● Mufti Taqi declared military jihad against Israel obligatory for Muslim states, citing Gaza’s genocide & “Islamic duty to defend the oppressed”.
● The fatwa urges unified Muslim action, cutting ties with Israel, funding Gaza aid, and says inaction is un-Islamic.
Islamabad, April 10, 2025 – In a seismic moment for the global Muslim Ummah, Pakistan’s Grand Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, one of the world’s most revered Islamic scholars, has issued a groundbreaking fatwa at the National Palestine Conference in Islamabad on April 10, 2025. Declaring military jihad against Israel an obligatory duty for all Muslim governments, this is a clarion call to action amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
The Fatwa: The Ruling and Its Directives
Speaking to a packed audience of scholars and leaders, Mufti Taqi Usmani declared that jihad—specifically military intervention—is now a religious obligation for Muslim states to defend Palestine.
“What is the use of the armies of Muslim countries if they do not engage in jihad? “….
…he asked, his voice resonating with urgency.
“We have failed to support those protecting Al-Aqsa Mosque, our first Qibla.”
The fatwa lays out the following directives:
1. Military Jihad: Muslim governments must deploy their armed forces to confront Israel’s unchecked aggression and support Palestinian resistance.
2. Complete Boycott: All economic and diplomatic ties with Israel and its supporters must be severed immediately.
3. Resource Reallocation: Funds spent on voluntary acts like Umrah should be redirected to provide financial and material aid to Palestinians.
4. Unified Action: Muslim nations must unite to form a collective front, ensuring practical support reaches Gaza without delay.
Mufti Usmani condemned the inaction of Muslim leaders, warning that silence in the face of Gaza’s suffering is a betrayal of faith.
Why This Matters
The fatwa holds significance for several reasons:
● Authority: Mufti Usmani, a leading scholar and former judge of Pakistan’s Shariat Appellate Bench, is a global beacon of Islamic jurisprudence. His rulings shape millions of lives, from Pakistan to India to the West.
● The Timing: Issued amid the US backed Israeli war on Gaza, the fatwa amplifies the urgency of action when hope seems faint.
● Universal Reach: By addressing all Muslim governments, it calls for a collective response across borders.
Mufti Usmani highlighted the destruction of hospitals, schools, and mosques, calling it a genocide that demands more than words. He referenced Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who labeled Israel an “illegitimate state,” reinforcing Pakistan’s historic stance of non-recognition.
“Israel is an illegitimate child of the west.’’ — Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Founder of Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Mufti Taqi also lambasted global institutions like the United Nations, branding them complicit in enabling violence, and criticized the United States for its unwavering support of Israel. “The UN is a toy in their hands,” he said, urging Muslims to rely on their own strength.
The ruling calls upon:
● Governments: To deploy their resources—military, financial, and diplomatic—in order to uphold what he outlined in the fatwa.
● Individuals: To boycott Israeli goods, donate to Gaza, and participate in peaceful protests. (He stressed that vandalism or violence against innocents is forbidden under Sharia.)
● Scholars and Leaders: To amplify this message, ensuring that it reaches all corners of the Muslim world.
“We’ve held conferences for years, but Gaza waits for action,” Mufti Usmani declared, quoting a Gazan doctor’s plea: “We waited for you, but you didn’t come. Farewell.”, underlining the urgency of the matter.
Global Echoes and Challenges
The fatwa has sparked waves of support across the Muslim world. In Pakistan, it ignited passionate calls for action, though the recent military-led government’s crackdowns on pro-Gaza protests, allegedly to get a stamp of approval from the US, has created tension.
In other parts of the Muslim world, figures like Egypt’s Grand Mufti Nazir Ayyad have criticized such fatwas—arguing that jihad should be exercised only under proper state authority.
The fatwa also follows earlier rulings, including one from IUMS on April 5, 2025, and an endorsement by Indonesia’s MUI on April 8, showing a growing consensus among scholars.
The Path Forward
Mufti Taqi Usmani’s fatwa places direct responsibility on Muslim governments to take concrete action—militarily, economically, and diplomatically—in response to the situation in Gaza. It urges for coordinated, state-level implementation of the directives outlined.
The fatwa also urges Individuals to contribute through Sharia-compliant means such as donations and boycotts, while scholars and leaders are encouraged to share the ruling responsibly across the Ummah.
With growing public pressure, particularly in countries like Pakistan, the fatwa has introduced a new legal and moral dimension to the global conversation on Gaza—one that now demands a very different response from those in power.
