It's really more a question of how al-Awlaki defines it, since he is the one using the word; but it's pretty obvious from the article that he is referring to all non-Muslims.

I understand al-Awlaki's article.  I'm not sure why you don't think I would understand your reply.

Well first of all, I don't think it's true, because I don't believe the premise on which it is based, i.e. I don't believe that Muhammad (or Allah) ever intended the sunnah and hadith to become part of eternal Muslim doctrine.  But if I did, I would simply respond by saying that Muhammad was not in a position to attack anybody when he was forced from Mecca.  I have no doubt that he would have, if he could have.

The more important question is, if you don't believe it's true, then how do you refute his argument?

⁵ Andwhen thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for theylove to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of thestreets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They havetheir reward.

⁶ Butthou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shutthy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father whichseeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

⁷ But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

⁸ Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

⁹ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name........

The words of Jesus.

What if the point is for people to worship God "any way they please"?  "The way He wants [us] to worship Him" is fully specified in the Quran.  Beyond that, is it so improbable that (just like us) God actually loves diversity and creativity and imagination, and despises rote learning and mindless repetition of formulaic prayers?  What if by giving us free will and intelligence, God actually intended us to use that free will and intelligence?  What if He prefers billions of different celebrations of life and faith, instead of endless repetitions of the same old same old?

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I was reminded of this discussion when I encountered an article by Anwar al-Awlaki, "The Ruling on Dispossessing the Disbelievers wealth in Dar al-Harb".  At first I thought to make this a separate topic, but the fact is that nobody here (I hope!) actually wants to defend this article so it might make for a rather one-sided discussion.

My point in referencing the article is that IMHO al-Awlaki's argument is very compelling, if you accept the sunnah and hadith as legitimate authority.  You'll note that the article relies almost entirely on those sources, and on Hanafi rulings which in turn rely heavily on them.  It makes almost no reference to the Quran.

Al-Awlaki's main conclusion is that "All of our scholars agree on the permissibility of taking away the wealth of the disbelievers in dar al-harb whether by means of force or by means of theft or deception."  My question is: assuming that you don't agree with this, how can you challenge it without rejecting the premises on which it is based?

And how does one obey a Messenger?  By obeying his Message, of course; but in doing so you are obeying Allah, not Muhammad.  You were never told to obey Muhammad as Muhammad, but only in his capacity as a Messenger.

"Follow (O men!) the revelation given unto you from your Lord, and follow not, as friends or protectors, other than Him. Little it is ye remember of admonition." 7:3 (Ali)