In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Saudi Erudite Salafi Scholar, Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said:

There are numerous reasons for weakness, stagnation, and being dominated by enemies. The reasons for weakness, stagnation, and the enemies’ dominance are due to one reason from which many causes arose, and one factor from which many factors arose, and this one reason and factor is: ignorance- one’s ignorance of Allah, the religion Allah has ordained, and the consequences that seized the majority, so knowledge became little and ignorance became rife. This ignorance resulted in (blameworthy) love of the worldly life and hatred of death, neglect of (obligatory) prayers and following (vain) desires, lack of preparation for the enemy, satisfaction with acquiring their needs from their enemy, and a lack of high aspiration to cater for their needs from their country and resources. This ignorance also resulted in splitting and disagreement–an absence of (sound) unity, togetherness, and cooperation.

This demonstrates that being ignorant of Allah, the religion He has ordained, and the realities that one must take into account is the greatest cause of weakness, and this is demonstrated by the Prophet’s statement in the authentic narration that “If Allah wishes good for a person, He gives them understanding in the religion.” This narration together with the verses of the Qur’an, and other narrations, clearly demonstrate the filth of ignorance, its effects, and its outcomes. The Noble Qur’an is replete with condemnations of ignorance and its adherents and warnings against it. Allah [The Exalted] said: [وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَجْهَلُونَ – And most of them have no understanding]. [وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ لا يَعْقِلُونَ – And most of them do not understand]. As well as other Qur’anic verses that dispraise one for being ignorant about Allah and the religion He has ordained, ignorant about the enemy and what it is incumbent (on Muslims) to prepare in terms of awareness, (sound) unity, and cooperation.

And from this ignorance arose splitting, (blameworthy) differing, inclination towards (evil) desires, negligence towards the obligatory prayer, neglecting what Allah has obligated, lack of giving precedence to the Afterlife and not truthfully associating oneself with it; rather, the majority does not give concern except to this present worldly life, as Allah says:

كَلا بَلْ تُحِبُّونَ الْعَاجِلَةَ
وَتَذَرُونَ الْآخِرَةَ

But (you men) love the present life of this world and leave (neglect) the Hereafter.

[Surah Al-Qiyaamah. Ayaat 21-22]

Allah [The Exalted] says:

فَأَمَّا مَنْ طَغَى
وَآثَرَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا
فَإِنَّ الْجَحِيمَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَى

Then, for him who transgressed all bounds and preferred the life of this world (by following his evil desires and lusts), verily, his abode will be Hell-fire. [Surah An-Naazi’aat. Ayaat 37-39]

Therefore, the Messenger’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) statement “If Allah wishes good for a person, He gives them understanding in the religion” demonstrates that one of the indications of goodness and happiness for the person, the people, and the state is that they seek understanding in the religion because seeking knowledge in religion, learning, and insight into what is obligated to them – now and in the future – is one of the most obligatory tasks, and this is a sign that Allah wishes good for them. And part of that, in addition to preparing for the enemy, is fulfilling what Allah has obligated, staying away from what Allah has prohibited, and remaining within the boundaries of Allah’s ordainments.

One of the dangerous causes (of weakness), its (awful) consequences, and what that necessitates is what has occurred in terms of weakness in the presence of the enemy and being delayed in everything except what Allah wills, inclination towards forbidden desires, preoccupation with what hinders from Allah’s path and guidance, lack of preparation for the enemy in the arena of industry, lack of sufficient weaponry that frightens the enemy, fighting him, striving against him in Jihaad, taking one’s rights from him, not preparing the bodies for jihad, and not spending money on what is obligatory (or fitting) to prepare for the enemy, guard against his evil, defend the religion and the homeland. Except for what Allah wills, the preparation is weak or non-existent, and the goals are twisted.

As a result, the path to success, the path to progress against enemies and the absence of weakness in front of them, the path to prosperity and success, the path to obtaining lofty status and the lofty things to be sought after, victory over enemies- the path to all of this is to embrace beneficial knowledge and sound understanding in religion, give priority to Allah’s pleasure above His displeasure, pay close attention to what Allah has obligated, renounce what Allah has prohibited, and truthful repentance to Allah for one’s sins and shortcomings.

Also, in Muslim countries, there should be industry, preparation, and strength to enable every individual through every means, so that he has no need of the enemy – until the enemy knows what he has in preparation and talent, and the enemy is afraid of him, treats him fairly, and gives him his rights. The bodies must be prepared and should refrain from overindulging in that type of luxury that weakens the strength and hearts when required to battle the enemy so that one has the strength to execute Jihaad. (1) https://abukhadeejah.com/salafi-shaikh-fawzaan-on-jihaad-in-our-times-and-the-guidelines-of-jihaad-according-to-islam/

NB: It is the responsibility of Muslim governments and the armies under their command, not rebel, insurgent groups or individuals who take the law into heir own hands, to prepare for military conflict or sign peace agreements. Likewise, it is forbidden to harm non-Muslim nations and their citizens that have signed peace treaties with Muslim states. Similarly, we in the West have an obligation to uphold our pledges to non-Muslims and safeguard their lives, wealth, and honour. Must read:

Living With Non-Muslims In The West: With Fine Conduct
https://abukhadeejah.com/living-with-non-muslims-in-the-west-with-fine-conduct/

The Prophet of Islam would not kill diplomats, ambassadors, emissaries or foreign delegations even if they were sent by the worst of his enemies.
https://abukhadeejah.com/the-prophet-of-islam-would-not-kill-diplomats-ambassadors-emissaries-or-foreign-delegations-even-if-they-were-sent-by-the-worst-of-his-enemies/

Informing The Authorities Of Terrorist Plots:

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/downloads/pdf/MNJ140008.pdf

http://www.shariah.ws/articles/duviqgl-shaykh-salih-al-fawzan-the-islamic-shariah-provides-security–for-muslims-and-non-muslims-and-those-who-violate-it-are-kh257rijites-who-are-to-be-fought-and-severely-punished.cfm

http://www.shariah.ws/articles/szsumlh-the-foundation-of-muslim-relations-with-non-muslims-who-do-not-show-aggression-and-hostility.cfm

http://www.shariah.ws/articles/nmsdfkp-islam-and-the-muslims-are-free-and-innocent-of-the-kharijite-extremists.cfm

To be continued…InShaaAllah

Ref1:https://binbaz.org.sa/discussions/42/%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D8%B6%D8%B9%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%87%D9%85-%D9%88%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%89%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AC paraphrased