O My Soul, Death Is Inevitable, So It Is Better for You to Be Martyred

By Maulana Muhammad Masood Azhar حفظه الله

6) The Prophet's (صلي الله عليه وسلم) Wish To Be Shaheed

Narrated Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, "By him in whose hands my life is! Were it not for some men amongst the Believers who dislike to be left behind me, and whom I cannot provide with means of conveyance, I would certainly never remain behind any Sariyah (army unit) setting out in Allah's cause. By Him in whose hands my life is! I would love to be Shaheed in Allah's cause and then get resurrected, and then get Shaheed and then get resurrected again, and then get Shaheed." (Sahih al-Bukhari, english version, Vol. 4, pp42-43)

The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) has first of all comforted those who wished to participate in Jihad but did not possess the means to participate, and their grief is stated in the Quran: "They turned back, while their eyes are overflowing with tears of grief that they could not find anything to spend (for Jihad)." (9:92)

The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) comforted them by saying, "My heart wishes that I march forth with every group for Jihad but to comfort the hearts of these poor people who love Jihad, I send an army and do not go forth myself." This is why the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) participated in 27 battles and sent his companions more than 50 times and did not participate himself. This was to comfort those who were eager to participate in Jihad and were saddened for not being able to participate.

The second part of the hadith was to comfort those who went forth into the battlefield but were saddened because the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) was not present with them, they thought they were deprived from his blessed companv, and so he comforted them by saying: "What I am wishing for is Shahadah and be given life after Shahadah, so that I can fulfil the duty of Jihad and be Shaheed for this cause again, you are lucky to be given this chance for Jihad so you should not grieve the parting of my company as you will be receiving the reward of such a deed (Jihad) for which I am asking for life again and again to offer for Shahadah."

Another point in this hadith is that the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) had wished to be Shaheed and given life to be Shaheed again numerous times. And in another hadith of Bukhari, it is stated that, "No person will wish to come back to the world after seeing the bounties of Jannah, except for the Shaheed who will wish to be sent to the world again in order to be Shaheed in Allah's cause."

To understand the reason the why Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) made this desire in this world, when the Shuhadah will make it in the hereafter; One answer presented by Islamic Scholars is that the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) had been informed in the world through revelation and had full faith that, the onlv to the greatness of Islam is Jihad. His divine mission was to prevail Islam over all Religions and the only way to achieve this was through Jihad. This is the reason why the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) made this desire in this world whereas the Shuhadah will make this desire in the hereafter after experiencing this personally. Furthermore, the sweetness of Shahadah will persuade them to desire coming back to the world to attain it again so that they have the noble opportunity to sacrifice their blood for their beloved and true owner (Allah - سبحانه وتعالى), as this high grade of worship is only bestowed upon special devotees. This is why not every person is chosen for this great status.

Allama ibn Teen (رحمه الله) writes, that the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) was informed through revelation that: "Allah will protect you from mankind." (5:67)

For the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) to persist on asking for Shahadah is to confirm the greatness of Jihad and to encourage the Muslims upon this deed. Allama ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) endorses the view of Ibn Teen (رحمه الله). (Fathul Bari, Vol.6, p1)

Allama Nawawi (رحمه الله) states that we learn from this hadith, that to desire Shahadah and to ask for it, is a desirable act as it is beloved by Allah (سبحانه وتعالى).

Hazrat Sahl ibn Hanif (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, "Whoever desired Shahadah (martyrdom) with the true intention, Allah will ascend him to the grade of the Shuhadah even if he dies on his death bed." This is the reason the scholars used to wish for Shahadah from the depth of their hearts and they disliked the death of the death bed.

May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) grant us all the great status of Shahadah. Ameen!

(Virtues Of Jihad)

» Posted by Seifeddine-M on 4th February 2011

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