[There is no ambiguity that Jihad of the oppressed Muslims of Palestine against the Zionist and occupier Israel is for the sake of Islam, Baytul Maqdis, and the oppressed people of Palestine. Therefore, it is considered as Jihad acknowledged by the learned scholars of the Muslim world. But after the successful attack of Hamas on the occupier Israel on October 7, some brothers of a certain group tried to confuse people about this widely accepted consensus, which was not at all desirable in the current fragile situation.

 Here we are presenting the fatwa of such a person who is recognized and respected even by that certain group. On many occasions they used to refer to him. The name of that scholar is Shaykh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz Rah. (1420 AH). He was the Mufti-e-Am (Great Islamic Jurist) of Saudi Arabia. A selected portion of the three fatwas issued by him are presented below:

The reader will see clearly, how Shaykh bin Baz Rah. repeatedly urged the entire Islamic world to move forward to help Palestinian Mujahidin in his fatwas, which were issued during the 1990s. The first statement was published in the Egyptian magazine 'At-Tawheed' in 1993 and the last two statements were published in the magazine 'Al-Buhuthul Islamiyah' in 1989. Later these statements were included in the book 'Majmu’ Fatawa' which is a collection of fatwas issued by Shaykh bin Baz.]

The first fatwa:

Question: The situation is getting complicated day by day. What is the future of the Palestine issue?

Answer:  The serious deterioration of the Palestine issue saddens every Muslim. The situation has become more complicated. The key reason for this misery is the disability of the neighboring Arab states to overcome their differences and disagreements and to unite against their enemies. They are not fulfilling the Islamic conditions of victory, whereas Allah Almighty has declared unity as a condition for victory. Only when this condition is fulfilled, Allah has promised to give establishment and control of the world. If the Arab countries do not come together to solve the issue of Palestine, then the present situation indicates the dire consequences of the future.

It is necessary to make it clear here that the Palestine issue from its top to bottom is completely Islamic. But the enemies of Islam have carried out terrible propaganda to present the issue as outside of the boundaries of Islam and to reassure non-Arab Muslims that this is an Arab issue and that non-Arabs have nothing to worry about.

It seems that the enemies of Islam have become successful in this propaganda. Therefore, I firmly believe that there is no other way to solve the issue of Palestine except to present the issue as an Islamic issue, the Muslim world to be united to solve it and continue Jihad according to Islamic law against the Jews until the land of Palestine is handed over to its rightful owners. - Majmu' Fatawa bin Baz 1/277

The second fatwa

Question: What is the statement of the Islamic Shari'ah regarding the Jihad going on in Palestine? Is it 'Jihad fi sabilillah' (Extreme struggle in the way of Allah), or just a struggle to protect the land and gain freedom? Will the struggle for independence be considered as 'Jihad fi sabilillah'?

Answer: It has been proved to us through the testimony of reliable and trustworthy people that the Mujahidin who are fighting in Palestine are noble Muslims of that area and their struggle is Jihad recognized by Islam. They are oppressed by the Jews. So, their duty is to build a strong resistance to protect their religion, lives, families, and children and to drive the enemy's army out of the land utilizing their whole ability. Reliable persons - who have been closely associated with the Mujahidin and who have participated in their jihad - informed us of the Islamic spirit cherished by the Palestinian Mujahidin and their eagerness to implement Islamic Shariah in their territories. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Muslim states and all Muslims to support and assist them, so that they can be freed from the enemy's occupation and return to their homeland. By doing this, these words of Allah will be acted upon:

يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا قَاتِلُوا الَّذِيْنَ يَلُوْنَكُمْ مِّنَ الْكُفَّارِ وَ لْيَجِدُوْا فِيْكُمْ غِلْظَةً وَ اعْلَمُوْۤا اَنَّ اللهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِيْنَ.

“O you who believe, fight those disbelievers who are near you, and let them find severity in you. Know well that Allah is with the God-fearing.” - Surah Tawbah (09):123

Allah Ta'ala also says:

اِنْفِرُوْا خِفَافًا وَّ ثِقَالًا وَّ جَاهِدُوْا بِاَمْوَالِكُمْ وَ اَنْفُسِكُمْ فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللهِ ذٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُوْنَ.

“March forth(in the way of Allah), no matter whether you are light or heavy, and carry out Jihad (struggle) in the way of Allah with your wealth and lives. That is good for you if you were to realize.” - Surah Tawbah (09): 41

Allah also says:

“O you who believe, shall I tell you about a trade that saves you from a painful punishment? That you believe in Allah and His Messenger, and carry out Jihad in His way with your riches and your lives. That is much better for you, if you but know. If you do this,) He will forgive your sins and will admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow, and to pleasant dwellings in gardens of eternity. That is the great achievement. And (He will give you) another thing, which you love: Help from Allah, and victory, near at hand.” - Surah Saff (61): 10-13

In an authentic hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Fight against the polytheists with your lives, wealth, and with your tongue."

Since the Palestinian brothers are oppressed, it is the duty of their Muslim brothers to help them against the oppressors. Because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

المُسْلِمُ أَخُو المُسْلِمِ لاَ يَظْلِمُهُ وَلاَ يُسْلِمُه.

A Muslim is a brother of (another) Muslim, he neither wrongs him nor does hand him over to one who does him wrong. -Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 2442

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, "O Allah's Apostle! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?" The Prophet said, "By preventing him from oppressing others." - Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 2444

Many hadiths have been narrated about the obligation of Jihad in the way of Allah, helping the oppressed and resisting the oppressors.

O Allah! Help our brothers who are fighting in your way in Palestine and other regions so that they can defeat their enemy, unite them on truth, give Tawfiq to all Muslims to help the Palestinian Mujahidin and to stand with them in resistance, humiliate the enemies of Islam wherever they are, send down your punishment on the enemies, surely You hear everything, are close to everyone. – Majmu’ Fatawa bin Baz 18/408-415

The third fatwa

After Hamd, Salah, and Salam, Allah Ta'ala declares in his infallible book:

Surely, Allah has bought their lives and their wealth from the believers, in exchange of (a promise) that Paradise shall be theirs. They fight in the way of Allah, and kill and are killed, on which there is a true promise (as made) in the Torah and the Injil and the Qur’an. And who can be more faithful to his covenant than Allah? So, rejoice in the deal you have made, and that is the great achievement. - Surah Tawbah (09): 111

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي تَوَادِّهِمْ، وَتَرَاحُمِهِمْ، وَتَعَاطُفِهِمْ مَثَلُ الْجَسَدِ إِذَا اشْتَكَى مِنْهُ عُضْوٌ تَدَاعَى لَهُ سَائِرُ الْجَسَدِ بِالسَّهَرِ وَالْحُمَّى

The example of the believers in mutual love, kindness, compassion, and sympathy is like a body, if any part of the body is affected or sick, the whole body suffers from sleeplessness and fever. - Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2586

He also said-

الْمُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ كَالْبُنْيَانِ يَشُدُّ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضًا.

A faithful believer to a faithful believer is like the bricks of a wall, enforcing each other. -Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2585

He also said-

مَنْ جَهَّزَ غَازِيًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ فَقَدْ غَزَا، وَمَنْ خَلَفَ غَازِيًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ بِخَيْرٍ فَقَدْ غَزَا.

He who equips a Ghazi (fighter) in the way of Allah is as if he has taken part in the fighting himself; and he who looks after the dependants of a Ghazi in his absence, is as if he has taken part in the fighting himself." -Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 2843

Inside Palestine, the Mujahidin—may Allah strengthen them all—are facing a multifaceted crisis in waging Jihad against the enemies of Islam. Even though the enemies of Allah are hitting them with their full strength, they are enduring with gritted teeth. Despite the enemy spending all their resources to wreak havoc, Alhamdulillah, Mujahideen continue their Jihad in the way of Allah with firmness and steadfastness. Inferiority could not touch their confidence. But right now they are in urgent need of assistance from their Muslim brothers to rescue Palestine from the evil hands of the Jews.

Allah Ta'ala has given tawfiq to the Mujahidin to be united and to continue Jihad with a strong spirit. Therefore, it is the duty of the Muslim rulers and the wealthy classes to support and empower the Palestinian Mujahideen, so that they can overcome the perilous path of Jihad and achieve victory by the will of Allah.

O Muslims! Your Mujahid brothers in Palestine are going through indescribable sufferings of overthrow, murder, bullet wounds, and hunger. They need food, clothing, and medicine. They also need weapons to fight the enemies of Allah.

So, O Muslims! Donate them freely. Be generous to them. Allah will give barakah in your wealth, give you the best belongings, and increase your rewards... – Majmu’ Fatawa bin Baz 18/416-417

Translation: MD. Arif Billah