He regards demonstrations as the work of the enemy, suggesting that they have not and will not bring any real good.
Saudi scholar, Mohammad bin Abdullah Al-Maliki, has recently made a significant statement regarding protests in support of Palestine. He emphasized that participating in demonstrations is counterproductive and urged the Muslims to offer supplications instead.
Citing Quranic verses and the actions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he underlines the efficacy of prayer as a means of support.
In his statement, Al-Maliki said, “It is astonishing that Muslims demonstrate in support of their causes, including the Palestinian case, even though this has not and will not benefit the Palestinians in any way. What benefits them is supplication”.
He draws attention to the Quranic verse in Surah Al-Anfal (8:9), which reads, “Remember when you asked help of your Lord, and He answered you, ‘Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another.'”
To further illustrate his point, Al-Maliki refers to the history of the Battle of Badr. He quotes Ibn Abbas, who described the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) response when faced with a daunting situation. On the day of Badr, the Prophet, peace be upon him, faced a numerically superior enemy, with only 319 of his companions against a force of a thousand pagans.
In this moment of uncertainty, he turned to God in supplication. “O Allah, fulfill for me what you promised me,” he implored. And as Ibn Abbas narrates, “Allah provided him with Angels”.
Al-Maliki draws a clear distinction between the efficacy of supplication and the consequences of demonstrations. He regards demonstrations as the work of the enemy, suggesting that they have not and will not bring any real good.
The Ulema’s guidance to prioritize supplication over protests is rooted in a belief in the power of prayer, a cornerstone of Islamic faith. Muslims are encouraged to seek divine intervention through prayer, believing that their appeals to Allah can lead to positive outcomes.
While the debate over the efficacy of protests and supplication continues, the Ulema’s perspective underscores the importance of faith and trust in divine guidance. Their message serves as a reminder that in the face of challenging situations, Muslims are encouraged to turn to prayer as a means of seeking positive change and support for the Palestinian cause.
