Recently found on WNC (GMP20081007459002) this holiday treatise on jihad by the emir of Islamic Army in Iraq.
God loves the courageous people even for the killing of a snake, and adores tolerance even with a little number of dates. The jihad is a worship that requires dedication and continuity, like fasting, performing the prayers, and all of the other worships. This worship (jihad) is not accepted unless it is performed keenly for the sake of Almighty God. The Prophet, peace and prayers be upon him, was reported saying in the Al-Sahihayn (the two authenticated sources of Hadith):
'A man who fulfills the jihad for the sake of God -- God only knows who fights for His sake -- is like a man who observes the fast and performs the prayers. God has promised him the heaven if killed, or return him safe and reward him.'
The happiest and the most revered among the people are those who exactingly embrace the knowledge and deeds of the Messenger of God, peace and prayers be upon him. A Muslim always needs to be honest and sincere, and meticulous and careful in selecting his work, away from infidelity and innovation so as to get the full award of his deeds, and avoid suffering and affliction which Almighty God reproached us. The Almighty says:
'Whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner' (partial Koranic verse; Al-Kahf, 18:110).
In the Al-Sahihayn on the Al-Faruq, the Prophet, peace and prayers be upon him, was narrated saying:
'One's deeds are judged through his intents, and every man will get the reward according to his own intents. If he migrates to God and the Messenger, then his migration is to God and the Messenger; but if he migrates to a material world, or a woman he would marry; then his migration is to what he went for'.
The utmost deliverance and the greatest reward seeking the company of the Generous God in the hereafter -- the dwelling of delight and bliss -- can be achieved only through one's genuineness in performing the worships, and following the Prophet's guidance and the directives of God to His worshippers. Almighty God says:
'Say: "I am but a man like yourselves, (but) the inspiration has come to me, that your Allah is one Allah. Whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner' (Koranic verse; Al-Kahf, 18:110).
The intent is the ground, the basis, and the spirit of every deed. The consequences of our deeds determine the degree of sincerity or insincerity of out intents, and decide on whether we have succeeded or been disappointed both in this life and the hereafter. Almighty God says:
'If any do wish for the transitory things (of this life), We readily grant them -- such things as We will, to such person as We will: in the end have We provided Hell for them: they will burn therein, disgraced and rejected. Those who do wish for the (things of) the Hereafter, and strive therefore with all due striving, and have Faith, -- they are the ones whose striving is acceptable to Allah' (Koranic verses; Al-Isra, 17:18-19).
Sincerity and continuity are shown and proved in the theater of war, the place for fighting and self-renunciation. He who renounces his self while fighting will be awarded the contentment of God, or, but if he did not, will suffer distress and misery. If one's jihad is hypocritical and spurious, then he will have no time to free himself of that slip; and will not have another self if he lost his own. He who spoiled his own end will not have another end to adjust...
