Israel-Hamas War: Clerics Call on Indian Muslims to Pray Not Protest, Advise Organising Qunut-e-Nazla

Amid mounting casualties in the war between Israel and Hamas, several Muslim clerics in India have called for special prayers and for the community to maintain peace. They have also arranged special prayer sessions and have called on Indian Muslims to not resort to procession and protest.

Several prominent maulanas across India have called on imams, preachers and Muslim devotees to organise Qunut-e-Nazla, a prayer in times of war.

“In view of the current situation, all Muslims should organise Qunut-e-Nazla. Whenever there is general persecution, killing and looting of the people of faith, the Sunnah of the Prophet (or code of the Prophet) is to organise Qunut-e-Nazla. It is the responsibility of the people of Islam to organise Qunut-e-Nazla as well as perform dua and Istighfar (act of seeking forgiveness from Allah) on the occasion,” the joint communication from the maulanas says.

“The method is that after Ruku of the second Rakaat in Fajr prayer, the imam recites Qunut-e-Nazla in a loud voice and all the (namazis) stand politely and keep saying amen in a low voice.”

“After finishing the prayer, go into prostration saying takbeer as usual and complete the prayer,” it said, adding a note asking devotees “not to go out in procession or protest in any way”.

The appeal was made by Maulana Sagheer Ahmad Rashadi, Ameer-e-Shariat of Karnataka; Maulana Mufti Muhammad Shoaibullah Khan of JUH; Maulana Muhammad Maqsood Imran Rashadi of Deoband; Maulana Mufti Iftikhar Ahmed Qasmi of JUH; Maulana Ejaz Ahmad Nadvi of Ahle Hadees; and Maulana Qari Zulfiqar Raza Noori of Ahle Sunnat Ul Jamaat.

Nearly a week after Hamas militants crossed through Israel’s heavily fortified separation fence and killed over 1,200 Israelis in a brutal rampage, Israel is preparing for a possible ground invasion of Gaza for the first time in nearly a decade. A ground offensive would likely drive up the Palestinian death toll, which already has outpaced the past four bloody wars between Israel and Hamas.

Israel’s campaign on Gaza has leveled entire neighborhoods, killing over 1,400 people, more than 60% of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. More than 340,000 have been displaced — 15% of Gaza’s population.

The Israeli military says it is striking Hamas militant infrastructure and aims to avoid civilian casualties — a claim that Palestinians reject.