allah (SWT): Jihad Fee Sabeelilah and therefore Allah (SWT) placed us at the mercy of the people of the Hell Fire.

O Ummah of Muhammad awaken and fear your Lord, as He ought to be feared!

What is even worse is that the small body of courageous Muslims who join the path of Jihad are labelled as extremists, rebels, bandits and terrorists by their own Muslim brethren. It is true grave mistakes have been committed in the path of Jihad by some people of Islam but this is true for many of the acts of worship of al-Islam. People commit Shirk whilst praying and performing Hajj (this Shirk being the most grave transgression in the eyes of Allah) yet our response to this is not to stop praying or performing Hajj, but to engage in these acts of worship which are the pillars of the religion and purify them from innovation and Shirk and invite the people to perform these acts of worship in the best way: the way of the Prophet (SAWS) and his blessed Companions.

And likewise, with Jihad, which is the peak of the matter, how could we abandon Jihad when it was the way of the Prophet (SAWS) and his Companions? If we are to be true followers of the Prophet (SAWS) then we must also follow him in his Jihad. My Muslim brothers and sisters, do not have pessimism and despair and do not approach this path in the capitalist mindset. We too frequently hear Muslims (both scholars and ignorant) saying that this path has achieved nothing.

Allah (SWT) says in Surah Ale Imran:

"Think not of those who are killed in the Way of Allah as dead. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision. They rejoice in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His Bounty, rejoicing for the sake of those who have not yet joined them, but are left behind (not yet martyred) that on them no fear shall come, nor shall they grieve." [Quran 3:169-170]

It is clear from this verse, that the losers are not those who die in the Path of Allah but those who stay clear alive and criticise, because the martyr is "indeed alive finding sustenance with His Lord" these are the words of Allah (SWT) for the people of contemplation.

Truly it is the people of desires who ignore these clear words. The victory will come from Allah (SWT) but upon us is to obey the commandments and join the path of Jihad and be patient upon this path. Patience, as some believe, is not to sit at home and do nothing in the face of clear transgression and Kufr Bawah (clear and manifest disbelief). This, in fact, is nothing more than cowardice and humiliation. Patience is to fight in the path of Allah, accepting martyrdom or victory.

Unlike the previous nations whereby Allah (SWT) would destroy the transgressors by a storm of thunder and lightning (Thamud) or a furious wind (Aad) or other signs of the previous powers, the Muslims must fight the disbelievers, atheists, polytheists and apostates and Allah will punish them by our hands as Allah (SWT) says very clearly in Surah At-Taubah "Fight against them so that Allah will punish them by your hands and disgrace them and give you victory over them and heal the breasts of a believing people." [Quran 9:14]

Those who doubt this path are well advised to read the speech of Allah to see how much emphasis is placed on this issue and how many times it is mentioned in the Quran. A study of the Biography of the Prophet (SAWS) reveals battle after battle to raise high the flag of Islam. The four rightly guided Caliphs and the later generations of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) continued this understanding.

So let us see my sincere Muslim brothers and sisters what Allah (SWT) has prescribed for us if we are truly His slaves.
Allah (Swt) says in Surah Al-Baqarah:

"Jihad (fighting in Allah's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know." [Quran 2:216]

So here it is crystal clear - fighting is hated by Man but it has been prescribed for him i.e. obligated upon him by Allah (SWT.) It is interesting to note that the verb ordering the command to fight is the same used to order the believers to fast "Ku Te Ba" in verse 2:183 of the same Surah "O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun." [Quran 2:183], yet we see a great discrepancy between the implementation of these two rulings, and Allah is the source of all Help.

Allah (SWT) says:

"Will you not fight a people who have violated their oaths (pagans of Makkah) and intended to expel the Messenger, while they did attack you first? Do you fear them? Allah has more right that you should fear Him, if you are believers." [Quran 9:13]

"Fight against them so that Allah will punish them by your hands and disgrace them and give you victory over them and heal the breasts of a believing people." [Quran 9:14]

"Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allah, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued." [Quran 9:29]

"Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight … are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah)." [Quran 9:24]

"O you who believe (in Allah's Oneness and in His Messenger (Muhammad SAW)! Verily, the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, and in the Message of Muhammad SAW) are Najasun (impure). So let them not come near Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) after this year, and if you fear poverty, Allah will enrich you if He will, out of His Bounty. Surely, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise" [Quran 9:28]

"Those who believe in Allah and the Last Day would not ask your leave to be exempted from fighting with their properties and their lives, and Allah is the All-Knower of Al-Muttaqun" [Quran 9:44]

"It is only those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day and whose hearts are in doubt that ask your leave (to be exempted from Jihad). So in their doubts they waver." [Quran 9:45]

"And if they had intended to march out, certainly, they would have made some preparation for it, but Allah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them), "Sit you among those who sit (at home)." [Quran 9:46]

This is a clear warning to those who claim to have made the intention for this lonely, yet most beloved path in the sight of Allah (SWT):

"O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the Cause of Allah (i.e. Jihad) you cling heavily to the earth? Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter." [Quran 9:38]

"If you march not forth, He will punish you with a painful torment and will replace you by another people, and you cannot harm Him at all, and Allah is Able to do all things." [Quran 9:39]

"March forth, whether you are light (being healthy, young and wealthy) or heavy (being ill, old and poor), strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the Cause of Allah. This is better for you, if you but knew." [Quran 9:41]

Finally I incite you with the magnificent verse from Surah At-Taubah:

"Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties; for the price that theirs shall be the Paradise. They fight in Allah's Cause, so they kill (others) and are killed. It is a promise in truth, which is binding, on Him in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and the Quran. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain, which you have concluded. That is the supreme success." [Quran 9:111].

The next verse goes on to describe more of the traits of this blessed group:

"(The believers whose lives Allah has purchased are) those who repent to Allah (from polytheism and hypocrisy, etc.), who worship Him, who praise Him, who fast (or go out in Allah's Cause), who bow down (in prayer), who prostrate themselves (in prayer), who enjoin (people) for Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all what Islam has ordained) and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds and all that Islam has forbidden), and who observe the limits set by Allah (do all that Allah has ordained and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden). And give glad tidings to the believers." [Quran 9:112]

Allah is striking a deal with the believers. It is a deal that does not exclude the poor because all mankind is in possession of a soul. Allah (SWT) wishes to purchase the lives of the believers and whatever wealth they can afford and He will give them the Paradise in return, on the condition that they fight in the way of Allah and they kill and are killed.

O businessmen of the Ummah! Pay heed and do not lose out on the deal of your lifetimes. The Prophet (SAWS) said in an authentic hadith: "Whoever dies neither having fought (in Jihad), nor encouraging himself to do so, dies on a branch of hypocrisy." [Muslim and Abu Dawood]

The Prophet (SAWS) said: "The souls of martyrs reside in the bodies of green birds that perch on chandeliers suspended from the Throne and fly about in Paradise wherever they please." [Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi]

The Prophet (SAWS) said "Never will there combine in the nostril of a servant, the dust of the battle in the Way of Allah and the smoke of the Hell Fire." [Ahmad]

The Prophet (SAWS) "He who gets his feet covered in dust (fighting) in the Way of Allah, the Hell Fire will be forbidden from touching those feet." [Bukhari]

How then, after hearing all this honour and this great status could the Ummah turn its back on the path designed to protect Islam, the honour of the Muslims and to unfurl and raise high the banner of Islam over disbelief, polytheism and apostasy?

O believers and pious ones! Fear your Lord as He ought to be feared and if you are sincere to your Lord then evaluate your lives and intentions in the light of these glorious verses from our Creator and the guidance of our beloved Muhammad (SAWS).

Let us listen to the eloquent words of Imam Abdullah bin Al-Mubarak, the famous hadith scholar of Khurasaan who wrote to his devout ascetic friend Al-Fudayl bin Ayyadh (who was known as Abid Al-Haramain - the Worshipper of the Two Holy Mosques, because of the time he would spend in staying and worshipping there). The verse of poetry expressed Ibn Al-Mubarak's disapproval of Fudayl settling in the vicinity of Makkah and neglecting Jihad:

"O Worshipper of the Two Holy Mosques!
Had you witnessed us in the battlefield
You would have known that, compared to our Jihad,
Your worship is child's play.
For every tear you have shed upon your cheek,
We have shed in its place, blood upon our chests.
You are playing with your worship,
While worshippers offer your worship
Mujahideen offer their blood and person (life)."
So, from the words of a pious member of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) we move to the words of a contemporary scholar, who truly followed in the footsteps of Abdullah bin Al-Mubarak in being a scholar of action rather than just words. This Sheikh is Abdullah Azzam (may Allah have mercy on him) who said: "Islamic history is not written except with two lines: the black line which is the ink of the scholar and the red line which is the blood of the martyr."
The words and statements of this scholar are further encouragement to today's Muslims, supplementing what has been quoted from the Quran and Sunnah and sayings of the Salaf. The pious Sheikh famously said:
"When Allah chooses one of the brothers for martyrdom or takes the life of one of our beloved children, who have participated with us in this path, I cry for myself because these people have preceded us and this is a sign that we are not yet worthy for martyrdom. It is a clear proof that we are not yet suitable for this high rank. Allah (SWT) chose these people and I observed that these people shared common traits: good feelings towards the Muslims and awareness of what they say to their Muslim brothers and sisters. You would not find them wasting their time because their deeds occupied them; their faults busied them from the faults of the people, so congratulations for him who busied himself with his faults rather than the faults of other people."
The Sheikh contributed enormously to the Jihad yet had great humbleness and modesty when assessing his own position. Later, Allah (SWT) blessed him with martyrdom he sought. Sheikh Abdullah Azzam also said regarding the martyrs
"These people, O Lord, are your servants. They came out in your path seeking Your Pleasure and to give victory to the Deen and to raise Your banner and to honour Your Shariah and to give victory and assistance to Your beloved ones, so please O Lord do not disappoint them and please accept them and forgive them. They are emigrants. They left their homes and their wealth not because of poverty or because of need, but only to seek Your Pleasure."
Sheikh Abdullah Azzam said: "It is with the likes of all these martyrs that nations are established, convictions are brought to life and ideologies are made victorious."
Sheikh Abdullah Azzam also said: "'Do men think that they will be left alone on saying we believe and they will not be tested?'" [Quran 29:2]. A small group: they are the ones who carry convictions for this religion. An even smaller group from this group, are the ones who flee from this worldly life in order to act upon these convictions. And an even smaller group from this elite group, are the ones who sacrifice their souls and their blood in order to bring victory to these convictions and ambitions. So they are the cream of the cream of the cream."
Sheikh Abdullah Azzam further said "It is not possible to reach glory except by traversing this Path. It is not possible for the structures of this Deen to be established, nor for its banner to be raised, nor for its vessel to be launched, except by traversing this Path. This Path is one: the Blessed Path of Jihad."
Sheikh Abdullah Azzam also said: "Indeed, the manuscripts of history are not scribed except with the blood of these martyrs, except with the stories of these martyrs, except with the examples of these martyrs."
These are the words which lit the burning fire in my heart, making me join the path of Jihad and to seek the honour of martyrdom (by the Will of Allah).
And finally I warn the Muslim brothers and sisters to expel the Jews and Christians, atheists and their puppet apostates from our three occupied Holy sites.
The Jews have taken Masjid Al-Aqsa from the Muslims and the impure Americans and their accomplices from the traitorous Ale Saud (Saudi Royal Family) walk the Holy Land. Allah (Swt) says in Surah At-Taubah:
"O you who believe (in Allah's Oneness and in His Messenger (Muhammad SAW)! Verily, the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, and in the Message of Muhammad SAW) are Najasun (impure). So let them not come near Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) after this year, and if you fear poverty, Allah will enrich you if He will, out of His Bounty. Surely, Allah is All-knowing, All-Wise." [Quran 9:28]
So it us upon us to liberate our Holy sites from the terrorist, occupying American forces and to purify Masjid Al-Aqsa from the filth of the Jews.
O Muslim Ummah! Rise and answer the Call of your Lord, because Islam is dignity and honour. The Muslims have abandoned Jihad and therefore they have no dignity and honour.
Disbelieve in the Taghoot (false deities other than Allah in its comprehensive meaning) as Allah (SWT) says in Surah Al-Baqarah:
"There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghoot and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower." [Quran 2:256]
I advise you to show enmity to the apostate rulers and their allies in the Muslim lands who have replaced the Shariah with evil man made laws, spreading corruption and glorifying oppression.
Disbelieve in democracy for it is the way of the Shaytaan (Satan) and know that revival will come through the methodology of Knowledge, Military Preparation and Jihad. They are not stages but may all occur at the same time. And I warn you to be aware of the scholars at the gates of the apostate rulers - who bend over backwards to accommodate the disbelief and sin of our leaders. These scholars have strayed by going to the gates of the leaders thereby opposing the Salaf and have gone astray themselves and sent the people astray. Listen to the scholars who do not fear the blame of the blamers nor the sword of the oppressor.
I ask my family and anyone who knew me to forgive me if I wronged them in anyway. I ask you to pray that Allah accepts my actions and removes pride from our actions and deeds.
Finally I leave you with the words of the martyr Abdul-Wahab Al-Ghamidi who was killed in Afghanistan in the 1980's:
"Most people choose the path of life as a way to death, but I have chosen death (martyrdom) as a path to life (in Paradise)."
O Allah! Accept our actions and forgive our loved ones and us and enter us into the Paradise Most High.
O Allah! Give victory to the Mujahideen and give them victory over their ownselves and aid them in abiding by your boundaries.
O Allah! Liberate our Holy Lands and rid the invading occupiers from the apostate ruling regimes.
O Allah! Grant us martyrdom.
O Allah! We ask you for the Paradise.
Farewell
Thus we bid you farewell, O beloved brother and friend, with the words of the scholar whom you revered and whom we hope that you are together with, in the hearts of green birds that live in lanterns hanging from the Throne of the Most Merciful:
Taken from the Words of Sheikh Abdullah Azzam:
'And it might seem to the short-sighted eye and narrow mind, and to the individual besieged within the bounds of era and location, that it is a story that happened and finished. The mouth of death opened it mouth, swallowed these martyrs and passed them with its wheel that saves neither old nor young.
However, the clear-sighted eye and the enlightened heart knows that these sacrifices are the provisions of future generations for distant civilisations to come. These stories, these sacrifices and these examples will remain as supercilious signposts upon the entire journey of this Deen, for he who wishes to make this journey from those wayfarers, or follow in the footsteps of this righteous elite.
"All these are the ones whom Allah has guided, so follow their guidance…" [Quran 6:90]
Indeed these exemplary individuals from the martyrs broke free from the shackles and fetters of this materialistic life to reach opulence and bliss, and they came to the land of Afghanistan, living in the mountains of Afghanistan, until Allah (SWT) honoured them with martyrdom.
We ask Allah (SWT) to join us with them in the Highest Part of Paradise, with the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs and the Righteous, and that he blesses us with martyrdom in His Way, and that he seals us with the Seal of Happiness, O Noble One