THE CONCEPT OF MARTYRDOM IN THE VIEW OF JAMĀ’AH ISLĀMIYAH IN INDONESIA

Religious radicalization is an irrefutable fact emerging mainly in the last decade. Several mass and suicide bombings (the nightclub Paddy's Pub in Bali, JW Marriot Hotel in Jakarta, Resort Police Mosque in Cirebon, Australian Embassy in Jakarta and several Churches in Indonesia) show this most clearly. The latest bombing in a mass building in Surabaya even had a thorough family as its actors. They and actors of other attacks claim that the bombing is of ways to put the doctrine of jihād fī sabīlillah into real life. It is therefore, the research employs a qualitative approach which aims to describe the concept of martyrdom as called amaliyat istisyhādiyah upon the perspective of Imam Samudera as one of Jamā’ah Islāmiyyah’s activist which is allegedly responsible for a number of terror attacks in South East Asia. In addition, this research conclude that Martyrdom has no relation to suicide. Its aims at establishing Kalimātullah and Islam, originating from the purest intention. While suicide is a hopeless deed performed by a person who kills himself for his own selfish reason.

A. Introduction n the last decades, religion-based violence escalates significantly. This is mostly related to religious texts that might be misunderstood as teaching 'violence' and are in fact often interpreted literally. 1 For instance, Wa qātilu almusyrikin kāffah… (Q 9.36), Waqtulụhum ḥaiṡu ṡaqiftumụhum…. (Q.2.191), Wa in 'āqabtum fa 'āqibụ bimiṡli mā 'ụqibtum bih….. (Q.16.126), and Wa qātilụhum ḥattā lā takụna fitnatuw…..(Q.8.39). Many actors even cite these texts as the basis for their violent acts in the name of religion (Islam) as in different context and, methodologically speaking, interpret them in a literal way. They even claim to have been doing what they call jihād fi> sabi> lillah with a specific goal i.e. This proves that there is a professional underground group that operates behind the attacks. 5 Jamaah Islamiyah was established on January 1, 1993 by some Indonesians known to have sort of relation to an allegedly Iraqi terrorist organization Al Qaeda. It's main goal is to establish an Islamic nation in Southeast Asia with terror and 'revolution'. 6 It has a socalled irha> bi (terrorism) doctrines that allow the members to conduct war against those they consider as 'enemies of our religion'. They further categorize those enemies into two; far enemy like America and its allies, and near enemy like non-muslims, priest, and nonmuslim Indonesian government. 7 2 Jihad is often cited as the cause of the emergence of violence in Muslim societies. The understanding needs to be re-examined. Because according to Amin Abdullah normatively, none of the religious teachings that encourage and encourage followers to commit acts of violence against followers of other religions (others) outside the group. However, historically-factually, violence was committed by some community members under the pretext of religion. see   In many attacks, they often conduct secret recruitment for bomber position that they call 'bride'. Noordin M Top, an important figure of JI, is a professional recruiter. 8 He has a capability to brain wash 'new comers' and make them willing to become a bomber. 9 The brainwash process starts mostly with discussions about Moluccas and Poso. It involves videos about mass killing in those areas. Thus, the conflict serves as the area in which they can not only practice their war skills, but also conduct a holy ritual called jiha> d. 10 They consider the attacks as jihād fi> sabi> lillah rather than violence or extremism.
In Salafi Jihadi ideology, the bomber will die as sya> hid (a person dedicating themselves to religion and dying for it). To some people, this is so enlightening. 11 In May 2018, suicide bombing in Surabaya was conducted by a family. 12 This shows that radical ideology can easily influence everyone, regardless of the age and social status. On that basis, this article delves the roots of such argument that legitimates sya> hid operation by investigating Jamaah Islam and mostly one of its important figure, Imam Samudera. It tries to uncover which acts that belongs to sya> hid category and further its relation to Islamic law (shari> a).

B. Brief History of Jama'ah Islamiyyah
Jama'ah Islamiyah (JI) is an Islamic group operating in Southeast Asia. This becomes deeply militant mainly after Bali Bombing on October 12, 2002, that killed 202 people, and JW Marriot bombing in Jakarta on August 5, 2003, that killed 12 people. A year later, another bombing in governmental area in Jakarta, i.e. Australian Embassy, on 8 These are several bombardments and did commit suicide bombing such as; the nightclub Paddy's Pub in Bali, October 12, 2002, it took 202 lives were lost and 300 others were injured in the explosion. It's claim as the biggest attack in the history of Indonesia. Subsequently On August 5, 2003, a suicide bombing at the JW Mariott Hotel in Jakarta. On September,9, 2004, a  http://journal.walisongo.ac.id/index.php/teosofia September 9, 2004, and in churches also in Jakarta, puts Jakarta into 'a tunnel of terror '. 13 In these attacks, JI was suspected to be the men behind. 14 American Government saw this organization as terrorists; besides, Indonesian government claims them as an "illegal organization." 15 In October 2002, representative of Singapore government in the United Nations (UN), Kishore Mahbubani, officially submit request to the committee of its Security Council to issue a sort of recommendation letter (later issued no. 1267). It recommends Indonesian government to put JI into a list of terrorist organizations related to Al Qaeda. 16 In order to see this thesis, we need to show a brief history of JI either ideological or strategic aspects.
JI is an Islamic group established on January 1, 1993, in Malaysia by two Indonesian religious teachers, Abdullah Sungkar and Abu Bakar Ba'asyir. 17 They both are activists in Al-Irsyad and Dewan Dakwah Islamiyah Indonesia (Indonesian Council for Islamic Proselytizing), joining the Council in 1976. 18 Sungkar's role is highly instrumental in DI and in turn put him in the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs of DI. The main program of DI is foreign diplomation and militarization for the juniors in Afghan. Yet, in 1992, Sungkar got disappointed for his leader, Ajengan Masduki, joined the thariqah (sufist organization) whose teachings deviate those of DI. In 1993, he established Islamic militant movement namely JI. According to Mark Hong, Sungkar and Ba'asyir got close

C. From Ideologi To Strategy
The goal of JI is to establish Islamic sharia through jihad fi sabilillah. The organization has the same ideology and doctrines as the salafi jihadi of Egypt. One of them is the jihad doctrine. They consider jihad as the obligation for everybody (fardu ain). 26 It is due to the fact that Islamic nations are now occupied by non-muslims, including the government. The second doctrine is what so-called tauhi> d haki> miyah. This doctrine teaches them to believe that political power belongs totally to Allah. This understanding is not in the same line with democracy that give the power to the people. The argument against Islamic shariat is considered against Allah. Accordingly, the holder of the argument becomes infidel, even he/she has pronounced shahada and prayed. They also had irha> biya (terrorism) doctrine that allows the member to kill civil society once the latter help the nonmuslims to have war against muslim.  JI's strategy to reach its goal of establishing Islamic nation is ima> n, hijrah, and jiha> d. 29 They are mostly inspired by Ikhwan al-Muslimin, and say that Islamic nation will not be established without Islamization of the individuals (Islamization from below. Thus, the steps to conduct are: first, preach to muslim individuals, conducted in mass capacity in mosques. Second, gather them into 'usrah (literally family). In this circle they got the 'education'. The usrah agenda is conducted in members' house exclusively. Third, the 'usra members would be athered in a bigger circle called Jamā'ah Islāmiyah. It eventually ends up with an Islamic nation. This strategy is first practiced by Ikhwanul Muslimin and then adopted by muslim groups in campus. 30 JI recruits its members by, first, do mass preaching's in mosques and pesantren. Second, those they think would be interested to their agenda are targeted. They pick them up to join the halaqa, small exclusive circle in which they study Islam (usra). In this halaqa, they are guided by a murabbi (instructor), who will lead them through for steps tabli> gh (preach), ta'li> m (study), tarbiya (mental and physical education), and tamhi> s (elimination).
In the latest step, the members would be selected on the basis of their skills and comprehension, later to be certified as a loyal member. 31

D. Jamaah Islamiyah and Interpretation of the Martyrdom Concept
Many have argued that Jamā'ah Islāmiyah (JI) is the one responsible for bombing attacks in several places in the early 2000s. They are firstly traced after the Bali bombing on October 12, 2002, particularly after the key actors got arrested in Paddy's Pub and Sary Club in Legian, Kuta, Bali. One of the key actors is Imam Samudera, an activist of JI and loyal follower of Salafi Jihadi ideology. 32 He is coordinator of the bombing attack and the well trained actor in recruiting the bombing. 33  Samudera might says that jihad as the obligation for every individuals to against disbelievers (Musyrikin). Therefore, the law of jihad which was originally fardhu kifa> yah then it might turned to be fardhu 'ain (an obligation for all Muslim). He cites Osama bin Laden saying that once a metre of Muslim's land is occupied by disbelievers, every muslim is obliged to take it back free. In today's context, Samudera sees that the colonials have murdered billions of muslim from Iraq, Afghan, Somalia, and Indonesia. Muslim thus are obliged to do jihad against them. 35 In many cases, It might say that the idea of attack of Osama bin Laden toward Musyriki> n is more or less influences Samudera, particularly in formulating the concept of his jihad to attack or make war against Musyriki> n wherever, whenever they are and no matter how old and young they are.
Samudera interprets jihad as revenge. This is, to him, due to the fact that nonmuslims had been threatening and murdering muslims. Thus, muslims must do something to make this stop. This interpretation is most seen in jihad definition that he states, i.e. make war against non muslims who attack muslims and islamic countries. The sharia-based jihad is what he calls jihād fi> sabi> lillah. 36 To him, the intention of Bali bombing proves that the attack is jihād fi> sabi> lillah, for it targets colonials, namely Americans and their allies. (2001) is another witness. The colonials kill poor people and the babies. 37 He bases his argument on Quranic verse, "... and fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous (who rear Him)." (Q 9: 36) As the one responsible for Bali bombing, Samudera states that the action is istishhadah. In this context, the motive is the same as in Kenya and Tanzania, 'And (Yemen), WTC and others, namely as the fight against disbelievers and belong to jihād fi> sabi> lillah. 38 To Samudera, it is totally different from suicide bombing. Istishhad aims at establishing kalimatullah, fight for islam, with a pure intention. Thus, the actors would become shahid. The ulama, like Osama bin Laden, Aiman Azh-Zhawahiri, Muhammad Athef, Sulaiman Abu Ghaits, 39 accordingly, issue a fatwa that allows such attack. The istishhad ends up with heaven. Suicide bombing, on the other side, has no relation to 35 Imam Samudra, Aku Melawan Teroris, (Solo: Jazera, 2004 Death feels so close with them. Therefore, the heart will become cleaner. Only thought of killing or being killed. In case, Imam Samudra argued that Allah guarantees that they will truly be guided by Allah SWT. Samudra. 172 http://journal.walisongo.ac.id/index.php/teosofia kalimatullah. Suicide ends up with hell. 40 The basis for such argument is a hadith: "of people before you, there is someone got hurt, he then took a knife and put it into his hand and eventually dies. Allah said, my servant do it before me mine. I will not let him jannah." (Shahih Bukhari-Muslim from Jundab bin Abdullah al-Bajili).

The mass assassination in Afghan
Dealing with various kinds of fatwas of the Bombing to seek syahi> d, Samudra said the muja> hidi> n certainly seem were not confused about choosing which opinion was closer to the truth, more important, and even the best to be followed. The problem of martyrdom bombing/operation was not a strange thing and it was not new anymore, Samudra stated. And he further said that as stated by Sufyan bin Uyainah ra, a Tabi'in Ulama and including a profess or of Imam Shafi'i, that was, you should follow the (opinion) muja> hidi> n and experts-tsughur, because they always shaded by hidayat. In addition, muja> hidi> n had an important key in responding to various fatwas that seem confusing. To strengthening that Samudra addressing to the word of God, "And those who strive in our way, we will truly show them our ways, and indeed, Allah is truly with those who do good." (QS.Al Ankabut:69).
Samudera then explains the media for istishha> d. In the process either with or without bomb, istishha> d has different background and motivation. It has no relation to suicide. To him, the question is not whether the actor dies or does not. It is the intention. Basically, the morality aspect is the first standard. If the intention is to take down the enemy, and control the jihad motivation of the muslim, then it is so encouraged. However, Samudera says that before the operation, the actor must have strong assumption that he will die of the attack. 41 There are two basis for Samudera argument. First, Imam Ibnu Nuhas Asy-Syafi'iyah's argument that cites Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, who says, "there are no dissenting opinion whether a muslim may or may not attack a barricade of disbelievers and fight them, even though he knows he will get killed." Second, Muhammad b. al-Hasan, who says "if a Muslim fight against a thousand of disbelievers, and he is alone, then the attack is allowed as long as he believes that he will make it, or at least make the enemy down a step.
Otherwise, the attack is makru> h, better not to do. If he tries to trigger muslims' bravery to fight against disbelievers, then it is allowed. Same thing if he aims to put terror against the enemy, to let the enemy know that muslim is strong." 42 On the basis of the argument, he asserts that anyone who dies for Allah's religion and taking down the disbelievers, he/she has got an achievement. He is at the top of the hierarchy. Samudera even claims that Allah praises the attack, for He says, "Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties (in exchange) for that they 40  Dealing with martyrdom method which officially used as strategy against the enemy, Abu Muhammad Al-Maqdisi, one of the most influential contemporary jihadi ideologists, stated that many of young people imitated the success of the martyrdom as did the muja> hidi> n in Chechnya. It is however, they practice it without experience and expertise so they easily reap a failure. In his views, as long as the enemy could still be paralyzed by traditional method without blasting in such way, therefore it can still be criticized. He rebuked and criticized the young men to be aware of, inviting them to always guard Allah, the Muslims, Jihad, etc. Through his book, "Mereka Mujahid Tapi Salah Langkah", Al-Maqdisi officially admitted that he used to write about amaliyah istisyha> diyah and putted it into the doctrine as well as carried out by some muja> hidi> n by sneaking in among the infidels and blown themselves up to paralyzed the disbelievers. However, he insisted that the method has certain limitations and he does not make it as a strategy of war which is absolutely right in accordance with Islamic values. 44

E. Conclusion
Jamā'ah Islāmiyah (JI) is the one responsible for bombing attacks in several places in the early 2000s. One of the key actors is Imam Samudera, an activist of JI and loyal follower of Salafi Jihadi ideology which is allegedly responsible for the attack so called martyrdom or istishha> d (a way to become shahid). According to Samudera, Martyrdom has no relation with suicide or it is not part of suicide. Martyrdom aims at establishing kalimatullah and Islam, originating from the purest intention. In the process either with or without bomb, istishha> d has different background and motivation. In his views, the question is not whether the actor dies or does not. It is the intention. Basically, the morality aspect is the first standard. If the intention is to take down the enemy, and control the jihad motivation of the muslim, then it is so encouraged. However, Samudera says that before the operation, the actor must have strong assumption that he will die of the attack. It is therefore, he strengthened that martyrdom is allowed by the ulama Ahlus| S| ughur to do such attack and they will get paradise in exchange, while suicide bombers will get hell, for they have no relation to Islam establishment.