Victory is not only won by material gain; victory is gained by being steadfast to the principles of Islam. Dying on this path is victory. But then to gain a physical victory whilst steadfast on the haqq is triumph. It is triumph over Shaytan. Triumph over kufr. Triumph over Taghoot. Triumph over Baatil. Triumph over al Kafireen wa Munafiqeen. The heart of the Mujahid is steadfast on the principles of Islam. His private and public life are looked down upon by the kafireen because they love the life of this world whilst the Mujahid is in search for the next world through martyrdom.
Shaykh Abdur-Rahman al Ashmawee once said, “How are you attracted to the jewels of this world when there are hidden diamonds in Allah’s Mercy (Paradise)? You have not died O Martyr! But it is us who have died through shame!”
SubhanAllah, our Mujahideen have gotten there before us. They were sincere in their search for death so Allah granted it to them. In an open field, the Mujahid does not look to protect himself and hide from the enemies. But the Mujahid looks to fight with everything he was blessed with until death approaches him. Khalid bin al-Waleed (ra), one of the most frightening Mujahid who was given the title of As Sayfullah (The Sword of Allah), once said, “I would throw myself in the ranks of the enemy until I would be certain that I could not come out alive. And here I am dying on my bed. So may the eyes of the cowards never see sleep!”
The third leader Abdullah bin Rawahah took charge of the Muslim army in the Battle of Mu’tah. A cousin of his gave him a piece of dried meat to eat and told him: “Strengthen yourself with this. You have gone through a lot this day!” He grabbed it and took a bite. Then he told himself: “You are still in this world!” and threw the piece of meat away and fought until he was killed.
SubhanAllah, the Mu’min prefers the life of the next world over the life of this world. They have no interest in this life. Selling, buying, working etc. is not where they get their energy and excitement from. Rather, these Mujahideen get their energy and excitement from worshipping Allah. Uthman, an Imam and Mujahid of the Tabi’een, was once asked: “Are you going out to fight this year?” He said: “Yes, I wouldn’t want to miss fighting even if I were to make 100,000 dinars.”
AllahuAkbar, there is no act of worship in Islam that is equivalent to Qitaal fe Sabeelillah. Some mistaken Muslims think that praying and fasting are the greatest acts of worship in the Deen. Yes, they are extremely important for without them the Muslim has no hope (except for those who convert on the battlefield). But in the actual struggle, no deed is equivalent to Qitaal.
Safwan bin Saleem said Abu Hurairah asked, “Can anyone of you pray continuously without rest and fast continuously without a break?” They said, “O Abu Hurairah, who could do that!” He said, “I swear in the name of who my soul is in his hands: The sleep of the mujahid is better than that!” (Ibn al Mubarak)
If this is the status of the Mujahid’s sleep, then what about their prayers? This is what the competitors should compete for and this is what others should cry for missing.
Abu Huraira narrated that a man came to Allah’s Apostle 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 battle-field, 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 added, “The Mujahid is rewarded even for the footsteps of his horse while it wanders bout (for grazing) tied in a long rope.” (Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 52, Number 44)
Ibn Umar said: “To stand in the ranks facing the enemy even without me striking my sword, throwing my spear, or shooting my arrows, is better to me than worshiping Allah for 60 years and not committing any sin” (Al Jami).
SubhanAllah, Muslims are too scared of the consequences of what al kuffar might do if they stick to the haqq firmly. If Shaykh ul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah ever saw us in this condition, he would be embarrassed to be a part of us. He once said, “What can my enemies do to me? My paradise is in my heart, it goes with me wherever I go. To put me in prison is to allow me to have a private devotion to Allah. To execute me is to give me martyrdom. And to kick me out of my land is for me to journey in the path of Allah.” This is the motto of the Mujahid.
The Mujahid knows the real-estate that he’s going to get bi idhnillah. No, not the one located on so and so street nor the one located on some beautiful island. He is after Jannatul Firdaus. He studies it. He ponders over it. He weeps for it. He asks Allah to grant him it. So what happens to the Mujahid after this? He becomes a better slave of Allah in his private and public life.
Abu Hurairah narrates: The Messenger of Allah said, “There are a hundred levels in Paradise specially prepared by Allah for the mujahideen in His cause. Between each level and the next is the difference between the heaven and earth. So when you ask Allah, ask Him to grant you al Firdaws. It is in the middle of Paradise and the highest part of it. From it the rivers of Paradise spring and above it is the throne of Allah” (Bukhari).
So when the Mujahid becomes a closer ‘abd to Allah, then the love of Qitaal fe Sabeelillah increases. Khalid bin al Waleed (ra) said before his death: “If I were to marry a beautiful woman whom I love, or if I were given the good news of having a newborn son, it is less beloved and dear to my heart than to be in a cold icy night, in an army waiting to meet the enemy the next morning. I advise you to go on Jihad” (ibn al Mubarak). Therefore, the Mujahid rushes towards good deeds; even Qitaal fe Sabeelillah. Allah says:
And those Foremost (in Faith) will be Foremost (in the Hereafter). Those are the ones brought close to Allah. (al Waqi’ah 10-11)
Uthman bin Abi Sawdah said we were told that the Foremost mentioned in the verses are the first to go out on Jihad and the first to go to Salah. (Ibn Abi Shaybah (authentic))
Submitted by a Mujahid
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