Most High:
“You are the best community ever raised for mankind.”
Abū Hurayrah said: “You are the best people for mankind: you bring them in fetters and chains until you bring them into Islam.”
The purpose of jihad, enjoining right, and forbidding wrong is to guide people, as far as possible, to what benefits them in this life and the Hereafter. Whoever Allah guides finds happiness in this world and the Hereafter; whoever remains unguided, Allah restrains his harm from reaching others.
It is well known that jihad, enjoining right, and forbidding wrong are the best of deeds. As the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
“Islam is the foundation of the matter, prayer is its pillar, and jihad in the cause of Allah Most High is its pinnacle.”
An authentic hadith reports that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:
“In Paradise there are a hundred degrees which Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has prepared for those who strive in His cause. The distance between one degree and the next is like the distance between heaven and earth.”
He, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, also said:
“Guarding the frontier for a day and a night in the cause of Allah is better than fasting for a month and spending its nights in prayer.”
Whoever dies while guarding the frontier dies as one striving in Allah’s cause. The reward for his deeds continues to accrue to him, his provision from Paradise continues to reach him, and he is kept safe from trial.
Jihad is better than Hajj and ‘umrah, as Allah Most High says:
“Do you regard providing water for pilgrims and maintaining the Sacred Mosque as equal to the deeds of those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and strive in Allah’s cause? They are not equal in Allah’s sight. Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.”
“Those who believe, emigrate, and strive in Allah’s cause with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank with Allah. It is they who are successful.”
“Their Lord gives them glad tidings of mercy from Him, His pleasure, and Gardens in which they will enjoy lasting bliss.”
“They will remain there forever. Indeed, with Allah is an immense reward.”
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all worlds. May His blessings and peace be upon the best of His creation, our master Muhammad, and upon all his family and Companions.