الأمير عبد القادر الجزائري قائد رباني ومجاهد إسلامي

al-Amir 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza'iri: Qa'id Rabbani wa-Mujahid Islami

This is not merely an account of the life of one of the prominent figures of our Arab and Islamic history; rather, it is a history of a luminous period of our past and a highlighting of the Algerian resistance experience, which stirred lofty aspirations towards sacrifice and self-sacrifice, and recorded the precious epic of jihād. It taught nations that freedom is precious, and that life, blood, and wealth become insignificant when sacrificed for its sake, and that the will of peoples triumphs over the will of tyrants, no matter how long it takes or how great the price.

Although the book does not overlook the international and local circumstances surrounding the French occupation of Algeria, the factors behind the growth of national consciousness, and the emergence of resistance, what it particularly highlights and draws attention to is:

• The character of the Islamic leader, with his faith, knowledge, wisdom, courage coupled with mercy, foresight, and the love and support of his people.

• The attachment of the people in general, and the mujāhidīn in particular, to the Islamic religion and their sacrifice for its sake despite temptations and obstacles.

• The experience of the Islamic state based upon the model of the Rightly Guided Caliphate, despite its short lifespan, and founded upon knowledge and the Sharīʿah. It was the nucleus of a state in every sense of the word: administratively, politically, militarily, economically, socially, and culturally. Indeed, some of its features remain absent from many contemporary states. I mean: military manufacturing, investment in local wealth and resources, self-reliance, independence in decision-making and neutrality of orientation, preparing the younger generation both academically and for jihād, caring for the children of martyrs, and foresight in Arab and international relations.

Preoccupation with war and the plots of enemies did not prevent development, construction, and preparation for the future.