Abbas’ advisor condemns Hamas in sermon for sowing strife among Palestinians, implies violence against Hamas
Official PA TV, Friday sermon by Supreme Shari’ah Judge, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ advisor on Religious and Islamic Affairs, and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Shari'ah Justice Mahmoud Al-Habbash;
Present in audience: Fatah Central Committee member, Fatah Commissioner of Mobilization and Organization in the West Bank, and PLO Central Council member Jamal Muhaisen
Supreme Shari’ah Judge, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ advisor on Religious and Islamic Affairs, and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Shari'ah Justice Mahmoud Al-Habbash: “These people, who can be called ‘those who cause strife’ (apparently referring to Hamas –Ed.) – if they see that the nation is united, they are not pleased. They do not like to see the Muslims united. This was the case in the past and is the case today…
When Prophet [Muhammad] entered the city of Medina and enlightened its people with the light of faith, the Muslims united. The Aws and Khazraj tribes were enemies… but with Allah’s mercy they became brothers. Islam united those emigrating [from Mecca to Medina] and the Ansar (residents of Medina who supported Muhammad –Ed.). One day a group from these two tribes – yesterday’s enemies who became today’s connected and loving brothers – sat down. One of the leaders of the Jewish tribes in Medina passed by them and became angry – according to what is told in the books about the Prophet’s history – at the sight of the friendship and love after there was fighting, strife, blood, and revenge between them in the past. He became angry. He doesn’t like to see the nation united, he doesn’t like it – he, and of course everyone who followed this path, even if the names have changed. This man, his name was Shas Ibn Qays. It doesn’t matter what the name is – Shas Ibn Qays, Mahmoud, Ahmed, Khalil (possibly hinting at senior Hamas officials Mahmoud Al-Zahar, Ahmed Yusuf, and Khalil Al-Hayya –Ed.) – the name does not matter, and the facade does not matter, nor the color, nor the language he speaks – what is important is the goal he aims for. Shas Ibn Qays became angry when he saw the friendship between the Muslims, so he called a boy from among his people and said to him: ‘Go to them and remind them of the Bu'ath battle.’ It was in the days of Jahiliyyah (i.e., pre-Islam) when there was a war between the Aws and Khazraj tribes. So he went and reminded them. And the people became angry, the tribal sectorial jealousy was awakened among them… And then the two groups argued until the members of the Aws tribe called their people to battle, and the members of the Khazraj tribe called their people to battle …
Today this sight is being repeated again. And we see among the Muslims… those who repeat Shas Ibn Qays' course of action, and those who try to divide the nation… [The Quran says about them:] ‘Had they gone forth with you, they would not have increased you except in confusion [Quran, Sura 9:47, Sahih International translation]… Do not cry and do not be sad that they have left you… 'They would have been active among you… seeking [to cause] you fitnah (i.e., strife).’ [ibid] In other words, they are investing great efforts to cause strife among you because they do not like it – neither them, nor those that motivate them, nor those that pay them. There are certainly those that are pushing and paying. And the result is that there is strife in the nation, a weakening of the nation. Therefore, we see that the treatment that the Prophet determined for the sowing of strife by these people was very harsh, and even treatment that seems cruel, in accordance with the word of the Creator, who said: ‘O Prophet, fight against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them’ [Quran, Sura 9:73, Sahih International translation]. It is not enough, of course: Jihad against the heretics and enemies is a duty, but also the duty of Jihad against the hypocrites, who are the arm of heresy in the nation, the arm of the enemy within the nation – this is also required Jihad. See Allah’s word: ‘Be harsh upon them’ [Ibid.]. Not gentle fighting, and not merciful fighting… Allah’s Messenger [Muhammad] talked about this type, about what these people are likely to do. He said: … 'Whoever comes to you when you are united… around a leader… and wants to split your unity or divide you – what will you do, say "Shame on you?" What will you do, distance yourselves? Be silent? The Prophet did not say this. He said: "Whoever comes to you when you are united around one person and wants to split your unity or divide you – kill him, whoever he may be"’
Why? The Prophet, Allah’s blessing upon him, [who is] the sent mercy, incites to killing? He commands the Muslims to kill a person? Yes! Why? Because Blessed Allah said: ‘And there is for you in legal retribution [saving of] life’ [Quran, Sura 2:179, Sahih International translation].
The blessed Prophet’s striving for the unity of the nation and the unity of its word… and his striving to cleanse the nation of the filth, the strife, and those that cause strife – caused him to bring forth the difficult, cruel words: ‘Kill him, whoever he may be’ - because the nation’s unity is more important than protecting the life of someone who wants to divide the nation.
Today we must recover the spirit of this path, of the Quran and the Prophet, in the presence of those who cause strife; in the presence of those who want to split our unity and crush us… in the presence of those who are hurrying to incite and cause strife among us, and to go out against the nation’s unity.”