Jihad: The forgotten obligation
17: The Reward of Helping A Mujahid
Narrated Zaid bin Khalid (r), Allah's Messenger (saw) said, "He who prepares a Ghazi, going in Allah's cause, is given a reward equal to that of a Ghazi, and he who looks after the dependents of a Ghazi going in Allah's cause properly, is given a reward equal to that of a Ghazi." (Bukhari p.399, vol.1)
The virtues of spending in the cause of Jihaad and the warning of not spending in the cause of Jihaad have been clearly stated in the Quran in various ways. We bring forth one Quranic ayah with brief explanation, followed by some ahadith.
Allah swt says in the Quran: "And spend in the cause of Allah ie Jihaad, and do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in the cause of Allah) and do good. Truly, Allah loves al-Muhsineen (the good doers)". (2:195)
Imam Bukhari states in the explanation of this ayah that it was revealed regarding spending in the path of Jihaad. (Sahih Bukhari, p.648, vol.1)
Not to Spend for the Cause of Jihaad Is Destruction
When the wealthy will not spend their wealth on the Mujahideen (Islamic fighters) to strengthen them, and they will not buy weapons for the Mujahideen from their wealth, then the Mujahideen will become inevitably weak and the enemy will become powerful and suppress the Muslims. The properties and wealth of the Muslims is then vulnerable and the people are oppressed and expected to comply with Kufr laws. When this occurs, there will be nothing but shame and sorrow, particularly for the wealthy Muslims, who refused to equip the Mujahideen.
The Needs of Jihaad is Also Wealth
The need of wealth sometimes exceeds the need of men in Jihaad as Jihaad cannot take place without war equipment. This is why numerous virtues have been stated in the Islamic Shariah for wealth given in the cause of Jihaad as wealth plays a fundamental role in Jihaad.
When the Prophet (saw) used to make the call for Jihaad even for poor people (in terms of wealth) used to present themselves but because of the shortage of mounts etc, they had to turn back crying.
The Quran clearly states their sorrow and grief for not being able to participate in Jihaad in this verse:
"Nor (is there blame) on those who came to you to be provided with mounts, and when you said, "I can find no mounts for you, they turned back, while their eyes are overflowing wiuth tears of grief that they could not find anything (to spend)". (Taubah:92)
This is why it is wajib upon the believers Allah has gifted with wealth to use it for the elevation of Allah's word and for safeguarding Islam and Iman and not to be miserly as this could become the reason for a mass destruction.
The Prophet (saw) was questioned this, "O Prophet of Allah! Who is the most virtuous amongst people?". The Prophet (saw) replied, "The one who does Jihaad with his self and his wealth in Allah's cause". (Sahih Bukhari)
The Quran clearly announces this superiority and it is crystal clear that, how can those who do not sacrifice compete with those who sacrifice their lives and wealth for Allah? Allah's love and blessing is with those who demonstrate their commitment by sacrificing their lives and wealth for Allah. No difficulty stops them from their mission of elevating Allah's word by sacrificing their family, lives and wealth.
A Magnificent Reward
Ali (ra) and Abu Darda (r) narrated from the Prophet (saw) that he said, "Whoever sent wealth to be spent in the path of Allah and stayed behind himself he will be rewarded for every dirham, the reward of 700 dirhams, and whoever fought himself for Allah's pleasure and also spent His wealth in this cause, he will be rewarded for every dirham the reward of 700 000 dirhams." Then the Prophet (saw) recited this ayah "Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wishes". (2:261) (Ibn Majah, p.198)
Thawban (r) says that the Prophet (saw) said, "The best Dinar is that which is spent on one's household and that dinar which is spent on the horse for Jihaad and the dinar which is spent on friends in the path of Jihaad". (Ibn Majah, p.198)
The Prophet (saw) said "Whoever provides the needs of a Mujahid, he will receive the reward of a Mujahid and the reward of the Ghazi will not be decreased". (Ibn Majah, p.198)
Huraim bin Fatih (r) says that the Prophet (saw) said "Whoever spent in the cause of Jihaad, his reward will be multiplied 700 times". (Tirmidhi).
Abdullah ibn Amr (r) says that the Prophet saw said "The Ghazi receives the reward of Jihaad and the employer or repayer gets the reward of repaying and Jihaad". (Abu Dawud).
Abu Dharr (r) says that the Prophet (saw) "Any muslim whose three children die, Allah will enter them into Jannah by His grace, and whoever spends two pairs from his wealth in Allah's cause, the guards of Jannah run towards them (they stand in honour for them and call them towards Jannah). (Sunan al-Kubra, Bayhaqi, p.171, vol.9)
The explanation of the term "pairs" is two servant or two camels or two sheep, etc. This is a great virtue for those who spend for the cause of Jihaad and the glad tidings of Jannah have been granted to such a person.
Abu Umamah (r) says that the Prophet (saw) said "The best charity is to provide the shade for the tent in the path of Allah, or to give a slave in the path of Allah or to give a young camel in the path of Allah." (Tirmidhi)
The reason for it being the best charity is because all three things mentioned above are a necessity for the Mujahideen. The Mujahideen need the tents to live in and they need men to aid them and mounts to ride upon. Another reason for this great reward is that the above mentioned things are very precious, therefore the reward is also great.
Umar Ibn Khattab (r) says that I heard the Prophet (saw) saying, "Whoever provided a shade to a mujahid, Allah will shade him with His shade of the day of judgement". (Sunan al-Kubra, Bayhaqi, p.172, vol.2)
The Prophet (saw) said "The person with the most Iman is he who does Jihaad with his self and wealth and that person who worships Allah in a valley keeping people away from his mischief". (Abu Dawud, p.287)
Abu Huraira (r) narrates that in the night of Isra, the Prophet (saw) passed some people who used to sow seeds one day and cut it the next day. After cutting it the field used to grow again. The Prophet (saw) said, "O Jibreel! who are these people?". Jibrael (r) answered, "They are the Mujahideen, the reward of their deeds are multiplied up to 700, whatever they spend they are repaid for it." (at-Targheeb wa at-Tarheeb)