Qaradawi
Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi has affirmed that the struggle in Chechnya is indeed a jihad, and he doesn’t mean that Chechen Muslims should struggle to better themselves. Qaradawi, you may recall, is the radical cleric who has praised suicide bombing and whose endorsement was touted in an Arabic brochure by a Boston Muslim group raising funds for a new mosque “” but not in the English material.
Here’s Qaradawi’s fatwa, from the jihadist site Kavkaz Center:
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
It is the duty of every Muslim to back oppressed Muslims in all parts of the world. No doubt that Chechens fight in defense of their lands, honor and religion, and hence they are doing one of the best kinds of Jihad in the Cause of Allah.
Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi – «I think — Allah knows best– that the marvelous fighting carried out by our brothers in Chechnya is considered one of the best kinds of Jihad in the Cause of Allah. They fight — in defense of their lands, honor and religion — a tyrannical oppressive force, which does not fear Allah nor have mercy on any creature. There is a scholarly consensus (Ijma”) that whoever fights in defense of his religion, land and household, and is killed in that fighting, is considered a Martyr (Shahid).
We all know that the people of Chechnya did not launch an attack against anyone; however they have been attacked and killed in their homes. But we are sure that Allah the Almighty will help them put their enemy to rout, grant them victory and help them gain supremacy in their lands. Allah, Exalted be He, says: «Permission to fight (against disbelievers) is given to those (believers) who are fought against them (believers) victory». (Al-Hajj: 39)
The recent days augurs victory for Chechnya, and the Promise of Allah will for sure come true soon. Allah, Exalted and Glorified be He, says, «If Allah is your helper none can overcome you…» (Al “˜Imran: 160)»
Allah Almighty knows best.