“Departing in the morning or evening for the cause of Allah is more rewarding than the entire world and everything within it.”
The concept of jihad in Islam is highly esteemed. It lays out the framework that requires discipline, work, effort, and dedication. It requires a high level of awareness. However, like other actions in Islam, the greater the effort put into an action, the greater the reward. And the same goes for jihad. Those who strive in jihad have a special spiritual status in the eyes of Allah and are rewarded both in this life and the life to come. Keeping this in mind, this blog will discuss in detail the status of those who strive in jihad.
Striving In Jihad: The Correct Way
“Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loves not aggressors.”
Before jumping into the spiritual status of those who strive in jihad, one should be well aware of the jihad and its types. One thing to keep in mind is that when one embraces jihad, it should only be to please Allah SWT. Therefore, conducting jihad by following all the guidelines laid out by the Shariah (Islamic law) is the only way to conduct true jihad.
- Self-defense and fighting against aggression.
- Alleviating religious freedom so that people can practice their religion without any oppression and can think freely.
- The purpose of jihad should neither be personal nor for personal gains.
- The struggle should only be against warriors and armed individuals, not against defenseless civilians. Neither should fighting be done against people who are unarmed or not trained to engage in combat.
- Harming or killing both women and children is not allowed.
Ibn ‘Umar narrates that a woman was discovered dead in one of these battles, prompting the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to prohibit the killing of women and children.
Ibn `Umar reports that during some of the battles of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), a woman was discovered to have been killed. Consequently, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) prohibited the killing of women and children.
Both Bukhari and Muslim state the narrations of Umar RA in which the Prophet Muhammad PBUH forbade killing women and children. On this matter, Imam al-Nawawi said, ‘There is scholarly consensus on putting this hadith into practice as long as the women and children don’t fight the Muslims. But if they do fight, the majority of scholars have the opinion that it is permissible to kill them.
All these conditions are in the Shariah because in Islam, justice is the most important aspect of any action. Therefore, all guidelines ensure that honor and respect remain the center of every jihad.
Status Of The Mujahideen
Various hadiths talk about the status of those who strive in jihad in Allah’s cause. These hadiths highlight the honor that will be bestowed upon these people due to their persistence in Allah’s path.
The Prophet PBUH stated, “Allah has prepared one hundred degrees in Paradise for those who engage in Jihad for His Cause.”
“Additionally, there is something else for which God will elevate a servant in paradise by a hundred levels, with a distance between each two as vast as that between heaven and earth.” When he asked God’s Messenger what this was, he responded, “Jihad in God’s path; jihad in God’s path; jihad in God’s path.”
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Allah guarantees that anyone who goes out for jihad in His cause, driven only by their faith in His word, will either be admitted into Paradise as a martyr or be returned to their home with rewards or spoils.”
The mujahideen (people who take part in jihad) don’t only get rewards in this dunya but also in the hereafter.
Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward.
This verse, when revealed to the Muslims after the battle of Badr, gave them the motivation by stating the rewards of taking part in jihad.
Status Of The Shaheed
Furthermore, other verses and hadiths highlighted the status of a shaheed (martyr). These verses serve as a source of strength and reassurance for those engaged in jihad, emphasizing the rewards that await them.
Abdullah reported regarding the verse: “Do not consider those who are killed in the way of Allah as dead. Instead, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision” (3:169). He mentioned, “We inquired about this, and the Prophet (PBUH) explained, ‘Their souls resemble green birds that roam freely in Paradise and eventually return to lamps that are suspended beneath the Throne.
While in this state, your Lord gazed upon them and said, “Ask Me for whatever you wish.” They responded, “O Lord, what could we possibly ask for when we can fly wherever we desire in Paradise?” Realizing they had to ask for something, they finally said, “We wish to have our souls returned to our bodies in the world so we can fight for your sake again.” Upon seeing that they would only ask for this, they were left alone.
Another hadith states the feeling of the souls killed in the cause of Allah SWT.
“No soul on Earth that is in good standing before Allah would wish to return to this life after death, even if given all the riches of the world—except for the one who has been martyred in Allah’s cause; such a person desires to come back and be martyred again.”
These and numerous other hadiths highlight the status of a martyr and state how they will be rewarded in the hereafter.
What If One Doesn’t Strive In Jihad?
While there are countless blessings and rewards for the one who fights in the cause of Allah, there is also severe punishment for the one who doesn’t and prefers a life of ease and comfort. Not only does this make Islam vulnerable to the kuffar, it is also detrimental to one’s akhirah. Neglecting jihad leads to humiliation in the dunya and exposes one to the wrath and anger of Allah.
Ibn Hajar said in al-Zawaajir: The 390th, 391st, and 392nd major sins are neglecting jihad when it becomes obligatory. This happens when the aggressors capture a Muslim or enter into a Muslim land, and it is possible to perform a rescue from the aggressors, but the people neglect jihad. “When the people in a region fail to strengthen their borders, they risk being overrun by non-believers as a result.”