This fatwa aligns with traditional Islamic theology. In classic Sunni theology and law, only the caliph is authorized to declare offensive jihad. That jihad is an obligation on the community as a whole (fard kifaya); an individual is released from it if others are taking it up. But all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence agree that when a non-Muslim force enters a Muslim land, defensive jihad becomes the individual obligation of every Muslim (fard ‘ayn) rather than a collective obligation of the entire umma, and need not be declared by anyone.
One manual of Islamic law, Bulghah al-Salik li-Aqrab al-Masalik fi madhhab al-Imam Malik (“The Sufficiency of the Traveller on the Best Path in the School of Imam Malik”), says this: “Jihad in the Path of Allah, to raise the word of Allah, is fard kifayah [obligatory on the community] once a year, so that if some perform it, the obligation falls from the rest. It becomes fard `ayn [obligatory on every Muslim individually], like salah and fasting, if the legitimate Muslim Imam declares it so, or if there is an attack by the enemy on an area of people.”
“Libya’s Fatwa House declares Jihad on Russia’s ‘Africa Corps,'” by Safaal Harathy, Libya Observer, May 20, 2024:
The Libyan Fatwa House has issued a fatwa declaring jihad against Russian forces, specifically the “Africa Corps,” stating that it is a religious duty for the people of Libya, particularly the revolutionary brigades.
In a statement, the Council for Sharia Research and Studies of Fatwa House expressed its concern over the Russian intervention in Libya, noting the arrival of Russian troops and weapons in preparation for the entry of the so-called Africa Corps into Libya and neighbouring countries.
The Council asserted that the armed Russian presence on Libyan soil constitutes an occupation and “invasion by an aggressive infidel state.”
It urged those with financial means, weapons, or decision-making power to support the revolutionary brigades in expelling the occupiers and those who brought them.
However, it emphasized that the defensive jihad against Russian forces does not imply falling under the control of another occupier, whether it be the US, the European Union, or any other state. “Fighting the occupiers should not result in replacing one occupier with another,” the Council explains….
The Council emphasized the importance of seeking assistance under the Sharia regulations, whether from Muslims or others….
SC says
You have to love these little sand boy third world imams. Trying to sound important they draw the target on their own backs. They really do not want to upset Putin. He will not lose. The planet might lose but he will not.
Jatjara says
Russia lost in Afghanistan at a time when they were believed to be much more ruthless. China lost to Vietnam in the late 1970’s when they invaded Vietnam. Has Russia or China has proven itself emphatically in war against gorilla style forces in modern memory? Either could fail in Africa were the Muslims supplied with arms enough to resist them. It would seem Russian success in Ukraine was against an incompetent traditionally deployed army. It might actually be easier to bring NATO to it’s knees by violent assault with missiles of the Major Cities of NATO countries than parts of Africa. But then the European citizen is disarmed. The African, may not be and it may suit the Neocons in the US to Arm them as they have in the past.
ElderlyZionist says
I knew the Turks and Egyptians were supporting their preferred factions in Libya, but I didn’t know the Russians had boots on the ground there. Which side is Putin backing? I think the Libyan Civil War has been stalemated for a few years. I wonder whether the fighting will start up again with the arrival of Russian troops?
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Russia is backing the Haftar faction in Libya, that currently has control over Cyrenaica and a good portion of the Fezzan. Essentially, most of Libya’s oil supply. Haftar is a secular leader in that country, and in fact was a CIA asset: he’s in fact a dual citizen of both the US and Libya, and lived in Northern Virginia while he was here
It’s a testament to the brilliance of the State Department that someone like him isn’t an automatic choice to lead Libya. Everybody sane – Egypt, Emirates, Russia & I believe Saudi Arabia as well – recognizes him as the legitimate leader of Libya. His army has been the force that has expelled ISIS out of much of Libya, after their initial occupation of Cyrenaica. Somehow, that’s not good enough for DC
His opposition in Tripoli is recognized by Turkey, which has pan islamist ambitions. Essentially, Turkey would get a military foothold there, courtesy them. Not sure whether Turkey still has the FSA to do its bidding in other countries where it cannot send its own troops
ElderlyZionist says
Thanks for that briefing, Infidel. It’s interesting/concerning that Russia is lining up with US allies Egypt and the UAE to back Haftar. I recall that our State Department has been squeamish about Haftar because “human rights”, which has been our rationale for doing the wrong thing in foreign affairs for a couple of decades. Along with Turkiye, the European Union recognizes the Tripoli junta as the legitimate government of Libya. What a mess. Thanks Obama, Hillary! Your Arab Spring legacy still advances.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Yeah, our State Department expects Haftar or any chosen leader to mete out the Gitmo 5-star treatment for jihadists. If that’s what is expected, not just Haftar, but any sane leader is bound to fail
Blougeoisie says
Did they ask the native Libyans if they consider the Arabs to be occupiers as well?