Answer: The term, " The Ideological Attack " is a modern term, which refers to a set of efforts, undertaken by a particular nation, in order to conquer or influence another nation, such that [the attacked nation] is steered in a particular course of direction because of it.
It is far more serious than military warfare, since it aims at secrecy, seeking to achieve subtle objectives initially; so that the attacked nation does not perceive it, nor prepares to halt it, nor stand in its way - thereby falling victim to it. The eventual result of this onslaught is that this nation becomes diseased in its thoughts and its senses; loving what the enemy wants it to love and hating what they want it to hate. It is a chronic disease, which attacks nations, doing away with its characteristics, removing its foundations and strength. The nation, which is struck by it, does not even feel what has hit it, or what it even is! That is why curing it becomes somewhat difficult, and making [the attacked nation] understand the ways of righteousness becomes a struggle.
This war takes place by means of school curriculums, general education, media, small and large size publications, and other such channels. Through this the enemy hopes to deviate the nation from its beliefs, becoming attached to what the enemy throws at it. We ask Allâh for safety and protection from this.
Answer: Yes, the Muslims in general, including the Arabs, the kingdom, and other than them, are all subject to a great ideological attack from the various nations of unbelief (kufr); from both the east and the west. The severest and most serious of these [ideological] attacks are:-
As for the Muslim who is exposed to this filthy attack, he becomes ill in thought and desensitized to this disease; he may not even see any danger with the presence of christians in the lands of the Muslims. Indeed, he may even think that their presence is a source of goodness, which aids and advances civilization.
So the christians have sufficed themselves with this ideological attack, as opposed to the military one, because it is more effective and more permanent. What need do they have of deploying troops or spending huge sums of money, when there exists amongst the children of the Muslims those who can actually fulfill their wishes, intentionally or unintentionally, with a price or without one! This is why they do not resort to openly fighting the Muslims with weapons and arms, except in rare cases when necessity dictates this. They resort to this in situations where speed is sought; such as what happened in Uganda and Pakistan. Or when there is a need to stabilize the advancement, or establish centers, or to establish bases, which engage in destructive ideological warfare; such as what happened in Egypt, Syria, Irâq, and other countries, before their expulsion.
The zionist war is just the same. The jews strive their utmost to corrupt the beliefs, morals and manners of the Muslims. The jews scheme and crave after possessing the Muslim lands, as well as the lands of others. They have fulfilled some of their plans and continue striving hard to implement the rest of them. Even though they do engage the Muslims in warfare involving strength and arms and have occupied some of their lands, they also fight them by spreading destructive thoughts, beliefs and ideologies; such as Freemasonry, Qadiaanisim, Bahaaism, Teejaanism and others - seeking the support of the christians and others, in order to fulfill their objectives. [17] As for the communist/atheist war, then presently it is spreading like wildfire across the Muslim lands.[18] This happens as a consequence of there being a void, weakness of faith in many people, wide spread ignorance and the lack of a correct and sound [Islamic] cultivation. The communist parties from Russia and China, as well as others, have managed to ensnare every spiteful, malicious person; driven by those weak in faith or having no faith at all! They selected these types of people as being their puppets and plants in that country, spreading through them their vile ideology of atheism and communism.
They lured these puppets with promises of high positions of power and status. Through them they tore apart the Muslim ummah since they were made [to act as] the troops of Satan.
They were aided in this by the christians and the jews, who sometimes assisted in their preparation, whilst at other times they offered other forms of aid and support. Thus, even though they do have differences between them, yet they become a single hand against the Muslims. They view the Muslims as their worst enemy, that is why we see them co-operating with each other as allies against the Muslims. So it is Allâh's aid that is sought; He suffices us and is the best of guardians.
Footnotes
16 From Majmû Fatâwâ wa Maqâlât Mutanawwiah (3/438-446).
17 It is appropriate here to address some of the allegations that continue to
be leveled against the Shaykh, rahimahuullah, with regards to his verdict
(fatwâ) about the peace treaty with the jews which, even though it was first
published in al-Muslimûn newspaper on the 21st of Rajab 1415H, certain
misconceptions still continue to be circulated about it.
From them:
"A peace treaty with the jews does not imply having love for them, or taking
them as friends and allies Rather it only means peace between the two sides
and that each of them will not harm the other, as well as
other things such as buying and selling, exchanging ambassadors, and other
dealings which do not mean love for the unbelievers or taking them as friends
and allies. The Prophet sallallâhu alayhi wa sallam
established a peace treaty with the people of Makkah, and that did not mean
that they loved them or took them as friends and allies. Rather, the enmity
and hatred remained between them until Allah facilitated the
conquest of Makkah, in the year of the Conquest; and the people entered
Allâh's Religion in multitudes ..."
"So all of this shows that peace treaties and truces do not necessitate love,
friendship and affection for the enemies of Allâh - as is thought by some of
those who have scant knowledge of the Sharîah rulings. Thus
it will be clear to the questioner and others, that peace with the jews, or
other unbelievers, does not mean that we change the educational curriculae,
nor any other dealings related to love and allegiance; and
Allâh alone grants success.
"The peace between the Muslim leaders of Palestine and the jews does not mean
that the jews will permanently possess the lands that they possess now.
Rather, it only means that they will be in possession of them for a
period of time, until either the truce expires, or until the Muslims become
strong enough to force them out of the Muslim lands - in the case of an
unrestricted peace. Likewise, when we have the ability,
it is obligatory to fight the jews until they enter into Islâm, or until
they give the jizyah (a tax levied from those non-Muslims who are permitted
to live under the protection of the Muslim state) in servility ..."
"The peace between the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the jews does
not necessitate what the questioner mentioned with regards to the rest of the
countries. Rather each country sees what is beneficial. So if it sees that it
is beneficial for the Muslims in its land to have peace with the jews and to
exchange ambassadors and to engage in trade and dealings that are
deemed to be lawful by the pure Sharî';ah of Allâh, then this is
alright. However, if it sees that the benefit for it and its people lies in
cutting-off from the jews, then it should act as the Sharîah requires and
benefit necessitates."
"So all of this is when one is unable to fight the unbelievers, or to make
them give the jizyah - if they are from the People of the Book
(ahlul-kitâb). However, when one does have the ability to wage jihâd
against them, then what is required is to call them to enter into Islâm, or
to be fought against, or to pay the jizyah if they are from its people. So in
this
case it is not permissible to seek peace with them, nor to abandon fighting,
nor the jizyah.
Rather, seeking peace is allowed when there is a need or necessity; when you
are unable to fight them, or unable to enforce the jizyah upon them, if they
are from its people ..."
A Final Point: The Shaykh issued this fatwâ seeking to safeguard the
Religion, life and property of the Muslims in the best possible manner taking
into consideration the attendant circumstances in that particular region, as
well as the associated benefits and harms. The Prophet sallallâhu alayhi wa
sallam said in a hadîth reported by al-Bukhârî (13/318) and Muslim
(no.1716): "When a judge strives and judges and is correct, he receives two
rewards. If he strives and judges but errs, he receives a single reward."
Thus it is hoped that what has been quoted from the words of the Shaykh
suffices as a clarification for any misunderstandings and allegations. So - O
fair-minded reader - let this be considered!
The following are extracts taken from a clarification made by the Shaykh two
months after the initial fatwâ, which was published in at-Tawhîd magazine
(vol.23; no.10):
18 This certainly was the case at the time these questions were posed to the Shaykh, fifteen years ago in 1404H.