Hope, Hudna, And Taqiyya

This morning, I’m splurging in letting myself feel some hope. Against all odds, it appears that Hamas (the sadly legitimate government of Gaza) may finally be releasing most of the living hostages. Probably not all, and none of the dead so far (keep in mind they kidnapped bodies for ransom and such), but a goodly number. It is a good start and a good thing. It would be nice if it were all the living and the dead, but this is a fallen world.

The upbeat part of me is looking forward to their return. The cynical part of me is waiting for Hamas to yet again yank the football away right as Charlie Brown goes to kick it. It’s been their MO all along, and the only thing that might keep them from so doing is that Trump et cie have gotten most of the Muslim nations that have been sheltering and supporting Hamas to tell them to do this or else.

Given that it would take force majeure to put Hamas to the point of agreeing to give up power, there had to be some significant “conversations” between those countries and Hamas. Hamas is determined to stay in power and to wipe out all Jews (for a start, remember the Sunday people are next), and is perfectly willing to sacrifice the entire population of Gaza for that. Even when faced with complete destruction (which is the stick to the carrot of peace), they would rather sacrifice all — which is easy when top leadership and I’m willing to bet a majority of funds are NOT in Gaza.

Which is why I hope (probably in vain) that a majority of people in the West are familiar with the terms taqiyya and hudna. In short, taqiyya can be thought of as ‘the honorable lie’ or the required lie, or the acceptable lie. It is a lie told to infidels (including people who don’t follow your brand of Islam, see Sunni vs. Shia, etc.) to placate them. To disarm them. To get them to let their guard down. To gain an advantage. It is allowed (encouraged) when Islam is at a disadvantage, so that it can lead to hudna.

Hudna is often presented to infidels as meaning “peace.” It is an offer of peace, full of taqiyya. It is not a permanent and lasting peace in the Western sense; rather, it is a temporary truce presented in grander guise to buy time. Why? To give time to build up an overwhelming advantage so that when hostilities resume the target is destroyed utterly and completely. Think of it in context of “nice doggy” while you get not just a rock, but a few truckloads of rocks delivered.

Now, do I strongly suspect that Hamas is engaging in taqiyya and hudna? You bet your bippy I do. The only thing that might truly give peace a chance is that for now at least, support for Hamas (other than Iran) has been cut off, and that everyone outside of Hamas gets that if this falls through the “stick” of utterly destroying Hamas is indeed on the table.

I’m not sure Hamas really gets that, but they would not be the first to underestimate Trump et cie. Fact is, Israel would have been more than justified in razing Gaza to the ground after Oct. 7, to the point of turning it into a sheet of glowing glass. That they did not do so is a testament to restraint and reason. They have held to an extraordinarily high standard of avoiding civilian casualties (despite the theatrical screams otherwise).

The other Muslim countries that are tied into this peace plan DO understand that both Trump and Israel are serious: if this falls through, Hamas will be completely and utterly destroyed. Not just in one spot, but everywhere. There will be no sanctuary and the useful idiots will not be able to help or save them. In such a case, the gloves will come off, and not just militarily. Hamas and those who support or protect them will not enjoy that experience.

Others get that even if Hamas doesn’t. It may be enough, but I’m willing to bet dollars to donuts that Hamas still sees this as a time of taqiyya and hudna. They are mistaken, but may they hold off on finding out how very mistaken they are until all the hostages, living and dead, are returned home.

For now, I will let a bit of hope shine through though my prayers for the hostages will continue. I will also continue to pray for peace, for a just peace would do wonders for the entire world and not just for the Middle East.

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