Analyzing the Economic Boycott of Israel: A Strategic Approach in Islamic Jihad

Economic Boycott: Examining the Islamic Jihaad Approach Towards Israel

In support of the oppressed Palestinian brothers and in protest against the Israeli aggression and brutality, many circles of the Muslim Ummah are campaigning to boycott the products of Israel and its proxies. 

On this occasion, Shaykh-ul-Islam Hazrat Maulana Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani has also supported it in a statement calling it a problem of religious honor and national integrity. 

This economic boycott is a part of war between nations and is also an important aspect of Islamic Jihad. In today's conversation, I want to present a couple of incidents regarding his situation during the time of the Prophet (PBUH). Economic conflicts, boycotts and blockades have always been a part of the interdependence of nations. 

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself participated in about twenty-seven wars during the ten-year Madani period after his migration from Makkah, and during this period, many incidents of economic siege, blockade and boycott are part of the historical record. I present two of them. The tribe of Ansar, its leader Hazrat Saad bin Muaz (R.A), after the migration of the Holy Prophet and before the battle of Badr, went to Makkah for Umrah, when Abu Jahl, the leader of the Quraysh, saw them and tried to confound them by saying that, You have given shelter to our enemies and are constantly supporting and helping them, how can you come to Makkah and perform Umrah with such ease and satisfaction? 

According to Bukhari Sharif, Hazrat Saad bin Muaz (R.A) gave Abu Jahl a stern reply and said, "If you try to mess with me, it is either to see that the Quraysh trade caravans go to and from Syria by which route" we live on the said, if we close the way, your trade with Syria will not remain. Abu Jahl stopped hearing this and did not have the courage to say anything more. While Hazrat Saad bin Mu'adh performed Umrah with satisfaction and came back to Medina. 

His threat of economic blockade worked and stopped Abu Jahl's steps. The second incident is after the Peace of Hudaybiyyah, that the chief of Banu Hanifa from Yamama area, Samama bin Athal, was going to Makkah for Umrah before accepting Islam. They were brought to Medina. 

According to the custom of that period, he was tied to a pillar of the Prophet's Mosque. The arrested non Muslim prisoners and were kept in the environment of the Prophet's Mosque for a couple of days, so that they could see the religious environment of Islam and Muslims with their own eyes. After which these prisoners often became Muslims. 

Samama bin Assal (R.A) was the chief of a large Tribe of Arab, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked him during his imprisonment, and he said, "I am your prisoner. If you kill, my tribe will take revenge of them." If you do me a favor and free, I will be very grateful. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) freed them. He had spent two or three days in the environment of Masjid Nabawi. After being freed, he accepted Islam and went to Makkah for Umrah after permission from the Holy Prophet.