The Fitnah of the Former Syrian Regime’s Remnants... Lessons and Insights
(Translated)

By Ustadh Abdul Hamid Abdul Hamid

We have all witnessed how the remnants of the former Syrian regime reared their ugly heads once again, betraying the mujahideen and attempting to impose their control over the coastal regions, in coordination with various domestic and foreign actors. We also witnessed how the revolutionary mujahideen rose up, once again, to confront this great threat, with pillars and reinforcements pouring in from all directions, confronting the hateful criminals from the sectarian remnants of the former Syrian regime, in a scene that astonished all who witnessed it.

What happened confirms facts that must not be ignored or underestimated, because if we are negligent, or make mistakes as happened before, we will pay the price in our blood:

Firstly: The first of these facts is the necessity of uprooting the political, military, and security apparatuses of the former regime, and of not being lenient in pursuing, and holding accountable, its greatest criminals for the crimes they committed. This is so that this may be a punishment for what they have done, and a lesson and cautionary example for those who would wish to come after them.

Secondly: The popular base (cradle) of the revolution, as we have witnessed, and as it truly is, is the natural support for whoever assumes the leadership of these lands, if his actions are consistent with its values, concepts and Aqeedah. The popular cradle must be relied upon, after making tawwakul (reliance) on Allah (swt) Alone and holding fast to His Rope. The people of the revolution of ash-Sham have confirmed that they are a people of jihad. They must be cared for, preserved and relied upon, with weapons kept in their hands, so that they may be, as we have known them to be, mujahideen in the service of their Deen and their people, and revolting in the face of all dangers, conspiracies and ambitions. No single party, no matter who it is, can build a state or stand up to the great dangers and conspiracies. Abu Darda’ reported: The Messenger of Allah (saw) said,

«أَهْلُ الشَّامِ وَأَزْوَاجُهُمْ وَذَرَارِيهِمْ وَعَبِيدُهُمْ وَإِمَاؤُهُمْ إِلَى مُنْتَهَى الْجَزِيرَةِ مُرَابِطُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ. فَمَنِ احْتَلَّ مِنْهَا مَدِينَةً فَهُوَ فِي رِبَاطٍ، وَمَنِ احْتَلَّ مِنْهَا ثَغْراً مِنَ الثُّغُورِ فَهُوَ فِي جِهَادٍ»

“The people of Ash-Sham, their wives, their children, their male and female servants, as far as the Arabian Peninsula, are murabitoon (frontier troops) in the Path of Allah (swt). Whoever occupies a city there is at a frontier station (ribaat). Whoever occupies any of its frontier outposts is engaged in Jihad.”

Thereupon, the competent and experienced people from the popular cradle of the revolution must be made the reliable political and military medium, and all those associated with the former regime must be excluded.

Thirdly: The firm pillar to which we must hold to, is that of Allah (swt), so we must be careful to hold fast to His (swt) strong Rope alone, and work to attain His (swt) Pleasure by establishing the Islamic state that governs by the Shariah Law of Allah (swt), so that we may be in the Companionship of Allah (swt), Who, by His (swt) Grace and Generosity, enabled us to reach Damascus and overthrow the most brutal criminal regime. Allah (swt) has promised us victory if we support Him (swt) with true support, as He (swt), says,

[يَا أيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إن تَنصُرُوا اللهَ يَنصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أقْدَامَكُمْ]

“O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He SWT will support you and plant firmly your feet.” [TMQ Surah Muhammad: 7].

Fourthly: We must be certain that the states that supported the former regime even before its fall, that approved our slaughter and displacement, and did nothing against the former criminal regime, will not seek what’s best for us, and will not work to achieve our interests. This has become clear from the successive delegations that visited Damascus, demanding a secular nationalistic state that excludes Islam from governance and politics, and presenting themselves as protectors of ethnic minorities, while adopting destructive domestic tools. They are forgetting that there is no such concept in Islam. Instead, they are all citizens of the state who have the same rights and the same obligations according to the Shariah rulings of Islam.

Relying on support from foreign powers, and striving for that at the expense of the cradle of the revolution, is political suicide. These states, far from being natural allies, only care about their own interests. They wage war on Islam and its people. Those who preceded us in Tunisia and Egypt in this mistake are a lesson for us.

The Words of Allah (swt) are sufficient:

[وَلَنْ تَرْضَى عَنْكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلا النَّصَارَى حَتَّى تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ قُلْ إنَّ هُدَى اللهِ هُوَ الْهُدَى وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أهْوَاءَهُمْ بَعْدَ الَّذِي جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ اللهِ مِنْ وَلِيٍّ وَلا نَصِيرٍ]

“Never will the Jews or Christians be pleased with you, until you follow their faith. Say, “Allah’s guidance is the only true guidance.” And if you were to follow their desires after all the knowledge that has come to you, there would be none to protect or help you against Allah.” [TMQ Surah Al-Baqarah: 120].

This is in addition to the fact that we live in a blessed land that is overflowing with bounties, that exceed the needs of its people and residents. We do not need support from the West or the East.

The organized movements of the remnants of the former regime, and the subsequent blessed uprising of the sons of the revolution of ash-Sham, its popular cradle and fighters, must serve as a lesson for us, so that we may recover, realize the sources of our strength, and correct our course. Let us put our tawwakul upon Allah (swt) Alone and establish the rule of Islam on earth, for in that alone lies our glory, victory, and success, both in this world and the next.

Allah (swt) said,

[يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اسْتَجِيبُواْ لِلّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُم لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللهَ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ وَأَنَّهُ إِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ]

“O believers! Respond to Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah stands between a person and their heart, and that to Him you will all be gathered.” [TMQ Surah Al-Anfal: 24].

* Head of the Central Communications Committee of Hizb ut Tahrir in Wilayah Syria