A Qatari newspaper has reported that Youssef Qaradawi, perhaps the most leader of the global Muslim Brotherhood, has issued a fatwa (Islamic ruling) in his newest book calling on the “Muslim World” to acquire nuclear weapons. According to the report:
Doha Al-Sharq newspaper in Arabic on 5 September publishes an unattributed report entitled “Al-Qaradawi Issues a Fatwa on the Necessity of Having Nuclear Weapons For Deterrence.” As mentioned in his newly published book, The Jurisprudence of Jihad, Al-Qaradawi says that “I believe that the Muslim nation should have these illegal weapons since they will become the weapons which deter and frighten the enemies.” The report adds: “Al-Qaradawi pointed out that jurisprudence imposes a crystal clear religious obligation on Muslims to work hand in hand and do not have disputes in this regard. They should meet, not separate.” Al-Qaradawi says that peace is one of the sublime goals of the Muslim nation, but Muslims should not give up jihad completely since this position will make them vulnerable to the enemies. This fulfils the divine order in this Koranic verse: “Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into [the hearts of]the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.” [Koranic verse; Sura 8, Verse 80] Al-Qaradawi also stresses the need to have well-educated cadres in order to deal with the sophisticated weapons, as the report says. Al-Qaradawi rules out the possibility of launching a nuclear war since the Cold War proved the impossibility of waging a war between two great powers which are armed to the teeth with unconventional weapons. He, however, says that the presence of a nuclear arsenal in the Muslim world will reduce the threat posed by its bitter enemies and make them think twice before attacking it, the report adds.
A previous post has discussed Qaradawi’s support for the Iranian nuclear program.
(Source: Al-Sharq website, Doha, in Arabic 5 Sep 08, Supplied by BBC Worldwide Monitoring September 5, 2008 Friday)