Fiqh al Jihad Sheikh Yusuf al Qaradhawi

extent not to blame, since the scholars of Shari`ah themselves are confused in this
regard. What then would be the case with ordinary people?
3. Islamists: More than any other, this study is needed by Islamists. By "Islamists" I
mean the different Islamist groups that work in support of Islamic causes, and which
are called by some as "the groups of political Islam." These groups usually include
the youth of the Islamic awakening under their banner in various countries, both
inside and outside the Muslim world. Hence, such groups, with their different
inclinations and attitudes, whether moderate or extremist, are in dire need of such a
study; especially those who are known as "violent groups."
4. Historians: Historians are also in need of this study, especially those who are
interested in the Prophet’s biography and Islamic history, and those who incorrectly
and unjustly interpret the battles of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
incorrectly and unfairly, considering that it was the Messenger who started attacking
and fighting the polytheists. They gave as examples the Battle of Badr, the Conquest
of Makkah, and the Battle of Hunayn. They also mentioned that the Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) initiated the invasion against the Jews in their sites and
fortresses, citing the Battles of Banu Qaynuqa` and Banu An-Nadir, as well as the
Battle of Tabuk in which he commenced the fight against the Romans.
5. Intellectuals: The study is also necessary for men of thought, research and
meditation, especially those who are interested in Islamic thought and Islamist
movements, both moderate and extremist, that arose from it, as well as the acts of
violence — or terrorism as they are described — that some of these groups engage
in. This, as a result, drove some people to hurl the accusation of violence and
terrorism exclusively at Islam, as if all acts of violence and all forms of terrorism are
Islamic. Indeed, this is incorrect and untrue.
6. Orientalists: Non-Muslims, such as Orientalists and those interested in Islamic
studies, also need this kind of study. This applies to those whose interest is primarily
aimed at seeking knowledge and discovering the truth, or those with a politically
motivated interest that is intended to serve certain purposes of a particular country,
or the West in general. This is also true for those who have religious motives to
serve the church and the idea of "Christianization."
7. People Engaged in Dialogue: This study is essential for those interested in interfaith
dialogue or inter-cultural and inter-civilizational dialogue. From my viewpoint,
this study represents a significant brick in the structure of such dialogue, which is
strong at times and weak at others; progressing and stumbling from time to time.
The reason for this lies in the narrow-mindedness of some toward the others, the
bigotry that dominates the minds and the preference given to inherited thought over
unconstrained thought. Undoubtedly, people cannot hold dialogue if they lack
knowledge about each other.
8. Politicians: Moreover, politicians and decision-makers around the world also need
this study. They make fateful decisions that have a crucial impact on the destinies of
nations, human lives, potentials of peoples, and sanctities of religions. Their attack
on religion is based on their mental conceptions about that religion. They, in reality,
do not know it, have not read its scriptures or become acquainted with the biography
of its Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); they have not studied this
religion’s history or even acquired any significant information about its creed and
Shari`ah.