Abu Bakar Bashir Quotes

Powerful Abu Bakar Bashir for Daily Growth

About Abu Bakar Bashir

Abu Bakar Bashir (born April 9, 1938), an influential Indonesian Islamic cleric and terrorist leader, is a key figure in the global jihadist movement. Born in Aceh, Indonesia, he received his early religious education from local teachers before studying at Islamic institutions in Medina and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In 1971, Bashir returned to Indonesia and founded the Muhammadiyah-affiliated Darul Mukmin Islamic boarding school in Ngruki, Central Java. He became known for his rigid interpretation of Islam, advocating for the establishment of an Islamic state governed by Sharia law. Bashir's influence grew significantly when he joined the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), a Southeast Asian militant Islamist group, in 1993. He served as its spiritual leader from 1998 until his arrest in 2002. Under Bashir's guidance, JI carried out several high-profile terrorist attacks, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people, and the 2003 Jakarta Marriott Hotel bombing. Bashir was arrested in 2002 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in the Bali bombings. However, he was released early due to good behavior in 2016. Despite being under house arrest since then, he continues to be a prominent figure in radical Islamic circles. Bashir's teachings and actions have been controversial, with many accusing him of promoting violence and intolerance. However, his influence extends beyond Indonesia, as he is seen as a key figure in the global jihadist movement and has connections to Al-Qaeda and other extremist groups. His life and works remain a significant issue for Indonesian authorities trying to combat terrorism and promote religious tolerance.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Tinjau ke kebaktian Allah, jangan ke kebahagiaan dunia."

The quote by Abu Bakar Bashir, "Look at the greatness of God, not the happiness of the world," emphasizes the importance of spiritual reflection over earthly pursuits. It encourages individuals to prioritize seeking the divine and understanding the greatness of God above materialistic pleasures or worldly happiness. This perspective can help one maintain a balance between the temporal and the eternal, fostering a deeper spiritual connection and inner peace.


(Look at Allah's greatness, not worldly happiness.)

This quote by Abu Bakar Bashir emphasizes the importance of prioritizing spiritual growth and connection with God (Allah) over material or worldly pleasures. By focusing on Allah's greatness, individuals are reminded to seek inner peace, wisdom, and purpose beyond temporary worldly happiness, ultimately leading to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.


"Jihad dengan birokrati dan jihad dengan senjata adalah dua hal yang berbeda."

This quote by Abu Bakar Bashir, "Jihad with bureaucracy and Jihad with weapons are two different things," suggests that spiritual struggle (jihad) can manifest in various forms, not just through the use of force or violence (jihad with weapons). The phrase "bureaucracy" here refers to the systematic process, rules, and administrative work within an organization. Thus, the quote is emphasizing the importance of peaceful means such as administration, bureaucratic efforts, and diplomacy in the pursuit of a righteous cause, alongside traditional physical confrontations when necessary.


(Jihad with bureaucracy and jihad with weapons are two different things.)

This quote by Abu Bakar Bashir highlights the distinction between spiritual or moral struggle (jihad with bureaucracy, representing peaceful endeavors in daily life) and physical warfare (jihad with weapons). He suggests that these forms of jihad are distinct entities, emphasizing the importance of peaceful means and engagement within society as a form of religious duty.


"Sekali-sekali kita harus berjihad dengan diri sendiri sebelum menjadi pembela Islam."

Abu Bakar Bashir's quote, "Sekali-sekali kita harus berjihad dengan diri sendiri sebelum menjadi pembela Islam," can be interpreted as "We must first engage in a struggle or striving with ourselves before becoming defenders of Islam." In essence, this quote emphasizes the importance of personal development and self-discipline as a prerequisite to being an effective advocate for one's faith. It suggests that inner strength, character, and purity are essential foundations upon which a strong commitment to Islam can be built. This interpretation aligns with the broader Islamic principle of striving towards spiritual and moral perfection.


(We must always strive to reform ourselves before becoming defenders of Islam.)

This quote emphasizes the importance of personal growth and self-improvement within one's faith, prioritizing individual transformation over immediate action or defense of beliefs. It suggests that to be effective in defending and promoting Islam, it is crucial first to ensure one's own character aligns with Islamic values and principles. This perspective underscores the significance of inner peace, wisdom, and integrity as essential foundations for any form of advocacy or leadership within a religious context.


"Jihad bertanggung jawab kepada Allah dan hakimah Allah, bukan kepada hakim-hakim dunia."

This quote by Abu Bakar Bashir emphasizes that Jihad, or holy struggle in Islam, is accountable only to God and His divine law, not to the laws of worldly leaders or authorities. It underscores the religious obligation for Muslims to strive for righteousness and uphold Islamic values without being influenced by temporal power structures.


(Jihad is accountable to Allah and His law, not the laws of worldly judges.)

This quote by Abu Bakar Bashir emphasizes that Jihad (struggle in the way of Allah) is subject to divine law, rather than human or "worldly" legal systems. It implies a belief that religious duty should be guided by Islamic principles, rather than external secular laws. It underscores the idea of religious autonomy and self-governance in matters related to Jihad.


"Islam akan tetap berhimpun karena Allah telah menjamin kebenaran Islam dan kebenarannya tidak dapat diubah."

This quote by Abu Bakar Bashir, a prominent Indonesian Islamic cleric, emphasizes the enduring nature of Islam due to its inherent truth, which cannot be altered or changed. He believes that the truthfulness of Islam is divinely guaranteed by Allah, ensuring its continued unity and preservation throughout time.


(Islam will always unite because Allah has guaranteed the truth of Islam, and its truth cannot be changed.)

This quote by Abu Bakar Bashir reflects a profound belief in the inherent unity and immutability of Islam as a religion. The statement "Allah has guaranteed the truth of Islam" signifies that its essential doctrine is divinely sanctioned and unalterable. Consequently, the belief is that adherents to Islam will always be united by their shared commitment to this sacred truth, regardless of cultural or geographical differences. This unity stems from a shared understanding and practice of the faith as it has been revealed, providing an enduring bond among believers and reinforcing the notion of an unbreakable Islamic community.


Oil wealth has been a curse on us, made us weak and docile.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Wealth, Oil, Been, Docile

But the West is trying to weaken Islam from outside and inside. They attack our people and invade our countries from outside, and they weaken us from within with ideas like secularism, liberalism and democracy. This is all designed to contaminate our pure Islam.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Inside, Pure, Our, Our People

Our Prophet was a radical too- he fought against the injustices of his community and challenged the feudal order of his society, so they called him a radical. So what? We should be proud of that!

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Proud, Radical, Fought, Injustices

So we want an Islamic state where Islamic law is not just in the books but enforced, and enforced with determination. There is no space and no room for democratic consultation. The Shariah is set and fixed, so why do we need to discuss it anymore? Just implement it!

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Law, Enforced, Islamic, Fixed

Islam's laws are fixed and that is why Islam is stable.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Islam, Laws, Stable, Fixed

Islam is fixed, stable, ordered and disciplined, and so are Muslims.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Islam, Disciplined, Ordered, Fixed

The Muslim leaders swallow the advice of the Western powers and bodies like the IMF and World Bank, even when it is bad for their countries and they know this.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Muslim, Swallow, IMF, World Bank

Arab leaders worry more about making money from the profits they get from oil and gas that they turn the other way when Lebanon is being destroyed right next to them. Their neighbours are being murdered, but they only make calculations for their own benefit.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Own, Next, Other, Lebanon

Islam is perfect, there is nothing to be added or changed.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Perfect, Islam, Added, Changed

Likewise the leader of any state has to do the same, he has to enforce Shariah firmly, for he will be held in account later in the afterlife if he fails.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Leader, Will, Firmly, Enforce

They are scared that the BBC or CNN may call them radicals, so they remain soft instead. The problem lies there, with the Muslim leaders, not the Muslim masses.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Muslim, BBC, CNN, Scared

Laws are to be enforced justly but firmly, with an iron hand. This is the case anywhere, even in a family.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Laws, Firmly, Enforced, Justly

The Afghans did not have sophisticated weapons like the Soviets did, but with their faith they defeated a superpower.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Like, Sophisticated, Soviets, Weapons

Today the Western powers and media want to domesticate us like sheep, to keep us tame and domesticated.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Today, Like, Tame, Powers

There is not a single Muslim leader today who has the courage and commitment to defend Islam and Muslims, they are all in awe of the United States and other Western powers, and are indebted to them.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Leader, Other, United States, Powers

Look at the Afghans, during the time of the Soviet invasion. They were among the poorest Muslims in the world, yet they were sustained by their faith in God, and God alone.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Faith, Afghans, Sustained, Poorest

We have shown that Islam can rule the world perfectly for 14 centuries, and during this time of Muslim power we did not borrow ideas like democracy from others, so why do we need to learn democracy from them now?

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Muslim, Rule, Perfectly, Borrow

Why should we use the Dollar even when we trade among ourselves?

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Trade, Use, Even, Dollar

The Prophet defeated the enemies of Islam even when he and his followers were small in number.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Small, Islam, Number, Enemies

But the weakness comes from these Westernised co-opted Muslim leaders who just want to look good in the eyes of the West and Western media.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Want, Muslim, Leaders, Western

You are right, but the weakness does not come from the millions of Muslims in the world. They do not mind being radical, they have no fear to speak out and to protest and to jihad.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Mind, Come, Radical, No Fear

This is why I have always said that it would be better if Muslims were poor.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Better, Always, Would, Muslims

Muslims must believe that all power, success and victory comes from God alone.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Success, Religion, Alone, Muslims

As long as Muslims were confident they could not be defeated, but now we are just puppets.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Defeated, Puppets, Were, Muslims

If my children do not behave according to Islam, if they do not pray for instance, I will punish them.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Will, Pray For, Instance, Behave

The only model to follow is pure Islam.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Follow, Islam, Only, Model

But the leaders of the OIC could not even accept Mahathir's proposal, yet they talk about respect and honour.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Could, Honour, Even, Proposal

We should be proud that our Prophet came into the world with the message of Islam to change it for the better, and not for the worse, or to keep things as they are.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Change, Proud, Prophet, Message

Because Islam in its original form was tough and hard, not weak and pliable.

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Original, Islam, Form, Pliable

What use is revelation or religion if it doesnt change anything?

- Abu Bakar Bashir

Change, Religion, Use, Revelation

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