To serve the cause of religion Is not enough to deserve paradise
Al-Risala (English), July 1990, p. 4
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
To serve the cause of religion Is not enough to deserve paradise.
1990 7 July 4 To serve the cause of religion Is not enough to deserve paradise. (190) The Prophet told of a man who fought with all his might in the Battle of Hunayn. When he was killed, news of his death spread far and wide, People made much of his bravery, and were sure that he must have attained the status of martyrdom. When the Prophet heard what people were saying, he told them that the person concerned was among the people of the Fire. There was puzzlement at the Prophet’s words, for the man’s intrepid bravery was still fresh in people’s memory. The Prophet told them to go and find out the circumstances in which he had died. It turned out that he had been wounded in battle. When night came, unable to bear the pain of his wounds, he committed suicide. (Far from leading one to martyrdom, suicide is an unlawful act which cannot be justified under any circumstances.) The Prophet was told of people’s findings. “I bear witness that I am God’s servant and prophet,” he said. Then he sent Bilal to tell the people that only a real, true Muslim would enter heaven. “And God strengthens this religion through profligates too.”
(Bukhari)
