The issue of Palestinian refugees and their right to return to their homeland has been at the heart of the ongoing conflict with Israel for decades. Despite United Nations resolutions recognizing their right to return, Israel has consistently refused to acknowledge this right, proposing compensation instead. This raises a critical question: is it permissible for a Palestinian to accept compensation for their land, or must they hold steadfast in their right to reclaim it?
The Islamic Stance on Land Concession
In addressing this issue, eminent Islamic scholars have emphasized the sanctity and inviolability of land belonging to Muslims, particularly in the case of the Palestinian territories. According to Islamic law, the land on which a Muslim resides and owns is not simply personal property; it is considered a shared trust of the Ummah, the global Muslim community. Thus, giving up such land to non-Muslim enemies, especially under the guise of compensation, is deemed both morally and religiously wrong.
Islamic teachings stress that a Muslim has no right to sell or concede their land to a foreign state, particularly one that has forcibly displaced them. The act of waiving one’s right to land under such conditions is not merely a personal choice; it is a betrayal of a collective responsibility. It is not only haram (forbidden) but is considered one of the gravest sins in Islam. The land, being part of the Muslim world’s sacred territory, belongs to the broader Muslim community and must be defended.
The Collective Responsibility of the Ummah
The Muslim community as a whole bears responsibility for defending its lands. This includes the obligation to restore occupied territories through any means necessary, including war if required. This duty extends to all members of the community—men, women, and even children—because the collective rights of the Ummah take precedence over individual rights. The Islamic principle of defending the homeland is clear: if the land is usurped, Muslims must take action to reclaim it.
The Quran itself provides guidance on this matter. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:246), Allah commands the believers to fight for their homes if they are forcibly expelled. This duty is not contingent on strength or current power, but rather on the moral imperative to resist oppression.
Compensation vs. Concession of Land
While accepting compensation for long-standing suffering is just and necessary, giving up the land itself in exchange for money is a different matter. The argument put forth by some that Palestinians should accept compensation because they lack the power to reclaim their land is flawed. Just because one lacks power today does not mean they will be powerless forever. The principle of resilience is fundamental in Islam, and history has proven that situations can change, and power can shift.
The call to simply accept compensation without reclaiming the land is seen as a denial of justice, especially when viewed in the context of the suffering Palestinians have endured for over half a century. Their displacement, which amounts to a profound violation of their rights, deserves compensation, but not at the expense of giving up their ancestral land.
The Future and the Duty of the Muslim Ummah
The situation in Palestine is not just about the rights of Palestinians; it is a matter that concerns the entire Muslim Ummah. The land of Palestine, particularly Jerusalem, holds immense religious and historical significance for Muslims worldwide. It is not only a Palestinian issue but a Muslim issue, and therefore, it must be defended by the Ummah in its entirety. No single generation has the right to give away this sacred land, for it belongs to future generations as well.
Conclusion
Islam unequivocally prohibits the concession of land to an enemy, especially when that land has been taken by force. Palestinians, like all Muslims, have the right to fight for their land, and they should not be swayed by offers of compensation that fail to address the root injustice. While compensation for the pain and suffering of the refugees is justified, the land itself must be preserved, defended, and reclaimed for the future of the Muslim Ummah.