اللہ کی راہ میں جہاد کرنے کی فضیلت

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that a man came to the noble Messenger ﷺ and asked, "Who is the best of people?" He ﷺ said: "A believer who strives (does jihad) in the way of Allah with his life and his wealth." The man asked, "Then who?" He ﷺ said: "Then a believer who lives in a mountain pass worshipping Allah and keeping people safe from his mischief and harm."

(Bukhari & Muslim)

One particular demand and emphasis Allah places on the believers is that they strive to keep Allah's religion alive and exalted and to spread it as widely as possible; in the special language of the religion this is called jihad.

This is the deed to which Allah has called in the Holy Qur'an roughly four hundred and fifty (450) times; the deed on whose path the Prophet ﷺ himself set out twenty-seven (27) times; the deed that marks the roads to Paradise; the deed in which there is ease and tranquillity, honour and eminence, and by which a person breaks the chains of servitude.

In one place Allah addresses His believing servants thus:

"O you who believe! Shall I show you a trade that will save you people from a painful punishment? (So listen:) Keep firm your faith in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, and (when needed) strive in the way of Allah (that is, for His religion) with your wealth and your lives. This is better for you, if you only knew. (If you do so) Allah will forgive your sins and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow, and into fine dwellings in the everlasting Gardens of Eden. That is the supreme success and attainment." (Al-Saff, 10–12)

This hadith tells us that the highest in rank is the one who stakes his wealth and life for the glory of Islam and the Muslims; next in rank is the one who remains engaged in the worship of his Lord and causes no harm to others.