Al Walaa' wal Baraa'

Al Walaa' wal Baraa' is an Arabic phrase which translates to "loyalty and disavowal" and is a key concept which jihadists use to justify violent attacks. It refers to what jihadists understand as their requirement to show absolute devotion to God, over all other concerns in their life. Conversely, they must "disavow" anything which seeks to detract from Allah's authority. Once a person or institution has been disavowed, it is considered a legitimate target for violent attacks. Though primarily used by extremists, the term is also associated with Salafi Islam, where it is applied more conceptually to promote orienting one's life towards positive influences.