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Islam wants you to “defend your homeland, your holy sites,” if you die fighting, you go to “Paradise,” your enemies go to “hell” - top PA religious leader

PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Advisor on Religious Affairs and Islamic Relations Mahmoud Al-Habbash: “Islam does not want you to be submissive to others, it wants you to be powerful, ruling, strong, dignified, proud of yourself, defending your territory…
[A man] said: “O Messenger of Allah! What if someone fights me?” [Muhammad] said: “Fight him!” If he wants to fight you, to use weapons against you, defend yourself! Don’t be a coward! Don't be fearful! Don’t be submissive! …  [The man] said: “And what if he kills me?”… You [were killed] while defending your money, while defending your home, your homeland, your family, your rights. [Muhammad would say:] “You’ll go to Paradise”… “What is your opinion if I kill him?” … [Muhammad:] “He’ll go to hell because he is an oppressor, because he attacks.” You’ll go to Paradise because you are oppressed and because you are defending yourself. Defend yourself! This is what Islam wants of you! This is what Islam strives for you to be: Defending yourself, your homeland, your family, your people, your nation, your religion, your holy sites, your money… Everyone who fights you – you are required to fight him … You must respond to the aggression and be brave. This is what Islam wants of us.”

Mahmoud Al-Habbash also serves as Chairman of the Supreme Council for Shari'ah Justice. In August 2019 PA Chairman Abbas dismissed all his advisors by Presidential decree. It is unclear what their status is today.


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