Fatwa regarding the Taliban

By Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmân bin Barrâk

Question: What are the ways in which all the Muslims - everyone according to his own situation - can help their Muslim brethren in Afghanistan?

Answer: In the Name of Allâh the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy

All praise is due to Allâh, whose Seizure is severe, who does as He wishes. May salutations be upon our Prophet Muhammad who said, "I was sent along with the hour as a bringer of glad tidings and as a warner. My provision has been put under the shade of my spear. Humiliation and belittlement have been made for those who oppose my command. Whoever imitates a people is from them."

There is no doubt, that America's declaration of war upon the Taliban government of Afghanistan is [an act of] oppression and transgression. It is a crusade against Islâm, as the President of the United States of America has [himself] been quoted [as saying]. The Nation-States in the Muslim World's lack of assistance to them in this critical situation is a major tragedy, let alone helping the infidels against them, which is taking them as allies. The Most High says, "O You who believe, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are allies of each other. If any of you takes them as allies, then he is one of them. Indeed Allâh does not guide the wrongdoers." (Al-Mâ'idah:51) Because of this verse, the scholars have regarded helping the disbelievers against the Muslims as one of those things which invalidate one's Islâm.

It is obligatory upon the Muslims to aid their oppressed brothers against the oppressive infidels. The Messenger of Allâh - sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam - said, "The Muslim is his fellow Muslim's brother. He does not oppress him and he does not surrender him."  [However], killing a "mu'âhid" (one who has a pact with the Muslims), or  a "musta'min" (one who has been granted security by the Muslims in their lands), is not [a legitimate way] of assisting the Muslims, nor is it Jihâd in the path of Allâh. No aggression is to be shown against them. Such [aggression] is from the greatest of sins. The Most High says, "If you fear treachery from a people, throw back [their covenant] to them, [so as to be] on equal terms. Indeed, Allâh does not love the treacherous" (Al-Anfâl:58). It has been related in authentic ahadîth that the Prophet - sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam - said, "He who kills a mu'âhid will not smell the fragrance of paradise"

It is well known that the Taliban Governments first crime - as far as the United States are concerned - is that they did not submit to their leadership, that they did not abide by the laws of the United Nations, which are referred to as "International Law" that gives the United States the right to veto a decision. Whoever goes outside these regulations undergoes sanctions, which every nation is obliged to abide by. This is the most perfect form of domineering and enslavement.

It is obligatory upon the Muslims to take on the [necessary] means of [attaining] honour, which Allâh has made for his believing servants. The Most High says, "And to Allâh belongs the honour, and to his Messenger, and to the believers, but the Hypocrites do not know." The only reason for the humiliation of the Muslims, and their following of their enemies is that they have turned away from their religion, the weakness of their îmân, and their disunity, to the extent that they left Jihâd in the path of Allâh. The Prophet - sallallâhu 'alayhi wa sallam - said, "When you deal with 'înah (a very subtle usurious transaction), and become satisfied with agriculture, and leave Jihâd in the path of Allâh, He will send humiliation upon you, and he will not remove it from you until you return to your religion."

This Coalition against the Taliban government along with its weakness, its hardships, and the hardships of the Afghan people is a disaster, which makes obligatory assisting them and extending to them the hand of help. At the very least, one should pray for them, and perform "Qunût" prayer in order to lift the disaster, the effects and harms of which are not restricted to them alone.

We ask Allâh that He aids His Religion, that He raises His Cause, that He unites the Muslims upon the Truth, that He disunites the infidels, and that He ruins them completely. Indeed He is Ever-Strong, Ever Powerful. He his capable of all things. May salutations be upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions.

Dictated by 'Abdur-Rahmân bin Nâsir al-Barrâk

Written : 20/7/1422H