Chapter Three
Strategy and means
The strategy of the Islamic Resistance Movement
Palestine is Islamic Waqf [religious endowment] land
Article 11
The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is a religious Islamic endowment [waqf] for all Muslims until Resurrection Day. It is forbidden to relinquish it or any part of it or give it up or any part of it. It does not belong to any Arab country, or to all the Arab countries, or to any king or president, or kings or presidents, or to any organization or organizations, whether they are Palestinian or Arab, because Palestine is sacred Islamic endowment land and belongs to Muslims until Resurrection Day. Its legal status is in accordance with Islamic law [al-shari’ah al-islamiyyah]. It is subject to the same law to which are subject all the territories conquered by Muslims by force, for at the time of the conquest [the Muslim conquerors] consecrated it [i.e., Palestine] as a Muslim religious endowment for all Muslim generations until Resurrection Day.
It happened thus: after the commanders of the Islamic armies conquered Al-Sham[28] and Iraq, they sent the Muslim Caliph, Omar bin al-Khattab, [messages] in which they consulted with him about [the fate of] the conquered land – whether to divide it among the soldiers or to leave it to its owners [or act in some other way]. After consultations and deliberations between the Muslim Caliph, Omar bin al-Khattab, and the companions of Allah’s messenger (sahabat al-rasoul], may Allah’s prayer and blessing of peace by upon him, the decision was made whereby the land would remain in the hands of its [original] owners, who would be able to enjoy it and its fruits. With regard to [the right] of possession of the land and of the land itself, [it was decided that] it would be sacred to Muslims forever until Resurrection Day, but its owners would have the right to enjoy [only] its fruits. That endowment exists as long as the sky and earth exist.[29] Therefore any act performed in opposition to Muslim law with regard to Palestine is null and void, [as it is written in the Qur’an:] “For this is indeed certain truth, and therefore praise the name of your exalted lord” ([Surah 56] Al- Waqi’ah [Verses] 95-95).
The homeland and particular nationalism [al-wataniyyah] from the Islamic Resistance Movement's point of view
Article 12
From the point of view of the Islamic Resistance Movement, particular nationalism [al-wataniyyah[30]] is part of the religious faith. There is nothing more serious or profound which reflects that type of nationalism than the fact that the enemy has trampled on Muslim soil. In such a situation, launching a holy war [against] him and confronting him become the personal duty [fardh ‘ayn] of every Muslim man and woman: the woman goes out[31] to fight [the enemy] without her husband’s permission, and [even] the slave [is obliged to go out to fight the enemy] without the permission of his master. There is nothing like it in any other political system,[32] and that is an indisputable fact. If all the various national particularist [movements] are linked to [and characterized] by physical, human or regional factors, then the Islamic Resistance Movement is also characterized by all of the above. Moreover, and most important, it is [also] characterized by divine motives[33] which breathe life and soul into it, since it is strongly linked to the source of the spirit and [to him who] gives [it] life. It [i.e., Hamas] waves the divine banner in the sky of the homeland, strongly joining together heaven and earth, [as the widely known Muslim Arab saying states:] “When Moses came and threw down his rod, it was the end of magic and magicians,”[34] [and it is written in the Qur’an that:] “True guidance has become distinct from error; therefore, whoever rejects false gods and believes in Allah has grasped the firmest hand-hold, one that will never break, for Allah is all-hearing and all-knowing” ([Surah 2] Al-Baqarah [Verse] 256).
Peaceful solutions, diplomatic initiatives and international conferences
Article 13
[Diplomatic] initiatives, the so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences to find a solution to the Palestinian problem, contradict the Islamic Resistance Movement’s ideological position. Giving up any part whatsoever of [the land of] Palestine is like ignoring a part of [the Muslim] faith. Accordingly, the particular nationalism of the Islamic Resistance Movement is [also] part of its faith. On ganner of Allah over their homeland, [and it is written in the Qur’an that:] “Allah always prevails [in the end], although most people do not realize that” ([Surah 12] Yusuf [Verse] 20).
Sometimes the call is heard for an international conference to discuss a solution for the [Palestinian] problem. There are those who agree [to that proposal] and those who reject it for one reason or another. They demand the fulfillment of a certain condition or conditions in return for their agreement to hold a conference and to participate in it. The Islamic Resistance Movement is very familiar with both sides of the conferences and their [negative] positions regarding Muslim interests in the past and present. Therefore, the Movement does not consider such frameworks capable of meeting the demands [of the Palestinians] or of restoring their rights or of bringing justice to the oppressed. Thus such conferences are but one of the means used by the infidels to prevail over Muslim land, and when have the infidels treated the faithful justly? [as it written in the Qur’an that:] “the Jews will never be pleased with you, nor will the Christians, until you have followed their religion. Say therefore, Allah’s guidance is the only true guidance. But if you were to follow their desires after the knowledge that has come to you, then you would find no one to protect or guard you from Allah” ([Surah 2] Al-Baqarah [Verse] 120).
There is no solution to the Palestinian problem except jihad. Regarding the international initiatives, suggestions and conferences, they are an empty waste of time and complete nonsense. The Palestinian people are far too noble to have their future, rights and fate toyed with, [as the noble hadith states:] “The men of Al-Sham[35] are the scourge [of Allah] in his land. Through them he wreaks vengeance on whomever he wishes among his servants. It is forbidden for the hypocrites among them to overcome the true believers among them; but rather they will die in sorrow and grief” (told by Al-Tabarani[36] with a chain of transmitters to Muhammad, and by Ahmad [ibn Hanbal] with an incomplete chain of transmitters to Muhammad, which [i.e., the incomplete chain] may be the accurate record, but [only] Allah knows [the absolute truth]).
The Three Spheres
Article 14
The problem of the liberation of Palestine has three spheres: the Palestinian, the pan-Arab and the Islamic. Each has a role to play in the struggle [siraa’] against the Zionists and [also has] duties. Neglecting one of the spheres is a terrible mistake and shameful ignorance, for Palestine is Islamic land. In it is the first of the two directions of the worshippers at prayer,[37] and the third [most holy place] after the first two.[38] It is also the destination of the night ride of the prophet of Allah, may Allah’s prayer and blessing of peace be upon him, [as it is written in the Qur’an:] “Praised be him who took his servant on a night ride from the sacred mosque to the farthest mosque [al-masjid al-aqsa] whose precincts we blessed, to show him some of our signs. He alone is the all-hearing, the all-seeing” ([Surah 17] Al-Israa’ [Verse] 1).
That being the case, the liberation [of Palestine] is the personal duty of every Muslim, wherever he may be. [Only] on that basis can [a solution for] the [Palestinian] problem be considered, and every Muslim must fully understand that. On the day the [Palestinian] problem is treated on that basis, [that is, on the day] when all the capabilities of the three spheres are mobilized, the current situation will change and the day of liberation will be nearer, [as is it written in the Qur’an:] “The fear of you [believers] in their [the Jews’] hearts is greater than their fear of Allah, because they are a people devoid of understanding ([Surah 59] Al-Hashr [Verse] 13).
The jihad for the sake of liberating Palestine is a personal duty
Article 15
The day enemies steal part of Muslim land, jihad [becomes] the personal duty of every Muslim. With regard to the usurpation of Palestine by the Jews, it is a must to fly the banner of jihad. That means the propagation of Islamic awareness among the masses – locally [in Palestine], the Arab world and the Muslim world. The spirit of jihad must be disseminated within the [Islamic] nation, the enemies must be engaged in battle and [every Muslim must] join the ranks of the jihad warriors [mujahideen].
It is therefore necessary that religious scholars [‘ulamaa], educators, media personalities, the educated public and especially the younger generation and the leaders if the Islamic movement take part in [this] campaign to create awareness [i.e., indoctrination]. In addition, fundamental changes must be made in the school curricula to free them from the influences of the intellectual [western] invasion they have been subjected to by Orientalists and missionaries. That invasion took the region by surprise after Salah al-Din al-Ayoubi [Saladin] defeated the Crusader armies. The Crusaders then realized that the Muslims could not be conquered unless the way had [first] been prepared by an ideological invasion to muddle the [Muslims’] thoughts, distort their heritage and defame their ideals, and [only] then could a military invasion take place. [All] that happened in preparation for the [western] imperialist invasion, when [General] Allenby announced on his entrance to Jerusalem: “Finally the Crusades are over,” and General Gouraud stood on Salah al-Din’s grave and said: “Salah al-Din, we have returned.” Imperialism reinforced the intellectual invasion and deepened its roots, and it still [does so]. All that paved the way for the loss of Palestine.
Therefore, what must be done is [the following:] to instill in the minds of all the Muslims generations that the problem of Palestine is religious, and on that basis it must be dealt with. After all, there are holy sites [in Palestine] which are sacred to Islam: Al-Aqsa mosque is there, and it has an indissoluble tie to the holy mosque [in Mecca] [and will have] as long as the heaven and earth endure, because of the night ride of the prophet of Allah, may Allah’s prayer and a blessing of peace be upon him, and his ascension to heaven from there, [as it says in the hadith:] “Being stationed on the frontier for the sake of Allah [for only] one day[39] is better than this world and everything in it. Likewise, a portion of paradise as small as [the place] which is taken by a [horseman’s] whip belonging to any of you [i.e., the jihad warriors] is better than all this world and everything in it. The incursion to the ranks of the enemy and the tactical withdrawal in preparation for another attack [as part of jihad] by any Muslim are better than this world and what is in it (as recounted in [the collection of hadiths of] Al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah).[40] “By the life of him in whose hands rests Muhammad’s soul[41] [i.e., Allah], I which I could participate in an invasion for the sake of Allah and to be killed in it, and after that [if I do not die, I will desire again] to fight and then to die, and after that [if I do not die, I will desire again] to fight and then to die” (as is told [in the collection of hadiths of] Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Educating the next generations
Article 16
The coming generations raised in our region must receive an Islamic education based on carrying out the commandments of [the Islamic] religion and a conscious study of the book of Allah [the Qur’an] and of the Muslim tradition [the Sunnah] and of the prophet [Muhammad]. In addition, [in the same way] we must teach them from reliable sources of Islamic history and heritage under the instruction of specialists and scholars, and to prepare the curricula which will create the correct outlook in the thoughts and beliefs of the Muslim [student]. At the same time it is necessary to make a attentive study of the enemy and his material and human resources, while recognizing his weak spots and sources of power and the general forces supporting and standing by him. [Likewise] it is necessary to be familiar with events as they happen, to be up-to-date and to study their analyses and interpretations. It is also necessary to plan for the present and the future[42] and to examine everything that happens so that the Muslim jihad warrior will live his life aware of his purpose, aim, path and what takes place around him, [as it is written in the Qur’an:] “My son, something whose weight is but the weight of a mustard seed,[43] even if it is within a rock or in the sky or in the depths of the earth, Allah will find [and bring] it [to light]. Allah is most kind and knows everything inside out. My small son, say the prayer and command what is right and forbid that which is wrong and bear everything that happens to you steadfastly. That is a sign of treating things with firmness. Do not treat people with contempt or behave arrogantly in public. Allah does not like any person behaving with arrogance” ([Surah 31] Al-Luqman [Verses] 16-18).
The role of the Muslim woman
Article 17
The role of the Muslim woman in the battle for liberation is no less important than that of the [Muslim] man, for she is the maker of men. She has a supremely important role in guiding the coming generations and educating them. Indeed, [our] enemies have long since understood the importance of her role. Their view toward her is that if they can guide her and raise her as they please, devoid of Islam, then they will win the battle [against us]. Therefore you discover that they devote a great deal of continuous effort to their attempts [to achieve that] using the media, movies and curricula [which they wield] through their proxies within the Zionist organizations, the latter assuming all sorts of names and forms, such as The Organization of Freemasons,[44] Rotary clubs [i.e., Rotary International],[45] espionage groups and others, all of which are nothing more than dens of sabotage and saboteurs. These Zionist organizations have enormous material resources which enable them to play roles inside the [i.e., in this context, Islamic] societies [keeping them functioning] without any Islamic participation in them, thus alienating [Muslims] from it. Therefore, the followers of the global Islamic movement [i.e., Muslim fundamentalists] [46] must [all] take part in countering the plans [or plots] of those saboteurs. On the day Islam [will be in a position to] direct life, it will eradicate the organizations [deemed] hostile to humanity and to Islam.
Article 18
The woman in the home of a jihad warrior and a jihad warrior family, whether she is a mother or a sister, fills the most important role of taking care of the home, raising the children according to the moral ideas and values derived from Islam and educating her children to follow the precepts of [the Islamic] religion in preparation for the role in the jihad that awaits them. Therefore, much attention must be paid to the schools and curricula of the Muslim girl’s education so that she may grow up and be a proper mother, aware of her role in the battle [for the] liberation [of Palestine].
She must also have enough perception and awareness to conduct household affairs. Being economical and avoiding waste in the family’s expenses are part of the necessary requirements for surviving in the difficult conditions prevailing. Thus she must always be aware [that] the money available [to her] is like blood which must run through the veins solely for the purpose of continuing the life of young and old alike, [as it is written in the Qur’an:] “Muslim men and women who are faithful and devout, true, brave, modest, give charity, fast, are chaste and often call upon Allah – for them Allah has prepared mercy and a great reward” ([Surah 33] Al-Ahzab [Verse] 35).
The function of Islamic art in the battle for liberation
Article 19
Art has its own rules and standards, by which it is possible to determine whether it is Islamic or jahili.[47] The issues of Islamic liberation need Islamic art which will uplift the spirit without making one aspect of a person more prominent than the other; on the contrary, it must raise all aspects of the individual in a balanced, harmonious fashion. Indeed, the human being is a unique and wonderful creature, [made from] a handful of clay[48] [combined with] a spiritual soul [of Allah]. Accordingly, Islamic art relates to humans based on that basis, while jahili [i.e., pagan] art relates only to the body, and gives predominance to the aspect of clay.[49]
Therefore, if books, articles, publications, sermons, treatises, folk songs, poetry, [patriotic] songs, plays, etc., contain the characteristics of Islamic art, they are among the elements needed for ideological recruitment. They are also the refreshing nourishment necessary to continue the journey and provide rest for the soul, for the way is long and the suffering great and the souls become weary. That is, Islamic art renews activity, sets [things] in motion, and awakens within the soul sublime meaning and sound behavior. There is nothing that can repair the soul if it is in retreat except the change from one state to another. These are all very serious things and not to be taken lightly, for the jihad warrior nation knows no jest.
Mutual guarantees and [Muslim] solidarity
Article 20
Muslim society is [characterized by] solidarity. Indeed, the messenger [the prophet Muhammad], may Allah’s prayer and his blessing of peace be upon him, said [in the hadith}; “Blessed are the sons of the al-Ash’ariyyun tribe.[50] When they were required to make an effort either in an area where they had settled or during [long] journey, they would collect everything they had and divide it equally.” That is the Islamic spirit that must prevail in Muslim society. A society facing a cruel enemy who behaves like a Nazi[51] that does not distinguish between man and woman, young and old, must wrap itself in such an Islamic spirit. For our enemy relies on collective punishment. It deprives people [i.e., the Palestinians] of their homes and possessions. It hunts them down in exile and wherever they gather. [The Zionist enemy] relies on breaking bones, shooting women, children and old people, with or without a reason. He opened detention camps to throw into them many thousands of people [i.e., Palestinians], [who live there] in subhuman conditions. In addition, he destroys homes, turns children into orphans and unjustly convicts thousands of young people so that they may spend the best years of their lives in the dark pits of their jails.
The Jews’ Nazism includes [brutal behavior towards Palestinian] women and children and terrifies the entire [population]. They battle against [the Palestinians’] making a living, extort their money and trample their honor. In their behavior [towards these people] they are as bad as the worst war criminals. [Their] deportation [of people] from their homeland is in fact a form of murder. Therefore, to cope with such acts, solidarity must prevail and [these people] must face the enemy as one body. Accordingly, if one member of the body complains [of an injury which has led to the development of a high fever] then the other members identify with it by watching over it all night long and partaking of the fever [to ease the member’s suffering].[52]
Article 21
Mutual social responsibility includes providing material or moral aid to anyone in need or participation in carrying out part of one’s duties. [Therefore] members of the Islamic Resistance Movement must relate to the interests of the masses as though they were their own personal interests, and must spare no effort to realize and preserve them. They must prevent manipulations regarding everything that negatively influences the future of the [next] generations and [everything that] might harm their society. In fact, the masses are [members] of [the Islamic Resistance Movement] and [work] on their behalf, and the strength [of the Islamic Resistance Movement] stems from [the masses’] strength and [the Islamic Resistance Movement’s] future is [the masses’] future. The members of the Islamic Resistance Movement must therefore take part in [the Palestinians’] joys and sorrows, espouse the demands of the masses and everything which promotes [the movement’s] interest and [the Palestinian masses’] interests [at the same time]. The day such a spirit prevails, brotherhood will become more profound and there will be cooperation and mutual compassion, unity will become stronger and the ranks will stand closer together in the face of [our] enemies.
The forces which support the enemy
Article 22
[Our] enemies planned their deeds well for a long time [and managed] to achieve whatever they have, employing the factors influencing the course of events. Therefore, they acted to pile up huge amounts of influential material resources, which they utilized to fulfill their dream. Thus [the Jews], by means of their money, have taken over the international communications media: the news agencies, newspapers, publishing houses, broadcasting stations, etc. [Not only that,] they used their money to incite revolutions in various places all over the world for their own interests and to reap the fruits thereof. They were behind the French Revolution, the Communist Revolution and most of the revolutions we have heard about [that happened here and there]. They used their money to found secret organizations and scattered them all over the globe to destroy other societies and realize the interests of Zionism. [Such organizations] include the Freemasons, the Rotary clubs [sic], the Lions [Club],[53] The Sons of the Covenant [i.e., B’nai Brith] and others. They are all destructive espionage organizations which, by means of money, succeeded in taking over the imperialist countries and encouraged them to take over many other countries to be able to completely exploit their resources and spread corruption.[54]
[Their involvement in] local and world wars can be spoken of without fear of embarrassment. In fact, they were behind the First World War, through which achieved the abolishment of the Islamic Caliphate,[55] made a profit and took over many of the sources of wealth. They [also] got the Balfour Declaration and established the League of the United [sic] Nations to be able rule the world. They were also behind the Second World War, in which they made immense profits by buying and selling military equipment, and also prepared the ground for the founding of their [own] state. They ordered the establishment of the United Nations and the Security Council [sic] which replaced the League of the United [sic] Nations, to be able to use it to rule the world. No war takes place anywhere in the world without [the Jews] behind the scenes having a hand in it [as it is written in the Qur’an:] “Whenever they fan the flames of war, Allah will extinguish them. They strive [to fill] the land with corruption, and Allah does not like the corrupt” ([Surah 5] Al-Ma’ida [Verse] 64).
In fact, the forces of imperialism in the capitalist west and Communist east support the [Zionist] enemy as stoutly as possible with both material and manpower. They alternate with one another [in giving support]. On the day Islam appears [in all its might] all the infidels will join forces to confront it for [all] the infidels are one community,[56] [as it is written in the Qur’an:] “Oh ye who believe, do not become close to those who are not of your own faith, for they will not spare any effort to corrupt you. They are happy with your misfortune and hatred [for you] burns in their mouths, but what they hide in their hearts is worse. We have made that clear to you with signs, if only you [could] understand” ([Surah 3] Aal-‘Imran [Verse] 118).[57] It is not a matter of chance that the verse ends with the words, “if only you [could] understand.”
Contents:
• An analysis of the Hamas charter
• Translation (Appendix A)
Introduction and Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5 and Conclusion
• The original Arabic document (Appendix B)
[28] “Greater Syria,” which includes present day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel and the lands of the Palestinian Authority.
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[29] That is, forever.
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[30] Wataniyyah refers to the nationalism of a specific nation, while al-qawmiyyah refers to pan-Arabism (i.e., a supra-state Arab nationalism).
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[31] That is, she must go out.
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[32] Except for the Muslim régime.
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[33] In the religious, not national sense.
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[34] It is a well-known Arabic saying, an echo of the story of Moses (and Aharon) and Pharaoh, as mentioned in the Qur’an – e.g., Surah Yunis (Surah number 10) and Surah Daha (Surah number 20) – the gist of which is that Moses, through the power invested in him by Allah managed to do away with several magicians. The sentence, in this context, is used to show that the Hamas doctrine regarding particular nationalism and its components is like Moses’ rod, which can void every other act of magic or any other act which reflects another particular nationalism, such as Zionism. Therefore, Hamas’s aim is more probably an attempt to show that through the power of Allah the Jewish religious claim on Palestine becomes invalid (even though Moses is considered a Jewish prophet).
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[35] See Note 29, above.
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[36] The author of important collections of hadiths. Three of the collections are called Al-Kabir (“The large [book]”) , Al-Awsat (“The middle-size [book]”) and Al-Sadghir (“The small-size [book]”). This hadith gives the seal of authorization to the Muslim rights over “Palestine” and the right to expel the Jews from it.
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[37] Jerusalem and Mecca, ‘Ula al-Qiblatayn, i.e., Jerusalem’s epithet in Islam is the first of the two directions of worshippers. That is because initially Jerusalem was turned to in prayer as it is in Judaism, but later Mecca was chosen as the direction.
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[38] Mecca and Medina.
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[39] Ribat, that is, maintaining the stations of the military guard in the outlying regions of Islam, which were erected to defend the Islamic polity (Caliphate or Sultanate). However, this term has a larger meaning and relates to any Muslim living in territory used as or considered a front line for the Muslim holy warriors even though he or she is not necessarily engaged in battle but in another capacity deemed as supporting the battle (jihad).
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[40] That is, every act performed by a Muslim for the sake of jihad is worth this world and everything in it.
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[41] A specific phrase of a very strong oath taken by a Muslim.
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[42] The version we used does not contain the word “present” but it does exist in other versions.
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[43] For previous references to mustard seeds in religious literature, see Matthew 13:31 and 17:20, Mark 4:31 and Luke 13:19.
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[44] The Freemasons are an international order which, because of its secretive nature, is often used in anti-Semitic literature as part of an international Jewish plot of the sort that appears in The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
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[45] The Rotary is an international organization founded at the beginning of the 20th century in Chicago which has since opened branches all over the world. Its members are businessmen and philanthropists, and its purpose is to provide aid for the needy and to bring people of all groups and nations together. As a strong, active worldwide organization backed by rich individuals, it is tempting to say it is run by Jews and part of the anti-Semitic myth of the world Jewish conspiracy to take over the world, as noted in The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
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[46] The term fundamentalist Muslims (al-islamiyyin) use to refer to themselves.
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[47] Jahali refers to the period of ignorance in the Arabian peninsula before Islam, during which the belief in material artifacts (paganism) was more prevalent, prominent and appreciated than spiritual matters.
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[48] That is, the material aspect.
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[49] That is, emphasizes the materialistic side as opposed to the spiritual side.
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[50] A famous tradition relating to a tribe in the Arabian peninsula at the dawn of Islam, whose just behavior and solidarity, whatever situation they were in, became models in Islam.
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[51] The implied comparison between Jews and Nazis appears below as well.
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[52] The reference is to a well-known hadith according to which Muslims are likened to the human body: when one of its members is hurt.
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[53] All voluntary international organizations. The Lions, like the Rotary, was founded in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century to aid the needy all over the globe, and it has many branches. Its Website is http://www.lionsclubs.org.
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[54] All myths based on Christian European anti-Semitism, as expressed in The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. They repeat ad nauseam the libel that the Jews want to take over the world and are responsible for every evil that exists.
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[55] The Islamic Caliphate state.
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[56] A reference to a well-known hadith. “Infidels” here also means Jews and Christians.
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[57] Some of the versions of the Hamas charter read “It is not a matter of chance the verse ends with the words ‘if only you will understand.’”
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