Is it true that I heard from you: that you say it is not permissible to fight

The questioner: O Shaykh, I heard a while ago from one of the young men that you issued a fatwa, and I do not know the truth of this report, that it is not permissible to fight against America, even if it is in any... I mean, it is not permissible to fight America in Saudi territory. What is the truth of this fatwa?

The Shaykh: In Saudi territory?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh: Who wants to fight the Americans in Saudi territory?

The questioner: If a war breaks out between Iraq...

The Shaykh: You are saying fighting the Americans in Saudi territory?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh: How would they fight the Americans?

The questioner: And now there are American forces in the land of the Peninsula

The Shaykh: Understand my question, do you know your question?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh: What is it? Perhaps I am wrong in understanding, or you are wrong in your wording? What is your question?

The questioner: We know that there are American forces inside the Arabian Peninsula, so it is not permissible to fight these forces.

The Shaykh: Who wants to fight these forces?

The questioner : Iraq.

The Shaykh: Iraq will attack Saudi Arabia and fight the Americans?

The questioner: No.

The Shaykh : So then?

The questioner: The Americans are the ones who are attacking Iraq.

The Shaykh: Now you have changed your question, may Allah guide you. You are saying fighting the Americans in Saudi Arabia, and for that reason I am asking you: who wants to fight the Americans in Saudi Arabia? Whereas finally, from your words, it appears that if the Americans want to attack Iraq, is that what you are saying?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh: Stick to one point so that we know what we should answer you

The questioner: This last one.

The Shaykh: That I said it is not permissible to fight the Americans if they attack Iraq?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh: A lie and a falsehood. We say: those who want to fight the Americans, do not be fanciful. The Americans are here with you. Do you know where the Americans are? Here.

Another questioner: Sixty kilometers.

The Shaykh: Sixty, seventy kilometers. Who wants to fight the Americans? These are all fanciful, theoretical ideas, the purpose of which is to reach something through the door of rumors, about which the brother asked, that it was said that if Iraq had not occupied Kuwait, the Americans would have wanted to occupy it. We want to deal with actual matters. Who is the one who wants to fight the Americans? Tell me, right now, whether it is the first scenario or the second, who is it?

The questioner : Iraq.

The Shaykh: Iraq, why would they want to fight the Americans? Do you imagine that Iraq would attack Iraq in Saudi Arabia?

The questioner: No.

The Shaykh: Then? How would they fight?

The questioner: Perhaps the Americans themselves would encroach upon Iraq.

The Shaykh: Perhaps they would encroach.

The questioner: Iraq wants to defend itself...

The Shaykh: Very good. Now we tell you: what is your opinion if the Americans attacked Iraq? And there are many Muslims in Iraq. Is it permissible for these Iraqis to fight the Americans, given that the Americans have invaded them in their own homeland? Is it permissible or not permissible?

The questioner: It is permissible for them to defend their land, yes.

The Shaykh: And I agree with you on this. Where is your question now? What was your question first, and what has been clarified from this discussion?

Another questioner: The same Saudi people, O Shaykh...

The Shaykh: Wait a moment, we need to understand from him, and then we will leave the turn to someone else.

The questioner: My question is that I heard one of the young men...

The Shaykh: Do not say what you heard; the only harm in news is its narrators. Now, what did you hear?

The questioner: I heard that this is false.

The Shaykh: Did you hear that it is permissible to fight the Americans or not?

The questioner: From your words now. It is not permissible except in the case that the Americans encroached upon Iraq, so the Iraqis want to defend themselves.

The Shaykh: May Allah guide you. My brother, there is a matter of legal ruling and there is a matter related to possibility and capability. So the Americans are now in Saudi lands. Who is able to fight the Americans while they are in Saudi lands? Who?

The questioner : No one.

The Shaykh: Fine, is what you are asking about permissible or not permissible?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh: You are asking about something that is impossible, is that so?

The questioner: I heard this, I want to verify this fatwa.

The Shaykh: No problem, my brother, I do not blame you, but questions must be realistic, and consequently the answer must be realistic. If you are hearing from me disapproval and a disapproving question: who will fight the Americans while they are in Saudi lands? Is it possible? I said no. Fine, is a legal ruling established for something that is impossible?

The questioner: No.

The Shaykh: So I tell you, this question is not applicable. And we are done with it, because you finally returned to saying: if the Americans attack Iraq, this is possible. Correct, what did you hear as the answer?

The questioner: That it is permissible.

The Shaykh: So let what you heard evaporate from your mind and free your head of it. O Allah, protect us from error and forgetfulness.