The “Dahiya doctrine” and “Hannibal code (directive)” of the Zionist Military
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allah [The Exalted] said:
مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا
If anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. [Surah Al-Maa’idah. Ayah 32]
Imam As-Sadi [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: This means that the killer has no justification to kill, and one should not kill another person unless he has a justified reason (i.e. based on the law of the land) to do so. If a person is bold enough to kill someone who does not deserve to be killed, this implies that he does make a distinction between the one he killed and other than him; rather he would commit this act whenever his evil calls him to that. Therefore, his bold attitude that led him to kill is as if he had killed all humankind. On the other hand, if a person saves a life and does not kill – whilst his soul calls him to do so – due to fear of Allah, this is as if he has saved the lives of all humankind because the fear of Allah he possesses stops him killing one who does not deserve to be killed. [1]
The conduct of the Zionist army, led by Netanyahu, starkly contrasts with the high moral standards referenced in the verse concerning the preservation of life. Instead, they seek justifications for the killing of their own in accordance with the Hannibal Doctrine. Regardless of their acceptance, the principles of the “Dahiya doctrine” and the “Hannibal code,” which they have attempted to obscure, have been scrutinised once again. The “Dahiya philosophy” emerged during the 2006 conflict between the Zionists and Lebanon, with Dahiya denoting the southern suburbs of Beirut that were subjected to bombardment by Zionist aircraft. This strategy is predicated on the belief that a disproportionate application of force can inflict significant and enduring damage on every village from which attacks are launched against Zionists, irrespective of the impact on civilians. The intent behind such a response is to impose severe damage and punishment, necessitating lengthy and costly reconstruction efforts. Consequently, this excessive use of force, cloaked as deterrence, aims to achieve widespread destruction rather than making genuine and sincere effort to avoid civilian casualties. Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father] said, “Do not kill women, children, old men, or anyone who approaches you for peace and refrains from fighting, because if you do so then you have transgressed without a doubt”. [2] Read the article by Shaikh Abu Iyaad [may Allah preserve him: https://abuiyaad.com/a/justice-war-abu-bakr-advice
The “Hannibal code” refers to the principle that all possible actions should be taken to avert the abduction and detention of a soldier, even if such actions may endanger the lives of the abductees, potentially leading to the death of either the soldier or civilians in order to prevent them from being captured by opponents. Over a year ago, when it was reported that Zionist soldiers were implicated in the deaths of certain citizens during the October 7 attack by Hamas, many individuals categorically rejected this assertion, attributing sole responsibility for the day’s events to Hamas, even though Hamas were also involved in the assault on some non-combatants and unarmed civilians. However, recently, the matter is being portrayed differently, highlighting the controversial Zionist military’s use of the Hannibal code. Read the newspaper excerpts at the end of this article regarding this matter.
Indeed, the tyrannical Zionists remind us of some of the tyrannical disbelievers of old! Allah said:
كَذَّبَتۡ عَادٌ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِينَ (١٢٣) إِذۡ قَالَ لَهُمۡ أَخُوهُمۡ هُودٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ (١٢٤) إِنِّى لَكُمۡ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ۬ (١٢٥) فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ (١٢٦) وَمَآ أَسۡـَٔلُكُمۡ عَلَيۡهِ مِنۡ أَجۡرٍۖ إِنۡ أَجۡرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (١٢٧) أَتَبۡنُونَ بِكُلِّ رِيعٍ ءَايَةً۬ تَعۡبَثُونَ (١٢٨) وَتَتَّخِذُونَ مَصَانِعَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَخۡلُدُونَ (١٢٩) وَإِذَا بَطَشۡتُم بَطَشۡتُمۡ جَبَّارِينَ (١٣٠) فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ (١٣١) وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَمَدَّكُم بِمَا تَعۡلَمُونَ (١٣٢) أَمَدَّكُم بِأَنۡعَـٰمٍ۬ وَبَنِينَ (١٣٣) وَجَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَعُيُونٍ (١٣٤) إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ عَذَابَ يَوۡمٍ عَظِيمٍ۬ (١٣٥) قَالُواْ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيۡنَآ أَوَعَظۡتَ أَمۡ لَمۡ تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلۡوَٲعِظِينَ (١٣٦) إِنۡ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا خُلُقُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ (١٣٧) وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ (١٣٨) فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَهۡلَكۡنَـٰهُمۡۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَةً۬ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكۡثَرُهُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ (١٣٩) وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ (١٤٠)
The people Aad belied the Messengers. When their brother Hud said to them: “Will you not fear Allah and obey Him? Verily! I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. So fear Allah, keep your duty to Him and obey me. No reward do I ask of you for it (my Message of Islamic Monotheism), my reward is only from the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns, and all that exists). Do you build high palaces on every high place, while you do not live in them? And do you get for yourselves palaces (fine buildings) as if you will live therein forever? And when you seize, seize you as tyrants? So fear Allah, keep your duty to Him and obey me. And keep your duty to Him, fear Him Who has aided you with all (good things) that you know. He has aided you with cattle and children. And gardens and springs. Verily, I fear for you the torment of a Great Day”. They said: “It is the same to us whether you preach or be not of those who preach. This is no other than the false tales and religion of the ancients, and we are not going to be punished”. So they belied him, and We destroyed them. Verily! In this is indeed a sign, yet most of them are not believers. And verily! Your Lord, He is indeed the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. [Surah Ash-Shu’araa. Ayaat 123-140]
Regarding the statement: [وَإِذَا بَطَشۡتُم بَطَشۡتُمۡ جَبَّارِينَ – And when you seize, you seize as tyrants] – Meaning, when you want to attack with a whip or sword, you attack like tyrants, completely overpowering and being savagely violent – neither compassionate nor aim to discipline (within justice as commanded by Allah), nor contemplating on the consequences. [3] Allah gave them great strength and it was obligated on them to use this strength in obedience to Allaah, but they became boastful and haughty, and they said: [مَنۡ أَشَدُّ مِنَّا قُوَّةًۖ – Who is mightier than us in strength? (Surah Fussilat. Verse 15]; and they utilized their strength in disobedience to Allaah, fruitlessly and foolishly, so their Prophet forbade them from that. [4] Their Prophet forbade them from that because it was done out of oppression. [5]
Allah [The Exalted] said:
أَلَمۡ تَرَ كَيۡفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِعَادٍ (٦) إِرَمَ ذَاتِ ٱلۡعِمَادِ (٧) ٱلَّتِى لَمۡ يُخۡلَقۡ مِثۡلُهَا فِى ٱلۡبِلَـٰدِ (٨) وَثَمُودَ ٱلَّذِينَ جَابُواْ ٱلصَّخۡرَ بِٱلۡوَادِ (٩) وَفِرۡعَوۡنَ ذِى ٱلۡأَوۡتَادِ (١٠) ٱلَّذِينَ طَغَوۡاْ فِى ٱلۡبِلَـٰدِ (١١) فَأَكۡثَرُواْ فِيہَا ٱلۡفَسَادَ (١٢) فَصَبَّ عَلَيۡهِمۡ رَبُّكَ سَوۡطَ عَذَابٍ (١٣) إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَبِٱلۡمِرۡصَادِ (١٤)
Did you (O Muhammad) not see (thought) how your Lord dealt with ‘Ad (people)? Who were very tall like lofty pillars, the like of which were not created in the land? And (with) Thamud (people), who cut (hewed) out rocks in the valley (to make dwellings)? And (with) Fir’aun (Pharaoh), who had Al-Awtaad? Who did transgress beyond bounds in the lands (in the disobedience of Allah). And made therein much mischief. So your Lord poured on them different kinds of severe torment. Verily, your Lord is Ever Watchful (over them). [Surah Al-Fajr. Ayaat 6-14]
[أَلَمۡ تَرَ -Did you (O Muhammad) not see]- Meaning, with your heart and insight, how those tyrannical nations were dealt with- the (people of) Iram, the well-known tribe in Yemen. [ذَاتِ ٱلۡعِمَاد -Who were very tall like lofty pillars]- Meaning, they had great strength and were insolent and proud. [ٱلَّتِى لَمۡ يُخۡلَقۡ مِثۡلُهَا -The like of which were not created]- Meaning, none was similar to Aad in strength; [فِى ٱلۡبِلَـٰدِ – In the land]-Meaning, in all the lands (due to what they possessed of power and strength), just as Allah [The Most High] says that their Prophet Hud (peace be upon him)said to them: [وَٱذۡڪُرُوٓاْ إِذۡ جَعَلَكُمۡ خُلَفَآءَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ قَوۡمِ نُوحٍ۬ وَزَادَكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡخَلۡقِ بَصۜۡطَةً۬ۖ فَٱذۡڪُرُوٓاْ ءَالَآءَ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ -And remember that He made you successors after the people of Nuh (Noah), and increased you amply in stature. So remember the graces (bestowed upon you) from Allah, so that you may be successful] [Al-A’raaf: Ayah 70]
[وَثَمُودَ ٱلَّذِينَ جَابُواْ ٱلصَّخۡرَ بِٱلۡوَاد – And (with) Thamud (people), who cut (hewed) out rocks in the valley (to make dwellings)]; Meaning: Valley towns, which they hewed out of solid rocks with their strength and took them as dwelling places.
[وَفِرۡعَوۡنَ ذِى ٱلۡأَوۡتَاد – And (with) Fir’aun (Pharaoh), who had the stakes]; Meaning: He had hosts that established his authority, like how stakes firmly hold something (on the ground). [ٱلَّذِينَ طَغَوۡاْ فِى ٱلۡبِلَـٰدِ – Who did transgress beyond bounds in the lands (in the disobedience of Allah)]; Meaning: Aad, Thamud, Fir’awn and those who followed them because they transgressed in Allah’s earth and harmed the slaves of Allah in their religious and worldly affairs. And because of this Allah (The Most High) said: [فَأَكۡثَرُواْ فِيہَا ٱلۡفَسَاد – And made therein much mischief]; Meaning: Disbelief (in Allah and His Messengers); spreading all types of disobedience (in the land); hastening to wage war against the Messengers and hindering mankind from the path of Allah.
So when they reached that state of haughtiness deserving of destruction, Allah sent them His punishment -different kinds of severe torment. [إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَبِٱلۡمِرۡصَادِ – Verily, your Lord is Ever Watchful]; Meaning: Ever watchful over the one who disobeys Him. Allah gives him respite for a little while and then seizes him with a mighty and powerful punishment. [6]
Also, other groups behaved in this manner, such as the Muta’assibah (Fanatical Partisans) among the Jews and the Azaariqah among the Khawaarij. “The fanatical partisans among the Jews were a group whose thought was close to that of the Faareesiyyoon, but they were very aggressive and believed in assassinating anyone who disagreed with them. They were also called Saffaakoon [Those Eager to Commit Murder], and they committed pillage, plunder, and transgressed against everyone who accepted submission to others besides them. Hostility occurred between them and the Fareesiyyoon because the Faareesiyyoon submitted to the Romans. Some of the researchers consider them to be from the political or nationalistic sects, even though their movement started within a religious framework, but great were the crimes that they committed from one place to another”. [7] As for the Azaariqah among the Khawaarij, Al-Baghdaadee [429 AH- may Allah have mercy upon him] stated about their Bidah: “From them is their declaration that it is permissible to kill the women and children of their opponents, and they claimed that the children of their opponents would dwell in the fire forever”. [8]
Regarding the use of white phosphorus, the Zionist military cannot deny the fact that it has used it in the past as stated in the Jerusalem Post as follows:
However, as for the recent claims during the recent conflict that Netanyahu’s army of Zionists are using it again, this is still being investigated, so we’ll wait for the reliable and unbiased investigators and experts – among Muslims and non-Muslims – to produce a final report. We neither negate nor affirm until the affair is finalised, but what remains a fact is that the Zionists did use white phosphorous in the past.
Finally, every oppressor who uses these barbaric methods reminds us of what has been stated in Surah Al-Burooj. Allah said:
قُتِلَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْأُخْدُودِ
ٱلنَّارِ ذَاتِ ٱلْوَقُودِ
إِذْ هُمْ عَلَيْهَا قُعُودٌ
Cursed were the People of the Ditch, (the large ditch with) the fire, given fuel (in abundance). While they were sat over it (watching those whom they punished by burning). [9]
Imam As-Sadi [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: This is the greatest type of tyranny and heart-heartedness because they combined disbelief in Allah’s Ayaat and wilful opposition to them, waging war against its adherents and torturing them with this torment, which the extremely heart-breaking, whilst they are present and throwing them into it. And the fact is that they did not take revenge on the believers except due to a characteristic for which they are praised, and by way of which they attain happiness (in this life and the next), which is that they believed in Allah. [10]
Imam Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “They saw the fire burning these people while sitting and joking as if nothing was happening, and Allah’s protection is sought (against this behaviour). This is tyranny that a person sees a human being burnt with fire while he reclines on his couch and is distracted by the conversation and does not care”. [11]
[1] Tafseer As-Sadi.
[2] Tafseer at-Ṭabaree 2/190
[3] Roohul Ma’aanee by Imam Vol 11. page 165. By Imaam al-Aloosee (may Allah have mercy upon him)]
[4] Tafseer As-Sadi. slightly paraphrased
[5] Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer by Imaam Ibnul Jawzi (may Allah have mercy upon him)
[6] Tafseer As-Sadi. slightly paraphrased
[7]Al-Faslu Fil Milal Wal-Ahwaa Wan-Nihal. 1/177-179 By Ibn Hazm. Publisher: Daar Al-Jeel 1405AH. Al-Milal Wan-Nihal 1/215-219. By Ash-Sharastaanee. Maktabah Al-Halabiy 1406AH. Maqaarinatul Ad’yaan Al-Yahoodiyyah 218-225. Maktabah An-Nahdah Al-Misriyyah
[8] Al-Farqu Baynal Firaq. page 82
[9] https://www.thenoblequran.com/q/#/sura/85/1
[10] Tafsir As-Sadi
[11] Tafsir Juz Amma