Jihad: The forgotten obligation
12: To Wish for Children For The Cause of Jihaad
Narrated Abu Huraira (r), Allah's Messenger (saw), said, "Once Suleiman, (as), son of Dawud (as), said, "By Allah, tonight I will have sexual intercouse with one hundred (or ninety women), of whom will give birth to a knight who will fight in Allah's cause." On that a companion of his said, "Say Allah willing (Insha'Allah), " but he did not say "Allah willing". Therefore only one of those women conceived and gave birth to a part of man. By Him in whose hands Muhammad's life is, if he had said, "Allah willing", (he would have begotten sons) all of whom would have been knights, striving in Allah's cause". (Sahih Bukhari, p.395, vol.1)
We learn from this hadith that every Muslim should make the intention that they would offer their children to be soldiers to safeguard this deen, as was the intention of the Prophet Suleiman (as).
Ibn Hajar (r), says, "If any person holds this intention, while having sexual intercouse with his wife, that if he is given a male child he would make him a Mujahid, he would gain the reward for his intention even if it really does not occur." Either he does not have a boy or he has a boy but he could not become a Mujahid". (Fath ul Bari)
This tradition should be a reminder for those who have the opposite intention, and bring their children up to be the "slaves of the world". They are carefully nurtured in luxury and sheltered from knowing anything about Jihaad.
When these parents hear about Jihaad, they are filled with awe and fear that their child might run to Jihaad. If Allah Ta'ala bestows His Mercy upon the child and he stands for the path of Jihaad, the parents feel that doomsday has come over them. They try every means possible in preventing these young Muslim boys from the path of Jannah and indulge them in the worldly affairs.
It happens that sometimes they, the parents, go to scholars for fatawa, "is it right for our child to go to Jihaad without permission? can they do this? is it permissable for them?"
The scholars respond according to the Shariah's principles but these parents use these fatawa against Jihaad.
As a Muslim, one should have consideration and feelings for the plight of fellow Muslims and contemplate over the ayaat and ahadith with a view to changing his own behaviour, and encouraging others to join this blessed work. We hold the belief that death has its fixed time, it will not come any earlier. It is better to die in Allah's cause than lead a sinful life. This world is to disintergrate and our everlasting place is the hereafter. The wives of the Sahaba (r) used to encourage and urge their young sons and husbands to join in the Jihaad.
Khansa's (ra) sons and near relative had attained the Shahadah in the battle of Uhud, but this brave Muslim lady was more concerned and asked, "What is the state of the Prophet (saw), is the Prophet (saw) safe and well?".
Safiya (r) had seen the mutilated body of her brother, Hamza (r), but this did not stop her sending her son, az-Zubair (r) in the path of Jihaad. She urged him towards this path.
Alas, the Muslims of today bring up their children as a hen brings up her chicks, when they grow big and fat they are roasted and eaten by the people. Muslims in these days bring up their children unprepared and unprotected against their enemy, the kaffir. These children don't have the heart to fight back. The consequence is that the kuffar are free to assault the Muslims, brutally shed their blood and mercilessly rape the Muslim women. They continue to destroy our mosques and madrassahs, determined to wipe out the name of Islam.
The Muslims should hold on to the path of Jihaad, to save themselves from this humiliation. Make firm intentions before the child is born, that Allah willing, I would make them Mujahideen, and bring them up in the true environemtn of Islam and Jihaad. Fill their hearts with the love of Islam and Muslims and the dislike of the Kuffar. Teach them to swim and other exercises. Tell them about the bravery and courage of our ancestors. In their soft and tender hearts fill the zeal of Jihaad and the love of Shahadah. If you bring your children up in accordance with the above mentioned advice, Insha'Allah, in the near future, they will become the ghazis of islam. They will be the protectors of their mothers and sisters and the Islamic values. The strongest of the enemy would not gaze at them with evil intentions (with Allah's will).