Why are so many Muslims motivated to fight and die as martyrs/shaheeds in Islam?
According to Islamic doctrine, when a Muslim dies for any reason – car crash, heart attack, old age – his body is washed, shrouded, prayed over, and buried in accordance with Sharia (Islamic Law). Specific details of how the body is washed, who is to wash, specific prayers to be prayed, and how the grave is dug is all a part of the Sharia covering this topic.
Once the deceased is placed in the grave, his soul separates from the body and lingers above it. Here is a description from What Islam is All About, the most popular text used in Islamic junior high schools in America:
“When you die, your soul is taken from your body by the Angel of Death. If you were a good person, it is gently drawn out from your flesh. If you were bad, however, then your soul is ripped violently from it….
“If you were a believer in Allah, and followed the teachings of your Prophet…your environment will then be softly lighted. Your resting place in the spiritual dimension will be made roomy and comfortable and you will sleep and dream gently until the Day of Judgment.
“But if you were a bad person, who didn’t believe in Allah, or a hypocrite, then the angels will become horrifying to you. They will strike you and cause your soul’s resting place to squeeze in upon you until you feel suffocated. Then you will be tormented and in agony until the Day of Judgment.”
But how does a Muslim know whether he followed the teachings of Islam or not throughout his life? Islam teaches that every Muslim has two beings called “Jinns” which record all of their good and bad deeds throughout life. If the bad deeds outweigh the good deeds, he goes to hell on the Day of Judgment. If the good deeds outweigh the bad deeds, he goes to paradise. But there is no way to know until the Day of Judgment where he is going.
There is only one exception.
The martyr or shaheed – the one who dies in battle in Allah’s cause (Jihad) – immediately goes to the highest level of paradise the moment his first drop of blood hits the ground, and he receives the promise of sensual pleasures. The shaheed avoids all punishments of the grave and is sure of his reward in paradise. The shaheed does not feel the pain of death.
“It is unlawful to wash the body of a martyr or perform funeral prayer over him. A martyr means someone who died in battle with non-Muslims. It is recommended that war gear be removed from the body, and it is best to bury the martyr in the rest of his bloodstained clothes since it is the effect of worship.” [Um dat al Salik, 14th Century Islamic Sacred Law, certified by Al Azhar as authoritative Sunni Islamic Law]
To die as a shaheed against non-Muslims is the highest form of worship in Islam.
The Koran promises shaheeds go to the highest level of paradise above all other Muslims:
“Not equal are those believers who sit at home and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit at home. Unto all in Faith Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward.” [Koran 4:95]
“Those who leave their homes in the cause of Allah (jihad) and are then slain or die, on them will Allah bestow verily a goodly Provision; truly Allah is he who bestows the best Provision.” [Koran 22:58]
This is why in Islamic schools across the world, and in America, 7th graders are taught: “If anyone dies in a Jihad they automatically will go to Paradise. A Shaheed, or Martyr, is described this way by Allah, ‘Don’t think that those who were killed in Allah’s Cause are dead. No, they are alive, finding their bounty in the presence of their Lord.’ (Koran 3:169)” [What Islam is All About, pg 164]
In Islam “The Cause of Allah” is Jihad.
It is clear to all Muslims, which is why it is taught to Muslim children in mosques and Islamic schools across America, that to die fighting non-Muslims is the highest form of worship in Islam and the only way to guarantee paradise when a Muslim dies.
John Guandolo has years of unique experience helping local, state, and federal leaders identify and deal with real threats. Primarily, he trains citizens, local leaders, and police how to fortify their counties.
18 Responses
When a Muslim dies, he becomes a “moderate” Muslim.
When a Muslim dies, he becomes a “moderate” Muslim.
When a Muslim dies, he becomes a “moderate” Muslim.
Now that was informative and interesting. I especially appreciate the fact that you included attribution by including direct quotes.
Now that was informative and interesting. I especially appreciate the fact that you included attribution by including direct quotes.
Now that was informative and interesting. I especially appreciate the fact that you included attribution by including direct quotes.
SO TO THE JIHAD,,,,,IS ALLAH CONSIDERED TO BE THEIR GOD AND THEIR LORD.. ARE ARE THESE TWO SEPARATE BEINGS. WE CHRISTIANS KNOW THE TRINITY IS GOD, OUR FATHER, HIS SON JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, AND THE THIRD DEITY IS THE HOLY SPIRIT.
SO TO THE JIHAD,,,,,IS ALLAH CONSIDERED TO BE THEIR GOD AND THEIR LORD.. ARE ARE THESE TWO SEPARATE BEINGS. WE CHRISTIANS KNOW THE TRINITY IS GOD, OUR FATHER, HIS SON JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, AND THE THIRD DEITY IS THE HOLY SPIRIT.
SO TO THE JIHAD,,,,,IS ALLAH CONSIDERED TO BE THEIR GOD AND THEIR LORD.. ARE ARE THESE TWO SEPARATE BEINGS. WE CHRISTIANS KNOW THE TRINITY IS GOD, OUR FATHER, HIS SON JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, AND THE THIRD DEITY IS THE HOLY SPIRIT.
I had heard that if a jihadist had any pork on him, that his martyrdom would be nullified and that he would go straight to hell. If that is so, why don’t we grease our guns with pork products? And/or have pork fat hanging in public places where they might be inclined to detonate bombs? Or have pepper spray with pork fat/oil that we can carry around? Is there any truth to that?
If I understood right when I asked a related question at an event John Gandolfo held here, that’s just complete BS. If you die a martyr it doesn’t matter if you were swimming in a vat of pig fat when you died. No doubt if I got this wrong, John will be happy to correct me (actually, I hope JG comments, either way).
*Guandolo (add a u, strike the f). My apologies.
I had heard that if a jihadist had any pork on him, that his martyrdom would be nullified and that he would go straight to hell. If that is so, why don’t we grease our guns with pork products? And/or have pork fat hanging in public places where they might be inclined to detonate bombs? Or have pepper spray with pork fat/oil that we can carry around? Is there any truth to that?
If I understood right when I asked a related question at an event John Gandolfo held here, that’s just complete BS. If you die a martyr it doesn’t matter if you were swimming in a vat of pig fat when you died. No doubt if I got this wrong, John will be happy to correct me (actually, I hope JG comments, either way).
*Guandolo (add a u, strike the f). My apologies.
I had heard that if a jihadist had any pork on him, that his martyrdom would be nullified and that he would go straight to hell. If that is so, why don’t we grease our guns with pork products? And/or have pork fat hanging in public places where they might be inclined to detonate bombs? Or have pepper spray with pork fat/oil that we can carry around? Is there any truth to that?
If I understood right when I asked a related question at an event John Gandolfo held here, that’s just complete BS. If you die a martyr it doesn’t matter if you were swimming in a vat of pig fat when you died. No doubt if I got this wrong, John will be happy to correct me (actually, I hope JG comments, either way).
*Guandolo (add a u, strike the f). My apologies.