Gaza’s most prominent Islamic scholar, Professor Dr Salman al-Dayah, has issued a rare and powerful fatwa condemning Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. The attack triggered the devastating war in the Palestinian territory, leaving hundreds dead and thousands displaced.
Al-Dayah, a former dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law at the Islamic University of Gaza, is one of the region’s most respected religious authorities. His fatwa criticizes Hamas for violating Islamic principles governing jihad, or struggle.
According to Islam, jihad can be a personal struggle or a military struggle against unbelievers. However, al-Dayah argues that if the conditions for jihad are not met, it should be avoided to prevent destruction of lives. He believes that Hamas’s attack failed to meet these conditions.
The fatwa highlights that Hamas has failed to protect Palestinian civilians and provide them with security, economic, health, and education. Al-Dayah points to Quranic verses and the Sunnah that set strict conditions for the conduct of jihad, including avoiding actions that provoke an excessive response by an opponent.
His opposition to the attack is significant given his deep influence in Gaza, where he is seen as a key religious figure. Al-Dayah’s moderate Salafist beliefs place him in direct opposition to Hamas’s approach to armed resistance.
The fatwa adds to the growing internal debate within Gaza and the broader Arab world over the moral and legal implications of Hamas’s actions. It is likely to fuel further divisions within Palestinian society regarding the use of armed resistance in the ongoing conflict with Israel.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4vw1l8xvdo