The Condition of a Flag in Defensive Jihad and the Muslim's Position
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The questioner:
Is the presence of a flag a condition for defensive jihad? And what is the Muslim's position if…
The Shaykh:
A flag is necessary in both defensive jihad and offensive jihad. It is essential; if there is no flag, chaos ensues. You have seen what happened in the lands of the Afghans and what occurred there. When there was no flag, what was the result? What was the result? It produced destruction and devastation, because every organization wanted to take the authority for itself. So they disputed and fought among themselves. If there had been a flag that gathered them, with all of them under it, the jihad would have produced results. So the flag is necessary, my brothers, in both offensive and defensive jihad. Otherwise, it becomes chaos, with everyone wanting the authority for himself, and they struggle with one another. Once they are done with the enemy, they struggle among themselves and fight one another, each wanting the power, and then the matter is reversed. Yes.
The questioner:
What is the Muslim's position if there are many flags?
The Shaykh:
If there are many flags, this is fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), not jihad. This is fitnah. So he stops and does not join any one of them.
The questioner:
And is the Muslim advised to go to the invaded country? And what is required of him?
The Shaykh:
This is a matter of following. You follow the Imam, and you follow the people. Your ruling is the ruling of the people. Are you with them? If the Imam orders that people go to help their brothers in other countries, there is no harm. But if you go out, or one person with you, or ten, without the Imam's permission, this is disobedience to the Imam and a departure from obedience to the Imam. And this brings harm. What did those who went gain, O brothers? What did they gain from them? Some were killed, some were imprisoned, and they achieved nothing. Because they were not on the correct path. So we must reflect on matters and not have emotion without religion, without knowledge, and without fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence the Shaykh
Is the presence of a flag a condition for defensive jihad? And what is the Muslim's position if…
The Shaykh:
A flag is necessary in both defensive jihad and offensive jihad. It is essential; if there is no flag, chaos ensues. You have seen what happened in the lands of the Afghans and what occurred there. When there was no flag, what was the result? What was the result? It produced destruction and devastation, because every organization wanted to take the authority for itself. So they disputed and fought among themselves. If there had been a flag that gathered them, with all of them under it, the jihad would have produced results. So the flag is necessary, my brothers, in both offensive and defensive jihad. Otherwise, it becomes chaos, with everyone wanting the authority for himself, and they struggle with one another. Once they are done with the enemy, they struggle among themselves and fight one another, each wanting the power, and then the matter is reversed. Yes.
The questioner:
What is the Muslim's position if there are many flags?
The Shaykh:
If there are many flags, this is fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), not jihad. This is fitnah. So he stops and does not join any one of them.
The questioner:
And is the Muslim advised to go to the invaded country? And what is required of him?
The Shaykh:
This is a matter of following. You follow the Imam, and you follow the people. Your ruling is the ruling of the people. Are you with them? If the Imam orders that people go to help their brothers in other countries, there is no harm. But if you go out, or one person with you, or ten, without the Imam's permission, this is disobedience to the Imam and a departure from obedience to the Imam. And this brings harm. What did those who went gain, O brothers? What did they gain from them? Some were killed, some were imprisoned, and they achieved nothing. Because they were not on the correct path. So we must reflect on matters and not have emotion without religion, without knowledge, and without fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence the Shaykh
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، 141/108 شرح زاد المستقنع/ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com (48:00)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.