Call for a hudna in the New York Times

The New Duranty Times (thanks to Mel) has printed an op-ed, "Pause for Peace," by Ahmed Yousef, "a senior adviser to the Palestinian prime minister, Ismail Haniya." Of course, the Times would never dream of explaining that according to traditional Islamic law, which there is every indication that Ahmed Yousef takes very seriously, a hudna can only be concluded "if Muslims are weak" ('Umdat al-Salik, o9.16), so that they have time to gather strength to fight again more effectively. In other words, there is just no chance that the "lasting peace" of which Yousef speaks will be concluded during the period of any such hudna as he proposes.

But willful ignorance about the teachings of Islam and the light those teachings may shed on the current political situation seems to be a requirement for participation in the public debate these days.

HERE in Gaza, few dream of peace. For now, most dare only to dream of a lack of war. It is for this reason that Hamas proposes a long-term truce during which the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can try to negotiate a lasting peace.
A truce is referred to in Arabic as a “hudna.” Typically covering 10 years, a hudna is recognized in Islamic jurisprudence as a legitimate and binding contract. A hudna extends beyond the Western concept of a cease-fire and obliges the parties to use the period to seek a permanent, nonviolent resolution to their differences. The Koran finds great merit in such efforts at promoting understanding among different people. Whereas war dehumanizes the enemy and makes it easier to kill, a hudna affords the opportunity to humanize one’s opponents and understand their position with the goal of resolving the intertribal or international dispute.

In reality, the only "permanent, nonviolent resolution" to differences between Muslims and non-Muslims allowed by Islamic law is the subjugation of the non-Muslims under the rule of Sharia, under which they will "pay the jizya with willing submission and feel themselves subdued" (Qur'an 9:29).

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12 Comments

ISLAMSFORLOSERS | November 1, 2006 8:04 AM

Yes, let's have a ten year truce between Israel and the palestinians. That way, maybe even the palestinians can get hold of a few nuclear devices in their neverending quest to return to the mythical paradise called "Palestine".

Once Israel thinks its ready to strike I say more power to them. There will never be peace there until either Israel or the palestinians cease to exist. Or if Islam makes a miraculous disappearance.

teramnan | November 1, 2006 8:09 AM

My vote is for islam making a miraculous, or otherwise, disappearance.

Clive | November 1, 2006 8:18 AM

Given the doctrine of "taqiyya," how could anyone beleive Hamas would honor a "hudna" even if they called for one?

sheik yer'mami | November 1, 2006 8:40 AM

Take a deep breath before you burst out laughing:

Ahmed Yousef sez:

"When Hamas gives its word to an international agreement, it does so in the name of God and will therefore keep its word. Hamas has honored its previous cease-fires, as Israelis grudgingly note with the oft-heard words, “At least with Hamas they mean what they say.”

This offer of hudna is no ruse, as some assert, to strengthen our military machine, to buy time to organize better or to consolidate our hold on the Palestinian Authority. Indeed, faith-based political movements in Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Turkey and Yemen have used hudna-like strategies to avoid expanding conflict. Hamas will conduct itself just as wisely and honorably..."

Keep an open mind folks! (but make sure your brain doesn't fall out!)

dgene | November 1, 2006 8:52 AM

Great comment Robert, hitting on all eight cylinders.

One would hope that fool editors of Western media would first ask the question with any submission: is the author a follower of islam in which case what optics must we be aware of ?

Stupid is as stupid does.

They should have consulted first at this site or with William Gawthrop.

ImNoDhimmi | November 1, 2006 9:25 AM

"The Koran finds great merit in such efforts at promoting understanding among different people."

Yep.....and we all know how well Yasser Arafat promoted understanding, and how well he lived up to his promises. Will Hamas be any different ?

sounder | November 1, 2006 9:45 AM

Mo (or the koran) says it is ok to make deals, sign any agreement with islam's enemies and then PRESTO it is ok to break any deal when they think it benefits islam to do so.

Their words are worthless.

A_Plague_on_Both_Houses | November 1, 2006 1:26 PM

Israel - strike them or choke them repeatedly as they call for hudna. It shows they feel vulnerable or unable to strike you well. Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their country. It's working. Keep it up.

Eliyahu | November 1, 2006 4:28 PM

Isn't it curious that this appeal for a hudna was published precisely in the NYTimes? Maybe, before long, Jiminy Carter and Ramzi Kalark of the aclu will jump on the hudna bandwagon, pretending that a hudna is just as good as peace or a step toward peace or some such. In fact, a signed peace accord with an Arab state is not worth much more than the paper it is printed on. Treaties in general cannot enforce or police themselves. When you're dealing with Arabs, you need to keep all the strategic advantages in your own hands. Then, maybe, you can peace with the Arab party. Conversely, giving away strategic advantages means destroying the chance for even a long-term truce with them.

ZenaWarriorPrincess | November 1, 2006 5:23 PM

l think Israel govenment should ad birth control to the water that the paliestienes drink. that way who is not killed by each other, no others will be born. perfect solution for muslim birth control.

Alec Rawls | November 1, 2006 11:04 PM

"...a hudna is recognized in Islamic jurisprudence as a legitimate and binding contract..."

Only on one side. Koran, verse 8.58:

"If you fear treachery from any of your allies, you may fairly retaliate by breaking off your treaty with them."

i.e. An Islamic treaty can be broken at any time by Koran-following Muslims. It is not binding at all.

Lili | November 2, 2006 12:43 AM

"A hudna extends beyond the Western concept of a cease-fire and obliges the parties to use the period to seek a permanent, nonviolent resolution to their differences."

Nonviolent resolution: outbreed the enemy and/or gain so much strength that the enemy is subjugated without fighting back.

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