The shortest way to acquire Allah^-SWT's nearness and extreme affinity and the love and affection of the Holy Prophet^--SW’s is through Jihad in the cause of truth. History speaks of such fortunate people who embraced Islam in the battlefield, fell Shahadah in the same battle and became one of those exalted ones whose company Allah^-SWT is promising as a favour to the dwellers of the Paradise.

 

It is very important to understand that in order to attain Shahadah it is not allowed to commit suicide, whereby Muslims are pushed into a battle without any formation, adequate resources or strategy. Rather, every effort must be made to equip the army with weapons. Thereafter, it is up to the commander whether to fight as a large army or in smaller contingents, as the situation may demand. Adopting proper means and tactics is mandatory. Some of the people would inevitably be hypocrites, as it is natural for opportunists to be attracted towards a rising nation for petty gains. Such people will be hesitant to go to war and will make lame excuses during preparations. If by chance the Muslims encounter any hardship or suffer temporary set backs during the battle, these hypocrites who would have stayed behind would say: "See how lucky we were that Allah^-SWT saved us from trouble."

 

In other words, if a Muslim is indifferent to the pain of other Muslims just because he himself is at peace, it amounts to hypocrisy. On the other hand if the Islamic forces win the battle and get hold of booty, those hypocrites would grieve over the loss of their share, instead of being happy over the victory of the Muslims. The basic requirement of Islam is sincere devotion of the heart. The heart should be filled with Allah^-SWT's awe and each action must be done with the intention of seeking His^-SWT Pleasure. The temporal benefits may also be gained by such actions as a reward from Allah^-SWT , but the aim should always be to obey Him^-SWT . As for those who ignore the Hereafter for temporary pleasures of the world, not only have they done themselves grievous harm, but have also disregarded Allah^-SWT's Word. Therefore, they deserve to be encountered with sword.

 

A believer will be at war with such forces as long as they exist anywhere in the world. And as for the believer, he is destined to win. If he is slain, he attains the status of a Shahadah, and if he survives he is a Ghazi (victorious). In the latter case he receives Allah^-SWT's blessings and rewards materially in the form of victory' and booty, and spiritually in the form of Divine Lights and Refulgence. Moreover, the believers have no other option but to fight. How can they choose not to fight when weak and helpless men, women and children are calling out to Allah^-SWT in desperation? They pray to be rescued from a city where the people are oppressors, and look up for helpers and saviors. A few aged and feeble Muslims had stayed behind in Makkah and were at the mercy of the non-believers, who would not let them migrate to Madinah nor allow them to worship freely. They prayed to Allah^-SWT from the depth of their hearts, for the aim is not to live at a sacred and exalted place but to worship and obey Allah. If one is deprived of Sajdah before Him^-SWT , nothing can be achieved by physically living in a sacred vicinity. Instead of gaining something, one will have to be even more accountable for the fact that despite living at a sanctified and holy place, one did not refrain from lying or other evil practices. May Allah^-SWT protect us from such fate!

 

Another important point, which comes to light here, is that the wealth and property, tribe, and even the country that obstructs Allah^-SWT's worship is worthless. Renouncing them is far better than forsaking the worship of Allah^-SWT . But if due to poverty' or some other valid reason people cannot do so, they should at least pray to Allah^-SWT with sincerity that He^-SWT may take them to such people where Allah^-SWT's Zikr and worship is possible. Allah^-SWT is all Powerful and is not dependent on any resources. He^-SWT can create means out of nothingness. For the deliverance of such oppressed people, for the enforcement of Allah^-SWT's Law on His^-SWT land, and for ensuring that not only Muslims but also the non-believers are given their due rights, Jihad is incumbent upon a believer. The style in which this particular duty is enjoined is simply exquisite. Allah^-SWT asks: "How can you not fight when poor and frail Muslims are praying in such agony?: Prayer is the best solution of all problems provided one prays in all sincerity and does not consider it to be a command for Allah^-SWT that ought to be fulfilled. The Jihad of a believer is very different from the traditional war. A believer is never at war, as it is waged to destroy and humiliate the opponent, which is not permitted in Islam. A believer fights in the cause of Allah^-SWT , and whenever the opponent accepts His^-SWT Laws there is no dispute left. The sole aim is to enforce Allah^-SWT's Rule over His^-SWT land. Some people may accept it by embracing Islam, while others without it; both categories are granted separate rights. A non-believer fights on behalf of Satan, and his aim is to cause devastation, shed blood, decimate crops and ruin morals. In other words, Satan is the enemy of human excellence and attributes.

 

Faqatelu Aulia ash-Shayatin makes a beautiful proverbial phrase meaning kill these minions of the devil,' and remember that Satan's plots are inherently weak and clumsy. His minions can never encounter the Muslims. Many scholars often refer to this Ayah in their speeches and sermons that the Satanic strategy is very weak, but it must be remembered that it is only for those believers who are always ready to lay down their lives for Him^-SWT . It means that the more the level of devotion towards Allah^-SWT , the weaker Satan becomes as an opponent. Otherwise, this comment does not have a general applicability for everybody.