It is therefore incumbent upon the scholars to exert themselves in tasfiyah (purification) and tarbiyah (cultivation): to teach the Muslims sound monotheism, to rectify their beliefs, acts of worship, and conduct—each according to his ability and in the country where he resides. For they cannot wage jihad against the Jews in a single rank while they remain as we see them today: scattered, united by neither one land nor one line. In such a state they are unable to mount that kind of struggle to repel the enemies who have closed in on them.

Still, they must employ every legitimate means at their disposal, because we lack material power; and even if we possessed it, we would be unable to act in practice, since many governments, leaders, and rulers in the Muslim world—regrettably—pursue policies that do not conform to the political guidelines of the Sharia. Yet, by Allah’s permission, we can realize the two great objectives I mentioned earlier, namely purification and cultivation.

When Muslim preachers fulfill this extremely important duty in a land whose policies are not at odds with the Sharia, and they come together upon that foundation, I believe that, on that day, the words of Allah will be true of them: “On that day the believers will rejoice • in Allah’s help” (al-Rum 30:4-5).