Editorial

EDITORIAL & LANGUAGE OF JIHAD

Indeed the Majestic Month of Ramadhan is known by many names and
titles and in this months edition of the Islamist magazine we will be mainly
focusing on Ramadhan in history as the Month of Jihad. From the first and
last conquests (battle of Badr and Fatah (conquering) of Mecca) we see that
Jihad paved the way for success, dignity and honour.
A truly great and wonderful duty, a responsibility known as the Malikul
Faraid (King of the Obligations) of our time. Something that requires a lot
of detail and attention which is sorely missed in the literature of today. Abu
Hurairah (ra) reported that a man came to Allah’s Apostle and said Instruct
me as to such a deed that equals Jihad (in reward). He (saw) replied I do not
find such a deed. Then he (saw) added Can you, while the Muslim fighter is
in the battlefield, enter your mosque to perform prayers without ceasing
and fast and never break your fast (i.e. fast continually)? The man said But
who can do that? Abu Hurairah (ra) added The Mujahid (i.e. Muslim fighter)
is rewarded even for the footsteps of his horse while it wanders about (for
grazing) tied on a long rope. [Saheeh Bukhari]
The last ten days of Ramadhan also holds a very special night called Laylatul
Qadr which is unparalleled and we will go through some of its prophetic
signs.

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Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) said
that Jihad will continue from the day Allah sent
me with the message (Bi’tha) until the last man
of my Ummah will fight the Dajjal (anti christ),
it cannot be stopped because of an oppressor
nor by a just person. [Sunan Abu Dawood]
During Muhammad (saw) blessed life from the
ages of 53 to 63 years old the Messenger of Allah
(saw) participated in 29 battles called Ghazwat
and he (saw) orchestrated just under 60 other
battles called Saraya which he personally did not
participate in. During this decade the Muslims
witnessed the destruction and annihilation of
idolatry and the promotion and implementation
of Islam as a unique divine way of life.
The Islamist Magazine
The
Language
of Jihad
POETRY
Aisha (ra) reported that Allah’s Messenger (saw)
said Satirize the (non-believing amongst the)
Quraysh, for (satire) is more grievous to them
than the point (sharp end bit) of an arrow.
[Saheeh Bukhari]
JANNAH
Abu Huraira (ra) reported that the Prophet
(saw) said A place in Paradise equal to an
arrow bow of one of you, is better than (the
whole earth) on which the sun rises and sets.
[Saheeh Bukhari] The Prophet (saw) said Know
that paradise is under the shades of the swords.
[Saheeh Bukhari]
(saw) said Verily the Imam is a shield. [Saheeh
Muslim]
SALAH
Ibn Umar narrated that on the day of Id-ul-
Fitr and Id-ul-Adha a spear (Anzah) used to be
planted in front of the Prophet (as a Sutra for
the prayer) and then he would pray. [Saheeh
Bukhari]
WUDHU
The famous saying of the Salaf The weapon of
the believer is the ablution. [Sheikh Atiyatullah
Al-Saalim in his Sharh of Bulugh Maram]
TABARRUJ

Even the language, parables and analogies

of our beloved Prophet (saw) and his noble
Sahabah (ra), Tabieen (ra), Tabi Tabieen (ra) and
the Ulemah of Ahlus Sunnah embedded the idea
of Jihad even when it was non-war related to
show its grandness. Below is a small list of such
narrations:
RIZQ
The Prophet (saw) said My provision has been
placed in the shade of my spear. [Musnad
Imam Ahmad]
2 CALIPH
SAWM
Muhammad (saw) said that Allah (swt) revealed
that Fasting is like a shield. [Hadith Qudsi]
TOURISM
Abu Umamah (ra) reported that a man sought
permission from the Messenger of Allah (saw)
to travel in the land. Muhammad (saw) said to
him Tourism (Siyahah) for my Ummah is Jihad
in the cause of Allah, glory be to Him.
[Sunan Abu Dawood]
Abu Huraira (ra) said the Messenger of Allah
A scholarly saying which states The dazzling
or decoration (piece of jewellery) of a Muslim
(man) is his sword, dagger, knife, shield and the
Wudhu.
DUA
Ali ibn abi Talib (ra) said The Dua is the weapon
of the believer. [Saheeh Sahaabi]
Finally we leave you with one crucial narration of
the Messenger of Allah (saw) who said the one
who died but did not fight in the way of Allah
nor did he express any desire (or determination)
for Jihad died the death of a hypocrite. [Saheeh
Muslim].

JUST
JIHAD
“
Muad (ra) reported that we were returning from the battle of Tabuk when Muhammad (saw) said
Shall I tell you of the head of the matter, its pillar (support) and its apex (peak or top most part). I
said yes indeed Oh Messenger of Allah. He (saw) said The head of the matter is Islam (submitting to
Allah) and its pillar is the Salah and its highest peak (apex) is the Jihad. [Sunan Tirmidhi]
Unfortunately, sadly and very disturbingly we see that the true concept of
Jihad has been deliberately hidden away in the cupboards and locked up as
to dilute and water down its real meaning. Even so called Muslim scholars
(government votaries) have sat
down with western thinkers “...Messenger of Allah (saw)
and tried to remove certain
passages from the Quran Al-
turned his face to us angrily
Kareem all to thwart the idea of and said They are liars, They
Jihad. This was the case when are liars Now! the (real) role
the Saudi clergy/authorities
sat with some American Kafir of Jihad has started...”
politicians to try and work
out a strategy that could be
implemented within the educational curricula. Even the ordinary Muslims
have been tamed to think that Jihad is a kind of terrorism and have gone
to extremes of denouncing the whole concept of exhausting, struggling,
striving and exerting effort to make Allah’s (swt) laws dominant on the
earth.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) warned us of the grave
consequences of ignoring or leaving the Jihad Abdullah ibn Umar (ra)
narrates that Muhammad (saw) said When you (Muslims) start to
practice selling goods to a person for one price and you buy them back
from the same person for a lesser price (this is a type of usurious based
transaction (Eenah) that’s prohibited under Islamic rules) and you hold
fast to the tails of the oxen (literally means to be engrossed in farming or
agriculture but has a wider meaning of being lost in any kind of worldly
business, trade, work or profession) and become content with it and
desert the Jihad (in the way of Allah), Allah will send a calamity upon you
(one of humiliation) and it will never be removed until you return back to
your Deen (i.e. the divine way of life Al-Islam). [Sunan Abu Dawood]
We do not need to go as far as the international situation of the Ummah, if
we only look at whats happening on our doorsteps we generally see that
Muslims are not only demeaned and disgraced but have sold their own
souls to the manmade systems that are prevalent on earth. Being chained
and slaved to the nine to five routines are the norm, interest based contracts
have been legalised under the guise of Shariah compliant products,
mortgages are a common feature of almost every Muslim household, free
mixing is common, our sisters are dressed inappropriately (cannot even tell
if they are Muslims), engaging in the democratic system the list goes on
and on. However, the killer blow is that we are have no qualms with such
life styles and that is our greatest downfall. We have symbolised Islam to
only a few rituals and are satisfied with this non-Islamic way of life.
JUST JIHAD
“
Abu Tha’labah (ra) swore by Allah that he had asked Allah’s Messenger
(saw) about the words
Care for yourselves; he who goes astray cannot harm you when
you are rightly guided. [EMQ 5:105]
The reason why Abu Tha’labah (ra) explained this verse with the
understanding of the Prophet (saw) was because some people were
interpreting the verse to mean that we just need to think about ourselves
only and not worry about what is happening around us. The Prophet (saw)
countered this view by saying No (it does not mean to be individualistic)
rather enjoin one another to do what is reputable (good) and forbid one
another to do what is disreputable (bad). But when you see niggardliness
(stinginess) being obeyed, passion (desires) being followed, worldly
interests being preferred, everyone being charmed with his own opinion,
and you see something you are inclined to do, then take care of yourself
and leave alone what people in general are doing; for ahead of you are
days which will require endurance (steadfastness, patience), in which he
who shows endurance will be like him who grasps live coals (glowing
embers). The one who acts rightly during that period will have the reward
of fifty men who act as he does. The Sahabah (ra) said The reward of fifty
of them, Oh Messenger of Allah! He (saw) replied The reward of fifty of
you (i.e. the Sahabah). [Sunan Ibn Majah]
Salamah ibn Nufayl Al-Kindi (ra) said I was sitting with the Messenger of
Allah and one man came and said Oh Messenger of Allah! The people
have removed the reigns (of their horses) and relaxed the horses (neck
down i.e. tied up their horses), abandoned their weapons and are saying
there is no Jihad and the war has been settled (calmed) down! So, the
Messenger of Allah (saw) turned his face to us angrily and said They are
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liars, They are liars Now! the (real) role of Jihad has started. [Musnad
Imam Ahmad and Sunan Nisai]
We leave you with a very powerful piece of revelation that explains in detail
about the three different levels of Jihad which are to be invested in, all
depending upon your capability Abdullah Ibn Masud (ra) reported that
Muhammad (saw) said There is no Prophet that Allah has sent before
me except that Allah sent him companions and friends that follow in his
path. After those Prophets came other generations who did not follow
what they followed and they did things that they were never asked to
do. Whoever makes Jihad of the hand against them (i.e. apostates,
innovators, sinners, disbelievers, criminals, oppressors etc.) is a Mu’min
(true believer), whoever makes Jihad of the tongue against them is a
Mu’min and whoever makes Jihad of the heart against them is a Mu’min
and there is no Iman (belief, sayings and actions) after that. [Saheeh 3
Muslim]
 BADR

Badr Ramadhan throughout history has played a crucial role in Muslims being victorious and all conquering, in fact many of the verses
related to Jihad and most of Surah Al-Anfal was revealed in the rewarding month of Ramadhan. Badr was a momentous military
moment of truth that transformed the map of the world and ignited a beacon of light that has been in the hearts, minds and
memories of all devout Muslims for more than a millennium. The importance and special significance of this great battle can never
be over emphasised and the testimony to this fact is that it has been ascribed with many different names such as Badr Al-Qubra, Badr
Al-Iman-ul-Tawheed, Badr Al-Ramadhan the simple reason for this has been declared by the Almighty Allah (swt) in the glorious
Quran as the day which distinguished the truth from the falsehood

The day of criterion (between right and wrong).

[EMQ 8:41]

Indeed it was a day which clearly separated the camp of Iman and the camp of Kufr, a day which was full of tests and trials which
have been documented on the parchments, scriptures, encyclopaedias, biographies and historical books; with our limited space we
will try to deliberate on some of the key lessons that can be learnt from the great battle of Badr.

It all started on the 12th of Ramadhan 2nd year after Hijra (migration) the Prophet (saw) was 55 years old and he took with him
313 of his most loyal and devout companions (may Allah (swt) be pleased with them all) 60 of which were from the Muhajiroun
and 253 from Al-Ansar. The Muslims who were initially fasting headed towards a place called Badr, named after a well established
by someone called Badr bin Narayn, some 150 km (80 miles) outside Medina towards Mecca a four to five day walking distance on
scorching sand against a tough terrain. A mile into the long journey and some of the companions were instructed to go back to
Medina due to strategic reasons, the passion amongst the Sahabah (ra) was there for all to see as scene of emotions unfolded, tears
erupted when the teenagers (below 15 years old) were told they were too young to participate in the battle of Badr.

BRAVERY
It has been mentioned via Ibn Masood (ra) who said I witnessed Al-Miqdad
ibn Al-Aswad (ra) in a scene which would have been dearer to me than
anything had I been the hero of that scene. Miqdad came to the Prophet
(saw) while the Prophet (saw) was urging the Muslims to fight with the
pagans (on the day of Badr) Al-Miqdad said Oh Allah’s Apostle We do not
say to you as the children of Israel said to Moses
Go you and your Lord and fight, both of you, we are sitting
right here. [EMQ 5:24]
but (we say) we shall fight on your right and on your left and in front of
you and behind you. I saw the face of the Prophet getting bright with
happiness, for that saying delighted him. [Saheeh Bukhari]
The table below sums up the statistics on both sides of the camp.
Arsenal Camp of Islam Camp of Kufr
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DUA
The Prophet (saw) implored Allah (swt) day and night requesting Oh Allah
they are on foot provide a mount for them, Oh Allah they are naked
clothe them Oh Allah they are hungry provide food for them [Sunan
Abu Dawood] and whilst in a tent (on the day of the battle of Badr) he
(saw) beseeched Allah (swt) facing the Qibla with his hands outstretched
and he (saw) was so absorbed and unconscious of himself, that his shroud
would slip down from over his shoulders and he did not even realise it,
earnestly invoking Oh Allah I ask you the fulfilment of Your Covenant and
Promise to me. Sometimes he (saw) would lay his forehead on the ground
praying Oh Allah! If You wish (to destroy the believers) You will never
be worshipped after today. Abu Bakr (ra) caught him by the hand and
said This is sufficient, Oh Prophet of Allah! You have cried out and asked
Allah pressingly [Saheeh Bukhari] Indeed Allah (swt) responded via the
Jundullah (Soldiers of Allah) in the form of Angels.
(Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He
answered you (saying) I will help you with a thousand of

the angels each behind the other (following one another) in

Soldiers 300 - 319 900 - 1300 succession. [EMQ 8:9]
Horses 1-2 100 - 300
Camels 70 600- 700 One of the great divine wisdoms gained from the battle of Badr is that Nasr
Shields  600 (victory) is in the hands of Allah (swt) and not in our control, the efforts
Swords   must be sincere, honest and truthful with complete reliance and conviction
Spears   on the commands of Allah (swt) and if you deserve victory Allah (swt) will
Bows   reward you either in this life or the hereafter just as all the Muslims who
Arrows   participated in Badr were given the glad tidings of Jannah as explained
Stones  by Muhammad (saw) Do whatever you like, as you have been granted
Sticks  Paradise. [Saheeh Bukhari] meaning as long as you live you will never be
able to outweigh your good deeds because of the sacrifice you made in
Badr.
4

MAJORITY VS MINORITY
Muslims are never frightened of the numerical advantage of the enemy nor
the advantage given by the sophisticated hi tech equipment the enemies
of Islam have. In fact the best battles fought in history were when the
Muslims have always been the underdogs. The battle of Badr gave birth to
this great quality of always being optimistic and never being frightened by
the enemy. On the 17th of Ramadhan 2.A.H. 313 poorly equipped young
inexperienced Muslim soldiers who were fasting waged a physical war
against a thousand strong heavily equipped and experienced polytheistic
army. It is reported in Saheeh Buklhari that the Prophet (saw) was clad in
his armour and He (saw) went out, saying
Their multitude will be put to flight and they will show their
backs. [EMQ 54:45]
The final outcome was that the nobles of Quraish were embarrassingly
humiliated and exterminated in front of the whole world.
Allah (swt) describes the strength of the Muslims in two cases when they
are in a position of strength and when we the Muslims are feeling infirm.
STRONG IMAN – 1 MUSLIM V 10 INFIDELS
If there are twenty steadfast persons amongst you, they will
overcome two hundred… [EMQ 8:65]
WEAK IMAN – 1 MUSLIM V 2 INFIDELS
Now Allah has lightened your (task), for He knows that there
is weakness in you. So, if there are of you a hundred steadfast
persons, they shall overcome two hundred… [EMQ 8:66]
DISEASED IMAN - MUSLIMS WILL SUFFFER
There are over 1.5 billion Muslims in the world today and yet we do not have
the power to protect and preserve our Ummah, we do not have the Islamic
authority, we are divided, we are following are rational desires, we crave for
commerce and this was Prophesised 14 centuries ago. It has been narrated
MAJORITY VS MINORITY
by Thawban (ra) that the Messenger Muhammad (saw) said The people
will soon summon one another to attack you as people do when eating
and invite others to share their dish. One of the Sahabah (ra) asked Will
that be because of our small numbers at that time? He (saw) replied No,
you will be numerous at that time, but you will be froth (foam, bubbles)
and rubbish like that carried down by a torrent and Allah will take away
the fear of you from the breasts of your enemy and put Wahn into your
hearts. One of the Sahabah (ra) asked What is Wahn (enervation)?
Muhammad (saw) replied the love (attachment) of this world and dislike
of Jihad. [Musnad Imam Ahmad] in the narration recorded in the Sunan
of Abu Dawood the last part says and you dislike death (hate to die).
HIKMA
The divine wisdom in being a Muslim is that in whatever situation the
practicing Muslims will always have the upper hand and Allah (swt) will
be on our side. This mentality was clearly manifested in the understanding
of the companions of Muhammad (saw). Once Umar (ra) the leader of
the believers wrote a letter to his commander Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (ra)
during the conquest of Persia he (ra) stated My advice to you is that I
order you and the soldiers (troops) who are under your command to fear
Allah in all situations, for fearing Allah is the best form of artillery and
the strongest stratagem in warfare. I advise your fighters all to be more
careful of committing crimes and sins than your enemy, as the crimes
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and sins are more dangerous to them than their enemy. The Muslims
are victorious only because their enemies are disobedient to Allah (swt)
and had it not been so, we have no power over them, because neither
our number is equal to their number, nor are our weapons like theirs. If
we commit crimes and sins as they do, then they (our enemies) will have
superiority over us in power and we will not gain victory over them. We
do not overpower them with our strength.
Also, during the Battle of Muta’ where 3000 Muslims defeated 200 000
infidels the great warrior Abdullah Ibn Rawaha (ra) stood amidst the lines
of the Muslim army and said Oh my people, by Allah (swt) we do not fight
our enemies with numbers, strength or equipment, but rather with this
Deen which Allah (swt) has honoured us with. [Both of these excerpts
were taken from Usud Al-Ghabaah fee Marifatul-Sahabah – Lions of the 5
Forests on the Lives of the Sahabah (ra) by Imam Juzri]
 WEAPONS OF THE PROPHET

Weaponsof
theProphet
The fourth Caliph of Islam Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra) said the final Prophet Muhammad (saw) has been sent with fours swords,
the sword for the Mushrikeen, the sword for Ahlul Kitab, the sword for the Bughaat and the sword for the Munafiqeen.
[Tafisr ibn Kathir]

One just needs to look at the CV of the Prophet (saw) and we find that it is truly astonishing, there is no other Prophet of Allah
(swt) that has been so highly decorated with weaponry and wars. The love associated with Jihad Feesabeelillah (fighting for
the sake of Allah (swt)) is embodied in the names given to each piece of equipment that were used in the military campaigns,
expeditions and reconnaissance done by the great Muhammad (saw). Giving names, titles and nicknames to our children and
friends creates an emotional fuss and buzz over the variant meanings, all to show affection, closeness and fondness of the
people under the microscope and this is how the Prophet (saw) treated the armoury he (saw) used as if they were his (saw)
pets.

SWORDS
The Prophet (saw) personified nine of his Saif (swords)

1. Zulfaqar – The sword that has two heads (points) at the end of it taken as booty from the battle of Badr.
2. Battaar – a very sharp sword that cuts cleanly and doesn’t leave any marks (wounds).
3. Ma’thoor – the sword that was inherited by Muhammad (saw) and was carried all the way from Mecca to Medina.
4. Hataf – the sword of death, killing everything that comes in its way.
5. Mikhzam – the sword that is subservient to you from the word Khadim (servant).
6. Rasoub – the undefeatable sword anyone who fights against it will definitely lose.
7. A’db – the sword that relieves your headache, reportedly used in the Battle of Badr and the battle of Uhud.
8. Qadeeb – the sword that looks like a spear like rod.
9. Qalaee – the sword that uproots everything completely.

BOWS
The Prophet (saw) had at least six Aqwas (bows) which he gave names to

1. Rauha – it is a name of a place which smells of perfume, a valley in which the Prophet (saw) prayed in and acquired the
bow, Rauha is the bone of a deer and it also known as the leader who has a great number of followers.
2. Safra – literally meaning yellowish because when it was used it would leave a yellow mark signalling the time of death
has come.
3. Bayda – literally meaning whitish but indicating that it is extremely sharp.
4. Sadad – the bow that has a precise target and never fails to hit the mark.
5. Zawra – the way you look at someone who makes you angry i.e. with one eye raised and the other slightly down.
6. Katoom – the bow that makes everybody silent.

SPEARS
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The Prophet (saw) also named six Reemah (spears)

1. Muthwi also pronounced Muthawi – the spear that reaches everything indicating its strength.
2. Al-A’khir – the spear that kills the last (all) of them.
3. Muthni – the very sharp spear.
4. Nab’ah – the spear when used will flow like a fountain i.e. smoothly.
5. Bayda – the spear that goes from place to place (swiftly) it is so fast that it kills instantly and doesn’t leave any time for
the red blood to come out because it has moved on.
6. Anzah – the spear that looks like a small stick and was used as a Sutra (a guard) for the prayer.

Also included in this list of arsenal were horses, camels, pieces of armour, shields, quivers, knives, helmets and countless
arrows. Some of the replicas of these precious items are exhibited in certain Masjids and museums around the world.

6

Martyrs
In Islam there are
different levels
of believers
according to their
beliefs and actions.
The highest ranks in
Islam are those of the
Ambiyah (Prophets) and Siddiqeen
(those that carry and die for the truth).
But one of the highest levels in the eyes of
Allah which is neglected in our times is that of
the Shaheed (martyrs). As Allah (swt) says
And whoso obeys Allah and the Messenger,
then they will be in the company of those on
whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the
Prophets, the Siddiqoon, the martyrs, and the
righteous. And how excellent these companions are!
[EMQ 4:69]
The Shaheed is a believer that testifies in the oneness of Allah (swt) by the
greatest means, his life. The sacrifice the Shaheed makes for the sake of Allah
(swt) is incomparable to any other action performed by any other believer.
It is for this reason that Allah (swt) pledges paradise for the Shaheed
Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their
properties; for the price that theirs shall be the Paradise. They
fight in Allah’s Cause, so they kill (others) and are killed. It is a
promise in truth which is binding on Him in the Torah and the
Gospel and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his covenant than
Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded.
That is the supreme success. [EMQ 9:111]
The status of the Shaheed is elevated further by the bounty and virtues that
are bestowed upon him. This is illustrated by the statement of the Prophet
(saw) The Shaheed is granted seven virtues from Allah. He is forgiven
(his sins) at the first drop of his blood. He sees his place in Paradise. He is
dressed in the clothes of Imaan. He is saved from the punishment of the
grave. He will be protected from the great fear of the Day of Judgement.
A crown of honour will be placed on his head, one jewel of which is better
than the whole world and what it contains. He is married to seventy-two
of the Hoor Al-Ain (beautiful women of Paradise), and he will be able
to intercede for seventy members of his family. [Saheeh – Related by
Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibbaan]
This desire to leave this world as a Shaheed was requested by the Prophet
(saw) By Him in whose Hand is my soul, I would love to be killed in the
Path of Allah, then be brought back to life again, then killed, then be
brought back to life then killed, and then be brought back to life then
killed. [Saheeh Bukhari]
The Prophet (saw) also said Any slave (of Allah) who dies and has been
bestowed good from Allah, does not wish to return to the World, even
if he is given the World and what it contains; except a Shaheed, due to
what he sees from the virtues of Shahadah (Martyrdom). So he wishes to
return to the World in order to be killed again. [Saheeh Muslim]
MARTYRS
As-Shaheed
Prophet (saw) said
“By Him in whose Hand is my soul,
I would love to be killed in the Path
of Allah, then be brought back to life
again, then killed, then be brought
back to life then killed, and then be
brought back to life then killed. “
[Saheeh Bukhari]
Immediately after the death of the Shaheed he is exuberated to honours
beyond imagination, so much so that they wish to inform their brethren
of their success as reported by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad that the
Messenger of Allah (saw) said When your brothers were killed in Uhud,
Allah placed their souls inside green birds that tend to the rivers of
Paradise and eat from its fruits. They then return to golden lamps
hanging in the shade of the Throne. When they tasted the delight of their
food, drink and dwelling, they said We wish that our brothers knew what
Allah gave us so that they will not abandon Jihad or warfare. Allah (swt)
said I will convey the news for you thus Allah (swt) revealed the following
verse
Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way of Allah.
Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision.
They rejoice in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His
Bounty, rejoicing for the sake of those who have not
yet joined them, but are left behind (not yet
martyred) that on them no fear shall
come, nor shall they grieve. [EMQ
3:169]
It is important for Muslims to revive the
level and status of the Shuhadaa amongst
the Ummah, especially in a time when the
Muslims have deserted the Jihad on all levels and
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adopted following the ways of the disbelievers. It
is imperative for us to intend to be from the best
of people in the eyes of Allah (swt) and by doing
so Allah (swt) will facilitate immense reward for
us, as declared by the Prophet (saw) Whoever
sincerely asks Allah for Shahadah Allah raises
him to the levels of the Shuhadaa even if he
dies on his bed. [Saheeh Muslim]
7
 LAYLATUL QADR
Ibn Jareer narrates, on the authority of Mujaahid that there was a man
from Bani Israel who used to spend the night in prayer. Then in the
morning he would fight the enemy in the way of Allah (Jihad) during the
day, until the evening and he did this for a thousand months. So Allah
(swt) revealed Surah Al-Qadr (Chapter 97) Verily, We sent it down in the
night of Al-Qadr until the verse The night of Al-Qadr is better than a
thousand months. [Tafsir ibn Kathir]
That is, obedience, worship and servitude to Allah (swt) on that night is
better than the actions of that man. Ibn Abbas (ra) and others have said
Allah (swt) sent down the Quran all at once, from the Preserved Tablet
(Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) to the House of Might (Baytul-`Izzah), which is in
the (lowest) heaven of this world. Then it came down in parts piece meal
by piece meal to the Messenger of Allah (saw) based upon the incidents
that occurred over a period of twenty-three years. One thousand months
translates to more than 83 years and 4 months of subservience, submission
and sincere service.
When the last ten days of Ramadhan would come, the Prophet, would
tighten his waist wrapper (Izaar), spend the night in worship (i.e. not go
to sleep) and wake his family. [Saheeh Bukhari] Allah’s Messenger (saw)
would exert himself in the last ten days (of Ramadhan) more than he
would at other times. [Saheeh Muslim]
To achieve this, the believer remembers the words of wisdom from the lips
of our beloved Messenger Muhammad (saw) which have been transmitted
to us in many different authentic sayings wherein he (saw) accentuated the
point by saying seek, pursue, search and look hard for Laylatul Qadr.
Ibn Abbas (ra) reported that the Prophet (saw) said Look for the Night
of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadhan. [Saheeh Bukhari] in other
narrations it is proven that Muhammad (saw) stated that the Night of Power
should be sought on the odd nights. This knowledge is classified as Ilmul
Ghaib (unseen/unknown) like the knowledge of when you will die, when
will the final hour be, what is in the womb of a woman – only Allah (swt)
holds this information. Many Muslims gamble on the fact that Laylatul Qadr
is definitely on the 27th night of Ramadhan and exert all their energies for
this one night only; this is may be the case for some Ramadhans but not
entirely true for all Ramadhans because it has been proven via the Salaf that
the signs of Laylatul Qadr have been witnessed on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, and
29th nights. Even the Prophet (saw) said Had I been allowed (By Allah) I
would have informed you (of when Laylatul Qadr is exactly). [Musnad
The Islamist Magazine
Imam Ahmad] and in Tabarani its been reported that Muhammad (saw)
said “Had people not left their prayers except for that (one) night, I would
have informed you (of it’s precise date and time)” and what do we see
Muslims doing today banking on that one night and being neglectful of
the other odd nights.
And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr is?
[EMQ 97:2]
The virtues of this one night are so many, being saved from the hellfire, to
be forgiven for all of your sins, to have a clean slate like a new born baby all
of this should be enough motivation to strive hard to search for this night
of immense rewards, benefits and blessings. Abu Hurairah (ra) narrated
that Allah’s Apostle (saw) said Whoever stands (in Qiyaam) in prayers on
the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards
(i.e. not to show off) then all of his past sins will be forgiven. [Saheeh
Bukhari]
There are many narrations that talk about the signs to look out for when
trying to identify when the Night of Power took place i.e. there are no
shooting stars (meteors) on that night, some of the creation makes Sujood
(prostrates) i.e. the trees, you can hear the water (rain) make Tasbeeh
(glorify Allah (swt)), the sun appears round like the moon etc. below we
have mentioned some of the authentically recorded statements to aid us in
deciphering when was the Night of Power is.
The seal of all Messengers Muhammad (saw) said Laylatul Qadr is calm
and pleasant, neither hot nor cold, the sun arises on its morning being
feeble (weak) and reddish. [Musannaf of Imam Bazaar] Muhammad
(saw) said On the morning following Laylatul Qadr, the sun rises bright
not having any rays. [Saheeh Muslim] Ubayy (ra) said Muhammad (saw)
said On the morning following Laylatul Qadr the sun rises not having any
visible rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up. [Sunan Abu Dawud]
Finally Aisha (ra) said Oh Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night
Laylatul Qadr was, what should I say in it? He (saw) said say Oh Allah
You are All-Pardoning and You love to forgive so forgive me. [Sunan
Tirmidhi]
We pray that Allah (swt) blesses the Muslims with the luxury of witnessing
the Night of Power which is pleasant, full of happiness, peace, serenity and
tranquillity and may Allah (swt) accept all of our deeds and makes them
weighty on the Day of Judgement.
(All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allah to His
believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.
[EMQ 97:5]