Comments on: A Crash Course in Jihadi Theory (Part 2)

By: MaryAnn

MaryAnn — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 02:27:49 +0000

Fascinating read. Thank you for posting it.

By: Joas Wagemakers

Joas Wagemakers — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:03:02 +0000

Brian: though I haven’t read the book you refer to, I would guess that it is quite similar to the book I discuss above in the sense of trying to apply a broad ideology to a practical situation in a certain context. The fact that it mentions many of the same issues is therefore not surprising.
I agree that the question of who is qualified to judge on issues of kufr and takfir is quite important and will indeed be a major issue among jihadis. It has already been a topic of discussion in relation to the issue of jihadi scholars vs. jihadi activists. Both claim to be qualified to speak about jihad but they sometimes contest each other’s authority to do so.

By: Brian Fishman

Brian Fishman — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:04:55 +0000

Joas, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this book and the Islamic State of Iraq’s ‘Informing the People About the Islamic State of Iraq’ which addresses many of the more practical issues you’ve discussed and comes to similar conclusions about succession, choosing an Imam, etc.

I think a key element of these takfir discussions is not just what the conditions are that qualify someone to be declared kufr, but who is qualified to make that judgment. This will be a key rift among jihadis going forward.

Best–and great work.

By: Ibn Siqilli

Ibn Siqilli — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 03:57:50 +0000

Typo: “One vein that did not believe in the Qurayshi….”

By: Ibn Siqilli

Ibn Siqilli — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 03:56:44 +0000

Great post.

Islam rose in the 7th century. One vein that did believe in the Qurayshi requirement were the Khawarij groups.

By: Aaron Y. Zelin

Aaron Y. Zelin — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 18:19:24 +0000

Joas: Thanks for your comments. From my understanding of the madhahib is that one can cite other scholars from other schools. And I was not trying to say there is a coherent fifth school just that it might be in its infancy if this movement stays around for some time.

Early Man: Yes, I know that it is not a new term or was suggesting that it was the case. I just thought the discussion of it was interesting.

By: early man

early man — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:58:21 +0000

Aoron, the detailing of Kufr akbar and Asghar is not new. From 6 centuary this concept has been a part of mainstram Islam and all early jurisprudents inc the 4 imams of the schools have dealt with it. The Quraisii requirment is also old centuary all 4 claiphs wer qurashi.

By: Joas Wagemakers

Joas Wagemakers — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 15:44:43 +0000

Aron: you’re very welcome. The mechanism for choosing a new imam is actually discussed briefly in the book. The authors offer three options: choosing a new imam, which should be done by “the people who choose and bind” (ahl al-hall wa-l-‘aqd, i.e. the people who have been burdened with choosing a new leader); succession of the previous imam, with the ahl al-hall wa-l-‘aqd declaring their loyalty to him; and through an oath of loyalty (bay’a) to a new imam, meaning that people will listen to and obey him.
Aaron: my pleasure. I agree that one of the things this books shows is that jihadis have developed beyond the ideas of Qutb, ‘Abd al-Salam Faraj etc., have become more sophisticated and have learned from their mistakes, although this obviously doesn’t apply to all of them. I don’t think, however, that jihadis are in the process of setting up a fifth school of Islamic law. The ideas on kufr akbar and kufr ashgar they use are quite old and discussions on different kinds of unbelief and various types of sin can be found in the writings of Abu Hanifa and other classical scholars as well.
‘Amil lil-Rajul: thanks. The Qurashi requirement is indeed mentioned, although only as the last item on the list and very briefly.

By: `Amil lil-Rajul

`Amil lil-Rajul — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:16:02 +0000

Terrific series Joas. In the discussion of Imama, is there any mention of the Qurashi requirement?

By: Aaron Y. Zelin

Aaron Y. Zelin — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:17:14 +0000

Very fascinating discussion regarding kufr akbar and kufr asghar. This further suggests that the global jihadists have matured in their understanding of Islamic theory and establishing a fifth school of Islamic law.

Also, regarding the overthrow of rulers, it appears they have learned from the mistakes of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and Muhammad ‘Abd al-Salam Farrag’s experience and their failure following the assassination of President Sadat to take power.

Thanks again for posting this insightful commentary on Jama’at al-Tawhid wa-l-Jihad in Gaza’s recent book.