by
Muqadas Ghumman – freelance writer
The Shuhada’ (martyrs) of Gaza sparked a love of martyrdom (Shahada) in my heart but the spark slowly began to die because I felt helpless. I didn’t see a way I could reach that honour.
In the initial horrors of the war, I suffered sleepless nights. I prayed to be able to serve my brothers in Gaza, to be able to do something- even as little as carrying a few bottles of water- and being hit by a strike. My need to achieve shahada came more from the guilt of being a witness to such atrocities against my brothers and sisters than from a love of death.
‘And they, to what they were doing against the believers, were witnesses.’ (Surah Al Buruj 85:7)
But then, I became immune to the death, hunger, burns and amputations of the helpless in Gaza. The lonely orphans, screaming parents and crying widows amidst the rubble of Gaza became routine.
However, on 20th May, 2024, I was shaken awake to the news of the martyrs of D-Chowk, Islamabad. My initial reaction was shock, quickly followed by distress and anger. A few hours passed and we witnessed the funeral of our martyred son, Muhammad Roman Sajid. The funeral began to wear me out when I heard the chants and slogans of the youth wishing for ‘Shahada’. I heard them chant ‘Shahadat’ as their purpose of life. Suddenly, I had the energy to cope with the incident.
‘Do not say regarding those who are slain in the path of God that they are dead; rather they are alive but you are not aware.’ (Al Baqarah 2:154)
The blood of Shuhada ensures the life of the Ummah and this is once again gaining momentum. Allama Iqbal penned it right.
But of his barren acres Iqbal will not despair:
A little rain, and harvests shall wave at last, oh Saki!
Sincerity
I realized that my spark was dying because I felt helpless here, but Roman gained Shahadah thousands of miles away from the battleground in the same place as myself. What was different between us?
I knew martyrdom is not random but an honour from Allah (swt). It was Roman’s sincerity for Allah’s (swt) Deen that made him different. Roman’s parents spoke of his love and willingness to be sacrificed for Allah (swt). He prepared them by telling them the virtues of a martyr. He told his friends that he didn’t wish to live after witnessing atrocities in Gaza. He was surely not an ordinary youngster.
I realized that I must renew my vows, I must search within my heart for sincerity. If my desire to be martyred was true, Allah (swt) would lead me to it. If I could not actively participate in the war in Gaza, I could ponder upon Omar’s (rta) love and eagerness for martyrdom. He was so sincere that he was granted martyrdom within the peaceful and just society of Madinah, while leading the Momineen in prayer as the Khalifah of the Ummah.
Power over Wahn
I must lead a life worthy to be honored by Allah (swt) with martyrdom. The love of martyrdom is a power and asset of the believer.
A Russian commander fighting the Afghan Mujahideen said: “How do you defeat an enemy who looks into the barrel of a gun and sees Paradise?’
The culture of martyrdom needs to be revived because the enemy of Allah (swt) fears nothing more than our love of death. In fact, Prophet Muhammad (saw) had stated that for his Ummah, the love of death is a strength and the love of life is a weakness. When the Ummah is infected with Wahn, they will become like scum of the ocean, whom the enemy of Islam does not fear.
What is Wahn? It is the love of the world and disliking death. (Abi Dawud) I needed to start living a life that would make death dearer to me than life.
A Jihad in the way of God, waged without sword or shield!
What courage the love of martyrdom gives!
How was it possible to love death? Anas ibn Nadr (rta) could smell Jannah from behind the mount of Uhud and he ran towards it. He didn’t wait to eat the dates in his hand. What made him so eager to love death? Death can only become dear to you when you want to offer your life to a cause more important than your own life and when you truly believe in the promise of Allah (swt) in the hereafter.
Love for Allah (swt)
The most selfless love amongst worldly relations is the love we have for our parents and our children. Our love for Allah (swt) and His Prophet (saw) must transcend all these worldly attachments. A believer leaves everything Allah (swt) dislikes, he adopts everything His Lord loves, he spends more and more time worshiping and remembering Him. For Allah (swt), he is willing to offer his life.
Martyrdom is the level of love that even the Prophets prayed for. Roman’s parents said he was ready to be martyred because it was a death even the Prophets prayed for.
Shahadat is the highest form of love
This flame has once again become alive in this town
May Allah (swt) accept the martyrs of Palestine and our brothers of D-Chowk and may Allah (swt) help us take heed from their lives.
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