The Quran frequently addresses greed and selfishness, highlighting them as negative traits that can lead individuals and states down a path that causes harm to humanity. It portrays greed as an insatiable desire for more, even to the detriment of others, and warns of the consequences of succumbing to such desires. The Quran emphasises that true wealth lies in contentment and spiritual richness, rather than material possessions.
Yes, I am referring to Israel’s continued greed for expansion and accumulation of land and wealth. On September 9, 2025, Israel added one more country in the region to its long list of countries it has attacked so far. Qatar, one of the most peaceful and wealthiest Gulf States, was struck by Israeli warplanes from a distance. The target was the Hamas negotiators who were meeting to discuss the modalities for the release of Israeli hostages.
Qatar, a small peninsular state in the Gulf, has been instrumental in peacemaking in the region and beyond. Its leadership and diplomacy have been the hallmark of its political history. Qatar always volunteered to host peace dialogues on its soil. For years, the country hosted the political wings of the Afghan Taliban and Palestinian Hamas, only to facilitate the world powers to negotiate peace with them at a neutral place.
An aggressor can only be stopped with equal and opposite reaction, no matter in what form it is applied, kinetic or non-kinetic.
One cannot forget Qatar’s efforts and contributions in securing a peace agreement between the Taliban and the US Government, famously referred to as the Doha Agreement, signed on February 29, 2000. The Doha Agreement served as the foundational document for the US and NATO forces’ withdrawal from the war-ravaged Afghanistan after a two-decade-long fateful campaign. Additionally, Qatar’s contributions to humanitarian assistance and its role in achieving a ceasefire in Gaza should not be overlooked. Qatar Foundation’s numerous initiatives in education and healthcare facilities in Gaza and other parts of the occupied Palestinian territory also make Qatar one of the most generous states around the world.
Now, attacking a country of such great repute for peace by Israel at a time when it is hosting peace talks is not understandable. Yet, it can be understood in light of Allah’s Determination of greed and selfishness. Israel does not want peace, and it wants to keep its enemies alive so that it can keep on targeting the regional Islamic States one by one.
With attacks on Qatar, Israel has just added one more country to its list. And, trust me, it is not the last one in the region. Any country in the area and beyond that that tries to follow an independent foreign policy based on its national interests will be blatantly silenced if it is not in synch with Israeli interests.
It is time for the Ummah, even if it does not exist practically but theoretically, to act in a coordinated and coherent manner, rather than waiting for another country to be added to the same list.
I am a peace lover and am not suggesting a kinetic application against any state. Still, a comprehensive plan based on non-kinetic application led by extensive diplomatic effort to isolate Israel and punish it through sanctions and breaking up of diplomatic ties to make it understand that Ummah will not take it anymore.
All international forums and organisations must be activated, such as the UNSC, UNGA, ICJ, OIC, and GCC, among others. To ensure a solid and unified stand is formulated to put up a strong response to Israel’s continued violations of territorial integrity and sovereignty of the relatively minor and peaceful countries in the region.
Trust me, if Israel can attack a peaceful country like Qatar, then no country on this planet is safe from its aggression. The only countries that Israel will never attack will be those that have the capability and the political will to respond in kind. Therefore, Ummah must be prepared to answer, initially through kinetic means and if Israel continues on the path of aggression, then through coordinated kinetic response to teach its leadership a lesson that Ummah is alive and can respond to an unprovoked aggression.
History is replete with examples where the aggression could only be countered with a Quid Pro Quo strategy. Without going too far back in history, Pakistan did that to counter India’s attacks on its mainland with a resolute and determined response by shooting down its warplanes and the air defence systems, after which India sought a ceasefire through the aegis of the US.
Therefore, an aggressor can only be stopped with equal and opposite reaction, no matter in what form it is applied, kinetic or non-kinetic. My sequence will be non-kinetic first, and if no result is obtained, a kinetic response will be used as a last resort. However, it must be done without any delay, otherwise another country will soon be added to Israel’s list.
The writer of this article has authored four international books: Nuclear Deterrence and Conflict Management Between India and Pakistan, South Asia Needs Hybrid Peace, Understanding Sun Tzu and the Art of Hybrid War, and Diplomacy and Deterrence.”