Ethics of Islam

knowledge in favour of attacking, a pure intention free from
worldly interests, and altruistic motives such as beautifying one’s
soul with bravery and freeing oneself from vices such as
impetuosity and pusillanimity, are components essential in the
meaning of bravery. A person with these intentions never wants
to do evil deeds. He prefers dying to committing evil deeds. He
considers dying honorably is superior to living in dishonor. He
prefers to be remembered in an honorable way to living with a
black stain on his face. Since bravery carries the risk of injury or
death, it may not taste very good in the beginning, but in the end
it will taste infinitely sweet owing to the ineffable pleasure in the
victory it will bring, which, in fact, would prove only incidental
in comparison with the fruits it will yield in this world and the
next. All the greater, the gratification that will be felt for having
sacrificed one’s life in the cause of protecting Islam and
promulgating Rasûlullah’s brilliant faith is of especial flavour
overshadowing all the other flavours which may ever be relished
in this world and the next. As a matter of fact, the hundred and
sixty-ninth âyat of Sûra âl-i-’Imrân purports: “Think not of those
who are slain in Allah’s way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their
sustenance in the Pressence of their Rabb (Allâhu ta’âlâ).” (3-
1699) There are innumerable hadîth-i-sherîfs which praise the
value of bravery. Neither running away from jihâd saves one
from death or extends one’s life, nor staying and facing the
enemy causes death. The hour of death cannot be expedited or
postponed and one’s life-span cannot be changed. In many
instances, running away from war causes one to die
unexpectedly and resisting and fighting against the enemy causes
one to enjoy victory. Hadrat Mu’âwiya ‘radiy-Allâhu ’anh’
relates: “I was planning to desert the battle of Siffîn, when I
remembered the hadîth-i-sherîf, ‘Patience will save one from
disasters.’ So I preferred perseverence, which thanks be to
Allâhu ta’âlâ, saved me from defection. It was that patience of
mine which helped me attain caliphate.”
The basis of bravery is acquiescence in the Will of Allâhu
ta’âlâ, and trust in His Deeds and Decisions. Hadrat Alî ‘radiy-
Allâhu ’anh’, (whose valiant accomplishments won him the
honorific) Lion of Allah, and who was the rose of the garden of
Wilâyat, would run forward during the offensives in the battle of
Siffîn and recite the following lines:
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