The oppressed and participants in Jihad must be patient and persevering, fear Allah and adhere to His religion, observe His rights and advise each other to hold to the truth and advise each other to be patient. Success and victory will be the result, as Allah (Exalted be He) says, But if you remain patient and become Al­ Muttaqûn [the pious ­ See V.2:2], not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Surely, Allâh surrounds all that they do. The Muslims will not be harmed by the plots of the enemies, if they remain patient and fear Allah (Exalted be He). The good end will be for them even if a group of them is afflicted by calamities, killed or hurt, because Allah's promise is truthful. Allah (may He be Praised) says, So be patient. Surely, the (good) end is for Al­ Muttaqûn (the pious) , And the good end (i.e. Paradise) is for the Muttaqûn (the pious). Allah (Exalted be He) also says: And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. He (may He be Praised) also says, and whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him. All Muslims, male and female, in these countries and everywhere must hold fast to Allah's Din and preserve His commands and shun His Prohibitions and be truthful in fighting the enemies including this oppressor; namely, the Iraqi ruler and his troops. They should unite against this disbelieving enemy and his atheist party. We should implement Allah's orders and judge according to the teachings of Shari`ah to be victorious. The Muslim countries have to judge their deeds and strive for Allah's cause truthfully and apply the teachings of Shari`ah to all affairs. Like the ark of Nuh, the Islamic Shari`ah brought by the Prophet (peace be upon him) is considered to be a means of rescue for all people on earth. Whoever adheres and observes it will be saved in the worldly life and the Hereafter and when he is affected by misfortunes such as disasters or wars, he will be saved and the good end will be his in this life and the Hereafter.

All Muslims, whether they are in the Arabian Peninsula or anywhere else; men or women, rulers or subjects, must fear Allah (Exalted be He), be firm in religion and bring themselves to account in order to find out where the fault lies. It is well­known that sins may be the cause of afflictions, as Allah (Exalted be He) says, And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. (See the Qur'ân Verse 35:45).

This catastrophe, which we suffer, is the result of our sins and our heedlessness. We, therefore, have to return to Allah (Exalted be He), judge our deeds and strive for His cause. We must also avoid His prohibitions and recommend one another to the truth and patience so that Allah may make us victorious and protect us from the evil of ourselves and our enemies, as Allah (Exalted be He) says, But if you remain patient and become Al­Muttaqûn [the pious ­ See V.2:2], not the least harm will their cunning do to you. Allah (Exalted be He) also says: Help you one another in Al­Birr and At­Taqwâ (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. He (may He be Praised) also says, O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allâh, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.

Those who have great faith, do good deeds, and command one another to patience and truth are the winners in all times and places. The remedy of this Fitnah, like all others, is to be steadfast on the truth and to strive consistently by all possible means; military option, diplomacy, and all other means allowed by Allah (Exalted be He) to resolve problems, deter the oppressor, and render the rights to their owners.

There is nothing wrong with seeking help of the enemies, who advocate for the Muslims and are able to achieve victory when the latter fears to be defeated. The Prophet (peace be upon him), the best of creation, sought the help of Al­Mut`im ibn `Ady who was a Kafir (disbeliever) when Abu Talib the Prophet's uncle died. Al­ Mut`im, who was a popular and powerful figure, offered protection to him. When Abu Talib died, the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to Al­Ta'if to call its people to Islam. He (peace be upon him) was not able to return home at Makkah fearing the people of Makkah. He sought the protection of Al­Mut`im ibn `Ady, the pagan chief, responded favorably. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) needed a guide to show him the way to Madinah, he hired one of the pagans to guide him to Madinah because he was sure of the latter's honesty. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in need of the Jews after the conquest of Khaybar, they were assigned to take care of the palms and fields. They agreed that the harvest is to be divided into halves between them and the Muslims. That was because the Muslims were busy in Jihad. Although there was hostility between the Jews and Muslims, he (peace be upon him) assigned them to take care of the palms and fields of Khaybar when there was a need for that.

There is nothing wrong with seeking the help of the enemy when the latter is in favor of us against our enemies. We can benefit from an enemy until Allah (Exalted be He) helps us combat the other enemy and force him out of the country. The case is clear for those who know the proofs of Shari`ah, the oppressor's state and acts of transgression, and the great danger he may bring. The Council of Senior Scholars, therefore, examined this event thoroughly and decided that there is no harm concerning the government seeking help of non­Muslim countries. The government did so out of necessity to avoid greater danger threatening the country if this oppressor continued in his transgression and ruined the country. Moreover, he may receive support from other people to persist in this falsehood.

I saw it imperative to explain this question in detail to show the truth and validity of the decision of the government concerning seeking the help of the non­Muslim countries to fight this oppressor. Many people were confused about this situation and the severity of the government's need to do so. They do not know the realty as it is and the danger of this atheist; namely the Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein.

This is the real situation where this oppressor transgressed and insisted on his transgression and did not comply with Allah's command. Allah (may He be Praised) ordered us to fight the transgressing party, even if they are believers, until they comply with the Command of Allah. Consequently, it is better to fight and deter this party who are atheists and disbelievers and support the oppressed party using all available means leading to victory. For six months, the Muslims have tried and asked this ruler to reconsider the matter and withdraw from Kuwait, but he refused. Thus, war remains the last resort. It was necessary to seek help from a party who is stronger than the oppressed party to unite with them and combat and force out this oppressor. We ask Allah to eliminate him, spoil his evil plot, and strike him with the evil end. May Allah protect the Muslims from his evil, grant them victory over the enemies and steadfastness, and reform their affairs for He is All­Hearer, Ever Near.

Everyone has to learn and benefit from this Fitnah in rectifying our affairs and being firm in obeying Allah (Exalted be He) and His Messenger. We must judge our deeds so that we follow the right way and avoid any other. Allah (may He be Praised) has afflicted people with calamities to learn a lesson, as He says, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allâh brings through it a great deal of good. Allah (Glorified be He) also says: Jihâd (holy fighting in Allâh's cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allâh knows but you do not know. We ask Allah (Exalted be He) to make this war beneficial and make its consequences good.

Owing to the sins committed by some, the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Sahabah were exposed to defeat, some were killed and others were wounded. You can imagine our situation. Every Muslim in the world is obliged to judge their deeds, strive themselves, and examine their drawbacks to perform Tawbah. Allah (Exalted be He) says, O you who believe! Fear Allâh and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow You should contemplate what you have kept for yourselves of deeds for the Hereafter. If these deeds are good, be grateful to Allah (Exalted be He) and ask Him to grant you steadfastness. If they are bad, you are to perform Tawbah and return to the truth. Every believer is obliged to have Taqwa of Allah (Exalted be He) and hold themselves accountable all the time, especially at times of afflictions and diversities, which we experience in the present. We should perform Tawbah and judge our deeds and strive ourselves for Allah's cause. Allah (Exalted be He) has given power to our enemy only because of our sins. We must resort to Allah (Exalted be He) in humility and ask Him to grant us victory over this enemy, to let him down and protect us from the evil of the enemies, our own selves and Satan. Allah (Exalted be He) says, When Our Torment reached them, why then did they not humble themselves (believe with humility)?

grant him victory until Al­Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) came to him when the Prophet's outer garment fell down saying "This is enough, Messenger of Allah. Allah (Exalted be He) will grant you victory and support." This was the case with the Prophet (peace be upon him), the best creation and master of Adam's sons. Our situation, therefore, necessitates us to implore Allah (Exalted be He) earnestly. We are in dire need to perform Tawbah, cry out of fearing Allah, ask Him day and night to grant us victory. Being heedless and sinful is a serious matter, so every sinful must perform Tawbah. Whoever commits any sin such as neglecting Salah, dealing with Riba, severing ties with parents or kinships, backbiting, or drinking intoxicants has to give up these sins and perform Tawbah.

Everyone, whether they are ordinary employees, presidents, kings, or ministers, are obliged to judge their deeds and fear Allah (Exalted be He). They have to strive and perform Tawbah from their misdeeds including negligence of their work; they should obey their managers only in what is good and reasonable. These are the means to achieve victory and good outcomes. Everyone, rulers or subjects, have to be truthful, strive and perform sincere Tawbah from all their sins. They must also implore Allah (Exalted be He) earnestly, ask Him to grant them victory and aid, and to let down the enemy and spoil his evil plots. They must also take tangible means such as weapons, troops, and power, as Allah (Exalted be He) says, And make ready against them all you can of power

Furthermore, every Muslim has to appeal to Allah (Exalted be He) repeating his Du`a' and ask Him to grant the goodness of the worldly life and the Hereafter, as Allah (may He be Praised) says, Invoke Me, [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islâmic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright. He (may He be Praised) also says, and ask Allâh of His Bounty

It should be noted that the answer of the Du`a' must not be awaited impatiently. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Your supplication is answered unless you are impatient saying, 'I supplicated but left deprived,' then fall into regret and gave up supplication. The believer should not give up making Du`a', even if the answer is delayed. Allah (may He be Praised) ­ due to His profound wisdom, delays the answer so that man might comprehend why the answer of his Du`a' is delayed. Man starts to judge his deeds and strive to take the steps leading to accepting his Du`a'. Among these steps are performing sincere Tawbah, caring about gaining lawfully, causing the heart to be attuned to Allah's commands while making Du`a', and the other things which result in beneficial outcomes.

If the Du`a' is answered immediately, these great benefits will be missed. Here is an example that shows what we mentioned above concerning delaying the answer of Du`a'. Prophet Ya`qub (Jacob) (peace be upon him) supplicated Allah (Exalted be He) to bring back his son Yusuf, but the answer of his supplication was delayed for a long time. Yusuf spent long years in jail. It should be noted that the answer may be delayed even if the one making Du`a' is a noble prophet like Ya`qub, son of Ishaq, son of Ibrahim (peace be upon them). It becomes evident that Allah (Exalted be He) has great wisdom in

In conclusion, the Muslim is prescribed, when the answer of his Du`a' is delayed, to ponder why the answer is delayed, why Allah (Exalted be He) gave the enemy power over us and why we were afflicted with such calamity.