August 18, 1988.
Note of Likud Holland: for those who think that Hamas is a movement which
can be negotiated with, this basic document is very revealing.
See especially the bold printed parts, about Jihad, how the Koran advises to
murder Jews, and so on.
Nederlandse gedeeltelijke vertaling helemaal onderaan (partial translation in
Dutch far below).
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
You are the best community that has been raised up for mankind. Ye
enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency; and ye believe in Allah. And if the
People of the Scripture had believed, it had been better for them. Some of them
are believers; but most of them are evil-doers.
They will not harm you save a trifling hurt, and if they fight against you
they will turn and flee. And afterward they will not be helped.
Ignominy shall be their portion wheresoever they are found save [where
they grasp] a rope from Allah and a rope from man. They have incurred anger
from their Lord, and wretchedness is laid upon them. That is because they used
to disbelieve the revelations of Allah, and slew the Prophets wrongfully. That is
because they were rebellious and used to transgress." Surat Al-Imran (III),
verses 109-111.
Israel will rise and will remain erect until Islam eliminates it as it had
eliminated its predecessors.
The Islamic World is burning. It is incumbent upon each one of us to pour
some water, little as it may be, with a view of extinguishing as much of the fire
as he can, without awaiting action by the others.
INTRODUCTION
Grace to Allah, whose help we seek, whose forgiveness we beseech,
whose guidance we implore and on whom we rely. We pray and bid peace
upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, his companions, his followers and
those who spread his message and followed his tradition; they will last as long
as there exist Heaven and Earth.
O, people! In the midst of misadventure, from the depth of suffering, from
the believing hearts and purified arms; aware of our duty and in response to the
decree of Allah, we direct our call, we rally together and join each other.
We educate in the path of Allah and we make our firm determination prevail so
as to take its proper role in life, to overcome all difficulties and to cross all
hurdles. Hence our permanent state of preparedness and our readiness to
sacrifice our souls and dearest [possessions] in the path of Allah.
Thus, our nucleus has formed which chartered its way in the tempestuous
ocean of creeds and hopes, desires and wishes, dangers and difficulties,
setbacks and challenges, both internal and external.
When the thought matured, the seed grew and the plant took root in the
land of reality, detached from temporary emotion and unwelcome haste, the
Islamic Resistance Movement erupted in order to play its role in the path of its
Lord. In so doing, it joined its hands with those of all Jihad fighters for the
purpose of liberating Palestine. The souls of its Jihad fighters will encounter
those of all Jihad fighters who have sacrificed their lives in the land of Palestine
since it was conquered by the Companion of the Prophet, be Allah's prayer and
peace upon him, and until this very day. This is the Charter of the Islamic
Resistance (Hamas) which will reveal its face, unveil its identity, state its
position, clarify its purpose, discuss its hopes, call for support to its cause and
reinforcement, and for joining its ranks.
For our struggle against the Jews is
extremely wide-ranging and grave, so much so that it will need all the loyal
efforts we can wield, to be followed by further steps and reinforced by
successive battalions from the multifarious Arab and Islamic world, until the
enemies are defeated and Allah's victory prevails.
Thus we shall perceive them approaching in the horizon, and this will be known
before long: "Allah has decreed: Lo! I very shall conquer, I and my messenger,
lo! Allah is strong, almighty.:"
PART I - KNOWING THE MOVEMENT
The Ideological Aspects
Article One
The Islamic Resistance Movement draws its guidelines from Islam; derives
from it its thinking, interpretations and views about existence, life and
humanity; refers back to it for its conduct; and is inspired by it in whatever step
it takes.
The Link between Hamas and the Association of Muslim Brothers
Article Two
The Islamic Resistance Movement is one of the wings of the Muslim
Brothers in Palestine. The Muslim Brotherhood Movement is a world
organization, the largest Islamic Movement in the modern era. It is characterized
by a profound understanding, by precise notions and by a complete
comprehensiveness of all concepts of Islam in all domains of life: views and
beliefs, politics and economics, education and society, jurisprudence and rule,
indoctrination and teaching, the arts and publications, the hidden and the
evident, and all the other domains of life.
Structure and Essence
Article Three
The basic structure of the Islamic Resistance Movement consists of
Muslims who are devoted to Allah and worship Him verily [as it is written]: "I
have created Man and Devil for the purpose of their worship" [of Allah]. Those
Muslims are cognizant of their duty towards themselves, their families and
country and they have been relying on Allah for all that. They have raised the
banner of Jihad in the face of the oppressors in order to extricate the country
and the people from the [oppressors'] desecration, filth and evil.
Article Four
The Movement welcomes all Muslims who share its beliefs and thinking,
commit themselves to its course of action, keep its secrets and aspire to join its
ranks in order to carry out their duty. Allah will reward them.
Dimensions of Time and Space of the Hamas
Article Five
As the Movement adopts Islam as its way of life, its time dimension
extends back as far as the birth of the Islamic Message and of the Righteous
Ancestor. Its ultimate goal is Islam, the Prophet its model, the Qur'an its
Constitution. Its special dimension extends wherever on earth there are
Muslims, who adopt Islam as their way of life; thus, it penetrates to the deepest
reaches of the land and to the highest spheres of Heavens.
Peculiarity and Independence
Article Six
The Islamic Resistance Movement is a distinct Palestinian Movement
which owes its loyalty to Allah, derives from Islam its way of life and
strives to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine.
Only under the shadow of Islam could the members of all regions coexist in
safety and security for their lives, properties and rights. In the absence of Islam,
conflict arises, oppression reigns, corruption is rampant and struggles and wars
prevail. Allah had inspired the Muslim poet, Muhammad Iqbal, when he
said:
When the Faith wanes, there is no security
There is no this-worldliness for those who have no faith
Those who wish to live their life without religion
Have made annihilation the equivalent of life.
The Universality of Hamas
Article Seven
By virtue of the distribution of Muslims, who pursue the cause of the
Hamas, all over the globe, and strive for its victory, for the reinforcement of its
positions and for the encouragement of its Jihad, the Movement is a universal
one. It is apt to be that due to the clarity of its thinking, the nobility of its
purpose and the loftiness of its objectives.
It is in this light that the Movement has to be regarded, evaluated and
acknowledged. Whoever denigrates its worth, or avoids supporting it, or is so
blind as to dismiss its role, is challenging Fate itself. Whoever closes his eyes
from seeing the facts, whether intentionally or not, will wake up to find himself
overtaken by events, and will find no excuses to justify his position. Priority is
reserved to the early comers.
Oppressing those who are closest to you, is more of an agony to the soul
than the impact of an Indian sword.
"And unto thee have we revealed the Scripture with the truth, confirming
whatever scripture was before it, and a watcher over it. So judge between
them by that which Allah hath revealed, and follow not their desires away from
the truth which has come unto thee. For each we have appointed a divine law
and a traced-out way. Had Allah willed, He could have made you one
community. But that He may try you by that which he has given you [He has
made you as you are]. So vie with one another in good works.
Unto Allah, you will all return. He will then inform you of that wherein you
differ."
Hamas is one of the links in the Chain of Jihad in the confrontation with
the Zionist invasion. It links up with the setting out of the Martyr Izz a-din
al-Qassam and his brothers in the Muslim Brotherhood who fought the Holy
War in 1936; it further relates to another link of the Palestinian Jihad and the
Jihad and efforts of the Muslim Brothers during the 1948 War, and to the Jihad
operations of the Muslim Brothers in 1968 and thereafter.
But even if the links have become distant from each other, and even if the
obstacles erected by those who revolve in the Zionist orbit, aiming at
obstructing the road before the Jihad fighters, have rendered the pursuance of
Jihad impossible; nevertheless, the Hamas has been looking forward to
implement Allah's promise whatever time it might take. The prophet, prayer and
peace be upon him, said:
The time will not come until Muslims will fight the Jews (and kill
them); until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees, which will cry: O Muslim!
there is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him! This will not apply to the
Gharqad, which is a Jewish tree (cited by Bukhari and Muslim).
The Slogan of the Hamas
Article Eight
Allah is its goal, the Prophet its model, the Qur'an its Constitution, Jihad
its path and death for the case of Allah its most sublime belief.
PART II - OBJECTIVES
Motives and Objectives
Article Nine
Hamas finds itself at a period of time when Islam has waned away from
the reality of life. For this reason, the checks and balances have been upset,
concepts have become confused, and values have been transformed; evil has
prevailed, oppression and obscurity have reigned; cowards have turned tigers,
homelands have been usurped, people have been uprooted and are wandering
all over the globe. The state of truth has disappeared and was replaced by the
state of evil. Nothing has remained in its right place, for when Islam is removed
from the scene, everything changes. These are the motives.
As to the objectives: discarding the evil, crushing it and defeating it, so
that truth may prevail, homelands revert [to their owners], calls for prayer be
heard from their mosques, announcing the reinstitution of the Muslim state.
Thus, people and things will revert to their true place.
Article Ten
The Islamic Resistance Movement, while breaking its own path, will do its
utmost to constitute at the same time a support to the weak, a defense to all
the oppressed. It will spare no effort to implement the truth and abolish evil, in
speech and in fact, both here and in any other location where it can reach out
and exert influence.
PART III - STRATEGIES AND METHODS
The Strategy of Hamas: Palestine is an Islamic Waqf
Article Eleven
The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine has
been an Islamic Waqf throughout the generations and until the Day of
Resurrection, no one can renounce it or part of it, or abandon it or part of it. No
Arab country nor the aggregate of all Arab countries, and no Arab King or
President nor all of them in the aggregate, have that right, nor has that right
any organization or the aggregate of all organizations, be they Palestinian or
Arab, because Palestine is an Islamic Waqf throughout all generations and to
the Day of Resurrection. Who can presume to speak for all Islamic Generations
to the Day of Resurrection? This is the status [of the land] in Islamic Shari'a,
and it is similar to all lands conquered by Islam by force, and made thereby
Waqf lands upon their conquest, for all generations of Muslims until the Day of
Resurrection.
This [norm] has prevailed since the commanders of the Muslim armies
completed the conquest of Syria and Iraq, and they asked the Caliph of
Muslims, 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab, for his view of the conquered land, whether it
should be partitioned between the troops or left in the possession of its
population, or otherwise. Following discussions and consultations between the
Caliph of Islam, 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab, and the Companions of the Messenger of
Allah, be peace and prayer upon him, they decided that the land should remain
in the hands of its owners to benefit from it and from its wealth; but the control
of the land and the land itself ought to be endowed as a Waqf [in perpetuity]
for all generations of Muslims until the Day of Resurrection. The ownership of
the land by its owners is only one of usufruct, and this Waqf will endure as
long as Heaven and earth last. Any demarche in violation of this law of Islam,
with regard to Palestine, is baseless and reflects on its perpetrators.
Hamas in Palestine: Its Views on Homeland and Nationalism
Article Twelve
Hamas regards Nationalism (Wataniyya) as part and parcel of the religious
faith. Nothing is loftier or deeper in Nationalism than waging Jihad against the
enemy and confronting him when he sets foot on the land of the Muslims. And
this becomes an individual duty binding on every Muslim man and woman; a
woman must go out and fight the enemy even without her husband's
authorization, and a slave without his masters' permission.
This [principle] does not exist under any other regime, and it is a truth not
to be questioned. While other nationalisms consist of material, human and
territorial considerations, the nationality of Hamas also carries, in addition to all
those, the all important divine factors which lend to it its spirit and life; so much
so that it connects with the origin of the spirit and the source of life and raises
in the skies of the Homeland the Banner of the Lord, thus inexorably connecting
earth with Heaven.
When Moses came and threw his baton, sorcery and sorcerers became
futile.
Peaceful Solutions, [Peace] Initiatives and International Conferences
Article Thirteen
[Peace] initiatives, the so-called peaceful solutions, and the
international conferences to resolve the Palestinian problem, are all contrary to
the beliefs of the Islamic Resistance Movement. For renouncing any part
of Palestine means renouncing part of the religion; the nationalism of the Islamic
Resistance Movement is part of its faith, the movement educates its members
to adhere to its principles and to raise the banner of Allah over their homeland
as they fight their Jihad: "Allah is the all-powerful, but most people are not
aware."
From time to time a clamoring is voiced, to hold an International
Conference in search for a solution to the problem. Some accept the idea,
others reject it, for one reason or another, demanding the implementation of
this or that condition, as a prerequisite for agreeing to convene the Conference
or for participating in it. But the Islamic Resistance Movement, which is aware
of the [prospective] parties to this conference, and of their past and present
positions towards the problems of the Muslims, does not believe that those
conferences are capable of responding to demands, or of restoring rights or
doing justice to the oppressed. Those conferences are no more than a means to
appoint the nonbelievers as arbitrators in the lands of Islam. Since when did the
Unbelievers do justice to the Believers?
"And the Jews will not be pleased with thee, nor will the Christians, till
thou follow their creed. 'Say: Lo! the guidance of Allah [himself] is the
Guidance. And if you should follow their desires after the knowledge which has
come unto thee, then you would have from Allah no protecting friend nor
helper." Sura 2 (the Cow), verse 120
There is no solution to the Palestinian problem except by
Jihad. The initiatives, proposals and International Conferences are but a
waste of time, an exercise in futility. The Palestinian people are too noble to
have their future, their right and their destiny submitted to a vain game. As the
hadith has it:
"The people of Syria are Allah's whip on this land; He takes revenge by
their intermediary from whoever he wished among his worshipers. The
Hypocrites among them are forbidden from vanquishing the true believers, and
they will die in anxiety and sorrow." (Told by Tabarani, who is traceable in
ascending order of traditionaries to Muhammad, and by Ahmed whose chain of
transmission is incomplete. But it is bound to be a true hadith, for both story
tellers are reliable. Allah knows best.)
The Three Circles
Article Fourteen
The problem of the liberation of Palestine relates to three circles: the
Palestinian, the Arab and the Islamic. Each one of these circles has a role to
play in the struggle against Zionism and it has duties to fulfill. It would be an
enormous mistake and an abysmal act of ignorance to disregard anyone of
these circles. For Palestine is an Islamic land where the First Qibla and the third
holiest site are located. That is also the place whence the Prophet, be Allah's
prayer and peace upon him, ascended to heavens.
"Glorified be He who carried His servant by night from the Inviolable Place
of worship to the Far Distant Place of Worship, the neighborhood whereof we
have blessed, that we might show him of our tokens! Lo! He, only He, is the
Hearer, the Seer." Sura XVII (al-Isra'), verse 1
In consequence of this state of affairs, the liberation of that land is an
individual duty binding on all Muslims everywhere. This is the base on which all
Muslims have to regard the problem; this has to be understood by all Muslims.
When the problem is dealt with on this basis, where the full potential of the
three circles is mobilized, then the current circumstances will change and the
day of liberation will come closer.
"You are more awful as a fear in their bosoms than Allah. That is because
they are a folk who understand not." Sura LIX, (Al-Hashr, the Exile), verse
13
The Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine is an Individual Obligation
Article Fifteen
When our enemies usurp some Islamic lands, Jihad becomes a duty
binding on all Muslims. In order to face the usurpation of Palestine by the Jews,
we have no escape from raising the banner of Jihad. This would require the
propagation of Islamic consciousness among the masses on all local, Arab and
Islamic levels. We must spread the spirit of Jihad among the [Islamic] Umma,
clash with the enemies and join the ranks of the Jihad fighters.
The 'ulama as well as educators and teachers, publicity and media men as
well as the masses of the educated, and especially the youth and the elders of
the Islamic Movements, must participate in this raising of consciousness. There
is no escape from introducing fundamental changes in educational curricula in
order to cleanse them from all vestiges of the ideological invasion which has
been brought about by orientalists and missionaries.
That invasion had begun
overtaking this area following the defeat of the Crusader armies by Salah a-Din
el Ayyubi. The Crusaders had understood that they had no way to vanquish the
Muslims unless they prepared the grounds for that with an ideological invasion
which would confuse the thinking of Muslims, revile their heritage, discredit
their ideals, to be followed by a military invasion. That was to be in preparation
for the Imperialist invasion, as in fact [General] Allenby acknowledged it upon
his entry to Jerusalem: "Now, the Crusades are over." General Gouraud stood
on the tomb of Salah a-Din and declared: "We have returned, O Salah-a-Din!"
Imperialism has been instrumental in boosting the ideological invasion and
deepening its roots, and it is still pursuing this goal. All this had paved the way
to the loss of Palestine. We must imprint on the minds of generations of
Muslims that the Palestinian problem is a religious one, to be dealt with on this
premise. It includes Islamic holy sites such as the Aqsa Mosque, which is
inexorably linked to the Holy Mosque as long as the Heaven and earth will exist,
to the journey of the Messenger of Allah, be Allah's peace and blessing upon
him, to it, and to his ascension from it.
"Dwelling one day in the Path of Allah is better than the entire world and
everything that exists in it. The place of the whip of one among you in Paradise
is better than the entire world and everything that exists in it. [God's]
worshiper's going and coming in the Path of Allah is better than the entire
world and everything that exists in it." (Told by Bukhari, Muslim Tirmidhi and
Ibn Maja)
Article Sixteen
We must accord the Islamic [young] generations in our area, an Islamic
education based on the implementation of religious precepts, on the
conscientious study of the Book of Allah; on the Study of the Prophetic
Tradition, on the study of Islamic history and heritage from its reliable sources,
under the guidance of experts and scientists, and on singling out the paths
which constitute for the Muslims sound concepts of thinking and faith. It is also
necessary to study conscientiously the enemy and its material and human
potential; to detect its weak and strong spots, and to recognize the powers that
support it and stand by it. At the same time, we must be aware of current
events, follow the news and study the analyses and commentaries on it,
together with drawing plans for the present and the future and examining every
phenomenon, so that every Muslim, fighting Jihad, could live out his era aware
of his objective, his goals, his way and the things happening round him.
"O my dear son! Lo! though it be but the weight of a grain of
mustard-seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens, or in the earth,
Allah will bring it forth. Lo! Allah is subtle. Aware. O my dear son! Establish
worship and enjoin kindness and forbid inequity, and persevere, whatever may
befall thee. Lo! that is of the steadfast heart of things. Turn not thy cheek in
scorn toward folk, nor walk with pertness in the land. Lo! Allah loves not
braggarts and boasters." Sura XXXI (Luqman), verses 16-18
The Role of Muslim Women
Article Seventeen
The Muslim women have a no lesser role than that of men in the war of
liberation; they manufacture men and play a great role in guiding and educating
the [new] generation. The enemies have understood that role, therefore they
realize that if they can guide and educate [the Muslim women] in a way that
would distance them from Islam, they would have won that war.
Therefore, you can see them making consistent efforts [in that direction]
by way of publicity and movies, curricula of education and culture, using as
their intermediaries their craftsmen who are part of the various Zionist
Organizations which take on all sorts of names and shapes such as: the
Freemasons, Rotary Clubs, gangs of spies and the like. All of them are nests of
saboteurs and sabotage. Those Zionist organizations control vast material
resources, which enable them to fulfill their mission amidst societies, with a
view of implementing Zionist goals and sowing the concepts that can be of use
to the enemy. Those organizations operate [in a situation] where Islam is absent
from the arena and alienated from its people. Thus, the Muslims must fulfill
their duty in confronting the schemes of those saboteurs. When Islam will
retake possession of [the means to] guide the life [of the Muslims], it will wipe
out those organizations which are the enemy of humanity and Islam.
Article Eighteen
The women in the house and the family of Jihad fighters, whether they
are mothers or sisters, carry out the most important duty of caring for the home
and raising the children upon the moral concepts and values which derive from
Islam; and of educating their sons to observe the religious injunctions in
preparation for the duty of Jihad awaiting them. Therefore, we must pay
attention to the schools and curricula upon which Muslim girls are educated, so
as to make them righteous mothers, who are conscious of their duties in the
war of liberation. They must be fully capable of being aware and of grasping
the ways to manage their households. Economy and avoiding waste in
household expenditures are prerequisites to our ability to pursue our cause in
the difficult circumstances surrounding us. Therefore let them remember at all
times that money saved is equivalent to blood, which must be made to run in
the veins in order to ensure the continuity of life of our young and old.
"Lo, men who surrender unto Allah, and women who surrender and men
who believe and women who believe, and men who obey and women who
obey, and men who speak the truth and women who speak the truth and men
who persevere (in righteousness) and women who persevere and men who are
humble and women who are humble, and men who give alms and women who
give alms, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their
modesty and women who guard [their modesty], and men who remember Allah
much and women who remember Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and
a vast reward." Sura 33 (Al-Ahzab, the Clans), verse 35
The Role of Islamic Art in the War of Liberation
Article Nineteen
Art has rules and criteria by which one can know whether it is Islamic or
Jahiliyya art. The problems of Islamic liberation underlie the need for Islamic art
which could lift the spirit, and instead of making one party triumph over the
other, would lift up all parties in harmony and balance.
Man is a strange and miraculous being, made out of a handful of clay and
a breath of soul; Islamic art is to address man on this basis, while Jahili art
addresses the body and makes the element of clay paramount. So, books,
articles, publications, religious exhortations, epistles, songs, poems, hymns,
plays, and the like, if they possess the characteristics of Islamic art, have the
requisites of ideological mobilization, of a continuous nurturing in the pursuance
of the journey, and of relaxing the soul. The road is long and the suffering is
great and the spirits are weary; it is Islamic art which renews the activity,
revives the movement and arouses lofty concepts and sound planning. The soul
cannot thrive, unless it knows how to contrive, unless it can transit from one
situation to another. All this is a serious matter, no jesting. For the umma
fighting its Jihad knows no jesting.
Social Solidarity
Article Twenty
Islamic society is one of solidarity. The Messenger of Allah, be Allah's
prayer and peace upon him, said:
What a wonderful tribe were the Ash'aris! When they were overtaxed,
either in their location or during their journeys, they would collect all their
possessions, and then would divide them equally among themselves.
This is the Islamic spirit which ought to prevail in any Muslim society. A
society which confronts a vicious, Nazi-like enemy, who does not differentiate
between man and woman, elder and young ought to be the first to adorn itself
with this Islamic spirit. Our enemy pursues the style of collective punishment of
usurping people's countries and properties, of pursuing them into their exiles
and places of assembly. It has resorted to breaking bones, opening fire on
women and children and the old, with or without reason, and to setting up
detention camps where thousands upon thousands are interned in inhuman
conditions.
In addition, it destroys houses, renders children orphans and issues
oppressive judgements against thousands of young people who spend the best
years of their youth in the darkness of prisons. The Nazism of the Jews
does not skip women and children, it scares everyone. They make war
against people's livelihood, plunder their moneys and threaten their honor. In
their horrible actions they mistreat people like the most horrendous war
criminals. Exiling people from their country is another way of killing them. As
we face this misconduct, we have no escape from establishing social solidarity
among the people, from confronting the enemy as one solid body, so that if one
organ is hurt the rest of the body will respond with alertness and
fervor.
Article Twenty-One
Social solidarity consists of extending help to all the needy, both
materially and morally, or assisting in the execution of certain actions. It is
incumbent upon the members of the Hamas to look after the interests of the
masses the way they would look after their own interests. They must spare no
effort in the implementation and maintenance of those interests, and they must
avoid playing with anything that might effect the future generations or cause
damage to their society. For the masses are of them and for them, their
strength is [ultimately] theirs and their future is theirs. The members of Hamas
must share with the people its joys and sorrows, and adopt the demands of the
people and anything likely to fulfill its interests and theirs. When this spirit
reigns, congeniality will deepen, cooperation and compassion will prevail, unity
will firm up, and the ranks will be strengthened in the confrontation with the
enemy.
The Powers which Support the Enemy
Article Twenty-Two
The enemies have been scheming for a long time, and they have
consolidated their schemes, in order to achieve what they have achieved. They
took advantage of key elements in unfolding events, and accumulated a huge
and influential material wealth which they put to the service of implementing
their dream.
This wealth [permitted them to] take over control of the world media
such as news agencies, the press, publication houses, broadcasting and the
like. [They also used this] wealth to stir revolutions in various parts of the globe
in order to fulfill their interests and pick the fruits. They stood behind the
French and the Communist Revolutions and behind most of the revolutions we
hear about here and there. They also used the money to establish clandestine
organizations which are spreading around the world, in order to destroy
societies and carry out Zionist interests. Such organizations are: the
Freemasons, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, B'nai B'rith and the like. All of them are
destructive spying organizations. They also used the money to take over control
of the Imperialist states and made them colonize many countries in order to
exploit the wealth of those countries and spread their corruption therein.
As regards local and world wars, it has come to pass and no one objects,
that they stood behind World War I, so as to wipe out the Islamic Caliphate.
They collected material gains and took control of many sources of wealth. They
obtained the Balfour Declaration and established the League of Nations in order
to rule the world by means of that organization.
They also stood behind World War II, where they collected
immense benefits from trading with war materials and prepared for the
establishment of their state.
They inspired the establishment of the United Nations and the Security
Council to replace the League of Nations, in order to rule the world by their
intermediary. There was no war that broke out anywhere without their
fingerprints on it:
"...As often as they light a fire for war, Allah extinguishes it. Their efforts
are for corruption in the land and Allah loves not corrupters." Sura V (Al-Ma'ida
- the Tablespread), verse 64
The forces of Imperialism in both the Capitalist West and the Communist
East support the enemy with all their might, in material and human terms,
taking turns between themselves. When Islam appears, all the forces of
Unbelief unite to confront it, because the Community of Unbelief is one.
"Oh ye who believe! Take not for intimates others than your own folk,
who would spare no pain to ruin you. Hatred is revealed by [the utterance of]
their mouth, but that which their breasts hide is greater. We have made plain
for you the revelations if you will understand." Sura III, (Al-Imran), verse
118
It is not in vain that the verse ends with God's saying: "If you will
understand."
PART IV
Our Position Vis-a-Vis the Islamic Movements
Article Twenty-Three
The Hamas views the other Islamic movements with respect and
appreciation. Even when it differs from them in one aspect or another or on one
concept or another, it agrees with them in other aspects and concepts. It reads
those movements as included in the framework of striving [for the sake of
Allah], as long as they hold sound intentions and abide by their devotion to
Allah, and as along as their conduct remains within the perimeter of the Islamic
circle. All the fighters of Jihad have their reward.
The Hamas regards those movements as its stock holders and asks Allah
for guidance and integrity of conduct for all. It shall not fail to continue to raise
the banner of unity and to exert efforts in order to implement it, [based] upon
the [Holy] Book and the [Prophet's] Tradition.
"And hold fast, all of you together, to the cable of Allah, do not separate.
And remember Allah's favor unto you how ye were enemies and He made
friendship between your hearts so that ye became as brothers by His grace; and
(how) ye were upon the brink of an abyss of fire, and He did save you from it.
Thus Allah makes clear His revelations unto you, that happily ye may be
guided." Sura III (Al-'Imran), verse 102
Article Twenty-Four
Hamas will not permit the slandering and defamation of individuals and
groups, for the Believers are not slanderers and cursers. However, despite the
need to differentiate between that and the positions and modes of conduct
adopted by individuals and groups whenever the Hamas detects faulty positions
and modes of conduct, it has the right to point to the mistake, to denigrate it,
to act for spelling out the truth and for adopting it realistically in the context of
a given problem. Wisdom is roaming around, and the Believer ought to grasp it
wherever he can find it.
"Allah loves not the utterance of harsh speech save by one who has been
wronged. Allah is ever Hearer, Knower. If you do good openly or keep it secret,
or give evil, lo! Allah is forgiving, powerful." Sura IV (Women), verses
147-148
The National (wataniyya) Movements in the Palestinian Arena
Article Twenty-Five
[Hamas] reciprocated its respect to them, appreciates their condition and
the factors surrounding them and influencing them, and supports them firmly as
long as they do not owe their loyalty to the Communist East or to the Crusader
West. We reiterate to every one who is part of them or sympathizes with them
that the Hamas is a movement of Jihad, or morality and consciousness in its
concept of life. It moves forward with the others, abhors opportunism, and only
wishes well to individuals and groups. It does not aspire to material gains, or to
personal fame, nor does it solicit remuneration from the people. It sets out
relying on its own material resources, and what is available to it, [as it is said]
"afford them the power you can avail yourself of." [All that] in order to carry
out its duty, to gain Allah's favor; it has no ambition other than that.
All the nationalist streams, operating in the Palestinian arena for the sake
of the liberation of Palestine, may rest assured that they will definitely and
resolutely get support and assistance, in speech and in action, at the present
and in the future, [because Hamas aspires] to unite, not to divide; to safeguard,
not to squander; to bring together, not to fragment. It values every kind word,
every devoted effort and every commendable endeavor. It closes the door
before marginal quarrels, it does not heed rumors and biased statements, and it
is aware of the right of self-defense.
Anything that runs counter or contradicts this orientation is trumped up by
the enemies or by those who run in their orbit in order to create confusion, to
divide our ranks or to divert to marginal things.
"O ye who believe! If an evil-liver bring you tidings, verify it, lest ye smite
some folk in ignorance and afterward repent of what ye did." Sura XLIX (al
Hujurat, the Private Apartments), verse 6
Article Twenty-Six
The Hamas, while it views positively the Palestinian National Movements
which do not owe their loyalty to the East or to the West, does not refrain from
debating unfolding events regarding the Palestinian problem, on the local and
international scenes. These debates are realistic and expose the extent to which
[these developments] go along with, or contradict, national interests as viewed
from the Islamic vantage point.
The Palestine Liberation Organization
Article Twenty Seven
The PLO is among the closest to the Hamas, for it constitutes a father, a
brother, a relative, a friend. Can a Muslim turn away from his father, his
brother, his relative or his friend? Our homeland is one, our calamity is one, our
destiny is one and our enemy is common to both of us. Under the influence of
the circumstances which surrounded the founding of the PLO, and the
ideological invasion which has swept the Arab world since the rout of the
Crusades, and which has been reinforced by Orientalism and the Christian
Mission, the PLO has adopted the idea of a Secular State, and so we think of it.
Secular thought is diametrically opposed to religious thought. Thought is
the basis for positions, for modes of conduct and for resolutions. Therefore, in
spite of our appreciation for the PLO and its possible transformation in the
future, and despite the fact that we do not denigrate its role in the Arab-Israeli
conflict, we cannot substitute it for the Islamic nature of Palestine by adopting
secular thought. For the Islamic nature of Palestine is part of our religion, and
anyone who neglects his religion is bound to lose.
"And who forsakes the religion of Abraham, save him who befools
himself?" Sura II (Al-Baqra - the Co), verse 130
When the PLO adopts Islam as the guideline for life, then we shall become
its soldiers, the fuel of its fire which will burn the enemies. And until that
happens, and we pray to Allah that it will happen soon, the position of the
Hamas towards the PLO is one of a son towards his father, a brother towards
his brother, and a relative towards his relative who suffers the other's pain
when a thorn hits him, who supports the other in the confrontation with the
enemies and who wishes him divine guidance and integrity of conduct.
Your brother, your brother! Whoever has no brother, is like a fighter who
runs to the battle without weapons. A cousin for man is like the best wing, and
no falcon can take off without wings.
Article Twenty-Eight
The Zionist invasion is a mischievous one. It does not hesitate to take any
road, or to pursue all despicable and repulsive means to fulfill its desires. It
relies to a great extent, for its meddling and spying activities, on the clandestine
organizations which it has established, such as the Freemasons, Rotary Clubs,
Lions, and other spying associations. All those secret organizations, some
which are overt, act for the interests of Zionism and under its directions, strive
to demolish societies, to destroy values, to wreck answerableness, to totter
virtues and to wipe out Islam. It stands behind the diffusion of drugs and toxics
of all kinds in order to facilitate its control and expansion.
The Arab states surrounding Israel are required to open their borders to
the Jihad fighters, the sons of the Arab and Islamic peoples, to enable them to
play their role and to join their efforts to those of their brothers among the
Muslim Brothers in Palestine.
The other Arab and Islamic states are required, at the very least, to
facilitate the movement of the Jihad fighters from and to them. We cannot fail
to remind every Muslim that when the Jews occupied Holy Jerusalem in 1967
and stood at the doorstep of the Blessed Aqsa Mosque, they shouted with joy:
"Muhammad is dead, he left daughters behind."
Israel, by virtue of its being Jewish and of having a Jewish
population, defies Islam and the Muslims.
"Let the eyes of the cowards not fall asleep."
National and Religious Associations, Institutions, the Intelligentsia, and the
Arab and Islamic Worlds
Article Twenty-Nine
Hamas hopes that those Associations will stand by it on all levels, will
support it, adopt its positions, boost its activities and moves and encourage
support for it, so as to render the Islamic peoples its backers and helpers, and
its strategic depth in all human and material domains as well as in information,
in time and space. Among other things, they hold solidarity meetings, issue
explanatory publications, supportive articles and tendentious leaflets to make
the masses aware of the Palestinian issue, the problems it faces and of the
plans to resolve them; and to mobilize the Islamic peoples ideologically,
educationally and culturally in order to fulfill their role in the crucial war of
liberation, as they had played their role in the defeat of the Crusades and in the
rout of the Tartars and had saved human civilization. How all that is dear to
Allah!
"Allah has decreed: Lo! I verily shall conquer, I and my messengers. Lo!
Allah is strong, Almighty." Sura LVIII (Al-Mujadilah), verse 21
Article Thirty
Men of letters, members of the intelligentsia, media people, preachers,
teachers and educators and all different sectors in the Arab and Islamic world,
are all called upon to play their role and to carry out their duty in view of the
wickedness of the Zionist invasion, of its penetration into many countries, and
its control over material means and the media, with all the ramifications thereof
in most countries of the world.
Jihad means not only carrying arms and denigrating the enemies. Uttering
positive words, writing good articles and useful books, and lending support and
assistance, all that too is Jihad in the path of Allah, as long as intentions are
sincere to make Allah's banner supreme.
"Those who prepare for a raid in the path of Allah are considered as if
they participated themselves in the raid. Those who successfully rear a raider in
their home, are considered as if they participated themselves in the raid." (Told
by Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi)
The Members of Other Religions
The Hamas is a Humane Movement
Article Thirty-One
Hamas is a humane movement, which cares for human rights and is
committed to the tolerance inherent in Islam as regards attitudes towards other
religions. It is only hostile to those who are hostile towards it, or stand in its
way in order to disturb its moves or to frustrate its efforts.
Under the shadow of Islam it is possible for the members of the three
religions: Islam, Christianity and Judaism to coexist in safety and security.
Safety and security can only prevail under the shadow of Islam, and recent and
ancient history is the best witness to that effect.
The members of other religions must desist from struggling against Islam
over sovereignty in this region. For if they were to gain the upper hand,
fighting, torture and uprooting would follow; they would be fed up with each
other, to say nothing of members of other religions. The past and
the present are full of evidence to that effect.
"They will not fight you in body safe in fortified villages or from behind
wells. Their adversity among themselves is very great. Ye think of them as a
whole whereas their hearts are diverse. That is because they are a folk who
have no sense." Sura 59 (al-Hashr, the Exile), verse 14
Islam accords his rights to everyone who has rights and averts aggression
against the rights of others. The Nazi Zionist practices against our people will
not last the lifetime of their invasion, for "states built upon oppression last
only one hour, states based upon justice will last until the hour of
Resurrection."
"Allah forbids you not those who warred not against you on account of
religion and drove you not out from your houses, that you should show them
kindness and deal justly with them. Lo! Allah loves the just dealers." Sura 60
(Al-Mumtahana), verse 8
The Attempts to Isolate the Palestinian People
Article Thirty-Two
World Zionism and Imperialist forces have been attempting, with smart
moves and considered planning, to push the Arab countries, one after another,
out of the circle of conflict with Zionism, in order, ultimately, to isolate the
Palestinian People. Egypt has already been cast out of the conflict, to a very
great extent through the treacherous Camp David Accords, and she has been
trying to drag other countries into similar agreements in order to push them out
of the circle of conflict.
Hamas is calling upon the Arab and Islamic peoples to act seriously and
tirelessly in order to frustrate that dreadful scheme and to make the masses
aware of the danger of coping out of the circle of struggle with Zionism. Today
it is Palestine and tomorrow it may be another country or other countries.
For Zionist scheming has no end, and after Palestine they will covet
expansion from the Nile to the Euphrates.
Only when they have completed digesting the area on which they will
have laid their hand, they will look forward to more expansion, etc. Their
scheme has been laid out in the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and their
present [conduct] is the best proof of what is said there.
Leaving the circle of conflict with Israel is a major act of treason and it will
bring curse on its perpetrators.
"Who so on that day turns his back to them, unless maneuvering for
battle or intent to join a company, he truly has incurred wrath from Allah, and
his habitation will be hell, a hapless journey's end." Sura 8 (al-Anfal - Spoils of
War), verse 16
We have no escape from pooling together all the forces and energies to
face this despicable Nazi-Tatar invasion. Otherwise we shall witness the loss of
[our] countries, the uprooting of their inhabitants, the spreading of corruption
on earth and the destruction of all religious values. Let everyone realize that he
is accountable to Allah.
"Whoever does a speck of good will bear [the consequences] and
whoever does a speck of evil will see [the consequences]."
Within the circle of the conflict with world Zionism, the Hamas regards
itself the spearhead and the avant-garde. It joins its efforts to all those who are
active on the Palestinian scene, but more steps need to be taken by the Arab
and Islamic peoples and Islamic associations throughout the Arab and Islamic
world in order to make possible the next round with the Jews, the merchants of
war.
"We have cast among them enmity and hatred till the day of Resurrection.
As often as they light a fire for war, Allah extinguishes it. Their effort is for
corruption in the land, and Allah loves not corrupters." Sura V (Al-Ma'idah - the
Table spread), verse 64
Article Thirty-Three
The Hamas sets out from these general concepts which are consistent and
in accordance with the rules of the universe, and gushes forth in the river of
Fate in its confrontation and Jihad waging against the enemies, in defense of
the Muslim human being, of Islamic Civilization and of the Islamic Holy Places,
primarily the Blessed Aqsa Mosque. This, for the purpose of calling upon the
Arab and Islamic peoples as well as their governments, popular and official
associations, to fear Allah in their attitude towards and dealings with Hamas,
and to be, in accordance with Allah's will, its supporters and partisans who
extend assistance to it and provide it with reinforcement after reinforcement,
until the Decree of Allah is fulfilled, the ranks are over-swollen, Jihad fighters
join other Jihad fighters, and all this accumulation sets out from everywhere in
the Islamic world, obeying the call of duty, and intoning "Come on, join Jihad!"
This call will tear apart the clouds in the skies and it will continue to ring until
liberation is completed, the invaders are vanquished and Allah's victory sets
in.
"Verily Allah helps one who helps Him.
Lo! Allah is strong, Almighty." Sura XXII (Pilgrimage), verse 40
PART V - THE TESTIMONY OF HISTORY
Confronting Aggressors Throughout History
Article Thirty-Four
Palestine is the navel of earth, the convergence of continents, the object
of greed for the greedy, since the dawn of history. The Prophet, may Allah's
prayer and peace be upon him, points out to that fact in his noble hadith in
which he implored his venerable Companion, Ma'adh ibn Jabl, saying:
"O Ma'adh, Allah is going to grant you victory over Syria after me, from
Al-Arish to the Euphrates, while its men, women, and female slaves will be
dwelling there until the Day of Resurrection. Those of you who chose [to dwell
in one of the plains of Syria or Palestine will be in a state of Jihad to the Day
of Resurrection."
The greedy have coveted Palestine more than once and they raided it with
armies in order to fulfill their covetousness. Multitudes of Crusades descended
on it, carrying their faith with them and waving their Cross. They were able to
defeat the Muslims for a long time, and the Muslims were not able to redeem it
until their sought the protection of their religious banner; then, they unified their
forces, sang the praise of their God and set out for Jihad under the Command
of Saladin al-Ayyubi, for the duration of nearly two decades, and then the
obvious conquest took place when the Crusaders were defeated and Palestine
was liberated.
"Say (O Muhammad) unto those who disbelieve: ye shall be overcome and
gathered unto Hell, an evil resting place." Sura III (Al-Imran), verse 12
This is the only way to liberation, there is no doubt in the testimony of
history. That is one of the rules of the universe and one of the laws of
existence. Only iron can blunt iron, only the true faith of Islam can vanquish
their false and falsified faith. Faith can only be fought by faith. Ultimately,
victory is reserved to the truth, and truth is victorious.
"And verily Our word went forth of old unto Our Bordmen sent [to warn].
That they verily would be helped. And that Our host, they verily would be the
victors." Sura 38 (Al-saffat), verses 171-3
Article Thirty-Five
Hamas takes a serious look at the defeat of the Crusades at the hand of
Saladin the Ayyubid and the rescue of Palestine from their domination; at the
defeat of the Tatars at Ein Jalut where their spine was broken by Qutuz and
Al-Dhahir Baibars, and the Arab world was rescued from the sweep of the
Tatars which ruined all aspects of human civilization. Hamas has learned from
these lessons and examples, that the current Zionist invasion had been
preceded by a Crusader invasion from the West; and another one, the Tatars,
from the East. And exactly as the Muslims had faced those invasions and
planned their removal and defeat, they are able to face the Zionist invasion and
defeat it. This will not be difficult for Allah if our intentions are pure and our
determination is sincere; if the Muslims draw useful lessons from the
experiences of the past, and extricate themselves for the vestiges of the
[western] ideological onslaught; and if they follow the traditions of Islam.
EPILOGUE
The Hamas are Soldiers
Article Thirty-Six
The Hamas, while breaking its path, reiterates time and again to all
members of our people and the Arab and Islamic peoples, that it does not seek
fame for itself nor material gains, or social status. Nor is it directed against any
one member of our people in order to compete with him or replace him.
There is nothing of that at all. It will never set out against any Muslims
or against the non-Muslims who make peace with it, here or anywhere else. It
will only be of help to all associations and organizations which act against the
Zionist enemy and those who revolve in its orbit.
Hamas posits Islam as a way of life, it is its faith and its yardstick for
judging. Whoever posits Islam as a way of life, anywhere, and regardless of
whether it is an organization, a state, or any other group, Hamas are its
soldiers, nothing else.
We implore Allah to guide us, to guide through us and to decide between
us and our folk with truth.
"Our Lord! Decide with truth between us and our folk, for Thou are the
best of those who make decisions." Sura VII (Al-A'raf - the Heights), verse
89
Our last call is: Thanks to Allah, the Lord of the Universe.
(From Rafael Yisraeli, in Y. Alexander and H. Foxman, eds.,
The 1988-1989 Annual on Terrorism (The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic
Publishers)
Handvest van Hamas
Gedateerd 18 augustus 1988.
Opmerking van Likoed Nederland: voor diegenen die denken dat er met Hamas
te onderhandelen is, is dit handvest verplichtte leeskost.
Hieronder volgen de belangrijkste passages vertaald in het Nederlands:
"In naam van God de Almachtige en de Barmhartige. U, moslim, bent het beste
volk dat uit de mensheid is voorgekomen. Israel zal voortbestaan totdat u het
vernietigt. Onze strijd tegen de Joden is immens, een stap die tot grotere
stappen leidt. Onze organisatie is slechts één legereenheid, die door vele
eenheden uit de grote Arabische en Islamitische wereld wordt ondersteund,
totdat de vijand is vernietigd en Gods overwinning zegeviert."
Artikel 7: "De dag de Oordeels komt niet totdat moslims alle Joden ter dood
hebben gebracht, totdat de Jood zich achter stenen en bomen verstopt. De
stenen en bomen zullen zeggen: "O, moslims, o, Abdoela, er is een Jood achter
mij, kom, en doodt mij". Alleen de Gharkadboom zegt dit niet - want het is een
Joodse boom."
Artikel 8: "God is het doel, de profeet het model, de Koran de grondwet, jihad
de manier, en de dood voor God de mooiste der wensen."
Artikel 9: "Palestina is een islamitische Wakf, bestemd voor toekomstige
moslimgeneraties tot de dag der Oordeels. Een deel noch een geheel mag
worden ontheiligd of opgegeven. Geen enkel land, koning, president, of
organisatie, Palestijns of Arabisch, mag dat doen. Palestina is islamitisch
Wakf-land, bedoeld voor moslims tot de Dag des Oordeels. Dit geldt voor
Palestina en alle andere lande die de moslims met geweld veroverden, want
hierdoor zijn deze landen geheiligd voor moslimgeneraties tot het einde der
dagen."
Artikel 13: "Initiatieven, en zogenaamde vredesplannen en internationale
conferenties, zijn in tegenspraak met de islamitische verzetsbeweging,
tijdverspilling en loze moeite. De Palestijnen weten wel beter dan dat ze
toestaan dat hun toekomst, hun rechten, hun lot op die manier tot speelbal
worden gemaakt. Jihad is de enige oplossing."
Artikel 20: "Onze vijand gebruikt collectieve strafmethoden. Hij ontneemt
mensen hun thuisland en eigendommen en vervolgt ze tot in hun ballingschap.
De vijand heeft concentratiekampen opgericht waar duizenden mensen onder
onmenselijke omstandigheden worden vastgehouden. Met hun nazi-methoden
maken de oden geen uitzondering voor vrouwen en kinderen. Zij richten hun
pijlen op iedereen."
Artikel 27: "De PLO staat het dichtst bij het hart van de islamitische
verzetsorganisatie. Het is onze vader en broer, onze zielsverwant en vriend. Een
moslim vervreemd zich niet van zijn vader, broer, verwant, vriend. Ons
vaderland is één, onze situatie is één, ons lot is
één en de vijand is onze gezamenlijke vijand."
Artikel 28: "de zionistische invasie is een verwerpelijke invasie, die geen
methode schuwt om haar doel te bereiken, hoe slecht en afschuwwekkend ook.
Zionisme wil alle beschavingen ondermijnen, alle waarden vernietigen, het
geweten corrumperen, karakters verslechteren en de islam vernietigen. Het is
de oorzaak van drugs en alcoholisme in al zijn vormen en verantwoordelijk voor
de verspreiding ervan. We herinneren alle moslims eraan dat de Joden, toen ze
in 1967 de Heilige Stad veroverden, op de drempel van de al-Aksa-moskee
verkondigden dat "Mohammed dood is en zijn nakomelingen vrouwen zijn".
Israel, Jodendom en de Joden dagen de islam en de moslims uit: moge de
lafaard nimmer slapen."
Artikel 30: "We roepen schrijvers, intellectuelen, mediawerknemers, sprekers,
docenten uit de hele Arabische en islamitische wereld op hun plicht te vervullen
en te strijden tegen de verschrikkelijke zionistische aanval en de zionistische
invloed op de wereld via hun financiele netwerken en de internationale media."
Artikel 35: "De overwinning van Saladin en de redding van Palestina uit de
handen van de Kruisvaders is een belangrijk voorbeeld."
