B i s m i l l a a h i r R a h m a a n i r R a h e e m
Assalaamu`Alaykum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuhu Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam, May Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala bless and reward Sister Aqsa Jihad Fisabeelillah for sending us many beneficial quotations from the Holy Qur`aan and Ahadeeth, the most recent being: http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/052.sbt.html <<< Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad) Saheeh Bukhaari - Volume 4, Book 52, Number 73 Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abi Aufa: "Allaah's Apostle said, 'Know that Paradise is under the shades of swords.'" >>> However, many of our brothers and sisters, especially those who are new Muslims may not understand what our Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam meant when he said: "Know that Paradise is under the shades of swords." So for those who are interested to read the explanation (tafseer) vis-à-vis this hadeeth by Ibn Katheer rahimahullaah, please click on this link, inshaa`Allaah: http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=3&tid=9419 I would also like to mention that this hadeeth is often quoted by some people in order to depict our Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam as someone who glorified violence and killing. However, if the full saying is quoted by Muslims in it's proper context, that image of our Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam is immediately banished. The full saying is found in another narration in Saheeh Bukhaari - Volume 4, Book 52, Number 210: http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/bukhari/052.sbt.html Narrated Salim Abu An-Nadr: The freed slave of 'Umar bin 'Ubaidullah who was 'Umar's clerk: 'Abdullah bin Abi Aufa wrote him (i.e. 'Umar) a letter that contained the following: "Once Allah's Apostle (during a holy battle), waited till the sun had declined and then he got up among the people and said, "O people! Do not wish to face the enemy (in a battle) and ask Allah to save you (from calamities) but if you should face the enemy, then be patient and let it be known to you that Paradise is under the shades of swords." He then said,, "O Allah! The Revealer of the (Holy) Book, the Mover of the clouds, and Defeater of Al-Ahzab (i.e. the clans of infidels), defeat them infidels and bestow victory upon us." This narration makes it abundantly clear that the Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam taught his followers to hate violence and never to desire conflict with the enemy. However, in the event of a battle, the Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam encouraged his companions to be patient and informed them of the reward promised by Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala to those who die fighting oppression and injustice. So this hadeeth "Paradise is under the shades of swords" deals with the situation where Muslims are forced to the battlefield as the last resort to defend themselves in which case the use of the sword may be necessary and martyrdom (self-sacrifice) is rewarded with Paradise. This saying should be presented in its full context so that the reader may see that the Prophet Muhammad sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam was a man who desired peace and who patiently endured the struggles thrust upon him by his enemies. Inshaa`Allaah, Sister Aqsa will continue to send us her beneficial postings of ayaat from the Holy Qur`aan and ahadeeth with their respective explanations/tafseer. We ask Allaah the Most High, the All-Powerful, to teach us that which will benefit us, and to benefit us by that which we learn. May Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala grant blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions. Aameen Fee Amaanillaah, Your sister, K a r i m a DDN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Original Message ----- From: Aqsa Jihad Fisabeelillah* To: Aqsa Jihad Fisabeelillah* Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2008 11:33 AM Subject: Paradise Is Under the Shades Of Swords Bismillah Hir Rahmaan Nir Raheem Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatuallahi wa barakatuhu Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad) Bukhari :: Book 4 :: Volume 52 :: Hadith 73 Narrated 'Abdullah bin Abi Aufa: Allah's Apostle said, "Know that Paradise is under the shades of swords."
