'Daleel Al-Muqatil' – 'The Fighter's Guide': Hamas's Religious-Operational Guide For Commanders – Translation And Analysis
November 20, 2024 | By Dr. Eliyahu Stern*
Palestinians | Inquiry & Analysis Series No. 1794
Cover of "Daleel Al-Muqatil" – "The Fighter's Guide"
Introduction
The atrocities committed by Hamas mujahideen in southern Israel on October 7, 2023 were carried out in the name of Islam, and for the sake of serving Allah's will. Hamas's activity, like that of other Islamist terrorist organizations, has its roots in Islamic religious sources, and aims to emulate the deeds and actions of the Prophet Muhammad and his seventh-century Companions.
This article examines the religious aspect of "Daleel Al-Muqatil" – "The Fighter's Guide" – which is an operational guide for squad commanders in Hamas's military wing, the Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades. The guide provides its readers, who as Hamas fighters are Islamists, with a protocol of mental, spiritual and tactical preparations to be carried out and actions to be taken before, during, and after their attacks, through recitation of Quranic verses, supplications, and directives. An analysis of the guide provides insight into the religious/combat doctrine – and indoctrination – of the Hamas mujahideen who carried out the October 7 attack and its atrocities.
I. "Daleel Al-Muqatil": Islamist Indoctrination And Its Tactical Applications
The Operational Level
The guide combines operational directives with religious instruction for attaining pure religious intent while engaging in jihad. It is clear that the Hamas mujahideen who participated in the atrocities of October 7 saw their commanders not only as military leaders but also as religious authorities, entrusted with setting tactical goals as well as religious and spiritual goals.
The guide can be divided into two main sections:
https://www.memri.org/reports/daleel-al-muqatil-%E2%80%93-fighters-guide-hamass-religious-operational-guide-commanders-%E2%80%93
