Salafi Jihadists on the Issue of Near Enemy (Muslim countries' rulers) with Emphasis on Verse 23 of Chap. Al-Tawbah

The Jihadi Salafism, a group that considered armed struggle as the only way to spread Islam, relies on verse 123 of chapter al-Tawbah to offer a new interpretation of enemy without taking notice of other Quranic verses. They consider the rulers of Muslim countries as enemies and manifestations of the above holy verse. They are of the view that fighting those rulers is mandatory. This interpretation of the verse had not been seen from any interpreter and exegete until Abdus Salam Faraj. He is the first person to offer this interpretation. Takfiris are of the view that Muslim rulers are the near enemies of Islam because of their heretic practices as well as due to their being agents of the unbelievers. This issue can be criticized from three angles: 1-The rulers of Muslim countries are not infidels; 2. The rulers are not enemies of Islam; 3. The Jihadi Salafists' view is against the Book, Sunnah and normative conduct of Muslims. In addition, verses and narrations which call on Muslims to adopt reconciliation, and forbid them from armed struggle against rulers are opposed to this perception of Takfiri Salafists. It is therefore, necessary to define Jihadi Salafsim with reliance on verses and traditions as well as to offer the correct opinion in our treatment with the rulers of Muslim countries.