Ayatullah Sayyid Mujtaba Nur Mufidi in an Interview with the Public Relations of the Research Institute of Contemporary Fiqh Studies: Jihad Against Israel Is a Religious Obligation (Wajib Shari)
Introduction: Following the savage crimes of the Zionist regime in the bombing of a hospital in Gaza and the brutal atrocities of recent days, we interviewed Ayatullah Sayyid Mujtaba Nur Mufidi, President of the Research Institute of Contemporary Fiqh Studies, regarding the topic of Jihad against the enemies and the religious duty of Muslims in the face of these atrocities.
Question: Given the horrific crime at the Gaza hospital occurring in line with the recent days’ attacks by Zionist forces on the Gaza Strip, what is your evaluation of these crimes?
Ayatullah Sayyid Mujtaba Nur Mufidi:
“اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَشْكُو إِلَيْكَ فَقْدَ نَبِيِّنَا (صلوات ﷲ و سلامه علیه و آله) وَ غَيْبَةَ وَلِيِّنَا وَ كَثْرَةَ عَدُوِّنَا وَ قِلَّةَ عَدَدِنَا وَ شِدَّةَ الْفِتَنِ بِنَا”
“O Allah, we complain to You of the loss of our Prophet (may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him and his family), the absence of our Guardian, the abundance of our enemies, the numerical paucity of our numbers, and the severity of trials upon us.”
The savage attack last night by the regime occupying Quds on the hospital—which was packed with wounded individuals and medical staff, and in whose courtyard a vast number of families, women, and children had sought refuge under the assumption that they would be safe from the brutal attacks of this regime—added another page or pages to the black ledger of this regime’s record. Both the attack on a hospital—which according to all international laws is impermissible—was ignored, and the gathering place of children and women, specifically directed there by this regime’s own recommendation stating, “If you wish to remain safe, move to this area,” leaves truly no justification for this crime.
This savage attack, whose images reached the ears and eyes of the entire world via social networks and audio-visual media, truly grieves the human heart. The wonder is how the heads of European nations and the United States continue to support this bloodthirsty regime in the face of all these crimes! Countries that claim to defend human rights and, on the slightest occasion, attack and hold certain nations accountable, stating, “You do not respect the rights of your citizens,” yet here they speak and act with absolute bias in support of the Israeli regime.
Recently, an incident occurred in Iran involving a young lady who faced an issue, which served as pretext for extensive propaganda by these media outlets. Without investigation or research, they accused Iran of unlawful conduct and exerting pressure on youth and adolescents. Yet, in the face of this overt attack—which they themselves fully recognize—they state, “It must be investigated and researched whether this was truly Israel’s action or not!” This dual behavior by these countries and international organizations holds no credibility today. Today, the world has realized the depth of the Zionist regime’s crimes, and the repeated lies of the leaders of this regime have been exposed to the public, and no one accepts them.
In any case, we hope that this crime serves as the harbinger of the destruction and collapse of this fake regime and the liberation of the oppressed people of Palestine from their hands.
Question: What jurisprudential theory covers the recent crimes against defenseless Muslims and today’s conditions?
Ayatullah Sayyid Mujtaba Nur Mufidi: Naturally, what has transpired in Palestine during these days warrants deep reflection from several angles. A people who were displaced from their homes and hearths approximately 75 years ago, whose country was usurped, and who were expelled from their homeland possess the right to strive for return to their country and land. Almighty God states in the Quran:
“وَأَخْرِجُوهُمْ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَخْرَجُوكُمْ”
“And expel them from where they expelled you.” [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:191]
The obligation to expel usurpers rests upon those whose homes and hearths were usurped; this is the explicit text of the Quran. From this perspective, all the efforts that the Palestinian nation has exerted and continues to exert for the return of refugees to the land of Palestine are legally justified.
Furthermore, the oppression inflicted upon this nation and the prolonged state of oppression (Mazlumiyyat) of the Palestinian people grant them the right to stand against this oppression and fight the oppressor. Almighty God states:
“أُذِنَ لِلَّذِينَ يُقَاتَلُونَ بِأَنَّهُمْ ظُلِمُوا ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ نَصْرِهِمْ لَقَدِيرٌ”
“Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory.” [Surah Al-Hajj 22:39]
In any case, when a population or nation is subjected to such oppression and tyranny, it is obligatory (Wajib) upon them to stand against this oppression. This is a matter that applies equally to Muslims and non-Muslims. Anyone who is oppressed has the right to stand against oppression and resist.
Today, the Gaza Strip is referred to as the world’s largest open-air prison. A country and region with a limited area—less than 400 square kilometers—possessing no authority, with all roads blocked and closed off, and placed under siege, naturally possesses the right to strive to break free from this prison and oppression, stand against oppressors and usurpers, and do whatever is necessary for liberation. This is indisputably recognized as a right under defense, and we can validate this right for them.
Our jurists (Fuqaha), in categorizing the types of Jihad, cite Defensive Jihad (Jihad-e Difa’i) as one of its primary forms. The late author of Al-Jawahir [Sahib al-Jawahir] as well as the late Kashif al-Ghita state that: Jihad to repel an aggressor from dominating the lives, honor, and sanctity of Muslims is obligatory. Jihad against disbelievers when there is fear of their domination over Islamic land is obligatory. Jihad for those entering Dar al-Islam (the Abode of Islam) and usurping it is obligatory in order to expel them. Therefore, this dimension likewise validates their right to defend themselves.
Furthermore, the Rule of the Negation of Authority (Qa’idat Nafy-e Sabil) dictates that any path leading to the domination and supremacy of disbelievers over Muslims—in whatever manner it may be—must be blocked. Almighty God explicitly states in the Quran:
“وَلَنْ يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ سَبِيلًا”
“And never will Allah grant to the disbelievers over the believers a way [to authority].” [Surah An-Nisa 4:141]
The generality of this verse dictates that any type of path or domination must be negated, and Muslims must stand against it; this is an issue that cannot easily be passed over.
Question: What is the duty of Muslims, particularly scholars and elites of the Islamic world, in this regard?
Ayatullah Sayyid Mujtaba Nur Mufidi: I also have a message for Muslim nations and the noble youth of Islamic countries. Last night, we witnessed the uprising of Muslim nations in the region against Israel. In many countries, the sacred anger of Muslim youth engulfed the criminals. If Islamic unity is strengthened, if the resolve for resistance is fortified, and if the resources of Muslims are consolidated, this fragile regime will undoubtedly achieve nothing against these iron resolves. Today, it is obligatory upon all Muslims to join hands, with everyone taking steps in this path according to their capacity.
Those who can contribute through presence in the field, those who cannot through their wealth, and those deprived of these two means through their words, speech, and pen must assist Islam and aid this oppressed nation; they will surely be rewarded by God.
This aligns with the statement of the late Imam Khomeini, who stated: “I consider no matter more obligatory for Muslims than contributing with their lives and property when they witness the blood of their innocent brothers and sisters flowing in the sacred lands of Palestine, and when you observe our lands destroyed at the hands of criminal Zionists. Under these conditions, no path remains except the continuation of Jihad. It is obligatory upon all Muslims to spend their material and spiritual assistance in this sacred Jihad, and God is the supporter of this resolve.”
The Supreme Leader, who has been the vanguard of the thought of Resistance over all these years, has clearly demonstrated today that this path and method represent the best option against this bloodthirsty regime. A regime that considers the Muslim nation of Palestine to be animals, prides itself on these savage crimes, and believes that even their children must be killed—does there remain any scope for negotiation with such a regime?
It appears that today, the regime is weaker than in any previous era; the fragility and weaknesses of this regime have become more evident in these days. Despite possessing various types of military and technical equipment, its vulnerability is completely manifest today. Today is the day that if all unite and cooperate in fighting and standing against this regime, Insha’Allah a clear result will be achieved, and the sacred land of Palestine—the first Qibla of Muslims—will be liberated from the hands of these usurpers. Insha’Allah, this is a matter in which we believe the satisfaction of Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his noble reappearance) is embedded, carrying the pleasure of Almighty God, and the souls of the Prophets (AS) and Saints (Awliya) will all be gladdened by this action of Muslims, and divine assistance will Insha’Allah support the nation.
Right here, I remind Islamic countries and the leaders of Islamic governments of this noble verse:
“وَلَا تَرْكَنُوا إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنْصَرُونَ”
“And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire touch you, and you would not have other than Allah any protectors; then you will not be helped.” [Surah Hud 11:113]
Relying on this regime and normalizing relations with a regime possessing such a black history and precedent will not only fail to assist these governments and countries, but in the not-too-distant future, the idea of “From the Nile to the Euphrates” harbored by the leaders of this regime will come after them and drown them in this sea. Let them know that through such actions, they will incur loss for themselves both in this world and the Hereafter, become abhorred by their own populations, and a painful punishment awaits them.