Islamic
Perspective on Global Zionism
By
Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Mihanna
Member
of the International Union of Muslim Scholars
Islamic
jurists have established several principles before issuing a judgment on any
matter. One such principle is “judging something is a branch of understanding
it.” A jurist should not issue a ruling on a matter until he fully comprehends
it to ensure the judgment aligns with reality; otherwise, the ruling may be
significantly flawed. Many fatwas on Freemasonry were erratic upon its
emergence because many jurists did not truly understand it. Similarly,
judgments on smoking were issued without knowing its definite harm, among other
matters that require thorough understanding for the jurist to make an accurate
and precise judgment.
Global Zionism stems from ideological
and racist foundations, aiming to establish Israel’s goal as a Jewish state for
all Jews.
One
such matter is the judgment on the World Zionist Organization and its resulting
institutions, and thus, the judgment on dealing with them and participating in
some of their projects and activities. Therefore, it is necessary to first
understand this organization, its reality, objectives, and methods.
Foundation and Principles
The
first person to use the term Zionism was the Austrian Jewish philosopher Nathan
Birnbaum in 1893, derived from the word “Zion,” one of the biblical names
referring to Jerusalem. Zion is a mountain in Jerusalem, and from it, the term
Zionism was coined to denote a new ideology in which Jewish identity is shaped
as an independent sovereign nation.
The
World Zionist Organization can be defined as a political ideological movement
that emerged among Jews in Eastern and Central Europe with the aim of
establishing a national homeland for the Jews by colonizing lands outside
Europe. This culminated in the establishment of an ethnocratic state in
Palestine in 1948. The organization played a pivotal role in founding the State
of Israel and promoting Zionist ideas globally. It was founded in Basel,
Switzerland, on August 30, 1897, where its founder, Theodor Herzl, succeeded in
convening the First Zionist Congress. (1) Two key outcomes of this congress
were:
1. The proclamation of the first statement of the
Zionist movement, known as the “Basel Program,” aimed at establishing a
national homeland for the Jews under public law.
2. The establishment of the “Zionist Organization,” a
structural framework that includes all Jews who agree with the Basel Program.
In 1960, it obtained its current official name; the “World Zionist
Organization.”
The usurpation of Palestinian lands by the Zionist
Movement is a violation on the rights of Muslims to their land and sanctities.
The
global Zionist organization is ideologically racist, striving to achieve the
goal of the State of Israel as a Jewish state for all Jews, meaning that any
Jew worldwide has the right to become an Israeli citizen merely because of
their Jewish faith. Conversely, non-Jews residing in the occupied land of
Palestine, whether in areas occupied in 1948 or those occupied in 1967, are not
considered legitimate citizens, despite being the original inhabitants. The
Zionists succeeded in officially passing the Jewish Nation-State Law on July
19, 2018, after its first introduction in the Knesset in 2011.
Objectives
of Global Zionism:
* Encouraging
Jewish immigration from around the world to occupied Palestine by removing all
obstacles that may hinder it.
*Collecting funds to support the Zionist project, such
as establishing numerous donation funds like the “Keren Hayesod” to support
settlement in areas occupied in 1967.
*Strengthening Jewish identity and Zionist culture by
promoting the idea of belonging to the so-called “Promised Land” and reviving
Hebrew as a national language for Jews.
To
achieve these objectives, the organization does not shy away from using any
means to usurp as much Palestinian land as possible through various methods
(deception, coercion, collusion with the British in the past and others
currently, etc.). Some of their prominent tools and activities include:
*Mobilizing international support to provide
unconditional and unlimited backing to the usurping state by establishing
strong “lobbies” to influence decision-makers in Western countries, especially
the United States, where the largest Zionist lobby exists, with presidential
candidates competing to please them.
*Using funds like the “Jewish National Fund” to
purchase land and finance settlement projects.
*Controlling education and media by establishing
schools, controlling universities and research centers, owning various media
outlets, and pressuring writers and opponents of the Zionist idea under the
terrorism of anti-Semitism, which has come to mean opposing “Israel” regardless
of the reason, and portraying Jews as victims despite committing war crimes.
Zionism as part of a broader scheme to
dismantle the Islamic Ummah and deplete its resources, and we were ordered to
fight to attack us.
Zionism and the World
The
UN General Assembly Resolution 3379, adopted on November 10, 1975, with 72
votes in favor, 35 against, and 32 abstentions, determined that Zionism is a
form of racism and racial discrimination. The resolution called on all nations
to combat the Zionist ideology, which it stated posed a threat to global
security and peace. This resolution is often cited in discussions related to
Zionism and racism. Unfortunately, the resolution was revoked by Resolution
46/86 on December 16, 1991, as Israel conditioned its participation in the
Madrid Conference of 1991 on the repeal of Resolution 3379.
Islamic Sharia Position on Global Zionism:
After
this brief overview of global Zionism, it is evident that Islamic jurists
categorically reject global Zionism and, consequently, any dealings that would
strengthen them or facilitate their criminal goals. This rejection is based on
religious, ethical, and political foundations related to the principles of
Islam and values of justice, as well as a historical and contemporary
understanding of the Zionist movement and its objectives. Here are the main
reasons upon which they base their stance:
First:
Rejection of the Usurpation of Any Islamic Land
As
we have seen, global Zionism is based on the idea of seizing others' lands. The
concept of usurping others' rights is generally forbidden in Islamic Sharia,
especially when it concerns sacred land that is the site of the Prophet's night
journey and contains the first Qibla for Muslims. This belief is integral to
Muslims' faith. According to Islamic jurisprudence, Palestine is considered an
Islamic Waqf (endowment) that cannot be relinquished or dealt with in a way
that harms Islam and Muslims' interests. The usurpation of Palestinian lands by
the Zionist movement is thus seen as an infringement on the rights of Muslims
to their land and holy sites.
Islamic
Sharia prohibits aggression and injustice. Since global Zionism has forcibly
displaced Palestinians and committed massacres, this contradicts Islamic
principles that prohibit and criminalize injustice. Islam forbids aggression
against others, as Allah says, “But do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not
like transgressors.” (Al-Baqarah: 190)
Second:
Opposition to Zionism's Lack of Coexistence with Others
Islam
is a universal religion characterized by mercy for all, without discrimination
in rights and duties among its citizens, regardless of their religion, color,
or race. This contrasts with Zionism, which is based on racism, exclusion, and
denial of others' rights. The displacement of landowners and the usurpation of
their rights is a fundamental Zionist project, entirely opposing the core
principles of Islam that call for justice and respect for others' rights, even
if we dislike them. Allah says, “O you who have believed, be persistently
standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a
people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.”
(Al-Maidah: 8)
The prohibition of normalizing relations with the
Zionist entity, assisting it, and forming alliances with it; the obligation to
boycott it economically, politically, and culturally.
Third:
Rejection of Racism and the Principle of Racial Superiority
People
are equal in Islam; their origin is one, and their Lord is one. The Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “O you people,
indeed your Lord is One. Indeed, there is no virtue that an Arab has over a
non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab, nor a red (white) person over a black
person, nor a black person over a [white] person except by piety; verily, the
most honorable of you with Allah is the one who has most Taqwa.” (2) On
the contrary, Zionists believe that Jews are the chosen people of Allah and
that others are mere servants for their service. Allah says, “The Jews and the Christians say, 'We are the children of
Allah and His beloved.' Say, 'Then why does He punish you for your sins?
Rather, you are human beings from among those He has created.'” (Al-Maidah:
18)
Fourth:
Rejection of Alliance with Oppressors
Islam
forbids cooperation with or aiding oppressors. Allah says, “And do not incline
toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire.” (Hud: 113), and
“And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and
aggression.” (Al-Maidah: 2) Since Zionism is based on injustice and aggression
to achieve its goals, supporting it in any form is religiously forbidden.
Fifth:
Rejection of Western Dominance and Colonialism
Given
that Zionism is an instrument of the Western colonial scheme, or stemming from
the Zionist Jewish- Western Christian alliance that seeks to control the
resources of the Islamic world, the establishment of the State of Israel was
with unlimited Western support. Islam rejects Western dominance, whether
through direct occupation as before the establishment of the Zionist state or
indirectly after the apparent end of colonialism while its tools remained on
the ground, with one of the most prominent being the Zionist entity. Thus,
Zionism is part of a broader scheme to dismantle the Islamic Ummah and deplete
its resources, and we have been commanded to fight those who fight us. Allah
says, “Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress.”
(Al-Baqarah: 190), and “And expel them from wherever they have expelled you.”
(Al-Baqarah: 191)
Based
on the above, it is forbidden to normalize relations with the Zionist entity,
to join any institution stemming from global Zionism, to assist them or form
alliances with them, and to boycott them economically, politically,
academically, athletically and culturally. It is obligatory to fight them until
they are expelled from Muslim lands. Practicing Jihad against them is the
immediate duty of the Islamic Ummah.
It
is shameful that some members of the Islamic Ummah follow the global Zionist
movement knowingly or unknowingly, while there are Jews who oppose the idea of
Zionism based on religious, cultural, or ideological reasons.
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(1)
The Zionist Congress: The supreme body of the World Zionist Organization, which
meets every four years to elect the organization's president, general council,
and executive committee.
(2)
Narrated by Abu Nu'aym in “Hilyat al-Awliya” (3/100), and al-Bayhaqi in “Shu'ab
al-Iman” (Hadith 5137).