in the most complete manner, so that hearts are drawn to it, for it is the religion of the natural disposition.

Also connected with calling to Islam is protecting Islam by defending it to the utmost of one’s ability. First, this entails preventing whatever diminishes or nullifies Islam, by preventing the wars that arise from time to time—if it is correct to say “from time to time,” for the truth is that war has existed between Islam and disbelief ever since Islam began.

The war waged against Islam falls into two categories. The first is material warfare, involving weapons and military equipment. I do not believe that any Muslim would hold back from this. Indeed, if they saw the enemy coming upon their land, encroaching upon it from its borders, they would rise to confront him, recognizing his hostility. It is the duty of the imam and caliph to establish an army capable, to the extent possible, of repelling the enemy, as Allah Most High says:

“And prepare against them whatever forces you can muster.” [al-Anfal: 60]

There is also warfare with a more concealed, more destructive, and more severe weapon: warfare against thought, creed, and morals. In the realm of thought, they invade the Muslims with destructive ideas that they receive either from atheists or from hypocrites.

In creed as well, there are beliefs ascribed to Islam, apart from the ideas coming from atheists and heretics: deviant doctrines, such as those mentioned by Shaykh al-Islam in al-Wasitiyyah Creed concerning the five fundamental issues in which Ahl al-Sunnah occupy a middle position between the sects of this Ummah. These corrupt doctrines must be combated.

Warfare through morals is likewise difficult, for souls are inclined