Morocco’s Higher Council of Ulemas Issues Fatwa on the True Jihad in Islam

Morocco’s Higher Council of Ulema on Saturday issued a fatwa (religious edict) on the true meaning of Jihad in Islam.

The religious institution clarified in the fatwa what “is actually the jihad in Islam and what is not” explaining that terrorism, aggression and the massacre of innocent people, are all acts formally banned by Islam.

The council based its Fatwa on the interpretation of two verses of the holy Quran:

“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors,” 2:190. And “whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely,” 5:32.

The council explained the definition of jihad as:

1. The jihad against oneself through education, purification of the soul and assuming responsibility;
2. Jihad by thinking through the shaping of the mind so as to serve the interests of humanity;
3. Jihad through writing, through the publication of useful work, the writing of articles illuminating and refuting accusations against Islam and Muslims;
4. And Jihad with money, through the generous spending for the wellbeing of the nation and contributing to its socio-economic developments.

Jihad with weapons, is justified for Muslims “only in cases of extreme necessity when attacked by their enemies and that all peaceful means failed,” the Council added.

Even in this case, the council added that the proclamation of jihad falls within the exclusive purview of the great Imam to whom Islam has given the right to proclaim, to call and organize it.

Therefore, “Islam does not allow any individual or group to declare jihad on their own,” added the fatwa.