those who fight in Allah’s cause: if he is killed or prevails, Allah will grant him a tremendous reward. (Whereas if this one is overcome, he is blameworthy and censured) (1). For this reason the Messenger of Allah—may blessings and peace be upon him—said in an authentic narration (2): “The strong man is not the one who wrestles others down; rather, the strong man is he who controls himself when angry.” (3)

This is because Allah has commanded a person to restrain his soul from following desire and has made him fear the standing before his Lord, granting him a portion of faith that aids him in this jihad. When he is defeated, therefore, it is due to the weakness of his faith and he is negligent for abandoning what he was commanded. By contrast, when facing a disbelieving enemy, that enemy’s body may simply be stronger than the believer’s, so he overpowers him and the believer is martyred; Allah then rewards the believer for his striving—even though one might say there is no sin on him in that situation (4). Sins occur only when the soul fails to carry out what it was ordered to do; once the command is fulfilled, the forbidden act will not be committed, for obedience and disobedience are opposites.

Allah the Exalted said: “Thus did We repel from him evil and indecency; indeed, he was one of Our devoted servants.” (Yusuf 12:24)

And Satan said: “I will surely mislead them all, except Your devoted servants among them.” (Al-Hijr 15:39–40) (5)