ISLAMIC VIRTUES
There is no better way to learn about Islam than to read the Holy Qur'an and to observe the practices of a devout Muslim. Unfortunately, the many stereotypes, misconceptions, and misrepresentations prevalent today serve as a great barrier that prevent non-Muslims from understanding the truth about Islam. Lack of access to an English translation of the Qur'an and, moreover, to a knowledgeable Muslim who represents Islam well may also be factors. Therefore, it is a hope that this pamphlet will assist those who desire to know exactly what the Qur'an teaches and how a practicing Muslim is supposed to act.
The Holy Qur'an, the revelation given to Prophet Muhammad almost 1400 years ago, is an instruction book for people of all times and all places as to how one can live their life correctly. It contains therein, among other things, the qualities that one should adopt in order to please the Creator and to obtain true peace on Earth. The ultimate result from a sincere striving towards such qualities would be the fulfillment of the human being's purpose in this life (submission to the One God) and the attainment of the reward in the next life (eternal Paradise!)
This brief work is meant to convey the moral standard by which the conscious Muslim lives his or her life according to. These moral teachings have been extrapolated from the Holy Qur'an, a book which Muslims believe is the final revelation of the Creator to His creation. Muslims use this book as a standard for correct faith and action because they have a firm belief that the Creator knows what is best for His creation. In the Holy Qur'an, God says, "Verily this Qur'an doth guide to that which is most right" (17:9). Muslims believe that only when humanity believes in the One God and sincerely follows the teachings of this divine book, will all the problems of the world then be solved.
RIGHTEOUSNESS
"Do no evil nor mischief on the (face of the) earth." (2:60)
"Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong." (3:104)
"Do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are of kin, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess." (4:36)
"[God] forbids all indecent deeds, and evil and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition." (16:90)
"Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you." (49:13)
GENEROSITY
"Give of the good things which ye have (honorably) earned, and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you." (2:267)
"If ye disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but if ye conceal them, and make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you ." (2:271)
"By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love." (3:92)
"Those saved from the covetousness of their own souls, they are the ones that achieve prosperity." (59:9)
"[Do not] expect, in giving, any increase (for thyself)!" (74:6)
GRATITUDE
"Eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and be grateful to God, if it is Him ye worship." (2:172)
"Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal." (31:14)
"[God] liketh not ingratitude from His servants: if ye are grateful, He is pleased with you." (39:7)
CONTENTMENT
"In no wise covet those things in which God hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than on others: to men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn: but ask God of His bounty." (4:32)
HUMILITY
"Call on your Lord with humility and in private: for God loveth not those who trespass beyond bounds." (7:55)
"Celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and be of those who prostrate themselves in adoration." (15:98)
"The servants of (God) Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, 'Peace!'" (25:63)
"Exult not, for God loveth not those who exult (in riches)." (28:76)
"Swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for God loveth not any arrogant boaster." (31:18)
KINDNESS
"God loveth those who are kind." (5:13)
"Be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: 'My Lord! bestow on them Thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.'" (17:23-24)
"We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning." (31:14)
"Treat not the orphan with harshness, nor repulse him who asks." (93:9-10)
COURTESY
"When a (courteous) greeting is offered you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or (at least) of equal courtesy. God takes careful account of all things." (4:86)
"Let not some men among you laugh at others: it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor let some women laugh at others: it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames." (49:11)
PURITY
"Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of the Satan, for he is to you an avowed enemy." (2:168)
"[God] loves those who keep themselves pure and clean." (2:222)
"When ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body... God doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean." (5:6)
GOOD SPEECH
"Say to My servants that they should (only) say those things that are best: for Satan doth sow dissensions among them." (17:53)
"[The believers] have been guided... to the purest of speeches." (22:24)
"Woe to every (kind of) scandal-monger and backbiter." (104:1)
RESPECT
"Say to the People of the Book and to those who are unlearned: 'Do ye (also) submit yourselves?' If they do, they are in right guidance, but if they turn back, thy duty is to convey the Message." (3:20)
"Enter not houses other than your own, until ye have asked permission and saluted those in them: that is best for you, in order that ye may heed (what is seemly). If ye find no one in the house, enter not until permission is given to you: if ye are asked to go back, go back: that makes for greater purity for yourselves." (24:27-28)
"Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: and spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?" (49:12)
WISDOM
"Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious." (16:125)
TOLERANCE
"Say: 'O People of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: That we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than God.' If then they turn back, say ye: 'Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to God's Will).'" (3:64)
"If it had been thy Lord's Will, they would all have believed, all who are on earth! Wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!" (10:99)
JUSTICE
"Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve." (4:135)
"God loveth those who judge in equity." (5:42)
"Take not life, which God hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law." (6:151)
MERCY
"If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time till it is easy for him to repay. But if ye remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if ye only knew." (2:280)
"We ordained therein for them: 'Life for life, eye for eye, nose or nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.' But if any one remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself." (5:45)
"Overlook (any human faults) with gracious forgiveness." (15:85)
"Repel (Evil) with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!" (41:34)
"(It is) for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord... when they are angry even then forgive." (42:36-37)
"The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from God: for (God) loveth not those who do wrong." (42:40)
DIGNITY
"To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged." (22:39)
"If any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, against such there is no cause of blame." (42:41)
COURAGE
"(It is) for those who believe... when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves." (42:36-39)
FIRMNESS
"How many of the Prophets fought (in God's way), and with them (fought) large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in God's way, nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in. And God loves those who are firm and steadfast." (3:146)
"Bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee; for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs." (31:17)
FRANKNESS
"Fear God, and make your utterance straight forward: That He may make your conduct whole and sound." (33:70-71)
HOPE
"Here is a plain statement to men, a guidance and instruction to those who fear God. So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: For ye must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith." (3:138-139)
"What is with you must vanish: what is with God will endure. And We will certainly bestow, on those who patiently persevere, their reward according to the best of their actions." (16:96)
PATIENCE
"Seek (God's) help with patient perseverance and prayer: It is indeed hard, except to those who are humble, who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that they are to return to Him." (2:45-46)
"Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, who say, when afflicted with calamity: 'To God We belong, and to Him is our return'. They are those on whom
(descend) blessings from their Lord, and Mercy." (2:155-157)
"Pray for help from God, and (wait) in patience and constancy: for the earth is God's, to give as a heritage to such of His servants as He pleaseth; and the end is (best) for the righteous." (7:128)
PERSEVERANCE
"On no soul doth God place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns." (2:286)
"Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and ye shall certainly hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship partners besides God. But if ye persevere patiently, and guard against evil, then that will be of great resolution." (3:186)
DISCIPLINE
"Bow down, prostrate yourselves, and adore your Lord; and do good; that ye may prosper. And strive in His cause as ye ought to strive, (with sincerity and under discipline)." (22:77-78)
SELF-RESTRAINT
"Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint." (2:183)
"[Do not follow] the lust (of thy heart), for it will mislead thee from the Path of God." (38:26)
"For such as had entertained the fear of standing before their Lord's (tribunal) and had restrained (their) soul from lower desires, their abode will be the Garden." (79:40-41)
BALANCE / MODERATION
"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors." (2:190)
"Commit no excess: for God loveth not those given to excess." (5:87)
"And the servants of (God) Most Gracious are those who... when they spend, are not extravagant and not niggardly, but hold a just (balance) between those (extremes)." (25:63-67)
"Seek, with the (wealth) which God has bestowed on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good, as God has been good to thee." (28:77)
PRUDENCE
"When ye deal with each other, in transactions involving future obligations in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing... whether it be small or big; it is juster in the sight of God, more suitable as evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves." (2:282)
"If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done." (49:6)
UNITY
"Hold fast, all together, by the Rope which God (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude God's favor on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren." (3:103)
FRUGALITY
"Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities." (4:29)
"Waste not by excess: for God loveth not the wasters." (6:141)
SINCERITY
"God will never change the grace which He hath bestowed on a people until they change what is in their (own) souls." (8:53)
"Woe to the worshippers... who (want but) to be seen." (107:4-6)
RESPONSIBILITY
"Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein: And whoever recommends and helps an evil cause, shares in its burden." (4:85)
LOYALTY
"Fulfill (every) engagement, for (every) engagement will be inquired into (on the Day of Reckoning)." (17:34)
TRUSTWORTHINESS
"If one of you deposits a thing on trust with another, let the trustee (faithfully) discharge his trust, and let him fear God." (2:283)
"God doth command you to render back your trusts to those to whom they are due." (4:58)
HONESTY / FAIR-DEALING
"Cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is)." (2:42)
"Take not your oaths, to practice deception between yourselves." (16:94)
"Truly many are the partners (in business) who wrong each other: Not so do those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, and how few are they?" (38:24)
"Woe to those that deal in fraud, - Those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, exact full measure, but when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due." (83:1-3)
REPENTANCE
"Seek ye the forgiveness of your Lord, and turn to Him in repentance; that He may grant you enjoyment, good (and true), for a term appointed ." (11:3)
"Your Lord knoweth best what is in your hearts: If ye do deeds of righteousness, verily He is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again (in true penitence)." (17:25)
SPIRITUALITY
"Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, - there are indeed Signs for men of understanding, - Men who celebrate the praises of God, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (with the thought): 'Our Lord! not for naught hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee!'" (3:190-191)
"Establish regular prayer: for prayer restrains from shameful and evil deeds; and remembrance of God is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt." (29:45)
"True, there is for thee by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties: But keep in remembrance the name of thy Lord and devote thyself to Him whole-heartedly. (He is) Lord of the East and the West: there is no god but He: take Him therefore for (thy) Disposer of Affairs." (73:7-9)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Spreading Western Values By The Sword!!
Spreading Western Values By The Sword
Whenever western governments mention weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and Muslims in the same breath, the western media immediately breaks into wild frenzy warning its people that a catastrophic event of epic proportions is about to unfold. Old European fables of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword are reinvented to convey the impression that Muslims are extremely dangerous, highly irresponsible and pay scant regard to human life. Hence the mantra of disarming Muslim countries of WMD has become the rallying cry of the West directed against the Muslim world.
In some cases the arguments are extended to justify the West’s ongoing policy of regime change in Syria, Iran and perhaps Pakistan. However, a close study of Islamic rule in the past contradicts the popular western myth that Muslims are bloodthirsty people anxious to wipe out the rest of mankind in the name of Islam.
The same however, cannot be said about the West. The West, armed with its secular doctrine and materialistic world-view proceeded to exploit, plunder and colonise vast populations in order to control resources and maximise wealth.
In pursuit of these newfound riches the West succeeded in destroying civilisations such as the Incas, American Indians, Aztecs, and Aborigines. Those who survived colonisation were forcibly converted to Christianity, stripped of their heritage and sold into bondage to western companies. For the indigenous people of Africa, India, Asia, Middle East and others, the promises of freedom quickly evaporated and were replaced by colonial rule. Rather than show remorse towards such atrocities, the West could only gloat at its achievements.
Technologies such as cannons, pistols, steam engines, machine guns, aeroplanes, mustard gas. etc, only hastened the acquisition of colonies and the exploitation of its people. Resistance offered by the natives towards their colonial masters was met by brute force – often resulting in the destruction of entire communities. When the West was not destroying the natives they were too busy annihilating each other in a desperate bid to cling on to their precious colonies. World Wars I and II are prime examples of the destructive nature of western values.
This is a description of the Old World, where countries like England, France, and Germany built empires and accumulated immense wealth on the death and destruction of millions of innocent people. Is the New World (America leading the West) any different today?
Take the example of the New World and its relationship with Afghanistan and Iraq. Liberation has become occupation; democracy has given way to colonial rule, devastation is termed as precision bombing and the slaughter of innocent Muslims is described as collateral damage. Meanwhile, American and British oil companies are queuing up to exploit the oil wells of Iraq and transport the energy reserves of the Caspian Sea to Europe via Afghanistan.
The Islamic Khilafah in the past never treated mankind in such a barbaric fashion. Neither did the Khilafah spread Islam by force, nor destroy civilisations. When Islam spread to Egypt, many Coptic Christians did not embrace Islam, and today they still number approximately 7 million. Likewise, when India was opened up to Islam, the inhabitants were not coerced into accepting Islam. India today has a population of more than 750 million Hindus.
Compare this to extermination of Muslim and Jews in the courts of the Spanish Inquisitors during the much-coveted European renaissance. Those Jews that survived this Spanish holocaust, were warmly welcomed by the Ottoman Caliphate. In Islamic Spain they flourished and became important members of the Islamic society.
Today the world has more to fear from the destructive nature of western values than WMD in the hands of Muslims. In the past these values were enforced upon nations either through direct colonial rule or through tyrannical regimes loyal to the West. Presently, the greatest danger-facing mankind is the constant threat of the West imposing its values on the rest of the world through its own WMD.
Whenever western governments mention weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and Muslims in the same breath, the western media immediately breaks into wild frenzy warning its people that a catastrophic event of epic proportions is about to unfold. Old European fables of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword are reinvented to convey the impression that Muslims are extremely dangerous, highly irresponsible and pay scant regard to human life. Hence the mantra of disarming Muslim countries of WMD has become the rallying cry of the West directed against the Muslim world.
In some cases the arguments are extended to justify the West’s ongoing policy of regime change in Syria, Iran and perhaps Pakistan. However, a close study of Islamic rule in the past contradicts the popular western myth that Muslims are bloodthirsty people anxious to wipe out the rest of mankind in the name of Islam.
The same however, cannot be said about the West. The West, armed with its secular doctrine and materialistic world-view proceeded to exploit, plunder and colonise vast populations in order to control resources and maximise wealth.
In pursuit of these newfound riches the West succeeded in destroying civilisations such as the Incas, American Indians, Aztecs, and Aborigines. Those who survived colonisation were forcibly converted to Christianity, stripped of their heritage and sold into bondage to western companies. For the indigenous people of Africa, India, Asia, Middle East and others, the promises of freedom quickly evaporated and were replaced by colonial rule. Rather than show remorse towards such atrocities, the West could only gloat at its achievements.
Technologies such as cannons, pistols, steam engines, machine guns, aeroplanes, mustard gas. etc, only hastened the acquisition of colonies and the exploitation of its people. Resistance offered by the natives towards their colonial masters was met by brute force – often resulting in the destruction of entire communities. When the West was not destroying the natives they were too busy annihilating each other in a desperate bid to cling on to their precious colonies. World Wars I and II are prime examples of the destructive nature of western values.
This is a description of the Old World, where countries like England, France, and Germany built empires and accumulated immense wealth on the death and destruction of millions of innocent people. Is the New World (America leading the West) any different today?
Take the example of the New World and its relationship with Afghanistan and Iraq. Liberation has become occupation; democracy has given way to colonial rule, devastation is termed as precision bombing and the slaughter of innocent Muslims is described as collateral damage. Meanwhile, American and British oil companies are queuing up to exploit the oil wells of Iraq and transport the energy reserves of the Caspian Sea to Europe via Afghanistan.
The Islamic Khilafah in the past never treated mankind in such a barbaric fashion. Neither did the Khilafah spread Islam by force, nor destroy civilisations. When Islam spread to Egypt, many Coptic Christians did not embrace Islam, and today they still number approximately 7 million. Likewise, when India was opened up to Islam, the inhabitants were not coerced into accepting Islam. India today has a population of more than 750 million Hindus.
Compare this to extermination of Muslim and Jews in the courts of the Spanish Inquisitors during the much-coveted European renaissance. Those Jews that survived this Spanish holocaust, were warmly welcomed by the Ottoman Caliphate. In Islamic Spain they flourished and became important members of the Islamic society.
Today the world has more to fear from the destructive nature of western values than WMD in the hands of Muslims. In the past these values were enforced upon nations either through direct colonial rule or through tyrannical regimes loyal to the West. Presently, the greatest danger-facing mankind is the constant threat of the West imposing its values on the rest of the world through its own WMD.
Why the West is Terrorizing Muslims?
Why the West is Terrorizing Muslims?
December 12th, 2010
Mahboob A. Khawaja, Ph.D.
When the European forces invaded and colonized the vast Islamic world, there were no television and sounds and voices of reason to call them as “terrorists.” The colonization scheme of things was not outcome of the Western democratic values but ferocity of violence and killings of millions and millions of human lives for the Empires in the making. The European crusaders crossed the channels and unknown time zones to subjugate the much divided Muslims as part of their nationalism perception and values that Muslims were inferior to the European race and could be used as raw material to erect the new Empires. In an information age, knowledge–driven global culture of reason, ignorance is no longer a requisite to learn from the living history. History speaks of the Al-Andalusia Arab civilization as the longest advanced civilization lasting for eight centuries in Europe. Now, the Europeans identify themselves as civilized people but the effective date for the claim remains a mystery.
The previous Empires knew their geography and limits, but the newly articulated American Empire in its infancy, is challenging to the limits of the Laws of God and appears obsessed with “fear” of being replaced by the new emerging economically productive nations of Asia such as China, Japan and India and others. President George W. Bush invoked the “War on Terrorism” as a dictum of power, not reason and wisdom, to camouflage the prospective future with acts of barbarity and to dispel the notion of accountability in global affairs. Historically, people and nations pursuing this path of behavior have ended up in self-delusional and self-destruction.
The 9/11 attacks in the US were carried out by individuals and not inspired or supported by the religion of Islam or Muslims. Some hourly paid intellectuals turned guardian of the approved truth, allege that Islam breeds terrorism. The Western mass media complements the self crafted notion to poison the public perceptions and source of judgments against the Arabs and Muslims as “terrorists” making the treacherous claim as if Islam was at the threshold of the paradigm. The US Neo-Conservatives gang helped to rob the mankind of its human heritage. The perception of ‘radical Islam’ was invented and enhanced by the ‘fear’ of terrorism as if Arabs and Muslims were born in the eye of the storm and terrorism was an exclusive domain of the Islamic religious tenets.
Gwynne Dyer, the London based prominent writer (The International Terrorist Conspiracy”) points out that “Terrorism is a political technique, not an ideology and any group willing to use violence in pursuit of its political goals may resort to it.” He explains that “there are left-wing terrorists and right-wing terrorists; national terrorist and international terrorist; Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and atheist terrorists. In theory, you could have a “war against terrorism”, but it would involve trying to kill everybody who uses this technique anywhere in the world. The United States is not trying to do that, so it is not fighting a “war against terror.” In reality, what the United States leadership is doing is fighting its own articulated war against the people and nations who had no animosity, nor did any perceive capability to threaten the US as a global power.
British author and producer Adam Curtis (The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear: BBC documentary challenging the American version of the “War on Terrorism”), spells out the myth with clarity: “international terrorism is a fantasy that has been exaggerated and distorted by politicians. It is a dark illusion that has spread unquestioned through governments around the world, the security services and the international media.” Remember, after the 9/11 attacks, the US official statements made no mention of involvement of the government or people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran in the accused list of the 9/11 perpetrators. In 1997, many leading architects of the Project for the New American Century (PNAC), did include the name of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, PLO as selected targets to impose the American liberal democracy and throw out the authoritarian regimes.
It was a strategic stunt to inject the fear into people’s mind. Paul Craig Roberts, co-author of the Tyranny of Good Intentions, in his recent article
(“The High Price of American Gullibility”, ICH), makes a logical assertion: Bush’s rhetoric “you are with us or against us” is perfectly planned to influence the common masses. Emotional appeals to fear and to patriotism have led close to half of the population to accept unaccountable government in the name of “the war on terrorism.” What a contradiction it is that so many American have been convinced that safety lies in their sacrifice of their civil liberties and accountable government.” Obviously, human intelligence, emotions and perceptions, superficially turned antagonistic with compelling impulse of media propaganda strategies to view Arabs and Muslims as the qualified candidates for extreme militancy.
Truth is one and indivisible. When it comes to terrorism and the Arabs or Muslims, the North American and European mass media portrayals enforces two distinct order of truth - one for the general public and one reserved for the Muslims. In all human affairs, facts are considered to reach the conclusion. End cannot be assumed to play with the facts, nor based on dogmas to explain the facts of human life. Under the guise of the Anti-Terrorist legislation, America, Britain and Canada have misused the logic of power to arrest, defame and punish people of Arabian and Islamic origin who had no linkage to the terrorism myth. The strategy dictates that selected groups should be detained and tortured indefinitely, to drain out their moral, intellectual and creative energies, making them incapable to survive socially or professionally credible citizens of the country. Consequently, The public will view them as crazy and undesirable people to be counted as numbers and digits in economic terms, but not dignified human beings.
During the 2nd World War, America and Canada detained and imprisoned their own citizens of Japanese, German and Italian origins and sent thousands of them to internment camps. More than half a century later, both governments have offered apology to the innocent victims of the state terrorism. Are the Muslims expected to wait for another half a century to have their voices heard? Take the case of Maher Arar, an Engineer, Canadian citizen of Syrian origin, held up in NY terminal while in transit, arrested without charges, sent to Syria against his will, and imprisoned there for over one year, beaten and tortured. The Canadian intelligences agencies denied any knowledge and involvement in his ordeal. But during the Public Enquiry, reported in the news media, it turned out that they had participated and shared secret information about Maher Arar with the American authorities and probably a distinct role in his severe imprisonment. What was his fault? Why was he sent to Syria for the year-long cruel punishment? Ostensibly, he is an Arab, decent citizen of Canada with no criminal background. Was that the reason to persecute him?
Reflect on Dr. Rafil Dhafir – an internationally known reputable American medical doctor of Iraqi descent living in Syracuse, NY State, a world known humanitarian, dedicated to help the starving children, poor and destitute civilians affected by the war in Iraq. Why was he arrested and indicted politically to 22 years of imprisonment? Simply, because he was a Muslim doctor of high caliber, involved in much needed humanitarian aid work that nobody else could dare to undertake and to save the human lives while the American and British were bombing the civilian population. According to eyewitness reports, the authorities raided 89 local Muslim families at the time of Dr. Rafil’s house search. Contentious evidence was made available to prove his involvement in charity fundraising activities under the State legislation. It seems, law and justice failed miserably to consider the human affairs of the real world from a humanitarian perspective. Was that contrary to the dictum of the liberal democracy? Shocking, as it is to learn about Dr. Rafil Dhafir’s ordeal, who is a wonderful moral being – an institution of hope and human dignity, and highly respected for his humanitarian zeal in that region. Fair or foul, nobody could question the anti-terrorist laws. In public eyes, he is honorable medical doctor, doing best to his professional credibility and its criterion requirements.
Talk to Ms. Marziah Hashemi, an American Muslim widow with three kids residing in Colorado. In June 2004, the FBI agents and police raided her home during the early hours of the morning. Her kids were taken out of bed at gunpoint, house turned ups and down for suspected terrorist activities and questioned her on religious and political affiliations matters. On request, she was informed that the search warrant relate to tax issues. But she was asked about the 9/11 attacks, and if she had any contact with Al-Qaida organization. Her youngest son believed that police was going to shoot him while getting out of the bed. After months, the psychological scars remained fresh in the minds of her kids, who could not go out or attend the school. Could anybody reassure Marziah why she and her children were arrested against their will and their social lives endangered? As American citizens, were their rights, individual freedom and human dignity violated? The police was supposed to protect her and the kids, not violate their rights and victimize them.
Members of the Khawaja family in Canada were the first victims of the Anti-Terrorist Legislation in Canada. The parents worked diligently to raise educated and law-abiding children, well known for their moral and responsible upbringing and multicultural community-building work. On March 29, 2004, approximately, 60-70 military armed squad and police raided the family home, smashed the front doors, damaged the property like the US army killing pursuits in Iraq, and arrested the kids at gunpoint. The lady of the house was picked up from the grocery store, and two other kids were called out of the classrooms. While his house was under police raid, Dr. Khawaja was detained and imprisoned in Arabia at the formal request of the CSIS-RCMP, accusing him of involvement in “bomb-making and “terrorism” activities. It was all simultaneously dramatized across the globe in live media coverage arranged by the intelligence agencies. The documentary evidence clearly showed that he was arrested on the behest of the Government of Canada but the Minister responsible at the time, Ms. Anne McClellan denied any knowledge of it. The allegations were false extending cruel treatment to the family. The neighbors were outraged at the show of military force and its brutality and complained as if it was a military camp. No evidence was found at the premise to support the allegations of “bomb making” or “terrorism” activities. After almost five years in jail, Momin Khawaja, one of the captive was tried on terrorism charges but the court acquitted him of the focal charge of involvement in the UK bomb-making plot. On other charges, he was sentenced to 10.5 years and now the case is on appeal at the higher court. The Canadian news media never clarified to the public that Momin Khawaja was acquitted by the judge for lack of evidence in the UK bomb plot. The Canadian masses wonder, why the Muslims are being targeted as terrorists? Could the Canadian armed forces including the intelligence establishments, be under the direct control of the American General Petreaus-NORTHCOM and NORAD? According to Michael Ruppert (Crossing the Rubicon), if Canada does not comply with the American security agenda, could the Bush Administration seal the Canada-US borders? Some political observers suspect that Canada is making headways in its role for greater North American economic and political prosperity and to become a satellite of the Bush Administration.
In violation of civil liberties and under bogus accusations, Amnesty International regularly informs public that thousands of innocent people, mostly of Arab and Islamic origins, have been imprisoned in UK and America without legal trials. In numerous other raids and arrest of the Arabs and Muslims throughout North America and Western Europe, there appears to be a unified policy in force and collaborative action, setting a very dangerous precedent for further conflict and global disharmony, not societal reconciliation or peace-making. The police raids and arrests of innocent citizens do not bridge the civilization gaps; they instill mistrust and endanger the survivability of the human civilization. The anti-Terrorist Laws and police actions clearly formulate the anti-Muslim and anti-Islamic pattern of police behaviors, not normally applicable to other people or ethno-religious communities in the Western world. Why?
Divergent scenarios flourish to manifest lies and deception about the real aims of the “War on Terror.” When the Western leaders play with words, it is known and often acknowledged, but when the Muslim leaders offer ignorant excuses, they are masked under willful lies and deceptions without any accountability. Many Western scholars wonder, why leaders of the Muslim countries and the masses appear disinterested in the post 9/11 affairs when it had direct impacts on the entire Arab and Muslim world? Foremost reasons being that the Arabs and the Muslim countries in general, have no educated and responsible leadership to represent the masses and their interests. The West and its scheme of political subjugation institutionalized the neo-colonial authoritarianism. Arabs and Muslim societies are devoid of public institutions for thinking, change and policy development. There are various shadowy groups and organizations claiming to represent the Arab-Islamic interests in North America. In real world affairs, hardly anyone seems genuinely capable to deal with the issue of terrorism that directly confronts the Muslim living in North America and Europe. Many pretend to be the spokespersons of the Arabs and Muslims communities but they are aligned with the official establishments including the intelligence agencies, lacking credibility, often playing the role of informants rather than representing the Islamic concerns. Generally speaking, Muslims live in millions across North America and Western Europe but lack the political presence in any organized political party or interest group. In the given politics of wars, Muslims have no weight on the scale except digits and numbers. There are 57 or more, so-called Muslim countries member of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), not one of them has genuine Muslim leadership, nor Islam as a system of life. When the Muslim Ummah (nation), looks for intellectual security, all authoritarian leaders operate under the dictates of Western masters, namely the American and British leaders. Islam is One and so should be the believing folks, but there is no unity of thought and actions across the Muslim world, a typically neo-colonial landscape governed by ignorant and intellectually bankrupt rulers, subservient to the West. For ages, the Arabs and Muslims masses continue to pray to Almighty God for change, reformation and democratically elected governments without public demonstrations. Strangely enough, they seemed eager to hold demonstrations for the symbolic “cartoon” controversy, but not for the real world problems affecting the lives and future of the common Muslims. For sure, there is no “terrorism” in thoughts and in words of the prayers and no Arabic- Islamic vocabulary exists of “extremism” or “terrorism” to reciprocate the Western accusations and mass media propaganda campaigns.
Would the American and British political leaders learn any lessons from the on-going wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? There are ample media reports that George w. Bush and Tony Blair have been identified as candidates for war crimes against humanity. Would the masses pursue the war crimes against these sadistic egoists? It remains to be seen at this a stage. John Laughland (“The Mask of Altruism Disguising a Colonial War: The Guardian: Aug 2, 2004), offers a real world perspective: “Just an old fashioned colonial war – the reality of killing and escalation of violence, disguised with the hypocritical mask of altruism. If Iraq has not taught us that, then we are incapable of ever learning anything.” Every beginning has its end. It is just that most transgressors do not know about it when they crossover the limits of the Laws of God. The Roman, Austro-Hungarian and British Empires collapsed after they violated the limits. Nazis claimed to run the world for thousands of years, but ended up in just 12 years after killing millions of human beings throughout the Western hemisphere. Fascism met resistance at its early stages. The beginning envisions the end. The USSR was defeated, the day it raided the destitute people of Afghanistan and disturbed the dead in graveyards with continuous bombing. The American and British surrendered the day international community learned about the Guatonomo Bay prisoners and photos of the Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq. An estimated three million civilians have been killed by the American-British war in Iraq since March 2003. After the facts, the American and British apologists would put up the explanations that the soldiers had social and mental disorders. On the continuing daily massacres of the civilians and rapes of women in Iraq, Mike Whitney (“Crackdown in Ramadi”, 06/2006), shares a historical image visualized by Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar:
And let us bathe our hands in blood, up to the elbows
And besmear our words
Then we will walk forth, even to the market place.
And weaving our red weapons o’er our heads
Let us all cry “peace, freedom and liberty.”
According to Paul Craig Roberts, the neo-conservative policy claims: …evil terrorists attacked virtuous America. America is protecting itself by going to war and overthrowing regimes that sponsor or give shelter to terrorists, erecting in their place democracies loyal to America. In a rational context, the “War on Terrorism” has nothing to do with the alleged terrorists; it is a war to help Halliburton, Bectal and other corporations to capitalize their holds on the oil supplies and gas business. The then Defense Secretary Rumsfeld contracted Halliburton of Dick Cheney for 7 billion works to be done in Iraq before the invasion of March 2003. President Bush passed the Executive Order # 13303, giving complete immunity from criminal prosecution to the American oil companies dealing with the Iraqi oil management. Who is going to write the closing chapter of the history of the “War on Terrorism?” Is the history going to wait for the ceasation of the unilateral hostilities? Would the American-led war achieve its agenda priorities or meet the same destiny as it happened to the Roman, Nazis and the USSR Empires? Obviously, history will judge the nations by their actions, not by the claims of the leaders. Paul Craig Roberts (“The High Price of American Gullibility”), puts the answer in a nutshell:
“In National Socialist Germany, by the time propaganda lost its grip, Germans were in the hands of a police state. It was too late to take corrective measures. Not even the military could correct the disastrous policies of the executive. In the end, Germany was destroyed. Does a similar fate await Americans?”
December 12th, 2010
Mahboob A. Khawaja, Ph.D.
When the European forces invaded and colonized the vast Islamic world, there were no television and sounds and voices of reason to call them as “terrorists.” The colonization scheme of things was not outcome of the Western democratic values but ferocity of violence and killings of millions and millions of human lives for the Empires in the making. The European crusaders crossed the channels and unknown time zones to subjugate the much divided Muslims as part of their nationalism perception and values that Muslims were inferior to the European race and could be used as raw material to erect the new Empires. In an information age, knowledge–driven global culture of reason, ignorance is no longer a requisite to learn from the living history. History speaks of the Al-Andalusia Arab civilization as the longest advanced civilization lasting for eight centuries in Europe. Now, the Europeans identify themselves as civilized people but the effective date for the claim remains a mystery.
The previous Empires knew their geography and limits, but the newly articulated American Empire in its infancy, is challenging to the limits of the Laws of God and appears obsessed with “fear” of being replaced by the new emerging economically productive nations of Asia such as China, Japan and India and others. President George W. Bush invoked the “War on Terrorism” as a dictum of power, not reason and wisdom, to camouflage the prospective future with acts of barbarity and to dispel the notion of accountability in global affairs. Historically, people and nations pursuing this path of behavior have ended up in self-delusional and self-destruction.
The 9/11 attacks in the US were carried out by individuals and not inspired or supported by the religion of Islam or Muslims. Some hourly paid intellectuals turned guardian of the approved truth, allege that Islam breeds terrorism. The Western mass media complements the self crafted notion to poison the public perceptions and source of judgments against the Arabs and Muslims as “terrorists” making the treacherous claim as if Islam was at the threshold of the paradigm. The US Neo-Conservatives gang helped to rob the mankind of its human heritage. The perception of ‘radical Islam’ was invented and enhanced by the ‘fear’ of terrorism as if Arabs and Muslims were born in the eye of the storm and terrorism was an exclusive domain of the Islamic religious tenets.
Gwynne Dyer, the London based prominent writer (The International Terrorist Conspiracy”) points out that “Terrorism is a political technique, not an ideology and any group willing to use violence in pursuit of its political goals may resort to it.” He explains that “there are left-wing terrorists and right-wing terrorists; national terrorist and international terrorist; Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and atheist terrorists. In theory, you could have a “war against terrorism”, but it would involve trying to kill everybody who uses this technique anywhere in the world. The United States is not trying to do that, so it is not fighting a “war against terror.” In reality, what the United States leadership is doing is fighting its own articulated war against the people and nations who had no animosity, nor did any perceive capability to threaten the US as a global power.
British author and producer Adam Curtis (The Power of Nightmares: The Rise of the Politics of Fear: BBC documentary challenging the American version of the “War on Terrorism”), spells out the myth with clarity: “international terrorism is a fantasy that has been exaggerated and distorted by politicians. It is a dark illusion that has spread unquestioned through governments around the world, the security services and the international media.” Remember, after the 9/11 attacks, the US official statements made no mention of involvement of the government or people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran in the accused list of the 9/11 perpetrators. In 1997, many leading architects of the Project for the New American Century (PNAC), did include the name of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, PLO as selected targets to impose the American liberal democracy and throw out the authoritarian regimes.
It was a strategic stunt to inject the fear into people’s mind. Paul Craig Roberts, co-author of the Tyranny of Good Intentions, in his recent article
(“The High Price of American Gullibility”, ICH), makes a logical assertion: Bush’s rhetoric “you are with us or against us” is perfectly planned to influence the common masses. Emotional appeals to fear and to patriotism have led close to half of the population to accept unaccountable government in the name of “the war on terrorism.” What a contradiction it is that so many American have been convinced that safety lies in their sacrifice of their civil liberties and accountable government.” Obviously, human intelligence, emotions and perceptions, superficially turned antagonistic with compelling impulse of media propaganda strategies to view Arabs and Muslims as the qualified candidates for extreme militancy.
Truth is one and indivisible. When it comes to terrorism and the Arabs or Muslims, the North American and European mass media portrayals enforces two distinct order of truth - one for the general public and one reserved for the Muslims. In all human affairs, facts are considered to reach the conclusion. End cannot be assumed to play with the facts, nor based on dogmas to explain the facts of human life. Under the guise of the Anti-Terrorist legislation, America, Britain and Canada have misused the logic of power to arrest, defame and punish people of Arabian and Islamic origin who had no linkage to the terrorism myth. The strategy dictates that selected groups should be detained and tortured indefinitely, to drain out their moral, intellectual and creative energies, making them incapable to survive socially or professionally credible citizens of the country. Consequently, The public will view them as crazy and undesirable people to be counted as numbers and digits in economic terms, but not dignified human beings.
During the 2nd World War, America and Canada detained and imprisoned their own citizens of Japanese, German and Italian origins and sent thousands of them to internment camps. More than half a century later, both governments have offered apology to the innocent victims of the state terrorism. Are the Muslims expected to wait for another half a century to have their voices heard? Take the case of Maher Arar, an Engineer, Canadian citizen of Syrian origin, held up in NY terminal while in transit, arrested without charges, sent to Syria against his will, and imprisoned there for over one year, beaten and tortured. The Canadian intelligences agencies denied any knowledge and involvement in his ordeal. But during the Public Enquiry, reported in the news media, it turned out that they had participated and shared secret information about Maher Arar with the American authorities and probably a distinct role in his severe imprisonment. What was his fault? Why was he sent to Syria for the year-long cruel punishment? Ostensibly, he is an Arab, decent citizen of Canada with no criminal background. Was that the reason to persecute him?
Reflect on Dr. Rafil Dhafir – an internationally known reputable American medical doctor of Iraqi descent living in Syracuse, NY State, a world known humanitarian, dedicated to help the starving children, poor and destitute civilians affected by the war in Iraq. Why was he arrested and indicted politically to 22 years of imprisonment? Simply, because he was a Muslim doctor of high caliber, involved in much needed humanitarian aid work that nobody else could dare to undertake and to save the human lives while the American and British were bombing the civilian population. According to eyewitness reports, the authorities raided 89 local Muslim families at the time of Dr. Rafil’s house search. Contentious evidence was made available to prove his involvement in charity fundraising activities under the State legislation. It seems, law and justice failed miserably to consider the human affairs of the real world from a humanitarian perspective. Was that contrary to the dictum of the liberal democracy? Shocking, as it is to learn about Dr. Rafil Dhafir’s ordeal, who is a wonderful moral being – an institution of hope and human dignity, and highly respected for his humanitarian zeal in that region. Fair or foul, nobody could question the anti-terrorist laws. In public eyes, he is honorable medical doctor, doing best to his professional credibility and its criterion requirements.
Talk to Ms. Marziah Hashemi, an American Muslim widow with three kids residing in Colorado. In June 2004, the FBI agents and police raided her home during the early hours of the morning. Her kids were taken out of bed at gunpoint, house turned ups and down for suspected terrorist activities and questioned her on religious and political affiliations matters. On request, she was informed that the search warrant relate to tax issues. But she was asked about the 9/11 attacks, and if she had any contact with Al-Qaida organization. Her youngest son believed that police was going to shoot him while getting out of the bed. After months, the psychological scars remained fresh in the minds of her kids, who could not go out or attend the school. Could anybody reassure Marziah why she and her children were arrested against their will and their social lives endangered? As American citizens, were their rights, individual freedom and human dignity violated? The police was supposed to protect her and the kids, not violate their rights and victimize them.
Members of the Khawaja family in Canada were the first victims of the Anti-Terrorist Legislation in Canada. The parents worked diligently to raise educated and law-abiding children, well known for their moral and responsible upbringing and multicultural community-building work. On March 29, 2004, approximately, 60-70 military armed squad and police raided the family home, smashed the front doors, damaged the property like the US army killing pursuits in Iraq, and arrested the kids at gunpoint. The lady of the house was picked up from the grocery store, and two other kids were called out of the classrooms. While his house was under police raid, Dr. Khawaja was detained and imprisoned in Arabia at the formal request of the CSIS-RCMP, accusing him of involvement in “bomb-making and “terrorism” activities. It was all simultaneously dramatized across the globe in live media coverage arranged by the intelligence agencies. The documentary evidence clearly showed that he was arrested on the behest of the Government of Canada but the Minister responsible at the time, Ms. Anne McClellan denied any knowledge of it. The allegations were false extending cruel treatment to the family. The neighbors were outraged at the show of military force and its brutality and complained as if it was a military camp. No evidence was found at the premise to support the allegations of “bomb making” or “terrorism” activities. After almost five years in jail, Momin Khawaja, one of the captive was tried on terrorism charges but the court acquitted him of the focal charge of involvement in the UK bomb-making plot. On other charges, he was sentenced to 10.5 years and now the case is on appeal at the higher court. The Canadian news media never clarified to the public that Momin Khawaja was acquitted by the judge for lack of evidence in the UK bomb plot. The Canadian masses wonder, why the Muslims are being targeted as terrorists? Could the Canadian armed forces including the intelligence establishments, be under the direct control of the American General Petreaus-NORTHCOM and NORAD? According to Michael Ruppert (Crossing the Rubicon), if Canada does not comply with the American security agenda, could the Bush Administration seal the Canada-US borders? Some political observers suspect that Canada is making headways in its role for greater North American economic and political prosperity and to become a satellite of the Bush Administration.
In violation of civil liberties and under bogus accusations, Amnesty International regularly informs public that thousands of innocent people, mostly of Arab and Islamic origins, have been imprisoned in UK and America without legal trials. In numerous other raids and arrest of the Arabs and Muslims throughout North America and Western Europe, there appears to be a unified policy in force and collaborative action, setting a very dangerous precedent for further conflict and global disharmony, not societal reconciliation or peace-making. The police raids and arrests of innocent citizens do not bridge the civilization gaps; they instill mistrust and endanger the survivability of the human civilization. The anti-Terrorist Laws and police actions clearly formulate the anti-Muslim and anti-Islamic pattern of police behaviors, not normally applicable to other people or ethno-religious communities in the Western world. Why?
Divergent scenarios flourish to manifest lies and deception about the real aims of the “War on Terror.” When the Western leaders play with words, it is known and often acknowledged, but when the Muslim leaders offer ignorant excuses, they are masked under willful lies and deceptions without any accountability. Many Western scholars wonder, why leaders of the Muslim countries and the masses appear disinterested in the post 9/11 affairs when it had direct impacts on the entire Arab and Muslim world? Foremost reasons being that the Arabs and the Muslim countries in general, have no educated and responsible leadership to represent the masses and their interests. The West and its scheme of political subjugation institutionalized the neo-colonial authoritarianism. Arabs and Muslim societies are devoid of public institutions for thinking, change and policy development. There are various shadowy groups and organizations claiming to represent the Arab-Islamic interests in North America. In real world affairs, hardly anyone seems genuinely capable to deal with the issue of terrorism that directly confronts the Muslim living in North America and Europe. Many pretend to be the spokespersons of the Arabs and Muslims communities but they are aligned with the official establishments including the intelligence agencies, lacking credibility, often playing the role of informants rather than representing the Islamic concerns. Generally speaking, Muslims live in millions across North America and Western Europe but lack the political presence in any organized political party or interest group. In the given politics of wars, Muslims have no weight on the scale except digits and numbers. There are 57 or more, so-called Muslim countries member of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), not one of them has genuine Muslim leadership, nor Islam as a system of life. When the Muslim Ummah (nation), looks for intellectual security, all authoritarian leaders operate under the dictates of Western masters, namely the American and British leaders. Islam is One and so should be the believing folks, but there is no unity of thought and actions across the Muslim world, a typically neo-colonial landscape governed by ignorant and intellectually bankrupt rulers, subservient to the West. For ages, the Arabs and Muslims masses continue to pray to Almighty God for change, reformation and democratically elected governments without public demonstrations. Strangely enough, they seemed eager to hold demonstrations for the symbolic “cartoon” controversy, but not for the real world problems affecting the lives and future of the common Muslims. For sure, there is no “terrorism” in thoughts and in words of the prayers and no Arabic- Islamic vocabulary exists of “extremism” or “terrorism” to reciprocate the Western accusations and mass media propaganda campaigns.
Would the American and British political leaders learn any lessons from the on-going wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? There are ample media reports that George w. Bush and Tony Blair have been identified as candidates for war crimes against humanity. Would the masses pursue the war crimes against these sadistic egoists? It remains to be seen at this a stage. John Laughland (“The Mask of Altruism Disguising a Colonial War: The Guardian: Aug 2, 2004), offers a real world perspective: “Just an old fashioned colonial war – the reality of killing and escalation of violence, disguised with the hypocritical mask of altruism. If Iraq has not taught us that, then we are incapable of ever learning anything.” Every beginning has its end. It is just that most transgressors do not know about it when they crossover the limits of the Laws of God. The Roman, Austro-Hungarian and British Empires collapsed after they violated the limits. Nazis claimed to run the world for thousands of years, but ended up in just 12 years after killing millions of human beings throughout the Western hemisphere. Fascism met resistance at its early stages. The beginning envisions the end. The USSR was defeated, the day it raided the destitute people of Afghanistan and disturbed the dead in graveyards with continuous bombing. The American and British surrendered the day international community learned about the Guatonomo Bay prisoners and photos of the Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq. An estimated three million civilians have been killed by the American-British war in Iraq since March 2003. After the facts, the American and British apologists would put up the explanations that the soldiers had social and mental disorders. On the continuing daily massacres of the civilians and rapes of women in Iraq, Mike Whitney (“Crackdown in Ramadi”, 06/2006), shares a historical image visualized by Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar:
And let us bathe our hands in blood, up to the elbows
And besmear our words
Then we will walk forth, even to the market place.
And weaving our red weapons o’er our heads
Let us all cry “peace, freedom and liberty.”
According to Paul Craig Roberts, the neo-conservative policy claims: …evil terrorists attacked virtuous America. America is protecting itself by going to war and overthrowing regimes that sponsor or give shelter to terrorists, erecting in their place democracies loyal to America. In a rational context, the “War on Terrorism” has nothing to do with the alleged terrorists; it is a war to help Halliburton, Bectal and other corporations to capitalize their holds on the oil supplies and gas business. The then Defense Secretary Rumsfeld contracted Halliburton of Dick Cheney for 7 billion works to be done in Iraq before the invasion of March 2003. President Bush passed the Executive Order # 13303, giving complete immunity from criminal prosecution to the American oil companies dealing with the Iraqi oil management. Who is going to write the closing chapter of the history of the “War on Terrorism?” Is the history going to wait for the ceasation of the unilateral hostilities? Would the American-led war achieve its agenda priorities or meet the same destiny as it happened to the Roman, Nazis and the USSR Empires? Obviously, history will judge the nations by their actions, not by the claims of the leaders. Paul Craig Roberts (“The High Price of American Gullibility”), puts the answer in a nutshell:
“In National Socialist Germany, by the time propaganda lost its grip, Germans were in the hands of a police state. It was too late to take corrective measures. Not even the military could correct the disastrous policies of the executive. In the end, Germany was destroyed. Does a similar fate await Americans?”
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
DA'WAH (Presenting Islam to Non-Muslims):Some Useful Hints!!
DA'WAH (Presenting Islam to Non-Muslims):
Some Useful Hints
Da'wah, conveying the message of Islâm to non-Muslims, is an obligation upon Muslims. Allâh the Almighty commanded and guided us in the Qur’ân to perform da'wah (in a specific manner):
"Invite (call) to the way of your Rabb with wisdom and beautiful preaching and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. " (Qur'an 16:125).
The 4 key words in this verse are "invite", "all", "wisdom", and "beautiful preaching". Many da'wah workers and organizations around the globe have successfully based their da'wah activities on this verse.
To them, to "invite" implies to gently pursue, attract, be polite, be friendly, be caring and understanding, amongst other things. We cannot, for example, "invite" a non-Muslim to listen to anything about Islâm, let alone study Islâm or become interested in it, by calling him Kafir, unclean, or other hurtful names. The Holy Prophet did not allow even the pagans (who, by the way, not only refused to follow the Prophet’s teaching, but dumped camel intestine on him, boycotted the Muslims for three years and killed his closest companions, amongst other things) to be lampooned in satirical poetry by, Hassan bin Thabit by saying "what about the fact that I have common descent with them?" (Bukhari, from Aisha)
We should follow the example of the Holy Prophet by not reviling others. In this way, we portray a highly civilized form of behavior, as demanded by Islâm, and therefore become the best advertisement for Islâm, which is exactly what a true da'ee should be. Muslims who give the religion a bad name and image by behaving in fanatical, violent, highly emotional, not receptive to reason, narrow minded, dogmatic and other un-Islâmic ways, do, unfortunately, make the work of the da'ee that is much more difficult. They simply reinforce the already negative image of Islâm in the world today.
Remember also the command from Allâh to the Prophets Moosa and Haroon, peace be upon them:
"Go both of you to the Pharaoh. Lo! He has sinned. Speak to him a gentle word, so that he may listen or feel fear." (The Qur'an 20:43 -44)
So even to the Pharaoh, who boiled people in cauldrons of oil, proclaimed himself God, etc., we are required to say a gentle word, let alone those less evil than him.
The next important word is "all". This means ALL, with no exceptions. Every non-Muslim is a potential Muslim how so bad or anti-Islâm he may seem to be. Remember Umar bin Khattab , Khalid bin Walid , before their conversion to Islâm, for example. Muslims should not be very choosy in who they are willing to interact with. There are at least three reasons for this:
I. It is better for us to explain Islâm to everyone, however hostile, hypocritical and cynical they may seem to be, rather than let them teach themselves and perpetuate the misconceptions, or worse, the distortions, misrepresentations, etc. By participating, we can at least make known to them the true Islâm. 'Waste of time', you say? See reason no. 2.
2. The objective of da'wah work is not to convert the non-Muslims, but simply to deliver the message of Islâm to them, in the best way we can, and that means with "wisdom and beautiful preaching". Acceptance or rejection is up to the individual concerned. The success of any da'wah activity is not in your hands. Only God has the power to give hidayah (guidance) to anybody or any people. Not even the Holy Prophet was given this power. Remember the case of his beloved uncle Abu Talib .
3. A Muslim da'ee who has tried to get the attention of non-Muslims (or for that matter, uninterested converts or born Muslims) will know how difficult it is to succeed. Certainly it is not as "easy" as carrying out da'wah only to Muslims who are already committed, e.g. those who regularly go to mosque, attend Islâmic talks, seminars, da'wah programmes etc., and whose attention are not difficult to obtain.
The next key words in verse, 16:125 are "wisdom" and "beautiful preaching". Let us consider them together, for the sake of brevity. They require that we prepare an effective strategy to make the invitation successful. One strategy that has been quite successful is reproduced here in the form of a set of guidelines:
GUIDELINES FOR TALKING TO NON-MUSLIMS ABOUT ISLÂM
AIM: To convey the message of Islâm, and to share one's love of Islâm.
The aim should NOT be to convert the non-Muslim, since the non-Muslim must make that decision of his own free will, with no pressure from others. Of course, if he chooses to accept Islâm, Alhamdulillah; and we will give every help he needs during and after his conversion. Our role is to help the person to discover himself, and to find a true direction or purpose in his life. Getting to know about Islâm is a spiritual journey for him, and he will receive help and guidance in it from Allâh ; our role is merely to assist him in whatever way we can in that journey.
PRINCIPLES
A. APPROACH
1. Personal one to one approach is the method of choice. It brings the non-Muslim closer to Islâm. Before embarking upon conversation about Islâm, take time to get to know the person ¾ about him, his family, work etc. (but of course only as much as he seems willing to tell). Be a sincere friend to him. Be caring about his welfare. This is a practical demonstration of Islâm and to be oneself good Muslim is the best method of Da'wah. By getting to know him, you can also plan the most effective strategy and approach to tell him about Islâm. Every individual is different, and needs at approach to suit his own needs. Try to find out also how much he already knows about Islâm, and about any misconceptions, problems or doubts he has concerning Islâm. As to the problem how to begin the conversation, a sharp and dedicated da'ee will find an excuse to start the dialogue about Islâm. A suitable opening question might be: “How did you first come into contacts with Islâm?” Or "How did you hear about our Center? Or one can ask a question about some news involving Muslims and its background and turn the question around by asking if he/ she knows about Islâm and Muslims. Do this in a gentle, friendly manner ¾ don't let it seem like an interview, or ever worse, interrogation. Try to draw him out, let him do a lot of the talking, and help him to feel as relaxed as possible. Depending upon the situation, continue the discussion or promise some literature.
2. With the people you meet regularly, never spend too much time discussing Islâm. Islâm in small doses is digested better than in large doses. Never give books or the Qur'an right away. Always begin with small brochures then booklets. A copy of the Qur'an or full size books should be given only after they are requested repeatedly. Never give more than one book at a time and follow up if the person has read the book and asks questions.
3. Try to get to know something about the cultural background of the major groups of non-Muslims and converts. This will also help us to plan suitable approaches in our da'wah. Non-Muslims are not a uniform, homogenous entity. They are not similar in all places. Each is very different from the other, each may pose a very different challenge, each may require a different approach. Westerners, for instance, tend to question everything and are often quite skeptical ¾ one needs to explain things in detail, reason things out, to convince them. Asian non-Muslims are more likely to face problems with their families if/when they convert. The Chinese especially, fear losing their ethnic identity ¾ one must reassure them that, in accepting Islâm, they become Muslims and do not switch over to another ethnic group.
Be rational (not emotional), and be gentle in your approach, even if he is aggressive or emotional, or even insulting. Be respectful toward him. Allâh I has given each person a mind with which to think and a heart with which to feel, and he is entitled to his own opinions and feelings. Avoid being confrontational, and don't feel that it is a "battle" or contest which you must "win".
5. Don't be overzealous or overdo your da'wah. When you see from his face or body language that he is losing interest, stop conversation. You could ease the tension by suggesting you both have a cup of tea, or by introducing him to someone else at the Center. Remember that da'wah is a long process, and cannot be achieved in a single session, or even in a few sessions ¾ it demands consistent effort and a lot of patience.
6. Let him set the pace. For each individual, learning about Islâm is a very personal experience, and it is essential that he takes his own time to go through it. Do not set any time limits, but gently guide him step by step as he is ready. It is very important that he does not feel any pressure, as this will put him in the wrong frame of mind for learning about the joy and inner peace of Islâm.
7. Da'wah is an exchange of ideas and perceptions. Let it be a real conversation, not a monologue by the da'ee. Many non-Muslims despite having very little knowledge of Islâmic teachings, have ideas and beliefs which are very close to the Islâmic ones. They also often come with some stunning and insightful perceptions and comments, which are truly instructive for the da'ee.
8. If the target audience happens to be a group of more than five persons, the relationship may become a bit more impersonal, like giving a speech to a group. In such cases, questions should be invited after the lecture and some brochures may be distributed. Those group talks are the best which avail opportunity to the speaker of developing personal contacts with new persons.
9. In most cases debates have not been found to be suitable means of da'wah. Debates work on the principle of knocking out the opponent by exposing and attacking his perceived weaknesses. Debates could be quite entertaining to Muslims but a torture to the opponent group; torture never wins hearts. Quite often, a Muslim da'wah worker wins the debate but loses the debater, rendering the whole exercise futile.
10. Wide distribution of simple brochures and knocking, at the doors are another two methods of reaching out. The first is like throwing seeds from an airplane some will fall on rocks, some in lakes, some in desert and some in fertile lands and grow. While using this approach, it is important to ensure that brochures are simple and can be read within three to five minutes. These must carry address(es) and phone numbers of some Islâmic centers in the area. A Christian missionary organization has applied the 'knocking at the door approach with some success. In this case, every care should be taken to be very polite in seeking permission to enter the house and during the conversation. The meeting must conclude as soon you notice such an indication from the face or the body language of the hosts. The follow up visit should depend on the willingness of the hosts and at their convenience.
B. CONTENTS
1. Aim to demonstrate the beauty of Islâm such as oneness of God and man's direct relationship with Him. Begin with the positive aspects.
2. As far as possible, stick to the main or central principles of Islâm. Try to avoid the less important (ikhtilafi) issues, e.g. Sunni-Shi'a issue; if the person brings up such things, give a brief answer, and then try to steer him back to the more basic principles, so that he will not see things in the wrong perspective. At the same time, if there is a particular aspect of Islâm ¾ or more likely mis-understanding of it ¾ which seriously bothers him, take time to discuss it and help clear his doubts.
3. Emphasize the universalism of Islâm (e.g., Allâh as the Universal God, the only One worthy of True Worship) ¾ the fact that Islâm is a reaffirmation and perfecting of the whole stream of Revelations from God since the time of Prophet Adam; it thus teaches many of the same values and principles that also occur in other major religions. It is not therefore, a totally different and separate religion without any relationship to existing religions. Do not criticize or insult any other religion. As far as possible, avoid comparing Islâm to other religions; just explain the teachings of Islâm itself.
4. It is often appropriate to present Islâm as a way to find the answer to contemporary social problems, which upset many people. Explain that Islâm covers all aspects of life, the social as well as individual, the material (worldly) as well as the intellectual and spiritual; its principles are broad, enabling their implementations to be flexible and dynamic and thus suitable to all times and conditions.
5. Tell the truth always. Try to equip yourself with as much knowledge as possible about Islâm. Don't ever guess; if you don't know, or are not sure, say so, and either refer him to someone who does know, or offer to find out for him (and really do so!) from a reliable source. Always have someone with better knowledge of Islâm available for referral whenever difficult questions arise. Never give video tapes of debates or those talks which appear offensive to them because such material does not open hearts and minds but the person will build defensive walls around himself rendering it impossible to penetrate.
6. Don't be apologetic about Islâm - Islâm with all its aspects, principles and practices, is a perfect religion, given to humanity by Allâh ¾ there is therefore nothing to hide, apologize for or be ashamed of. Don't be upset if anyone criticizes or rejects any aspects of Islâm. Our role is to explain Islâm as best as we can ¾ whether or not he accepts it, is not our responsibility, but is entirely in Allâh's hands.
7. Don't be afraid to accept criticisms ¾ often people judge Islâm by looking at Muslims, and of course many Muslims do not follow Islâmic teachings fully (or sometimes at all). We should admit such failings, and point out that the "fault" is due to people's own weakness, whereas Islâm itself is a perfectly suitable way of life for man and brings him the fullest satisfaction, happiness and peace if followed conscientiously. Do not attack personalities of other religions. This is very unproductive, and only invites the listener to retaliate with attacks on Muslims. For the convert, the da'ee should first build up the person's aqeedah, his acceptance for love of Islâm. Teaching of the ritual practices of Islâm should only come later.
We should aim to make every person feel a comfortable and "at home" as possible at our centers, which should be places where he can simply be himself, and enjoy the company of sincere Muslims, as well as learn about Islâm. He should not feel in any way "out of place".
Any Muslim with some elementary knowledge of Islâm can be a da'wah worker but his effectiveness will depend upon his maturity in approach. We should always be respectful and polite towards non-Muslims, however far from the path they may seem to us to be. We must remind ourselves constantly that each human being has been created by Allâh with the same potential to gain the highest level of consciousness of Him. Thus they might well eventually become far better Muslims than our selves.
Finally, Remember da'wah is a duty which each of us must discharge according to the best of our ability and to please Allâh . Don't be afraid! Although da'wah is quite a big responsibility, we must remember that we are not doing it alone. Allâh is always with us. He gives tremendous help to His servants who are sincere and humble in their wish to please Him.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Al-JIHAD: THE FORGOTTEN OBLIGATION!!
Al-JIHAD: THE FORGOTTEN OBLIGATION
CONTENTS:
1. NO DEED EQUALS JIHAD
2. Al-MUJAHID -THE MOST SUPERIOR
3. Al-JiHAD - THE APEX OF THE DEEN
4. Ar-RIBAT - AN UNENDING REWARD
5. THE LOVE OF THE SAHABA FOR RIBAT
6. THE GRADE OF THE MUJAHIDEEN
7. THE PALACE FOR THE SHUHADAA'
8. IN THE HEARTS OF GREEN BIRDS
9. THE BEST JIHAD
10. SPECIAL FAVOURS FOR THE SHUHADAA'
11. ONE MORNING AND EVENING IN JIHAD
12. THE BLESSED DUST OF JIHAD
13. PARADISE UNDER THE SHADE OF SWORDS
14. KEEPING A HORSE FOR JIHAD
15. GLAD TIDINGS FOR THE MUJAHID
16. Al-JIHAD - BETTER THAN MAINTAINING THE HARAMAYN
17. Al-JIHAD - BETTER THAN JUMU'AH WITH THE PROPHET
18. THE PROPHET'S WISH TO BE SHAHEED
19. THE UNDERSTANDING OF AS-SALAF AS-SAALiH
20. PERFECTING EEMAAN: A PRE-REQUISITE FOR JIHAD?
21. THE ORDER TO PREPARE FOR JIHAD
22. THE EXISTENCE OF A KHILAFAH IS NOT A PREREQUISITE
23. THE ONE WHO DOES NOT GO OUT OR PREPARE FOR JIHAD
24. THE ABANDONMENT OF JIHAD
1. NO DEED EQUALS JIHAD
Narrated Abu Huraira (R), a man came to Allah's Messenger (saw) and said
"Instruct me as to such a deed as equals jihad (in reward). He replied, "I
do not find such a deed." Then he added, "Can you, while the Muslim fighter
is in the battlefield, enter your Mosque to perform prayers without cease
and fast and never break your fast?" The man said, "but who can do that?"
Abu Huraira (ra) added, "The Mujahid is rewarded even for the footsteps of
his horse while it wanders about (for grazing) tied on a long rope." (Sahih
Bukhari, p.391, vol.1)
Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated: One companion asked, "O Messenger of Allah (saw)
tell me of an action by doing which I can attain the reward of the fighters
in the path of Allah." The Prophet (saw) said to him, "Do you have the
strength to continuously offer Salah and get tired and observe fast and not
break it?” The person replied, "O Messenger of Allah (saw)! I am weak, I
do not have the strength." Then the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "If you
were to be given the strength (to continuously offer Salah and observe fast)
yet you would not have achieved the status of the fighter in the path of
Allah.
Do you not know that the horse of a Mujahid, tied to a rope, when it
treads forth in length for grazing, even for this the Mujahid gains reward."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, wa Tafsir Suratul Kahf)
Al-Fadl ibn Ziyad said, "I heard Abu Abdullaah Ahmad ibn Hanbal while he was
talking about the enemy and he began crying, saying there is no deed of
righteousness better than fighting them." And that he (rahimahullaah) said,
"nothing matches encountering the enemy, and face to face combat is the most
excellent of deeds. Those who fight the enemy are the ones who protect
Islam and its holy places, and what deed could be superior to that? People
are safe while they are in fear, and they have contributed to their very
lifeblood."
Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said "As for the occupying enemy who is
spoiling the religion and the world, there is nothing more compulsory after
Eemaan than repelling him."
2. Al-MUJAHID -THE MOST SUPERIOR
Narrated Abu Said Khudri (ra), somebody asked, "O Allah's Messenger! (saw)
Who is the best among the people?". Allah's Messenger (saw) replied, "A
believer who performs jihad with his life and wealth." They asked, "Who is
next?" He replied, "A believer who stays in one of the mountain paths
worshipping Allah
and leaving the people safe from his mischief." (Sahih Bukhari p.391, vol.1)
3. Al-JIHAD - THE APEX OF THE DEEN
"The head of the matter is Islam, and its pillar is salaah and the apex is
jihad." (Bukhari and Muslim)
4. Ar-RIBAT - AN UNENDING REWARD
Narrated Sahl bin Sad, as Saidi (ra), Allah's Messenger (saw) said: "To
guard Muslims from infidels in Allah's cause for one day is better than the
World and whatever is on it's surface, and a place in Paradise as small as
that occupied by the whip of one of you is better than the world and
whatever is on it's surface; and a morning's or an evening's journey which a
slave (person) travels in Allah's cause is better than the World and
whatever is on it's surface".
(Sahih Bukhari, p.404, vol.1)
Ibn 'Abbas (ra) has said: I have heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say,
"Two eyes will not be touched by the Hell fire, one is that eye which has
shed tears in the fear of Allah and second that eye which stayed awake guarding in the path of Allah.
(Tirmidhi)
It is reported in Ibn Majah that Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated that the Prophet
(saw) said, "Whoever dies while guarding the territory, in the cause of
Allah, his good deeds will continue and his sustenance will continue and he
will be saved from the questioning by the Munkar, Nakir and Allah will raise
him in the day of Qiyamah,
protected from the immense adversity of that day".
5. THE LOVE OF THE SAHABA FOR RIBAT
Abu Huraira (ra) said, "Safe guarding the Muslim borders in the path of
Allah is more beloved to me, than my worshipping Allah in the night of Qadr
in front of Hajr al Aswad (the black stone of the Kabah)
Khalid ibn Waleed (ra) said, on his deathbed, "I reached every possible
place for Shahadah, but it was written in my ate that I should die of my
bed. In my opinion there is no deed more dearer than my waiting with my
horse and shield in the darkness of night, the sky to be glittering due to
the rain, waiting for the onset of dawn, so that I can attack the enemy."
(al Jihad, Ibn al Mubarak, p.88)
Umar (ra) asked the people in his gathering, "Which person would attain the
most virtue and reward?" The people suggested zakah and salaah and agreed
the highest rank is for the Ameer ul Mumineen (Umar himself) and started
naming other individuals. Umar (ra) then advised, "Shall I tell you the
best person is terms of virtue who is even higher than the Ameer ul Mumineen
(the leader of the Muslims)?.
The people replied, "Please do tell us". He
said, "that small person who is holding the reins of his horse in Syria
safeguarding the Muslim army, he is unaware if a wild animal will rip him
apart or an insect will bite him or the enemy will attack. This person is
higher in rank than those people whom you have mentioned and he is higher
than the Ameer ul Mumineen in virtue. (Kanzul Ummal, p.289, vol.2)
6. THE GRADE OF THE MUJAHIDEEN
"Allah has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their
wealth and lives above those who sit (at home). Unto each, Allah has
promised good (paradise), but Allah has preferred those who strive hard and
fight above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward." (4:95)
Narrated Abu Huraira (r), the Prophet (saw) said, "Whoever believes in Allah
and His Messenger, performs salaah and observes sawm of the month of
Ramadhan, then it will be a promise binding upon Allah to admit him to
Paradise, no matter whether he fights in Allah's cause or remains in the
land where he was born." The people said, "O Allah's Messenger (saw) shall
we aquaint the people with the good news?".
He said, "Paradise has one
hundred grades which Allah has reserved for the Mujahideen who fight in his
cause, and the distance between each of two grades is like the distance
between the Heaven and the Earth.
So when you ask Allah (for something), ask for al-Firdaus which is the middle (best) and the highest part of Paradise. And above it is the throne of the Beneficient (Allah), and from it
gushes forth the rivers of Paradise. (Sahih Bukhari, p.391, vol.1)
at-Tirmidhi narrated that the distance between the two grades of jannah is
quoted as 100 years and in a further hadith in Tabarani this distance is
quoted as 500 years.
7. THE PALACE FOR THE SHUHADAA'
Narrated Samura, the Prophet (saw) said, "Last night two men came to me (in
a dream) and made me ascend a tree and then admitted me into a better and
superior house better of which I have never seen. One of them said, this
house is the house of the Shuhadah." (Sahih Bukhari, p.185, vol.1)
Ahmad, at-Tabarani and al-Haakim report from Ibn 'Abbas that the Messenger
of Allaah (saw) said, "The shuhadaa' are in a green dome besides the river
of Baariq, near the gate of Paradise, from which provision comes to them,
morning and evening" (Saheeh al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 3/235 no. 3636)
8. IN THE HEARTS OF GREEN BIRDS
Ibn Mas'ood narrated that the Prophet (saw) said "Indeed the souls of the
shuhadaa' are in the hearts of green birds, and they have lanterns hanging
underneath the 'arsh (throne of Allaah) of ar-Rahmaan. They roam around in
Paradise wherever they wish, then they return to their lanterns." (Muslim,
at-Tirmidhi)
9. THE BEST JIHAD
Jabir (ra) narrated that a person asked, "O Prophet of Allah, which is the
best Jihad?". The Prophet (saw) said,
"The Jihad is that the legs of your horse be cut off and your blood spilt
(shahadah)".
(Ibn Hibban, Ibn Majah, at-Targheeb wa at-Tarheeb, p.438. vol.2)
Whilst the narration "We have returned from the lesser jihad to the greater
jihad", that is, that of striving against the self, is often quoted and thus
well known amongst the Muslims, this cannot be attributed to the Messenger
of Allaah (saw) as it is da'eef (as-Suyuti, al-'Iraaqi, al-Bayhaqi) or
according to some (Ibn Taymiyyah), mawdoo' (fabricated).
10. SPECIAL FAVOURS FOR THE SHUHADAA'
Ubada bin Samit (ra) narrates, that the Prophet (saw) said, "The shaheed is
granted seven gifts from Allah swt -
1. He is forgiven at the first drop of his blood.
2. He sees his status in jannah.
3. He is dressed in the clothes of iman.
4. He is safe from the punishment of the grave.
5. He will be safe from the great fear of the Day of Judgement.
6. A crown of honour will be placed on his head.
7. He will intercede on behalf of 70 members of his family.
(Musnad Ahmad, at-Tabarani, at-Targheeb wa at-Tarheeb, p.443, vol.2)
Abud-Darda (r) narrates that I heard the Prophet saw saying that the Shaheed
will intercede on behalf of 70 Members of his family.(Abu Dawud, at-Targheeb
wa at-Tarheeb)
Naeem ibn Hamar (ra) narrates that a person asked the Prophet (saw), "Which
Shaheed is superior?".
The Prophet (saw) answered, "Those who are in the rows of battle and do not
turn their face till they are killed.
They will roam around in the highest rooms in Jannah and their Lord will
laugh at them. This is an indication that, when Allah laughs at somebody, there is no accounting of his deeds on the day of Judgement."
(Musnad Ahmed, at-Targheeb wa at-Tarheeb, p.442, vol.2)
Narrated Anas bin Malik (r), the Prophet (saw) said, "Nobody who enters
Paradise likes to go to the world even if he got everything in the earth
except a Mujahid who wishes to return to the world so that he may be shaheed
ten times, because of the dignity he receives (from Allah)". (Sahih Bukhari,
p.395, vol.1)
Jabir ibn Abdullah (r) says that when Abdullah bin Amr ibn Haram was Shaheed
the Prophet saw said, "O Jabir! Shall I inform you of how Allah honoured your father?" He
answered, "Please do." The Prophet saw said,
"Allah does not talk to anybody but behind the veil but he talked to your
father directly (without the veil)".
(Tirmidhi, at-Targheeb wa at-Tarheeb, p437, vol. 2)
11. ONE MORNING AND EVENING IN JIHAD
Narrated Abu Huraira (ra), The Prophet (saw) said, "A single endeavour (of
fighting) in Allah's cause in the afternoon
or forenoon is better than all that, on which the sun rises and sets."
(Sahih Bukhari, p.392, vol.1)
Ibn Daqeeq ul-Eed (ra) says that the meaning of, "a single expedition in the
afternoon or forenoon of the Mujahid being better than all that is on the
earth and which is in it, " is: that of a person was to be given the whole
world and own all the wealth and needs of the world and then he spends all
this in a good cause, the reward of this cannot be compared to one noon or
forenoon spent by the Mujahid in the battlefield, in fact, spending one
morning or afternoon in the battlefield is more virtuous than spending all
the world in Allah's cause.
"He who fights in the way of Allaah for the time between the milking of the
camel jannah becomes waajib upon him" (Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi).
12. THE BLESSED DUST OF JIHAD
The Prophet (saw) said "Never will there combine upon a servant the dust of
battle in the way of Allaah
and the smoke of the Hellfire." (Ahmad)
The Prophet (saw) said, "Whosever’s feet were covered with the dust in the
way of Allaah,
He forbids the Hellfire upon him." (al-Bukhari)
13. PARADISE UNDER THE SHADE OF SWORDS
The Prophet (saw) said, "Know surely that Jannah is under the shade of
swords" (Sahih Bukhari, p.395, vol.1)
Ibn al-Jawzi states the understanding of this hadith is that Jannah is
attained by performing Jihad. One companion asked the Prophet (saw) "O
Messenger of Allah! What is the reason that every Muslim has to face the
trial of the grave, except the Shaheed?".
The Prophet (saw) answered, "The sword over his head was enough as a trial" (meaning he would not be now put in any trial or torment). (Kanzul Ummal, p.596, vol.4)
14. KEEPING A HORSE FOR JIHAD
Narrated Abu Huraira (ra), the Prophet (saw) said, "If somebody keeps a
horse (for Jihad) in Allah's cause, motivated by his faith in Allah and his
belief in His promise, then he will be rewarded on the day of resurrection
for what the horse has eaten or drunk and for it's dung and urine". (Sahih
Bukhari, p.406, vol.1)
15. GLAD TIDINGS FOR THE MUJAHID
Narrated Abu Huraira (ra), the Prophet (saw) said, "Let the slave of dinar
and dirhams, of khatifah and khamisa, (ie money and luxurious clothes),
perish for he is pleased if these things are given to him and if not he is
displeased. Let such a person perish and relapse, and if he is pierced with
a thorn, let him not find anybody to take it out for him.
Paradise is for him who holds the reins of his horse to strive in Allah's cause, with hair
unkempt and feet covered with dust, if he is appointed in the vanguard, he
is perfectly satisfied with his post of guarding, and if he is appointed in
the rear guard, he accepts his post with satisfaction, (he is so simple and
unambitious that if he asks for permission he is not permitted and if he
intercedes his intercession is not accepted)". (Sahih Bukhari, p.404, vol.1)
16. Al-JIHAD - BETTER THAN MAINTAINING THE HARAMAYN
"Do you consider the providing of drinking water to the pilgrims and the
maintenance of al-Masjid al-Haram as equal to the worth of those who believe
in Allaah and the Last Day and fight in the way of Allaah.
They are not equal before Allaah." (9:19)
17. Al-JIHAD - BETTER THAN JUMU'AH WITH THE PROPHET
The Prophet (saw) sent an army in which Abdullah bin Rawaha participated.
When the army set out, Abdullah bin Rawaha stayed behind so that he could
perform Jumma Salah behind the Prophet (saw) and then intended to join the
army straight after. The Prophet (saw) said to him, "I swear by the One in
whose power lies my life, if you were to spend everything on earth you could
not attain the virtue of their one morning." (Fath ul Bari, p.91, vol.6)
18. THE PROPHET'S WISH TO BE SHAHEED
Narrated Abu Huraira (r), the Prophet (saw) 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 Bukhari, p.42-3, vol.4)
19. THE UNDERSTANDING OF AS-SALAF AS-SAALiH
At-Tabari reported that al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad was seen at money-changers
in Emesa. He was leaning on the table due to his corpulence, and it was said
to him, "Allaah has excused you (from jihad)!" Whereupon he said, "The surah
of dispatchment (i.e. at-Tawbah) has come to us, "March forth, light and
heavy."
Abu Talha (ra) said "Young, and old, Allaah has not accepted the excuse of
anyone.O my son! Prepare me (for jihad), prepare me!". His son said, "May
Allaah have mercy on you! You did battle along with the Prophet (saw) until
he died, and together with Abu Bakr until he died, and the same alongside
'Umar until he died so now we will do battle on your behalf." But Abu Talha
said, "No! Prepare me!" So he went out and died at sea.
His body could not be buried for seven days, at which time it had still not decomposed.
Az-Zuhri said, "Sa'eed ibn al-Mussayib went out for Jihad, blind in one eye
and somebody told him, "You are an invalid" but he said, "Allaah has called
forth the light and the heavy.
If I cannot fight I will increase our numbers and guard possessions."
20. PERFECTING EEMAAN: A PRE-REQUISITE FOR JIHAD?
Narrated al-Bara (r), a man whose face was covered with an iron armour (i.e.
clad in armour) came to the Prophet saw and said, "O Allah's messenger!
Shall I fight or embrace Islam first?" The Prophet (Saw) replied, "Embrace
Islam first and then fight". So he embraced Islam and was Shaheed. Allah's
Messenger (saw) said, "A little work, but a great reward." (He did very
little after embracing Islam but he was rewarded in abundance). (Sahih
Bukhari, p.394, vol.1)
Ibn Ishaq has recorded in maghazi (an authentic tradition of Abu Huraira (r)
that the Prophet (saw) said, "Tell me about a person who never prayed one
salaah but entered jannah." Then he answered himself that this lucky person
was Amar bin Thabit (r)" (Fath ul Bari, p.105, vol.6) Taking this narration
into consideration, the scholars of hadith have agreed that the person
mention in Bukhari is Amar bin Thabit (r).
21. THE ORDER TO PREPARE FOR JIHAD
"And make ready against them (the Kuffar)all you can of power
including steeds of war (tanks, planes, missiles, artillery, etc) to
terrorise
the enemy of Allaah and your enemy" (8:60)
Sheikh al-Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah: "It is an obligation to make preparations
for jihad at times when it is not possible to wage it due to weakness. For
anything without which an obligation cannot be fulfilled is an obligation
itself."
22. THE EXISTENCE OF A KHILAFAH IS NOT A PREREQUISITE
Ibn Qudama: "The absence of the Muslim ruler should not (be used as an
excuse) to put off Jihad, otherwise its exigency and advantages will be lost
by so doing; and if the Muslims happen to take some booty (from the war)
they should distribute it in accordance with the laws of the Shariah."
Ash-Shawkaani, "The Muslims have differed regarding attacking the Kuffaar in
their lands, whether the presence of the main Imam is a pre-requisite or
not. And the truth most worthy of acceptance is that it is waajib upon every
individual from the Muslims and the Quranic verses and Ahadeeth are
general and not restricted."
(ar-Rasaa'il as-Salafiyyah, p.43)
23. THE ONE WHO DOES NOT GO OUT OR PREPARE FOR JIHAD
These are like the Munafiqoon, and they said to the believers
"Our possessions and our families occupied us, so ask forgiveness for us."
(48:11)
The Prophet (saw) "Whoever dies and he does not fight nor does he ever
intend to fight (prepares for it)
then he dies on a branch of hypocrisy" (Muslim)
"And if you march not forth He will punish you with a painful torment and
will replace you with another people
and you cannot harm Him in the least." (9:39)
And let the one who claims love for jihad and desire for its implementation
but who does nothing to prepare for it remember the words of Allaah:
"And if they had intended to march forth they would certainly have made
ready some preparation for it, but Allaah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind,
and it was said to them,
"Sit you with those who sit (at home)". (9:46)
24. THE ABANDONMENT OF JIHAD
Our beloved Prophet (saw) said: "When people become stingy towards the dinar
and dirham, and deal in fine things, and engage themselves in agricultural
activities, forsaking Jihad in the Way of Allaah, Allaah will send down on
them a calamity that will not be dispelled away from them until they return
to their deen" (Ahmad, Abu Dawud)
And ibn al-Arabi said regarding the verse, "If you march not forth He will
punish you." (9:39),
"The severe punishment in this world is through the occupation of the enemy
and in the Hereafter by fire."
CONTENTS:
1. NO DEED EQUALS JIHAD
2. Al-MUJAHID -THE MOST SUPERIOR
3. Al-JiHAD - THE APEX OF THE DEEN
4. Ar-RIBAT - AN UNENDING REWARD
5. THE LOVE OF THE SAHABA FOR RIBAT
6. THE GRADE OF THE MUJAHIDEEN
7. THE PALACE FOR THE SHUHADAA'
8. IN THE HEARTS OF GREEN BIRDS
9. THE BEST JIHAD
10. SPECIAL FAVOURS FOR THE SHUHADAA'
11. ONE MORNING AND EVENING IN JIHAD
12. THE BLESSED DUST OF JIHAD
13. PARADISE UNDER THE SHADE OF SWORDS
14. KEEPING A HORSE FOR JIHAD
15. GLAD TIDINGS FOR THE MUJAHID
16. Al-JIHAD - BETTER THAN MAINTAINING THE HARAMAYN
17. Al-JIHAD - BETTER THAN JUMU'AH WITH THE PROPHET
18. THE PROPHET'S WISH TO BE SHAHEED
19. THE UNDERSTANDING OF AS-SALAF AS-SAALiH
20. PERFECTING EEMAAN: A PRE-REQUISITE FOR JIHAD?
21. THE ORDER TO PREPARE FOR JIHAD
22. THE EXISTENCE OF A KHILAFAH IS NOT A PREREQUISITE
23. THE ONE WHO DOES NOT GO OUT OR PREPARE FOR JIHAD
24. THE ABANDONMENT OF JIHAD
1. NO DEED EQUALS JIHAD
Narrated Abu Huraira (R), a man came to Allah's Messenger (saw) and said
"Instruct me as to such a deed as equals jihad (in reward). He replied, "I
do not find such a deed." Then he added, "Can you, while the Muslim fighter
is in the battlefield, enter your Mosque to perform prayers without cease
and fast and never break your fast?" The man said, "but who can do that?"
Abu Huraira (ra) added, "The Mujahid is rewarded even for the footsteps of
his horse while it wanders about (for grazing) tied on a long rope." (Sahih
Bukhari, p.391, vol.1)
Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated: One companion asked, "O Messenger of Allah (saw)
tell me of an action by doing which I can attain the reward of the fighters
in the path of Allah." The Prophet (saw) said to him, "Do you have the
strength to continuously offer Salah and get tired and observe fast and not
break it?” The person replied, "O Messenger of Allah (saw)! I am weak, I
do not have the strength." Then the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "If you
were to be given the strength (to continuously offer Salah and observe fast)
yet you would not have achieved the status of the fighter in the path of
Allah.
Do you not know that the horse of a Mujahid, tied to a rope, when it
treads forth in length for grazing, even for this the Mujahid gains reward."
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, wa Tafsir Suratul Kahf)
Al-Fadl ibn Ziyad said, "I heard Abu Abdullaah Ahmad ibn Hanbal while he was
talking about the enemy and he began crying, saying there is no deed of
righteousness better than fighting them." And that he (rahimahullaah) said,
"nothing matches encountering the enemy, and face to face combat is the most
excellent of deeds. Those who fight the enemy are the ones who protect
Islam and its holy places, and what deed could be superior to that? People
are safe while they are in fear, and they have contributed to their very
lifeblood."
Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said "As for the occupying enemy who is
spoiling the religion and the world, there is nothing more compulsory after
Eemaan than repelling him."
2. Al-MUJAHID -THE MOST SUPERIOR
Narrated Abu Said Khudri (ra), somebody asked, "O Allah's Messenger! (saw)
Who is the best among the people?". Allah's Messenger (saw) replied, "A
believer who performs jihad with his life and wealth." They asked, "Who is
next?" He replied, "A believer who stays in one of the mountain paths
worshipping Allah
and leaving the people safe from his mischief." (Sahih Bukhari p.391, vol.1)
3. Al-JIHAD - THE APEX OF THE DEEN
"The head of the matter is Islam, and its pillar is salaah and the apex is
jihad." (Bukhari and Muslim)
4. Ar-RIBAT - AN UNENDING REWARD
Narrated Sahl bin Sad, as Saidi (ra), Allah's Messenger (saw) said: "To
guard Muslims from infidels in Allah's cause for one day is better than the
World and whatever is on it's surface, and a place in Paradise as small as
that occupied by the whip of one of you is better than the world and
whatever is on it's surface; and a morning's or an evening's journey which a
slave (person) travels in Allah's cause is better than the World and
whatever is on it's surface".
(Sahih Bukhari, p.404, vol.1)
Ibn 'Abbas (ra) has said: I have heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say,
"Two eyes will not be touched by the Hell fire, one is that eye which has
shed tears in the fear of Allah and second that eye which stayed awake guarding in the path of Allah.
(Tirmidhi)
It is reported in Ibn Majah that Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated that the Prophet
(saw) said, "Whoever dies while guarding the territory, in the cause of
Allah, his good deeds will continue and his sustenance will continue and he
will be saved from the questioning by the Munkar, Nakir and Allah will raise
him in the day of Qiyamah,
protected from the immense adversity of that day".
5. THE LOVE OF THE SAHABA FOR RIBAT
Abu Huraira (ra) said, "Safe guarding the Muslim borders in the path of
Allah is more beloved to me, than my worshipping Allah in the night of Qadr
in front of Hajr al Aswad (the black stone of the Kabah)
Khalid ibn Waleed (ra) said, on his deathbed, "I reached every possible
place for Shahadah, but it was written in my ate that I should die of my
bed. In my opinion there is no deed more dearer than my waiting with my
horse and shield in the darkness of night, the sky to be glittering due to
the rain, waiting for the onset of dawn, so that I can attack the enemy."
(al Jihad, Ibn al Mubarak, p.88)
Umar (ra) asked the people in his gathering, "Which person would attain the
most virtue and reward?" The people suggested zakah and salaah and agreed
the highest rank is for the Ameer ul Mumineen (Umar himself) and started
naming other individuals. Umar (ra) then advised, "Shall I tell you the
best person is terms of virtue who is even higher than the Ameer ul Mumineen
(the leader of the Muslims)?.
The people replied, "Please do tell us". He
said, "that small person who is holding the reins of his horse in Syria
safeguarding the Muslim army, he is unaware if a wild animal will rip him
apart or an insect will bite him or the enemy will attack. This person is
higher in rank than those people whom you have mentioned and he is higher
than the Ameer ul Mumineen in virtue. (Kanzul Ummal, p.289, vol.2)
6. THE GRADE OF THE MUJAHIDEEN
"Allah has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their
wealth and lives above those who sit (at home). Unto each, Allah has
promised good (paradise), but Allah has preferred those who strive hard and
fight above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward." (4:95)
Narrated Abu Huraira (r), the Prophet (saw) said, "Whoever believes in Allah
and His Messenger, performs salaah and observes sawm of the month of
Ramadhan, then it will be a promise binding upon Allah to admit him to
Paradise, no matter whether he fights in Allah's cause or remains in the
land where he was born." The people said, "O Allah's Messenger (saw) shall
we aquaint the people with the good news?".
He said, "Paradise has one
hundred grades which Allah has reserved for the Mujahideen who fight in his
cause, and the distance between each of two grades is like the distance
between the Heaven and the Earth.
So when you ask Allah (for something), ask for al-Firdaus which is the middle (best) and the highest part of Paradise. And above it is the throne of the Beneficient (Allah), and from it
gushes forth the rivers of Paradise. (Sahih Bukhari, p.391, vol.1)
at-Tirmidhi narrated that the distance between the two grades of jannah is
quoted as 100 years and in a further hadith in Tabarani this distance is
quoted as 500 years.
7. THE PALACE FOR THE SHUHADAA'
Narrated Samura, the Prophet (saw) said, "Last night two men came to me (in
a dream) and made me ascend a tree and then admitted me into a better and
superior house better of which I have never seen. One of them said, this
house is the house of the Shuhadah." (Sahih Bukhari, p.185, vol.1)
Ahmad, at-Tabarani and al-Haakim report from Ibn 'Abbas that the Messenger
of Allaah (saw) said, "The shuhadaa' are in a green dome besides the river
of Baariq, near the gate of Paradise, from which provision comes to them,
morning and evening" (Saheeh al-Jaami' as-Sagheer, 3/235 no. 3636)
8. IN THE HEARTS OF GREEN BIRDS
Ibn Mas'ood narrated that the Prophet (saw) said "Indeed the souls of the
shuhadaa' are in the hearts of green birds, and they have lanterns hanging
underneath the 'arsh (throne of Allaah) of ar-Rahmaan. They roam around in
Paradise wherever they wish, then they return to their lanterns." (Muslim,
at-Tirmidhi)
9. THE BEST JIHAD
Jabir (ra) narrated that a person asked, "O Prophet of Allah, which is the
best Jihad?". The Prophet (saw) said,
"The Jihad is that the legs of your horse be cut off and your blood spilt
(shahadah)".
(Ibn Hibban, Ibn Majah, at-Targheeb wa at-Tarheeb, p.438. vol.2)
Whilst the narration "We have returned from the lesser jihad to the greater
jihad", that is, that of striving against the self, is often quoted and thus
well known amongst the Muslims, this cannot be attributed to the Messenger
of Allaah (saw) as it is da'eef (as-Suyuti, al-'Iraaqi, al-Bayhaqi) or
according to some (Ibn Taymiyyah), mawdoo' (fabricated).
10. SPECIAL FAVOURS FOR THE SHUHADAA'
Ubada bin Samit (ra) narrates, that the Prophet (saw) said, "The shaheed is
granted seven gifts from Allah swt -
1. He is forgiven at the first drop of his blood.
2. He sees his status in jannah.
3. He is dressed in the clothes of iman.
4. He is safe from the punishment of the grave.
5. He will be safe from the great fear of the Day of Judgement.
6. A crown of honour will be placed on his head.
7. He will intercede on behalf of 70 members of his family.
(Musnad Ahmad, at-Tabarani, at-Targheeb wa at-Tarheeb, p.443, vol.2)
Abud-Darda (r) narrates that I heard the Prophet saw saying that the Shaheed
will intercede on behalf of 70 Members of his family.(Abu Dawud, at-Targheeb
wa at-Tarheeb)
Naeem ibn Hamar (ra) narrates that a person asked the Prophet (saw), "Which
Shaheed is superior?".
The Prophet (saw) answered, "Those who are in the rows of battle and do not
turn their face till they are killed.
They will roam around in the highest rooms in Jannah and their Lord will
laugh at them. This is an indication that, when Allah laughs at somebody, there is no accounting of his deeds on the day of Judgement."
(Musnad Ahmed, at-Targheeb wa at-Tarheeb, p.442, vol.2)
Narrated Anas bin Malik (r), the Prophet (saw) said, "Nobody who enters
Paradise likes to go to the world even if he got everything in the earth
except a Mujahid who wishes to return to the world so that he may be shaheed
ten times, because of the dignity he receives (from Allah)". (Sahih Bukhari,
p.395, vol.1)
Jabir ibn Abdullah (r) says that when Abdullah bin Amr ibn Haram was Shaheed
the Prophet saw said, "O Jabir! Shall I inform you of how Allah honoured your father?" He
answered, "Please do." The Prophet saw said,
"Allah does not talk to anybody but behind the veil but he talked to your
father directly (without the veil)".
(Tirmidhi, at-Targheeb wa at-Tarheeb, p437, vol. 2)
11. ONE MORNING AND EVENING IN JIHAD
Narrated Abu Huraira (ra), The Prophet (saw) said, "A single endeavour (of
fighting) in Allah's cause in the afternoon
or forenoon is better than all that, on which the sun rises and sets."
(Sahih Bukhari, p.392, vol.1)
Ibn Daqeeq ul-Eed (ra) says that the meaning of, "a single expedition in the
afternoon or forenoon of the Mujahid being better than all that is on the
earth and which is in it, " is: that of a person was to be given the whole
world and own all the wealth and needs of the world and then he spends all
this in a good cause, the reward of this cannot be compared to one noon or
forenoon spent by the Mujahid in the battlefield, in fact, spending one
morning or afternoon in the battlefield is more virtuous than spending all
the world in Allah's cause.
"He who fights in the way of Allaah for the time between the milking of the
camel jannah becomes waajib upon him" (Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi).
12. THE BLESSED DUST OF JIHAD
The Prophet (saw) said "Never will there combine upon a servant the dust of
battle in the way of Allaah
and the smoke of the Hellfire." (Ahmad)
The Prophet (saw) said, "Whosever’s feet were covered with the dust in the
way of Allaah,
He forbids the Hellfire upon him." (al-Bukhari)
13. PARADISE UNDER THE SHADE OF SWORDS
The Prophet (saw) said, "Know surely that Jannah is under the shade of
swords" (Sahih Bukhari, p.395, vol.1)
Ibn al-Jawzi states the understanding of this hadith is that Jannah is
attained by performing Jihad. One companion asked the Prophet (saw) "O
Messenger of Allah! What is the reason that every Muslim has to face the
trial of the grave, except the Shaheed?".
The Prophet (saw) answered, "The sword over his head was enough as a trial" (meaning he would not be now put in any trial or torment). (Kanzul Ummal, p.596, vol.4)
14. KEEPING A HORSE FOR JIHAD
Narrated Abu Huraira (ra), the Prophet (saw) said, "If somebody keeps a
horse (for Jihad) in Allah's cause, motivated by his faith in Allah and his
belief in His promise, then he will be rewarded on the day of resurrection
for what the horse has eaten or drunk and for it's dung and urine". (Sahih
Bukhari, p.406, vol.1)
15. GLAD TIDINGS FOR THE MUJAHID
Narrated Abu Huraira (ra), the Prophet (saw) said, "Let the slave of dinar
and dirhams, of khatifah and khamisa, (ie money and luxurious clothes),
perish for he is pleased if these things are given to him and if not he is
displeased. Let such a person perish and relapse, and if he is pierced with
a thorn, let him not find anybody to take it out for him.
Paradise is for him who holds the reins of his horse to strive in Allah's cause, with hair
unkempt and feet covered with dust, if he is appointed in the vanguard, he
is perfectly satisfied with his post of guarding, and if he is appointed in
the rear guard, he accepts his post with satisfaction, (he is so simple and
unambitious that if he asks for permission he is not permitted and if he
intercedes his intercession is not accepted)". (Sahih Bukhari, p.404, vol.1)
16. Al-JIHAD - BETTER THAN MAINTAINING THE HARAMAYN
"Do you consider the providing of drinking water to the pilgrims and the
maintenance of al-Masjid al-Haram as equal to the worth of those who believe
in Allaah and the Last Day and fight in the way of Allaah.
They are not equal before Allaah." (9:19)
17. Al-JIHAD - BETTER THAN JUMU'AH WITH THE PROPHET
The Prophet (saw) sent an army in which Abdullah bin Rawaha participated.
When the army set out, Abdullah bin Rawaha stayed behind so that he could
perform Jumma Salah behind the Prophet (saw) and then intended to join the
army straight after. The Prophet (saw) said to him, "I swear by the One in
whose power lies my life, if you were to spend everything on earth you could
not attain the virtue of their one morning." (Fath ul Bari, p.91, vol.6)
18. THE PROPHET'S WISH TO BE SHAHEED
Narrated Abu Huraira (r), the Prophet (saw) 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 Bukhari, p.42-3, vol.4)
19. THE UNDERSTANDING OF AS-SALAF AS-SAALiH
At-Tabari reported that al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad was seen at money-changers
in Emesa. He was leaning on the table due to his corpulence, and it was said
to him, "Allaah has excused you (from jihad)!" Whereupon he said, "The surah
of dispatchment (i.e. at-Tawbah) has come to us, "March forth, light and
heavy."
Abu Talha (ra) said "Young, and old, Allaah has not accepted the excuse of
anyone.O my son! Prepare me (for jihad), prepare me!". His son said, "May
Allaah have mercy on you! You did battle along with the Prophet (saw) until
he died, and together with Abu Bakr until he died, and the same alongside
'Umar until he died so now we will do battle on your behalf." But Abu Talha
said, "No! Prepare me!" So he went out and died at sea.
His body could not be buried for seven days, at which time it had still not decomposed.
Az-Zuhri said, "Sa'eed ibn al-Mussayib went out for Jihad, blind in one eye
and somebody told him, "You are an invalid" but he said, "Allaah has called
forth the light and the heavy.
If I cannot fight I will increase our numbers and guard possessions."
20. PERFECTING EEMAAN: A PRE-REQUISITE FOR JIHAD?
Narrated al-Bara (r), a man whose face was covered with an iron armour (i.e.
clad in armour) came to the Prophet saw and said, "O Allah's messenger!
Shall I fight or embrace Islam first?" The Prophet (Saw) replied, "Embrace
Islam first and then fight". So he embraced Islam and was Shaheed. Allah's
Messenger (saw) said, "A little work, but a great reward." (He did very
little after embracing Islam but he was rewarded in abundance). (Sahih
Bukhari, p.394, vol.1)
Ibn Ishaq has recorded in maghazi (an authentic tradition of Abu Huraira (r)
that the Prophet (saw) said, "Tell me about a person who never prayed one
salaah but entered jannah." Then he answered himself that this lucky person
was Amar bin Thabit (r)" (Fath ul Bari, p.105, vol.6) Taking this narration
into consideration, the scholars of hadith have agreed that the person
mention in Bukhari is Amar bin Thabit (r).
21. THE ORDER TO PREPARE FOR JIHAD
"And make ready against them (the Kuffar)all you can of power
including steeds of war (tanks, planes, missiles, artillery, etc) to
terrorise
the enemy of Allaah and your enemy" (8:60)
Sheikh al-Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah: "It is an obligation to make preparations
for jihad at times when it is not possible to wage it due to weakness. For
anything without which an obligation cannot be fulfilled is an obligation
itself."
22. THE EXISTENCE OF A KHILAFAH IS NOT A PREREQUISITE
Ibn Qudama: "The absence of the Muslim ruler should not (be used as an
excuse) to put off Jihad, otherwise its exigency and advantages will be lost
by so doing; and if the Muslims happen to take some booty (from the war)
they should distribute it in accordance with the laws of the Shariah."
Ash-Shawkaani, "The Muslims have differed regarding attacking the Kuffaar in
their lands, whether the presence of the main Imam is a pre-requisite or
not. And the truth most worthy of acceptance is that it is waajib upon every
individual from the Muslims and the Quranic verses and Ahadeeth are
general and not restricted."
(ar-Rasaa'il as-Salafiyyah, p.43)
23. THE ONE WHO DOES NOT GO OUT OR PREPARE FOR JIHAD
These are like the Munafiqoon, and they said to the believers
"Our possessions and our families occupied us, so ask forgiveness for us."
(48:11)
The Prophet (saw) "Whoever dies and he does not fight nor does he ever
intend to fight (prepares for it)
then he dies on a branch of hypocrisy" (Muslim)
"And if you march not forth He will punish you with a painful torment and
will replace you with another people
and you cannot harm Him in the least." (9:39)
And let the one who claims love for jihad and desire for its implementation
but who does nothing to prepare for it remember the words of Allaah:
"And if they had intended to march forth they would certainly have made
ready some preparation for it, but Allaah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind,
and it was said to them,
"Sit you with those who sit (at home)". (9:46)
24. THE ABANDONMENT OF JIHAD
Our beloved Prophet (saw) said: "When people become stingy towards the dinar
and dirham, and deal in fine things, and engage themselves in agricultural
activities, forsaking Jihad in the Way of Allaah, Allaah will send down on
them a calamity that will not be dispelled away from them until they return
to their deen" (Ahmad, Abu Dawud)
And ibn al-Arabi said regarding the verse, "If you march not forth He will
punish you." (9:39),
"The severe punishment in this world is through the occupation of the enemy
and in the Hereafter by fire."
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