Sheikh Moussa Kamara's Islamic Critique of Jihadists

Sheikh Moussa Kamara was one of the most prolific writers of the 20th century. His scholarship spanned many disciplines, including history, the ethnography of Sudanic Africa, theology, and poetry. His objection to jihad is one of his most pertinent works. As illustrated in this first English translation and commentary, he expounds upon the futility of waging Jihad bis-Sayf (Jihad of the Sword), as it could not be conducted without the killing of other Muslims or innocent civilians of any persuasion. Moreover, it is his contention that by its violent nature, jihad breaches one of Islam's main principles: preserving life. To support this argument, Kamara draws evidence from Prophet Muhammad's social life, the bloody legacy of Jihad waged among his companions after his death, and the opinions of pious scholars and Sufi saints on the subject as well as his own lived-experience of the economic devastation caused by the jihadists, or Pseudo-Jihadists in his parlance, of his time. Kamara goes further stipulating that if self-defense in the name of Jihad is a must, then there must be a balance of power with the enemy, unified leadership among the Muslims, and a legitimate leader who can authorize the enterprise.

Mbaye Lo is associate professor of the Practice of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and International Comparative Studies at Duke University.

Chapter 1:
Notable Figures Who Invited me to Join Them in Waging Jihad
Chapter 2:
The Temperament of Most Wagers of Jihad
Chapter 3:
The Prospect of Killing Innocent Muslims as Justification For Prohibiting Jihad
Chapter 4:
The Many Thousands of People Who Died Due to The Jihad of Shaykh Al-Hajj Umar, and the Correspondence of Monsieur Faidherbe
Chapter 5:
A Discussion of [the Book] Al-Istiq?a Regarding Matters of Jihad
Chapter 6:
A Discussion of The Biography Al-Sirat al-?alabiyyah on what Constitutes Jihad
Chapter 7:
A state Cannot Be Erected Solely on The Qualities of Religion and Piety, But Must Also Incorporate Politics, Wit, Subterfuge and Intimidation
Chapter 8:
Among the Signs of Sincere Piety is a Reliance on the State of Spiritual Primacy
Chapter 9:
A Chapter on French Leaders' Affection Toward Me
Afterword By David Robinson