I Have A Question

By: Maulana Mohammed Masood Azhar

An eloquent speech was being delivered. Highly rated for its fluency and style. The whole gathering stood still, listening to this great speech with their full concentration. Sometimes he would recite the Quran in a beautiful voice to the gathering and at other times he would perfume the gathering with the scent of the Hadith of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w).

Sometimes the topic of the speech would turn towards politics and sometimes touch the golden age of Sahabas. The Urdu and Persian poems complemented the amazing stories and made the speech very pleasing. The speaker had become emotional. He was creating an enlightenment in the hearts of the people who were listening attentively. He was composing his speech with proper grammar as effortlessly as one places pearls into a necklace.

The number of people listening to his speech was in abundance. The gathering could be seen as far as the eyesight would allow. The audience was motionless, there was no question of anybody getting up or looking to the right or left. Everybody’s gaze was on the stage. The crowd was listening to every sentence of the speaker with full concentration as they felt themselves being affected. Sometimes the silence would be broken by the slogans of “Takbeer ! Allah-u-Akbar!” and “Islam Live Forever”. This would give the speaker time to rest. As soon as the slogans stopped, the voice of the speaker would thunder out again. The speech continued in this manner. Every one was making dua that the speech would carry on all day long and that Allah would give strength to the speaker.

Suddenly the speaker paused. The gathering was momentarily disturbed, then his loud voice diverted their attention towards him again. Only Allah knows what duaa he read during the pause as the speech had now become even more interesting. His topic had now changed to the world wide religion of Islam. He quoted this statement in his special style,

“My respected listeners, I am declaring with full confidence and faith and I have in my declaration more than the light of the sun that the religion of Islam is a complete Religion. For any issue related to the world or the hereafter, Islam had the solution. The world can change, people’s attitude can change but our religion had the solution for every era, every need, every class of people of every attitude. Whether it be for worship, social life, economy or civilisation; Islam has it’s unchanged laws. Whether we travel above the sky or under the earth, we will surely find Islamic guidance. If somebody has any doubt in my claim then he can ask any sort of question in Question & Answer session, after my speech.

Two portions of the night had passed by but tiredness or laziness could not be seen on anybody’s face. The speaker ended his speech and announced, that whoever wished to leave could do so, as the Question & Answer session would now begin, but nobody moved.

A person stood up and said, “ Islam has laid out regulations for healthy people but what about a sick person like me who is constantly ill. I have the disease of nose bleeding. My nose bleeds all day long. I don’t even have time to perform wudhu and perform my salaah without it bleeding, what should I do? I feel ashamed to perform Salaah in such an unclean condition in front of my Lord. This is why I am deprived from salaah. What is the ruling of Shariah regarding myself?”.

The speaker answered in a confident tone, “You should have not stopped praying salaah. You should perform wudhu and read your salaah as Allah has forgiven this. The flowing of the blood will not break your wudhu.”

Another man stood up and said, “I want to ask a question regarding my wife and her menses but I always feel shy so I usually do not ask.” The speaker answered, “ There is no need to be ashamed in issues relating to Deen, infact to do this is to be unshameful, our Shariah has set out full details regarding the woman with menses.” Then he answered his question in detail.

The session continued and the people were enjoying the gathering. The speaker was answering every question in such a manner, which was proving satisfactory to everyone. The people were gaining more confidence with him.

Suddenly a figure stood up from one corner of the large gathering, he was very thin in appearance, signs of disappointment were clearly visible on his face. His clothes were also torn. Although he was in a poor and untidy state he seemed to be quite educated and from a good household. His age was between 20 and 30. He stood up and said. “Sir do you have the answer to my question too?”. His strong voice had moved the hearts of the listeners. The speaker looked towards the young man whose shiny tears could be seen in his eyes. He said, “Put forward your question, our religion has the solution to every difficulty Alhamdulillah. Our religion helps every person in difficulty, has a way out of every calamity. Place forward your question without any fear.”

The young man after preparing himself spoke out. “I should introduce myself to you so that it may be easy for you to understand my issue. I come from the beautiful valley of Kashmir. My question is not related to myself but today I am standing for a national matter. Will you permit me to say a few words?”.

The speaker answered in a cheerful voice, “Yes, of course! You have the right to do so as you are rather our guest.”

The young man was ready but tears were beginning to cross his eyes. He spoke in a powerful voice. “Respected Maulana and my Pakistani brothers, do not assume that I am a beggar by looking at my appearance. I just stood to ask about an issue, which relates to myself and to all of you. I request you to listen properly otherwise you may also have the same situation very soon. Do not think of my talk as a fairy tale as I will relate the truth to you.

Dear scholar! Your claim that our religion has an answer and solution to every question has urged me to put this question forward. Before relating to the main topic, I would like to ask you some questions. I hope you will answer them. My first question is that the word Jihad has been mentioned in the Quran and hadith. What does it mean?”.

The speaker answered straight away, “Jihad is derived from the Juhd which means to make effort. Whatever is made towards Deen will be Jihad, whether it be to answer a religious question or to teach religion or to write something on an important topic or to deliver a speech, all will be regarded as Jihad.”

The Kashmiri man spoke out in his strong voice, “Dear sir! I am not asking for the literal definition of Jihad or it’s context of normal usage, infact I am asking with regards to Jihad in the path of Allah. The Jihad, which has also been, defined Qital (fighting). I am asking about the Jihad after which one is called a Mujahid. My question is regarding the Jihad which when used to be announced in the streets of Madinah the Sahaba fighting, running towards the battlefield equipped with weapons. I am asking with regards to the Jihad, which our Prophet (s.a.w) was ordered to urge the believers upon, in the obligation in the Quran. I mean the Jihad after which one attains Shahadah, booty and victory.

I was asking regarding the Jihad about which Imam Burkhari (May Allah’s blessings be upon him) has related 241 chapters containing numerous Ahadeeth under the title of Jihad. The Jihad for which Imam Muslim ( Rahmatullah alaihi) has mentioned 100 chapters under the title Jihad, Imam Abu Dawood has mentioned 11 chapters regarding the virtues and importance of Jihad, Imam Nasai has mentioned 48 chapters in Nasai Sharif to prove the importance of this Jihad and Imam Ibne Majah has mentioned 46 chapters consisting of Ahadeeth in his Sunan-Ibne-Majah.

The Jihad which has been defined by these great Muhaditheen in their famous books consists of weapons, Martyrdom, Horses, Archery, War plans, Intelligence, Spoils of War, Virtues of the Fighter, Virtues of being wounded, Virtues of Shooting Arrows. The above mentioned things do not come into the category of speeches and writings (which you have defined as Jihad).

I am asking you regarding the Jihad which can dignify Islam, through which one can differentiate between a Mu’min (believer) and a Munafiq (Hypocrite), through which the Muslims can terrorise the Kuffar, through which the Islamic Khilafah system comes into effect. I am asking about the Jihad through which every fitnah is crushed. I am asking regarding the Jihad in which our Nabi (s.a.w) and his companions participated, the Jihad in which the angels came down from the sky and in which the Hoorain (women of Jannah) used to be mentioned.

The Prophet (s.a.w) used to send out convoys for this Jihad. I would like information with regards to the Jihad in which the Prophet (s.a.w) participated personally 27 times and sent army expeditions many times. I am relating to the Jihad in which Hazrat Kaab Ibne Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) was boycotted from the Prophet (s.a.w) because he did not participate.

I am asking about the Jihad which discusses safeguarding borders, when the horses run and Allah is pleased, the blood flows and becomes scented, the Jihad in which “the Mu’min buys Jannah in exchange of his life and wealth….”

The young Kashmiri was speaking fluently, everybody was amazed upon hearing him. His voice echoing again. “Dear Sir! My question is regarding the Jihad in which nations are humiliated by forsaking it. The Jihad which is the protector of the Deen and its pillars.”

The young Kashmiri stopped upon these words. The gaze of the gathering was on the speaker who was sitting silently with his head bowed down; it seemed as if he was dumfounded. After a long silence he lifted his head up and said, “My young friend! Your saying is true. The true meaning of jihad is to fight in the path of Allah. This is the same meaning as to what our Fuqaha (jurisprudents) have written. The kuffar should be invited towards Islam, if they do not accept the dawah nor do the they pay Jizyah (kufr tax) then they should be fought. This is the category of the offensive Jihad. Fighting is the major part of the true meaning of the Jihad in the path of Allah and in reality the Mujahid is one who fights in the battlefield to defend Islam.

Dear friend! Jihad is an obligation of Islam and is the most virtuous of deeds. The person who dies in this cause is called a Shaheed whereas the person who returns alive is called a Ghazi. Jihad is the only way towards the elevation of the greatness of Islam. The real Jihad is the setting out with weapons onto the battlefield to destroy the enemies of Islam. If the dust touches a person in the path of Jihad the hell fire is haram upon him.

Dear youngster! Your quotation that the Muhaditheen (experts in the field of hadith) have also derived Jihad in the context of fighting is also correct.” The whole gathering was drowned in deep thought and affliction after listening to these words from the speaker’s mouth, this was the first time they had heard that to challenge the enemy of Islam was also an obligation and an act of worship. The young Kashmiri was quite satisfied. He said, “dear speaker, I am greatly thankful to you for expressing the true meaning of Jihad which our ancestors understood, wrote and showed us through their noble actions. My second question is, what is the shari’iah status of Jihad? Is it fardh, wajib, sunnah or Mustahab? Is it an important act or not?”.

The speaker answered, “There are two types of Jihad, defensive and offensive. Offensive Jihad is that the Muslims should invite the kuffar towards Islam. If they do not accept then they should be asked to pay Jizyah (kufr tax). If they also deny this then a war must be waged against them because it is not possible that a kafir, a rebel against Allah who denies Islam can carry on ruling upon Allah’s land. This type of Jihad is Faradh-e-Kifaya i.e. if one group fulfils this obligation then it will be sufficient on behalf of the whole Ummah.

The second type of Jihad is defensive Jihad. If the kuffar attack an Islamic country then it will be Fard-e-Ain in the inhabitants of that country to do Jihad. If the Muslims of that country are not sufficient then it will be Fardh on the next country and if they are weak or lazy then the next country etc, till it will become Fardh-e-Ain on the whole world, from the East to the West. The definition of Fardh-e-Ain is that it will be compulsory on every man, in this case of Jihad becoming Fardh-e-Ain there will be no need of the permission of parents or the advice of anyone. Jihad will become Fardh-e-Ain when the kuffar attack a Muslim land or if they stop the Muslims from spreading Dawah or if they take Muslim captive or when the Muslims face the kuffar in rows in the battle field. Jihad becomes fardh-e-ain in the above mentioned cases. The ruling of Fardh-e-ain is whoever will leave it will be a Fasiq (grave sinner).”

The young Kashmiri said, “Dear respected speaker! Another important question is, was fighting in the path of Allah only for the time and era of the Prophet (s.a.w) or is it an obligation for all Muslims to come till the day of judgement? I would also like you to make clear whether the help of Allah and his power for the mujahid is for ever or for a specific era and also are the verses of the holy Quran such as, “If you will not go forth for Jihad then He will punish you severely.” And the Hadith statement such as, “When you will become coward and feared the death of martyrdom and the love of living in the world and attaining high ranks and honour will overcome you then all the nations of the world will attack you and chew you to pieces.” And another Hadith has stated, “When you will leave Jihad, you will be humiliated.”. Are all of the above statements for a specific era or for ever?”.

The speaker answered, “Dear friend! Jihad in the path of Allah is from the obligations of Islam, infact all of the obligations are protected through Jihad. This act of Jihad is ordained till the dooms day. The Prophet (S.A.W) has stated, “Jihad will continue till the day of judgement.” He also stated in another statement, “ A group of my Ummah will always continue to fight in the name of Allah.” We find out from these Ahadith that the blessed act of fighting will continue till Qiyamah. The help of Allah will always assist the mujahid. When ever a mujahid will come forth in the battlefield he will never be left alone, he will have the power of Allah assisting him, whether he be strong or weak, in the majority or the minority, well equipped or ill-equipped, his Lord will always be at his side on the condition that he challenges the enemies with sincerity.

Dear friend! The ahadeeth, which you have related, and the threats from the Quran are truthful. The order is also till the day of judgement. This is why a muhaddith (expert in the field of hadith) or faqeeh (jurisprudent) has never written or said that Jihad or fighting has been abrogated but then of course the British initiated a scheme and established a false Prophet (S.A.W) so that he may take the zeal of Jihad out from the Muslims minds and so that he may announce that Muslims are peace lovers. What relation does a Muslim have with regards to fighting? This was all made to happen so that the British and their partners may swallow the Muslims easily, so a British grown Prophet, Mirza Qadiani announced that Jihad had been cancelled.”

The speaker remained silent after his knowledgeable answer. He then added the following new points into the minds of the gathering:

Fighting is an important obligation of Islam.

The act of fighting will continue till the day of judgement. The Muslims will achieve nothing but humiliation by leaving Jihad. The person who denies Jihad cannot be a Muslim. A false Prophet had announced the abrogation of Jihad to please the British. Once again, the voice of young Kashmiri was echoed through the air,”A few days have passed by since I have come from Kashmir. You probably know that the Heaven of Kashmir is abode for Muslims. But today this beautiful Heaven of the Muslims has been changed into a pit of fire. The Muslims are being wiped out for the offence of being Muslims. The bloodthirsty Hindu wolves are roaming around freely. Schools are being demolished and our innocent children are being burnt alive. The story of the destruction of mosques and madrassas is even more severe.

Respected speaker! The biggest crime in the valley of Kashmir has become Islam and the biggest culprits are the Muslims. The Muslim sister of Kashmir who are also our sisters, have become widows, the children have become orphans.

Dear sir! Such oppression has taken place in Kashmir that the skies were shaken. Iron rods were placed into the private parts of young Muslim girls and then bullets were shot. The innocent girls of this ummah were raped and murdered.

Under such critical conditions we have made a firm intention of sacrificing everything for Islam and it’s greatness. Our women have also entered into the battlefield with the men challenging the enemy. We are fighting a war of protecting Islam and the Quran. We understand the enemy is well equipped with the latest technological weapons. They are burning with rage to take revenge. The enemy has entered into Kashmir with the intention of cleansing the valley of Islam and the Muslims. The enemy is well equipped with jet fighter bombers, and tanks.

We are weak, inexperienced and ill equipped; we have entered into the battlefield placing our trust in Allah. We wish we were told that the order of J*had and it’s preparation exists in the Quran so that we could answered our enemy with a death blow, but with regret and sorrow, we were taught everything from the pulpit of the massaged, we were enlightened with the virtues and rulings of wudhu, Hajj, Zakat etc. we were informed of the rulings of respecting our elders and having mercy on our youngsters, but we were not informed of the rulings of Islam when dealing with the enemy. We were deprived from the history of our ancestors. Feelings of disgust were not created in our hearts for laziness and cowardice. We have recently found out our Prophet (S.A.W) used to urge the believers to fight. He used to invite people towards it and fought himself.

This is why the people of that era attained dignity and honour. They spent their lives in peace and honour but we were not informed of this state of affairs nor were we told of this being mentioned in the Quran. We didn’t know where these inheritances of the Prophet (S.A.W) were. So we are witnessing a time when our enemy is oppressing us just because we have asked for a legal right. The honour of our women is being looted in front of us.

Dear speaker! You may not believe this but a sister is stripped in front of her brothers. A mother is raped in front of her sons and a wife is raped in front of her husband.

Respected speaker! If only we were told that to learn how to use a weapon is an important part of our religion but we don’t know, why these rulings were kept a secret from us, we are now paying it’s price in punishment.

Alhamdulillah we have now started Jihad without any training or weapons, placing our trust in Allah because we have faith that we are Muslims and the number of people of our religion exceeds a billion. We are also the believers of the religion for which Mohammad bin Qasim travelled from Hijaz to Kabul upon the cry of one girl.

We are the followers of the religion for which Tariq bin Ziyad waged a historical war on the shores of Andaluse to give justice to a Christian girl. The same religion for which Mahmood Ghaznawi and Ahmed Shah Abdaal marched from Afghanistan to India and this is now inscribed in history.

We had full faith that when the terrible cries of our mothers and sisters were heard from the Hills of Kashmir, then the Muslims of Pakistan would become restless. They would surely become restless after listening to the shrieks of burning Muslim children.

Dear speaker! Our mothers put hope into the minds of their children who had lost all hope that do not worry! The dark night of oppression will be over very soon, an Alim of this ummah, a follower of the Prophet (S.A.W), a youngster with full faith will come in the form of Salahuddin Ayubi and will change our present existence to a life of honour and dignity.

Dear Sir! I have come with the same message to Pakistan. I have begged every individual. Invited them on the relationship of the blood of Muslims, given them an oath in the name of Allah, warned them of a dangerous future but nobody’s ears were affected. Nobody listened to what I was saying. Some listened and shed a few tears. Some felt it was sufficient to condemn these acts verbally. Some proved their sympathy by writing an article in a newspaper or arranging a protest or conference and then sat down contentedly.

But the mothers and sisters of Kashmir, the destroyed mosques and burnt pages of Holy Quran, the orphaned girls and boys do not need tears or idle talk, nor will they benefit from these conferences nor will they attain freedom by these protests.

Respected Maulana! What are the rulings in our religion for such a critical time? Should we be in the place ourselves? Should we refrain from calling ourselves Muslims? What are the rulings of Islam in such a time? What is the ruling of Islam for us and the other Muslims, for yourself and the general public of Pakistan?”

The young Kashmiri has completed his talk everybody’s eyes were shedding tears, every heart was grieved. Voices of crying could be heard from some corners. The people were waiting for the speaker to answer, but everyone was amazed, the speaker was silent. His face was reflecting the grief of his heart. His tears had crossed his cheeks and made his beard wet.

Upon witnessing the silence of the speaker, the Kashmiri’s voice echoed once again. His voice was thundering, he said, “Dear speaker! If Islam is wiped out from the valley of Kashmir then these same acts of oppression will be repeated in Pakistan.

The intentions of the Hindus are not limited to Kashmir but they claim Pakistan to be an integral part of their body. Respected Alim! There is no doubt that Islam is a complete religion but inform us of what procedures Islam has placed for the safety and protection of this complete religion and it’s followers?”

The speaker began to answer in a low voice, “Dear son! You have awakened the emotion of our Iman. Undoubtedly Islam gives the order of Jihad at such a time but the fear of death and enjoying luxuries has moved us away from this important obligation.

O! Youngster! The true fact is that we have not been subjected to the fire which you have burnt in. we are living a peaceful, luxurious life. This is why we are so far away from the true meaning of Jihad. Sometimes we feel that the religion of Allah is being humiliated. The law of the Quran is beneath the Law of the British but we stay quiet thinking that our honour is still intact.

Dear youngster! The true meaning of Jihad is only understood by those Muslims who have witnessed such happenings. We have witnessed all this from a far distance. To write with the pen or to say with the mouth is very simple but the person in front of whom his daughter has been stripped, if he was to be asked the shariah ruling of Jihad then surely he would be able to answer it correctly.

Although our eyes are not blind but the surrounding circumstances has blinded us.

Dear Son! I also admit to the fact that the only way for the honour and dignity of knowledge and the Ulamah and the only way towards the greatness of Islam is Jihad. If we will leave Jihad then the enemy of Islam will lead the people astray openly. He will create disgust in the minds of people for the Ulamah and the Deen. I also that the admit that to urge people towards Jihad and to invite them through our own action was our obligation but we avoided it.

This is our ill-fortune that when the kuffar was oppressing the Muslims in Bukhara and Sumarqand, the Ulamah of Afghanistan were busy in debates of Fardh-e-Ain and Fardh-e-Kifayah, the conditions of Jihad, the shariah Jihad etc. when the kuffar attacked them then they understood what Jihad was. They issued a Fatwah (religious verdict) on time and using their natural strength, they remained stead fast on opposing the enemy. Today we are doing the same thing. Make duaa that Allah gives us the understanding of this issue before the time is too late.

Dear young man! May Allah reward you; you have directed us towards the path through which we may gain honour greatness and freedom. We may gain the love of Allah and his Prophet (S.A.W). Without a doubt our Prophet (S.A.W) was the Prophet of peace and the Prophet with the sword. Undoubtedly our Nabi (S.A.W) went forth into the battlefield wearing the full armour and the sword. Our Prophet (S.A.W) also lead the Sahabahs towards the battlefield, now we shall revive this way. We shall reach Kasmir to protect our mothers and sisters and we shall sacrifice our lives to our Lord bearing witness to His oneness and to the greatfulness of Islam. Inshallah!

O Allah helps us to understand the reality of our obligation to our ummah and help us to participate and continue with this struggle of Jihad….
Ameen.. Summa-Ameen.

» Posted by abu mohammed on 2nd February 2011

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