Is Madkhalism a friend of the State of Israel?

Senior Islamic scholar, Shamsi Bensafi, a proponent of Madkhalism that supports strong ties with the State of Israel if the Arab rulers permit it. [Photo: Sunni Dawah]

As antisemitism increases across the world, even in Western nations particularly amongst the far-right and white-supremacist organizations – it is still important to note that support for the State of Israel does exist in an unlikely place and can be even expanded with the right approach and support.

As military historians in the Middle East probably would have guessed, I am referring to an obscure Islamic sect that is a much stronger supporter for normalization of ties with Israel – than even secular, nationalist and liberal political parties – the school of thought known as Madkhalism.

As far as any expert knows, the threat from terrorism is rooted fundamentally and inextricably in political Islam – particularly in Jihadist strains such as those advocated by ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Taliban, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Al-Shabaab, Houthis, etc. All these groups are in one way or another influenced by Muslim-Brotherhood methodology, principles, and values.

However, the sect of Madkhalism is core counterbalance to these groups, and helps secure Western secular democratic interests and ideals, as well as the security of the State of Israel.

Additionally, this sect believes in the permissibility of normalizing ties between Islamic governments and Israel and does not believe in boycotting Israeli goods and services. Their unquestioning obedience to governments, even those that are clearly pro-Israeli, such as the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, and Sudan etc. means that official policies that benefit Israel will not be opposed but supported, since in their words this is the “decision for the rulers.”

Moreover, this theological principle, known in Arabic as ta’at wali al amr which can be translated as “obedience to the ruler,” is the bedrock of stability across the pro-Israeli Middle Eastern states.

When it comes to the State of Israel, Madkhalism has produced scholarly authorities, that are considered giants in the Islamic world, particularly in the Sunni sect, the biggest sect of Islam, that have called for a negotiated settlement to the Palestinian issue. And Sheikh Al-Albani, the foremost respect Sunni Salafist has advocated the most famous judicial verdict that called for the removal of all Palestinians, including most of the terrorists, to be permanently removed from the West Bank. According to this article Al Albani legitimized the authority of the State of Israel over both the West Bank and Gaza: “But Albani’s fatwā seems to be acknowledgement of de facto Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and Gaza, which is evidenced by military soldiers that occupy the West Bank, and the Israeli military’s blockade of Gaza.”[1]

To further simply the distinction between Madkhalism and the Jihadist terrorists, in the UK, Shamsi Bensafi, an Islamic cleric, has advocated for peace with the Jewish State of Israel, whilst Daniel Haqiqatjou – an Iranian Shia Jihadist-oriented political agitator – has advocated for endless war with Jews as a whole so that Palestinians can have a state from the river to the sea. The former is a proponent of Madkhalism whilst the latter is a proponent of Jihadist political Islam; and the former is friend of Israel, whilst the latter is an enemy of Israel. Which one benefits Western and Israeli interests?

One of the major security risks emanating from political groups, especially those with Jihadist leanings, is that of assassination. This is particularly a threat to leaders and government officials. For instance, remember the assassination of President Anwar Sadat? Or the assassination of Governor of Punjab in Pakistan, Salman Taseer? The Islamic world is known for its history of assassinations. Unsurprisingly, the assassin is always an Islamist. This threat is also eliminated with the widespread promotion of Madkhalism since they seek to identify these threats and report them to the authorities.

There is no doubt that the fragmentation of states and governments in the Islamic world is a grave security threat to the State of Israel, and the Western world in general. Because this fragmentation creates space for radical extremist groups to train and recruit people to launch terror atrocities like those launched from Afghanistan on the US such as 9/11, or the Bali Bombings that killed hundreds of people including many Australians and Britons. The Madkhalis are instrumental in preventing these attacks, and they would certainly condemn the October 7 atrocities as well.

In the final analysis, when we objectively review all the evidence, it becomes firmly established that Madkhalism is the strain of Islamic thought that is most friendly to the tactical, operational, and strategic goals and objectives of the State of Israel. This group has no problems with normalizing ties with the State of Israel, nor it has any problems with Arab states buying and selling with Israel, thereby strengthening Israeli economy, and securing its interests across the Islamic world and even beyond. Shockingly, it openly promotes the idea of removing all Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza, and they legitimize the authority and power of modern State of Israel over all the territories that are considered Palestinian territory by the politically problematic strain of the Muslim Brotherhood-type organizations.

[1] https://islamiclaw.blog/2018/08/14/1993-fatwa-from-muhammad-nasiruddin-al-albani-calling-on-palestinians-to-leave-the-west-bank/

About the Author

Zalghi Khan is a former investment banker, who is currently training to become an accountant. He is the author of ten books, and specializes in economics, finance, and geopolitical issues. For him it is important to provide convincing answers to pressing questions, especially as it relates to global economic matters.

Discussions are moderated for civility. Read the guidelines
here.

Be the first to comment...

No one seems to have shared their thoughts on this topic yetLeave a comment so your voice will be heard first.