We have gathered here to discuss a subject that is the heartbeat of 22 crore people of Pakistan and 200 crore Muslims worldwide, the Palestine issue. Ulama has delivered important speeches, valuable views and suggestions on this matter. Without repeating them, I would like to draw your attention to a few key points.

Firstly, Alhamdulillah, there is unanimous agreement that Israel has been trampling on all values of humanity in Gaza. It has been proven that there is not even a minimum sense of humanity left in the heart of this cursed enemy. Therefore, Israel is globally condemned. However, some criticisms have led to misunderstanding and confusion. I would like to briefly clarify these points for you.

One thing is that the proposal presented by the world and various organizations, including the OIC, is a cease-fire. It means, that just as Israel must stop the war, Hamas also must stop it. However, the reality is that our demand is - only Israel must stop bombing Gaza. A cease-fire is not our demand. Mujahidin of Hamas are fighting following the rules of Islam regarding Jihad for the liberation of Palestine, which is their motherland. Nothing will stop their liberation war. This war is not to stop. It must continue until the whole of Palestine is freed from Israeli occupation. For this reason, our proposal is not a cease-fire. If Israel dares to fight Hamas, they should confront Hamas on the battlefield. They must stop killing children, women and civilians. As long as they have even one tank and one army left, Hamas' resistance will continue, In sha Allah.

Conscious Muslims should raise their voices to terminate this bombardment instead of simply calling for a cease-fire. In an attempt to conceal its defeat, Israel is killing innocent children, women, and ordinary citizens—clearly performing war crimes. We demand an end to these atrocities, not an end to the war. This conflict will persist until victory is achieved, In sha Allah.

Secondly, I would like to mention that many peace-loving individuals, including numerous government officials, propose a two-state solution for the Palestine issue, suggesting the coexistence of Israel and Palestine in the territory. However, I find this proposal deceitful and firmly reject it. We have consistently opposed Israel since its establishment. The founder of Pakistan referred to Israel as the 'unlawful child' of Western powers since the day of its foundation. We still adhere to that belief. Consequently, we do not accept the idea that the territory occupied by Israel belongs to them, while Gaza and the West Bank belong to Muslims. Our demand is for a one-state solution, not a two-state solution.

Thirdly, serious confusion is widespread among Muslims due to the propaganda of Western media. That is one of the agendas of Western countries, especially the United States. Their policy is whenever a nation stands up to wage war against the occupation, they label them as 'terrorists’. Based on this policy, they labelled our Kashmiri freedom fighters as terrorists and continue to do so. For a long time, they have called the Taliban of Afghanistan ‘terrorists’. However, in the end, they were forced to compromise with the Taliban and the Taliban won. They have applied the same policy in Palestine as well.

Hamas is the name of a political power. It is not just a conflicting group. I regret that they are being termed as 'terrorist groups' in some media. However, they are all mujahids, engaged in holy jihad. A little while ago, Brother Ismail Haniya (head of Hamas) said, that most of them are Hafez of the Quran. Those who are not Hafiz also know many surahs of the Qur'an by heart. He also said that the members of Hamas are specially trained. Before joining Hamas, they have to go through various stages of special training, and then they are admitted to Hamas.

Fourthly, Ulama and leaders have already attracted our attention to the subject that we and our leaders are satisfied by sending some verbal statements and some financial aid while the oppression and indiscriminate killing of Muslims in Gaza are not possible to mention. May Allah give us tawfiq to do more and more. We appreciate these steps too. However, it is regrettable that our Muslim rulers have not yet taken any required, decisive steps.

Brother Ismail Hania also pointed to this matter and said, 'We don't want you to fight beside us on our land. We want you to help the people of Gaza as much as you can and make no mistake in it.'

In this context, I would like to clarify the provisions of Sharia before you. The provisions of the Shari'ah are that if disbelievers take possession of any land of the Muslims, or if an infidel ruler oppresses them, then it becomes obligatory for the Muslims to wage jihad. This Jihad is obligatory for the Muslims of that land first, then for the neighbouring Muslims. In this way, Jihad becomes obligatory for other Muslims according to their abilities.

I would like to request, as a talib-e-ilm, that Jihad is obligatory for all Muslims of the world - they should help Hamas and the people of Gaza as much as possible according to their ability.

I will read two verses of the Holy Qur'an in front of you. I think these two verses should be the main message and the main announcement of this conference today, to all the Muslims of the world. Allah says,,

وَ مَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَاتِلُوْنَ فِیْ سَبِیْلِ اللهِ وَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفِیْنَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَ النِّسَآءِ وَ الْوِلْدَانِ الَّذِیْنَ یَقُوْلُوْنَ رَبَّنَاۤ اَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هٰذِهِ الْقَرْیَةِ الظَّالِمِ اَهْلُهَا وَ اجْعَلْ لَّنَا مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ وَلِیًّا وَّ اجْعَلْ لَّنَا مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ نَصِیْرًا.

What has happened to you that you do not fight in the way of Allah, and for the oppressed among men, women and children who say, “Our Lord, take us out from this town whose people are cruel, and make for us a supporter from Your own, and make for us a helper from Your own.” Sura Nisa, verse 75

قُلْ اِنْ كَانَ اٰبَآؤُكُمْ وَ اَبْنَآؤُكُمْ وَ اِخْوَانُكُمْ وَ اَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَ عَشِیْرَتُكُمْ وَ اَمْوَالُ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوْهَا وَ تِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَ مَسٰكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَاۤ اَحَبَّ اِلَیْكُمْ مِّنَ اللهِ وَ رَسُوْلِهٖ وَ جِهَادٍ فِیْ سَبِیْلِهٖ فَتَرَبَّصُوْا حَتّٰی یَاْتِیَ اللهُ بِاَمْرِهٖ وَ اللهُ لَا یَهْدِی الْقَوْمَ الْفٰسِقِیْنَ.

Say, “If your fathers and your sons and your brothers and your spouses and your clan and the wealth you have earned and the trade you apprehend will recede and the homes you like are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and Jihad in His way, then, wait until Allah comes with His command. Allah does not lead the sinning people to the right path.” Sura Tawbah, 24

At last, I humbly want to request that Muslim rulers were criticized in our discussion. It was also right to some extent and we have the right to criticize since we are obliged to convey what is right to the rulers. Therefore, we request them as well-wishers because our religion has ordered us to be good to all Muslims. 'Annushu Likulli Muslim' also includes 'Annushu Li Ulil Amr,' and it is also the responsibility of Ahle-Ilm to advise the rulers. From that perspective, after thoroughly examining my heart, turning to Allah, and seeking guidance through Dua and Istikhara, I want to request that in history, there are some key moments where a wrong decision can lead to repercussions lasting hundreds of years. As the poet says,

 'لمحوں نے خطا کی تھی- صدیوں نے سزا پائی'

(He made a mistake for a moment but suffers the consequences for hundreds of years). I believe the Muslim Ummah is currently at that critical juncture in history. It is undeniable that the entire Islamic world, spanning from Morocco to Indonesia, remains a victim of Western influences akin to a form of slavery. This pervasive influence extends across all aspects of life, including the economy and politics.

No one can deny the reality that the entire Muslim world, from Morocco to Indonesia, has accepted the slavery of the West. It is undeniable that we are living a life akin to that of slaves. We have become subject to the West in terms of economy, politics, arms, power, and culture, across almost all domains. How much longer must we endure this state of captivity?

Allah has bestowed upon Muslim countries abundant natural resources that he did not give to any other nations. Countries with Muslim-majority populations are strategically located at the centre of the Earth. They have plenty of natural resources by which they can influence others. They have essential passages such as the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, the Bosporus and the Hormuz Strait. With significant reserves of oil and natural gas, they possess substantial wealth. Then why do they continue to lead a life of slavery? Hadith informs us of the reason for it. And that is the love of worldly possessions, the fear of death, and forsaking jihad fi sabilillah.

Our current situation is not much different. However, the youth of Hamas have provided us with an opportunity to remove the yoke of Western slavery from our shoulders and liberate ourselves. If the entire Muslim world sides with Hamas and unites in resistance against the West, I can assure you that no force, including America and Britain, can cause harm to Muslim countries. Sovereignty is not in the hands of America; America is not God. God is one and only Allah. Hence, if we choose, even just once, to endure hunger, be prepared for any sacrifice, confront bullets, and withstand bombings, no force from America or Britain can overcome us.

Translation: Enam Hasan Junaid