<![CDATA[The obligation to wage war (al-qital) in Islamic law remains a topic of contemporary academic debate, especially in the context of jihad in Palestine. Different fatwas issued by international Muslim scholars and Indonesian religious authorities illustrate the complex interaction between normative interpretations of sacred texts and geopolitical realities. This study aims to analyze these fatwas through the framework of maqashid al-sharia, with a particular emphasis on hifzh al-nafs (the protection of human life) as the primary objective of Islamic law. This research uses a library-based qualitative methodology, referring to primary and secondary sources, including fatwas issued by authorized Islamic legal institutions, official documents, and classical and contemporary works on Islamic fiqh and maqashid al-sharia. The findings show that the dominant academic view limits the obligation of armed jihad to the Palestinian population, while Muslims outside the conflict zone are encouraged to contribute through humanitarian, political, and diplomatic support. However, a minority view considers armed jihad in Palestine a collective obligation (fardhu kifayah) for the wider Muslim community. These differing legal positions are influenced by variations in socio-political context, interpretive methodology, and assessments of mashlahah (public interest) and mafsadah (potential harm). From the perspective of hifzh al-nafs, the non-obligatory interpretation of jihad for Muslims outside conflict zones is more consistent with the goal of preserving human life, while maintaining the principle of transnational Muslim solidarity. This study highlights the importance of a maqashid-oriented approach in ensuring the relevance of Islamic legal thought to contemporary challenges and universal ethical values of sharia.]]>
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