A COMMON DOUBT RAISED BY HAMAS SUPPORTERS

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The questioner says: Peace and mercy of Allāh be upon you. Response: And peace and mercy of Allāh be upon you as well. Some members of the Muslim Brotherhood raise a doubt which they believe counters the criticism made by Ahlus-Sunnah regarding Hamas's actions in the recent war. They argue that Hamas lacks sufficient equipment and manpower to fight the Jews, and in defense, they point to the Prophet ﷺ's expedition to Badr, where he went out with approximately 300 and ten odd companions while the disbelievers numbered over a thousand. They cite similar instances where the Muslims were fewer in number and lesser in equipment compared to the disbelievers. How do we respond to this argument? May Allāh bless you with goodness. Sheikh Muhammad Ba Jammal hafidahullah: First, we say to them: Prepare yourselves spiritually and religiously with faith, uprightness, righteousness, adherence to the Sunnah, and sincere support for the religion of Allāh both outwardly and inwardly. Second, avoid the Rafidah and the callers to Hizbiyyah, especially the Muslim Brotherhood. You have shown complete allegiance to this party, and your jihad appears to be in its cause, not in the cause of Allāh. Also, refrain from acting unilaterally—you have acted independently of the people of Gaza, the people of Palestine, and the Muslim Ummah at large. You acted based on your own opinion alone. The Prophet ﷺ, when he went out for the Battle of Badr, did not initially intend to fight. His purpose was to intercept a Quraysh caravan. Allāh willed that it turned into a battle. The Prophet consulted his companions regarding the fight. Him and His Companions consulted the Muslims with regards to fighting the polytheists. Allāh commanded him: "Consult them in matters" [3:159], and said, "Their affairs are decided by mutual consultation among them" [42:38]. Only after consulting them and seeing their spiritual readiness did he proceed to fight. As for you, there is no spiritual readiness, no military experience, and no consultation with the broader Muslim community. You acted unilaterally. How vast is the difference between your actions and those of the Prophet ﷺ. Furthermore, the Prophet went out from Madinah to Badr—he did not wage war within Madinah among the weak and helpless. He fought the enemy away from the civilian population and was granted victory by Allāh. You, on the other hand, provoked the enemy, stirred them, alarmed them, and then retreated to hide in tunnels, leaving civilians exposed to rockets and airstrikes. This is the reality. They claim to fight the Jews, yet the Jewish forces retaliate by targeting civilians. Homes are destroyed, and so much more. This is what is happening in reality. You hide in tunnels and then claim equivalence with the Prophet ﷺ and his companions at Badr!! At the same time, you glorify the Rafidah, boasting that they have supported you with weapons, funds, technology, and expertise—what delusion! The Prophet ﷺ himself led the battle, while your leaders reside in the hotels of Qatar and Turkey. How great the contrast! The Prophet ﷺ never exposed his companions to destruction but was keen on their safety. You, however, have brought ruin upon men, women, children, wealth, and homes. The Prophet grieved for those who were martyred at Uhud, while you seem to care only about Hamas. If Hamas survives, you declare victory, even if Gaza is wiped out completely. And if Hamas leaders are killed, you wail and cry—yet if the civilians from Gaza are killed, they label them martyrs! But if Hamas leaders are killed, they wail and cry. Are they not martyrs likewise?! You want the poor civilians to enter paradise, but don't wish the same for your leaders?!