Sadly, Somalis graduating out of Medina are the biggest disseminators of such an ideology. Even if we accept their opinion is based on legitimate differences of opinion under Islamic jurisdiction, we have to question why they shy away from the media battle against Zionists? If protesting and boycott do not work as they say, why not offer other political alternatives and visions for Muslims living in the West? The most you will get from them is “akhi stay away from politics, follow the Quran and Sunnah and pray”. When the Zionists are so aggressive in their media campaigns against Muslims and Palestinians, such an apolitical stance is not really acceptable.
"Even if we accept their opinion is based on legitimate differences of opinion under Islamic jurisdiction, we have to question
why they shy away from the media battle against Zionists?"
I agree with what you're saying here one million percent.
I myself try to avoid McDonalds and Starbucks. I don't believe that it's wajib to not buy from them but we have a coffee shop near me which is not starbucks and more local... and then we do have a starbucks right by it and I do avoid the starbucks and go to the local alternative instead alhamdulilaah....
anyone saying things like "you cannot boycott without the ruler's permission"... anyone saying that is spreading utter nonsense... that is utter bogus....
as far as protesting.... I'm happy that college students are doing it but I myself don't protest and keep a distance from it... I am skeptical of protesting and voting... I've never voted ever and don't plan to...
but as far as media war- I believe it is not only permissible but wajib (if we take media to mean communication in general- including poetry, written pieces, etc.) (also I don't mean wajib where every individual must do it but where some Muslims must do it).
Anas (RAA) narrated that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Fight the disbelievers (polytheists) with your property, yourselves and your tongues.” Related by Ahmad, An-Nasa‘i and Al-Hakim graded it as Sahih.
وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ - رضى الله عنه - أَنَّ اَلنَّبِيَّ - صلى الله عليه وسلم -قَالَ: { " جَاهِدُوا اَلْمُشْرِكِينَ بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ, وَأَنْفُسِكُمْ, وَأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ" } رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ, وَالنَّسَائِيُّ, وَصَحَّحَهُ اَلْحَاكِمُ 1 .
If you read Sheikh Fawzan's commentary on this hadith (I have it and I'll post it later insha'Allah if anyone wants to see)- he talked about how there was a sahabi who used to compose poetry against the mushrikeen. and it actually had an effect on them as what I think we might call today "psychological warfare".
anyone saying we shouldn't fight the media battle against our enemies.... there is something seriously wrong there and what they are saying is contrary to the hadith... not only is it perfectly fine to fight the media battle but it is praiseworthy and should be encouraged