Palestinian Media Watch, November 13, 2006.

The Palestinian Authority is continuing to promote Jihad, Shahada
(Death for Allah) and suicide terror as religious imperatives, and to grant the
highest status and rewards to the Shahids (Martyrs for Allah) and terrorists.

A recent religious lesson on official PA TV, under the office of Mahmoud
Abbas, taught of the immediate rewards of heaven for the Shahid, including the
promise of 72 Dark-Eyed Maidens (virgins) of Paradise.

The PA also continues to promote suicide bombings by granting Shahada
status to suicide terrorists. Sheik Imad Hamato appearing on PA TV, compares
suicide terror to a story (from the Hadith) of a friend of Muhammad who was
killed accidentally with his own sword. Muhammad nonetheless granted him
Shahid status.

“It’s like the conflict today! One who exploded with a bomb,” says Hamato.

He is teaching that with proper intent, self-inflicted death is seen not as
suicide but as Shahada. Hamato also points out that a Shahid is granted divine
forgiveness ‘from the first gush of blood.’”

Hamato gives a graphic description of the corpse of a Shahid, with “no head,
no legs, his body completely burned . . . intestines outside, fingers . . . gone -
very much like the body of a suicide bomber.” He explains that while ordinary
mortals fear such a death, this is “what the Shahids wish for most of all.”

Following are some excerpts from the PA TV religious lesson:

“Hadith: There is one thing that causes Allah to elevate his worshipper 100
levels in Paradise, and each level is like the space between heaven and earth.
And what is this thing, Allah’s prophet [Muhammad]? It’s the Jihad for Allah.
Jihad for Allah.”

“A man, when he sees one of his brothers being killed for Allah, those we
consider Shahids for Allah, he sees [for example] a person with no head, no
legs, his body completely burned. Yes? Intestines outside, fingers are gone, it’s
a difficult image. The most difficult thing which we fear is what the Shahids
wish for most of all.”

“They ask Allah: ‘Oh God, bring us back [to earth] to be killed by the Apache.
Bring us back so that the planes will blow us up, that our heads will be cut off
from the body.’ What is that? We have criteria, and Allah, praise him, also has
criteria. Study the Hadiths that discuss this issue to understand the essence of
Shahada for Allah.”

“Hadith: One of the Prophet Muhammad’s good friends was preparing a bow
and arrow when his own sword struck him and killed him. Is he considered a
Shahid or not? Did he commit suicide? It’s like the conflict today! One who
exploded with a bomb. People talk about whether or not he’s a Shahid.”

[Hamato continues with the Hadith, that people did not want to pray in memory
of a man who was killed by his sword, because they didn't know if he was a
Shahid or committed suicide]. “They said: ‘The man died from his own weapon,
and not from the weapon of the enemy.’ Answered Prophet Muhammad: ‘He
died in an attempt to be a holy warrior. And his reward for that was doubled.’”

“Khamtu says: ‘When we talk about Shahid and Shahids, we shouldn’t forget
that Allah, praise him, in blessing the blood of the Shahid, he forgives him, from
the first gush of blood. Yes, yes. And sees his place in Paradise. He is shielded
from the Great Shock and marries 72 Dark-Eyed Maidens (virgins)…’”

“I once heard a father of one of the Shahids say: ‘I would pray with my son at
night, and ask Allah for Shahada for my son. Allah Akbar, God is Great.’ I
asked Allah for Shahada for my son, until Allah gave me joy with his
Shahada.’”

[PA TV, November 3, 2006]