News:

"You were given many chances to negotiate the release of your people via cash transactions as other governments have accepted," it said. "We have also offered prisoner exchanges to free the Muslims currently in your detention, like our sister Dr Aafia Siddiqui. However, you proved very quickly to us that this is not what you are interested in."

This message, sent to the employers of American journalist James Foley by fighters belonging to the Islamic State (IS), highlighted an audacious gambit: they had sought to exchange Mr Foley for a Pakistani woman who has been dubbed Lady al-Qa'ida and who was once described as the world's most wanted woman, but whom her family insist is an innocent victim.  [Source: The Independent, 31 August 2014].

Comment:

Imam ibn Athir mentions in ‘Kamil' the famous story of a Muslim woman who was captured by the Romans and held in a place named ‘Amuriyyah.

"Not content with only capturing her they tried to dishonor her as well. Frightened and alone she called out the name of the Khalifah, Ya Mu'tasim, (Oh Mu'tasim). A man witnessed this incident and rushed to the Khalifah informing him of what had happened. When he heard the plight of this woman he responded bravely, "Labbaik (I am here at your call)". He prepared a large army and set off for battle and to rescue the woman. Mu'tasim's army conquered the enemy and entered ‘Amuriyyah. After destroying the enemy stronghold, they came to the woman and freed her".

This example proves the correct response according to Islam to such an atrocity, whereby the honour and dignity of women are given the highest value. It is what Aafia Siddiqui herself wrote about in her nasiha (advice) to the Muslims during the genocide in Bosnia. However the release of Aafia can only come through an powerful army, equal to that of the enemy, just as in the example cited before; and because the despicable situation remains where the treacherous leaders of the Muslims, despite having full control of the armed forces and actually having the capability to secure Aafia's release; have instead brazenly ignored her plight and even sided with their puppet masters in upholding the twisted narrative deeming her to be a terrorist.

The Mujahideen of ISIS may have good intentions by calling for her release but the US is unlikely to respond to the demands from a rogue state or militia. If only it were so easy! We must understand that it is not enough to 'demand' Aafia's release without authority, capability, and the ability to strike fear into the enemy, all of which, ISIS is lacking.

Allah (swt) says in the Quran,

وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُم مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدُوَّ اللَّـهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمْ وَآخَرِينَ مِن دُونِهِمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَهُمُ اللَّـهُ يَعْلَمُهُمْ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِن شَيْءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ

"Make ready for them all the power you can muster, and all the equipment you can mobilize so that you may deter the enemies of Allah, and your enemies. And others beside them whom you know not, Allah knows them. Whatever wealth and effort you spend on your defenses, will be your spending in the Cause of Allah, and it will be repaid to you generously. And you shall not be wronged." [Anfal: 60]

Only when a land is secure in the hands of the Muslims, free from outside affiliations such as the UN and any treaties and pacts which do not serve to benefit the Muslims without compromise, will this noble Ummah be in a position to free all our prisoners, whether they be from the clutches of the US, "Israel" or Iran! The obligation of the guided leader, sincere in serving the needs of the ummah will facilitate this stance and although only Allah (swt) Knows, it may only then be possible to liberate our most beloved sister, our precious honour who we will inshaAllah avenge.

May Allah (swt) hasten His victory and bestow His favor upon us by honoring us with the Khilafah "Caliphate". It will surely be a day the believers will rejoice!

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by

Um Mohammed