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Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

An Advice to those who Abstain from the Cause of Allah [*]al-Imaam Ibn Nuhaas ad-Dimyaati

Know! Oh abstainer from that which has been obligated

Deviator from the ways of success and correctness, that you have been exposed to expulsion and relegation. By Allah! Prevented from happiness by obtaining the objective. What that I knew! The reason for your abstinence from fighting and plunging yourself into the battles of the brave. Your miserliness in the path of Allah with your soul and wealth. All this is due to distant hopes, fear of an on-slaughting life span and hatred of leaving a beloved from family, wealth, son, servant, or relative. A blood brother of yours, a compassionate relative, a generous supporter, a cherished friend, working extra pious deeds, love of a beautiful wife, a preventative high rank, a lofty position, a raised palace, a long shade, magnificent garments or wholesome food. There is not beside these that hinder you from Jihad and none beside these distant you from the Lord of the worshipers. By Allah! What is this from you? Oh brother! Did you not hear the words of the Most High?

"Oh you who believe what is the matter with you that when you are asked to march forward in the cause of Allah you cling heavily to the earth are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the hereafter but little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared with the hereafter " [Quran 9:38]

Hearken! To that which I dictate to you of decisive evidences and listen that which I present to you of glaring proofs, so that you may learn, nothing hinders from Jihad, not even the two Holy Mosques (9) and there is no reason for your delay except the lower self and the devil.

"But I fear death! "
As for your appease to distant hopes, fear of an on-slaughting life span, vigilance of death which must occur and fear of the path which must be traversed, by Allah! Verily! Bravery does not shorten the life of the brave just as refrainment does not lengthen the life of those who lag behind:
"And every nation has its appointed term when there term is reached neither an hour can they delay nor an hour can they advance." [Quran 7:34]

"And Allah grants respite to none when his appointed time comes and Allah is all aware of what you do." [Quran 63:11]

Verily! In death there is swooning Oh tribulated one! Verily! The terror of the dying is great but you do not sense and verily! In the grave there is a punishment none is saved from it except the righteous.
Verily! In it there is the Questioning of the two tribulating angels:

"Allah will keep firm those who believe with the word that stands firm in this world and the hereafter and Allah will cause to go astray those who are wrong doers." [Quran 14:27]
Then after this immense danger either blessed and to the everlasting pleasure or accursed and hence to the punishment of the fire. The martyr is safe from all this, he fears not a thing from these destructors and the Prophet of Allah (S.A.W) has stated: "The martyr feels not the pain of killing except like a pinch." (10). So do not hinder Oh brother! From seizing this opportunity, and you would be protected in the grave from punishment and you would be victorious in the reckoning of Allah. Attaining an excellent return, you would be saved from the tribulation of the Questioning and that which is after it of intense fear, for the martyrs are alive with their Lord provided for, no fear upon them nor do they sadden. Happy for what Allah has bestowed upon them from his favours and they rejoice, their souls in the bodies of green birds flying freely in the highest parts of paradise. What a difference between this noble death and a painful death !

"But my relatives and wealth!"
If you say: "my relatives, wealth, children and family hamper me from Jihad", for Allah has stated words that are clear not concealed:
"and it is not your wealth nor your children that bring you nearer to us..." [Quran 34:37]
and the Most High says:
"Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women children much of gold silver branded beautiful horse, cattle and well tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present World's life, but Allah has the excellent return" [Quran 3:14]
and the Most High says:
"Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you and rivalry in respect of wealth and children, as the likeness of vegetation after rain , thereof the growth is pleasing to the tiller, afterwards it dries up and you see it turning yellow then it becomes straw. But in the hereafter a severe torment and forgiveness from Allah and good pleasure whereas the life of this world is only a deceiving enjoyment." [Quran 57:20]
There are many verses similar to this and the proofs are clear and gleaming. In a hadeeth; "If the present world were to be worth the wing of a mosquito in the reckoning of Allah he would not give a disbeliever a drink of water from it." (11) and the Prophet (SAW) has said "The space of a whip of any one of you in paradise is better than the present world and that which is in it, a morning march in the cause of Allah or an evening march is better than the present world and that which is in it and the veil of a woman from the people of paradise is better than the present world and that which is in it." (12). So how do you let hinder you from this vast kingdom a family? Who after a while will be amongst the dead, tear them apart the hands of the dispersers and split them the decent of diseases. With that which emanates from them of annoyance, enmity, bad manners and malevolence for that which you averted from their share to loss. Their desertion of you when wealth is scarce and their transformation to love of you when situations change. Greater than this their abandonment of you on the Day of Consequences, holding you to account for the smallest of things at the moment of the Grand Questioning so much so that each one of them would wish that he be saved and you carry that which is upon him of sins and burdens.
How do you let hamper you that which is in the fair of departure and decline? Fleeing from you when friendship is lost and when relatives disperse. Abandoning you every friend who use to frequent your company, then on the Day of Judgement you will be asked about him, where did you meet? And what did you do? Oh you who will be questioned! On a day that children will become grey haired, fears intensified, crushing crowds plentiful, disputes heated, every suckling mother shall neglect her suckling infant and every pregnant mother shall miscarry (13) from the fear of that day. The guilty shall be known by their marks and they shall be grabbed by their forelocks and their feet (14).
On that Day the rich shall be held to account for the spot on a date and the skin of a date pip, the significant and the wretched, the incomplete and complete and the poor shall precede the wealthy to paradise by five hundred years (15). They shall feast, drink and enjoy in the abode of peace, whilst you Oh rich one! Shall be held from them because of your wealth and you will fear that you be ordered to be taken to Maalik (16). Then do you sadden upon the departure of that (17) which if scarce increases your worries and concerns, if plentiful makes you rich and causes you to transgress, if you die you leave it behind you, of the things which you return. In front of you the standing and accounting for it, what can make you perceive? Give it that the whole world in its entirety is yours, is not to an end its eventuality? Your departure from it is a must, even if you cling to its deceptive glory.

"But my precious son! "
If you remember your precious son and you sympathise for him the sympathy of a compassionate father, for Allah the Most High has said:
"Your wealth and your children are only a trial whereas Allah with him is a great reward," [Quran 64:15]
By Allah! He is more merciful to the child than his father, mother, brother and uncle and how not! when he had nurtured him before them with the breast of his mercy in the darkness of the interior organs. The child's heart is in the hand of his gentleness and mercy in the womb of his mother and the loins of his father. So where was your compassion and sympathy for him when he was such? And after you where will be your closeness to him? How do you let hamper you from the abode of pleasure and neighbouring the noble Lord? A child who if small, you are with him concerned, or large for you are with him grieved, healthy for you fear for him, sick and your heart due to its weakness restless. If you manner him he angers and bolts or advise him, he sulks and bears grudge. With that which you expect from him of disobedience as of from many children. If you give precedence to your cowardliness, if you pass by your miserliness, if you abstain from your preferences, then the trial will be greater. You hold it to be a blessing, but the tribulation will prevail and you see it as a favour. You wish for him contentment at the sake of your worry, his happiness for your sadness, his profit at your loss and increase in his dirham and dinar at decrease in your scale You burden for his sake that which you can not and you enter because of him into every tight situation. Cast him! Oh you! from your concern to he who created you and created him, trust his sustenance after you, upon the one who sustains you and sustains him. You have surrendered to Allah control of the affairs of the dominion and the realm and you do not surrender to him control of the affairs of your child after you die, and do you have even a slight control over such?
"...and to Allah belongs the domain and the earth and that is between them and to him is the return." [Quran 5:18]
By Allah! You do not posses the ability to benefit or harm him or yourself. Nor the ability of causing death, life or resurrection, you can not increase his life span by even slight nor his sustenance by the spot on a date. Death could ravage you suddenly then you would be reduced to powder in your grave, cast down and because of your deeds held prisoner, your dear child after you an orphan. Your wealth divided, you are inherited by an enemy or one of mercy, your family disperses in departure and residence and you say: "Oh that I would have been amongst the martyrs! I would have won an immense reward.", and it is said to you: Impossible! Impossible! Passed that which has passed. Regrets will be intensified and you will be alone with that which you have sent forth of good deeds and bad. Verily! Listen to the words of Allah the Mighty, the Forgiving warning you about that which you are in of deception:
"Oh mankind be afraid of your lord and fear a day when no father can avail ought for his son nor a son avail ought for his father, verily the promise of Allah is true, let not then this present life deceive you, nor let the chief deceiver deceive you about Allah" [Quran 31:33]
If your child is from amongst the blessed, then you shall be joined with him in paradise and if he is of the accursed , then he shall be so from now. The people of paradise do not join with the people of the fire, nor the pious with the wicked, it maybe that Allah grants you martyrdom and you intercede for him. Your absence from him would be an endeavour to save him, so seek that which will save you from the punishment and exert yourself in it for tomorrow:

"That day shall a man flee from his brother, and from his mother and his father, and from his wife and his children. Every man that day will have enough to make him careless of others." [Quran 80:34-37]
Verily! This is an immense declaration:
"...and Allah guides whom he wills to a straight path," [Quran 2:213]

"But my dear ones! "
If you say: "It is difficult for me to part from a brother, relative, friend or dear one", for you it is as if the Resurrection has already been established upon the entire of creation:
"Friends on that day will be foes one to another except the pious." [Quran 43:67]
For if the friendship was for Allah's sake, then you shall be joined in the highest ranks, in luxury forever and if the friendship was for other than Allah, then from now: Departure! Departure! Before comrade be joined with comrade, because a person in the hereafter is with his dear one, for his participating with the other in achieving his desire. If he is of the God fearing, his brother will benefit him and if he is of the accursed he will damage him.
With that which you expect from relatives and friends in this abode of harshness, aversion, little loyalty, much annoyance, lack of fairness, their transformation in your presence and their blame of you. Their injustice to you, their abandonment of you during loss of possessions and that which their hearts conceal of defects and diseases. If you fall into hardship they leave you to yourself, or if you make a mistake they free themselves from you, brothers of prosperity and enemies of hardship. Their friendship necessitates affluence, their companionship is fraught with pains, if your wealth is little you are cuffed and if your situation changes he is your brother! Your brother! If you are in doubt about part of this declaration, then it shall become apparent to you with certainty during the Grand test. If you triumph your hand from them with a brother from the best of brothers and remote is that, or a friend from loyal friends, then what will make you perceive that the two of you tomorrow as says the One truest in speech:
"And we shall remove from their breasts any sense of injury, brothers facing each other on thrones." [Quran 15:47]
So do not hamper yourself from Jihad, Oh you! With a beloved one or relative, it may be that you are split apart before death and so an immense reward passes you by. Your cherished friend separated from you and you are deprived of that which you wish of rank in paradise, you regret but your regret will avail you naught for that which has passed.
In a hadeeth: Jibreel may peace be upon him said to the Prophet (S.A.W): "Oh Muhammad! Verily Allah says to you; live as you will for verily you will die, love who you will for verily you will depart from him and do what you will for verily you will be rewarded for it." (18). See what immense meaning these words have gathered, from the remembrance of death, departure of beloved and reward for deeds, is there a warning after this warning ?!
"...Verily in this is a lesson for those who understand." [Quran 3:13]

"But my status and lineage! "
If you say: "My lineage and high position hamper me and my honour is a preventative barrier.", for what that I knew! How many have died and left your lineage? Beloved to them before it reached you and how many faded his authority from his envious obsession with it before it shadowed you. It shall be made clear to you as it was made clear to them, in that it is as if you are already a has-been, for if you bereave at it's loss and your heart is immersed in envy, full of sadness, it will not perpetuate that which you posses of lineage and high status. You will not succeed with that which you are in search of, for it is not of the ways of salvation. Verily! For the last to leave the fire and enter with those who have entered, there is a kingship far greater than that of the kings of this world, and ten fold (19).
For then what is your opinion of he who will be with the first forerunners, the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous. It is not hidden from you that which high status entails of fatigue and tire, bad end and evil return, that which you earn due to it of many enemies and enviers and that which their inner selves gather upon of rancour and malevolence. Their abuse of you when it fades from you, your regret and sadness upon that which has passed due to your concern and attention to it, the departure of most of your servants and the turning away from you of he who it used to gladden the kissing of your feet.
At-Tirmithi and Ibn Hibaan report a hadeeth: "The lowest of the people of paradise, for him there is eighty thousand servants, seventy two wives, a dome is constructed for him of pearls, aquamarine and gems the size of which is the distance between Al-Jaabiyah (20) and San'aa" (21, 22).
Listen to the words of the Great, the Forgiver:
"...and the angels shall enter upon them from every gate, peace be upon you for that you persevered in patience, excellent indeed is the final home," [Quran 13:23-24]
By Allah! This is what eyes are to be soothed with and so:
"For the like of this let the workers work..." [Quran 37:61]

"But my beautiful abode!"
If you say: "It is difficult for me to leave my palace, it's shade, it's raised construction, high place, my servants, couches and luxuries". What that I knew! Is it not merely a house made from stone, mud, clay, metal, wood, palm branches and cane? If it is not swept it accumulates considerable rubbish, if it is not decorated then how dark is it's darkness, if it's construction is not renovated then how quick is it's ruin, even if you renovate it, it's final result is dilapidation. After a short while it will turn to dust, those resident will depart from it, the cotton merchants will move from it, it's trace effaced, knowledge of it's existence wiped out, it's vestige erased and it's name forgotten. It has been narrated: when Allah the Mighty and Majestic descended Adam (A.S) to the earth he said: "Build for destruction and multiply for annihilation." (23).
Exchange Oh deceived one! Your palace and it's quick rate of deterioration, for an eternal abode, whose palaces are high, it's light radiant, it's rivers flowing, it's fruit laden branches stoop low and it's delights successive. If you ask about it's construction, for it is of silver bricks and gold bricks, no fatigue therein by far and no tire, if you ask about it's soil, for it is of sweet smelling musk (24), if you ask about it's gravel, for it is of pearls and jewels. If you ask about its rivers, for there are rivers of milk, rivers of honey and Al Kawthar (25). If you ask about it's palaces, for there is a palace of hollowed pearl, it's height seventy miles into the air, or from green aquamarine, glistening splendidly, or from red ruby, raised it's construction. For the believer in every corner of its corner's, a family and servants, they do not see each other due to its vastness. If you ask about it's couches, for they are lined with silk brocade, for what then is your opinion of their exterior?! They are raised amongst those who are also upon couches for forty years and there is no sleep upon them or slumber, on the contrary, they recline upon them facing each other:
"And some of them draw near to others questioning..." [Quran 52:25]

"But my nice food!"
If you ask about its food, for its substance is created, perpetual, it's fruit not limited by seasons and their supply will not be cut off for the length of that station. On the contrary there will be ripen fruits:
"And fruit that they may choose, And the flesh of fowls that they desire..." [Quran 56:20-21]
They shall be given to drink:
"...pure sealed wine, the last thereof will be the smell of musk, and for this let those strive who want to strive..." [Quran 83:25-26]
Its dwellers shall not defecate, urinate, spit or produce mucus. Their food shall perspire from their skins with an odour of musk, colour of pearls and then the stomach shall be reduced as it was (26). If you ask about its servant's for they are eternal youths:
"...if you see them, you would think them scattered pearls. And when you look there you will see a delight and a great dominion. Their garments will be of fine green silk and gold embroidery. They will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their lord shall give them a pure drink. Verily this is a reward for you and your endeavour has been accepted" [Quran 74:19-22]

In summary, all that I have mentioned to you, is what has come of news, except for that in paradise there is what no eye has seen, nor ear heard nor occurred to the heart of man (27). If you ask about the length of stay in this great luxury, for they shall be therein forever, immortal, alive and they shall not die. They shall be youths, never ageing, healthy, never becoming sick, rejoicing, never saddening, content, never becoming angry and from the fear of an end or expulsion they shall be forever safe (28). In a safe station:
"Their way of request therein will be: Glory! to you Oh Allah, and:
"Peace, will be their greeting therein. And the close of their request will be: All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the lord of the worlds." [Quran 10:10]
So with your intelligence compare this immense, momentous kingdom and your present abode, that of a short span, small share and see that if you depart from it with martyrdom to what you will arrive. Verily! The abode that you are in is deceiving:
"...and none can inform you like him who is the All-Knower.." [Quran 35:14]

"But I would like to improve my deeds first! "
If you say: "I like to delay in order to improve my deeds", for this is also a product of deception and distant hoping. By Allah! Delay of a destined life span has never been achieved:
"Oh Mankind! Verily the promise of Allah is true, so do not let this present life deceive you, and do not let the chief deceiver deceive you about Allah. Surely Satan is an enemy to you, so treat him as an enemy, he only invites his followers, that they may become the dwellers of the blazing fire." [Quran 35:5-6]
By Allah! This is nothing but a snare of Iblees the accursed, it is not from the intentions of the friends of Allah, or the righteous, are not the companions of the Prophet (S.A.W) and the best of those who followed them more deserving than you of this intention if you are indeed of the truthful? If they resided to delaying the life span, they would not have developed a great fear of Allah, and they would not have fought the idolaters and disbelievers, nor attack countries and lands, do you not hearken with your ears? Oh tribulated one! To the words of the Most High:
"March forth whether you are light or heavy and make Jihad with wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. This is better for you, if you but knew..." [Quran 9::41]
Do you not take heed? If you are indeed of the intelligent and understanding and ponder upon the words of the Most High:
"...and Allah has preferred the mujahideen above those who sit by a huge reward." [Quran 4:95]
In a hadeeth: "Verily the standing of a man in the battle line for the cause of Allah is better than seventy years of worship amongst his family." (29). Oh deceived one! Verily the sleep of a mujaahid is better than the night prayer and the fast of one who remains behind, there shall concerning this follow extra explanation (30) and with Allah lies the assistance.
Suppose that you are truthful in what you claim, do not your deeds waver between being rejected and accepted? Is there not ahead of you that which terrifies and daunts? Is not your advance to the fearful day of the Gathering? By Allah! You do not know whether your deeds will save you, if you work, or destroy you!
"...and he knows what you conceal and what you reveal." [Quran 27:25]

"And whether you die or are killed, verily unto Allah you shall be gathered..." [Quran 3:158]

"But my beautiful wife! "
If you say: "it does not appease my soul, departing from my beautiful wife, my delight when she is close and my happiness from her love". Give it that your wife is the most attractive of women, and the most beautiful of the people of her time, is not her beginning a despised drop? Her last a foul corpse? And between these two she is a virgin. Her menses prevent you from her for half her life, her disobedience to you is more than her obedience, if she does not wear kohl she becomes bleary eyed, if she does not adorn herself her roughness becomes apparent and if she does not comb her hair it becomes dishevelled. If she does not oil herself her radiance is extinguished, if she does not wear perfume musty is her smell, if she does not wash odorous is her odour, full of faults and quick to bore. If she advances in age she disheartens, if she grows old she becomes senile, you do your best and strive for her and she denies this if she becomes angry.
As the Prophet (S.A.W) has said: "If you were to do good to one of them for a lifetime then she were to notice something bad in you, she would say: I have never seen any good from you." (31). You desire from her the foulest part of her, you fear her desertion, you fear her harshness, your love for her carries you to exhaustion and fatigue, intense misery and distress. She exposes you to the sources of destruction and you are pleased to fulfil the slightest of her whims at your destruction or that close to it. She loves you because of her needs from you, if they pass by she deserts you, she abandons you and seeks for other than you. She becomes bored with you and she makes her enmity apparent, as she says with the tongue of her condition even if she does not express it in words: "Maintain me and spend, or separate from me and divorce me!". In summary it is impossible to enjoy her except with a twist, your relationship with her will not last except with pressure and hardship.
By Allah! What a wonder! How do you let love of her hamper you from reunion with one created from light? Raised in the shade of palaces with youths and maidens, in the abode of luxuries and happiness, by Allah! The blood of a martyr does not dry but that he has met her. His eyes delight in witnessing her glow, wide eyed, beautiful, exquisite, virgin, as if she were a ruby, no man or jinn has had sexual intercourse with her before you, her speech soft, her figure correct, her hair uniform in colour, her virility immense, her eyelids flitter. Her beauty is dazzling and radiant, her coquetishness evident, her glance darkened with kohl, beautiful her elegance, sweet her speech, marvellous her creation, splendid her manners, glowingly adorned, most gorgeous of things lawful, full of love, free of boredom, her glance created only for looking at you, so she does not look at any except you. She loves for you everything that your desires desire, if a nail of hers was to become apparent the light of the full moon would be completely extinguished and if her bracelet was to become apparent during the night, there would remain no darkness in the creation.
Were that her wrist would to become apparent the whole of mankind would become enthralled and were that she would look between the earth and the sky, it would fill between the two a fragrance. Were that she would spit into the sea, it would turn to freshwater, every time you glance towards her she is enhanced in your eye in splendour and every time you sit with her, her beauty is increased with beauty. Is it befitting of a person of intelligence that he hears of her and then sits back from reunion with her??? How? And for him in paradise are wide-eyed maidens like her and more like her! Know that separation from your wife eventually is a must, it is as if it has already happened and in paradise you shall be joined together if Allah wills. What best of joining places!
And what is between you and her reaching there if she is of the righteous, except a time during which you must separate from her and that is death. You will find her in the hereafter more beautiful than the wide-eyed maidens by a factor that none knows except the Lord of the worlds. That which you despised in her gone, that which was evil in her vanished, her manners perfected, her creation beautified, more attractive, broad eyed, a beautiful radiant woman, virgin, cleaned from menses and bleeding, removed from her all types of impurities and her crookedness straightened. Her jubilation increased, her glow expanded, her virility enlarged and she is superior to the wide-eyed maidens like their superiority over her in this present abode. So turn away from her today for Allah's cause, he will exchange her for you and if she is of the people of paradise then you must have her.
The stark reality of this world
So do not become distracted Oh you! From the eternal abode, by deception with something from the chattels of this present world, for by Allah! It is not an abode of residence, neither a place of meeting nor perfection. An abode that if it makes you laugh today it makes you weep tomorrow, if it makes you happy then succeeds it's happiness ruin, if you gather therein all the luxuries, then Allah's wrath is quick to descend upon you. If it enriches you, it impoverishes you, if it unites it separates, if it rejoins it disperses, if it diminishes it congests, if it enriches it overburdens, if it increases it eradicates, if it constructs, it destroys, if it produces it flees, if it elevates it topples and if it becomes peaceful it oppresses. If it's graces prevail, it causes grief with it's evil results, if it revitalises with it's reunion then weaning follows it, it's closeness is far, it's beloved one dejected, it's drink a mirage and it's sweetness punishment. The abode of worries, sadness, distress, anxiety, transition, separation, wretchedness, schism, disease, fatigue, hardship and tire. It's plenty is little, it's noble one abased, it's rich one poor, it's venerable one menial, plenty of defects, full of regrets, scarce of serenity, devoid of fulfilment, no trust in it's pacts and never fulfilling its promises.
The one who loves it is wretched, the one who desires it is mad and the one who trusts in it is shamed. It has covered its defects, hidden its disasters, it is treacherous with its falsehood, deceiving with its bribes, it has set its meshes and placed its nets. It has made permissible its falsehoods and unsheathed its sword. It has made permanent its traits, concealed its ugliness and it calls; "Embrace me! Embrace me! Oh men!". For he who seeks reunion with it falls into its plot, it manifests upon him its evil condition, it intensifies its punishment and he falls into it's captivity because of his ignorance of its evil. He is afflicted by its plotting, so much so that he does not perceive its affair, until he bites his hands in regret, he cries blood after tears, it forsakes him to what he desired until he meets an evil return. He struggles to flee but escape is impossible.
So awaken yourself! Oh you! Before destruction, free yourself from its captivity before it becomes difficult to escape. Prepare to proceed to success and happiness, maybe Allah will grant you martyrdom from his grace, so do not let hamper you from this reward, a reason from these reasons. For the one of sound assurance is he who exhibits strong resolution and the one of rational opinion is he who has a share in Jihad. He who clings to laziness and is deceived by hopes, his feet shall slip, he will regret where it will not avail him ought regret, he will gnash his teeth about that which has slipped and passed when he witnesses the martyrs in the highest most chambers of paradise:
"...and Allah says the truth and he guides the way." [Quran 33:4]

"...Allah is sufficient for us and the best disposer of our affairs." [Quran 3:173]

Footnotes:[*] Taken from volume 1/113-132 of Mashaari' al-Ashwaaq. See his biography for references 1-7.8. We do not rule that he who is killed in Jihad is a shaheed and will enter paradise, because entry into paradise is a matter which depends upon the intention of the one killed, and that is in the knowledge of Allah. Calling the one killed in Jihad shaheed is for the purpose of attaching an apparent ruling to him built upon strong speculation because we do not wash him , shroud him or pray upon him and this is a matter stated by the majority of the salaf. Ibn Hajr Al-Asqalaany states: "And for this reason the salaf called those killed in Badr and Uhud Shuhadaa, and the intent in this is to attach an apparent ruling built upon strong speculation, and Allah knows best."(Fathul-Baari:6/90) 9. Sheikhul-Islam, Ibn Taymiyyah has quoted from the consensus of the scholars: The residing of a man in the land of ribaat as a muraabit (one who makes ribaat) is better than his residing in Makkah, Medinah or Baitul-Maqdis. See Majmu'a Al Fataawa: 28/5 by Ibn Taymiyyah. 10. Narrated by; At-Tirmithi who states it is hassan ghareeb saheeh, An-Nisaa'i, Ibn-Maaja, Imam Ahmad, Ad-Daarimi, Ibn-Hibaan, Abu Na'eem in Al-Hilya, Al-Baihaqi and Al-Bagawy in Sharh As-Sunnah, all with slightly different wording. 11. Narrated by ; At-Tirmithi who states that it is saheeh ghareeb, Al-Haakim ; saheeh chain of reporters, Abdullah Ibn Al-Mubaarak, Al-Baihaqi in Shu'ab Al-Eeman. 12. Narrated by Al-Bukhari. 13. In reference to Surat Al-Hajj:2 14. In reference to Surat Ar-Rahmaan:41 15. In reference to a hadeeth narrated by At-Tirmithi from Abu Hurrayra who said : The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa salam) said : "The poor ones of the Muslims will enter paradise before the wealthy by half a day, and that is five hundred years." ; hadeeth hassan saheeh. Also narrated by ; Ibn Maaja and Imam Ahmad. 16. Maalik : the custodian angel of the hell fire. 17. Referring to wealth. 18. Narrated by Al-Baihaqi in Shu'ab Al-Eeman. 19. In reference to a hadeeth narrated by Muslim in the book of eeman, chapter ; "The lowest of the people of paradise in station". 20. A village in Damascus. 21. Capital city of Yemen. 22. Narrated by At-Tirmithi: ghareeb. 23. Narrated by; Al-Baihaqi, Ahmad, An-Nasaa'i and Ibn Hibaan. 24. In reference to a long hadeeth narrated by At-Tirmithi. 25. A river in paradise. 26. In reference to a hadeeth narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. 27. In reference to a hadeeth narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. 28. In reference to a hadeeth Narrated by Muslim. 29. Narrated by; At-Tirmithi; hadeeth hassan and saheeh chain, verified by Al-Baihaqi, Al-Haakim states : hadeeth saheeh upon Muslim's condition, and At-Thahabi agrees with him. 30. In reference to that narrated by; Ibn Abi Shaybah in "Mussanaf" and Ibn Al-Mubaarak. 31. Narrated by Al-Bukhari.

Condemn the Cartoons

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In The Name Of Allaah The Most Merciful, The Ever Merciful

A declaration condemning the attack by reporters from Denmark and Norway against the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam

All perfect praise is due to Allaah; I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger; may Allaah exalt his mention, as well as his family and all his companions.

To proceed:

One of the greatest things that makes a Muslim proud is his belief and love of the Messenger, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam (may Allaah exalt his mention). Muslims believe in all the Messengers and the Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, and do not distinguish between any of them -- except that our Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is the last and final messenger and prophet, and he is the best of them. He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is the first one for whom the gates of Paradise will be opened; belief in him, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is the way to Paradise, as no one among those who were born after his prophethood, will be permitted entry (i.e. to Paradise) unless they had believed in him, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

What can one say in response to the sarcastic caricatures published in the Jyllands Posten newspaper from Denmark, in its issue dated Tuesday, September 30 th 2005? Whom was this newspaper mocking? It was mocking the greatest man ever created ... the leader of all the Prophets, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. They featured evil, shameless images of him, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, as shameless as any disbeliever's imagination can be.

Again, in the days of 'Eed Al-Adh-Haa, to confirm their enmity, the Magazint newspaper from Norway repeated the same attack, as if they were trying to re-open the old wound, when they republished the images that were published in the first newspaper. Indeed, what Allaah said about the disbelievers is true:

???????????? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ????????

which means: "Did they suggest it to them (i.e. did the former disbelievers pass on these words to the Makkans so that they repeat the same expressions)? Rather, they [themselves] are a transgressing people."[Ath-Thaariyaat: 53].

What can one say in response to this open declaration of enmity? Should we look to the other side, deafen our ears and keep our mouths shut, while our hearts are still beating?

I swear by The One Who honored Muhammad and exalted his rank! Our graves are dearer to us than being incapable of uttering the truth and defending our messenger, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Indeed! My father, my grandfather and my honor are in sacrifice for Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

The rank of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam: There is no phrase that can encompass all the features of greatness of this great Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam; and there are not enough words to describe his greatness -- a greatness that overwhelmed all people in all ages, and was decreed to be eternal. It is this greatness that is instilled in all hearts, settled in all souls, felt by all the people and even the enemies of Islaam.

The Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, possessed the perfect manners which no one can possess; a lofty rank which no one can reach. He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was the wisest person; the one with the most sound mind and opinion; the most generous -- whose alacrity in spending was said to be faster than a fast wind. He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, used to spend like a person who never feared poverty due to spending. He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, used to spend so generously, yet went to sleep hungry. He never saved anything, and used to instruct his companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, to be generous, saying: "Spend (charitably) O Bilaal! And do not fear that Allaah will decrease your provision (due to your spending)".

He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was the most tolerant of all people and the kindest; if someone abused him, he would forgive him, and the harsher a person was, the more patient he, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, would become. He was most lenient and forgiving, especially when he had the upper hand and the power to retaliate.

He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was the most humble person -- he used to mix with the poor and the needy; he used to sit with the elderly and the widows; a young girl could take him by the hand to fulfill a need she had, and he, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, would go to fulfill it. He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, never wore anything to distinguish himself from his companions or appear in higher rank than them.

He was most lenient, and if he was given a choice between two matters, he chose the easiest, as long as it was not a form of disobedience to Allaah. On the other hand, he, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was the most firm with regards to fulfilling the obligations and supporting the truth. He was never enraged for a personal matter, but if one of the limits of Allaah was transgressed, he, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, would become angry and his face would become extremely red.

He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was the bravest person, one with the strongest will power and determination; he faced matters with steadfastness and patience, and would go through tough times and situations with firmness and perseverance.

He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, never uttered abusive words; he was clear in his statements and chose his words carefully. He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was chaste, pure and the most honest and truthful of all people.

He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was the most just, even if the opponent was an enemy; penal laws would be imposed even against the people closest to him, and he even swore to this effect saying: "I swear by Allaah! If Faatimah, the daughter of Muhammad were to steal, I would amputate her hand".

He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was the most pure in his soul, the loftiest in spirit and the most knowledgeable about his Lord. He gave each one his due right -- he gave his Lord His right, his friend his due right, his wife her due right and his mission its due right.

He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was the most ascetic and the farthest from clinging to worldly material possessions; he ate whatever he was offered and never turned down any type of food and never requested and craved for what was not available, he slept on a straw mat.

He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was kindest towards the weak and most merciful to the miserable. His mercy included both humans and animals, and he, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, warned his companions against being harsh towards animals, as when he, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: "A woman was punished in Hell because of a cat which she had confined until it died. She did not give it to eat or to drink when it was confined, nor did she free it so that it might eat the vermin of the earth." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim].

If the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, had conferred no other favor upon humanity than conveying the message of guidance and the Qur'aan from his Lord to the people, then this would have been enough favor, for which the people could never do enough to express their gratitude or to reward him.

The above was but a glimpse from the light of prophethood, and a ray from the lamp of the bright manners of Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam; there is still a lot that one can say, which time does not permit.

Let them ask history: Has it ever witnessed a man greater than Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, who was above any deficiency and the farthest from sin?

What Westerners say about the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam: Some of the famous, contemporary personalities who read the biography of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, could not help but admit that he was a master with excellent manners and an honorable character, and the following are some of their sayings:

Michael Hart , author of 'The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History' said: "My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level."

George Bernard Shaw, the British playwright said: "The world is in dire need of a man with the mind of Muhammad; religious people in the Middle Ages, due to their ignorance and prejudice, had pictured him in a very dark way as they used to consider him the enemy of Christianity. But after looking into the story of this man I found it to be an amazing and a miraculous one, and I came to the conclusion that he was never an enemy of Christianity, and must be called instead the savior of humanity. In my opinion, if he was to be given control over the world today, he would solve our problems and secure the peace and happiness which the world is longing for."

Annie Besant, wrote in 'The Life and Teachings of Muhammad' : "It is impossible for anyone who studies the personality of the great Prophet of the Arabs, and come to know how this prophet he used to live, and how he taught the people, but to feel respect towards this honorable prophet; one of the great messengers whom Allaah sent"

Alphonse de La Martaine wrote in 'Historie de la Turquie': "If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astonishing results are the three criteria of a human genius, who could dare compare any great man in history with Muhammad? The most famous men created arms, laws, and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their eyes. This man moved not only armies, legislations, empires, peoples, dynasties, but millions of men in one-third of the then inhabited world; and more than that, he moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and the souls. Philosopher, Orator, Apostle, Legislator, Conqueror of Ideas, Restorer of Rational beliefs... The founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire -- that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?"

J.W.H. Stab wrote in 'Islam and its Founder ' : " Judged by the smallness of the means at his disposal, and the extent and permanence of the work that he accomplished, no name in world's history shines with a more specious luster than that of the Prophet of Makkah. To the impulse, which he gave, numberless dynasties have owed their existence, fair cities and stately palaces and temples have arisen, and wide provinces became obedient to the Faith. And beyond all this, his words have governed the belief of generations, been accepted as their rule of life, and their certain guide to the world to come. At a thousand shrines the voices of the faithful invoke blessings on him, whom they esteem the very Prophet of God, the seal of the Apostles... Judged by the standards to human renown, the glory of what mortal can compare with his?"

Dr. Gustav Weil writes in 'History of the Islamic Peoples ': "Muhammad was a shining example to his people. His character was pure and stainless. His house, his dress, his food - they were characterized by a rare simplicity. So unpretentious was he that he would receive from his companions no special mark of reverence, nor would he accept any service from his slave which he could do for himself. He was accessible to all and at all times. He visited the sick and was full of sympathy for all. Unlimited was his benevolence and generosity as also was his anxious care for the welfare of the community."

Th e British philosopher, Thomas Carlyle, who won the Nobel Prize for his book 'The Heroes' wrote: "It is a great shame for any one to listen to the accusation that Islaam is a lie and that Muhammad was a fabricator and a deceiver. We saw that he remained steadfast upon his principles, with firm determination; kind and generous, compassionate, pious, virtuous, with real manhood, hardworking and sincere. Besides all these qualities, he was lenient with others, tolerant, kind, cheerful and praiseworthy and perhaps he would joke and tease his companions. He was just, truthful, smart, pure, magnanimous and present-minded; his face was radiant as if he had lights within him to illuminate the darkest of nights; he was a great man by nature who was not educated in a school nor nurtured by a teacher as he was not in need of any of this."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the German writer said: "Us, Europeans, with all our concepts could not reach what Muhammad has reached, and no one will be able to precede him. I have looked in the history of humanity for an example and found that it was Muhammad, as the truth must be revealed. Indeed, Muhammad succeeded to subdue the entire world to monotheism".

Truthfulness of the Prophethood of Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam: If the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, did not have anything to support the truthfulness of his message, except his praiseworthy biography and the eternal legislation he came with, then that would have been sufficient for the one who has a mind to ponder with and reflect.

The fact that the religion of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, remained established and prevailed throughout the long periods of history, and people entered into it in large numbers, is the greatest evidence proving that he, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was truly a messenger from Allaah.

Ibn Taymiyyah , may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "The early prophets have informed their people that one who falsely claims to be a prophet will not last, but for a short period. One of the Christian kings heard a man from the chiefs of the Christians cursing Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and accusing him of being a liar, so he gathered the scholars of the Christians and asked them how long would the one who falsely claims to be a prophet last. They informed him the news that was conveyed by the Prophets, that it would not be but a short number of years -- the longest would be around thirty years. Upon hearing this, he said to them: 'The religion of Muhammad has lasted for more than five or six hundred years until now (up to his time) and it is prevailing and accepted and people still follow it, so how can this man be a liar?' Thereafter, he beheaded the man who accused the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, of being a liar."

Defending the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam: One of the rights of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, upon Muslims is that we love, honor and glorify him, follow his Sunnah and defend him. The age we live in is full of evil and afflictions befalling the Muslim nation, where we are seeing vicious attacks by some monks and priests against the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Despite the fact that their cursing and attacking him, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, enrages us, yet we see it as a sign of the nearness of our victory and their destruction.

The early Muslims used to see it as glad tidings regarding the defeat of their enemies when they cursed and attacked the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "Allaah will extract revenge for His Messenger from those who slander and attack him. Allaah will make His religion prevalent and will expose the lies of the liars if the people cannot apply the penal law a slanderer deserves."

Many trustworthy Muslim scholars have conveyed numerous accounts of their practical experiences in different cities in the Levant. They said: 'The Muslims used besiege the Romans for long periods, like a month and more, until they (i.e. the Muslims) almost gave up on victory; no sooner than the dwellers of those Roman cities would start cursing the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, that Allaah facilitated victory and we conquered them. It was never delayed for more than a day or two after they started cursing and defaming the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. When we did win, we used to kill large numbers of them.' People from Morocco also told me the same thing."

Our duty in defending and supporting the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam:

Allaah says:

??????????? ??????? ???? ???????????? ??????????? ???????????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ????????? ???? ??????????????

which means: "So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful."[Al-A'raaf: 157]. Therefore, it is our duty to support the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

There are many things that an individual can do to support the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. The following are some of them:

Officially condemn the attack on all levels, and sound your objection strongly. It is strange how we usually condemn other matters of lesser significance, but this time, people have remained inexplicably silent. It is also strange that the foreign minister of England condemned this outrage before any of the Muslims, who should have done so before anyone else.

Register your objection with the official local authorities like ministries of Islaamic affairs and Islaamic organizations.

Sound your objection to social Islaamic foundations, organizations and bodies.

Thinkers, official leaders and scholars in different fields must proclaim their condemnation of this outrage and openly object to it using all means, especially the pulpits of the two Sacred Mosques.

Islaamic centers in the West must sound their objections and respond to this.

Muslims must send e-mails objecting to and condemning the publication of these images to all the organizations and people concerned, and to anyone with influence in the Western communities. If millions of e-mails were received from Muslims in this regard, this would certainly have a noticeable impact on the situation.

Buy airtime on TV and radio stations and broadcast programs in defense of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and express support. Muslims who are established and eloquent speakers, and who are aware of the way to address the West should be invited to address the issue.

Write forceful articles for publication in magazines and newspapers, even if one has to buy the space as if it was an advertisement, and publish these articles on the internet as well.

Employ professional production companies to produce video tapes which present the summary of the life of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, highlight his virtues and good manners, and refute some of the most common misconceptions about the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

Print books and leaflets about the biography of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and address some of the misinformation in the West regarding him, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

Hold meetings, conventions and deliver talks in universities especially in the United States to counter this attack.

Provide a clear response by scholars, clarifying the Islamic ruling regarding those who attack and slander any Prophet or Messenger, may Allaah exalt their mention, and especially our Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam; arranging for some scholars and students of knowledge to respond to this vicious attack and fabricated lies on the internet.

Hold international exhibitions at airports, market places, malls and public places after arranging with the local authorities, to highlight some aspects of the excellence of the personality of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

Make material available in different languages that address the life of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, in order to highlight his noble manners and his perfect personality. Simultaneously, this would serve to counter the attack made against the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

Exchange useful ideas that will enable a person who loves and glorifies the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, to participate in the campaign of defending and supporting him, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and expressing their love to him. One person could translate some material, another could financially support some effort, and a third could write articles and so on, until this becomes a worldwide campaign.

Produce CDs that talk about the features of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and freely distribute them.

Start a monthly magazine that talks only about the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and bring to light some of events in his life and how he dealt with his enemies.

Hold international conventions on the mercy of Islaam - laying stress on how Islaamic duties are easy and simple to follow, and that all the accusations against the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, are false and nothing but mere lies. If every Muslim country held a convention to counter the attack against the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, this by itself would convey a message to the world that attacking the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is something that the Muslims will not tolerate.

The duty of those working on the internet and website owners:

Establishing databases on the internet about the biography of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, in all languages. This has already been done by two organizations: The International Committee for Supporting the Final Messenger, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and The Committee for Supporting the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. However, just two groups are not enough; our efforts must be united in order to have a stronger impact.

Forming groups of people that highlight the merits of Islaam and the status of all the Prophets and Messengers in Islaam, may Allaah exalt their mention, and other topics.

Establishing sites and chat rooms that concentrate on the biography of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and highlight that his message is a universal one.

Carrying out calm debates with non-Muslims and inviting them to study the personality and life of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and the religion that he was sent with.

Sending e-mails that talk about the personality of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and his mission, especially during major occasions.

Advertising books or lectures that talk about the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and his biography in popular search engines.

Finally, we ask Allaah to support His religion and to humiliate the enemies of Islaam.

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www.islam-qa.com

Supervised by:

Skaykh Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid