From the Biographies of the Distinguished Martyrs: (20) Abu Abdullah al-Shami

The twentieth “distinguished martyr” is Abu Abdullah al-Shami, another veteran Syrian jihadist who died in Fallujah. He became a jihadist in Saudi Arabia (many such cases), and then traveled to Sudan and Yemen in hopes of joining the jihadist movement, which would have to wait until he arrived in Afghanistan. Here, he gained explosives training and fought under the Taliban against the Northern Alliance and Shiite militants, in particular the severe repression in Bamyan. Although unmentioned here, Abu Abdullah may have fought alongside Abu Hamza al-Shami, whose biography also mentions that he fought at Bamyan–note that the same characters appear in several different battlefields. However, the two likely belonged to separate networks. In the effort against Shiites, Abu Abdullah helped form a group led by an Iranian jihadist named Salahuddin al-Irani. He also partook in the final battles of the Emirate, fighting in Tora Bora before escaping to Pakistan. He soon traveled to Iraq, specifically Baghdad several months before the Coalition invasion.

Abu Abdullah’s time in Baghdad brings together a number of threads about the jihadist scene before the war. He was part of a local network which was stockpiling weapons in the event of the Baathist government’s collapse. Abu Nassir al-Libi (so-called “Lion of the Golan”) was with Abu Abdullah at this time. This network included the “Group of Knights,” or Abu Khabbab al-Filastini, Abu Umar al-Masri, and Abu Sulayman al-Filastini, who are mentioned by name. Their biographies reveal that they had begun collaborating with Iraqi jihadists (mostly ex-Baathist officers) in Baghdad. Abu Hamza al-Urduni was also likely there, as his biography states he joined the Iraqi jihadist scene in Baghdad. In short, a number of key figures besides Zarqawi were in Baghdad before the war, or at the very least within weeks of it. Interestingly, Abu Ismail al-Muhajir reports that the group decided against fighting alongside the Baath “after deliberation,” meaning this was the subject of debate, rather than being taken for granted. After the Baath’s defeat, this group commenced to building their explosives capabilities. It was only around this stage that Zarqawi finally made contact with this network, which promptly joined his forces. In other words, significant jihadist activity was ongoing in Baghdad, both before and after the war, entirely without Zarqawi’s input. This again bolsters Nibras Kazimi’s theory of jihadists seeding Iraq and Zarqawi simply being one among many.

Abu Abdullah was initially set to commit a suicide car-bombing in Baghdad, but his target had left, so he then went to Fallujah. While there, he was a top explosive expert, preparing car bombs and training the would-be bombers. Abu Abdullah also personally led many fighters, in one case leaving the city to rescue a captured fighter who was detained in a hospital. The rescue failed and Abu Abdullah was detained by the Ministry of Interior, where he was severely tortured before luckily being released. Later in the Second Battle of Fallujah, he died alongside other foreign fighters under intense artillery shelling.

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Abu Abdullah al-Shami

A prominent figure from Fallujah, a symbol of its essence, and a seasoned lion among its warriors. He was kind-hearted, pure in spirit, and virtuous, embodying piety and asceticism. He was beloved and endeared by all. No matter how much I describe my brother and beloved, I cannot fully capture the beauty of his character and virtues, except to say that he was like a treasure whose value was unrecognized.

My brother, my companion on this path, and the piece of my heart, had a story and a hymn with jihad. In summary, the martyr–as we believe him to be–was pure-hearted to an extraordinary degree. He did not know deceit nor did he believe that anyone could practice it. After he came to understand jihad as an obligatory duty, he traveled to the Arabian Peninsula [Saudi Arabia]–the land of Islam, as he was convinced. There, he came to recognize the true nature of the disbelief of the House of Saud and grew to despise them deeply, especially after joining and meeting with the "Brothers Who Obey God" [Ikhwan man Atta’Allah]. He returned to his homeland, Syria, to the city of Aleppo. There, he heard that Shaykh Usama bin Ladin was in Sudan, so he traveled there, only to be disappointed, as the Shaykh had just been expelled after being betrayed by the deceivers (Turabi and Bashir). He then traveled to Yemen after selling his house and shop, moving with his family after being told that it would be easier to migrate to Afghanistan from there. After months of hardship, scarcity, and financial struggle, he returned with a heart full of sorrow.

Finally, Abu Abdullah traveled to Afghanistan, where he took his first steps in jihad. He fought in the ranks of the Taliban against the Northern Alliance, and then he developed a passion for fighting the Rafidah. He formed a group with Arab and non-Arab brothers to fight the Iranian Rafidah, led by Salahuddin al-Irani. They would raid Rafidhi camps, killing and capturing, then withdraw safely by the will and power of God. When the Islamic Emirate grew stronger, he rushed to curb the Rafidah in Bamyan after they betrayed the Sunnis there, broke all covenants, and contacted the West–led by Japan, Korea, Thailand, and others–to sell them Buddha statues and prove their loyalty by killing and mutilating the Sunnis. They fell into the worst of their deeds, and death came to them from where they least expected. Among the first to confront them was our beloved martyr.

In Afghanistan, he learned the fundamentals of explosives and the science of detonation. Then, as is known, events unfolded, and the Taliban state collapsed under the treachery of Pakistan and its agents. We retreated to the mountains–some to Tora Bora, led by the two Shaykhs, and others, including the martyr and myself, to the mountains of Gardez. There, the martyr's role shone again as the tireless servant and driver of the brothers, even as his family endured severe hardship, which God alleviated after they moved to Pakistan. The martyr remained with his brothers, serving them when they rested and traveling with them when they moved. Finally, the chapter of Afghanistan in the martyr's life closed, and the chapter of Iraq began.

He arrived there several months before the fall of Baghdad. In Baghdad, a small group gathered, and I, the humble servant, served them. We agreed to collect weapons if the regime fell, and after deliberation, we decided not to assist the tyrant with even a single bullet. The tyrant fell, and the second Islamic conquest of Iraq began–first, the conquest of the Companions, followed by the conquest of the mujahidin. The martyr and I, along with our earlier martyr Abu Umar and others,¹ began planting explosives and laying the first foundations of the science of bomb-making and detonation in Iraq. Abu Abdullah al-Shami was one of the masters of this art, and God blessed his efforts and endeavors. When the blessed leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (may God have mercy on him) arrived, we joined his caravan, marking a new chapter and another story in the life of Abu Abdullah. He devoted himself, his family, his home, and his life to serving the mujahidin and the martyrs. Since doors were closed to us, he opened his home, and in his house, the first chapters of martyrdom operations began. Through his hands, the early chapters of the story of jihad and martyrdom in Iraq unfolded.

There is a beautiful and tender chapter in this story that I would like to summarize. A significant target was identified in the University District of Baghdad–a high-ranking CIA general who frequented a house filled with apostasy, disbelief, and hypocrisy. At the moment of execution, the brother assigned to the mission hesitated. Without hesitation, Abu Abdullah took his place, saying, "I will go in his stead. By God, the target will not be lost, and the bride will not return without a groom (meaning the car)." I tried to dissuade him, but he insisted, saying, "Take care of my family and children," and set off toward his target. However, the target had just left, and God preserved Abu Abdullah for us.

After God granted us victory in Fallujah, exalted the religion and its people, and humiliated polytheism and its party, Abu Abdullah continued day and night to unite the ranks, strengthen the front, and mend divisions–sometimes with gentleness and other times with firmness. Advice was his motto, and love was his path. When the structure was complete and the riders were ready, he prepared a small bag with bomb-making equipment and began touring the mujahidin brigades, from one camp to another, establishing the foundations of this science. You would always find Abu Abdullah either preparing a bride (a car) or training brothers. The sound of explosions was his melody, the dust of gunpowder his fragrance, and the experiments with explosives his pastime and companion. He forgot his family and children, becoming enamored with his craft and his brothers. The night would pass heavily over him until dawn broke, and there he would be, standing among his brothers with a smile, saying, "Enough sleep, we've slept too much."

In all of this, he was an excellent helper and a great friend. If I slept or slacked, he would take me by the hand. If I strayed or faltered, he would set me straight. He was not just my assistant but my teacher and companion. When Abu Abdullah sensed the approach of his time and the nearness of his hope, he confided in me that he wanted to marry his daughter to a righteous man and ensure her security in his lifetime. I chose for him the valiant leader and heroic warrior, the Lion of the Golan, Abu Nassir al-Libi. Shaykh Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (may God have mercy on him) attended as the representative of the groom, and I conducted the marriage contract for Abu Nassir. The Shaykh gifted his daughter a thousand dollars, though Abu Abdullah initially refused but was persuaded. Abu Nassir did not consummate the marriage as she was still young.

Then came the Second Battle of Fallujah, and everyone realized that the end was near, that the wheel of life was about to stop, and that the mill of martyrdom would inevitably pass over the remaining lions of Fallujah. The war intensified, and the Crusaders poured out their fires of hatred, envy, and malice. The heavens smiled upon the martyrs, and the brothers began to depart one by one, each bidding farewell against their will. The processions of martyrdom continued to flow like a torrential flood. Amidst this, Abu Abdullah stood on the edge of the road near Hajji Husayn's restaurant, while his son-in-law, Abu Nassir al-Libi, stood on the other side. Abu Nassir called out, "Uncle, I will cross," and Abu Abdullah replied, "No, Abu Nassir, the tank is targeting you." But Abu Nassir stepped forward toward his uncle, and his soul departed before his eyes as he cried, "God is Great, God is Great."

I was a hundred meters away from the site, and from a distance, I saw Abu Abdullah coming toward me, carrying his launcher and marking the ground with his footsteps.

The next day, the enemy intensified their bombardment, focusing their fire, and most, if not all, of those on the front line were hit. There was no doctor or medic, and before my eyes, a brother bled to death. There is no power nor strength except with God.

In haste and with little knowledge or means, a rear area was prepared for the wounded, and the brothers asked for someone to take care of them. Abu Abdullah requested to go to them, but I told him to stay with me to assist, as I had no one else who understood bomb-making. He said, "Let me go," and I replied, "Trust in God, but come back by morning." He said, "Insha'Allah."

He left before my eyes as the sun set, and the sun has not returned to this day, my dear. Abu Abdullah departed with Abu Tariq al-Libi under a wall after intense artillery shelling. I also wish to shed a tear for Abu Rabi’ al-Libi, who left with Abu Abdullah as the sun set. When Abu Rabi’, who was wounded in his back, left, he came to kiss me warmly, hugged me, and kissed my head. I said, "My dear, it's only a hundred meters from your house to ours." He replied, "God knows if we will meet again," and we did not. Perhaps we will meet in another place, in the Gardens of Eden, by His mercy and grace. I may return with more details about Abu Rabi’ and Abu Tariq at another time.

I forgot to mention an important chapter in the martyr's life. During one of the intense days in Fallujah, the Americans heavily bombed the Industrial District, and as a result, one of the Arab brothers was hit in the head. He was taken to Fallujah Hospital, but the hospital said they could not help him and that he needed to be transferred to the Neurological Campaign Hospital in Baghdad–a hospital controlled by the Rafidah and located near the Ministry of Interior. The brother was transferred, and one of the noble brothers, Ibrahim al-Issawi (a former police officer who repented and remained with the brothers), volunteered to accompany him. In the hospital, under the influence of anesthesia, the brother spoke, and his accent revealed that he was from the Arabian Peninsula. The news spread quickly in the hospital.

During that time, the martyr told me that he wanted to go and check on him. I said, "Brother, the hospital is dangerous, and Baghdad's situation is perilous." He replied, "I must check on the brother and see if he needs anything." He insisted on going.

He went to the hospital, carrying bags of food and drink, hastening to see his brother, but he found the Rafidah waiting for him. Quickly, the police arrived, having set up an ambush around the hospital for any brothers who might come.

He was taken to the slaughterhouse of the Ministry of Interior, where they poured torture upon him–electric shocks, whipping, beating, dirty water, and withholding urine–every form of torture until he was left a lifeless body, with no power nor strength except with God. Then the Americans came to rescue him from their hands, only to discover that the man was already dead, having fallen victim to another man. He was immediately transported to a neighboring country by a military aircraft, where he underwent intense and lengthy interrogation. When they found nothing on him, they showed him a series of photos to see if he recognized anyone. He was shocked and thought it was the end when he saw his own photo in the front row. At first, he thought it was a trick, but by God's Grace, they did not recognize him. He had papers like autumn leaves, easily falling apart at the touch of fragile hands, and so were the martyr's identities. At ten in the morning, after ten days of detention, my door was knocked, and I found my beloved, my friend, and the apple of my eye, Abu Abdullah, standing before me, smiling, though exhaustion was evident on his face. I did not speak a word until I fell to the ground in prostration to God for this blessing, which no one had expected, as the enemy had announced his arrest as one of Zarqawi's aides. But God decreed his salvation. After greetings and conversation, he said to me, "Excuse me, may I go see my family?" My love for the man increased, as he wanted to reassure his brothers before his wife and children.

After a while, Abu Abdullah said to me, "You know, my brother, by God, I was about to pray against you while I was in prison." I was alarmed by his words and asked, "Why?" He said, "Because you repeatedly prevented me from carrying out a martyrdom operation." I replied, "By God, my brother, I only wanted what was good and in the general interest." He then added, "Do not prevent anyone from seeking good with God, for God will replace us. The religion does not depend on any one person, no matter who that person is."

But I regrettably did not learn the lesson and prevented one of the fighting brothers from carrying out a martyrdom operation. He is now in prison, and I ask God to forgive me by His Grace and Favor. I repent, insha'Allah.

Written by
Abu Ismail al-Muhajir

1. Referring to Abu Umar al-Masri, Abu Khabbab al-Filastini, and Abu Sulayman al-Filastini.