A reading into al-Otaybi's document on rule

The document in our hands now focuses on the way Saudi militant Juhayman al-Otaybi views rule and allegiance to those in authority.

The document was published on the Tawhid and Jihad Platform site. It contains 26 pages.

Al-Otaybi cites sayings by Islam's prophet Muhammad in most of the document. He also cites verses from the holy Quran to prove his view to be true.

The document focuses on a number of issues, including the nature of rule in the lights of the teaching of the prophet, allegiance to the ruler, obedience to this ruler and revolt.

In most parts, al-Otaybi follows in the footsteps of his principal guide Ibn Taimia. He also shows influences from Egyptian extremist Shukri Mustafa and his group.

These influences put al-Otaybi on collision course with Saudi authorities.

It is worth noting that al-Otaybi's view of rule is naïve and superficial, even as a large number of Muslim scholars covered this issue in a deep and scientific manner before.

This boils down to al-Otaybi's superficial knowledge of the issues he tried to discuss in the document.

He says in the document that rule in Islamic states passed through four phases as far as the application of Islamic teachings is concerned.

He says the Islamic caliphate is an inevitable condition that has to be applied, regardless of any political or social developments in Islamic societies.