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Characteristically, no one is picking up on the significance of the dye job. The Shafi'i school of Islamic jurisprudence forbids men and women to dye their hair black "except when the intention is jihad...as a show of strength to unbelievers" ('Umdat al-Salik e.4.4). Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, in his The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam, says essentially the same thing: "Some of the early Muslims, including some
I am not impressed. I think it makes him look like an aging lounge lizard. But the belligerent overtones should not be overlooked.
"U.S. scrutinizes bin Laden video," by Randall Mikkelsen for Reuters:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government has obtained a copy of a purported new videotape of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and is studying it, U.S. officials said on Friday."We can confirm that the U.S. government has the video and it is being analyzed," one official said on condition of anonymity.
An Islamist Web site said earlier on Friday it would soon show a new video of bin Laden -- the first in nearly three years -- to mark the sixth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States.
The Web site published a still photograph apparently from the video, which showed bin Laden looking older than in previously available pictures. However, a photo that Western analysts said accompanied the video announcement showed bin Laden's beard black rather than gray as in pictures from recent years.
Al Jazeera television said the footage, produced by al Qaeda's media arm, was likely to be shown within 72 hours.
A U.S. intelligence official said of the tape, "We're analyzing it. We need to take a look at it to see whether it's old or new and we're doing it very quickly."
Posted by Robert at September 7, 2007 2:00 PM
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Hmmm. Did Mo not dye his own hair red? Maybe it was to impress into his enemies that he was of the "fighting Irish"
Posted by: Archimedes2![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at September 7, 2007 2:06 PM
Great. bin Looney tunes is back.
Posted by: pythagoras at September 7, 2007 2:11 PM
Imam Robert
I must say, again and again you prove your knowledge of Islam's minutiae. This black hair info I would never hear elsewhere. Just a thank you from all of us who haven't your stamina for reading all this bone-dry rubbish.
at September 7, 2007 2:12 PM
Let me repeat a slightly off-topic note, whose subject is... noteworthy.
Bill Buckley, who has long been a significant voice in the American conservative movement, is sounding an urgent alarm about Islam and is counseling strong response.
On the threat to the West, especially America:
http://author.nationalreview.com/latest/?q=MjE0Ng==
On the threat to England:
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YTdhOGI3ZTBiYzA4ODExNTE2M2UxNDY1MzJmMzYyNDI=
The JihadWatch worldview is becoming more mainstream.
Posted by: StillBreathing at September 7, 2007 2:20 PM
I don't care how black his hair is; he's 50 and looks 70. He looks like a dead person after the undertaker has fixed him up for the viewing. A video tape of him walking will really show the condition of his health, but I doubt we will ever see one.
at September 7, 2007 2:21 PM
I have no doubt he is in Iran. The Iran & Hezbollah complicity in 9/11 is now undeniable. Bin Laden has undoubtedly received medical care and safe haven inside Iran. It all comes down to Iran. Buth will our commander-in-chief gather courage to take on it? The only man among all presidential contenders is Rudy Giuliani. For the sake of this country and the world we desperately need him in the White House. Vote for Rudy and pray it is not too late.
Ruslan Tokhchukov, EnragedSince1999.
Posted by: Enragedsince1999 at September 7, 2007 2:24 PM
Ahh, that makes much more sense Robert.
An 'impressing the enemy' fiqh is a much more astute assessment than Richard Clarke saying it was possibly a fake beard indicating he may be hiding in the Indonesia or the Philippines where Muslim men often do not grow beards.
As if imply he puts on a fake beard to make video nasty's and takes it off when he wants to belnd into the scenery, lol
Posted by: GreatShaitan at September 7, 2007 2:29 PM
Alright Robert, I gots to know: Did the arab mooslims steal the warpaint idea from some other group, or is warpaint another gift to the world from the ummah?
Posted by: perpster at September 7, 2007 2:59 PM
It's obvious from the picture that OBL left his "Just For Men" beard coloring in too long. I know the directions say 5 minutes but next time try abou 2-3 minutes for a more natural look. Walt Frazier would be aghast.
Posted by: TheOmegaMan at September 7, 2007 3:28 PM
"I am not impressed. I think it makes him look like an aging lounge lizard. But the belligerent overtones should not be overlooked."
I'm sorry Robert but after reading the above I got the giggles. I'm picturing a green leisure suit and a bad rendition of "Mack the knife." Of course Pelayo may be onto something and perhaps we are all being treated to another version of "Weekend at Bernie's."
Posted by: Isabellathecrusader at September 7, 2007 3:40 PM
It would appear that Osama is alive after all, but not living well or for much longer, by the look of things. He can discuss dye-jobs in Hell when he roasts next to Arafat and Castro.
Posted by: Foehammer at September 7, 2007 4:18 PM
My guess is that it is an impersonator. Either that, or zawahari pickled the corpse in formaldehyde and they have now managed to dress it up as a life-sized marionette. Watch closely for tiny nylon lines.
Posted by: Infidel33 at September 7, 2007 4:25 PM
This just in, shared by an old friend from CIA (he's an analyst that does this stuff-it's ok, not classified)
...notice the lighting? That cannot be natural or even incandescent.
Conclusion: Flourescent lighting.
Doesn't look like he's anywhere near a cave anymore.
Makes ya wonder...
at September 7, 2007 4:33 PM
"A U.S. intelligence official said of the tape, 'We're analyzing it.'"
-- from the article above
I'll bet.
at September 7, 2007 4:36 PM
lol...yep, Hugh definitely "gets it" (hell, I think you were onto it before I was! lol).
Now I know why you're staff...lol
^5s to ya!
at September 7, 2007 4:46 PM
Dyeing his hair black??? Osama needs to get botox!
Posted by: callmeinfidel at September 7, 2007 5:01 PM
Osama, forget about the poor quality black hair dye. You need botox!!!
Posted by: callmeinfidel at September 7, 2007 5:02 PM
For those who are interested in these details Qaradawi's The Lawful and the Prohibited is available, free of charge, online.
http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/Q_LP/
Start of excerpt [this just expands from what Robert has quoted]:
"Dyeing the Hair
Another aspect of beautification relates to dyeing the gray hair of the head or the beard. It was reported that the Jews and Christians refrained from dyeing the hair, regarding such beautification and adornment as contrary to piety and devotion, and not befitting rabbis, priests, and ascetics. The Prophet (peace be on him) forbade Muslims to imitate these people or follow their ways, in order that Muslims might develop their own distinctive and independent characteristics in appearance and behavior.
Al-Bukhari, on the authority of Abu Hurairah, reported the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) as saying, "The Jews and Christians do not dye their hair, so be different from them." (Reported in al-Bukhari's chapter on "Dyeing the Hair" in his book Clothing.) This is, however, not a command but only a recommendation, as is evident from the actions of the sahabah, such as Abu Bakr and 'Umar, who used to dye their hair, while others, such as 'All, Ubay ibn Ka'b, and Anas did not.
The question now remains as to what type of dye is to be used. Should its color be black or can there be other colors? Or should black be avoided? If a man is of a very advanced age, with white hair and beard, it would hardly be appropriate for him to use black dye. On the day of the conquest of Makkah, Abu Bakr brought his aged father, Abu Qahafah, carrying him until he had seated him in front of the Prophet (peace be on him). On seeing Abu Qahafah's snow-white hair, the Prophet (peace be on him) said, "Change this, but avoid black." (Fath al-Bari, in explaining the above mentioned hadith (in the chapter on "Dyeing) However, if a man is not of such advanced age or feebleness as Abu Qahafah then was, there is no harm in his using black dye. In this regard al-Zuhri said, "We dyed our hair black when the face looked young, but discarded it when the face became wrinkled and the teeth decayed."(Reported by Ibn Abu 'Asim in the book on "Dyeing the Hair.")
Some of the early Muslims, including some sahabah such as Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, 'Uqbah ibn 'Amr, al-Hassan, al-Hussein, Jarir, and others permitted the use of black dye. Some scholars, on the other hand, do not consider the use of black hair dye as permissible except during time of war, when the enemy might be impressed by the fact that all the soldiers of the Muslim army look young.
Abu Dharr narrated the hadith, The best thing with which to dye gray hair is henna and katm. (Mentioned in Fath al-Bari.) Henna makes the hair red, while katm, a plant from Yemen, colors it black tinged with red. Said Anas, "Abu Bakr dyed his hair with henna and katm, and 'Umar dyed it with henna only." "
End of excerpt.
-------------------------------------------
Contrary to my initial impression, in the Lawful and the Prohibited, Qaradawi actually does get around to discussing the death penalty for apostasy:
"Capital Punishment
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says, ...Do not take the life which Allah has made sacred except in (the course of) justice....(6:151)
Allah has mentioned three crimes for which the death penalty is justified:
1. Unjust murder. Murder which has been proved demands retaliation by taking the life of the murderer—a life for a life, a like return for an evil committed, as the initiator of the killing is the initiator of the wrongdoing. As the Qur'an states, In the law of qisas (retaliation) there is life for you, O people of understanding....(2:179)
2. Publicly committing zina with a person who is not one's spouse if at least four upright people have actually witnessed intercourse taking place and testified before the court that they saw it. The death penalty applies to either of the two who is married. Confession, repeated four times before the court by the adulterer or adulteress, is equivalent to the testimony of four witnesses.
3. Apostasy from Islam after willingly accepting it and subsequently declaring an open revolt against it in such a manner which threatens the solidarity of the Muslim community is a crime punishable by death. No one is compelled to accept Islam, but at the same time no one is permitted to play tricks with it, as some Jews did during the Prophet's time: A party of the People of the Book say, 'Believe in what has been revealed to the Believers' at the beginning of the day and reject it at the end of it, in order that they may turn back (from Islam). (3:72)
The Prophet (peace be on him) limited capital punishment to these three crimes only, saying, The shedding of the blood of a Muslim is not lawful except for one of three reasons: a life for a life, a married person who commits zina, and one who turns aside from his religion and abandons the community. (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
In any of these instances, the death penalty can be implemented only by the proper authority after due process of law prescribed by the Shari'ah; individuals cannot take the law into their own hands, becoming judges and executioners, since this would result in absolute chaos and disorder. However, the judge may turn the murderer over to the victim's next-of-kin to be executed in his presence so that their hearts may be eased and the desire for revenge extinguished. This is in obedience to the saying of Allah Ta'ala, ...And whoever is killed wrongfully, We have given authority to the heir; but let him not go to excess in killing (by way of retaliation), for indeed he will be helped. (17:33)"
End of excerpt.
Posted by: Khaybar Oasis at September 7, 2007 6:08 PM
What a giggle. As usual all Musomen care about is
their vanity & quoting Murderous Mo's laws which enable them to rape,torture, take child brides &
kill Infidels-to be rewarded with 72 virgins
[or young boys] in Allah's great Brothel in the sky.
As for 'Binny'-think he needs a Face Lift & collagen injections altho' this might make him look even more ready for mummification...
These people-Muslims-live in the Stone Age-hopefully some may be redeemed-rest need to sent
to their demon Moon God.
at September 7, 2007 6:32 PM
Something else noticable...reportedly his lack of arm movements, but moreover...note his unequal eyes and facial expression (or lack of, on his right side)...
combined with the other symptoms noted as possible/probable health matters,
...signs of a stroke?
Could be.
at September 7, 2007 6:49 PM
When I heard the story about a possible fake beard. I thought of what he would look like without a beard. Then I though of a number of our presidential candidates.
Posted by: Im.mad.as.HELL! at September 7, 2007 6:52 PM
Shaka Zulu all over again. Does anyone remember the mini-series? The same dye job, the same same tribal reasons.
Posted by: Emerson Twain at September 7, 2007 6:59 PM
WHAT A PIG
Black bearded pig face clown shows up to mock us right before 911, wonderful..
What's it all about?
Muslim day parade in NYC Sept. 9 th.
GET This statement; posted on the Muslim day parade web site;
“A Mission Statement United American Muslim Day Parade”
“For almost twenty years, the MFA has annually sponsored our biggest event, The United American Muslim Day Parade in Manhattan.
It is held on the” LAST SUNDAY IN SEPTEMBER” each year.”
http://muslimdayparade.com/sponsership.php
For 20 years held on the” last Sunday in September”.
And now why the “Second Sunday in September”?
HERE IS WHY;
Just run the dates,
Parade held on,last Sundays;
September 29, 2002-
September 28, 2003
September 26, 2004
September 25, 2005- LAST of the
"20 YEAR HISTORY "of "LAST SUNDAYS".
NOW HERE STARTS THE SECOND SUNDAYS OF THE MONTH
September 10, 2006 – FIRST SECOND SUNDAY
September 9, 2007 - THIS years SECOND SUNDAY
September 14. 2008- next
September 13, 2009 -next
September 12. 2010 -next
AND THEN IT FALLS ON THIS SECOND SUNDAY;
SEPTEMBER 11, 2011-
BINGO- 9-11-11
MUSLIM DAY PARADE IN NYC!
OH! WHAT A DAY OF REJOICING THAT WILL BE!
WHEN THEY ALL SHOUT "ALLAH".
BULL SH_T!
STOP IT NOW!
IF WE CAN'T HAVE IT CHANGED NOW-
HOW THE HELL DO WE DO IT 4 YEARS FROM NOW!
ENOUGH WITH THIS MOCKERY!
THIS IS TO BE THE LAST OF THE SECOND SUNDAY
"MUSLIM DAY PARADES"!
NEVER AGAIN!
at September 7, 2007 7:15 PM
So the black beard dye from Yemen matches his Yemeni outfit.
Posted by: Jane at September 7, 2007 8:14 PM
So the black beard dye from Yemen matches his Yemeni outfit.
Posted by: Jane at September 7, 2007 8:15 PM
"Some scholars, on the other hand, do not consider the use of black dye as permissible except during time of war, when the enemy might be impressed by the fact that all the soldiers of the Muslim army look young."
Well, it's obvious what we need to do.
Counter him with Cal Thomas.
I second poetcomic1. Wouldn't have known this without you, Robert. Thanks.
Posted by: freedomschool at September 7, 2007 8:18 PM
The Shafi'i school of Islamic jurisprudence forbids men and women to dye their hair black "except when the intention is jihad...as a show of strength to unbelievers" ('Umdat al-Salik e.4.4)
"Quick, boys, we must surrender! He's dyed his beard black! On my mark, get ready, get set: CRINGE!"
(Chuckie al-Scharmouter Congressional Deletia e. 3.16)
at September 7, 2007 8:24 PM
Given the Quranic reference, could ol' Blackbeard there be a signal to attack?
Posted by: HerrMorgenholz at September 7, 2007 8:36 PM
Of course, it may be true that Bin Laden has dyed his beard "because when the intention is jihad," it is permissable dye one's hair "as a show of strength to unbelievers."
This, however, seems somewhat unlikely. I propose that due to Bin Laden's growing popularity in the West, that this is but a marketing ploy for his new sponsor, Just For Men.
Regards,
Lee
at September 7, 2007 9:01 PM
Is there an online version of Umdat al-Salik?
Posted by: silent_rage at September 7, 2007 10:17 PM
The Shafi'i school of Islamic jurisprudence forbids men and women to dye their hair black "except when the intention is jihad...as a show of strength to unbelievers"
.............................................
Grecian Formula for Jihadists.
Hey, I've seen a lot of bad dye jobs over the years, but this is the first one I can actually consider *evil*.
Honestly, is there *any* benign invention that can't be perverted by Islam? There was the British Jihadi who claimed that watching beheading videos was "the best use" of cell phones. Hmm, guess he forgot about using them to detonate IEDs. Cell phones, airplanes, delivery trucks, fertilizer, and now, hair dye.
I guess Muslims really can use hydrogen peroxide for something other than blowing things up, after all--who knew?
at September 7, 2007 11:22 PM
I cant believe there are so many people debating this beard issue. The video is a hoax. It is not possible for someone like Osama bin Laden to let anyone trim his beard. Even if the arguments is that he was intending to look strong for Jihad or war, then he would let his beard grow out to look savage and he would only use the black dye if he were also to be wearing a black turban.
You can read my full analysis of the beard and the pictures showing his progression through the years. Anyone who looks at the evidence will make the same conclusions. The video is a Hoax!
http://www.hotconflict.com/blog/2007/09/new-osama-bin-l.html
Posted by: Saleem Siddiqui at September 7, 2007 11:40 PM
Robert: you know I appreciate what you are doing, but your analysis on this issue is "off".
Bin Laden, and Al Qaeda are NOT from the Shafi'i fiqh!
The vast majority of Jihadis are from the Hanbali fiqh of Islamic Jurisprudence, as are most of the Wahhabis in Saudi Arabia.
Conversly, the other main boiling pot of Jihadis, the Deobandis of India/Pakistan/Afghanistan, are from the Hanafi figh of Islamic Jurisprudence.
What Bin Laden and his ilk really are though, are Salafiyyah, and some would argue, that the Salafiyyah recognize really none of the four major Sunni canonical schools of Islamic jurisprudence/figh's, the: Hanbali, Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi'i.
The Shia's by the way, are divided into 3 major figh's, the: Usuli (Iranians), the Akhbaris (Iraq and Bahrain and India, mainly), and the Shaykhi (some in Iran, really a minor school).
Anyway, again I appciate what you do, but you're a bit off on this one, if your analysis is that Bin Laden is following the dictates of the Shafi'i Islamic Jurisprudence.
Posted by: Dale in Atlanta at September 7, 2007 11:57 PM
PS: just to show you how complicated Bin Laden is, like Shrek and Onions, layers within layers; he is on the record as saying that when true believers like him, are among the "low Muslims", like his erstwhile Pakistani & Afghani Hanafis allies, you have to basically practice "Taqiyah", and Pretend to be one of them, pray like them, etc., so that you don't stand out as being different, and that they accept you because you are one of them!
Posted by: Dale in Atlanta at September 8, 2007 12:01 AM
Dale in Atlanta:
Read what I wrote again. I did not say that OBL was following Shafi'i fiqh. I quoted Shafi'i fiqh and Qaradawi (who is not Shafi'i) to illustrate that this is a broadly accepted idea. That's all.
Cordially
Robert Spencer
at September 8, 2007 7:37 AM
Robert: Hi, it's a fine distinction, but I'll agree you're more likely correct, that IF this is Bin Laden, and his beard is trimmed and dyed and not a fake beard (and right now, I'm just caveating to allow for all possibilities, I personally am not sure what to think of this new "look" of his, frankly, it's very Bizzare!), then it is MUCH more likely he did so, because
Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi has written somewhere that it is acceptable, rather than because it has been defended in the past by Shafi'i theologians.
Thanks, Dale
Posted by: Dale in Atlanta at September 8, 2007 10:42 AM
Dale,
I think the key point is that this practice is accepted by Muhammad and his companions in the Hadith.
Posted by: Khaybar Oasis at September 8, 2007 3:50 PM
Here's one from out of left field for ya. Does this mean the he will personally participate? If his health is bad he would be better to die a martyr than an old man from simple natural causes. It would only add to his myth.
at September 9, 2007 11:03 PM
Hi Robert, thanks for sharing your insightful knowledge. If we accept the 911 Truth version of the WTC attacks it seems to me that OBL then becomes a collaborator in Bush's deadly game. The bin Laden family and the Bush's have been business colleagues for many years of course. Not only is the timing of OBD's latest message significant wrt the 9/11 anniversary, but Ramadan also begins this year with
the new moon on yep you've guessed it 9/11/07. Coupled with the so-called 'bin Laden Stock Market option' where someone is betting 4.5 million that there will be a significant downturn in the markets
within the next week or so, it would not surprise me
to find that OBD is suddenly reckoned to be living in Iran, providing GWB the excuse to start his next war there real soon. Whadya think?
at September 10, 2007 1:53 AM
Oops there's a coupla OBD's in there which should of course read OBL, sorry bout that its early here :-)
Posted by: eeyorn at September 10, 2007 2:04 AM
And here's the possible smoking gun:
http://www.politicsfromtheheart.com/2007/09/is-cheney-about-to-blow-up-bay-bridge.html
Posted by: eeyorn at September 10, 2007 2:12 AM
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