Many are sure that the shahid is a suicide bomber. In these people they see only evil, and nothing more. However, if we consider this issue from a Muslim point of view, then everything looks very different. And how can one understand who is right and who is not? Let's find out who the shahids in Islam are and why today half of the world's population is afraid of them.
Well, in order to find answers to these questions, you need to look into the very heart of Islamic culture. Learn about their traditions and laws, as well as hear what true believers say about it. Therefore, let’s put aside prejudice and try to get to the bottom of the truth.
Shahid: translation of the word and its meaning
If you translate the word "shahid" from Arabic, you get something like "witness" or "testify." Moreover, initially this concept had two interpretations. According to the first, a shahid is a witness to a crime who is ready to testify in court. The second one said that this was a man who suffered martyrdom in war.
It is the second interpretation that is considered correct. At the same time, there are special rules according to which the deceased can be considered a martyr.
Who is a shahid?
Now let's look at why martyrs are called martyrs, that is, witnesses. Well, there are many theories that can explain this interpretation. However, they all boil down to the following conclusions:
- Dying for his own faith, a Muslim testifies to the power of Allah.
- The angels themselves tell the Lord about the heroism committed by the martyr.
- The existence of martyrs in itself proves the reality of paradise.
Who is able to become a martyr?
Shahid is a martyr who died in the glory of Allah. That is, they can become only a true Muslim, who with all his heart believes in the power of the Almighty and his deeds. Here we need to understand one important point: the act of heroism should be performed only in the name of faith. If a Muslim is driven by a thirst for glory or political conviction, then in the eyes of Allah he will never become a martyr.
In addition, there are two types of shahids that are very different from each other. Therefore, let us consider them separately.
Shahid of eternal life
If a true Muslim dies from violent death, then he becomes a martyr of eternal life. That is, in the world of the living he will not be perceived as a martyr. Consequently, the funeral will be held in accordance with established traditions: the imam will hold all the rituals necessary for the repose and read the necessary prayers. But in the afterlife, such a person will be considered a martyr, which will give him certain privileges.
In what cases can a Muslim be called a martyr of eternal life? This happens if he dies at the hands of bandits, due to illness, accident or disaster. In addition, all women who die during childbirth also become martyrs in the eyes of Allah.
Shahid of both worlds
It is completely different if a Muslim dies on the battlefield in the name of Allah. In this case, he becomes a martyr of both worlds. His soul immediately goes to heaven, where it takes a place near the throne of the Most High.
In this case, the deceased Muslim can be immediately buried. Unlike the previous case, there is no longer any need to hold funeral rites or prayers. The martyrs of both worlds do not need them, since their body and soul have already proved their purity before Allah.
The fine line between faith and madness
Unfortunately, today the term "martyr" is increasingly used to refer to suicide bombers. In particular, they called the bandits who committed the September 11 attack in America. Why did they turn from great martyrs into villains whom the whole world hates?
In fact, the journalists are largely to blame. They named the terrorists by this name, although most Muslims do not agree with this. Indeed, according to the Qur'an, it is not appropriate for a person to do such evil. It is one thing to protect yourself and your loved ones, and it is quite another to kill innocent people.
Nevertheless, many suicide bombers consider themselves to be martyrs. They actually believe that their war is sacred. Therefore, their death is nothing but a way to show the power of Allah to be unfaithful.
Shaheed Belt
If we talk about shahids, then you can not ignore another sinister creation, which today is closely associated with their activities. In this case, we are talking about a martyr’s belt, thanks to which more than one hundred people died. What kind of device is this?
The shahid’s belt is a very insidious explosive that is easy to hide under clothing. It is needed so that the killer could quietly slip into the crowd of people and undermine himself together with them.
The first to use these devices were Palestinian terrorists. So, the Israeli general R. Eitan in his notes mentioned that back in 1974 he was lucky to neutralize one of these suicides. And although initially only a few decided to resort to such harsh methods, with the advent of the terrorist organization Hamas, everything changed dramatically. And the ideological training of their fighters was to blame. After all, they actually believed that, undermining themselves, they became martyrs.
Women in the holy war
A shahid is not only a man. Women can also become "witnesses" of the glory of Allah. But at the same time, they cannot fight men on equal terms. That is, Muslim women should help their husbands in battle, but only in a peaceful way. For example, to treat the wounded, to stock up supplies, to carry water on the battlefield, and so on.
As for the war itself, many Islamic sages insist that women should not take up arms. This taboo can be broken only in the most extreme cases, when they simply have no other choice.
If we talk about terrorists who undermine themselves in the crowd, then their affairs can not be interpreted as acts committed in the glory of Allah. Therefore, most Muslims do not perceive them as martyrs.