In the online realm, polemical debates continue to play out between supporters of the Islamic State's official media and supporters of media outlets that are supportive of the Islamic State as a whole but are critical of what they see as the excess power wielded by 'extremists' in the organization. One of those outlets is al-Wafa' Media Foundation.
Supporters of the Islamic State's official media regularly deride al-Wafa' and others in its camp as "suspect" (mashbuhun). Until now, there is no sign of a resolution of the dispute. Each side maintains its own positions and continues to produce new material. For instance, three days ago al-Wafa' Media Foundation published this short article by one 'Abu Osaid al-Mosuli' (whose kunya suggests he is originally from Mosul). Entitled 'Paradoxes!', the article contrasts those whom the supporters of the official media deride as 'suspect' with those whom they deem to be honest and true supporters.
The article can thus be seen as a useful summary of 'dissenting' talking points in the polemical debates:
- The supporters of official media go too far in willingness to declare takfir (pronouncing others to be non-Muslim) against those who disagree with them.
- It is not wrong to publish the works of sound Islamic State scholars like the deceased Turki al-Binali without authorisation from the Islamic State. On the contrary, it is a service to preserve the heritage of 'Ilm (Islamic knowledge) they have left for posterity.
- The supporters of the official media have become uncritical followers of the Islamic State, replacing worship of God with worship of the Islamic State.
Below is the text of the article, with any parenthetical insertions in square brackets.
---------------------------------------
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Paradoxes! By Abu Osaid al-Mosuli. Mu'assasat al-Wafa' al-'Ilamiya.
Praise be to God the Lord of the Worlds, and prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and all his family and companions. As for what follows:
"Suspect" is the one who has improved the picture of the mujahideen in the eyes of the Muslim populace, and has shown them the beauty of their actions and creed without ifrat or tafreet.
"Suspect" is the one who has not been afraid to say the truth, the one supported with evidence: for the sake of which he has borne the summoning of the dogs against him in barking and yelping.
"Suspect" is the one who has applied the principles in their places with insight and knowledge, and patience and gentleness. And arbitrary whim and fortune of the soul have not led him to pronounce falsehood against God and His religion from takfir against His servants, and claiming that this is what God commanded- Almighty is He above that!
"Suspect" is the one who has published the heritage of the mashayakh of jihad, who were not content with abandoning leadership of the councils, and retreating from them to the fronts, being worthwhile in their knowledge. But rather they aided that through their blood, so that through it their Ummah might live!
If this is a doubt in your reckoning, let it bear witness that I am "suspect."
And in contrast, "honest and devoted"! The one who takes it upon himself to worship the Dawla [Islamic State] besides God and deifies it! So when the statement of innovation was issued, he asserted it, and declared takfir on all who contravened it, and when it was cancelled, he asserted the 'Ilm series and retreated from his previous position, and said: 'The truth is what the Dawla has decided'!
"Honest, trustworthy, sincere"! The one who sees the oppression of the extremist and unjust amirs- the majority of whom have fled, and there still remains from them the evil (may God hasten their perdition)- but regarding this he adopts takfir of all who expose them and advise the Imam and the populace!
"Honest, a little hasty"! The one who says: "All who defame the Dawla are disbelievers, even in word"! And he declares takfir on all who contravene him even in an issue of which he does not have comprehensive knowledge. Then his evil and transgression are extended in takfir against the one who does not declare takfir on the one who contravenes him!
"A true supporter"! The one who declares takfir on the mashayakh of jihad, especially the later ones like al-Qahtani and al-Binali- may God accept them both- with total ignorance and stupidity, and he is silent for the sake of interest likewise regarding the takfir of Sheikh Osama bin Laden and Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi and Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Muhammad al-Adnani!!
By God these are the years of treachery, about which the best of creation spoke in the hadith on the authority of Abu Huraira (may God be pleased with him): he said: the Messenger of God (SAWS) said: "There will come upon the people years of treachery, in which the liar is believed, the truth-teller declared a liar, the betrayer trusted, and the trusted one betrayed, and Ruwaidibah will decide matters." It was said: And what is Ruwaidibah? He said: "The vile man who controls the affairs of the people."[i]
So choose for yourself, oh you who wish to support the jama'a in one rank on the basis of insight, and proceed on the straight path and the direction that gives light. And beware the evil extremists, and beware of the interference of the filthy ones.
And God's blessings and much salutations be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions. And praise be to God the Lord of the Worlds.
Written by: Abu Osaid al-Mosuli.
Saturday, 4 Safr 1440 AH, 13 October 2018 CE.
1440 AH/2018 CE
al-Wafa'
Mu'assasat al-Wafa' al-'Ilamiya
[i] Brought out by Ibn Majah (2/1339) no. 4036