Irfan (Volume 2) IRFAAN 2

207-208

Therefore the Jihad Fi Sabeel Allah and Shahadat (martyrdom) is of two types: Outwardly Physical and Inwardly Spiritual. From his Last Battle of Tabook, when the Overlord of World Hazrat Muhammad Sal Allahu Alaihe Wa Aa-lehee Wa-sallam returned, his Companions Radhi-ya-Allahu Ta-aala Anhum started believing that since the whole Arab had been conquered and they are left with no more need of Battle and Jihad and they will thenceforth be leading a life of rest and comfort. When he realized their thinking, he said that:

"We have approached to Jihad e Akbar (Mujahida) from Jihad e Asghar (Muslim holy war against disbelievers)"

That is, 'now we have become free from the minor Jihad (Asghar) and have not to fight a major Jihad (Akbar).

The Holy Companions Radhi-ya-Allahu Ta-aala Anhumwere rather surprised over his order and humbly asked him if they had to still wage a Jihad even bigger than the normal Jihad.

He said that 'Yes! This is a very big Jihad against the Dunya (World) and Satan till your last breath. This Jihad is far degree severe, arduous and the most awful because, first of all, this Dunya (World), Nafs and Satan are the very source of sending the Kuffaar and the Mushrikeen astray and invoking them for fighting and battling against the Muslims. Secondly, the physically existing Kuffaar and the Mushrikeen destroy the bodies of the Muslims and take away the worldly wealth and possessions. However, the Nafs and Satan destroys and ruins the springhead of the Eternal Life of the Muslims which is their lifeblood and soul and loots their original and eternal asset of Eimaan. Hence, since the Nafs and Satan are the original and the worst and the greatest enemies, thus, the battle against them and going against them is also Jihad which is Akbar (Greatest). Those, who get killed and are martyred during the Jihad e Asghar (Minor Jihad), they would be the Shaheed e Asghar (Minor Martyrs) of lower degree whereas those people, who would be martyred during the Jihad e Akbar, they deserve to be called Martyrs of higher degree. Therefore, the Rightful Slain in the Way of Allah and the Shaheed e Akbar and the Original Fighters against the Infidels and the Major Wagers of Jihad and the Superior Eternal Alive People are the Aulia-Allah and the Arifeen-Bi-Allah .

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These people, by remaining battling against the Nafs , Dunya (World) and Satan for their whole lives till death, achieve the Noor of Allah Almighty and the Baqaa. That is why the Shrines of the Shuhada'a Asghar (Minor Martyrs) do not become so much famous and recognized as are of the Shuhada'a e Akbar (Major Martyrs), that is, the Aulia-Allah which remain a place extensively visited by a great number of people as a source of Guidance and direction. Their Tombs are extensively visited by the pilgrims and a crowd is seen every day and night. Their dust and places of the last rest are the sites which creatures feel honor to kiss. Worldly kings and the elite feel pride in bowing at the Tombs of these Aulia-Allah. It feels as if they are sitting with honor in their Courts behind the delicate and Subtle curtain and Barzukh. The grant the good tidings and signs of getting the wishes of thousands of pilgrims granted and deliver them Beneficence and blessings of different kinds. Many ignorant and dormant hearts become alive through their Inwardly Gaze (Nigah) and Tawajuh by the Zikr of Allah Almighty and turn Mast and soaked in the Wine of the Marifat of Allah Almighty. Some pilgrims are those who bewail and cry without their self-control. The Zeal and Fervor for Allah Almighty get multiplied so much that days and nights of people are passed in doing worship, recitation, Zikr Fikr and Obedience. In short, that respect and esteem which these favorite and accepted bondmen of Allah Almighty is observed after their death, a minute fraction of this is not enjoyed by the kings of the world in their lives. What Shrines are. As if these are the lamps and candles of the Noor of Allah Almighty on which people fall like moths. Some jealous blindfold people try to extinguish these lamps by means of the blows of their useless complaints and grudge. However these lamps are not lit to be extinguished at all as Saadi Rahmatu-Allahe Ta-aala Alaihe says:

If time totally becomes a gale [fast blowing wind of storm],

Even then the candles of the Preferred People-of-Allah (Ahl-e-Allah) cannot be put out.

That candle which Allah has lit will not extinguish by him who will try to blow it by blow,

Instead, the beard of that person will get burnt in this exercise.

[Saadi Sherazi]

Allah Almighty says: Fain would they put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will perfect His light however much the disbelievers are averse (61:8)

Have destroyed, get destroyed, will all be vanished all the rivals of You,

Has not vanished nor will ever be vanished Yours glorious Name.

[Zafar Ali Khan]