(Series of Answers of the Scholar Ata Bin Khalil Abu al-Rashtah, Ameer of Hizb ut-Tahrir, to the Questions of the Visitors to his Facebook Page)
To Hatem M. Faour
Question:
Our Honorable Sheikh Ata Abu al-Rashtah,
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "Whoever dies without having fought (in a military expedition), and without having intended it in his heart, dies on a branch of hypocrisy." How is this "self-talk" (internal intention) regarding military expeditions (ghazu)? May Allah bless you and grant you success in all goodness.
Answer:
Wa Alaikum Assalam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,
Muslim narrated in his Sahih on the authority of Abu Hurairah, who said: The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:
مَنْ مَاتَ وَلَمْ يَغْزُ، وَلَمْ يُحَدِّثْ بِهِ نَفْسَهُ، مَاتَ عَلَى شُعْبَةٍ مِنْ نِفَاقٍ
"Whoever dies without having gone out for a military expedition (ghazu), and without having intended it in his heart, dies on a branch of hypocrisy."
It was also narrated by Ahmad in his Musnad, Abu Dawud in his Sunan, An-Nasa'i in his Sunan, and Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak.
As for its meaning: It is for the Muslim to resolve ('azm) that he will set out if the Khalifah calls him for the initiation of combat (mubada’ah) for the sake of opening (fath) and spreading Islam, provided he is not excused. Likewise, he must resolve—if he is capable and not excused—to participate in defensive combat (daf’) if the disbelievers attack the lands of the Muslims. He must be sincere in what he intended and resolved. All of this is due to the importance of Jihad in Islam. Al-Tabarani narrated in Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir on the authority of Abu Umamah, that the Prophet (saw) said:
ذُرْوَةُ سَنَامِ الْإِسْلَامِ: الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللهِ لَا يَنَالُهُ إِلَّا أَفْضَلُهُمْ
"The peak of the hump of Islam is Jihad in the way of Allah; none attains it except the best of them."
It was also narrated by Ibn Abi Asim on the authority of Abu Dharr, that the Prophet (saw) said:
ذِرْوَةُ سَنَامِ الْإِسْلَامِ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، لَا يَنَالُهُ إِلَّا أَفْضَلُهُمْ
"The peak of the hump of Islam is Jihad in the way of Allah; none attains it except the best of them."
Your brother, Ata Bin Khalil Abu al-Rashtah
Link to the answer from the Ameer’s Facebook page
Link to the answer from the Ameer’s website
Link to the answer from the Ameer’s Google Plus page