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Men Who Made History Mullah Muhammad Rabbani
Men Who Made History
Mullah Muhammad Rabbani
By Ahmed Mukhtar
Translated from the Arabic by Abdul Wahhab al-Kabuli
Dear Readers of al-Somood Magazine!
Al-Somood magazine has decided to publish a series of articles to introduce the most important men and officials of the Islamic Emirate and their stories. They are those who played a great role and a prominent part in the establishment of the Islamic Emirate. We deem it auspicious to begin this series with the story of the late Mullah Muhammad Rabanni, Prime Minister during the days when the Islamic Emirate governed Afghanistan. Hopefully, your interest will be piqued in learning the stories of these extraordinary men.
His Birth:
The late Mullah Muhammad Rabbani bin Hajj Mullah Amir Muhammad was born in Qandahar Province in 1377 H into a pious family known for its love of knowledge, righteousness and Jihad.
His Studies:
Since the father of the departed was among the virtuous and pious scholars in Qandahar Province, from the beginning he paid special attention to the education of his son in knowledge and Jihad. When he observed the signs of eminence and intelligence in his son, he resolved to devote him to study Shari’ah science and send him to a religious Madrassa.
Effectively, the pursuit of Shari’ah learning in Afghanistan was not taught in government schools, rather it was sought from sheikhs of Shari’ah knowledge in their circles in the local mosques or schools far from government supervision. The students would gather around a sheikh or sheikhs who would instruct them on rote knowledge such as grammar, syntax, rhetoric and semantics. Then they are taught the Shari’ah sciences, such as tafseer, Hadith, jurisprudence and its roots, ‘Aqidah and others.
This method had been accepted since the year 202 H when it was started by eminent scholars of Khorasan, such as Imam Abu Daud al-Sajistani, Sheikh ul-Islam Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Bakr al-Khalmi and Imam Abu al-Leith al-Samaqandi al-Balkhi.
Even though this method of propagating Shari’ah sciences had not attracted the attention of governments in recent centuries, it still retained its importance in producing pious scholars and extraordinary leaders of the Mujahideen who played a worthy part in spreading Shari’ah knowledge and leading Jihadist movements throughout the history of Afghanistan.
The great conquest of India in 377 H at the hand of Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi was done under the guidance and urging of such scholars. When the Sultan Shihabuddin al-Ghuri established his government in the Indian subcontinent in 559 H, those virtuous scholars took up important government posts.
Likewise when the founder of modern Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah al-Abdali, may Allah have mercy on him, led his armies to rescue the Muslims of India in 1254 H, the real spur behind this second conquest of India came from the directives of the scholars. They stood by his side when Muhaddith Dehlavi Sheikh Shah Waliullah al-Dehlavi, may Allah have mercy on him, sought his aid and complained to him of the oppression of the Muslims by the Hindus.
Likewise, when the English forces attacked Afghanistan in 1252 H, it was the scholars who took up leadership of the combat fronts against the attacking English forces.
Mullah Muhammad Rabbani quenched his thirst from the same well from which those first esteemed scholars had imbibed the love of Jihad fi sabeel Allah. The late Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was raised at the hands of such scholars, including the greatly learned Sheikh Abdul ‘Ali, may Allah Almighty protect him, the Great Mufti of the country during the rule of the Islamic Emirate.
His Jihad:
Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was still pursuing knowledge when the Communists seized power in Afghanistan by the military coup launched in 1979 CE. As soon as the Communists seized power, the Believers rose against them in a sweeping Jihadist Intifada across the entire country led by religious scholars and zealous men of faith. Since Mullah Rabbani had been preparing himself spiritually and practically for such a day, he left the Madrassa and joined the ranks of the Mujahideen. At that time he was only 21 years old, yet he became known among the Mujahideen for his courage, sacrifice and zeal for the Religion of Allah Almighty.
The departed began his Jihadist activities with a group of Mujahideen brothers on the front of the Martyr Mullah Musa Kalim, regarded as the founder of Jihad in the southwest of the country. He then went to the Arghestan directorate in Qandahar to set up with the Mujahideen there a new front against the Russian occupiers. He founded a new center for Mujahideen on Chaghani Mountain to direct from there the battles in occupied areas of Qandahar province.
He himself participated in the most dangerous battles against Russian forces which occurred in Chaghani, Turtak, Shabeek and Singar. Even though the leader of the Chaghani front was Commander Abdul Razzaq, direct leadership of the Mujahideen was entrusted to the departed Mullah Muhammad Rabbani. Due to his prudent leadership and his sticking by Commander Abdul Razzaq in all battles and incidents, he was appointed deputy and aide to Commander Abdul Razzaq, and from that day Mullah Muhammad Rabbani, may Allah have mercy on him, became known by the name Hajji Mu’awin. Later on, he became known among the Mujahideen as Hajji Mu’awin Sahib.
His military and administrative responsibilities in the course of Jihad
The entire southwest of the country, especially Qandahar, was transformed into a hot combat front against the Russians and their henchmen among the Communist lackeys and was established as strong center of resistance which defied Russian subjugation. The late Sheikh Mullah Muhammad Rabbani, in addition to his other brothers among the Mujahideen leadership, was among the prominent faces in that heroic resistance. Wars and conquests had helped him acquire military prudence and wise political leadership. Through the favor of Allah Almighty, and by virtue of his experience and successful leadership, he was able to direct the most dangerous battles against the Russians from 1981 to 1989 in which he inflicted great losses in both men and equipment on the Russian armies. Mullah Rabbani was seriously wounded three times, although Allah Almighty fated that he survive.
When the seven Jihadist organizations announced the formation of a transitional government, the leaders of Jihad decided to bring in field commanders also. So Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was appointed as deputy minister of Hajj and Awqaf.
I came to know him for the first time in 1989 CE when he was on a field visit to one of the conquered enemy bases which the Mujahideen took control of during their siege of the city Qalat, capital of Zabul province.
His Role in Establishing the Islamic Taliban Movement
Mullah Muhammad Rabbani exerted great efforts on the path of reconciling the Jihadist organizations which were battling each other for power after the collapse of the Communist government in Kabul on 27 April 1992. Internal wars among the Jihadist organizations had turned Kabul into a battlefield of internecine fighting among the Mujahideen who had previously formed a strong front against the Russians and their Afghan agents.
The fire of the wars that grew among the Jihadist groups was not limited to a specific region. It broke out in Kabul and its flames swept all regions of the country. It was on the verge of destroying completely the gains made by the Jihad which had continued for 14 years and for whose sake the blood of a million and a half martyrs had been shed.
This tragic situation could not be born by any Muslim, but it was not in the capacity of anyone to do something about these unfortunate events. In the midst of the prevailing despair, a group arose that had faith in the righteousness of their Jihad to continue on the path and finish the journey to realize the hopes of the Mujahideen in establishing Islamic rule in the land of Afghanistan. They were inspired by the words of the Almighty: “For Allah suffereth not the reward to be lost of those who do good”. So they continued on the path of battle and Jihad against the groups of evil and corruption despite the wounds and fatigue resulting from the long fight against the Russians and their Communist agents.
Among these resolute ones was Mullah Muhammad Rabbani, who boldly stood by the founder of the Islamic Taliban Movement, Amir ul-Mu’mineen Mullah Muhammad Omar Mujahid.
Mullah Hajji Muhammad Ahmadi, who was in the vanguard of the Taliban movement and carried out important administrative duties, said of the role of the late Mullah Muhammad Rabbani in the movement: “Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was one the personalities of ‘Ilm and Jihad, whose Jihadist role and social services cannot be described by words. In addition to his Jihad against the Russians, he is considered among the founders of the Taliban movement.”
Mullah Hajji Muhammad adds:
“When the movement was extending its influence in Afghanistan, every time it confronted a situation in which it was clearing a new area or province, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was the first to draw up a plan to clear it safely and without bloodshed.”
Sheikh Rabbani was always striving to find methods guaranteeing the movement could extend its influence safely across the Afghan provinces. When the Taliban arrived on the outskirts of Kabul on 2 October 1995, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani sent an invitation for talks to the biggest of the opponents; Ahmad Shah Masood. The latter responded to the invitation and attended the talks in Maidan Shahr, capital of Maidan Wardak province, outside Kabul city. Mullah Muhammad Rabbani stressed to Masood that the Afghan people had given a million and a half martyrs to establish an Islamic government in Afghanistan and apply in it Allah’s Shariah, so let us respect the sacrifices of the people. In order for us to respect the blood of the martyrs, he stated, come on, let us set up an Islamic government without restrictions or conditions from the two sides. For this divine goal the Taliban movement was established and would never swerve from it, they strengthened it and stood by its side.
Mullah Muhammad Akhund adds, saying “Most of the Afghan provinces except for the northern ones, became subject to the governance of the Islamic Emirate without any fighting reported. This was the result of the sound efforts made by Mullah Muhammad Rabbani to prevent bloodshed.”
His Duties in the Islamic Taliban Movement
Although Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was regarded as a teacher of the Mujahideen and one of the top officials in the movement, and although he was the top man after the Amir of the movement, he was not interested in titles and had not the least desire for positions or status. Rather he consider these to be duties to be carried out without pride. He was entrusted with the following duties in the movement.
He was appointed an official in the Supreme Council after the movement tightened its grip on Qandahar province on 5 November 1994 CE.
When on 3 April 1996 CE, 1500 scholars met in Qandahar city to appoint Mullah Omar, may Allah protect him, as Amir ul-Mu’mineen, and to announce the foundation of the Islamic Emirate, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani played a great role in convening that meeting. With all honesty and sincerity he persevered in his Jihadist reform efforts, and stood steadfastly by the side of the Amir ul-Mu’mineen. When the movement sent its armies out on 9 May 1995 CE to clear the southern and western provinces like Herat, Helmand, Farah and Oruzgan, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was in the vanguard of the conquering leaders. The military plans he drafted to clear the province played an important role in its peaceful conquest.
On 11 September 1996 CE, when the movement finalized its control over Nangahar, Konar and Laghman provinces in the east of the country, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was appointed as the general military and civil official for those provinces.
On 27 September 1996 CE, when the movement took control of the capital Kabul, the movement formed the interim governing council composed of six individuals to run the country’s affairs. The head of that council was Sheikh Mullah Muhammad Rabbani, may Allah have mercy on him.
When the interim governing council was transformed into the Council of Ministers and an agreement was reached to create the post of prime minister, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was appointed Prime Minister in Kabul.
His Creed and Ideological Affiliation
In his understanding of Deen, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani adhered to the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’a along the path of the Righteous Salaf. He abhorred innovations and superstitions and their people. He was forever calling upon the people to follow the Kitab and Sunnah.
His Asceticism and Piety
Mullah Muhammad Rabbani, in addition to his possessing superior and excellent morality; piety and asceticism; he was a model of religiosity and diligence in following the clear dictates of law. He would worship at night and never missed salat al-duha, even with his many preoccupations. I accompanied Mullah Muhammad Rabbani for a brief period in the days of the first Jihad against the Communists when he came to manage some Jihadist matters in Zabul province by virtue of his position as an official in the Transitional Mujahideen Government. We spent the night together at a Mujahideen center in the village of Sayyid Jan near the Tibsakhr district. Back then, Mujahideen centers were, as they are today, mosques. I saw him in the middle of the night standing and praying in a corner of the mosque while the other Mujahideen were sleeping.
His Altruism
In 1987, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani plunged with his other brothers into a dangerous battle against the Russians on the outskirts of Qandahar city in the Mala Jat district. The battle lasted an entire month and the two sides sustained huge loss of life. A large number of Mujahideen were wounded, and among them was Mullah Muhammad Rabbani. When the Mujahideen came to the battlefield to take away the martyrs and the wounded to treat them, they found Mullah Muhammad Rabbani among the wounded. They went to him first as a leader, but when the Mujahideen tried to bear him away, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani said to them, “I am fine, carry those three away first because their wounds are more serious than mine.” When they had removed the wounded brothers, they came to him and found that the wounds of Mullah Muhammad Rabbani were far more serious than those other three. Indeed, by comparison their wounds were considered nothing. But he gave them precedence over himself to be extracted from the battlefield, and gave their lives priority over his, may Allah Almighty have mercy on him. This story was related to me by one of the brothers among the Mujahideen who took part in that battle.
His Concern for Issues of the Ummah
Despite his continuous involvement with the issue of Jihad and the establishment of Islamic rule in Afghanistan, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani did not ignore other important issues for the Islamic Ummah such as the issues of Palestine, Chechnya, Kashmir and other Islamic issues. He attached great importance to them, seeking to aid their people as much as possible, in addition to issuing important statements regarding those matters in the days of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan.
His Natural Life and Avoidance of Ostentation
Despite the fact that Mullah Muhammad Rabbani spent most periods of his life in high positions, he never loved the life of luxury, affectation and vanity. He inclined towards a natural, unaffected life far from the pleasures of the world. All his dealings and interactions with his brothers were modest and far removed from boastfulness. He never distinguished himself from his brothers in anything. At times of official work, any person was able to meet him with ease. There was no doorman in his office permitting some to enter but forbidding others. Rather there was a guard to manage the movement of those who were coming to see him and no more.
He did not have personal bodyguards from the day he was deputy minister of Awqaf in the first Mujahideen government until he became Prime Minister in the government of the Islamic Emirate. All who accompanied him in his travels and meetings were his Mujahideen brothers and students of knowledge who were studying with him.
During the time of his premiership he came to the city of Jalalabad to conduct some official matters in the east of the country. He was engrossed in conducting matters from morning until afternoon. The mosque was some distance from him at the governor’s headquarters. When he heeded the first takbeera, he realized he was about to miss it. He left everything and headed with almost reckless speed until he reached the first row and caught the takbeera al-ihram. As for the rest of the officials they reached the mosque late. I saw this incident with my own eyes.
The Sheikh’s treatment of his brothers was completely devoid of affectation, he was not distinguished from them in his food or drink; his attire; his dwelling or general life. Most times, he would go from his house in the Wazir Akbar Khan district to the prime minister’s office walking on foot accompanied by three or four of his brothers.
He would participate with his Mujahideen brothers in military sports and normal sporting activities, and he found pleasure in popular local sports such as chagh.
His Financial Situation
Mullah Muhammad Rabbani enjoyed plenty of powers which would enable him to make use of some of the money available to high-ranking officials. He only used such money, however, that was sufficient to live the life of a normal person. He was satisfied to live in the house he inherited from his father and he did not build himself a house with money from the treasury.
When the United Nations Security Council imposed the unjust economic embargo on Afghanistan in 1999, and ordered the closure of bank accounts belonging to officials of the Islamic Emirate, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was among those who did not have a bank account in their name.
His Acceptance by the People
With his good reputation and excellent morality he enjoyed a high stature among the Afghan people of all sects and ethnic groups. People remembered him well on the day of his death, and even the opponents of the Taliban were saddened by his death just like his Taliban brothers.
His Death
Finally, the loyal soldier on the path of Jihad and sacrifice who never knew toil or weariness fi sabeel Allah, the model of piety; asceticism; altruism; morality and honor passed away from the cancer which had afflicted him with great pain for a long period. He was delivered from it by death in a hospital in the city of Rawalpindi in Pakistan on 1 January 1422 H and his soul was consigned to his Creator.
May Allah grant him abundant mercy and admit him to Paradise.
Thus was closed the chapter of the life of this Jihadist symbol who always strived to implement Allah’s Shari’ah on His earth and elevate His word in all Creation.
Source: al-Somood, Issue 39, September 2009
Mullah Muhammad Rabbani
By Ahmed Mukhtar
Translated from the Arabic by Abdul Wahhab al-Kabuli
Dear Readers of al-Somood Magazine!
Al-Somood magazine has decided to publish a series of articles to introduce the most important men and officials of the Islamic Emirate and their stories. They are those who played a great role and a prominent part in the establishment of the Islamic Emirate. We deem it auspicious to begin this series with the story of the late Mullah Muhammad Rabanni, Prime Minister during the days when the Islamic Emirate governed Afghanistan. Hopefully, your interest will be piqued in learning the stories of these extraordinary men.
His Birth:
The late Mullah Muhammad Rabbani bin Hajj Mullah Amir Muhammad was born in Qandahar Province in 1377 H into a pious family known for its love of knowledge, righteousness and Jihad.
His Studies:
Since the father of the departed was among the virtuous and pious scholars in Qandahar Province, from the beginning he paid special attention to the education of his son in knowledge and Jihad. When he observed the signs of eminence and intelligence in his son, he resolved to devote him to study Shari’ah science and send him to a religious Madrassa.
Effectively, the pursuit of Shari’ah learning in Afghanistan was not taught in government schools, rather it was sought from sheikhs of Shari’ah knowledge in their circles in the local mosques or schools far from government supervision. The students would gather around a sheikh or sheikhs who would instruct them on rote knowledge such as grammar, syntax, rhetoric and semantics. Then they are taught the Shari’ah sciences, such as tafseer, Hadith, jurisprudence and its roots, ‘Aqidah and others.
This method had been accepted since the year 202 H when it was started by eminent scholars of Khorasan, such as Imam Abu Daud al-Sajistani, Sheikh ul-Islam Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Bakr al-Khalmi and Imam Abu al-Leith al-Samaqandi al-Balkhi.
Even though this method of propagating Shari’ah sciences had not attracted the attention of governments in recent centuries, it still retained its importance in producing pious scholars and extraordinary leaders of the Mujahideen who played a worthy part in spreading Shari’ah knowledge and leading Jihadist movements throughout the history of Afghanistan.
The great conquest of India in 377 H at the hand of Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi was done under the guidance and urging of such scholars. When the Sultan Shihabuddin al-Ghuri established his government in the Indian subcontinent in 559 H, those virtuous scholars took up important government posts.
Likewise when the founder of modern Afghanistan, Ahmad Shah al-Abdali, may Allah have mercy on him, led his armies to rescue the Muslims of India in 1254 H, the real spur behind this second conquest of India came from the directives of the scholars. They stood by his side when Muhaddith Dehlavi Sheikh Shah Waliullah al-Dehlavi, may Allah have mercy on him, sought his aid and complained to him of the oppression of the Muslims by the Hindus.
Likewise, when the English forces attacked Afghanistan in 1252 H, it was the scholars who took up leadership of the combat fronts against the attacking English forces.
Mullah Muhammad Rabbani quenched his thirst from the same well from which those first esteemed scholars had imbibed the love of Jihad fi sabeel Allah. The late Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was raised at the hands of such scholars, including the greatly learned Sheikh Abdul ‘Ali, may Allah Almighty protect him, the Great Mufti of the country during the rule of the Islamic Emirate.
His Jihad:
Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was still pursuing knowledge when the Communists seized power in Afghanistan by the military coup launched in 1979 CE. As soon as the Communists seized power, the Believers rose against them in a sweeping Jihadist Intifada across the entire country led by religious scholars and zealous men of faith. Since Mullah Rabbani had been preparing himself spiritually and practically for such a day, he left the Madrassa and joined the ranks of the Mujahideen. At that time he was only 21 years old, yet he became known among the Mujahideen for his courage, sacrifice and zeal for the Religion of Allah Almighty.
The departed began his Jihadist activities with a group of Mujahideen brothers on the front of the Martyr Mullah Musa Kalim, regarded as the founder of Jihad in the southwest of the country. He then went to the Arghestan directorate in Qandahar to set up with the Mujahideen there a new front against the Russian occupiers. He founded a new center for Mujahideen on Chaghani Mountain to direct from there the battles in occupied areas of Qandahar province.
He himself participated in the most dangerous battles against Russian forces which occurred in Chaghani, Turtak, Shabeek and Singar. Even though the leader of the Chaghani front was Commander Abdul Razzaq, direct leadership of the Mujahideen was entrusted to the departed Mullah Muhammad Rabbani. Due to his prudent leadership and his sticking by Commander Abdul Razzaq in all battles and incidents, he was appointed deputy and aide to Commander Abdul Razzaq, and from that day Mullah Muhammad Rabbani, may Allah have mercy on him, became known by the name Hajji Mu’awin. Later on, he became known among the Mujahideen as Hajji Mu’awin Sahib.
His military and administrative responsibilities in the course of Jihad
The entire southwest of the country, especially Qandahar, was transformed into a hot combat front against the Russians and their henchmen among the Communist lackeys and was established as strong center of resistance which defied Russian subjugation. The late Sheikh Mullah Muhammad Rabbani, in addition to his other brothers among the Mujahideen leadership, was among the prominent faces in that heroic resistance. Wars and conquests had helped him acquire military prudence and wise political leadership. Through the favor of Allah Almighty, and by virtue of his experience and successful leadership, he was able to direct the most dangerous battles against the Russians from 1981 to 1989 in which he inflicted great losses in both men and equipment on the Russian armies. Mullah Rabbani was seriously wounded three times, although Allah Almighty fated that he survive.
When the seven Jihadist organizations announced the formation of a transitional government, the leaders of Jihad decided to bring in field commanders also. So Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was appointed as deputy minister of Hajj and Awqaf.
I came to know him for the first time in 1989 CE when he was on a field visit to one of the conquered enemy bases which the Mujahideen took control of during their siege of the city Qalat, capital of Zabul province.
His Role in Establishing the Islamic Taliban Movement
Mullah Muhammad Rabbani exerted great efforts on the path of reconciling the Jihadist organizations which were battling each other for power after the collapse of the Communist government in Kabul on 27 April 1992. Internal wars among the Jihadist organizations had turned Kabul into a battlefield of internecine fighting among the Mujahideen who had previously formed a strong front against the Russians and their Afghan agents.
The fire of the wars that grew among the Jihadist groups was not limited to a specific region. It broke out in Kabul and its flames swept all regions of the country. It was on the verge of destroying completely the gains made by the Jihad which had continued for 14 years and for whose sake the blood of a million and a half martyrs had been shed.
This tragic situation could not be born by any Muslim, but it was not in the capacity of anyone to do something about these unfortunate events. In the midst of the prevailing despair, a group arose that had faith in the righteousness of their Jihad to continue on the path and finish the journey to realize the hopes of the Mujahideen in establishing Islamic rule in the land of Afghanistan. They were inspired by the words of the Almighty: “For Allah suffereth not the reward to be lost of those who do good”. So they continued on the path of battle and Jihad against the groups of evil and corruption despite the wounds and fatigue resulting from the long fight against the Russians and their Communist agents.
Among these resolute ones was Mullah Muhammad Rabbani, who boldly stood by the founder of the Islamic Taliban Movement, Amir ul-Mu’mineen Mullah Muhammad Omar Mujahid.
Mullah Hajji Muhammad Ahmadi, who was in the vanguard of the Taliban movement and carried out important administrative duties, said of the role of the late Mullah Muhammad Rabbani in the movement: “Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was one the personalities of ‘Ilm and Jihad, whose Jihadist role and social services cannot be described by words. In addition to his Jihad against the Russians, he is considered among the founders of the Taliban movement.”
Mullah Hajji Muhammad adds:
“When the movement was extending its influence in Afghanistan, every time it confronted a situation in which it was clearing a new area or province, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was the first to draw up a plan to clear it safely and without bloodshed.”
Sheikh Rabbani was always striving to find methods guaranteeing the movement could extend its influence safely across the Afghan provinces. When the Taliban arrived on the outskirts of Kabul on 2 October 1995, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani sent an invitation for talks to the biggest of the opponents; Ahmad Shah Masood. The latter responded to the invitation and attended the talks in Maidan Shahr, capital of Maidan Wardak province, outside Kabul city. Mullah Muhammad Rabbani stressed to Masood that the Afghan people had given a million and a half martyrs to establish an Islamic government in Afghanistan and apply in it Allah’s Shariah, so let us respect the sacrifices of the people. In order for us to respect the blood of the martyrs, he stated, come on, let us set up an Islamic government without restrictions or conditions from the two sides. For this divine goal the Taliban movement was established and would never swerve from it, they strengthened it and stood by its side.
Mullah Muhammad Akhund adds, saying “Most of the Afghan provinces except for the northern ones, became subject to the governance of the Islamic Emirate without any fighting reported. This was the result of the sound efforts made by Mullah Muhammad Rabbani to prevent bloodshed.”
His Duties in the Islamic Taliban Movement
Although Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was regarded as a teacher of the Mujahideen and one of the top officials in the movement, and although he was the top man after the Amir of the movement, he was not interested in titles and had not the least desire for positions or status. Rather he consider these to be duties to be carried out without pride. He was entrusted with the following duties in the movement.
He was appointed an official in the Supreme Council after the movement tightened its grip on Qandahar province on 5 November 1994 CE.
When on 3 April 1996 CE, 1500 scholars met in Qandahar city to appoint Mullah Omar, may Allah protect him, as Amir ul-Mu’mineen, and to announce the foundation of the Islamic Emirate, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani played a great role in convening that meeting. With all honesty and sincerity he persevered in his Jihadist reform efforts, and stood steadfastly by the side of the Amir ul-Mu’mineen. When the movement sent its armies out on 9 May 1995 CE to clear the southern and western provinces like Herat, Helmand, Farah and Oruzgan, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was in the vanguard of the conquering leaders. The military plans he drafted to clear the province played an important role in its peaceful conquest.
On 11 September 1996 CE, when the movement finalized its control over Nangahar, Konar and Laghman provinces in the east of the country, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was appointed as the general military and civil official for those provinces.
On 27 September 1996 CE, when the movement took control of the capital Kabul, the movement formed the interim governing council composed of six individuals to run the country’s affairs. The head of that council was Sheikh Mullah Muhammad Rabbani, may Allah have mercy on him.
When the interim governing council was transformed into the Council of Ministers and an agreement was reached to create the post of prime minister, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was appointed Prime Minister in Kabul.
His Creed and Ideological Affiliation
In his understanding of Deen, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani adhered to the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’a along the path of the Righteous Salaf. He abhorred innovations and superstitions and their people. He was forever calling upon the people to follow the Kitab and Sunnah.
His Asceticism and Piety
Mullah Muhammad Rabbani, in addition to his possessing superior and excellent morality; piety and asceticism; he was a model of religiosity and diligence in following the clear dictates of law. He would worship at night and never missed salat al-duha, even with his many preoccupations. I accompanied Mullah Muhammad Rabbani for a brief period in the days of the first Jihad against the Communists when he came to manage some Jihadist matters in Zabul province by virtue of his position as an official in the Transitional Mujahideen Government. We spent the night together at a Mujahideen center in the village of Sayyid Jan near the Tibsakhr district. Back then, Mujahideen centers were, as they are today, mosques. I saw him in the middle of the night standing and praying in a corner of the mosque while the other Mujahideen were sleeping.
His Altruism
In 1987, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani plunged with his other brothers into a dangerous battle against the Russians on the outskirts of Qandahar city in the Mala Jat district. The battle lasted an entire month and the two sides sustained huge loss of life. A large number of Mujahideen were wounded, and among them was Mullah Muhammad Rabbani. When the Mujahideen came to the battlefield to take away the martyrs and the wounded to treat them, they found Mullah Muhammad Rabbani among the wounded. They went to him first as a leader, but when the Mujahideen tried to bear him away, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani said to them, “I am fine, carry those three away first because their wounds are more serious than mine.” When they had removed the wounded brothers, they came to him and found that the wounds of Mullah Muhammad Rabbani were far more serious than those other three. Indeed, by comparison their wounds were considered nothing. But he gave them precedence over himself to be extracted from the battlefield, and gave their lives priority over his, may Allah Almighty have mercy on him. This story was related to me by one of the brothers among the Mujahideen who took part in that battle.
His Concern for Issues of the Ummah
Despite his continuous involvement with the issue of Jihad and the establishment of Islamic rule in Afghanistan, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani did not ignore other important issues for the Islamic Ummah such as the issues of Palestine, Chechnya, Kashmir and other Islamic issues. He attached great importance to them, seeking to aid their people as much as possible, in addition to issuing important statements regarding those matters in the days of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan.
His Natural Life and Avoidance of Ostentation
Despite the fact that Mullah Muhammad Rabbani spent most periods of his life in high positions, he never loved the life of luxury, affectation and vanity. He inclined towards a natural, unaffected life far from the pleasures of the world. All his dealings and interactions with his brothers were modest and far removed from boastfulness. He never distinguished himself from his brothers in anything. At times of official work, any person was able to meet him with ease. There was no doorman in his office permitting some to enter but forbidding others. Rather there was a guard to manage the movement of those who were coming to see him and no more.
He did not have personal bodyguards from the day he was deputy minister of Awqaf in the first Mujahideen government until he became Prime Minister in the government of the Islamic Emirate. All who accompanied him in his travels and meetings were his Mujahideen brothers and students of knowledge who were studying with him.
During the time of his premiership he came to the city of Jalalabad to conduct some official matters in the east of the country. He was engrossed in conducting matters from morning until afternoon. The mosque was some distance from him at the governor’s headquarters. When he heeded the first takbeera, he realized he was about to miss it. He left everything and headed with almost reckless speed until he reached the first row and caught the takbeera al-ihram. As for the rest of the officials they reached the mosque late. I saw this incident with my own eyes.
The Sheikh’s treatment of his brothers was completely devoid of affectation, he was not distinguished from them in his food or drink; his attire; his dwelling or general life. Most times, he would go from his house in the Wazir Akbar Khan district to the prime minister’s office walking on foot accompanied by three or four of his brothers.
He would participate with his Mujahideen brothers in military sports and normal sporting activities, and he found pleasure in popular local sports such as chagh.
His Financial Situation
Mullah Muhammad Rabbani enjoyed plenty of powers which would enable him to make use of some of the money available to high-ranking officials. He only used such money, however, that was sufficient to live the life of a normal person. He was satisfied to live in the house he inherited from his father and he did not build himself a house with money from the treasury.
When the United Nations Security Council imposed the unjust economic embargo on Afghanistan in 1999, and ordered the closure of bank accounts belonging to officials of the Islamic Emirate, Mullah Muhammad Rabbani was among those who did not have a bank account in their name.
His Acceptance by the People
With his good reputation and excellent morality he enjoyed a high stature among the Afghan people of all sects and ethnic groups. People remembered him well on the day of his death, and even the opponents of the Taliban were saddened by his death just like his Taliban brothers.
His Death
Finally, the loyal soldier on the path of Jihad and sacrifice who never knew toil or weariness fi sabeel Allah, the model of piety; asceticism; altruism; morality and honor passed away from the cancer which had afflicted him with great pain for a long period. He was delivered from it by death in a hospital in the city of Rawalpindi in Pakistan on 1 January 1422 H and his soul was consigned to his Creator.
May Allah grant him abundant mercy and admit him to Paradise.
Thus was closed the chapter of the life of this Jihadist symbol who always strived to implement Allah’s Shari’ah on His earth and elevate His word in all Creation.
Source: al-Somood, Issue 39, September 2009
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