The Position on Lebanon's Events
Peace be upon you.
Introduction: The Islamic Perspective on Lebanon's Events
Regarding the Zionist attack on southern Lebanon, I would like to summarize the Islamic perspective on this matter in points.
The Scale of Events and the Nation's Priorities
Firstly, my brothers, the scale of events is generally too large for us to focus solely on the emotional stance and ask: should we rejoice and be happy, or should we grieve and empathize regarding the areas known as Hezbollah? It seems that the time has come for many of us, the communities that ask this question. Our continued state of helpless spectatorship is a dangerous sign that should make our priority to strive to overcome weakness and helplessness and wait for our turn to be slaughtered.
The Absence of Allies and Seeking Refuge in Allah
Secondly, the Zionist arrogance in the region, supported by world powers, is not met with any allies from among the people, nor even Iran, which some rely upon. It has become clear that Iran avoids engaging in a comprehensive war, even if the price is abandoning its allies. If it has abandoned its long-standing political and military allies in Lebanon, how can we expect any good from it for the Sunni people, when it has intensified killing them in other arenas?
In light of this, my brothers, we have no choice but to seek refuge in Allah's mercy. He has clarified the characteristics of those who deserve His mercy, saying: {And the believers, men and women, are protecting friends of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and they establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.}
Conditions for Deserving Allah's Mercy
The first condition is faith and the support of the believers. Sectarianism, disputes, exchanging insults, and accusations based on differing emotional stances regarding what is happening in southern Lebanon certainly do not achieve the state of mutual support nor the command of Allah. Rather, this deprives us of the only hope for success and being worthy of Allah's plot against the severe plot of the enemies.
Matters to Agree Upon and Matters to Disagree Upon
Thirdly, there are matters upon which we must agree, and matters upon which we may disagree. There are matters in which we may excuse one another without denial, and other matters in which we must denounce the erring.
Those who killed the Sunni people in Syria, tortured them, participated in their capture, and violated their honor are also enemies of the Muslims, and their crimes in Syria do not erase their enmity towards the Zionists in Palestine. The blood of Muslims is equal.
Crimes of Hezbollah Against the Sunni
We do not need to remind you of their past crimes. If you do not remember what so-called Hezbollah did in Qusayr and elsewhere in Syria, their crimes are still present, to the extent that during the bombardment in southern Lebanon, they were bombing our people in Idlib and shedding the blood of their men, women, and children the night before last.
Understanding Different Feelings
Therefore, among the matters upon which we must agree is that the joy of those who rejoice at the pain befalling those who call themselves Hezbollah and their schadenfreude towards them is not an alliance with the Zionists, nor a bias towards the rulers of the Arabs, nor political foolishness, nor a lack of chivalry, nor a disregard for the suffering of our people in Gaza and the rest of Palestine. All these claims are a misconception about your Muslim brother and an unfair burden on his stance.
Joy at the Criminals' Misfortune
His joy at what befalls the criminals is driven by genuine compassion for his brothers in Syria, pity for them, and his anger at what has befallen them.
The Pain of the Comprehensive Bombardment
However, at the same time, we remind those who rejoice at what befalls the aggressors of the Iranian party of the overall picture and the many pains that accompany this joy with pain. This bombardment does not only target the Iranian party in Lebanon but also our Sunni people. Some Sunni preachers and their followers have been assassinated in this bombardment. They may also target people who are not Sunni but are not hostile to the Muslims, do not fight them, and do not approve of what the criminal aggressors are doing in Syria. Those who do not harbor enmity towards the Muslims, their guidance and affection are more beloved to us than that they be killed by the Zionists.
The General Harm to Lebanon
Then, the pain that we expect the oppressors to be struck by the oppressors instead of us, as Muslims, being the ones who avenge the oppressed and take their revenge. Also, what is painful in these events is that what is happening in southern Lebanon harms Lebanon in general and burdens it beyond what it is already burdened and destroyed. These waves of displacement, along with the poverty of the country and the Zionists' violation of Lebanon lengthwise and crosswise, mean harming its people in general and repeating the tragedies we see in Gaza. May Allah alleviate its grief.
Impact on Gaza
What is also painful is that the Zionists were partially preoccupied with the northern front, giving a very weak respite to our brothers in Gaza who wish that the criminal Zionists would be preoccupied with any place. The Zionists' breaking of the Iranian party's strength helps them to focus on the crime against the people of Gaza and Palestine. What befalls the Iranian party in Lebanon comes in this context. If it were in the context of their crimes against our people in Syria, it would have been easier for the majority of Muslims to take a unified emotional stance towards it.
Sorrow of Some is Not Satisfaction with Hezbollah
This brings us to the opposite stance: it is not permissible for you to suspect those who grieve for what is happening in southern Lebanon, because their grief does not mean that they are satisfied with what the Iranian party has done and is doing to our people in Syria, nor does it mean that their creed is light to them and that they are satisfied with the known insults to the Companions and the polytheistic practices. All of this is a misconception and an unfair burden on the stance if the matter is limited to grief and not defending the Iranian party in Lebanon and its stances and its doctrinal deviation.
Mixing of Feelings and Correcting Concepts
Fourthly, my brothers, for all of this, it is no wonder that feelings are mixed in such a situation. There is no schizophrenia or confusion in this, but the situation calls for the mixing of feelings. We must help people organize their thoughts, separate the mixed feelings, and understand them.
Dealing with Displaced Families of Hezbollah
Fifthly, my brothers, a question was directed to me by brothers in Lebanon: what is our stance towards the displaced families of the Iranian party from the south to our areas? We know that their sons are now oppressing the Sunni people in Syria. The people among us have differed regarding them between those who call for harshness towards these families and those who call for embracing and comforting them.
I say: you, my brothers in Lebanon, are more capable of knowing the conditions of these notables. There may be among them those who benefit from kindness, and you can convey to them a clear message that we are kind to you for the sake of Allah and we expect you to stop your sons and brothers from aggression against our people in Syria, and it is likely that this will benefit them. And there may be among them those who are known for their bad nature, and kindness will only increase their tyranny. Therefore, you must focus on what serves the call of these people and serves your Sunni brothers in Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine.
Conclusion: No Refuge Except by Achieving the Mercy of Allah
In conclusion, we return to what we began with: events are much greater than standing at the emotional stance, and none of us is safe from the turn coming to him, and there is no refuge except by achieving the specifications of deserving the mercy of Allah: "And the believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - He will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise."
Therefore, faith and supporting and aiding the believers in every way we can, and enjoining good and forbidding evil in all its political, social, and military forms and bearing the consequences of that, and obeying Allah in all aspects of life, so that Allah, may He be glorified, may have mercy on us and save us.
O Allah, make for this nation a matter of guidance in which You honor Your allies and humiliate Your enemies, and make for us a share in this honor.
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.