Saudi Sheikh ’Abd Al-Muhsin Al-’Obikan, writing in London Arabic daily Al Sharq al Awsat, criticizes Hizballah for provoking a war with Israel.

Before we break out the flying pig, though, note that the Sheikh is only saying it isn’t time for war yet. Showing an admirable sense of realism, he explains that the Islamic world can’t win a war with Israel, and that Mohammed commanded his followers to retreat when the enemy’s force was clearly greater than the ummah’s.

But that only means it’s time for a temporary truce with the infidels—a hudna—until the ummah has the means to finish the job.

“If we know all this and compare the two cases, it will become clear that turning to peace or truce with the Jews, or to solutions by peaceful means and diplomatic dealings, is what is required now - assuming that the precondition of [lack of sufficient Muslim] capability holds. This [is required] until such a time as the Muslims have the capability to restore their rights, and until the precondition of [sufficient] capability is met, and the Prophet’s Sunna, in word and deed, can be implemented…

“If we respond to the hasty, emotional, and imprudent calls, we will never succeed, and we will never attain our objectives. Proof of this is Hizbullah’s action in Lebanon, when it independently took the decision to [wage] war, without this decision coming from the natural source [i.e. the Lebanese government], without agreement regarding the declaration of war against the Jews, and without concern for the [relevant] interests. The capturing of the two Jewish soldiers - which [Hizbullah] thought of as gain - has [actually] led to disaster and to obvious loss.

“What [we] got in exchange [for the capture] of the Jews [was this]: One of our countries has been entirely destroyed; there have been severe damage to [its] infrastructure, expulsion and starvation of its inhabitants, the killing of many of [its inhabitants], the weakening of the strength of the Muslims, the breaking of their unified position, and division in their ranks … ”