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

By Maulana Muhammad Masood Azhar حفظه الله

9) The Blessed Dust Of Jihad

Hazrat Abu Abbas Abdur Rahman (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, "Whosoever's feet were covered with the dust in the path of Jihad, the Fire of Hell will not touch him." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, p394)

The virtue of the dust in the path of Jihad has been mentioned in this hadith as it is through the blessed deed of Jihad that Haq is given superiority over Batil. This is why everything relating to this cause and every practice of the Mujahid is beloved to Allah (سبحانه وتعالى). The purpose being that, sitting, standing, walking, attacking and riding the horse is all for the elevation of Allah's word and to attain his pleasure. Therefore, the Mujahid is gifted with numerous great bounties as this hadith indicates, that even the dust at the feet of the Mujahid (Islamic fighter) who is walking in the cause of Jihad will save him from the dreadful punishment of Hell. For this sole reason the Sahaba and the eminent figures of this Ummah have tried their utmost to attain this dust.

Allama Anwar Shah al-Kashmiri (رحمه الله) has written in Faidhul Bari (a book written by him, p425, Vol. 2), that, Sultan Bavazid Khan Yaladran participated in 72 battles and all these battles were fought against Europe. It was the habit of the Sultan to only wear one clothing called the Quba (large cloak) and he never used to change it. After a battle he used to collect the dust which was on this cloak. When the time of his death approached, he left a will requesting to be buried in the grave consisting of this dust which he had accumulated.

Allah is the greatest! This is making the saying of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) practical, so much so as to collect the dust of Jihad to make it the cause of one's salvation. Blessed is the person whose grave will bear witness to his Jihad. We wish that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) grant us this eagerness and emotion for Jihad. Ameen!

The following story illustrates the Sahaba's (رضي الله عنهم أجمعين) eagerness to follow the above hadeeth:

Abdul Misbah Makraj (رضي الله عنه) says that we were in a group travelling in Rome. The leader of this group was Malik Bin Katham. Malik Ibn Abdullah passed Jabir Ibn Abdullah who was walking holding the rope of his donkey. Hazrat Malik said, "O Abu Abdullah! Please take a seat on the donkey as Allah has gifted you with it."

Hazrat Jabir (رضي الله عنه) understood what Malik was trying to do so he answered by saying, "I am letting my donkey rest and I am self sufficient from the needs of people and I have heard the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) saying that a person whose feet have become dusty in the path of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), his body is made Haraam upon Hell (he will never enter Hell)." Upon hearing this the people jumped down from their rides. The narrator states that I had never seen so much people walking as much as this day.

Allama Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) states that if the virtue of the dust of the path of Jihad is so great, then what would be the rank of one who spends his utmost effort in this cause.... it is difficult even to imagine this status.

Hazrat Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, "Whosoever's feet were covered with the dust in the path of Jihad, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) moves Hell one thousand years away from this person." (Tabrani, Fathul Bari, p111)

(Virtues Of Jihad)

» Posted by Seifeddine-M on 11th February 2011

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