Mishkat al-Masabih

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone believes in God and His Messenger, observes the prayer and fasts during Ramadan, God will assuredly bring him into paradise whether he has engaged in jihad in God’s path or remained in his land in which he was born.” On being asked whether people should not be given this good news he replied, “In paradise there are a hundred degrees which God has prepared for those who engage in jihad in God’s path, between each pair of which there is a distance like that between heaven and earth; so when you make requests of God ask him for Firdaus, for it is the best and highest part of paradise, above it is the throne of the Compassionate One, and from it the rivers of paradise issue.” Bukhari transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who engages in jihad in God’s path is like him who fasts and spends the night in prayer, who assiduously recites God’s verses and does not slacken from fasting and prayer until he who is engaged in jihad in God’s path returns.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “God answers the prayer for forgiveness of him who goes out in His path, being led to do so by nothing but faith in Him and belief in His Messengers, promising to bring him back with the reward or booty he obtains, or bring him into paradise.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “By Him in whose hand my soul is, were it not that men among the believers are not satisfied with remaining behind me when I cannot get mounts for them, I would not stay behind when an expedition goes out in God’s path. By Him in whose hand my soul is, I wish I could be killed in God’s path and brought to life, then be killed and brought to life, then be killed and brought to life, then be killed.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Sahl b. Sa'd reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Being stationed on the frontier in God’s path for a day is better than the world and what is on it.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A morning or an evening expedition in God’s path is better than the world and what it contains.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Salman al-Fairisi told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “Being stationed for a day and a night on the frontier in God’s path is better than fasting a month and spending its nights in prayer. If one dies he will be rewarded for the deeds he was doing, he will be given his provision, and will be safe from him who tests him.”* * Al-fattan. There is some doubt as to the reference here. It may be the devil, this name being used because he tempts people to sin; or it may mean the one who examines men in the grave. Munkar and Nakir are called fattana'l-qabr, the two who test men in the grave. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu ‘Abs reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No man whose feet become dusty in God’s path will be touched by hell.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “An infidel and the one who killed him will never be brought together in hell.”* * The meaning is probably that one who kills an infidel in the course of jihad will on that account have his sins forgiven, and will therefore not go to hell where the infidel inevitably goes. Muslim transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “One of the best types of subsistence is that of a man who grasps his horse’s rein in (God’s path and races on its back, making for the places where being killed and dying are liable to take place as often as he hears a terrible shout or a cry for help; or of a man with a few sheep on one of these highlands or down in one of these wadis who observes prayer, pays the zakat and worships his Lord till death* comes. Such a one is in a good condition among men.” * Al-yaqin, the certainty. Muslim transmitted it.

Zaid b. Khalid reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who equips a fighter in God’s path has taken part in the fighting, and he who looks after a fighter's family when he is away has taken part in the fighting." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Buraida reported God's Messenger as saying, “The respect to be shown by those who stay at home to the women of those who are engaged in jihad is to be like that shown to their mothers. If any man among those who stay at home is entrusted with the oversight of his family by one who is engaged in jihad and betrays him, he will be set up for him* on the day of resurrection and he may take what he wants from his good deeds. So what do you think?” *i.e. the betrayer for the man he has betrayed. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari told that a man brought a she-camel with a rope through its nose-ring and said, “This is to be devoted to God’s path." God’s Messenger replied to him, “On the day of resurrection you will get for it seven hundred she-camels each with a rope through its nose-ring.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id told that God’s Messenger sent an expedition to the B. Lihyan who were a section or Hudhail, saying that one out of every two men should be sent but that both should share the reward. Muslim transmitted it.

Jabir b. Samura reported God’s Messenger as saying, “This religion will not cease to endure with a company of the Muslims fighting on its behalf till the last hour comes.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No one is wounded in God's path, and God knows best those who are wounded in His path, without coming on the day of resurrection with his wound spouting blood, the colour being that of blood but the fragrance that of musk.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No one who enters paradise will want to return to the world and have anything in the earth except the martyr. He will wish to return to the world and be killed ten times because of the honour he sees.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

We asked 'Abdallah b. Mas'ud about this verse, “Do not consider those who have been killed in God’s path to be dead; nay, they are alive in the presence of their Lord and are being supplied with provision" (Al-Qur’an; 3:169). He replied that he had asked about that, and the Prophet said, "Their spirits are in the crops of green birds which have lamps suspended from the Throne, which go where they wish in paradise and then return to those lamps. Their Lord looks down on them and asks whether they desire anything, and they ask in reply what they could wish when they can go where they like in paradise. He does that with them three times, and when they see that they will not be left alone without asking something, they tell their Lord that they wish Him to return their spirits to their bodies so that they may be killed in His path once again. Then when He sees that they lack nothing they are left without further questioning." Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Qatada told that God's Messenger got up among them and mentioned to them that jihad in God’s path and faith in God are the most excellent works. A man rose and asked, "Tell me, Messenger of God, if I am killed in God’s path will my sins be covered up?" He replied, "Yes, if you are killed in God's path while showing endurance, seeking your reward from God, advancing and not retreating." Then God’s Messenger said, "What did you say?”* He replied, "Tell me, if I am killed in God’s path will my sins be covered up?" God's Messenger said, "Yes, while you are showing endurance, seeking your reward from God, advancing and not retreating; but this does not include a debt, for Gabriel told me that." *Mirqat iv, 176 quotes Tibi to explain the request to repeat his question when a reply had already been given. The purpose is said to be to make the exception at the end of the second reply. Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr b. al-'As reported the Prophet as saying. "Being killed in God’s path will cover up everything but debt." Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, "God most high will cheerfully welcome two men one of whom kills the other. They will enter paradise, one having fought in God’s path and been killed, and the slayer, after receiving God's pardon, having died as a martyr."* * The man who had fought and killed a Muslim later became a Muslim himself and was killed in the course of jihad. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Sahl b. Hunaif reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone asks God for martyrdom with a genuine purpose God will bring him to the dwellings of the martyrs, even if he dies on his bed.” Muslim transmitted it.

Anas told that ar-Rubaiyi‘ daughter of al-Bara’, who was the mother of Haritha b. Suraqa, came to the Prophet and said, “Prophet of God, will you not tell me about Haritha? (He had been killed at the battle of Badr, being struck by a random arrow.) If he is in paradise I shall show endurance, but if he has met another fate I shall exert myself in weeping for him.” He replied, “Mother of Haritha, in paradise there are gardens, and your son has attained to al-Firdaus, the highest.” Bukhari transmitted it.

He told that God’s Messenger and his companions went off and reached Badr before the polytheists, and when the polytheists arrived he said, “Rise to go to a garden whose breadth is as great as the heavens and the earth.” ‘Umair b. al-Humam thereupon said, “Bravo, bravo!” and when God’s Messenger asked him what had made him say that, he replied, “Nothing, I swear by God, Messenger of God, but a hope that I might be among its inhabitants.” He told him that he would be among them. He then took some dates out of his quiver and began to eat them, but after a little said, “If I live till I eat my dates it will mean a long life.” So he threw away the dates he had and then fought with the enemy till he was killed. Muslim transmitted it.

'Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Whom do you reckon to be the martyr among you?” His hearers replied, “The one who is killed in God’s path is the martyr, Messenger of God.” He said, “The martyrs among my people would then be few. He who is killed in God’s path is a martyr, he who dies in God’s path is a martyr, he who dies of plague is a martyr, and he who dies of a disease in the belly is a martyr.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No war-like party or body of troops will go out to fight, gain booty and return safe without getting beforehand two-thirds of their rewards,* and no war-like party or body of troops will be disappointed of their hopes and be smitten without getting their rewards in full.” * The suggestion is made that the two-thirds are a safe return and booty which they get in this world, the remaining third being reward in the next. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who dies without having fought, or having felt it to be his duty will die guilty of a kind of hypocrisy.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Musa told that a man came to the Prophet and said, “One man fights for booty, one for the reputation of fighting, and one for his degree to be seen; which of them is in God’s path?” He replied, “The one who fights that God’s word may have preeminence is in God’s path.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas told that when God’s Messenger returned from the expedition to Tabuk and approached Medina he said, “In Medina there are people who did not fail to be with you wherever you went and whatever wadi you crossed.” A version has, “Who have not failed to share your reward.” On their expressing surprise that that should be true when they were still in Medina, he said, “While they are still in Medina, being kept back by a valid excuse.” Bukhari transmitted it, and Muslim transmitted it on Jabir’s authority.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr told that a man came to God’s Messenger and asked his permission to take part in jihad. He asked him if his parents were still alive, and when he replied that they were, he told him to exert himself* on their behalf. *The point is not so clear in English as in Arabic. Jihad, while being the word for fighting against infidels, also means to strive or to exert oneself in general. The man wished to take part in jihad, and when the Prophet heard that his parents were still alive he said fa-fihima fa-jahid (exert yourself on their behalf.) (Bukhari and Muslim.) A version has, “Return to your parents and look after them well.”

Ibn ‘Abbas reported the Prophet as saying on the day of the Conquest of Mecca, “There is no emigration after the Conquest, but only jihad and some good intention; so when you are summoned to fight, go forth.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Imran b Husain reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A section, of my people will continue to fight for the right and overcome their opponents till the last of them fight with the antichrist." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Umama reported the Prophet as saying, “He who does not join a war-like expedition, or equip a warrior, or look well after a warrior’s family when he is away, will be smitten by God with a sudden calamity before the day of resurrection.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Anas reported the Prophet as saying, “Use your property, your persons and your tongues in striving with the polytheists." Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Darimi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If you greet all and sundry, provide food, and strike the pates of enemies, you will be made heirs of paradise." Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

Fadala b. ‘Ubaid reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Everyone who dies will have fully completed his actions, except one who is on the frontier in God’s path, for his deeds will be made to go on increasing for him till the day of resurrection, and he will be safe from the trial in the grave." Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Darimi transmitted it on the authority of ‘Uqba b. ‘Amir.

Mu'adh b. Jabal told of his hearing God’s Messenger say, “If anyone fights in God’s path as long as the time between two milkings of a she- camel* paradise will be assured for him; if anyone is wounded in God’s path or suffers a misfortune, it will come on the day of resurrection as copious as possible, its colour saffron and its odour musk; and if anyone suffers from ulcers while in God's path, he will have on him the stamp of the martyrs." * This refers particularly to the practice of milking a camel, then leaving it for a little to suckle its young, after which it is milked again. The period between the two milkings therefore indicates a very short time. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Khuraim b. Fatik reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone makes a contribution towards God's path, seven hundred times as much will be recorded to his credit." Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Abu Umama reported God's Messenger as saying, “The best sadaqat are the shade of a large tent in God's path, the gift of a servant in God’s path, or providing in God’s path a she-camel old enough to be covered by a stallion." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No one who weeps from fear of God will go into hell till the milk returns to the udder, and no servant of God will experience both dust in God’s path and the smoke of jahannam." Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Nasa'i added in another version, “ever in a Muslim’s nostrils." In another by him he added, “ever in the belly of a servant of God; and stinginess and faith will never be combined in the heart of a servant of God."

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God's Messenger as saying, “There are two eyes which will never be touched by hell, an eye which weeps from fear of God and an eye which spends the night on guard in God’s path." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira told that when one of God’s Messenger’s companion came upon a mountain path containing a small spring of fresh water and was delighted by it, he expressed a desire to withdraw from the people and stay in that path. He mentioned that to God’s Messenger, and he replied, “Do not do it, for when any of you remains in God’s path it is more excellent than prayer in his house during seventy years. Do you not want* God to forgive you and bring you into paradise? Fight* in God's path. He who fights in God's path as long as the time between two milkings of a she-camel will be assured of paradise." *These verbs are in plural. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Uthman reported God’s Messenger as saying, “A day on the frontier in God’s path is better than a thousand days in any other place." Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it.

a martyr, a continent man who refrains from what is unlawful, and a slave who worships God well and serves his patrons sincerely." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Hubshi told that the Prophet was asked which deed was most excellent and replied, “Standing long in prayer." He was asked what sadaqa was most excellent and replied, “The effort of one who possesses little.” He was asked what hijra was most excellent and replied, “That of one who forsakes what God has prohibited.” He was asked what jihad was most excellent and replied, “That of one who strives against the polytheists with his property and his person.” He was asked what manner of being killed was most honourable and replied, “That of one whose blood is shed and whose steed is wounded.” Abu Dawud transmitted it Nasa’i’s version says that the Prophet was asked which actions were most excellent and replied, “Faith which contains no doubt, jihad which contains no unfaithfulness regarding spoil, and a pilgrimage which is accepted.” He was asked what prayer was most excellent and replied, “Standing long in devotion.” The two versions agree about the remainder.

he is forgiven at the first shedding of his blood, he is shown his abode in paradise, he is preserved from the punishment in the grave, he is kept safe from the greatest terror2, he has placed on his head the crown of honour a ruby of which is better than the world and what it contains, he is married to seventy-two wives of the maidens with large dark eyes,3 and is made intercessor for seventy of his relatives.” 1. There seem to be seven things mentioned in this tradition. 2. Cf. Al-Qur'an; 21:103. 3. Cf. Al-Qur’an, 56:22. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone meets God with no mark of jihad, he will meet God with a flaw in him.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The martyr experiences no more pain in being killed than one of you experiences from a sting.” Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Darimi transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a hasan gharib tradition.

Abu Umama reported the Prophet as saying, “Nothing is dearer to God than two drops and two marks, a drop of tears from fear of God and a drop of blood shed in God’s path. Regarding the two marks, they are a mark received in God’s path and one caused by observing one of the ordinances of God most high.”* * This is said to refer to such things as hacks in hands or feet through performing ablution in cold weather, or a mark on the forehead through prostrating oneself on hot ground, or having dust on one’s feet while performing pilgrimage. Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan gharib tradition.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Do not sail on the sea except when going to perform the hajj, or the ‘umra, or when fighting in God’s path, for under the sea there is a fire and under the fire there is a sea.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.