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

By Maulana Muhammad Masood Azhar حفظه الله

10) Jannah, In The Shade Of Swords

The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) has said, "Know surely that Jannah is in the shade of swords. (Paradise is under the shades of swords)." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. l, p395)

The scholar, Qurtubi (رحمه الله) states, It is remarkable that in such a short statement, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) has put such great emphasis in the path of Jihad and with such eloquence.

In this hadith, the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) has incited towards Jihad and also mentioned the reward and virtue of Jihad, inflaming the desire to use the sword in the face of the enemies and to fight such a fierce battle that the swords shade over the fighters. Under this shade lies the Paradise. (Fathul Bari, Vol. 6, p110)

A Scholar, Allama Ibn Jawzi (رحمه الله) states, the understanding of this hadith is that, Jannah is achieved by doing Jihad. One companion asked the Holy Prophet (), "Oh Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), what is the reason that every Muslim has to face the trial of the grave, except the Shaheed (martyr)?" The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) answered, "The sword over his head was enough as a trial." (meaning, now he would not be put in any trial or torment). (Kanzul Ummal, Vol. 4, p596)

Ibn Mardayah (رحمه الله) has narrated from Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه), "Who ever drew out his sword in the path of Allah has made an oath with Allah." (Kanzul Ummal, Vol. 4, p338)

Khatih (رحمه الله) has narrated that Hazrat Ali (رضي الله عنه) has said, "The salah (prayer) offered with the sword around one's self is seventy times better than salah offered without it." (Kanzul Ummal, Vol. 4, p338). Authentic tradition.

Hazrat Anas (رضي الله عنه) reports, that the hilt of the sword of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was of silver. (Shamail Tirmidhi, p7)

A Scholar, Allama Banjuri (رحمه الله) explains that the above description of the sword of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was called 'The Zulfikar.' The one that was in the hand of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) at the time of the invasion of Makkah. (Kasaile Nabawi, p101)

The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had owned many swords and each had different names. The first one was called, 'The Mathur,' the one he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had inherited from his father. One was 'Qasib' and another named, 'Qalki,' one 'Tyyar,' and one called, 'Zulfikar,' etc. (Kasaile Nabawi, p.101)

Ibn Sireen (رحمه الله) says, "I have made my sword the same as the sword of Samura (رضي الله عنه), because he claimed that his sword was made the same as the sword of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). It was in the style of the swords of the tribe of Banu Hanifa." (Shamail Tirmidhi, p7)

Banu Hanifa was a renowned tribe of Arabia. They were well known and famous for making the best swords. Those adopting the style of the Prophet's (صلى الله عليه وسلم) sword, copied the style of this tribe. (Kasaile Nabawi, p103)

These few traditions certainly signify the importance and virtue of the sword. The importance attached to the sword is because it is a weapon used in Jihad. May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) give us the ability towards understanding the importance and significance of weapons and instill in our hearts the love of protecting this Religion, and creating an interest in weapons. The protection of our Religion enables us to love the weapons. May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) create the love of weapons in our hearts for the sole purpose of protecting our Religion of Islam. Ameen!

(Virtues Of Jihad)

» Posted by Seifeddine-M on 21st February 2011

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