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

By Maulana Muhammad Masood Azhar حفظه الله

16) A Call From All The Doors Of Paradise

Narrated Abu Huraira (radiallahu anh), the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) said, "Whoever spends two things in Allah’'s cause will be called by all the gate keepers of Paradise, who will be saying, O so and so! Come here’.'" Abu Bakr (radiallahu 'anh) said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Such persons will never be destroyed." The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) said, 'Ihope you will be one of them.' (Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, p398)

17) The Reward For Helping A Mujahid

Narrated Zaid Bin Khalid (radiallahu 'anh), Allah's Messenger (sallallahu 'alahi wasallam) said, "“He who prepares a Ghazi (Islamic Warrior), going in Allah’s cause, is given a reward equal to that of a Ghazi, and he who looks after the dependents of a Ghazi going in Allah's cause properly, is given a reward equal to that of a Ghazi, (Islamic fighter)." (Bukhari, Vol 1. p399)

Explanation Of Ahadeeth #16-17

The virtues of spending in the cause of Jihad and the warning of not spending in the cause of Jihad have been clearly stated in the Holy Quran in various ways. We bring forth one Quranic Ayat (verse) with brief explanation, followed some Ahadith. Allah ('azza wa jal) says in the Holy Quran: “"And spend in the cause of Allah (i.e. Jihad) and do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in the cause of Allah) and do good. Truly, Allah loves Al Muhsineen (the good doers)."” (2:195)

Maulana Ahsraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi alaih) states in the explanation of this ayah that, “You should also spend your wealth with your lives in the path of Allah (Jihad) and do not throw yourselves into destruction by not spending and being miserly at such occasions (which will result in your weakness and the enemy'’s power which is clearly our destruction)." (Ma'ariful Qur'an, Vol. 1, p472)

The author of Tafseer Mazhari, Qazi Thanaullah Pani Pati (rahmatullahi alaih) comments in his tafseer on the term ‘Fi Sabeelillah’ (in Allah's path), this is referring to Jihad. (Tafseer Mazhari, Vol. 1, p367)

He (rahmatullahi alaih) further states, 'I say that the meaning of this ayah (verse) is that, O Muslims, if you will leave Jihad, your enemy will overpower you then you will perish.' Allama Baghawi (rahmatullahi alaih) says that after the revelation of this verse, Hazrat Abu Ayoob al-Ansari (radiallahu 'anh) carried on by fulfilling the duty of Jihad untill he was Shaheed (martyred) in Istanbul, where he is buried. The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) said, '“Whoever died and he never did Jihad nor thought about Jihad, died upon a part of hypocrisy." (Tafseer Mazhari, Vol.1, p348)

Imam Bukhari (rahmatullahi alaih) states in the explanation of this ayah that it was revealed regarding spending in the path of Jihad.(Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, p648

The commentator in the footnote of Bukhari states upon this explanation of Bukhari (rahmatullahi alaih) that, “the meaning of spending is spending in Jihad because if wealth is not spent in Jihad, the kuffaar will overpower the Muslims and will destroy the Muslims. (Foot note of Bukhari, Arabic version, Vol. 1, p648)

The Cause Of Revelation Of This Verse

Aslam ibn Imran (radiallahu 'anh) says, “'We set out from Madeenah towards Turkey. Our leader at that time was Abdur-Rahman ibn Khalid ibn Waleed (radiallahu 'anhuma). A huge army from the Romans advanced towards us. We were also in a large number, so we positioned ourselves in to rows. Suddenly, a Muslim attacked the Romans and entered their army. People started shouting that he had thrown himself into destruction by his own self (suicide). Hazrat Abu Ayub al-Ansari (radiallahu 'anh) said, 'O People! You are misusing the verse of the Quran. This was revealed concerning us (Ansars). The story it was that when Allah ('azza wa jal) gave victory to Islam and the supporters of Islam were enough, some of us gossiped amongst each other that Allah has given victory to Islam, (so there is no Jihad). A lot of our wealth was destroyed in the fighting days so lets start investing again and looking after it. Allah ('azza wa jal) revealed this verse against this thinking." (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, Vol.1, p172 / Kash Shaf, Vol.1, p237 / Mazhari, Vol.1, p368)

The explanation of the word, '‘Tahlukah' (destruction) is investing the money and regaining the loss and leaving the Jihad. (Mazhari, Vol.1, p368)

Mufti Shafi (rahmatullahi alaih) writes, “'It has been clearly proven that the abandoning of Jihad is the cause of destruction for Muslims.' (Ma'ariful Qur'an, Vol.1, p474)

Not To Spend For The Cause Of Jihad Is Destruction

When the wealthy will not spend their wealth on the Mujahideen (Islamic Fighters), to strengthen them, and they will not buy weapons for the Mujahideen from their wealth, then the Mujahideen will become inevitably weak and the enemy will become powerful and suppress the-Muslims. The properties and wealth of the Muslims is then vulnerable and the people are oppressed and expected to comply with Kufr laws (un-Islamic). When this occurs, there will be nothing but shame and sorrow; particularly for the wealthy Muslims, who refused to equip the Mujahideen.

The Needs Of Jihad Is Also Wealth

The need of wealth sometimes exceeds the need of men in Jihad as Jihad cannot take place without war equipment. This is why numerous virtues have been stated in the Islamic Shari'ah for wealth given in the cause of Jihad as wealth plays a fundamental role in Jihad.

When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to make the call for Jihad even the poor people (in terms of wealth) used to present themselves. But because of the shortage of mounts e.t.c. they had to turn back crying.

The Quran clearly states their sorrow and grief for not being able to participate in Jihad in this verse: “"Nor (is there blame) on those who came to you to be provided with mounts, and when you said, ‘I can find no mounts for you’, they turned back, while their eyes are overflowing with tears of grief that they could not find anything (to spend for Jihad).”" (9:92)

This is why it is wajib (compulsory) upon the believers whom Allah ('azza wa jal) has gifted with wealth to use it for the elevation of Allah’s's word and for safeguarding 'Iman and Islam and not to be miserly as this could become the reason for a mass destruction.

Allama Abi Saud (rahmatullahi alaih) states, that keeping wealth and loving it is the reason of an ever lasting destruction. This is why ‘'bukhl'’ has been stated as destruction. Let us take a view of some ahadeeth:

The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) was questioned that, 'O Prophet of Allah! Who is the most virtuous amongst people?'” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied, “"The one who does Jihad with his self and his wealth in Allah's Cause." (Sahih Bukhari)

The Quran also clearly announces this superiority and it is crystal clear that how can those who do not sacrifice compete with those who sacrifice their lives and wealth for Allah’?! Allah’s love and blessing is with those who demonstrate their commitment by sacrificing their lives and wealth for Allah ('azza wa jal). No difficulty stops them from their mission of elevating Allah’s word by sacrificing their family, lives and wealth.

A Magnificent Reward

Hadrat 'Ali and Hadrat Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with both of them) narrated from the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa aalihi wa sallam) that he said, “'Whoever sent wealth to be spent in the path of Allah and stayed behind himself he will be rewarded for every dirham, the reward of 700 dirhams, and whoever fought himself for Allah's pleasure and also spent his wealth in this cause, he will be rewarded for every dirham the reward of 700,000 dirhams." Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) recited this ayah (verse): "Allah gives manifold increase to whom he wishes." (2:261)

An important point to note: Allama Alusi (rahmatullahi alaih) writes that the increasing of reward is only for wealth spent in Jihad whereas the wealth spent in any other cause only multiplies by ten. (Ruh al-Ma'ani, p78)

Hadrat Thawban (radiallahu 'anhu) says that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) said, "“The best Dinar is that which is spent on one'’s household and that Dinar which is spent on the horse for Jihad and the Dinar which is spent on friends in the path of Jihad." (Ibn Majah, p198)

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)) said, "“Whoever provides the needs of a Mujaahid, he will receive the reward of a Mujahid and the reward of the Ghazi (Islamic fighter), will not be decreased." (Ibn Majah, p198)

Hadrat Huraim Ibn Fatih (radiallahu 'anh) says that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) said, "Whoever spent in the cause of Jihad, his reward will be multiplied 700 times." (Tirmidhi)

Hadrat 'Abdullah Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "“The Ghazi (Islamic fighter) receives the reward of Jihad and the employer or repayer gets the reward of repaying and Jihad." (Abu Dawood)

The virtues outlined above relate to circumstances when Jihad is Fardh-e-Kifayah (collective duty) and there is a group fulfilling this duty on behalf of the Muslims and the other Muslims are aiding them financially and looking after their household. When the kuffaar attack a Muslim country or when Jihad becomes Fardh al-ayn (individual obligatory duty) under any circumstance, then it becomes a requirement upon every Muslim to do Jihad with his self and wealth.

See: The Ruling On Jihad: http://www.muftisays.com/blog/Seifeddine-M/1154_08-02-2011/definition-and-ruling-of-jihad.html

Hadrat Abu Dharr (radiallahu 'anhu) said, that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Any Muslim whose three children die, Allah will enter them into Jannah by His grace and whoever spends two pairs from his wealth in Allah's cause, the guards of Jannah run towards them (they stand in honor for them and call them towards Jannah)." (Sunan al-Kubra Baihaqi, Vol. 9, p171)

The explanation of the term ‘'pairs'’ is two servants or two camels or two sheep etc. This is a great virtue for those who spend for the cause of Jihad and the glad tidings of Jannah have been granted to such a person.

Hazrat Abu Ummamah (radiallahu anh) says, that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) said, “"The best charity is to provide the shade for the tent in the path of Allah, or to give a slave in the path of Allah or to give a young camel in the path of Allah." (Tirmidhi, Kanzul Ummal, Vol. 4, p283)

The reason for it being the best charity is because all three things mentioned above are a necessity for the Mujahideen. The Mujahideen need the tents to live in and they need men to aid them and mounts to ride upon. Another reason for this great reward is that the above mentioned things are very precious, therefore the reward is also great.

Hazrat 'Umar ibnul Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) says that, I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying, "“Whoever provided a shade to a Mujaahid, Allah will shade him with His shade on the day of Judgment." (Sunan al-Kubra, Baihaqi, Vol. 2, p172)

The reason for Allah providing a shade to such a person is that the Mujahid has set out for the sole purpose of elevating Allah’'s word and whoever does an act of kindness for him, Allah ('azza wa jal) will repay that kindness Himself.

The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam) said, "“The person with the most 'Iman (faith) is he who does Jihad with his self and wealth and that person who worships Allah ('azza wa jal) in a valley keeping people away from his mischief." (Abu Dawood, Kanzul Ummal, p287)

The virtue of one spending his wealth with his life has been mentioned in this hadith and it has been stated as full 'Iman (faith). The reason being, that a man loves his life and wealth considerably and when he sacrifices both of these things, then he is granted the sweetness of Iman and the high status of full Iman.

Hadrat Abu Huraira (radiallahu 'anh) narrates that in the night of Isra, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) passed some people who used to sow seeds one day and cut it the next day. After cutting it, the field used to grow again. The Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) said, "O Jibra'eel! Who are these people?”" Hazrat Jibra'eel (alayhis-sallam) answered, “"They are the Mujahideen, the reward of their deeds are multiplied up to 700, whatever they spend they are repaid for it." (At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb)

The reason for the multiplving of reward is that, it is through Jihad that Allah'’s word is elevated, falsehood is wiped out, the truth is powerful, the obligation of ordaining good and forbidding evil is revived, the practical system of Islamic laws comes into existence and people enter into Islam in troops by seeing the greatness of Islam. Also the reward of spending for the cause is multiplied because the work of good deeds is positioned high and piety is well spread. The reward for all this is given to the Mujahideen (Islamic fighters) and to the wealthy people who equip them. In addition, Allah ('azza wa jal) Himself repays such a person both in this world and the hereafter.

[The Virtues Of Jihad]

» Posted by Seifeddine-M on 20th April 2011

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