ভূমিকা

📌Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Nafasul Mahmum, Relating to the heart rending tragedy of Karbala' Translator’s Note Praise be to Allah with all the hymns by which He is praised by the Angels, who are nearest to Him, by His creatures, who are most honorable in His sight, and by those adorers, who are best approved by Him. A praise that excels all praise in the same way as the Lord excels all His creatures.

And His blessings be upon His Messenger (S), the Prophet of Mercy, and upon his Pure Progeny (a.s.), who are the lanterns in darkness and brilliant minarets of guidance, and high lofty standards of Religion. And His Special Blessings on His Last Deputy and His Remaining Emissary, the Expected Mahdi (May Allah hasten his glad advent). Mankind has been confounded by the question of immortality since time immemorial.

Philosophers and Saints alike have grappled with the question spending considerably time and energy. But none other than Islam has propounded this great fortune in it’s entirety personified in the image of a Martyr (shaheed) in the way of righteousness, the way of the Almighty. Martyrdom (Shahadah) is the perfection of faith and the pinnacle of submission that is the basis of Islam.

Not surprisingly, Islam has offered Martyrdom as the ultimate goal of the pious, and views it as a complete proof of piety, and consequently has guaranteed the martyr immortality as a logical outcome of his sacrifice. The Holy Qur’an elucidates this great honor in the following words: “Think not of those who were slain in the cause of Allah as dead. Nay, they are alive, finding their sustenance with their Lord.” (Sura Ali-’Imran, 3:169).

Thus it has always been the earnest desire of a devout Muslim to acquire this great felicity and attain everlasting bliss. The concept of martyrdom ( Shahadah ) in Islam can only be understood in the light of the Islamic concept of Holy Struggle ( Jihad ), and the concept of Jihad may only be perceived if the concept of the doctrine of enjoining good ( Amr bil Maroof ) and forbidding evil ( Nahi anil Munkar ) is properly comprehended.

The concept of martyrdom in Islam has been misunderstood by both Muslims and non-Muslims. Martyrdom is closely associated with the concept of Jihad. Most non-Muslim scholars, intentionally or unintentionally, have defined Jihad as the Holy ‘war’, and thus have misunderstood Jihad and Shahadah. In the literal sense of the term, Jihad means to struggle or to strive.

✦ ✦ ✦