In the last few months, large percentage
of our people has clearly understood what "Ahbash" is. We thank the
Almighty Allah for this great achievement. But still now some people continue
to misunderstand the Ahbash faction and the objective of our srtuggle. On the
other hand, the enemies of Islam continue to deceive the people by saying
"Ahbash represents the "Sufi" or "old traditional Islam”
that existed in Ethiopia for centuries.” I don't respond to the claim of the
enemies of Islam. But I write few words for my sisters and brothers who
misunderstand the term "Ahbash" and the true nature of our struggle.
1. "Ahbash" represents a
politico- religious faction called "Association of Islamic Charitable
projects" (AICP). It was founded in Beirut in 1983 by the late Ethiopian
scholar Sheikh Abdullah Al-Harari Al-Habashi. The Ethiopian origin of the
founder of the association gave it the nickname "Ahbash".
2. Members of the group (AICP) are
contented by the nickname "Ahbash". So don't take it as a word of insult
or contempt. Most of the members of the association say "We are
Ahbash". Even one of their websites has the name Ahbash as its domain.
(see this website www.ahbash.net )
3. The group claims to follow the
school of Imam Shafi'i. But it goes against the tenets of Shafi'i school in
many ways.
4. It claims also a proponent of
true Sufism. But most of the Sufi orders warned against the group. For example,
the Naqshbandiyya order, which is considered the greater Sufi group in the
world, has released many “fatwas” against Ahbash. (see the Naqshbandi fatwas on
this link.... http://naqshbandi.org/topics/refute/aicp/default.htm
)
5. It claims to represent the
majority of Muslims. But in reality, it is very small group. In the entire
world, it has only half a million followers. In Ethiopia, its followers
estimated not to exceed 10,000 people.
6. Many scholars and prominent
Islamic Institutions (like Al-Azhar, Medina University etc...) have warned
against the Ahbash (AICP) for many reasons such as
·
Their many heretical beliefs and deviances
(example: Ahbash teaches that “Asking Allah to forgive all Muslims for all of
their sins will make you a disbeliever. This is clearly against the teaching of
the Holly Qur’an.)
·
Their disrespect for many of the Sahaba of the
prophet (Ahbash openly teaches “Those who rebelled against Caliph Ali ibn Abu
Talib are sinners. There is no duty on Muslim to respect such great sinners.”
In other words, you can curse or belittle great companions like Al-Zubeyr Ibnul
Awwam, Talha ibn Ubeydullah, Aisha bint Abu-Bakr, Moawiya ibn Abu Sufiyan, Amr
ibn Al-As, etc… Astaghfirullah!!)
·
Their unlawful “Takfir” against Muslim scholars
(For example, Ahbash says the "Imams of Makkah and Madina are Kafirs".
Astaghfirullah!!)
·
Their fanatic behavior and intolerance to live
with other Muslim groups. (They say all who don’t share their beliefs are not Muslims).
·
Their marching against whom they call "Wahhabiya"
and "Hizbul Ikhwan" (They attack only. Muslims. They don't speak
about other enemies of Islam)
·
Their forming a conspiracy alliance with enemies
of Islam (like the Zionists, the Alewi pagan group of Syria and others).
Accordingly, when we say Ahbash it
represents only a group called "Association of Islamic Charitable
Projects". We Muslim Ethiopians stand together to combat the group
not for its having different views. It can preach its ideologies in peaceful
and legal ways. Who oppose it for its high leadership in the illegitimate “Ahbashism
Campaign”. What does this campaign looks like?
In April 2008, a combined group of
enemies of Islam (USA, Zionists, some authorities in Ethiopian government,
Anti-Muslim advocacy groups etc...) enabled the Ahbash faction to monopolize
the "Majlis" (Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Ethiopia) and
started their plot of weakening Islam. After two years (In July 2011), they
came up with a carefully planned and well financed project called "Ahbashism
Campaign". The aim of the campaign is to indoctrinate all Muslim
Ethiopians in the ideology of “Ahbash”. Since then most of Muslim Ethiopians
(more than 85 %) opposing the campaign.
We oppose the Ahbashism campaign
not only because it is unconstitutional but also it is against all religious,
humanitarian and civil laws. It is not different than the campaign of Emperor
Suseneyos of Ethiopia in early 17th century when he tried to make the
Ethiopian Orthodox Christians accept the Catholic right forcefully. It is also
the same version of the campaign of Emperor Yohaness IV who tried to make Ethiopian
Muslims change their faith to Orthodox Christianity. It may be amazing when few
people try to enforce a new faith on the majority in the 21st century.
However, we admit that every century has its own Suseneyos and Yohannes who don’t
believe in the right of the people.
We ask our freedom of worship. We
say no to "Ahbashism Campaign". Asking our right has nothing to do
with extremism. Those who call us "extremists who have hidden agenda"
for asking our right have a hidden agenda themselves. Their hidden agenda is to
disrupt the unity of Muslims; then create a weak Muslim community; then corrupt
the true messages and beliefs of Islam; then replace it by a Zionist sponsored
version of Islam. But this will never happen. Insha Allah!
We respect the law. We respect the
right of others. But we will die for Islam.
Victory is for Islam!!
(Please share this message with
your friends).
