Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, chairman of the International Union of Muslim Scholars and considered the leading decisor on Sunni Muslim religious law, opposes an American military operation against the Islamic State (IS).
Qaradawi tweeted: “I oppose ISIS (the Islamic State) in its ideological path and its methods of action, but I will never agree that the country to fight it be the United States, which is not motivated by the values of Islam, but by its own interests, even if blood is spilled as a result.”
Earlier, Qaradawi ruled that IS is an illegal entity according to Islam, and therefore, it is forbidden to swear allegiance to Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Within IS, Qaradawi is being mocked, and his statements are said to reflect his waning popularity in the Sunni Muslim world and the growing popularity of IS.
Qaradawi is seen as the spiritual guide of Hamas. Regarding armed struggle against Israel, his position is clear – as he has written on Twitter:
"Throughout my life I have declared the duty of jihad in Palestine against Israel, the occupier from 1948 until today. If I could, I would go to Palestine and fight. I have called, and still call, for jihad in Palestine. The issue of Palestine is the most important one, and continues to be so.”