Who's Queueing Behind Usamah?

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مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ فَمِنْهُم مَّن قَضَى نَحْبَهُ وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَنتَظِرُ وَمَا بَدَّلُوا تَبْدِيلاً

"Among the believers are men true to what they promised Allah . Among them is he who has fulfilled his vow [to the death], and among them is he who awaits [his chance]. And they did not alter [the terms of their commitment] by any alteration -." (Al-Ahzab : 23).

Usamah bin Ladin has gone. He left us after proving the promise of loyalty he had declared to Allah, Rabbul 'Alamin. The promise to sacrifice everything he had for the sake of Allah and His Rasul. He was, the figure whom Allah presented for the Islamic ummah in this century as a model of someone who conducts jihad comprehensively. Not only the life but also the properties, families and everything else, he spent entirely in the way of Allah. A model from among the human, so that it is easy for us to follow.

He has proven the promise with the actualization of perfect real deeds. Rijalun sadaqu ma ahadul-Lah alaih. A brave man who was able to prove his promise of loyalty to Allah. Hence, of the many Mujahideen who have proven that promise of loyalty, he was later chosen by Allah as man qadha nahbahu, one who becomes the victim from the implementation of the promise.

Yes, that promise of loyalty is not an empty bai'at without risks. He asked for willingness from anyone who declares it to any time lose their lives, after previously losing everything else. Due to that, it could only be borne the rijals, not just anyone. It could only be done by the minal mu'mineen, only a small portion, not all of the mu'mineen.

A small group from those mu'mineen, with the hidayah from Allah Ta'ala, have chosen the rocky road of jihad fie sabilillah as a life choice—among the many choices of other roads which are more “comfortable”. Not because of narrowness of thinking, restriction of economy or the imperfectness of their understanding of Islam. In fact, they're a people who are honest in having 'ilmu and 'amal. Mastering the 'ilm before performing the 'amal, and performing the 'amal after mastering the 'ilm.

Their conditions, as in the above verse, are only two: Dead due to the fulfilment of that promise, or patiently waiting in the queue of people who are going to be dead the next. In that waiting period, the black-white of the glitters and hustle and bustle of the dunya are not able to turn them away from that promise of loyalty. They remained patient and mukhbit (khushu' or tawadhu') to their Rabb, for the sake of awaiting the call to become the next “tumbal” (Javanese: things sacrificed to gain something better – ed.). They fill in the queue with the deeds of jihad fie sabilillah as proof of loyalty to Allah and His Rasul.

Therefore, the death of Usamah is like the pruning of a branch which will make the bud of the tree progress instead. Like a train coach which moves forward to pull another coach to replace its position. And, indeed, Islam is rich with the buds and coaches who will replace Usamah. Al-Qaidah is scattered with people who have equivalent qualification, in fact even better than Usamah bin Ladin, to replace the relay in its leadership.

Let Al-Qaidah concentrate on looking for the most suitable person with the demands of today's works—among the cadres with quality—to replace Usamah. Perhaps it's Az-Zawahiri, may also be Al-Awlaki… or any other names which are probably still unfamiliar to us. Whoever he is, let Al-Qaidah decide it themselves. Therefore, the most important for us is; Where is our position in the series of coaches that move froward after Usamah—and other Mujahideens—whom Allah has chosen to die?

That series of coaches are the Islamic ummah. Al-Qaidah, Taliban, JI, JAT or other Muslim organizations are in the series. Due to that, whoever we are, the question is: Have we entered into the queue of carriages, registering ourselves to be ready to become the next victims and sacrificial components? Perhaps, after Usamah died, these carriages will shift faster than ever. The waiting list is getting shorter, but the enthusiasts are also going to soar. Are you ready to register? The precondition is simple: Honest and faithful to Allah, do not be light-minded! Because that is what will make us patient in the queue waiting for our turn.

Abu Abdurrahman

Read also: Get To know Usamah bin Laden Through His Risaalah