Establishing Friendships and Concluding Treaties Between Islamic Governments is From Jihad in the Path of Allah
By Imām Abdur-Rahmān Nāsir As-Sa’di (Allah’s mercy be upon him).
Allah, the Most High, said:
إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌۭ فَأَصْلِحُوا۟ بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ
“Indeed, the believers are but brothers, so make peace between your brothers.” (Al-Hujurāt 49:10)
From the most important matters of jihād in these times is the establishment of treaties, and strengthening the bonds of love and brotherhood between the Islamic governments, whilst maintaining for each state its independence, its sovereignty, and its rights in both its internal and external affairs. Alongside this, there must be mutual assistance, cooperation, and solidarity between them; that they should be like a single hand against anyone who transgresses against them or takes from their rights.
It is necessary that they become united in their voice and their stance, that they facilitate economic matters among themselves, and that each one draws closer to the other for the benefit of all. They should strive with diligence in this affair, working with wisdom appropriate to the present circumstances. They must expend effort in achieving this goal and in removing all obstacles and barriers that hinder it, regardless of how difficult or heavy these obstacles may appear.
Indeed, the enemies of Islam have placed many impediments in the way of the Muslims. Yet with tawfīq from Allāh, and with reliance upon Him, and with firm resolve, these barriers can be removed. Matters that appear difficult will become easy by the permission of Allāh.
However, in our times, the Muslims are afflicted with severe weakness, and the enemies lie in wait for them from every direction. This situation has brought despair into the hearts of the Muslims, such that many of them have become weak in Imān, weak in their determination, their strength, and their courage. Despair has overcome them. They imagine that hope in the honour of Islam has been lost forever, and that the Muslims have moved from weakness into even greater weakness. This is a grave mistake! For this weakness is only a temporary state with causes. And when those causes are removed, the health of Islam returns to how it once was, and its strength returns to it just as it was in the generations that passed.
The Muslims only became weak because they opposed the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their Prophet ﷺ, and they abandoned the universal laws of Allāh which He, in His wisdom, placed as the very basis for the life and strength of nations in this worldly life. If they return to their religion, to its beneficial teachings, its noble guidance, its complete instructions — whether in whole or in part — then they will return to success.
As for the doctrine of pessimism, Islam does not approve of it at all. Rather, Islam warns against it with the severest of warnings. Islam calls people to hope of success, to the certainty that with hardship comes ease, and that with difficulty comes relief. And that the Muslims, if they act with taqwā, and they take the means that Allāh has legislated, and they take their Prophet as the example to be followed in that regard, and they are patient – then without doubt they will succeed and attain salvation.
So let those who despair and spread hopelessness fear Allah. And let the Muslims know that they are closer than all other nations to true success, real progress, and correct advancement. This is because their dīn is one of elevation and ascent in every aspect: in belief, in conduct, in manners, in goals and objectives. It is a religion that combines the good and benefits of this world and the Hereafter.
Source: Jihād al-Aʿdā wa Wujoob at-Taʿāwun baynal-Muslimeen, pp. 25-26, of Al-Imām As-Saʿdi (d. 1376 AH) – slightly edited.
