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The following is a translation of the main points from the recently issued fatwa from The International Union of Muslim Scholars

It is inconceivable for Muslim armies, numbering more than four million soldiers, and costing $170 billion annually, to remain confined to their barracks while their weapons rust and their systems collapse. The Ummah is crumbling, and the world is falling.

Praise be to Allah, the Helper of the Mujahideen, the Supporter of the Weak, the Answerer of the Supplication of the Distressed, the Merciful to Women, Children, Orphans, and the Poor, the Defeater of Oppressive Invaders, the Shaker of the Foundations of Tyrants, the One who causes the disappointment of Hypocrites and Saboteurs, and the Awakener of the Consciences of the Aware.

The Committee for Ijtihad and Fatwa at the International Union of Muslim Scholars aims to uphold the truth and clarify the duty of the Ummah regarding what is happening to our people in Gaza. Based on this religious duty, the scholars have issued the following fatwa:

First: It is an Islamic duty for ruling regimes and official armies to urgently intervene to save Gaza from genocide and comprehensive destruction. This is in line with the full commitment to the duty of supporting Palestine religiously, politically, legally, and morally, in accordance with international agreements and the strategic interests of the region and the Muslim Ummah, and as dictated by their responsibility over their people.

Secondly: It is a religious duty to intervene militarily and provide military equipment and expertise, as follows:

a. Firstly, within Palestinian territories, under the Palestinian Authority and all resistance factions.

b. On the neighbouring countries, starting with Egypt, followed by Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.

c. On all Arab and Islamic countries in coordination with Palestinian territories and neighbouring countries, forming an urgent alliance that goes beyond decades of hesitation and weakness.

Third: It is a religious duty for scholars, elites, and organizations of all types to take urgent action by pressuring ruling regimes, the militaries, legislative, parliamentary, and judicial political institutions to intervene urgently. They should fulfil their religious, historical, constitutional, and strategic responsibilities.

Fourth: The most dangerous situation that befalls people is when they despair of obtaining their rights and defending against injustices, which may lead to a general eruption whose extent and consequences only God knows, especially in the face of the recent Zionist aggression with complete and brazen Western support. Moreover, this despair is further fuelled by undermining the resistance and the support of hundreds of millions, along with the silencing of every voice and suppression of every person.

Fifth: Complete Western support, militarily, financially, in the media, diplomatically, and strategically, requires that Arab and Islamic countries respond in kind. This is essential to achieve international balance and prevent tyranny that could lead to an outburst, threatening a collapse and a catastrophe. It is inconceivable for Muslim armies, numbering more than four million soldiers, and costing $170 billion annually, to remain confined to their barracks while their weapons rust and their systems collapse. The Ummah is crumbling, and the world is falling.

Jihad and support in Palestine is a religious duty and an Islamic and humanitarian responsibility. Silence in the face of aggression, and the neighbouring regimes and armies not moving to repel it, is religiously prohibited. Abandoning Gaza, Al-Aqsa, Jerusalem, and Palestine to extermination and destruction is a betrayal of God, His Messenger, and the believers. It is among the greatest sins and offenses in the eyes of Allah.

Issued by the Committee for Ijtihad and Fatwa at the International Union of Muslim Scholars on 31/10/2023.