Q: Your Eminence know that the Fatani National Liberation Front is leading Muslims in Jihad in the Islamic states of southern Thailand, - which is known as Fatani - against the Thai Buddhist government, to retrieve the violated rights of the Muslims and establish an Islamic state based on the teachings of Allah's Book, the Qur'an, and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). But the Front lacks resources as it has no special funds to depend upon. It does not receive any financial support from Arab or Muslim countries. However, the situation of the Muslims in Fatani has received attention from some Muslim countries, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that was the first country to raise the issue of Fatani in Islamic conferences held both inside and outside the Kingdom. They have supported the Front by arranging funds to buying arms, equipment, and supplies, and the Front has devised ways to collect money, in conformity with the Shari`ah (Islamic law), such as collecting donations from benevolent people, gifts, and bequests. But we have a question that we would like to know the Islamic ruling on: Is it permissible for the Front to collect Zakah from rich Muslims to buy arms and equipment for the Muslim Mujahids (those striving in the cause of Allah)?The Front would like Your Eminence to issue a Fatwa on this important issue as evidence of the permission for our work. We hope that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) will be pleased with us and with our Islamic Jihad and bless our good endeavors.

(Part No. 10; Page No. 37)  A: If the reality is as you have mentioned regarding the Jihad in the Islamic states of southern Thailand, and it aims to liberate the Muslims from being ruled by disbelievers and establish a Muslim state according to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), it is permissible for the Liberation Front to collect Zakah from rich Muslims and buy military equipment for the Muslim Mujahids to be used in Jihad in the cause of Allah and defending His Religion. Jihad in the cause of Allah is one of the eight categories that Zakah can be spent on, which Allah mentions in this Ayah (Qur'anic verse): As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât) are only for the Fuqarâ’ (poor), and the Masâkin (needy) and those employed to collect (the funds), and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islâm), and to free the captives, and for those in debt, and for Allâh’s Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allâh. And Allâh is All-Knower, All-Wise. We ask Allah to grant us all victory and success in what pleases Him, and to enable us to adhere to the Truth, and to have a good end.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.