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Why Would an American Train for Jihad?
By Jeremy Reynalds on 08/26/03
While we have all heard the term "suicide bomber," I think most of us
still wonder what makes people someone blow up a bus in Israel or
crash a plane into the World Trade Center? Is it an intense hatred for
those whom will die as a result of their actions, or a fervent belief
that what they are doing is obeying "God?"
While I cannot vouch for the absolute authenticity of the following
story, it does give a fascinating glimpse into the mind and motivation
of a young man who as a 19-year-old Muslim felt "called" to fight
"injustice" in Kashmir for the cause of Allah.
According to his storyteller, a fellow jihadi, Abu Adam was born into
a very wealthy family in Atlanta, Ga. He excelled in most of his
childhood activities and was known to be a kind and caring person,
although he kept to himself a lot.
After graduating high school he went to college in Durham, North
Carolina. There he studied Islam in depth and made friends sympathetic
to his position.
While at college, Adam began to read about the experiences of Muslims
in places such as Bosnia, Burma, Kashmir, and Chechyna. He became so
concerned about what he believed was the "oppression" of Muslims in
these lands that he wanted to take an active part in doing something
about it.
As the writer of Adam's story commented, "It was at this crucial
juncture of Abu Adam's development that he left college and began to
prepare for the journey that most never think about- much less prepare
for- jihad. The burning desire to wage jihad against the enemies of
Allah soon overtook Abu Adam, and thus he began a program of training
to prepare himself for the extremely difficult battle conditions.
Perhaps we may pay heed and take benefit from his program."
Preparation for Jihad
Adam took his new found commitment seriously and began to prepare
accordingly. Among other preparations, he began to pray and fast more
as well as reading the Koran daily and reading various sayings of the
prophet Muhammad. He also worked on his attitude, concentrating on
submissiveness and humility. "He realized that jihad is directly
connected to the ... spiritual cultivation of the person," his
storyteller commented.
Adam also prepared physically, running, exercising and practicing
military maneuvers.
According to his storyteller, "(Adam) went one day to an army surplus
store and bought a pair of danners. For those of you who do not know,
danners are very heavy and very tough military and hunting boots that
feel like a ton when worn. Abu Adam would run only in these boots, and
he would refuse to wear running shoes. It was reported that he used to
tie a long rope around his waist with a cinder block tied to the end –
running in this manner for conditioning."
After training for many months, he went to Kashmir in November 1997.
Commando Training
Adam began his training in Ramadan 1997 with the mujahideen of lashkar
taiba in Kashmir, reportedly the most feared fighters of the entire
area. Adam chose to train in midwinter – the hardest time of the year.
In order to understand the intensity of Adam's training it is helpful
to know that Kashmir is situated in the Hindu Kush mountain range, the
tallest mountains in the world. Adam's training camp was reportedly
located 26,000 feet above sea level – an elevation making regular
walking, let alone marching, extremely difficult.
Adam's training consisted mainly of marching throughout the day and
long into the night carrying a 35 pound backpack – sometimes more.
This was to help the fighters to successfully enter heavily protected
Kashmir.
While training, Adam also fasted. As his storyteller commented:
"He would fast in the day while running miles in the cold Kashmiri
mountain paths. He would train in military tactics while having numbed
limbs from the intense cold of winter. He would continue to shout
`Allahu Akbar' even while his throat was dry and parched for lack of
water due to his fast. He would climb through the beautiful snow
covered Kashmiri mountains even while his body lacked nutrients
because of his fasting. He would break his fast on dirty brown colored
water taken from a running stream, and he would eat the lentils that
always gave him digestive and stomach problems."
After four months, Adam completed his training. Its severity resulted
in some battle scars for him, though. The region's intense cold gave
him frostbite on his toes and he also contracted a serious stomach
illness from which he lost a lot of strength. However, he would not
give up, saying he had come too far to turn back.
After resting for a few weeks, Adam received the news for which he had
been waiting. He was going to fight. He was ecstatic. Finally he was
getting the opportunity to take part in jihad!
Preparation for Jihad
Adam's storyteller soon met back up with him "to infiltrate ... into
the occupied valley. We were only waiting for our slot ... to strike
down and destroy the enemies of Allah, the vile Hindus and Sikhs from
the Indian army. This sometime long waiting period is perhaps the most
frustrating part of jihad ... It is at this point that a person must
guard his thoughts and occupy his time before he goes to battle."
Adam's storyteller praised his friend's religious devotion. "When
being around him one always wanted to do (draw closer to Allah). I
recall that when all of us were sleeping ... I woke up and (went)
outside for some fresh air (where I saw) Abu Adam practicing his
firing stances and maneuvers with his ak-47 in the hot sun. I said to
myself, "subhaanallah ! when does he stop ?" may Allah the most high
grant us determination like Abu Adam, ameen."
Jihad
In early July the waiting fighters received the news for which they
had been waiting. Weapons were loaded the equipment and gear were
distributed.
"It was time to wage jihad and secure some expensive real estate in
the Jannah. And as always, Abu Adam demanded that he carry more gear
and ammo than anyone else in the group ...
Unfortunately, some of us were separated from Abu Adam and his group
due to external factors, so at this launching point would be the last
time I would see my brother Abu Adam, may Allah have mercy upon him.
Indeed, he was crying from happiness and at the same time, realizing
that this is the last time we will see him for a long while."
After five days, Adam and his fellow jihadis entered into the occupied
valley of Kashmir. There he laid ambushes and carried out reportedly
successful raids against the "Indian oppressors." After two- and- a-
half months, Adam finally achieved what he wanted.
As his storyteller recounted, "Adam and his team of brothers launched
a bloody raid on an army post in the Doda sector in the Jammuu region.
Reports indicate that out of the 34 Indians killed in the action, Abu
Adam was responsible for killing 17. Allahu akbar !"
Adam got killed shortly thereafter. As his storyteller wrote, "I
remember him saying to me once, "`I want to get shot in the chest so
that my soul doesn't leave immediately and I can prostrate to Allah on
the battlefield before my soul leaves my body.' I can't help but
wonder if he got his last wish or not."
The news of Adam's death eventually reached his non-Muslim family in
Atlanta. According to his storyteller, after hearing the news his
older sister Lisa took became a Muslim.
"May Allah make her like her brother," Adam's storyteller prayed. He
concluded with the words, "And do not think those killed in the way of
Allah as being dead. Nay they are alive with their lord being provided
for."
i thank JR for this nice true story...may god open the eyes of other
people with it.
alaah akbaar
daleel_almojahid
Adam's full story is available at
http://www.cdlr.net/English/cdlrboard/showthread.php?s=6fb8dd40f4fe9d03e3ea=
b8b3d8105e3e&threadid=37
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