In this critical stage of the Islamic nation's life, we are living the battle for survival and resistance against annihilation. Our struggle against the Zionist entity and its allies in the East and West did not begin today, but it started with the conspiracy of the world, both East and West, against us, placing the insidious seed, "Israel," in the land of Palestine, the land of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Despite the enemy's clear hostility on all fronts, unfortunately, our brothers in Palestine are the ones facing the Zionist enemy alone. The conflict has become Palestinian, no longer Arab-Zionist as it once was.

Regrettably, we have left the Palestinians to confront the enemy's arsenal, supported by Washington, while we engage in negotiations and compromises with the enemy. The reality confirms that since the Oslo Accords on September 13, 1993, the Palestinians have not made any progress. Moreover, on April 30, 2003, the Americans presented the so-called "Road Map," aiming to dismantle the infrastructure of all Palestinian resistance factions, seize their weapons, and leave them powerless, making it easier to oppress the defenseless people.

Despite the unfairness of this "Road Map" to the people of Palestine, the Zionist entity has not achieved anything from it. Instead of standing alongside the resistance and reinforcing its role in liberating the holy land, we have sought normalization with this occupying entity.

Supporting the people of Palestine is a religious duty imposed by Islam. Allah says, "Prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy" (Quran, Al-Anfal: 60). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of jihad with one's tongue, soul, wealth, and hands. He likened the Muslim community to a single body, where if one part suffers, the entire body feels the pain.

Undoubtedly, the duty of Muslims is to liberate the captive Al-Aqsa and every inch of Muslim land, restoring it to its Islamic glory and to the Muslim community to uphold the word of Allah. Every Muslim bears responsibility according to their ability and position.

Governments, societies, and scholars must shoulder the means and methods available to fulfill this great duty on all political, media, and military levels. It is incumbent upon the scholars of the Muslim nation and its advocates to work earnestly to unify Muslims, both as societies and governments, to fulfill this religious duty. No one has an excuse if others neglect this religious duty, whether at the governmental, individual, group, or scholarly levels.

Utilizing the energies and enthusiasm of Muslims and employing their capabilities for the progress of their countries and the liberation of Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa is essential. Scholars are obligated to expose the Zionist enemy's plans to Judaize Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque, reveal the crimes and massacres committed by Jews against the Palestinian people, and make the world aware of the Muslims' rightful claim to Jerusalem.

Scholars must call on Muslims today to rush to save the sanctuary of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and defend Al-Aqsa. They should see the Zionist aggression in Gaza and the actions of Jewish extremists in Al-Aqsa, defending it with all available means after it has been desecrated by the occupiers. This is a contractual and religious duty because Al-Aqsa is a part of our religion, creed, and Quran, as Allah says: "Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al-Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing." (Quran, Al-Isra: 1).

Jihad in the land of Palestine is the remaining hope, the correct response of the soldiers of Allah on the land of Jerusalem blessed by Allah. Zionism will not sit at the table or listen to any word except through such blessed jihad. Defending and liberating Al-Aqsa, and sacrificing for it, is not a luxury but a duty on the entire Muslim nation.

Muslims today must extend a helping hand to the people of Palestine. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, as narrated by Maimuna bint Al-Harith: "O Messenger of Allah, tell us about Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem)." He said, "It is the land of the gathering and resurrection. Visit it and pray there, for a prayer there is like a thousand prayers elsewhere." I said, "O Messenger of Allah, what if one cannot go to it?" He said, "Then he should send some oil to be used for its lamps, and the one who gives it is like the one who prayed in it."

Sheikh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned that the Muslims are deeply saddened by the deterioration of the Palestinian issue from a bad situation to an even worse one. The complexity increases with each passing day, reaching a dangerous level. The neighboring countries must unite their ranks again and adhere to the ruling of Islam, which guarantees victory and empowerment on the land, fulfilling the duty of Islam towards this issue that concerns the entire Islamic world.

It is essential to emphasize that the Palestinian issue is fundamentally an Islamic issue. Enemies of Islam have made immense efforts to divert it from the Islamic path and convince non-Arab Muslims that it is purely an Arab issue with no relevance to them. It seems they have succeeded to some extent. Therefore, a solution to this issue can only be achieved by considering it an Islamic cause and by uniting Muslims to save it. The struggle against Jews should be an Islamic struggle until the land returns to its people. Only then can the rightful Jews return to their original land under the rule of Islam, not communism or secularism. This is how truth triumphs, falsehood is defeated, and the people of the land return to their homeland under Islamic rule.

Source: Al-Mugtama