A discussion concerning the permissibility within Islamic shariâa of purchasing weapons from the âinfidelsâ was conducted on a password-protected al-Qaeda affiliated forum today, September 12, 2005. The author posing the question references the mujahideen purchasing weapons from America during the war with the Soviet Union, which another member believed to be a different case, considering there was an âimperative to get rid of the Soviets.â
Two other members, though agreeing that it is legal within Islamic shariâa to buy weapons from the enemy, diverge in their rationale. One believes that if the weapon cannot be manufactured by the mujahideen, and if once purchased it is to be used for jihad, then it is permissible. The other member asserts that it is legal to buy the weapons, âeven from the mafia gangs in Germany or elsewhere,â since the prophet Mohammad borrowed shields from his enemy, thereby making borrowing and buying/selling analogous. |