It is the desire of every believer to die an honourable death. But, unknown to many, there are some pre-requisites for a death which we all long for. Certainly the best death is that of a martyr who lays down his life defending his faith and preserving the life and property of his Muslim brethren. In fact Jihad for defending one's identity as a true believer is the best course for a Muslim to adopt. But if someone who is able bodied and still defies or hides back in order to save him form the harshness of the battle has to ponder over the state of his faith.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has warned such believers in a hadith attributed to him and narrated by Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه), who states:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever dies without having fought in the cause of Allah or having the desire to fight in the cause of Allah will die while having one of the qualities of hypocrisy."
This hadith highlights the importance of sincerity, commitment, and readiness to serve the cause of Allah, particularly in the context of defending the faith and striving in the path of Allah (jihad fi sabilillah). It also warns against complacency or apathy towards one’s responsibilities as a believer.
Explanation of the Hadith:
- "Whoever dies without having fought in the cause of Allah":
- Fighting in the cause of Allah (jihad fi sabilillah) refers to striving to defend Islam and Muslims, protecting the faith, and upholding justice. In the context of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) time, it often meant participating in battles to protect the Muslim community from aggression or oppression.
- However, this concept is broader and includes any form of sincere struggle or effort for the sake of Allah, such as spreading the truth, defending the oppressed, or working to establish justice and righteousness.
- "Or having the desire to fight in the cause of Allah":
- The hadith also emphasizes the intention or desire to fight in the cause of Allah, even if one does not physically engage in combat. This means that a Muslim should possess the inner commitment and readiness to defend and uphold the truth when needed. It reflects an attitude of responsibility and sincerity toward one's faith.
- The intention is crucial because circumstances may not always allow a person to physically engage in combat or active struggle (e.g., due to age, health, or lack of opportunity). However, maintaining the sincere intention to act if the need arises is essential.
- "Will die while having one of the qualities of hypocrisy":
- The hadith warns that someone who lacks both the action and the intention of striving in the cause of Allah possesses a characteristic of hypocrisy (nifaq). Hypocrisy in this sense refers to a person claiming to be a Muslim while lacking the sincerity, commitment, and readiness to defend or uphold their faith.
- This does not mean that the person is a complete hypocrite (munafiq) but that they possess one of the traits associated with hypocrisy. It indicates a weakness or deficiency in their faith, as a true believer should have a sense of duty and commitment to their religion.
Lessons from the Hadith:
- Importance of Intention: The hadith highlights the significance of intention in Islam. Even if one is unable to participate in physical jihad, having the sincere intention to serve and defend the cause of Allah is essential. This intention is a reflection of one's commitment and sincerity toward their faith.
- Striving for the Cause of Allah: Jihad fi sabilillah encompasses various forms of striving, not limited to combat alone. It can include efforts such as educating others about Islam, spreading goodness, standing up for justice, and helping the oppressed. Muslims should be ready to engage in such efforts within their capacity.
- Avoiding Complacency: The hadith serves as a reminder to avoid apathy and complacency in religious duties. True faith requires readiness to act and serve the cause of Allah whenever necessary. Neglecting this sense of duty reflects a weakness in faith that resembles the behavior of hypocrites.
- Sincerity and Self-Reflection: The hadith encourages self-reflection. Believers should assess their level of commitment and sincerity. Do they possess the desire to support and defend their faith, or are they indifferent? Sincere faith involves more than just words; it requires the willingness to act when necessary.
Context and Broader Application of the Hadith:
While the hadith speaks specifically about the readiness for physical jihad, its broader application is relevant for Muslims in all times and circumstances. Muslims today may not face the same situation as in the Prophet’s (ﷺ) time, where physical defense of the Muslim community was often necessary. However, the principle remains:
- Muslims should strive to uphold justice, truth, and the values of Islam in their societies, using the means available to them (e.g., advocacy, charitable work, spreading knowledge, or supporting the oppressed).
- Maintaining a sincere and active intention to serve the cause of Allah, whether through physical, social, or intellectual means, is essential to preserving and demonstrating true faith.
In the light of above explanation, this hadith emphasizes the importance of being sincere and committed to defending and promoting the cause of Allah. It warns against the danger of hypocrisy that arises when a person is indifferent to the needs of their faith community. True believers should have an inner readiness and intention to act for the sake of Allah when needed, showing sincerity and dedication to their faith.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Warning and Cautions for more Hadiths on the subject
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Source of Hadith | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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