Who among the Algerians has a job that can help Iraq, and who does not? Which of the two groups is obligated to perform jihad?

The questioner : What is the ruling for the one who has a job where he can serve Iraq, and the one who has no job and went to fight? What is the ruling for both of them? Is it an individual obligation for this one and a collective obligation for that one? We hope to understand. May Allah reward you with good.

Another questioner : Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Did you understand, Ya Ali?
Al-Halabi : Our Shaykh, his question is about the characteristics of the people who will go to Iraq. Some of them may be of benefit to them by having a profession and a job, and some of them have nothing. So, our Shaykh, he is asking whether these people, despite being divided...

The Shaykh : Excuse me, the first group, the one who has a profession.
Al-Halabi : The second group has no service; they go with the intention that they will fight. So, for which of them is jihad, or going there, an individual obligation, and for which of them is it a collective obligation?

The Shaykh : Here, regarding the reality in Iraq, there are not two obligations: an individual obligation and a collective obligation. It is either an individual obligation or there is no obligation on him. It is either an individual obligation or there is no obligation on him. From my previous words, you should understand that the one who is obligated, and for whom it is obligatory to go to Iraq, is the one who benefits the Iraqi people or the Iraqi army with a benefit they need. So, it is an individual obligation for these people to go to that land. As for the others, we do not say that their going is a collective obligation; rather, we say that it is not permissible for them to go, because they will be a burden on the Iraqi people. This is the people whom we, the Muslims in all lands of Islam, must support and spend on, instead of becoming a burden on them. Is the answer clear?

The questioner : Yes, yes, Shaykh, it is clear.

The Shaykh : Okay, so there is not a collective obligation and an individual obligation; rather, it is one obligation, and it is an individual obligation for the one who, if he goes there, benefits the people, and especially the Iraqi army. As for anyone other than this, he should not go to them. May Allah make the answer clear?

The questioner : Clear, Shaykh.

The Shaykh : May Allah make it clear. Okay, do you have anything else?

The questioner : We will, if Allah wills, depart by the permission of Allah to Iraq.

The Shaykh : Do you depart at night?

The questioner : If Allah wills.

The Shaykh : But I remind you of the necessity of contacting Shaykh Ali. Because you left before Saddam’s announcement, is that not so?

The questioner: Yes, Shaykh.

The Shaykh : Okay, this announcement may change the program. So that you are in contact with the Shaykh on one hand, and you are aware of the developments taking place in the country of Iraq, and in light of that, the people of consultation among you in the movement can discuss the opinion regarding what has recently happened to the Iraqi army. If they tell you to depart, you depart, if Allah wills.

The questioner : If Allah wills. We entrust you to Allah.

The Shaykh : Okay, we entrust you all to Allah: your religion, your trusts, and the endings of your deeds. Welcome.

The questioner : Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.