Expendable Muslims?:
What does “Expendable” mean? Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary defines it as:
Definition of EXPENDABLE
: that may be expended: as a : normally used up or consumed in serviceb : more easily or economically replaced than rescued, salvaged, or protected
In other words the question becomes is the life of a muslim expendable on and off the battlefield? Or, does any military or community leader have the right to request of you to commit suicide on or off the battlefield? Or, does any military or community leader have the right to request or suggest or recommend that you fall on your sword on or off the battlefield? Does it begin with the cursing of the muslim expendables? I would argue (the last question), yes, that that is indeed an indication of devaluation.
What does the Quran say? At Surahtul Nisa Ayat 93 it reads,
“If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, to abide therein (For ever): And the wrath and the curse of God are upon him, and a dreadful penalty is prepared for him.”
Ok, well some might say that I didn't kill him, he killed himself with the C4 vest that I gave him/her. The vest was really a robe of heaven and an opportunity to join the ranks of the martyrs. To that I would say, perhaps...but, only Allah knows, I can only go on the evidence that I have been given. Therefore, I put forth another possibility of the interpretation of these acts,
“And the Law-Giver Allah has made one who leads another to do a deed equal to the doer of the deed himself, both in reward (for a good deed) and in punishment (for a crime). So the inviter to a good deed and the inviter to a bad deed both will have a reward (good or bad) equal to the reward of the one who has done the deed (without taking away from the deeds of the doers)” ~ Appendix 4 of The Quranul Kareem of Darussalam Publishing and Distribution of Riyadh Saudi Arabia and translated by Muhammad Mohsin Khan and Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Hilali
So what if Allah interprets it as Surahtul Nisa Ayat 93, can any of us afford to take the risk. Then what of considering the ayat of Quran Surahtul Nisa Ayat 29, “...Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God hath been to you Most Merciful!” This portion of this ayat is self-explanatory and is written the same in the over 2 billion Qurans that blanket this Ummah on earth at this time. “Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a Great Sin.” ~ Surahtul Isra Ayat 31. As well as, Surahtul Furqan Ayat 68, "Those who invoke not, with God, any other god, nor slay such life as God has made sacred except for just cause, nor commit fornication; - and any that does this (not only) meets punishment..."
Sometimes war happens and if it does, Allah has given us instruction to prepare ourselves for it. But, this requires governments. If you are not being equipped with tanks, air craft carriers, air-force, navy, ground troops, submarines...and you are poorly equipped, then one should choose the pen, or a musical instrument over the C4 vest. Then, maybe your writings or the French Horn or some other instrument becomes your weapon for peace, though music should be the least important subject studied by a muslim, because it is a grey area...but, certainly choose it rather than the C4 vest which clearly has been decreed to mean hell-fire by Surahtul Nisa Ayat 93. This is not cowardice. The Quran says at Surahtul Anfali Ayat 60, “Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies of Allah and your enemies and others besides, whom you may not know but, Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of God, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.” This is something of Islamic governments in Islamic lands to undertake, for the scale of this is too great for any gang or mob mentality. Thus, either join your country's military or use the pen or music (or other leading fields of study) as your weapon for peace in Islam and on earth. In addition there is also the option of getting involved in your country's politics to foster positive change on the causes which you stand for. Also there is the option of becoming a professional boxer; mixed martial artist; or UFC competitor and using these arenas as an expression of the mission for your cause so that random acts of violence on the streets can stop taking place.
It has been said that, “The ink of the scholar is more holier than the blood of the martyr.” (many attribute this saying to Nabi Muhammad (saws), which obviously shows preference for peace through wisdom; to peace through bloodshed on earth.) Another saying is that, “The blood of the muslim is worth more than the Ka'bah.” ~ Sunan Ibn Majah; Silsilah as Saheehah, 3420; Saheeh al Targheeb wal Tarheeb, 2441. It seems that this one suggests that it should not be considered a light matter for the blood of the muslim to be spilled upon the earth. Sacred life.
In short, we have still been given the Commandment from Allah (swt) through Nabi Musa (saws) in the 10 Commandments, "Thou shalt not kill." This is the goal...not to spread mischief and bloodshed upon the earth as when the Malaika (Angels) asked Allah will You create one who will shed blood and spread mischief whilst we dost celebrate Thy Praises and Glorify Thy Holy Names. It is something to think about nonetheless. ASA WR WB to Sami Yusuf, Yusuf Islam and Hamza Yusuf.
And whoever commits suicide with piece of iron will be punished with the same piece of iron in the Hell-Fire.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
Also the Hadith you quoted: the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is also reported to have said: "A man was inflicted with wounds and he committed suicide, and so Allah said: My slave has caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him.” It may start with a curse upon a brother, sister or jumaat in faith, and then the concept of expendable believer begins. Al Masihu Isa ibn Maryam (∞ pbut) has expressed the wisdom that to curse a brother or sister, in faith, is just as bad as murder. This is, perhaps, where the concept of expendable man or woman of faith begins.
What does “Expendable” mean? Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary defines it as:
Definition of EXPENDABLE
: that may be expended: as a : normally used up or consumed in service
In other words the question becomes is the life of a muslim expendable on and off the battlefield? Or, does any military or community leader have the right to request of you to commit suicide on or off the battlefield? Or, does any military or community leader have the right to request or suggest or recommend that you fall on your sword on or off the battlefield? Does it begin with the cursing of the muslim expendables? I would argue (the last question), yes, that that is indeed an indication of devaluation.
What does the Quran say? At Surahtul Nisa Ayat 93 it reads,
“If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, to abide therein (For ever): And the wrath and the curse of God are upon him, and a dreadful penalty is prepared for him.”
Ok, well some might say that I didn't kill him, he killed himself with the C4 vest that I gave him/her. The vest was really a robe of heaven and an opportunity to join the ranks of the martyrs. To that I would say, perhaps...but, only Allah knows, I can only go on the evidence that I have been given. Therefore, I put forth another possibility of the interpretation of these acts,
“And the Law-Giver Allah has made one who leads another to do a deed equal to the doer of the deed himself, both in reward (for a good deed) and in punishment (for a crime). So the inviter to a good deed and the inviter to a bad deed both will have a reward (good or bad) equal to the reward of the one who has done the deed (without taking away from the deeds of the doers)” ~ Appendix 4 of The Quranul Kareem of Darussalam Publishing and Distribution of Riyadh Saudi Arabia and translated by Muhammad Mohsin Khan and Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Hilali
So what if Allah interprets it as Surahtul Nisa Ayat 93, can any of us afford to take the risk. Then what of considering the ayat of Quran Surahtul Nisa Ayat 29, “...Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God hath been to you Most Merciful!” This portion of this ayat is self-explanatory and is written the same in the over 2 billion Qurans that blanket this Ummah on earth at this time. “Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a Great Sin.” ~ Surahtul Isra Ayat 31. As well as, Surahtul Furqan Ayat 68, "Those who invoke not, with God, any other god, nor slay such life as God has made sacred except for just cause, nor commit fornication; - and any that does this (not only) meets punishment..."
Sometimes war happens and if it does, Allah has given us instruction to prepare ourselves for it. But, this requires governments. If you are not being equipped with tanks, air craft carriers, air-force, navy, ground troops, submarines...and you are poorly equipped, then one should choose the pen, or a musical instrument over the C4 vest. Then, maybe your writings or the French Horn or some other instrument becomes your weapon for peace, though music should be the least important subject studied by a muslim, because it is a grey area...but, certainly choose it rather than the C4 vest which clearly has been decreed to mean hell-fire by Surahtul Nisa Ayat 93. This is not cowardice. The Quran says at Surahtul Anfali Ayat 60, “Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies of Allah and your enemies and others besides, whom you may not know but, Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of God, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.” This is something of Islamic governments in Islamic lands to undertake, for the scale of this is too great for any gang or mob mentality. Thus, either join your country's military or use the pen or music (or other leading fields of study) as your weapon for peace in Islam and on earth. In addition there is also the option of getting involved in your country's politics to foster positive change on the causes which you stand for. Also there is the option of becoming a professional boxer; mixed martial artist; or UFC competitor and using these arenas as an expression of the mission for your cause so that random acts of violence on the streets can stop taking place.
It has been said that, “The ink of the scholar is more holier than the blood of the martyr.” (many attribute this saying to Nabi Muhammad (saws), which obviously shows preference for peace through wisdom; to peace through bloodshed on earth.) Another saying is that, “The blood of the muslim is worth more than the Ka'bah.” ~ Sunan Ibn Majah; Silsilah as Saheehah, 3420; Saheeh al Targheeb wal Tarheeb, 2441. It seems that this one suggests that it should not be considered a light matter for the blood of the muslim to be spilled upon the earth. Sacred life.
In short, we have still been given the Commandment from Allah (swt) through Nabi Musa (saws) in the 10 Commandments, "Thou shalt not kill." This is the goal...not to spread mischief and bloodshed upon the earth as when the Malaika (Angels) asked Allah will You create one who will shed blood and spread mischief whilst we dost celebrate Thy Praises and Glorify Thy Holy Names. It is something to think about nonetheless. ASA WR WB to Sami Yusuf, Yusuf Islam and Hamza Yusuf.
And whoever commits suicide with piece of iron will be punished with the same piece of iron in the Hell-Fire.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
Also the Hadith you quoted: the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is also reported to have said: "A man was inflicted with wounds and he committed suicide, and so Allah said: My slave has caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him.” It may start with a curse upon a brother, sister or jumaat in faith, and then the concept of expendable believer begins. Al Masihu Isa ibn Maryam (∞ pbut) has expressed the wisdom that to curse a brother or sister, in faith, is just as bad as murder. This is, perhaps, where the concept of expendable man or woman of faith begins.
21 "You have heard that the law of Moses says, 'Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.' 22 But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. 23 "So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 25 Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late and you are dragged into court, handed over to an officer, and thrown in jail. 26 I assure you that you won't be free again until you have paid the last penny. ~ Matthew 5
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