Azzam Publications - for Jihad and Mujahideent

MASOOD AL-BENIN

Masood Al-Benin, Qoqaz.net Correspondent from London, UK. Aged 27, married with one daughter. Killed in Chechnya whilst trying to escape into Georgia for treatment on an injured leg, on 12 April 2000. 1st hand account.

Masood Al-Benin setting off for the Argun Operations in January 2000. Shaheed Masood Al-Benin.

"Masood Al-Benin: Born in France, Lived in London and Buried in Chechnya "

The following article details a first hand account story of the Qoqaz.net correspondent, Masood, killed on 12 April 2000. May Allah accept him from amongst the Shuhadaa.

Our dear beloved brother, Masood was a personification of the verse:

"O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam), Allah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the Way of Allah, and never afraid of the blame of the blamers. That is the grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower." [Quran 5:54]

Born and brought up in France by non-Muslim parents, his mother was a blue-eyed native French woman, his father a tall African man from Benin. Following his graduation in Mechanical Engineering, he travelled to London where he continued his studies with a Master's degree in Business Studies. It was to be during his Masters degree that Allah opened his heart to Islam. He had a great keenness to learn and play an active role in Islamic related work. He was known for his Islamic dress, which rapidly became his trademark, even at his place of work.

Upon hearing a lecture on the importance of Jihad and subsequently meeting ex-Mujahideen veterans, Masood had become surprisingly alarmed of how the Muslims had neglected the duty of Jihad, during a period in which Muslims were being slaughtered in large numbers across the globe. And so in a small way, he attempted to redress the balance, and made an intention to travel to Afghanistan (with his brother Mu'adh), whereby he could undergo military training.

Mu'adh recalls Masood saying:

"Every Muslim considers himself as balanced BUT the balance is set according to the Prophet (SAWS), so if the Prophet (SAWS) has participated in (military) Jihad 27 times in his life and we have not even done this action once, how then can we say we are balanced and that we follow the way of the Prophet (SAWS)?"

A week prior to Masood's departure to the land of Afghanistan, he met his brother Abu Azzam. Abu Azzam had made arrangements to travel to Chechnya via a corridor made possible due to a lull in the fighting (during the 1994-1996 conflict). Soon after learning about Abu Azzam's plans, Masood and Mu'adh altered their travel arrangements to accompany Abu Azzam to the land of Chechnya. Prior to the group's departure, Abu Azzam recalls Masood's comments with reference to the Masters degree in Business Studies, which he had recently completed:

"I have spent the last year or so studying business, but now I am going to commence my business career by performing business with Allah, Insha-Allah! For Allah says in the Quran: O You who believe! Shall I guide you to a business commerce that will save you from a painful torment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger and that you strive hard and fight in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That will be better for you, if you but knew! [Quran 61:10-11]"

Our brother had accepted Islam for less than a year prior to the completion of his ambition to travel to fight in the Way of Allah, which he realized by migrating to Chechnya. Before the brothers left for Chechnya they decided to sit together and practise the Sunnah of choosing kunya's (nicknames) for one another. The kunya Masood (meaning to be happy) was unanimously chosen for the brother as he was always seen to be making his brothers smile, even when they were in the worst of moods.

Masood did not like brothers calling him Al-Britaani, or Al-Fransi (the Briton, the Frenchman); Abu Azzam recalls Masood's words:

"When we do anything in life it should be according to the Quran and Sunnah, not according to the laws or ways of the disbelievers. Just because I have a European passport, it doesn't mean I am from this country. As the Prophet (SAWS) said that "You are from the tribe of your father" so I will call myself Masood Al-Benin. "

The group arrived in Chechnya as the (1994-1996) conflict was drawing to an end. Despite the end of the (1994-1996) Jihad, much work remained to be completed in Chechnya - primarily in the field of Da'wa (Islamic education), establishing Shariah courts and military training. After completing a number of specialised military training courses, Masood was assigned a role in the Da'wa camp which involved the use of his IT skills to setup and maintain a computer lab and to teach IT skills to the brothers. Of the thirty Shariah courts that were formed up until 1998, Masood had setup a computer for each one of them, hence documenting every legal case that would come through.

In the ensuing few months, Masood's companion - Mu'adh - decided to leave Chechnya. Shortly after, Abu Azzam and Masood also decided to return home together. Literally one hour prior to their expected departure, Sheikh Abu Umar (the Sheikh of the Foreign Mujahideen in Chechnya) learnt of Masood's anticipated departure, he came to him and advised him to remain with the brothers as his knowledge of IT was an essential commodity to the Mujahideen. Abu Azzam comments on Masood's response:

" When Sheikh Abu Umar came to Masood and told him to stay, I can still recall Masood's face lighting up into a big smile, as he had never really wanted to return to the corrupt land of the disbelievers."

For the following years Masood remained in Chechnya, his memorisation of Quran and fluency in Arabic and his Iman increased. He had continuously played an active and vital role for the Mujahideen. Upon reaching an adequate level in spoken Arabic, Masood refused to converse with the Arab brothers in English and French. Instead he would state that English and French are languages that are primarily used by the disbelievers and have less blessing than the language of the Quran and of the inhabitants of Paradise.

The fruits of his works and patience culminated in a mighty reward: his presence during the commencement of the fiercest fighting in the history of the foreign Mujahideen. After the conclusion of each military operation, Masood's duties included video editing, adding titles, etc. to the footage of the operations. The videos edited by Masood are currently in circulation all over the world (Masood edited video footage can be seen on the Qoqaz websites).

Our Mujahid brother Abu Adil says about him: "Masha'Allah, all the brothers knew him to be an excellent brother in character, the effort he put in for the video and his conduct in battle. (Brothers witnessed him killing many Russians during his last operation). Alhamdullilah Allah had elevated him by bringing him from the streets of France and London to be shaheed in the land of Jihad alongside the Mujahideen and as a Mujahid."

During the Duba Yurt operations of January and February 2000; Masood was injured in his right leg by a mortar: Due to the severity of Masood's injuries and that of four other brothers (compounded by the lack of Muslim doctors willing to go to the lands of Jihad) it was necessary to transport the brothers out of Chechnya to seek specialised medical attention. It was to be during this journey that our dear brothers including Masood obtained that which they had yearned, sacrificed and hoped for - Martyrdom in the Path of Allah. The injured brothers were transported in a truck. They consisted of Masood, two other foreign Mujahideen (one Bosnian and one Algerian brother) and two Chechens. The truck was stopped near Shatoi at a Russian checkpoint; the bribed Russian colonel that had been supervising their passage out and two brothers were seized from the cabin. The remaining three injured brothers at the rear of the truck, including Masood, preferred to die fighting than to fall into the hands of the cowards. Despite already being seriously injured, they opened fire and mowed down numerous OMON troops before being killed themselves by a hail of frenzied Russian fire.

And so, it was decreed by Allah that the final business transaction performed by our Business Studies postgraduate was to be his most profitable (Insha'Allah!) - trading his soul with Allah, as Allah informs us:

"Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties; for the price that theirs shall be Paradise. They fight in Allah's cause, so they kill and are killed. It is a contract (promise) in truth which is binding on him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Quran. And who is truer to his Covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded. That is the supreme success." [Quran 9:111]

Second account of Masood Al-Benin From Fellow Mujahid Abu Adil Currently in Chechnya:

The following is an additional account charting the period after Abu Azzam left until Masood's martyrdom:

He was a an intelligent and very perceptive brother coupled with a humorous but strong character. He was respected by all who knew him here.

His life was a spiritual, intellectual and a physical adventure. Of Afro-European parentage, his inquisitive character and desire for the truth took him to London where Allah cloaked him with Islam and from there to to the distant land of Chechnya where he was blessed with martyrdom.

He was a very good friend for whom I had a lot of respect. I saw him in war as a noble Mujahid and subsequently in hospital as someone with a great deal of patience. We didn't see as much of each other as I would have wished, but Alhamdulillah I and everyone else only have the best memories of him. I went to see him during his treatment whenever I could and conversation with him always being such a pleasant experience- from discussing the latest developments in the war and the importance of Jihad to the dishes that were being served that day.

During this Jihad he was assigned to the battalion of Shaheed Abdus Samad (May Allah have Mercy on him): a battalion in whom all the main commanders are now Shaheed. He participated in the Dagestan operations and subsequently engaged on the Duba Yurt front with Abdus Samad's Battalion.

A few days after returning from the successful Argun Operations in mid-January he was being given a lift to his post when he heard an operation was imminent to take the peaks over looking Duba Yurt from the Russians. Although the attack groups did not belong to Masood's battalion he immediately volunteered to fill up a shortfall. During this operation he was assigned the command of a small group to ambush the Russian reinforcements to the peaks once the operation commenced. This he did successfully whilst displaying great coolness and bravery.

One of the Mujahideen with him recalled how when a column of Russians approached their position he did not allow the group to open fire until the leading elements of the column started to peer through the bushes behind which Masood's group was stationed! The resulting close quarters ambush was devastatingly effective. During the subsequent fight, Masood left the safety of his position to chase the fleeing Russians! The operation was an overall success during which the Mujahideen took 2 of the 3 main posts on the mountain. Although uninjured on the day of the operation, the following day, whilst on guard duty, he received a deep flesh wound from a mortar.

Masha'Allah he bore his subsequent suffering with great patience. Whenever I went to see him, I could see his frustration in being away from the front line. Again he bore this with patience.

During the evacuation of Shatoi it soon became apparent what a dire position we were in and how difficult the journey would be. I could see he was concerned and he told me that he would always be keeping his Makarov (Pistol side arm) to defend himself as a last resort. The last time I saw him was in Zoni the evening we pulled out. He was being driven away in the back of a Toyota pick-up. The decision had been taken that the immobile injured would not be able to withstand the rigours of the journey and they would be hidden until they could be smuggled out.

Strangely enough I saw him in a dream last week whilst sleeping in the forest after Fajr. The dream was as if I was awake when I saw Masood arrive in the camp. I was extremely surprised and then immediately taken aback with his appearance- very youthful, fair coloured with straight longish full black hair. I rushed to meet him and exclaimed that we all thought that he had been killed. He was smiling and said no and that he was fine. He then showed me a healed wound on his arm which is strange as his injury was in the leg. Anyway, at this point I was just delighted to see him and we hugged and then he gave me a detailed account of his journey. I then remember intending to go and see Commander Khattab and ask him why another Commander had brought us the false news when I awoke!

Another close perspective of Masood is from Abu Qutaiba Al-Makki, his neighbour and friend in Chechnya for 3 years:

"From the first time I saw him I was affected by him and his bearing. In truth I have not seen anyone like him who worked so hard for the pleasure for Allah in publicising the cause of the Mujahideen. He often worked throughout the nights for the pleasure of the service of Allah to inform the Muslims of the world about the state of affairs with respect to Dawah and Jihad in Chechnya He was known to work throughout nights, tackling difficult tasks with perseverance and determination. So much so that he would deprive himself of his family more than others. He currently leaves a wife expecting a baby shortly."

I knew him to be sincere and simple in his lifestyle. His clothes were functional and he mended rather than replaced them whenever possible. His house reflected this simplicity with bare furnishing despite him having the means to obtain whatever he wanted. I saw in him someone for whom the materialism of this world held no value.

He fasted regularly on Mondays and Thursdays according to the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAWS) and prayed during the night. Always helping and advising brothers according to the sunnah and to his experience. His house was bare reflecting his character. He had the means to obtain these items but he had no desire to have anything unnecessary. If you sat in his company then his conversation would inevitably dwell on Islam and matters relating to Islam. When I sat with him, I always perceived him as someone who knew what he wanted (martyrdom and Paradise).

His character was principled and frank. This was coupled with a great deal of patience which was evident in long and hard work in the studio and his long stay in hospital prior to his martyrdom. In this respect he distinguished himself with his patience.

He loved that good happen amongst others and was generous with whatever he had.

He turned his back on the West and what it had to offer him. The luxury, women, alcohol and then his acceptance of Islam followed by him being blessed with Shahaadah. All through the Grace of Allah.

My advice, to all the Muslims of the world, that we should follow the path of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), his companions and the pious predecessors. After them, Masood is amongst the rare examples of Muslims of our age who held fast to this path. We too insha-Allah will strive to follow the path that he took.

My advice to the Muslims is that a person should not be afraid of his soul. A person can always contribute in the spheres of training, dawah, teaching, fighting, organisation, logistics and the many others. Jihad is far more besides the act of fighting on the front line. Masood al-Benin (May Allah have Mercy on him) demonstrated this. He came to the land of Jihad with nothing to offer us but patience and Imaan in Allah Most High. Here, with no assistance, he mastered the Arabic language. This was followed by him learning to recite the Quran and extensive training in the Mujahideen Kavkaz Institute for Training. Typically, he excelled in all he did. During advanced warfare courses he distinguished himself for his intelligence.

His intelligence and perseverance in the Way of Allah were again evident when he mastered the operations of computers as applied to a Video editing studio. Starting with no knowledge he gained proficiency using only manuals. In his contribution to Islam, he spent countless hours struggling to learn computing with no help or assistance. As with everything else that he undertook, he excelled in this and had soon produced a video of the Mujahideen in Chechnya. He then went on to produce Videos of the Mujahideen which are now seen all over the world.

Masood has gone leaving us only his memory. However, like everything, that too will no doubt fade with the passage of time. What remains eternal are but his deeds and account with Allah. He leaves a wife expecting a baby shortly Insha-Allah.

Abu Adil
02 May 2000, Chechnya

E-Mails of Support sent to the Friends of Shaheed Masood Al-Benin by Visitors to the Qoqaz.net Web-Site

Assalamu-alaikum.

My Dear brother and friend, you will be missed.

We ask that Allah accepts you from amongst the Shuhadaa and makes us from amongst those who join you.

Until then, we bid you farewell, with a tearful smile.

[Brothers, UK, 23 April 2000]

Bismi Allahi ar-Rahmani ar-Rahim as-Salamu 'alaykum WA rahmatu Allahi WA barakatuh,

From the depths of the unbeliever's land he found the light of Islam, and from the bitterness of cold war he found the struggle of Jihad.

Alhamdulillah, Brother Masood has been granted the gift of all gifts. Allah chose him for martyrdom and insha'allah Brother Masood is on his way to the highest levels of paradise. It is from Allah that we come and it is to him we will all return.

Insha'allah, we will all be able to return to Allah in the way that brother Masood went, through the path of the shaheed.

Brother Masood, you will be surely missed by your entire ummah, but insha'allah your transaction with Allah has been complete.

Wassalaamu alaykum Warrahamatallahi Wabarakatuhu

[Brother GM, 23 April 2000]

Dearest brothers and sisters in islam, assalaam-o-aleikum.

Learning about our mujahid brothers in Islam puts us to shame due to our own ineptitude but brings tears of pride to our eyes due to their bravery and strength of faith.

May Allah (swt) bless them and their families and allow us to learn from their example. Aameen.

Love and gratitude.

[The M Family, San Francisco, California, 24 April 2000]

You seem that you passed, but you are not.

You seem that you've gone but you still with us.

Your words and you legacy still remain.

You fulfilled your duty and may Allah reward you with the best rewards Insha, Allah

[Brother AW, USA, 24 April 2000]

O Brother Masood: What a great hero .. your story has touched my heart.

May Allah SWT accept you among the Prophets, Siddiqeen, and shaheeds (martyrs) in the Paradise and make your story a strong aspiration for all of us .. Muslims .. aameen.

[Brother AS, Saudi Arabia, 24 April 2000]

Congratulations on becoming shaheed...at least some of us have the fortitude to fight in the way of Allah.

You will forever live in our hearts and our minds...the video's you put together are a testament to you and your devotion to Allah and jihad...

May Allah bless you.

[Brother AA, Vancouver, B.C.,Canada, 23 April 2000]

To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.

May Allah accept the Shahadah of brother Masood and the other 2 Mujahideen who gave their lives for the cause of Allah (SWT).

O' brother Masood and rest of the Shuhada of Chechnya and other parts of the world, your reward from Allah (SWT) can never be compared with the temporary comfort of life that we have in US or Europe or any other part of the world.

May Allah (SWT) show the guidance to all the Muslims specially those who are living in Europe and US that the life of a Shaheed is infinite number of times better than the life we are enjoying in the West.

I pray to Allah (SWT) to give me and rest of my Muslims brothers and sisters courage to use our lives for the cause of Allah(SWT) not only by writing e-mails but by spending our wealth and health. Ameen. Ma'assalam.

[Brother AP, 23 April 2000]

What a business transaction you have made. Hope everyone is as profitable in business as you are and every one is as wise as you are.

May Allah grant me and all other muslim brothers the chance and taufeeq to do such transaction in which the word of loss does not exist.

May Allah make you and others with you the companion of the Companions. (Ameen)

[Brother S, 23 April 2000]

Assalamu'alaikum.

Great Business, Alhamdullillah that this brother continued his business beyond the end ..

Insha Allah. I can not help but smile at the end of this business accounting ... from the Streets of London .. to .. the day he died fighting for the Glory of Allah and Islam. amin Alhamdullillah .. a hero of courage and inspiriation !!

And my question of myself must be .. and what business, in what way can I serve the Lord ? and I am grateful to Almighty God for brother Masood Al-Benin's exemplary example and for the opportunity to ask myself this important question that each of us needs to ask as this brother did. And look what he did !! the best of business .. jihad !!

And I am told by a Chechen brother of one of his friends who also died in Chechnya .. a man who was an orphan in his life (but no one is an orphan in Islam) and whose voice was full of Nur .. and so these shaheed brothers .. leave us with Noor and the Love of Islam .. good examples .. for me and all of us.

[Sister M of Canada, 23 April 2000]

Assalaamu'alaikum,

Verily, from Him we came from, and from Him do we return to.

But you depart in a very noble way. the noblest of the nobels.

You shall be missed and so will the other shaheeds. We will continue to make dua for all the Muslims of the world especially you the Mujahideen.

Salaam.

[Brother H, Singapore, 24 April 2000]

Asalaam Alaikum!!!

I congratulate the Shahadah, and the new house of brother Masood Al-Benin in the paradise.

May Allah (SWT) reward him in the highest level of paradise. brother Masood is not death he is alive and his spirit is still fighting the kofar with his mujahideen brothers.

To Allah we belong and to him we return.

[Brother WA, California, USA, 23 April 2000]

Assalamu Alaikum.

Contragulations to the family and friends of brother Masood for gaining the shuhadah.

May Allah, the most high accept him amongst the most successful. The Muslim world needs to learn from this kind of sacrifice, which is the most ultimate in any sense.

May Allah help all Muslims in the world to face the reality and therefore turning back to the Islamic path. My heart is full of joy and inspiraration. The best news for a Muslim is the news of shuhadah, the ultimate achievement.

[Brother AR, London, UK, 23 April 2000]

As salamu alykum.

Thank you brother for the inspiring story.

[Brother MA, 23 April 2000]

May Allah accept your commerce with HIM, The Al-Mighty by giving you Jannah in returned. Allahu Akbar.

[Brother, 23 April 2000]

Massood, Alive in Paradise with Hoor Al-Ayne , inshalla

Alhamdulillah wa-salat wa-salam Ala-Rasulillah. "min Al-Mumeneen Rijal, Sadaqu Ma Ahadullaha Alih, minhum man Qada nahbah, wa minhum man yantazir wama Badalu Tabdila"

Alahuma Aqfir lahu wa arhamhu, wa adkhilhu Jannatulkhuld, wa abdilhu, ahlan khair min-Ahlihi, wa Daran khair Min Darihi.

Allahuma la Tahrimna Ajrahum, wala taftina Badahum, waqfir Lana wa Lahum, wa Ajmana Bihim fi Aljinnan ma Al-Hour wa Al-Wildan, fi qair Daraa Mudirah, wala fitnah Mudilah, Allahuma Zaina Bizinatil- Emaan wa-ajalna Hudat Mahdeyeen La-Daleen wala Mudeleen,

Allahuma Arzuqnah Tijaratan Lan Taboor, wa Arzuqna Husn Al- Alkhatimah, ya Aziz ya Qafar, Ameen Allahuma Ameen -Ikhwani fillah, la tabkhalu alina min dawatkum lana bi-Husn Alkhtimah.

Ameen wa sali-Allahuma wa salim Ala saidna Muhamad wa ala alihi wa sahbih wa salim, wa akhir Dawana, Anilhamdulillah Rabil-Alameen Akhukum fillah.

[Brother Abu ZA, Canada, 23 April 2000]

As Selamu aleikum brothers, here is an email of support for our brother Abu Masood Al-Benin:

Bismillahirrahmanirrahiem As Selamu Aleikum Wa Rahmetullahi Wa Berekatuhu,

We ask ALLAH (SWT) to accept our brother Abu Masood Al-Benin amongst the Shuhadaa and to enter him into the Paradise Most High amongst the Prophets, the martyrs, the pious and the truthful.

To Allah we seek guidance and strength and put us all in Sabr and Taqwa.

Wa Aleikum As Selam Wa Rahmetullahi Wa Berekatuhu

[Qoqaz Germany, 24 April 2000]

Asalamualaikum,

It brings a humbleness to the heart when reading of brother Masoods' life jouney. May Allah accept his martyrdom. May Allah increase us in Emaan and guide us to what is better for us insha'Allah. Salam.

[Brother, 24 April 2000]

Dear Brothers, Assalamualaikum,

May Allah accept our brother Shaheed Masood Al-Benin to Al-Jannah, and bring blssings upon him.

I wish all the Mujahidin strength, and will continue to make dua for them.

[Brother form Holland, 24 April 2000]

Asalaama Aleykum, my dear brothers, sisters and all relative and freinds of brother Masoud Al-Benini,

I am sending here my condolence to you.Although I am very far away from Chechnya my heart and thoughts are in Chechnian mountains, Insha Allaah one day i will be with you. I pray my brother Al-Benini will rest in pradise insha allaah.

Asalaama Aleykum Waraxmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh.

[Brother, 24 April 2000]

I have been constantly browsing qoqaz.net. I greatly admire the efforts of all the brothers and sisters who are daringly fighting for the cause of Muslim Ummah.

I sincerely hope and pray that May Allah (SWT) accept brother Masood's martydom and place him in Jannah (Amin).

May Allah (SWT) bless all the brothers and sisters at Chechnian front (Amin). Best Regards.

[Brother S, 24 April 2000]

To my my dear brother Masood, May Allah accept your shaheed, Insha'Allah

[Brother SAI, Denmar, 24 April 2000]

E-mails of Support Added 30 April 2000:

Alslam alikom all brothers in Jihad,

There is no words can be said more than congratulation to brother MASOOD the man who found the truth and sacrifice his life for the path of Allah and I am sure that we will not miss his participating in jihad by making Duaa to Allah to give victory for the Mojahdeen in their fight against the power of evil on this world.

And after all Allah chose those who really deserve his reward like brother MASOOD and his companion and hope Allah allow us to join them in His paradise .

AMIN.

[Brother AS, Egypt, 25 April 2000]

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh,

I read the profile on Massod (may Allah have mercy on him and reward him the loftiest place in Paradise). My heart weeps but I am proud that the Muslim Ummah still has such brave and lion-hearted soldiers of Allah who indeed have traded their lives and wealth with Allah for a much bigger and eternal reward in the hereafter, insha Allah.

May Allah bless his soul and all other lions of Allah whose bravery has left a lasting mark on the hearts of all Muslims.

Wassalamu Alaikum;

[Brother AZ, Pakistan, 25 April 2000]

All praises are due to Allah.

After reading the story of brother Massod, the praises of Allah came to heart. SubhanAllah , how Allah guided him to Islam and in ts short time of being muslim he achieved InshaAllah the ultimate pleasure of Allah...the death of a shuhadah.

I pray Allah accepts brother Masood and all the matryrs as shaheeds in Allahs cause.

I pray Allah makes me amongst those who die and live for the pleasure of Allah, really , i cannot express in words, the impact of the life of this brother in mine...all by just reading..blessed are those who knew him.

[Sister M.A, Wales, UK, 26 April 2000]

As-salamu alaikum wa Rahmatullah.

Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, "Nobody who enters Paradise likes to go back to the world even if he got everything on the earth, except a Mujahid who wishes to return to the world so that he may be martyred ten times because of the dignity he receives (from Allah)."

[Brother H, 26 April 2000]

Assalamu-alaikum.

My dear beloved brother, you will be missed on this dunya, but have gone to a better place.We ask Allah to accept you you from amongst the Shuhadaa.

Until we meet again in the next life,

Salaam OH brother Masood.

[Brother E, South Africa, 26 April 2000]

Allah u akbar allah u akbar allah u akbar asalam o 'alaykom wa rahmato alahee wa barakato,

I would to tell all the friends and relatives of our shaheed ( congratualtions ) for being a friend or a relative of a shaheed, every day my heart breaks for the muslims in our world today, the only thing that keeps our heads up is the jihad in chechnya, and the brave mujahideen.

May god bless him the shahada, and for all of you who read this message please just devote 5 minutes of your time each day to pray for the mujahideen, and for us the young men of the islamic nation to go to the land of jihad ( chechnya ) and gain the most expensive thing in the world AL-SHAHADA.

[Brother R, 26 April 2000]

AS-SALAMU ALAYKUM

My brother Masood Al-Benin, before you informed us on the mujahideen, maintaining in fact the angels INSHAALLAH to inform ALLAH that you with fact the war for ALLAH (jihad).

This time it is you the mujahideen and is you who is martyr ELHAMDULLAH.

MASHAALLAH MY BROTHER.

[Brother J, 26 April 2000]

Masha Allah, Alhamdulilah.

All these are in Allah Ta'ala's hand, He is All in All what ever He wants to do Does. He chose Masood for His bounty and Blessings.

Ya Allah, increase Masood's status in Jannah and Keep his parents and siblings on right path and bestow like Masood's encouragement to my and other Muslims children, Ameen.

Wassalam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu !!

[Sister UA, 26 April 2000]

May Allah s.w.t give brother masood alfardos, and all other brothers who been given this wonderfull exit and may he send many more brothers from the u.k to fill the places that are left.

[Brother MK, UK, 27 April 2000]

Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu...

O my Dear Brother Masood Al-Benin, may Allah(swt) accept you from amongst the Shuhadaa. How fortunate this brother was, being involved in Jihad soon after embracing Islaam and also "Trading his sole with Allah(swt)" in the Name of Allah(swt).

May Allah(swt) also give us the great honour of doing Jihad and thus becoming a Shaheed (inshaallah) just like you and the many other Shuhadaa who fought in the name of Allah(swt).

[Brother VC, 27 April 2000]

Salam Alaikum,

Congratulations to our Umma's Hero Masood Al-Benin.

You had the true faith to follow the steps of our prophet (pbuh) while many in other countries don't. You have won the great prize of all times. May Allah make us all among the winners, inshaAllah.

[Brothers, Texas, USA, 27 April 2000]

Certainly, all praise is due to God. I bear witness that nothing has the right to be worshipped but Him, He is One without partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad (prayers and peace be upon him) is His slave and messenger. Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings;

My dear brother, being a revert to this Way of Life, your story touched me -- only God knows how much. My heart broke reading your story and thinking of how long I've been Muslim and how little I've done. I pray for the brothers there to beseech God that he make it possible for me to die with honor and dignity as you have, in His path.

My prayer is for God to accept from us and from you. May God reward you with good.

Glory be to You, O God, and to You is the praise. I bear witness that nothing deserves to be worshipped except You. I seek Your forgiveness and I turn in repentance to You.

Your brother in this Way of Life,

[Brother AS Al-Amreekee, 27 April 2000]

Assalamu-alaikum.

May Allah accepts you from amongst the Shuhadaa.

Inshallah.

[Brother KL, Malaysia, 28 April 2000]

We the Muslims from Kuwait Congratulate our Brother Masood Al-Benin, in achieving the highest of the rewards from Allah...

May the Al-Mighty Allah take him along with his colleagues, our Mujahideen brothers, to the company of the "Mukarrameen"... Aameen....

Inshallah we will also one day join our brothers in Chechnya..may Allah show us the way...... A group of well wishers from Kuwait.....We monitor every single message through your sites...... May Allah reward you all for providing us these valuable informations..... as the whole media has been supporting Putin the looser...

Our Salaams to all our Beloved Mujahideens...

[Brothers, Kuwait, 28 April 2000]

Salaam alikum my brothers !

May Allah shower his blessings on all my brothers who are shaheed and those who are Mujahid and still fighting.

Reading about my dear brother Masood Al-Benin inspired only greater love for him and all of you brothers who are out there in the land of the unbelievers giving their most precious possession - their lives in the sake of Allah in exchange for the most unimaginable victory - Allah and his prophet's love and Jannah.

I am humbled by you magnificent Muslims who have shown to every Muslim, every non-Muslim and every Munafik (Hypocrite) and every soft bellied, world loving, shameless, effeminate, worthless leader of any "Islamic" country, how a Muslim should live and how a Muslim should die. To these "Muslim" leaders I ask, have you a lease on life from Allah ? do you think you will never die ? or do you think there is no God ? early or late you will meet the end of your days, and on your last breath when you reflect on all that you have done on this earth will you be able to undo anything or be forgiven for it ? do you seriously think that your position, your money, your power and your powerful friends can save you from the fires that Allah has prepared for you ? That my useless "Muslim" leader will be the day of the most incredible regret. The regret you will die with, will live with you for ever and each moment in hell that regret will eat you and chew at you - and yet death will never come.

My pathetic prayers for all that they are worth are all for you. May Allah keep you all safe and healthy may your Imaan (Faith) and your unity remain stronger than steel which none can break. May Allah be with you. Masalaam,

[Brother TN, NY, USA, 28 April 2000]

Mashallah.

I wish that all of the brothers and sisters in the world could read this and realize all of the beautiful things that brother Masood had realized: living everyday the way all of the disbelievers live is not really living, it is death. Real life starts when you are blessed with the gift of Shahadah from Allah -swt.

I pray that our brothers follow in the foot steps of our shuhada like brother Masood, who followed in the footsteps of the prophet-peace be upon him.

Wasallam.

[Your Sister in Islam, Chicago, USA, 29 April 2000]

E-mails of Support Added 17 May 2000:

Assalamu-alaikum,
I pray for all the brave selfless fighters like brother Massood Al-Benin who give their lives for Allah. The torch they have lit will be handed over from hand to hand until victory is achieved. They have contributed to the victory in the most effective way.

[Brother MG, UK, 01 May 2000]

Salam alaykum Warahmatu Allah wa Barakatahu

May Allah (swt) reward the Jihad fi Sabili Allah of Brother Masood and all the other shuhada with the highest level of Paradise; May Allah's Nour/Light shine on them and from them. La Illaha illa Allah.

Allahu Akbar. May Allah swt defeat the Russian Terrorists and Alcoholists.Allahuma give victory to those who fight for Allah's Name and Sake. Inna Allah 'ala kuli shayin Qadir....................

[Brother HB, NL, 02 May 2000]

Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un

O brother Masood ,you have done what i haven't,you have shown to all our Muslim brothers around the world, the real meaning of Muslim brotherhood. My tears of happiness flows down cos you are on your way to Jannah and my tears of frustration for not being there with all the Mujahideen. I've been praying hard all the time for Allah to granted me the passage to be with all of you my brothers. To endure the same plight that you all been through, to share the food that you all had, to pray and fight the war side by side with all of you and to die in the name of ALLAH the almighty. O' Allah please show me the passage that you have shown to my brother Masood. Ameen!

[Brother M, Singapore, 03 May 2000]

Assalamu'alaikum,

My dear brother Masood,
O Allah ar-Rahman ar-Rahiim...please accept my dear brother among the Prophet (SAW) and the shaheeds in the highest levels of paradise, Insya Allah. Your courage cannot be compared with anyone of us... You died fighting for the sake of Allah and for His Deen.... the way we want to and dream to... Congratulations... to you and all other shuhadaa... From Allah we came from... To Allah we return... Wassalamu'alaikum,

[Brother I, Indonesia, 03 May 2000]

assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

May Allah increase you all in faith, unite you on the truth, and join you with your brother Masood as soon as possible. May Allah protect you all from ever falling into the hands of the enemies and spare you their barbarism. I ask you to please pray that my husband and I will be strong and fearless enough to live your lives in the near future insha Allah. Please keep us in your du3a'.
Jazakum Allahu khairan,
w'assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

[Sister RA, California, 05 May 2000]

Assalam Allaikum !

I read about Masood Al-Benin. He was a great person. It's so nice to see that there still are people like him who will do anything for the sake of God. I am proud to be a Muslim but I always feel like before I die, I must do something for which I be known, something that I can take to Allah and say, here I did something in my life. I didn't just waste my life. Masood Al-Benin was a hero. He did his job. His family must and should be proud of him because I am sure Allah and the Prophets are proud of him. I just wanted to drop some lines to support the family and friends. I dont know what else to say other than, people who die for the Sake of Allah, they are the best and luckiest people who get to die like that. Not everyone is as lucky as them.

[Sister K, USA, 07 May 2000]

Assalamu alaykum,

The news about the brother, Masood al Benini was a pleasant news to hear. He would not live to taste the [insha Allah] victory over the Russians. May Allah accept his [insha Allah] matyrdom. As my previous dua, may Allah SWT accept his shaheed and have his soul in a green bird of Jannah. Indeed, he as departed from this world in the most noble way.

By the Will of Allah SWT, I had a brief period of time with him. But I benefited a lot from him; he was a translator between two groups that could not communicate through a common medium. When the war broke out, I guessed he was in the Jihad land, I sent a mail (dated 21 Feb 2000) to qoqaz.com to wish support to the Mujahideen and the brother.
The news recalled memories about him. To keep it short, he was as already descibed by brothers here - simple, diligent and humorous. His death is still a loss as his skills are rare among the Mujahideen and he was a diligent da’wa worker. Guns and ilm were at his disposal. His efforts and contributions to Jihad and Islam (after reverted to Islam) should serve as a ‘wake-up call’ to the born Muslims that contend with their Muslim names; but do nothing to uphold Islam.

May Allah SWT give me strength to remember the Mujahideen in my dua through the day. O Allah! Help Islam and Muslims. O Allah! Help Muslims and Mujahideen in Caucasus. O Allah! Give me means to be in Jihad. Oh Allah! Help me from shirk and nifaq.

[Brother IAAA, SE Asia, 08 May 2000]

His story has left me speechless. May Allah reward Brother Massod Al Jannah. He is an example for the Muslims who live in the west

[Brother A, Melbourne, Australia, 10 May 2000]

That story about Masood was the best story I have ever heard in my life!!!!!!!! It touched my heart so much that it made me cry. "May Allah accept him from amongst the Shuhadaa." I am very happy that Allah gave him a chance to convert to Islam. Allhumduallah. I am going to forward this email to everyone I know. Inshallah, Allah gives him the Janah.

salaam u alaykuim wa rahmitallah

[Brother RA, USA, 09 May 2000]

Bismillahirrahmanirrahiem
As Selamu Aleikum Wa Rahmetullahi Wa Berekatuhu

We ask ALLAH (SWT) to accept our brother Abu Masood Al-Benin amongst the Shuhadaa and to enter him into the Paradise Most High amongst the Prophets, the martyrs, the pious and the truthful. To Allah we seek guidance and strength and put us all in Sabr and Taqwa.

Wa Aleikum As Selam Wa Rahmetullahi Wa Berekatuhu

[Qoqaz Germany, 14 May 2000]