Since the dawn of human civilization, ownership and control over natural resources have played a major role in the politics of states and superpowers. The ability to preserve and access natural materials can elevate a power to dominance in the production of goods, technological advancement, and quality of life. Its importance is so significant that nations may resort to power displays and military invasions for it. Without these resources, the costs of developing advanced technologies, maintaining military policies, and strengthening internal and external affairs would become nearly impossible.
Today, for every developed nation, oil is as vital as blood in the body. It is a central pillar of Western global policy. Although this essential substance was first used about 200 years ago, even with the advancement of the industrial world, oil still remains at the top of the energy demands of the modern world.
Various sectors—economic, military, transportation, infrastructure, and the industrial world—cannot survive without oil. Therefore, the current complexities in global politics and the wars and insecurities unfolding across different parts of the world are undoubtedly linked to the issue of oil.
On another note, when we examine advanced industrial countries that consume the most oil, we find that their consumption far exceeds their domestic production. For instance, the United States is among those countries whose annual oil consumption is significantly higher than its production. In recent years, it has even resorted to extracting or producing shale oil—considered one of the lowest quality forms of oil in terms of usability.
Meanwhile, non-industrialized countries with vast oil resources show an entirely different picture: their oil reserves and production are often many times greater than their consumption. Moreover, the quality of their oil is considered superior. Several Islamic lands—such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iran, and others—are prominent examples of nations with abundant and high-quality oil resources.
Because of this, the United States and the colonialist world have invested massive expenses and tools to gain access to these resources—even at the cost of shedding the blood of thousands of innocent people. This is because the foundation of capitalism is profit, and they strive to achieve this goal by any means necessary. Consequently, we witness constant tension and covert operations in regions rich in natural resources. Therefore, the significance of oil in the global economy—particularly for Western colonial companies—is undeniable and inseparable.
Muslims, despite possessing the largest natural resources, remain among the poorest nations in the world. This is while the oil of their lands powers the machines of the great Western companies and the global disbelieving system—and the products of these companies are then used against Islam and Muslims. A clear example of this is the war in Gaza, where for over nine months now, the defenseless Muslim population has been massacred and their land devastated.
