O my son, go ahead and fight!

Silah bin Aktam told his son: “O my son, go ahead and fight!” His son went ahead and was killed. Latter on Silah himself was killed. When Mu’aathah the wife of Silah received the news of the death of both her husband and son she told the woman who came to give their condolences: “If you are coming to congratulate me then welcome. If you are here to give me condolences then you must leave!” [Reported in Ibn al Mubarak, al Thahabi in Seyar Alaam al Nubala, Abu Naeem in Hilyah, and Ibn Saad in Tabakat]

Saad bin Ibrahim narrates that during the battle of al Qadisiyah they passed by a man who had both his arms and both his legs cut off during battle, rolling in his blood and he was reciting: “And whosoever obeys Allah and the Messenger – those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions” (Surah al Nisa; ayah 69). They said: “Who are you!” He said: “A man from al Ansar” [Reported in Ibn Abi Shaybah]

Do not throw yourself into destruction – What is its meaning?

Asslam Abi Imran said we were in an army heading from Madina heading towards Constantinople. The head of the army was Abdul Rahman bin Khalid bin al Waleed. The Romans had their backs facing the gates of the city.

One among us rushed alone towards them. Some people said: “There is no God but Allah, he is throwing himself into destruction!” Abu Ayub al Ansari (a companion) said: “This verse was revealed speaking about us the Ansar. When Allah gave His Messenger victory and Islam prevailed, we said let’s go back to our businesses and take care of it.

Allah then revealed the verse “And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction. And do good; Indeed, Allah loves the doers of good” So throwing ourselves into destruction meant going back to our farms and businesses and leaving jihad”

Abu Imran said: Abu Ayub remained in jihad until he was buried in Constantinople.” [Abu Dawud; Tirmidhi; al Hakim]

Mujahid said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sent only two men: Abdullah bin Masood and Khabab as an army, and he sent Dihyah as an army alone. [Al Sunan al Kubra]

Different levels in Jannah; but ‘Firdaus’ is the best

Different levels in Jannah; but ‘Firdaus’ is the best

Allah says in the Quran in Surah Nisa, “Allah has preferred the mujahideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward Degrees from Him and forgiveness and mercy. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.” [Al Nisa 95-96]

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings be upon him) 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 Firdaus. 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” [Narrated in Bukhari]

Is Custodian of the two Holy mosques better than a Mujahid?

Is Custodian of the two Holy mosques better than a Mujahid? Is serving the pilgrims of Makkah better or the Jihad in the path of Allah?

The following hadith gives us the answer:

Al Numan bin Bashir (R.A) narrates: I was sitting next to the pulpit of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) when a man said, “I wouldn’t mind if I don’t do anything after becoming a Muslim but serving the pilgrims.” Another said, “I wouldn’t mind if I don’t do anything after becoming a Muslim but praying in the sacred masjid (Makkah).” A third said, “No, jihad in the path of Allah is better than what you said.” Omar scolded them and told them to stay quiet and not raise their voices next to the pulpit of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). He then said, this is Friday and in a short while he will come to give khutbah. When he leaves I will go and ask him about your discussion. Allah then revealed: “Have you made the providing of water for the pilgrim and the maintenance of al-Masjid al-Haraam equal to one who believes in Allah and the Last Day and makes jihad in the cause of Allah? They are not equal in the sight of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.” [Muslim]

Note: So, the verse mentioned above explicitly stated the superiority of jihad. It is therefore important for us to note, that the custodian of the two holy mosques are in not way better or equal to a Mujahid fi Sabilillah. The virtue of being a mujahid stands out to be very high.

Legislating by other than Allah’s law

What the scholars of salaf has to say about “Legislating by other than Allah’s law”

It is related from Ibrahim ibn al-Hakam ibn Zahir from his father from As-Suddai who said, “Ibn `Abbas said,

‘Whoever was tyrannical in judgement and he knows it, judged without knowledge or took bribery in judgement, then he is from the kuffar.’”[Akhbaar ul-Qudaa’, p. 41]

Although this statement seems very harsh, we must look at it very closely. In reference to these crimes mentioned above, this hadith shows us that it can either a major or a minor kufr. Depending on the frequency of the judgement, we can then determine the degree of kufr, minor of major.

Depending on the type of tyranny, we then come to what should be the correct judgement. If the tyranny touches on the rights of mankind, like in the time when the great tyranny of al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf ath- Thaqafi took place, then this is a major sin, but not enough to cast someone out of the fold of Islam.

Thus it is minor kufr; however, the moment the tyranny touches the right of Allah, for example legislation, then it is without doubt major kufr and must be resisted until it ceases or the person is removed from their post. In regards to judging with or without knowledge by other than the law of Allah all the time, it falls under the same rules and conditions.

In a hadith taken from Baihaqi رحمه الله , `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (RA) was asked regarding as-Suht (ill gotten wealth from unlawful earning), and he replied, “It is rashwa (bribery).” He was then
asked about tyranny in judgement, to which he replied, “That is the very kufr.”[Akhbaar ul-Qudaa, V. 1, page51 in the footnote]

It is taken moreover from Masruq that he asked Ibn Masood (RA) regarding as-Suht, to which he said, “It is rashwa (bribery).” He (Masruq) inquired, “And in judgement?” `Abdullah ibn Masood (RA) answered, “That is the very kufr.” Then he recited Surat ul-Ma’ida, ayah 44.

وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ

“And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the wrongdoers.”

Ibn Masood (RA) was asked at another time, regarding suht and whether there was rashwa (bribery) in judgement. Ibn Mas`ud (RA) replied,

“No, Whoever does not judge by what Allah sent down, then they are kaafirun, whoever does not judge by what Allah sent down, then they are zaalimun (oppressors), whoever does not judge by what Allah sent down, then they are faasiqun (rebellious sinners).”[Ibid, V. 1, pages 52-53]