What Religion is Hamas: Examining the Religious Ideology Behind the Movement

Hamas, the Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization, is closely associated with and promotes a conservative Islamic religious ideology. But what exactly is the religion of Hamas?

History and Origins of Hamas

Hamas was founded in 1987, at the start of the First Intifada uprising against Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories. It emerged from the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, which promotes a fundamentalist Islamic ideology.

The Hamas Covenant, the organization’s charter published in 1988, states that Hamas is “one of the wings of Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine” and that the Muslim Brotherhood movement is a “universal organization which constitutes the largest Islamic movement in modern times.”

So while Hamas is a Palestinian nationalist movement seeking to end Israel’s occupation and establish an Islamic Palestinian state, it is very much grounded in a conservative Islamic ideological framework derived from the Muslim Brotherhood.

Ideology and Beliefs

The Hamas Covenant clearly defines the organization’s ideological mission as establishing an Islamic Palestinian state and liberating all of Palestine, including modern-day Israel.

The Covenant states that “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.”

To remedy this situation, Hamas commits itself to following Islamic principles and teachings, stating that “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.”

So in summary:

  • Hamas emerged from the Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood
  • It promotes establishing an Islamic Palestinian state
  • The Hamas Covenant is explicitly based on Islamic principles
  • Hamas claims to value tolerance towards other religions

Hamas leaders and spokespeople routinely couch the organization’s mission, activities, and goals in religious messaging and Koranic justification.

So while Hamas also has Palestinian nationalist goals, Islam is core to its ideological identity and motivations.

Table 1: Facts on Hamas and Religion

FactDescription
EmergenceFormed out of Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood
IdeologyBased on conservative Islamic principles
MissionEstablish an Islamic Palestinian state
ToleranceProfesses tolerance towards other religions
RhetoricReligious messaging used to justify activities

Is Hamas Sunni or Shiite?

Hamas adheres to a conservative Sunni Islamic ideology, which reflects its emergence from the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood movement.

The Hamas Covenant defines the organization as being “one of the links in the chain of the struggle against the Zionist invaders” and “a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood chapter in Palestine.”

The Muslim Brotherhood, which began in Egypt in 1928 and has branches across the Muslim world, follows Sunni Islam. So Hamas is effectively an offshoot of that Sunni ideological framework.

Additionally, the majority Palestinian Muslim population in Gaza and the West Bank is Sunni. Hamas presents itself as a nationalist Islamist movement representing Palestinian Sunni Muslims against Israel’s occupation.

Sunni Influence on Hamas

  • Hamas has its origins in the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood
  • The Muslim Brotherhood promotes a Sunni fundamentalist ideology
  • Most Palestinians are Sunnis, Hamas sees itself as representing Sunni interests

So while Hamas incorporates Palestinian nationalism into its ideology and messaging, it staunchly identifies with and promotes the conservative Sunni ideology of its parent organization the Muslim Brotherhood.

Table 2: Hamas’s Association with Sunni Islam

FactDescription
RootsEmergence from Sunni Muslim Brotherhood
AlignmentIdentifies with fundamentalist Sunni ideology
RepresentationSees itself as champion for Sunni Palestinians

Is Hamas Anti-Semitic?

The Hamas Covenant includes statements and rhetoric condemning Jews and Zionists that are considered anti-Semitic.

Chapter 22 of the Covenant states that “Israel, Judaism and Jews” have been behind major international events and disasters, including the French and Russian revolutions and both World Wars.

Additionally, Hamas leaders have routinely used anti-Semitic rhetoric in speeches and statements. For example, in 2012 Hamas Political Bureau Chief Khaled Mash’al stated that “The Zionists are behind all the propaganda about the holocaust and claim that Hitler killed millions of Jews.”

Other examples of anti-Semitic rhetoric used by Hamas include:

  • Comparing and equating Zionism with Nazism
  • Referring to Jews as “enemies of Allah” and “enemies of humanity”
  • Depicting Jews as trying to control the world and as orchestrating other international conflicts and problems

Critics consider statements like these to be promoting anti-Semitic hate speech and conspiracy theories.

So while Hamas disputes accusations that its conflict with Israel is religious, the anti-Semitic content of its charter and rhetoric used by leaders answer the question “is Hamas anti-Semitic.”

Table 3: Evidence of Hamas’s Use of Anti-Semitism

FactDescription
CharterContains anti-Jewish conspiracy theories
Leaders’ rhetoricMash’al quote denies Holocaust
Other rhetoricEquates Zionism and Judaism with evil

Anti-Semitic sentiment does not have its basis inherently in the teachings of Islam. But Hamas’s strain of politicized fundamentalist Islam clearly incorporates and promotes anti-Jewish attitudes and demonization.

Hamas Violently Impose Islam

Hamas seeks to establish a Palestinian nation governed under Sharia, or Islamic law. And there is evidence that in territories controlled by Hamas, militant forces have violently imposed certain social directives they argue are justified by their interpretation of Islam.

Imposition of Islamic Dress and Social Codes

In 2007 after Hamas seized control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority, the militia established modesty directives and Islamic dress codes for women seen as violating Islamic teachings. Violators reported being beaten or tortured by Hamas security.

There have also been reports that Hamas has harassed and threatened Gaza residents participating in activities seen as “un-Islamic,” including Christians organizing mixed-gender celebrations.

Implementation of Sharia Law and Courts

As the de facto government in some areas, Hamas has implemented Islamic Sharia courts and promoted sentencing consistent with strict Sharia for offenses like adultery. Punishments have included public lynchings and executions not seen previously under Palestinian Authority control.

Human rights groups report that in administering territory under its control in Gaza and the West Bank, Hamas has denied democratic rights and violently suppressed dissent and political rivals using heavy-handed tactics justified by their Islamist ideologies.

So Hamas cannot be characterized as tolerant towards secularism or pluralism in areas administered under its militant control. Forceful imposition of religious orthodoxy and governance are used simultaneously with its strategies promoting Palestinian nationalism.

Table 4: Hamas and Imposition of Islam in Palestinian Territories

FactDescription
Dress codesBeatings reported over “immodest” dress
Social restrictionsHarassment over “un-Islamic” activities
Legal systemEstablishment of Sharia courts in areas controlled
PunishmentsPublic executions ordered by Sharia courts

This analysis shows that while Hamas emerged in a nationalist struggle against Israeli occupation, its core identity and ideology are thoroughly Islamic. And there is concerning evidence that when empowered, Hamas militants have denied political pluralism and democratic dissent using force and violence to impose their rigid religious interpretation on Palestinians living under their control.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Hamas has legitimate political goals and grievances regarding Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, its foundationally religious ideological identity has problematic implications.

Hamas emerged out of a fundamentalist Sunni Islamist movement in the form of the Muslim Brotherhood. As Hamas Covenant makes clear, the organization views its struggle through a religious lens and its members use rhetoric demonizing Jews and Judaism.

And Hamas has exhibited tendencies of imposing its rigid religious beliefs on Palestinians when empowered, denying pluralism and dissent.

So Hamas cannot be characterized as purely a Palestinian nationalist liberation movement. Its core identity stems from a politicized Sunni ideology that incorporates concerning elements of religious supremacy, anti-Semitism, and theological justification for conflict.

These ideological components of Hamas must be reckoned with for any mediation or reconciliation efforts with Israel to succeed. Hamas’s theological framing of the dispute may limit its flexibility on central issues like refusal to fully recognize Israel’s legitimacy or renounce claims to all historically Palestinian lands.

Understanding that Hamas followers are motivated by religious convictions requires addressing how to accommodate Palestinian nationalist aspirations without compromising democratic pluralism. And Hamas using antiCopy

Add FAQs please

What percentage of Palestinians support Hamas?

Hamas won over 50% of the popular vote in the 2006 Palestinian legislative election. However its support varies according to polling. Generally around 35-40% of Palestinians say they would vote for Hamas in elections according to recent surveys. But support tends to be higher in Gaza versus the West Bank.

Does Hamas attack civilians?

Human rights groups have documented Hamas attacks targeting Israeli civilian areas, like suicide bombings in buses and public places during the 1990s and 2000s. These tactics have decreased recently due to Israeli security measures. Hamas justifies civilian attacks by arguing that all Israelis living illegally in Palestinian territory are legitimate targets per its nationalism tied to conservative Islamist ideology.

What countries consider Hamas a terrorist organization?

Nations including the United States, Canada, European Union and others have designated Hamas’s militia wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, as a terrorist organization. This is due to suicide attacks and rockets deliberately targeting areas with civilian populations associated with Hamas.

Does Hamas refuse to recognize Israel’s right to exist?

The Hamas Covenant rejects Israel’s legitimacy or any compromise that allows its right to exist in what Hamas considers Palestinian Muslim land granted by divine right. This theological component continues to be a barrier in mediation efforts.

When did Hamas most recently exchange fire with Israel?

In May 2021, clashes between Palestinian protesters, Israeli security forces and militants in Gaza escalated into an 11-day conflict where Hamas launched over 4,000 rockets towards Israeli cities and Israel’s military conducted over 1,000 air and artillery strikes into Gaza.

At least 243 Palestinians and 12 Israelis died before a mediated ceasefire was implemented. Both sides claimed victory. Further unrest remains probable in relations between the Israeli government and Hamas as it controls Gaza and rejects Israel’s right to exist through religious ideological conviction.

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