Life and Martyrdom
By Abidullah Ghazi
Skokie, IL
Those who do not have zest for life should not be taken as living beings. On the other hand, those who take on death in order to uphold certain principles of life should not be considered as the dead. In Islamic parlance they are reckoned as martyrs, who keep on living even after their death. The Qur’an instructs, “Those who died in the way of Allah should not be taken as the dead. They are sustained in Allah’s presence” (Al-Imran, 3:169).
According to Muslim belief, martyrs will enjoy Allah’s numerous bounties in the next life and will not have to render an account of their deeds. That they remain alive is a difficult concept though. We do not have sufficient knowledge about their being alive. Yet what we know for certain is that their lives stand out for their commitment to their mission. Even after their death their devotion, courage, and sacrifice keep on inspiring millions – giving them an impetus for carrying out their mission. They bless others with their breadth of vision.
Islam forbids suicide or killing any innocent person. Yet it prescribes that one should strive for the truth and lay down even his life in its cause. Allah has promised immense rewards for such martyrs.
At times, the distinction between martyrdom and suicide is blurred. One’s base emotions of anger, revenge, and bad intentions change his seeming martyrdom to mere suicide. And such a person cannot even go near Paradise. Islam attaches great importance to life. To bless society with life-giving principles is a form of jihad. It is an act of worship to live for higher goals. The essence of worship consists in laying down even life when this is demanded.
My Relationship with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
I consider myself a successful person, blessed by Allah amply, though I have been deprived of many things as well. I regard my deprivations as favors from Allah, for they help me appreciate better the blessings I enjoy and grow thankful for them. Yet I have been intrigued by certain points:
- I have been engaged in placating those who were not justified in getting angry with me.
- I kept defending myself over the points which had not even crossed my mind.
- I was busy in removing the possible causes of opposition from those who should have been my allies from the beginning.
- I sought the love and affection of relatives who should have extended the same to me. Yet I was unsuccessful.
- I tried to allay unfounded misconceptions.
- I kept giving rejoinders to the charges which were not applicable to me. Yet I was regarded as guilty of these.
- I sought the cooperation of my friends over points which were incontestable.
- I responded to complaints with which I was not even remotely connected.
- I have found it hard even to persuade my brothers and sisters of my love, to make my wife share my viewpoint, and to convince my children. This is in spite of the fact that I have been blessed with affectionate brothers and sisters, a suitable wife, and obedient children.
All this happened when, owing to circumstances, I lived thousands of miles away from my family and relatives. Yet I was fortunate enough to draw upon their love and affection. My friends overwhelmed me with their sincerity. Numerous receptions have been hosted for me. I have been able to convince some persons, move them, and attract them to my mission wherever I have lived and attended some program. What I have said about myself holds true for almost everyone. One may nonetheless narrate it differently. I have drawn amply on the favors done to me by Allah. Allah granted me the ability to express myself in both Urdu and English in prose as well as poetry.
I have enjoyed the ability to win over others. However, at times, when I have tried to persuade people of some incontestable points related to their personal or community life, I have faced opposition from my own family members, friends, and strangers alike. Even those who supported me could not remain on my side for long. I am thankful to the few friends who have been consistent in their support. I acknowledge that without their cooperation I could not have realized my goals and my life would have been unsuccessful.
In sharp contrast to all this, when I study the Prophet Muhammad’s glorious life (peace be upon him), I am struck by many features of his. It has been my good fortune to spend a major part of my life in studying the Sirah and in articulating its message. What amazes me most is that the Prophet, who was not equipped with any educational qualification, resources or means of communication, or the cooperation of most of his family and relatives, managed to convey the teachings of Islam across Arabia and beyond. His transmission was so persuasive that everyone, the lay and the elite alike, were drawn towards its teachings. They molded their personalities, thought patterns, and ideals with reference to Islam. Whoever among his children, wives, slaves, friends, tribesmen, and strangers, Arabs and non-Arabs alike, learnt about his teachings developed such overflowing love for him that it prompted them to sacrifice all that they had for him (peace be upon him).
At his command millions of Muslims gather five times every day to offer Salat, fast during the month of Ramadan, pay Zakat and charity out of their hard-earned incomes, and spend their lifetime savings to perform Hajj. They donate their money to the causes prescribed by him. They are ready to lay down their lives as and when the need arises.
I am too insignificant a person in history. Without the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) it is hard to think of history. He did not possess even a fragment of the resources available to me. I have to my credit academic degrees, whereas he was an unlettered person.
It puzzles me much how he was successful in bringing about a revolution. His source of knowledge was divine revelation and this help was his greatest support. Today there are more than a billion Muslims. We have power, knowledge, wealth, and authority. Yet we are unable to communicate effectively. Our actions do not produce the desired results. All our power is of no value in achieving our goals.
What accounts for this may be resolved by this simple explanation — that as the Messenger of Allah he was able to accomplish everything. We are fortunate enough to have our association with him. Any honor compared to this is worthless. Our hardships pale in significance in comparison to the ordeals he had to face. Our striving is pointless in relation to his struggles. Our achievements are meaningless in the face of his attainments. He attributed every success of his to Allah. He took every failure as a trial. Never did he complain or nurse a grudge. Being members of the community of such a Prophet, we cannot boast of any achievements of ours. Nor can we blame others, especially our circumstances and society, for our failures. Nor can we grow impatient on facing some test. We are obliged only to be thankful to Allah.
In our gratitude lies our success. I do not have my claim to greatness. Our gratitude and success consist in our association with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We look forward to his intercession.
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