Muhammad on What is 'Most Important'
The Prophet's Exhortations to Violence in the Name of Allah
What is the most important, and consequential thing that a human being can do? Different philosophies and different religious systems will answer this question in different ways. However, Islam stands out because of the way in which Muhammad phrased his answer. According to Islamic tradition, he made it clear, on several occasions, that violence in the name of God tops his list of meritorious actions.
When studying the Qur’an and hadiths, a consistent pattern emerges. Muhammad made it clear on several occasions that engaging in warfare for the sake of Allah is one of the greatest things that a Muslim can do. Here are just some examples of this being made explicit by Muhammad (or supposedly said to Muhammad by Allah in the Qur’an):
“Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] - other than the disabled - and the mujahideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred the mujahideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to both Allah has promised the best [reward]. But Allah has preferred the mujahideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward” (Qur’an 4:95).
It was narrated that Amr bin Abasah said: “I came to the Prophet and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, which Jihad is best?’ He said: ‘[That of a man] whose blood is shed and his horse is wounded’” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 24, Hadith 2794).
“Allah’s Apostle was asked, ‘What is the best deed?’ He replied, ‘To believe in Allah and His Apostle (Muhammad).’ The questioner then asked, 'What is the next [in goodness]?' He replied, ‘To participate in Jihad [religious fighting] in Allah’s Cause’” (Sahih Bukhari, Book 1, Volume 2, Hadith 26).
“It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Sa’id Khudri that the Messenger of Allah [may peace be upon him] said [to him]: ‘Abu Sa’id, whoever cheerfully accepts Allah as his Lord, Islam as his religion and Muhammad as his Apostle is necessarily entitled to enter Paradise.’ He [Abu Sa’id] wondered at it and said: ‘Messenger of Allah, repeat it for me.’ He [the Messenger of Allah] did that and said: ‘There is another act which elevates the position of a man in Paradise to a grade one hundred [higher], and the elevation between one grade and the other is equal to the height of the heaven from the earth.’ He [Abu Sa’id] said: ‘What is that act?’ He replied: ‘Jihad in the Way of Allah! Jihad in the Way of Allah!’” (Sahih Muslim, Book 20, Hadith 4645).
“It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah [may peace be upon him] said: ‘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’” (Sahih Muslim, Book 20, Hadith 4696).
Is it any wonder, given exhortations such as these, that many modern Muslims regard jihad as their supreme calling? It won’t do to deny that these exhortations exist, or to point out that most Muslims politely ignore them. The fact is, that Muslims seeking justification for violence against unbelievers can draw upon deep, and solid foundations in the teachings of the 'Prophet of Islam' himself.
For much more about the links between Islamic teaching and violence, please see my book ‘Nothing to do with Islam - Investigating the West’s Most Dangerous Blind Spot’.
Kind regards,
Peter
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