The debate surrounding the US-led war in Iraq in 2003 has raised critical questions about the legitimacy of foreign intervention in the affairs of sovereign nations. Some individuals justified the invasion, arguing that it was aimed at overthrowing a dictatorship and promoting democracy. However, from an Islamic standpoint, there are clear ethical and religious concerns regarding the invasion, particularly in relation to its impact on Muslims and the larger geopolitical ramifications.
The Prohibition of Supporting Aggression
In Islam, supporting an external intervention that leads to harm and destruction of Muslim lands is considered disloyalty to fellow Muslims. Islamic teachings prohibit Muslims from supporting or assisting aggressors who intend to inflict harm on Muslim communities. The Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasize that harming others, especially innocent people, is a grave sin. The Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said that a Muslim’s blood is more sacred than even the sanctity of the Ka`bah, underscoring the importance of safeguarding the lives of fellow Muslims.
Thus, it is considered unlawful for a Muslim to express enthusiasm or support for an invasion that is likely to result in widespread destruction and suffering, especially if it comes at the hands of foreign powers with their own interests at stake.
Dictatorship and its Removal: An Islamic Perspective
While Islam requires the removal of unjust and oppressive rulers, this must be done through lawful and just means that do not lead to greater harm. In the case of Iraq, while the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein was widely condemned, the means of removing such a ruler should not cause public chaos, sedition, or harm to the general populace. Islam teaches that smaller harms should not lead to greater ones, and therefore, military intervention by external forces is not viewed as a permissible or appropriate solution.
Islamic scholars have emphasized that it is the duty of the Muslim community to address oppressive leadership without resorting to foreign military intervention. The internal reform of a nation, including the removal of corrupt leaders, must be done through peaceful, lawful channels to avoid causing instability or bloodshed.
The Role of Foreign Intervention
Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi, Deputy Chairman of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, states that while the removal of dictators is an Islamic duty, it is not permissible to do so through external military intervention. He warns that such intervention can lead to greater chaos, prolonged conflict, and the destabilization of the region. The interests of foreign powers, particularly the United States, in Iraq are not driven by altruism but by geopolitical and economic motives, such as control over oil resources and the imposition of political ideologies.
In fact, the United States’ invasion of Iraq was seen by many scholars as an attempt to reshape the Middle East in its own image, with little regard for the well-being of the Iraqi people. The removal of Saddam Hussein did not lead to the establishment of democracy but instead resulted in years of instability, sectarian violence, and the suffering of millions of Iraqis.
Hidden Motives Behind the Invasion
Dr. Rifat Fawzi, former head of the Department of Shariah at Cairo University, points out that the US-led invasion of Iraq was not motivated by a desire to help the Iraqi people, but rather by the pursuit of economic and strategic interests. The American government sought to control Iraq’s vast natural resources, particularly oil, and to strengthen its geopolitical influence in the region. Moreover, the invasion also had significant implications for the Palestinian cause, as the US sought to suppress Palestinian resistance and exert pressure on Arab countries like Syria and Saudi Arabia.
The hidden motives behind the invasion were not only politically driven but also aimed at reshaping the broader Middle Eastern landscape to serve American interests, often at the expense of the region’s stability and security.
The Consequences of Supporting Foreign Aggression
Islamic scholars like Dr. Ujail Jasim An-Nashami, professor of Shariah at the University of Kuwait, stress that supporting the invasion of Iraq is akin to participating in the destruction of Muslim lands. The destruction of homes, the shedding of innocent blood, and the loss of lives are actions that are prohibited in Islam, regardless of the political context. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) made it clear that the lives of Muslims are sacred and should be protected from external aggression.
Furthermore, Sheikh Ayat Allah `Ali At-Taskhieri, director of the International Academy of Approach between Islamic Madhahib, cautioned that the success of the US invasion in Iraq would not only harm Iraq but would set a dangerous precedent for future American interventions in the Muslim world. Such actions would enable the US to further assert its dominance, both politically and economically, over Muslim countries.
Conclusion: A Call for Unity and Self-Determination
The Islamic view on the US-led war in Iraq highlights the importance of protecting Muslim lands from foreign aggression, upholding the sanctity of human life, and promoting peaceful and lawful means of political reform. While the removal of oppressive dictators is a religious obligation in Islam, it should be done through internal, peaceful means rather than external military intervention. Supporting foreign invasions that result in the destruction of Muslim lands and the suffering of innocent people is not permissible in Islam.
Muslims are urged to unite in their opposition to foreign aggression and to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts. The path forward should involve cooperation among Muslim nations, fostering self-determination, and ensuring that the rights and well-being of all Muslims are protected from the harmful effects of external interference.