The IDF has released the image of a note written in Arabic, which was carried by one of the Hamas terrorists as they attacked Israeli citizens on 7th October 2023.  The note has the following message

The words used in this message are cryptic in nature, and are taken from various chapters of Quran. The first reference is about sharpening of swords, which in this case was to be used against the idolaters.  The relation between this phrase and Chapter 9 verse 5 is there to be made.  The famously highlighted verse of sword in Quran says

“So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush..”

Next, if we look at the word ‘intention’ or Niyyah, we will find that it holds extreme importance in the Quranic text and is mentioned several times. Whether performing a religious act or a non-religious one, Muslims are taught to make Niyyah, and have pure intentions in everything they do.   This word basically has the power to over ride all kind of criminal acts, barbarism, murder, theft and sexual crimes, because the Niyyah of the doer is pure from the Islamic point of view.  Niyyah refers to the motive behind any act, which is aimed at attaining reward in the hereafter and to get closer to Allah.  One Hadith which fortifies this point of view is shared here

Sahih al-Bukhari 1
In-book reference  : Book 1, Hadith 1

Narrated Umar Bin Al Khattab
“I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”
At the same time, Jihad by sword is considered one of the greatest deeds under Islam.   It is mentioned in all the post Hijrah chapters at least once, in various degrees of sternness.  It is also mentioned copiously in the Hadith literature.

“Remember, O Prophet,˺ when your Lord revealed to the angels, “I am with you. So make the believers stand firm. I will cast horror into the hearts of the disbelievers. So strike their necks and strike their fingertips.” 8:12 Quran

Sahih al-Bukhari 4
 Book 52, Hadith 44

Narrated Abu Huraira:

A man came to Allah’s Apostle and said, “Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward).” He replied, “I do not find such a deed.” Then he added, “Can you, while the Muslim fighter is in the battle-field, enter your mosque to perform prayers without cease and fast and never break your fast?” The man said, “But who can do that?” Abu- Huraira added, “The Mujahid (i.e. Muslim fighter) is rewarded even for the footsteps of his horse while it wanders bout (for grazing) tied in a long rope.”

From these examples, it is clear that Jihad is very dear to Allah and his apostle.  It is prescribed as a sure shot way to entering heaven and having all of the sins erased.

Then we can examine the phrase “hearts are diseased”.  In 8:49 Quran, those with diseased hearts are talked about in this manner

Remember when the hypocrites and those with sickness in their hearts said, “These ˹believers˺ are deluded by their faith.”

Combine this with verses instructing to strike heads, fingertips and filling hearts with fear and wrath of Allah, and we have a perfect background for the note carried by Hamas terrorists. The blades of swords are sharpened to slay the necks of Kuffar whose heart Allah has diseased. So you attack them with your intent at it’s purest, believing with all your heart that you are doing this to be closer to Allah, and dumbing out any voice of conscience or reason that may rise within you while carrying out these acts.

The note carries literal words and phrases from Quran, and the massacre of innocent women and children is carried out under the premise of attaining a comfortable, revered stature after death.

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