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Where Will You Seek Honour?

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Where Will You Seek Honour?
WhatDFish
12/24/03 at 09:47:16
Where Will You Seek Honour?
Hamad ar-Rayyis

Introduction

All praise is due to Allaah, Who has decreed honour for the one who obeys Him and fears Him, and Who has decreed humiliation for the one who opposes His Command and disobeys Him. And may blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, who said:

"I was sent with the sword before the Hour, and my provision has been made to be under the shade of my spear, and humiliation has been placed over the one who opposes my command."

May Allaah send blessings and peace upon him, and upon his family and companions, who gave their blood and wealth in order to raise the Word of Allaah, and upon all of those who travel upon their guidance and follow their footsteps in raising the banner of Laa ilaaha illallaah.

To proceed: For a long time, the Islaamic Ummah has been looking for the way to regain its honour and glory that it lost decades ago until today, but they have been unaware of the path that leads thereto. They have been remembering that glory and what they had of honour and leadership, every time that they turn the pages of history. And they remembered the biographies of their fathers and their grandfathers, and what they had of lasting glory and great position between the nations, when they were feared and dreaded by all who heard of them.

I will speak in this message about this way, by which the Ummah attained this honour above all other nations, and which is the highest peak of al-Islaam. It is Jihaad in the Way of Allaah, by which the flag of Tawheed is raised and the banners of Kufr brought down, and by which the people of al-Eemaan are honoured and the transgressors humiliated. So I say, seeking the help of the One, the Unique, and placing trust in the Single, the Self-Sufficient:

Verily, no matter how much the Ummah searches for its success and the restoration of its rightful place, it will never find it without Jihaad in the Way of Allaah. For Allaah has made it the means by which the religion is established in the earth, and the thrones of the tyrants of mankind demolished, and the hypocrites humiliated and their power crushed, in order to strike terror into the enemy no matter how wide their kingdoms are or how great is their power. And whoever thinks other than that, then he has forged a great lie upon Allaah, and has followed a path other than the path of the believers, and will remain relaxing in his place until Allaah will bring forth a people whom He loves, and who will love Him, humble towards the believers and harsh against the Kaafiroon, waging Jihaad in His Way and not fearing the blame of the blamers. And it is nowhere known in the history of this Ummah that it ever became great among the nations without Jihaad in the Way of Allaah.

Next, you should know, may Allaah grant you success, that Jihaad is the exerting of one's means and ability and undergoing difficulties with patience in calling to Allaah (ta`aalaa), according to the need of the one who is being called, in terms of proof, explanation, and using one's wealth, or fighting with the sword, weapons and everything with which it is possible to wage Jihaad, in every place and time.

And it is of two types: Offensive Jihaad (jihaadu talabin wabtidaa'), and defensive Jihaad (jihaadu daf`).

The first is to invade the Kuffaar in their lands and to call them to al-Islaam. If they refuse, the Jizyah is to be taken from them. If they withhold, it is obligatory to fight them. And this is what the Salaf of this Ummah used to do, until the armies of al-Islaam had reached all parts of the earth, and al-Islaam spread throughout its ends, and the insides of the Mujaahidoon were scattered throughout its corners, may Allaah grant them the best reward on behalf of al-Islaam and the Muslims.

The second is the defensive Jihaad, and that is when the enemy enters the lands of the Muslims and conquers them or prepares to fight them. In such a case it is obligatory upon the Muslims to fight them until their evil is repelled and their plots turned back.

And in both cases, it is one of the obligations and necessary duties of the religion, which Allaah (subhaanahoo wa-ta`aalaa) has legislated in order to fight the enemy and to bring him into the religion of al-Islaam. He said (ta`aalaa):

{"Fighting (i.e. Jihaad in Allaah's Cause) is ordained for you, although you may dislike it."} [Al-Baqarah, 216]

And He said (ta`aalaa):

{"Then when the Sacred Months have passed, then kill the Mushrikoon wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and lie in wait for them in every place of ambush."} [At-Tawbah, 5]

And He said (subhaanahoo wa-ta`aalaa):

{"And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And al-Fitnah (polytheism, disbelief, apostasy) is worse than killing."} [Al-Baqarah, 191]

And He said (ta`aalaa):

{"O you who believe! Fight those of the infidels who are close to you, and let them find harshness in you. And know that Allaah is with those who are al-Muttaqoon (the pious)."} [At-Tawbah, 123]

And He said (`azza man qaa'il):

{"Fight against them, so that Allaah will punish them by your hands and disgrace them, and give you victory over them and heal the breasts of a believing people."} [At-Tawbah, 14]

And in the Hadeeth from Anas (radiyallaahu `anhu), that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Make Jihaad against the Mushrikoon with your wealth, your selves, and your tongues." [Narrated by Abu Daawood, and also Ahmad, ad-Daarimee and an-Nasaa'ee, and declared Saheeh by Ibn Hibbaan and al-Haakim.]

And in the Saheehayn from Abu Hurayrah (radiyallaahu `anhu), who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"I have been commanded to fight the people until they say that none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah. If they do so, then their lives and property are protected, unless they violate its right, and their reckoning is with Allaah (ta`aalaa)."

And Abu Daawood narrated from Makhool, from Abu Hurayrah, who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Al-Jihaad is obligatory upon you, with every Muslim leader, be he righteous or wicked."

And from Abu Hurayrah (radiyallaahu `anhu), who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Would you not like that Allaah forgave you and admitted you into Paradise? Invade in the Way of Allaah." [Narrated by at-Tirmidhee.]

And Ibn Abee Shaybah narrated in his Musannaf from Zayd ibn Aslam who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Invade, you will be victorious and gain booty."

And from Sulaymaan ibn Buraydah, from his father, that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Invade in the Name of Allaah, fight those who disbelieve in Allaah." [Narrated by Muslim.]

And from `Ubaadah ibn Saamit, who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Make Jihaad in the Way of Allaah, for verily, Jihaad in the Way of Allaah is one of the gates to Paradise, and through it Allaah saves one from distress and worry." [Narrated by `Abdur-Razzaaq in his Musannaf, and Ahmad with a good Isnaad, and by at-Tabaraanee and al-Haakim.]

And Ibn `Asaakir narrated it with the addition: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Make Jihaad for the sake of Allaah against those who are near and those who are far, whether you are settled or travelling, for verily, Jihaad is one of the gates to Paradise, and it saves one from distress and worry."

And from Hudhayfah ibnul-Yamaan, who said: "The people used to ask the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) about the good, but I used to ask him about the evil. I said: "O Messenger of Allaah: Do you see this good that we are in? Will there be after it any evil?" He said: "Yes." I said: "What is the way to protect ourselves from it?" He said: "The sword." [Narrated by Ibn Abee Shaybah in his Musannaf, and Abu Daawood, and al-Albaanee declared it Hasan.]

And from Abu Hurayrah (radiyallaahu `anhu), that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Invade in the Way of Allaah, whoever fights in the Way of Allaah atop a camel, then Paradise is assured for him." [Narrated by at-Tirmidhee.]

Despite these decisive texts regarding the matter of Jihaad in the Way of Allaah, there are people among us who claim that this time is unsuitable for implementing such texts, and who view that it is enough to call to Allaah by holding study circles and Da`wah programs, thinking that this time is similar to the Makkan period. Indeed, they actually view this act itself as Jihaad, which it is obligatory for all of the reformers to give the utmost importance to, and other than that from among the illusions which have no connection at all with the religion. This is because Tarbiyah (education, training) cannot be without Jihaad. For the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) educated and trained his companions in that way for a brief period, after which he ordered them to carry the banners and fight the enemy.

And I do not disagree with them that Da`wah to Allaah is part of Jihaad, however if their method is that of the Makkan period, then it must confirm to that, because the Da`wah of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) was among the Kuffaar and the worshippers of idols, and he (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) did not live amongst the Muslims, as we do today. For this reason, it is obligatory upon all of the `Ulamaa', callers, and reformers to combine between the two matters: Da`wah and Jihaad.

As for what they use as proof for this method of theirs, it is but mere Ijtihaad (deduction) which is not based on a Shar`ee principle. And indeed, some of them might believe that what is narrated from the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) that he said upon returning from Tabook: "We have returned from the lesser Jihaad to the greater Jihaad," proves the obligation of Da`wah to Allaah and that it is more important than Jihaad with the sword, although that narration is not authentic from the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam). Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said regarding it: "As for the Hadeeth that some of them have narrated, that he said in the expedition of Tabook: "We have returned from the lesser Jihaad to the greater Jihaad," then it is baseless, and it has not been narrated by anyone of those who have any knowledge of the sayings or deeds of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam). And Jihaad against the Kuffaar is one of the greatest deeds, indeed it is one of the best voluntary deeds that a person can perform." [End of quote.]

And no intelligent person doubts that the Jihaad of the Nafs and training it upon Eemaan is from the greatest causes of victory, as defeat is caused by falling into disobedience. However, the meaning is not that Jihaad should be neglected, using this as a proof.

Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) said in regard to the Saying of Allaah (ta`aalaa):

{"As for those who strive hard in Our Cause, We will surely guide them to Our Paths..."} [Al-`Ankaboot, 69]

"He (subhaanahoo) linked guidance to Jihaad, so the one with the most perfect guidance is the one whose Jihaad is greatest. And the most obligatory Jihaad is the Jihaad against the Nafs, and the Jihaad against the desires, and the Jihaad against the Shaytaan, and the Jihaad against the worldly life. So whoever makes Jihaad against these four for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will guide him to the Path of His Pleasure that will lead to His Paradise. And whoever leaves Jihaad, then he will be deprived of guidance to the extent that he left Jihaad. Al-Junayd said: "And those who struggle hard against their desires for Our sake by repenting, then We will certainly guide them to the Paths of sincerity. And it will never be possible for him to make the outer Jihaad against the enemy, until he makes the Jihaad against these inner enemies. So whoever is victorious over them is victorious over his enemy, and whoever is defeated by them is defeated by his enemy." Until he said: "And for the people of Jihaad there is guidance and understanding that is not possessed by the people of al-Mujaahadah (asceticism, inner struggle). And in regard to this, al-Awzaa`ee and Ibnul-Mubaarak said: "If the people differ in anything, look to what the Ahluth-Thaghr (the people guarding the borders, i.e. the people of Jihaad) are upon." For verily, Allaah says:

{"As for those who strive hard in Our Cause, We will surely guide them to Our Paths. And verily, Allaah is with the Muhsinoon (good doers)."}[End of quote.]

So those who say that Jihaad is not obligatory must fear Allaah in regard to their own selves, and they must say nothing about Allaah but the truth. For verily, the saying that it is not obligatory is baseless, and I will mention some of the proofs narrated regarding the severe threat upon the one who does not view the Jihaad [as being obligatory], as a reminder to the who has a heart, or is granted hearing and is a witness.

Allaah (ta`aalaa) said:

{"Say: "If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight, are dearer to you than Allaah and His Messenger, and Jihaad in His Cause, then wait until Allaah brings about His Decision. And Allaah guides not the people who are al-Faasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient)."} [At-Tawbah, 24]

And He said (ta`aalaa):

{"O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the Cause of Allaah, 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 to the Hereafter. If you march not forth, He will punish you with a painful torment and will replace you by another people, and you cannot harm Him at all. And Allaah is Able to do all things."} [At-Tawbah, 38-39]

From Anas ibn Maalik (radiyallaahu `anhu), who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Whoever goes out on an expedition in the Way of Allaah, then he has offered all of the obedience to Allaah due on him."

Then he recited:

{"Then whosoever wills, let him believe; and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve."}

Anas said: "It was said: "O Messenger of Allaah, after hearing this Hadeeth from you, who would abandon Jihaad and sit back?" He said:

"The one whom Allaah has cursed, and upon whom is His Wrath, and for whom He has prepared a painful torment: a people who will exist in the last age who will reject Jihaad, while my Lord has made a covenant that He will not break: that if slave meets Him with that view, He will punish him with a torment with which He has not punished any of the creation."

[Narrated by Ibn `Asaakir in the chapter: The severe warning against leaving Jihaad.]

And from Zayd ibn Aslam, from his father, that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Jihaad will remain fresh and green as long as raindrops fall from the sky. And there will come upon the people a time when Qur'aan reciters from among them will say: "This is not the time of Jihaad." So whoever comes to that time, then it is the best time for Jihaad."

They said: "O Messenger of Allaah, would someone really say that?" He said: "Yes, the one whom Allaah has cursed, and the angels and all of mankind." [Narrated by Ibn Zamneen in Usoolus-Sunnah Mursalan, and narrated by Ibn `Asaakir Marfoo`an from Anas (radiyallaahu `anhu).]

And from `Abdullaah ibn `Umar (radiyallaahu `anhumaa) that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said: "There will come upon the people a time in which their hearts will be like the hearts of the A`aajim (non-Arab foreigners)." So it was said: "What about the hearts of the A`aajim?" He said: "The love of this world. Their Sunnah is the Sunnah of the `Arabs. And whatever Allaah provides them, they will give to their animals, and they will view Jihaad as a danger and charity as a burden." [Narrated by Abu Ya`laa Marfoo`an, and by al-Haarith ibn Abee Usaamah Mawqoofan.]

And an-Nasaa'ee narrated from Salamah ibn Nufayl al-Kindee (radiyallaahu `anhu) that he said: "I was sitting with the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) and a man said: "O Messenger of Allaah, the people have tied up their horses and put down their weapons and said: "There is no Jihaad, the war has laid down its burden." So the Messenger of Allaah turned his face forward and said:

"They have lied! Now has come the time for fighting! And there will always remain a group of my Ummah fighting upon the Truth, and Allaah will cause the hearts of peoples to deviate so that He will provide for them (the first group) from them (the second group), until the Hour arrives, and until Allaah's Promise comes. And good is tied into the foreheads of horses until the Day of Resurrection..."

And from Anas (radiyallaahu `anhu), who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Jihaad is continuous from the time that Allaah sent me until the last of my Ummah fights the Dajjaal. It is not cancelled by the tyranny of a tyrant, nor by the justice of a just person..." [Narrated by Abu Daawood in his Sunan.]

And from Ibn `Umar (radiyallaahu `anhumaa), who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"When you deal with al-`Eenah (a kind of usurious transaction), and you hold onto the tails of cattle, and you are content with agriculture, and you leave Jihaad, Allaah will place over you humiliation, which He will not lift from you until you return to your religion." [Narrated by Abu Daawood with a Hasan Isnaad.]

And from Abu Hurayrah (radiyallaahu `anhu), who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Whoever dies and did not take part in a Ghazwah (military expedition), and did not motivate himself to do so, dies on a branch of hypocrisy." [Narrated by Muslim.]

And Abu Daawood and Ibn Maajah narrated with a Hasan Isnaad from Abu Umaamah (radiyallaahu `anhu), from the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam), that he said:

"Whoever did not take part in a Ghazwah, or equip a fighter, or look after the family of a fighter well in his absence, a calamity will befall him before the Day of Resurrection."

And from Makhool, who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"There is no-one from the people of a house who did not take part in a Ghazwah, or equip a fighter, or look after the family of a fighter well in his absence, except that a calamity will befall him before his death." [A Mursal narration of `Abdur-Razzaaq from Sa`eed ibn `Abdil-`Azeez.]

And what I have mentioned here from the texts with this meaning is only a little of a lot, but where are those who will take benefit from what has come from Allaah and from His Messenger? And where are those who will follow the way of the Salaf of this Ummah, in raising the banner of Tawheed and elevating the Word of Allaah? And where are those who will prefer the eternal over the transient, and sell their worldly existence for that of the Hereafter?

So beware, O you who sit back, deceived and cowardly, from the Anger of Allaah and His Wrath upon you, for verily, Jihaad in the Way of Allaah is eternally prescribed until the Day of Resurrection.

So you must repent to Allaah and turn to Him in obedience, before you are brought out in front of Him and reckoned at His Hands.

And unfortunately, the matter has not stopped at the saying that Jihaad should be left, rather it has gone further to the point where the believing Mujaahidoon are attacked and criticised, and described as "terrorists", according to how the Jews and Christians and the enemies of the religion see them. Or they are accused of not understanding the reality of al-Islaam, or that they are rebels against their leaders and societies. So they have declared enmity towards them, and they follow them in every place in order to hand them over to "justice", as they claim, so their wrath is poured over them and they are imprisoned and tortured, in order to put an end to them and to what they have done of giving victory to the religion of Allaah (`azza wa-jall).

Do those people not know that Allaah (`azza wa-jall) is watching over them concerning what they are doing to His Party and His Army, about whom Allaah has said:

{"Truly, Allaah defends those who believe. Verily, Allaah likes not any treacherous ingrate to Allaah."} [Al-Hajj, 38]

Will those people not awaken from what they are so carelessly doing, from harming and tormenting the believers? Or do they think that Allaah's punishment and revenge on behalf of the oppressed is slow in coming? So woe to them, again and again, on the Day when Allaah will gather the first and last generations, and the oppressed will take vengeance on his oppressor. Has not Allaah (`azza wa-jall) declared war against those who make war on the believers, and threatened them with a humiliating punishment? Where are those people from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, and what is mentioned therein of the severe threat upon those who oppose the believers and harm them?

And this is a compilation of texts from the Book and the Sunnah which I have narrated as a warning to those people from continuing in that which they are in, and as a note to those of them who are unaware. Allaah (ta`aalaa) says:

{"And those who harm believing men and women undeservedly, they bear the crime of slander and plain sin."} [Al-Ahzaab, 58]

Shaykh `Abdur-Rahmaan as-Sa`dee (rahimahullaah) said in his Tafseer of this Aayah: "Causing harm to the believers is a great matter and an enormous sin, and for this reason He has said regarding it: {"And those who harm believing men and women undeservedly"} i.e. without any crime on their part that deserves harm {"they bear"} on their backs {"the crime of slander"} because they harmed them for no reason {"and plain sin"} because they aggressed against them and violated the sanctity of Allaah.

And al-Ghazzaalee Khaleel said in his Tafseer of this Aayah: "Whoever harms the believers, men or women, with false accusations, or with revilement and insults, or with beating and killing, or by aggressing against them for no reason warranting that, or crime that they have committed, then he has harmed himself and borne upon himself a heavy burden, a false calumny, and a sin which is clearly evil and prohibited." [End of quote.]

Re: Where Will You Seek Honour?
WhatDFish
12/24/03 at 09:47:48
And He said (`azza wa-jall):

{"Verily, those who put into trial the believing men and the believing women and then who do not turn in repentance, then they will have the torment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the burning Fire."} [Al-Burooj, 10]

And from Abu Hurayrah (radiyallaahu `anhu) who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Allaah said: "Whoever shows enmity to a Waliyy (ally) of Mine, then I have declared war upon him." [Narrated by al-Bukhaaree.]

And from Jaabir ibn `Abdillaah and Abu Talhah (radiyallaahu `anhumaa), who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"There is no-one who lets a Muslim down at a time when his honour is threatened, except that Allaah will let him down at a time when he wishes for His help. And there is no-one who helps a believer at a time when his honour is threatened, except that Allaah will help him at a time when he wishes for His help." [Narrated by Abu Daawood and Ahmad.]

And from `Abdullaah ibn `Amr ibnil-`Aas (radiyallaahu `anhumaa), from the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam), that he said:

"The Muslim is he from whose tongue and hand the other Muslims are safe." [Agreed upon.]

So in these two Hadeeths is a proof of the obligation of respecting the Muslim and refraining from betraying him and harming him.

And he said (`alayhis-salaatu was-salaam):

"Whoever causes difficulty for a house, or blocks a path, or harms a believer, then there is no Jihaad for him." [As-Saheehul-Jaami`, 6378]

And from Hudhayfah ibnul-Yamaan, who used to ask the Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) a lot about the events that would befall this Ummah, so he said:
"There will be leaders who torment you, so Allaah will torment them." [Narrated by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.]

And from Yoosuf ibn Ya`qoob, from his Shaykhs, who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Beware of harming the Mujaahidoon, for verily, Allaah gets angry for the sake of the Mujaahidoon as He gets angry for the sake of the Prophets and Messengers, and He responds to them as He responds to the Prophets and Messengers. And the sun has not risen or set upon anyone more noble in the sight of Allaah that the Mujaahid." [Narrated by Ibn `Asaakir.]

So from these texts and other than them, it is clear regarding the gravity of the sin of the one who transgresses against the believing slaves of Allaah, and that his destination is the painful torment. So beware, O you who have vowed yourselves to persecuting and torturing the Awliyaa' of Allaah, and throwing them into the dark prisons, for verily Allaah gives respite and He does not ignore. Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim have narrated from Abu Moosaa (radiyallaahu `anhu), who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Verily, Allaah gives respite to the oppressor for a while, but when He takes him (with His punishment), He does not release him."

Then he recited:

{"Such is the Seizure of your Lord when He seizes the towns while they are doing wrong. Verily, His Seizure is painful, and severe."} [Hood, 102]

And from Jaabir (radiyallaahu `anhu), that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Beware of oppression, for oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection." [Narrated by Muslim.]

And from Mu`aadh ibn Jabal (radiyallaahu `anhu), from the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam), who said to him when he sent him to Yemen:

"Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allaah." [Agreed upon.]

And I do not see these armies of crusaders, that have bared their fangs and come to announce their deep-seated hatred, except as a result of what there is of oppression and tyranny against the believers, and indulgence in disobedience, which is a cause of Allaah's vengeance and torment upon those who transgress His limits and violate His prohibitions. He said (ta`aalaa):

{"Verily, Allaah will not change the (good) condition of a people as long as they do not change their state (of goodness) themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allaah). But when Allaah wills a people's punishment, there can be no turning back of it, and they will find besides Him no protector."} [Ar-Ra`d, 11]

And He said (`azza wa-jall):

{"And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much."} [Ash-Shooraa, 30]

So beware of dragging the Ummah into destruction and the igniting of trials that are difficult to quell and which cannot be put out. For Jihaad is not a crime for which a man should be accounted and condemned for, rather the crime is to leave Jihaad and punish the Mujaahidoon for no other reason that they have stood up to perform this great task, which the Qur'aan has mentioned in over five hundred Aayaat, and regarding which countless Ahaadeeth have been narrated, making clear its ruling and its virtue, and the great position that the Mujaahidoon have in the sight of Allaah.

Indeed, Allaah has threatened the one who leaves Jihaad with humiliation and abasement, and being conquered by the enemy, and torment in the Hereafter, as He (ta`aalaa) said regarding the hypocrites:

{"Those who stayed away (from the Tabook expedition) rejoiced in their staying behind the Messenger of Allaah. They hated to strive and fight with their properties and their lives in the Cause of Allaah, and they said: "March not forth in the heat." Say: "The Fire of Hell is more intense in heat." If only they could understand!"} [At-Tawbah, 81]

So consider His Saying (ta`aalaa): {"Say: "The Fire of Hell is more intense in heat"} when they had made excuses to him (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) due to the intensity of the heat; what was the answer to these excuses, which would not benefit them at all in front of Allaah? And Allaah (`azza wa-jall) has prohibited putting the love of fathers, sons, and others over the love of Jihaad, and the one who does that has been judged as a Faasiq (corrupt evil-doer). And the one who sits back from Jihaad and from going out in the Way of Allaah, Allaah will punish him with a painful torment. Consider that in these two Aayahs that have been mentioned in this regard.

And consider the Ahaadeeth mentioned shortly, it will be clear to you with what Allaah has threatened the retreaters and the defeatists who have left Jihaad, let alone those who await disasters to befall the Mujaahidoon and who describe them with hateful descriptions.

And from what is narrated in this regard, there is also that which is mentioned about Abu Bakr (radiyallaahu `anhu), when he gave a sermon to the people one year after the passing away of the Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam), overcome with emotion at the event, and he said: "O people! Verily, I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) on this very Minbar saying:

"No people ever left Jihaad in the Way of Allaah except that Allaah humiliated them. And no people ever left commanding the good and forbidding the evil except that Allaah sent upon them an all-encompassing punishment."

And at-Tabaraanee narrated a briefer version of the same Hadeeth with a Hasan Isnaad, and its wording is:

"No people ever left Jihaad except that Allaah sent upon them an all-encompassing punishment."

And Ibn `Asaakir narrated it with its Isnaad from Mujaalid, from ash-Sha`bee, who said: "When the Bay`ah was given to Abu Bakr, he ascended the Minbar" and he mentioned the Hadeeth, and said in it: "No people ever leaves Jihaad in the Way of Allaah except that Allaah strikes them with poverty."

And from `Alee (radiyallaahu `anhu), that he said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Jihaad for Allaah's sake is one of the doors of Paradise, and whoever leaves Jihaad in the Way of Allaah, Allaah will clothe him with humiliation and encompass him with tribulation, and he will be showered with disgrace and ignominy and deprived of justice."

And I will close this message with two important points.

The first point: In regard to al-Istishhaad (seeking martyrdom) in the Way of Allaah. This is a great honour which Allaah grants to His chosen believing slaves according to their various ranks. However, there has appeared a group of people, playing with that which is the domain of Allaah's knowledge alone and that which He revealed to His Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam), in that they have made Shahaadah (martyrdom) into a word with which they describe whoever their desires see fit, as if they have found some knowledge that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) missed in that regard. And they know that they are liars in what they claim, because Shahaadah is a kind of praising of the deceased, and they praise with it those who do not deserve it. So if a singer dies, he is the "martyr of art." And if a person dies in the service of his nation, he is the "martyr of the nation." And the matter has not stopped there; it has reached the point that they claim that whenever anyone who has a connection with their interests dies, then he is a martyr, even if he is an atheist, or a Raafidee, or a corrupt evil-doer, from among those or others who die during their futile playing.

So declaring Shahaadah is not the place of anyone from among the people; it is only referred back to those for whom the Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) bore witness of it. So it is obligatory for those who do this to fear Allaah, and beware of imitating the "popes" who hand out forgiveness, may Allaah fight them! How are they deceived?

And there is no doubt that the like of this act is an innovation in the religion of Allaah that does not belong to it.

For it is narrated in the Saheehayn from `Aa'ishah (radiyallaahu `anhaa) who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Whoever innovates in this religion of ours that which is not part of it, then it will be rejected."

For the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) restricted Shahaadah to the one who dies or is killed in the Way of Allaah, and to those who die of plague, stomach illness, drowning, being crushed by a falling building, and the one who is killed defending his property, his life, his religion, or his family.

The second point: To the people of Jihaad and the elevation of the Word of Allaah.

There is no doubt that you are facing such trials and tribulations from your enemy is require patience and seeking reward.

So the killing, displacement, oppression, persecution, and arrests [that you are being afflicted with], all of this is a means of attaining higher ranks and the eternal bliss, as Allaah (`azza wa-jall) has said:

{"So those who emigrated and were driven out of their homes, and suffered harm in My Cause, and who fought and were killed, verily, I will expiate from them their evil deeds and admit them into Gardens under which rivers flow; a reward from Allaah. And with Allaah is the best of rewards."} [Aal `Imraan, 195]

And you have the best example in the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam), as he faced the worst harm from his people, and his companions were also harmed with all kinds of tortures, beating, humiliation and displacement, until some of them died under torture, but their recompense for that was Paradise, as was the case with Yaasir, Sumayyah, `Ammaar, Bilaal, and others, may Allaah be pleased with all of them.

And receive glad tidings that relief is coming, with the will of Allaah, so do not despair due to what you are receiving of revilement, insults, and humiliation, for the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) received that which was worse and more painful. And victory does not stand except upon the skulls of the Shuhadaa' (martyrs) who fulfilled their covenant with Allaah by selling themselves to Allaah for the price of a Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth. So congratulations to you, for that which you are engaged in of exerting your souls and your blood in order that Allaah's religion may be established in the earth. And may Allaah reward you for that, with the highest Paradise, along with those upon whom Allaah has bestowed His Favour, from the Prophet, the Siddeeqoon (the early believers), the Shuhadaa' (martyrs), and the righteous, in a seat of truth, near the Omnipotent King.

For how many Favours of Allaah are upon you, from the day that He chose you from among the people to revive the obligation of Jihaad, whose banners had for so long been toppled, and whose signposts had been wiped out. And the first of these Favours is being killed in the Way of Allaah, which is one of the highest levels of Jihaad, because it is martyrdom in His Way. And Allaah has specially chosen the Shuhadaa' with His Saying:

{"...that Allaah may test those who believe, and that He may take martyrs from among you."} [Aal `Imraan, 140]

And with Shahaadah, forgiveness is attained, the pain of death is not felt, and one is raised on the Day of Resurrection with his wounds fresh, their colour the colour of blood, and their scent the scent of musk. And he is granted the ability to intercede for seventy of his relatives, and he is married to seventy-two of al-Hoorul-`Een (virgins of Paradise), and the reward of his deeds continues while he is in his grave, and he is saved from al-Fattaan (the angel who gives the trial in the grave). And the souls of the Shuhadaa' are inside birds which fly in Paradise wherever they like, and they come to rest inside lamps suspended under the Throne of Allaah. And were it to be said to the Shaheed: "Do you wish for anything more?" he would wish to be returned to the world to be killed again and again, due to what he saw of the bliss in Paradise.

So have patience, my brother, with what you dislike, for verily Paradise is surrounded with that which is disliked. May Allaah grant you success to achieve that which you strive for, and may He benefit al-Islaam and the Muslims by you, and unite us in the Abode of Honour and eternal bliss.

And these are some of the proofs regarding what Allaah has prepared for the Mujaahidoon of enormous reward and great recompense. He said (ta`aalaa):

{"Think not of those who are killed in the Way of Allaah as dead. Nay, they are alive with their Lord, and they have provision."} [Aal `Imraan, 169]

And He said (ta`aalaa):

{"Verily, Allaah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties for (the price) that theirs shall be Paradise. They fight in Allaah's Cause, so they kill and are killed. It is a promise in truth which is binding on Him in the Tawraah and the Injeel and the Qur'aan. And who is truer to his covenant than Allaah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded. That is the supreme success."} [At-Tawbah, 111]

And Allaah has prepared for the Mujaahidoon a hundred ranks, the distance between two of them being like the distance between the sky and the earth.

Allaah (ta`aalaa) said:

{"...but Allaah has preferred the Mujaahidoon above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward. Degrees of (higher) grades from Him, and Forgiveness and Mercy. And Allaah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."} [An-Nisaa', 95-96]

And it is narrated in Saheehul-Bukhaaree from Abu Hurayrah (radiyallaahu `anhu) from the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) who said:

"Verily, in Paradise there are one hundred ranks that Allaah has prepared for the Mujaahidoon in the Way of Allaah, the distance between two of the ranks like the distance between the sky and the earth. So when you ask Allaah, ask Him for al-Firdaws, for verily it is the best part of Paradise and the highest part of Paradise, and from it flows the rivers of Paradise, and above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful."

And how many great bounties there are with Allaah for the Mujaahidoon, which no-one's knowledge can comprehend, and which no-one can describe! For it is narrated from Abu Hurayrah (radiyallaahu `anhu) who said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa-sallam) said:

"Allaah has guaranteed for the one who goes out in His Cause: "If he goes out for no other reason than Jihaad in My Cause, with faith in Me and belief in My Messengers, then he is guaranteed that I will either enter him into Paradise, or that I will return him to his home from which he went out with whatever he gained of reward or booty." By He in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, there is no wound that is suffered in the Cause of Allaah except that it will come on the Day of Resurrection looking as it did on the day it was made, its colour the colour of blood, and its scent the scent of musk. By He in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, if it were not that I would cause difficulty for the Muslims, I would not sit behind from a single army unit that ever went out to fight in the Way of Allaah, but I do not find enough mounts to carry them, nor do they find them, and it would be difficult for them to be away from me. By He in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, I would love to fight in the Way of Allaah and be killed, then fight and be killed [again and again]." [Narrated by Muslim.]

And from him (radiyallaahu `anhu), that he said: "It was said: "O Messenger of Allaah! What is there that is equal to Jihaad in the Way of Allaah?" He said: "You are not capable of that." So it was asked again, two or three times, and every time he said: "You are not capable of that." Then he said:

"The example of the Mujaahid in the Way of Allaah is like the example of the fasting person who stands up in prayer, reciting the Aayaat of Allaah, not ceasing from his prayer and his fasting until the Mujaahid in the Way of Allaah returns home." [Agreed upon, and this is the wording of Muslim.]

And in the narration of al-Bukhaaree: "Verily, a man said: "O Messenger of Allaah, direct me to a deed that is equal to Jihaad." He said: "I cannot find one." Then he said: "Can you, from the time that the Mujaahid goes out, anter your Masjid and pray without ceasing, and fast without breaking your fast?" He said: "Who could do that?"

We ask Allaah to enable us and you to attain the ranks of the Shuhadaa', and to comfort our eyes and all of the Muslims with victory for His religion and humiliation for His enemies. And may Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad, and his family and his companions, and grant them peace.

Re: Where Will You Seek Honour?
ltcorpest2
12/25/03 at 12:43:36
wouldn't a better Jihaad be of honoring the lord by feeding the poor,  making it possible the poor can feed themselves and then become unpoor, educating everyone so they can better themselves, being kind and showing god's love to your family brothers in your faith and to all others.  Teaching learning and providing for others will show the world you have a bettre faith.  While it may somewhere in the Kran that it is permissible or even required to fight, by any stretch of logic the better path is to be kind to people which i am sure it says that also.
Re: Where Will You Seek Honour?
amatullah
12/25/03 at 13:45:46
The problem with non-Muslim thought it seems to me is seeing everything in black and white here. It is not a binary process you do one or the other. Both are obligatory (depending on the case we may even be punished for not feeding a poor).

ANd we are not the judge of what is a better jihad. For a woman to get killed fighting for her honor instead of surrendering to a rape? or feeding these hungry soldiers to show them the kindness of our religioN? I think the world is not always as nice as you are trying to paint it. As your grandparents i think you said once had to flee oppression. It is a dark thing that spreads if not stopped. Hardly ever do you see tyrants, repent and give the rights to their rightful owners. I find it hard to believe that being nice to Israeli soldiers who are demolishing the Palestinian home will make them stop thier orders.


[quote author=mike link=board=library;num=1072277236;start=0#2 date=12/25/03 at 12:43:36].  While it may somewhere in the Kran that it is permissible or even required to fight, by any stretch of logic the better path is to be kind to people which i am sure it says that also.[/quote]
I think it is derogatory for you to say by any stretch of logic is better than what we are ordered to do by Allah. I think you need to stop judging our religion. If you want to learn something fine. But don't make these value-ladden statements.

Allah knows better than you. The way I see it just as a child may not always know what is better and young ones stick their hands in electricity outlets if it weren't for parents who guide them and protect them, then comes people full of arrogant teen attitude they know what is best! But still in fact their parents most of the time know what they are talking about when they guide them. They have lived with them day in day out their whole lives and know what they are like.

There is no comparison or making likeness. But Allah created us all and He knows what is best for us, better than us.  To give money, time, energy, clothes, etc it is all with its reward, but to go out and potentially physically sacrifice yourself I think only the brave, honorable, and courageous do.

Others do it in thier fight for money and power,etc But jihad is something you do to spread the Truth. And you don't go killing people like some people try to make it out. You give them knowledge and a choice to make.

May the Truth and Islam prevail.
12/28/03 at 12:31:41
amatullah
Re: Where Will You Seek Honour?
se7en
12/25/03 at 14:35:18
as salaamu alaykum / peace,

As the article alluded to in the beginning, and as sr. amatullah pointed out, jihad is not simply war or violence.  It is a struggle every Muslim engages in, on many different levels and in many different dimensions -- an inner jihad to overcome defects and weaknesses inside onself and to be an upright and righteous person.. jihad with our wealth to feed the indigent and give to worthy and charitable causes.. jihad with our tongue and with our minds, to speak truth in the face of falsehood or when we witness wrong-doing.. and when necessary, combative jihad, to defend onself or when forces of oppression need to be countered.

I think you make a good point Mike, that Muslims should be pro-active and do good things.. and Islam certainly teaches that, as can be seen in many verses in the Qur'an and many of the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad [saw].. that was simply not the focus of this article.  If you look to the main points the author concludes with in the second post, the purpose of the article was to speak about martyrdom in Islam - how it is a noble thing and many are being put under the label of 'terrorist' when they are not truly so.. and that those who are under duress for fighting in the way of Islam are going to be rewarded for their efforts, and should endure with patience.  

wasalaam

12/25/03 at 14:52:25
se7en
Re: Where Will You Seek Honour?
ltcorpest2
12/25/03 at 23:29:45
amatullah,  I am sorry for making value-latent poisonous statement.  I did not mean to offend you or anyone else.  As far as judging you religion, that is what I am here for.  To learn and make judgements. Sometimes it is to sit quietly and hear what people have to say, sometimes it is to aks questions, sometimes it is to make provocation to see how muslims feel about issues, life , politics and personal matters.  sorry ifi offended
Re: Where Will You Seek Honour?
UmmWafi
12/28/03 at 10:59:25
Salaam

I think that internal jihaad is inevitable while external jihaad is necessary.  However, the external jihaad is more often than not the product of the internal jihaad.

Salaam
Re: Where Will You Seek Honour?
ltcorpest2
12/28/03 at 11:27:14
the difficulty is when as a non muslim hears that it is required to invade the non muslim lands and that if i refuse to pay the jizyah tax it is required to fight me.  Amatullah,  this is not about a muslim woman being raped or wrongs by israelis to palestinians.
  It is about someone callng muslims to fight me no matter what i do unless i pay a speial tax and submit to them.  When you here muslims complain about there  being a waron Ilsma, but according to this it is required for muslims to be at war with us.

I have to be thankful that most musims either disagree with these statements or they chose to ignore what is required.

Amataullah,  one more item,  you say it giving a choice, not just killing them. But the article says if they do not make the right choice then it is required to fight (which means kill) them.  I read these articles and in so many sentences there is a sickness.  Invade them and you wil be victorious and gain booty?  What is that all about?  Do not muslim pause and think about it or do you just pass it off that that is the will of allah?
Re: Where Will You Seek Honour?
amatullah
12/28/03 at 12:58:07
Mike,
I didn't mean to be hard on you. Yes I was offended but I changed some thing I wrote so that it is more respectful to you. I think part of me feeling that way is that i've been on the board 3 years and since you started posting mostly it is negative remarks and ohter non-muslims who are here to learn have in fact taken on many muslim understandings and behaviour if they didn't already believe them. You are here to judge it for yourself not to insult people's religon, as i think you were trying to say anyway.

I think we need to keep in mind Allah swt has told us that our religion is complete and we know other revelation books were corriupted. And there are many proofs for non-muslims that ours was not and will not be even if they make a conscious effort. In it is the Truth. Allah swt has set for everything a code that we cannot go beyond. True Religion is there to make easy for people this life and the hereafter. And Allah wants for His word to reach all people. It is in fact oppression of onesself not to spread it as it is oppression not to accept it.

But the misunderstanding is there is no compulsion. Look at Egypt, sudan, UAE, many many non-muslims live there. Why didn't anyone do this? isn't it easier to force the ones in front of you instead of packing and going a distance and putting your life in danger? doesn't this make you think there is something wrong in what you understand of our religion?

[quote author=mike link=board=library;num=1072277236;start=0#7 date=12/28/03 at 11:27:14]
  It is about someone callng muslims to fight me no matter what i do unless i pay a speial tax and submit to them.  When you here muslims complain about there  being a waron Ilsma, but according to this it is required for muslims to be at war with us.

I have to be thankful that most musims either disagree with these statements or they chose to ignore what is required.
[/quote]

I think you misunderstanding what you read. No one will fight you no matter what you do unless you give us money! This type of jihad is has to have preconditions as well. You need to research that whole fiqh if you are really interested in it. Basicaly one of hte most basic is to have an Islamic state and righteous khilafa. This only happened in a small time relatively through out Muslim History. But during that time, people themselves from other places called for Muslims to come help them free themselves of military and dictatorship oppressions. When Muslims put themselves at danger to bring to people that Allah asks for fairness and equality, if they don't want to agree, it is fine, but then Muslims have to make sure that the people are not oppressed by these rulers who don't want to rule by Allah's high morals.

What then? Give them more choice. Ask them to pay a tax. Keep in mind that most people (as in histroy tells and youc an find this truth even in non-muslim books) are Muslims.

The reasons behind Jizya are plenty, it is the muslims who are putting themselves on line and building up the area in a way to help its pepole. If anyone invades it is the muslims who are to fight and not the ones who rejected God. For that alone, to me personally, is good enough reason for someone to pay. If they chose to fight Muslims and the presence of fairness and Truth in the land, then we must fight them because they are fighting us.

I don't think the statement you made is true. NOt even the one about muslims don't believe this or they chose not to act on it. If there was a place where truth and peace prevailed, people will be asking us to try to create the same situation there too. Within less than 100 years Islam spread from China, russia, persia, India, Europe. You name it, and we were the weakest in terms of military and money power and even numbers of people. I think people when they see utopia on earth, they naturally seek it. The ones who don't are probably wanting the power tyranny and money, etc. And don't forget that spiritual discipline is prerequisite to any action like that.

I am sure there are articles that explain what I am saying much better and I will try to add some here. I don't know the background of the hadeeth. Maybe it was a revelation for a particular ghazwa? I will try to see what info i can come up with insha'Allah

I don't know what this means:waron Ilsma
12/28/03 at 13:37:46
amatullah
Re: Where Will You Seek Honour?
amatullah
12/28/03 at 13:01:41
Question of Fatwa
As-Salamu `Alaykum. I would like you to shed some light on the concept of oppression in Islam, for we need to expose hidden aspects of this issue for others to know who are the real oppressors. What are the forms of oppression from Islamic perspective?  

Name of Mufti Islam Online Fatwa Editing Desk  

Content of Reply

Wa`alaykum As-Salaamu Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear questioner, thank you very much for having confidence in us, and we hope our efforts, which are purely for Allah's Sake, meet your expectations.

First of all, we would like to stress the fact that all forms of oppression are condemned in Islam. It is high time that broad-minded Muslims and non-Muslims understand this fact, which is highlighted in the following:

Concept of Oppression:

"Contrary to the common misconception that Islam is an oppressive religion, Islam explicitly forbids all forms of oppression.

Hisham Ibn Al-Hakim Ibn Hazim happened to pass by some people, the farmers of Syria, who had been made to stand in the sun. He asked: What is the matter with them? They said: They have been detained for (not paying) the Jizyah (tax on non-Muslims in an Islamic state). Thereupon, Hisham said: I testify that I heard Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, saying: “Allah would torment those who torment people in the world.” (Reported by Muslim)

Jabir Ibn `Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with him, quoted the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as saying: “Be on your guard against committing oppression, for oppression is a darkness on the Day of Resurrection...” ( Reported by Muslim)

It is also reported that Prophet Dawud, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “O Allah, You know that I love You and I love all those who love You, but how may I endear You to Your servants? Allah said: Remind them of My Favors, My trials and My anger. O Dawud, any of My servants who helped an oppressed person and stood by him in his oppressed state, I’ll keep his feet firm on the Day when all feet will be shaken.” (Reported by Al-Bayhaqi, Al-Ahadith Al-Qudsiyyah)

In another Hadith Qudsi, Allah Almighty says: “I shall take revenge on the oppressor in this life and the next. I shall take revenge on someone who saw a person being oppressed and was able to help him but did not help him.” (Reported by Tabarani)

Different Forms of Oppression:

It is worth stressing here that Islam not only condems doing others oppression and justice, but it goes far to condemn oppression against one’s self. When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came back from the battle of Tabuk, he laid a greater emphasis on the Jihad against the soul or nafs.

One of the many shortcomings which has arisen in the West, is judging Islam by the conduct of a minority of its people. By doing this, segments of Western society have deliberately played off the desperate actions of many Muslims, and have given it the name of Islam. Such behaviour is clearly not objective and seeks to distort the reality of Islam. For if such a thing was logic (judging a religion by the conduct of its people) then we too could say that all Christianity is about is child molesting and homosexuality, whilst Hinduism was all about looting and breaking up mosques.

Generalising in such a manner is not seen as being objective, yet we find that the West is foremost in propagating this outlook on Islam. So what is the reality of Islam? How does one dispel the myths which have been created and spread so viciously?

Where is the Truth then?

The only way to examine Islam is to simply examine its belief system. Look at its sources, the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and see what they have to say. This is the way to find the truth about what Islam says about terror, terrorism and terrorists.

One who is sincerely searching for the truth, will do it no other way. The very name Islam comes from the Arabic root word 'salama' which means peace. Islam is a religion, which is based upon achieving peace through the submission to the will of Allah. Thus, by this very simple linguistic definition, one can ascertain as to what the nature of this religion is. If such a religion is based on the notion of peace, then how is it that so many acts done by its adherents are contrary to peace? The answer is simple. Such actions, if not sanctioned by the religion, have no place with it. They are not Islamic and should not be thought of as Islamic.

---->Anyone who knows the early history of Islam, will know that all those nations and empires which came under the fold of Islam were indeed previously oppressed. When the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, went out for the offensive Jihad against the Egyptians, the Persians and the Romans, we find that the people did not resist against them at all. Rather, they accepted Islam on such a scale, that it is inconceivable that the Jihad of Islam could be anything other than a liberation for these oppressed people; a liberation from centuries of tyranny.

In fact, with the Byzantine Egyptians and the people of Spain, the Muslims were even beckoned to come and liberate these lands from the oppression of their kings. This is the glorious track record of the Islamic Jihad. <---

Compare this with the brutal track record of warfare in the Western world over the centuries. From the crusades against the Muslims to the days of colonial warfare, the Western world has killed, destroyed and plundered everything, which has come in its way.

Even today this merciless killing goes on by the Western nations. While claiming to be about world peace and security, Western nations are ready to bomb innocent civilians at the drop of a hat. The classic example of this is the recent bombings of Afghanistan.

Without doubt this was the reason for such terror from the American military upon innocent people. This is the same American military which claims to enter the worlds trouble spots under the guise of being peace keepers. But "… when it is said to them; 'Make not mischief on the Earth', they say; 'We are only peace makers'. Indeed they are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive it not.” (Al-Baqarah 2:11-12)

The Role of the Media in Distorting the Islamic Image

By going through the teachings of Islam, it is clear that such a religion has only come to benefit mankind and not to destroy it. So why is there so much hatred for this noble religion in the West?

The answer is simple, the media. It is the Jewish influenced media of the West which has portrayed Islam to be something that it is not. A number of years ago, when the Oklahoma City bomb went off, a headline in one of the newspapers, 'Today', summed up this attitude. With a picture of a fire fighter holding a dead child in his arms, the headline read: "In The Name of Islam". Time has of course proven that this bigoted assumption was incorrect, as Timothy McVeigh, a right wing radical now faces the death penalty for the crime.

Likewise, the bombs which went off in the Paris metro in 1995, were also blamed on Muslim fanatics. It has now emerged that the Algerian secret service who having routinely bribed many European journalists and MPs, were actually behind it. The desire to throw a veil over Islam is immense by these people:

Allah Almigty says: “They intend to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will complete His light even though the disbelievers hate (it).” (As-Saff: 8)

Whilst trying to destroy Islam through this instrument of the media, the Jews clearly try to portray an image of themselves as being the oppressed people. Every year, we are reminded as to how many Jews perished under the Nazis in World War II. We are made to feel sorry for these same people who have gone on to commit so many crimes upon the Palestinian people. Some may say that this is a racist and biased viewpoint.

But we say; If this media was not run and orchestrated by the Jews and was truly neutral, then why are Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir, two former Israeli prime ministers, not held aloft as being terrorists? Anyone who knows about the history of the Palestinian occupation will tell you that these two men were members of the Stern Gang and Irgun, two notorious Jewish terror groups who killed many innocent people.

If this media was truly impartial, then why does it not tell about the extent of the Israeli bombardment and illegal occupation of Southern Lebanon and its people? And if this media really had nothing against the religion of Allah, then why does it not inform the people that every day hundreds are entering the religion of Islam? Such things will never be highlighted in the Western media, simply because to do so would be against their very interests."

The above quotation is excerpted with slight modifications from www.thetruereligion.org

It is clear from the above that Islam and true Muslims have nothing to do with oppression. The issue can’t be generalised as done by the Western media. A clear separating line between true Muslims and those who trade in the name of religion has to be drawn. Those who have a moderate view of Islam have a big role to shoulder. This role should be enhanced especially in the period ahead in order to quench the thirst of those non-Muslims who are eager to accept Islam as well as those Muslims whose vision about the true Islamic teachings are not clear.

If you have any further comments, please don't hesitate to write back!

May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which pleases Him, Amen.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Re: Where Will You Seek Honour?
amatullah
12/28/03 at 13:06:33
Question of Fatwa
Dearest brother, As-Salaam `Alaykum. Indeed, the issue of Jizyah is one of the hot Islamic topics that are misunderstood by the orientalists. They used to attack Islam saying that non-Muslim minorities are persecuted in Muslim lands and they are obliged to pay the Jizyah from time immemorial. Please, shed more light on the issue, and clarify the Islam’s stance on the concept of Jizyah.  

Name of Mufti Islam Online Fatwa Editing Desk
 
Content of Reply
Wa`alaykum As-Salaamu Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

In his well known book, Islam at the Crossroads, the well-known Muslim writer and author, Mohammad Asad, states the following:

“One of the problems raised by the missionaries and orientalists is the imposition of tribute or Jizyah on all non-Muslims. This institution has been so misinterpreted and misexplained that the non-Muslims feel that it is some kind of religious-based discrimination against them. This is not the case. All the Jizyah amounts are to be a financial obligation placed upon those who do not have to pay the Zakah.

As the ratio of these two taxes is the same, it is obvious that the Jizyahis simply a technique used by Islamic governments to make sure that everyone pays his fair share. If the term “Jizyah” is too offensive to non-Muslims, it can always be changed: ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab levied the Jizyahupon the Christians of Bani Taghlib and called it sadaqah (alms) out of consideration for their feelings.
The noted historian Sir Thomas W. Arnold in his Call to Islam, states:

“This tax was not imposed on the Christians, as some would have us think, as a penalty for their refusal to accept the Muslim faith. Rather, it was paid by them in common with the other dhimmis or non-Muslim subjects of the state whose religion precluded them from serving in the army, in return for the protection secured for them by the arms of the Muslims. When the people of Hirah contributed the sum agreed upon, they expressly mentioned that they paid this Jizyahon condition that ‘the Muslims and their leader protect us from those who would oppress us, whether they be Muslims or others.”

In his covenant with the people of certain cities near Al-Haira, Khalid ibn Al-Walid, may Allah be pleased with him, recorded: “If we are able to protect you, we deserve the collection of Jizyah; otherwise, we shall not offer you protection.”

The seriousness with which the Muslims took their covenants with the non-Muslims is well illustrated by the following incident. During the reign of the second caliph, ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, the Roman emperor Heraclius raised a huge army to repel the Muslim forces. It was thus incumbent upon the Muslims to concentrate their efforts on the battle. When the commander of Muslims, Abu ‘Ubaydah, may Allah be pleased with him, heard this news, he wrote to his officials in all conquered cities in Syria and ordered them to return the Jizyah which had been levied in those cities. He also addressed the public saying; “We are returning your money because we know that the enemy has gathered troops. By the terms stipulated in the covenant, you have obliged us to protect you. However, since we are now unable to fulfill these conditions, we have returned to you what you paid to us. We shall abide by the terms agreed upon in the covenant, if Allah helps us to rout the enemy.”

Thus, a huge amount was taken form the state treasury and returned to the Christians, making them very happy. They prayed for and blessed the Muslim commanders. They exclaimed, “May Allah help you to overcome your enemies and return you to us safely. If the enemy were in your place, they would never have returned anything to us, but rather they would have taken all our remaining property.”

The Jizyahwas also imposed on Muslim men who could afford to buy their way out of military service. If a Christian group elected to serve in the state’s military forces, it was exempted from the Jizyah. Historical examples of this abound: the Jarajima, a Christian tribe living near Antioch (now in Turkey), by undertaking to support Muslims and to fight on the battle front, did not have to pay the Jizyah and were entitled to a share of the captured booty.

When the Islamic conquests reached northern Persia in 22 A.H., a similar covenant was established with a tribe living on the boundaries of those territories. They were consequently exempted from Jizyah in view of their military services.

Other examples are to be found during the history of the Ottoman Empire: the Migaris, a group of Albanian Christians, were exempted from the Jizyah for undertaking to watch and guard the mountain ranges of Cithaeron and Geraned (which stretch to the Gulf of Corinth). Christians, who served as the vanguard of the Turkish army for road repairs, bridge construction and so on were exempted form the kharaj.

As a reward, they were also provided with some lands, free of all taxes. The Christians of Hydra were exempted when they agreed to supply a group of 250 strong men for the (Muslim) naval fleet. The Armatolis, Christians from southern Romania, were also exempted from the tax, for they constituted a vital element in the Turkish armed forces during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The Mirdites, an Albanian Catholic clan who lived in the mountains of northern Scutari, were exempted on the condition that they would offer an armored battalion in wartime. The Jizyah was also not imposed on the Greek Christians who had supervised the building of viaducts, which carried water to Constantinople, nor on those who guarded the ammunition in that city, as just compensation for their services to the state. However, Egyptian Muslim peasants exempted from military service was still required to pay the Jizyah.”

In conclusion, dear brother, it’s clear in the light of the above-mentioned facts that the institution of Jizyah can never be described as a discriminatory system staged against the non-Muslims. Testifying to that is the shinning history of the early Islamic State and the relation between Muslims and non-Muslims.

May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which pleases Him, Amen.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Re: Where Will You Seek Honour?
amatullah
12/28/03 at 13:18:51
Question of Fatwa
As-Salamu `Alaykum wa Rahmatu Allah wa Barakatuh. Islam is a religion of peace. We greet our brothers and sisters by wishing peace for them. Must Muslims accept violence? Can Muslims be strictly non-violent? Too often the media in the West presents the image of Muslims as violent, but I know this is not correct. I’m a Muslim, but insha'Allah, I will never kill anyone, or even hurt them intentionally. When I watch the genocide in Chechnya or Bosnia, or the tragedy which unfolds in Palestine, it makes me very angry and very sad. I pray that Allah will allow peace to prevail among humanity, between the Muslims and the non-Muslims alike. I like to think that I and other Muslims can be a force for peace rather than for violence. Am I wrong? Thank you for your help. This is really troubling me, and any advice you can provide would be much appreciated. Jazakum Allah khayran. Wa Salamu `Alaykum wa Rahmatu Allah wa Barakatuh.  

Name of Mufti Sheikh Muhammad `Ali Al-Hanooti  

Content of Reply
Wa`alykum As-Salaamu Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Brother, we do really appreciate your question, which reflects your open-mindedness and interest in analyzing the Islamic teachings. May Allah help us all keep firm in the straight Path!

Before tackling your question, we'd like, first of all, to commend you for your good and inspiring words that typify the nature of Muslims; they are peace-loving people. As we have made it clear in our fatwas, Islam is the religion that calls to peace and urges its followers to help peace prevail. It neither incites violence nor does it stand in favor of terrorism, contrary to all the concocted ideas and information that the Western biased media have spread.

In response to your question, the eminent Muslim scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hanooti, member of the North American Fiqh Council, states:

“Brother, we should be careful when referring to the Islamic language, conceptions, vocabulary, and ideologies. There are many non-Islamic terms and vocabulary mingled with the Islamic ones.

When talking about Islam, we should base our argument on the Qur'an and the Sunnah. We should get rid of the terms abused by the enemies of Islam such as terrorism, fundamentalism, etc.

Islam never believes in force or forcing anyone to become a Muslim. The Qur'an says: "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things." (Al-Baqarah: 256)

Also, we read in the Qur’an: "And if your Lord had pleased, surely all those who are in the earth would have believed, all of them; will you then force men till they become believers?" (Yunus: 99)

We have never had any proof that Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, or his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, fought for forcing people to accept Islam. This is a matter of fact. Had people entered Islam because of force, they would have gone back to their roots after the fall of the Islamic Caliphate.

We see that all the ideologies have shown their peak at the time of their founders or thinkers. For example, Communism, Fascism, Nazism, and Existentialism have become historical artifacts that now reside in museums. When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, died, Islam was adopted by tens of thousands. It has been flourishing ever since and encroaching almost every land and sea all over the world to make the population of Islam counts more than 1 billion followers. Islam spread in China and Indonesia without any sword or fight; it is only because of the good demonstration of Islam by excellent Muslims.

I'd like to make it close to your mind why Muslims are in need of fight or combat. How are you going to deal with drug traffickers or any outlaw if your preaching is not doing well? How will you deal with a criminal who wants to disturb peace and make life panicky? Islam believes in stopping injustice, oppression and any threat to peace or freedom. In many instances, there is no way to guarantee these goals without arms and fighting. The Qur'an says, "... And fight the elites of blasphemy. They don't honor any vow." (At-Tawbah: 12)

Allah Almighty knows best.

Re: Where Will You Seek Honour?
amatullah
12/28/03 at 13:21:15
Question of Fatwa Dear scholars,
As-Salamu `alaykum. Kindly furnish me with fatwa as to the nature of the war waged by Abu Bakr against the apostates, and tell me: is it true that Islam was originally forced on people?

 
Name of Mufti Group of Muftis  

Content of Reply
Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.


In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.


All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


Dear questioner, we would like to thank you for the great confidence you place in us, and we implore Allah Almighty to help us serve His cause and render our work for His Sake.

As regards your question on the nature of the war waged by the first Caliph, Abu Bakr on the apostates, Dr. `Abdel Fattah Idrees, professor of Comparative Jurisprudence at al-Azhar University, states the following:

"When Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) fought the apostates and those who refused to pay Zakah and those who claimed prophethood, it was merely out of seeking the interest of the entire Muslim Ummah and keeping it stable after the unrests that erupted following the Prophet’s demise. These wars were really needed so as to keep safe both religion and creed and to protect the growing Muslim community. He did not do so out of his own self; rather, he consulted all other Companions who supported him in this respect."

As for claiming that Islam was forced on people or propagated at the point of a sword, this claim is totally groundless and has nothing to do with reality. To make this matter crystal clear, we would like to cite for you the words of the late Dr. Hammudah `Abdul-`Aati in his famous book Islam in Focus. He writes:

“Was Islam spread at the point of a sword? Was the Muslim emblem "The Qur'an or the sword?" Were the Muslims imperialist and after mundane power or loot? Some people like to think about that in affirmative terms; some others in the negative, and some are undecided, perplexed and reluctant. But where does the Qur'an stand? What does the history of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) reveal in this connection? It is certainly imperative on every honest person who has respect for truth and human dignity to find out for himself, and to reveal his findings to others.

The Qur'an makes it clear that, whether we want it or not, war is a necessity of existence, a fact of life, so long as there exist in the world injustice, oppression, capricious ambitions, and arbitrary claims. This may sound strange. But is it not a matter of historical record that humanity from the early dawn of history up till now has suffered from local, civil and global wars? And is it not also a fact that, more often than not, victorious allies settle their disputes over their gains and the status of their vanquished enemies through wars and threats of war?

Even today humanity lives under constant fear and buzzes of war over many hot spots in the world. Could Allah overlook these facts of life? Or could the Qur'an fail to deal with the matter in a realistic and effective manner? Certainly not! And that is why Islam has recognized war as a lawful and justifiable course for self-defense and restoration of justice, freedom and peace. The Qur'an says: "Fighting is prescribed for you, and you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows, and you know not" (Al-Baqarah: 216)

Although realistic in its approach, Islam never tolerates aggression from its own side or from any other side, nor does it entertain aggressive wars or the initiation of aggressive wars. Muslims are commanded by Allah not to begin hostilities, or embark on any act of aggression, or violate any rights of others. Some particular verses of the Qur'an are of significant bearing. Allah says:"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, and do not transgress limits (begin not hostility): For Allah loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith. But if they cease, God is Forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more persecution or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (Al-Baqarah:190-193)

So it’s clear that war is not an objective of Islam nor is it the normal course of Muslims. It is only the last resort and is used under the most extra ordinary circumstances when all other measures fail. This is the actual status of war in Islam. Islam is the religion of peace: its meaning is peace; one of Allah’s Names is Peace; the daily greetings of Muslims and angels are peace; Paradise is the abode of peace, the adjective “Muslim” means Peaceful. Peace is the nature, the meaning, the emblem and the objective of Islam. Every being is entitled to enjoy the peace of Islam and the kindness of the peaceful Muslims, regardless of religious or geographical or racial considerations, so long as there is no aggression against Islam or the Muslims. If non-Muslims are peaceful with the Muslims or even indifferent to Islam, there can be no ground or justification to declare war on them. There is no such thing as religious war to force Islam on non-Muslims, because if Islam does not emerge from deep convictions, from within, it is not acceptable to Allah, nor can it help its professor.

If there is any religion or constitution that guarantees peaceful freedom of religion and forbid compulsion in religion, it is Islam, and Islam alone. To this point the Qur'an refers as follows: "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error; Whoever rejects Evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things." (Al-Baqarah: 256)"

Allah Almighty knows best.
Re: Where Will You Seek Honour?
amatullah
12/28/03 at 13:30:39
Insha'Allah i will just put hte link and you go read it.

http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=50979

http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=79801

http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=81938

http://www.islamonline.org/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=49891
12/28/03 at 13:35:50
amatullah


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