Ish Kariman aw Mut Shaheedan. Live Honorably or Die Shaheed. To the Liberal Islam activists, this slogan is considered as an Instigator of Militancy, a ‘Theology of Death’ that is negative and destructive and incompatible with Islam. The Jawa Pos, an Indonesian daily newspaper that regularly features the secular and liberal ideas, had since 26th september 2009, presented a series of articles discussing this subject. Eight writers were registered (starting from Syafi’i Anwar, to Kamaruddin Hidayat, including Musdah Mulia) to participate in contributing their writings in the column.

The irony is that in discussing the subject of “Live Honorably or Die Shaheed”, not even one of the writers is a representative of the Mujahids, or Mujahid Ulamas. In fact, they didn’t even quote anything by the Mujahids or Mujahid Ulamas, except to “twist” the meanings. Because nearly all of the writers are the liberal Islam activists, therefore the direction and inclination of the writings could already be guessed, i.e. to defend hotheadedly the idea of liberalism and pluralism as well as rejecting the idea of Islamic shari’ah and jihad. So, what is the true meaning of the slogan Ish Kariman aw Mut Shaheedan?

Ish Kariman aw Mut Shaheedan, A Hadith?

Ish Kariman aw Mut Shaheedan means “Live Honorably or Die Shaheed”, or in other words, “let’s live honorably and die in a shaheed way” alias “be a shuhada”. Ish Kariman aw Mut Shaheedan is not a hadith, but a certain type of motto or slogan in the treasures of Islam’s struggle.

This expression was first advanced by the mother of Abdullah bin Zubair, i.e. Asma Binti Abu Bakar to his son, Abdullah bin Zubair. The context of this expression is also contextual and very heroic, as it was delivered by mother Asma to his son, Abdullah bin Zubair so that he remained enthusiastic in fighting to defend the truth until the last drop of his blood against the tyrannical power at that time led by Yazid bin Muawiyah.

This expression becomes special as it was uttered by a Sahabah or Shahabiah, who had a specially high status in Islam. Some ulamas even believed that the sayings of the Sahabahs are shar’i dalil (valid postulation) that could be made as reference in doing good deeds.

In Islam, Asma Binti Abu Bakar was known for the title “Dzatu An Nithaqayn” i.e. The Woman With The Two Belts. She obtained this title for her role in bringing food for Rasulullah SAW and Abu Bakar RA during their hijrah and she decided to split her belt into two in order to tie the food and the water so that they could carry them. She's an inspiring and very strong woman.

Meanwhile, Abdullah bin Zubair, was known in Islam as a brave youth and fighter who was always ready to fight for Islam. In his daily life, he was also known as a very zealous worshipper (fervent in his ibaadah), and in accordance with his mother’s advice he also ended up his life as a shuhada in struggling for Islam.

Sheikh Umar Bakri Muhammad in his book, “Hal Qowl as-Sahabah Hujjah fid Deen?” defines the sayings of the Sahabahs as:

“Anything related to the chains of narrations that are sahih and have no contradictions in them with the shar’i dalils (Al Qur’an and Hadith), whether it be in terms of actions, speeches, agreements (on something), as well as opinions.”

The very high and noble position of Rasulullah SAW’s Sahabahs in Islam is explained in that book, because they were the people who obtained direct lessons about Islam from Prophet Muhammad SAW. With that, they, alias the Sahabahs were the ones who knew and understood the meaning of Islam and its applications in daily lives the most.

There are a lot of dalils from the Qur’an, as well as hadith that explain the high position of the Sahabahs in Islam and the duty of the Muslims in following their steps. A number of verses explain this issue, amongst them:

“And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct – Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment.” (At Taubah (9) : 100)

“Certainly was Allah pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you, [O Muhammad], under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquility upon them and rewarded them an imminebt victory.” (Al Fath (48) : 18)

In the hadith of the Prophet SAW, there are a lot of distinctions and commands directing us to be always guided as per the Sahabahs, amongst them:

"The best of my people are my generation (Shahabah), then those who come after them (tabi’in),, then those who come after them (tabi’ut tabi’in)." (Hadith Bukhari and Muslim)

“Honor my Sahabahs because they are the best amongst you.” (Hadith Ahmad, An Nasa’i and Al Hakim)

“You will always be in goodness as long as there are amongst you people who had seen me and became my companions. By Allah, You will always be in goodness as long as there are amongst you people who had seen me and became my companions.” (Hadith Ibnu Abi Shaybah, Ibnu Abi’ ‘Ashim, Ath Thabrani and Abu Nu’aym)

“The stars are the guardians of the heaven, when those stars are gone, then what has been promised for the inhabitants of the heaven will come. I am the guardian of my Sahabahs, when I die, then what had been promised for my Sahabahs will come. And my Sahabahs are the guardians of my ummah, when my Sahabahs die, then what has been promised for my ummah will come.” (Hadith Muslim)

As the sayings or qaul of the Sahabahs are also shar’i dalils that can be made as a hujjah (argument) in religion and that its result can be used by the Islamic ummah in their daily lives, then the motto or slogan of Ish Kariman aw Mut Shaheedan pronounced by the mother of Abdullah bin Zubair, should become the attention and be studied by the Muslims.

The Meaning Of Living Honorably In Islam

Naturally, every human being is sure to crave for an honorable life. For the Muslims, they make do’a everyday to Allah SWT so that they will be given honorable lives in this world, and the same goes for the akhirah, "Robbana atina fi dunya hasanah wa fil akhirati hasanah". Only one thing needs to be clarified, how is the life that is considered as honorable in the shar’iah of Islam like?

Living honorably in Islam can only be achieved if the function and essence of the creation of human beings by Allah SWT can be realized in the daily lives. The said function and essence are to become abdullah (slave of Allah) and khalifatullah (khalifah of Allah) on the surface of this earth. Both of these holy roles have been firmly conveyed to us, just as Allah SWT says:

“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Adz Dzaariyat (51) : 56)

"Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent (khalifah) on earth…" (Al Baqarah (2) : 30)

The two functions and essences of living honorably in the viewpoint of Islam can only be realized in the daily lives if inside the protective frame of Islamic shari’ah. In fact, this honorable life under the shade of Islamic shari’ah can bring rahmah, not only to the Muslims, but to the entire worlds, jus as what He says:

“We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.” (Al Anbiyaa’ (21) : 107)

Imam Ibnu Katsir in his tafseer explained:

Allah Ta’ala informs that He makes Muhammad SAW, as a rahmah for the entire worlds i.e. He sends him as a rahmah for us all. Whoever accepts and appreciates this grace, he/she will surely be happy in this world and akhira. Whereas, whoever rejects and opposes him, he/she will surely lose in this world and akhira.

Therefore, it could be understood that living honorably in this world in the viewpoint of Islam can only be achieved if the Risalah (message) of Islam along with the shari’ah of Islam are accepted, believed and practiced by mankind as guidance for their lives in every aspect of existence. An honorable life will not only be achieved in this world but also the akhira, in fact rahmah or honor will also cover the whole universe. It is following this purpose that the life and struggle of a Muslim is directed, even if he is still unsuccessful in achieving it, but at least he has exerted his efforts and he remains faithful that Allah SWT will surely give victory to His slaves one day. This is as what Allah SWT says:

“Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion - the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state), after the fear in which they (lived), to one of security and peace: 'They will worship Me (alone) and not associate aught with Me. 'If any do reject Faith (kafir) after this, they are rebellious and wicked (fasiq).” (An Nuur (24) : 55)

Why Dying Shaheed Becomes An Ambition?

In Islam and for the Muslims, it is understood that life in this world is not permanent and it is life in the akhira that is eternal and should be the priority and its achievement cultivated as maximal as possible.

It is of no use if we live honorably in this world, rich, with long life but in the end we encounter bad death (su’ul khatimah). Because what becomes the reckoning and deciding factor in someone’s life is the last bit, does he end up or encounter bad death (su’ul khatimah) or does he end up in goodness (khusnul khatimah)?

The Prophet SAW said:

“Verily, a slave has really practiced with the deeds of the inhabitants of hell whereas, verily, he is amongst the inhabitants of paradise, and he practiced with the deeds of the inhabitants of hell, whereas he is amongst the inhabitants of paradise. And verily those deeds depend on the endings.” (Hadith Bukhari)

Sheikh Abdul Baqi Ramdhun in his book, “Al Jihaadu Sabiluna” said:

‘Islam encourages the Muslimeen to conduct jihad in the way of Allah and urges them to jump into the fighting and battle zones in order to raise high the kalimah of Allah, emboldens them to barge into dangers and hardships for the sake of attaining the pleasure of Allah, as well as motivates them so that they are comfortable in welcoming deaths gracefully, with strong hearts, and calm souls because of desiring for what are with Allah. And Allah has magnified the rewards and merits of those deeds, as well as overwhelmingly bestowed superiorities and excellence in them.’

He, in his book, also explained that Allah SWT has prepared for the Mujahideen and those who die shaheed in his path various karomahs, gifts, highness of maqam and highness of positions that could not be achieved through other ibaadahs, even through solat, zakat, sawm, hajj, as well as any other forms of ibaadah and qurabah (drawing oneself’s near to Allah). With this explanation, it is no wonder why dying shaheed is a death where the degrees and distinctions are so high in the eyes of Islam and it becomes the desire of every Muslim who understands this issue.

Sheikh Usamah bin Ladin in the video, The Caravan of Shuhadas said:

"The seal of the Prophets and Rasuls, Muhammad SAW hoped for this status. Take heed and reflect what kind of status was hoped by this man, the best of mankind. He hoped to become shaheed.

"The final of the Prophets and Messengers, Muhammad SAW, hoped for this status. Heed and reflect what kind of status is hoped by this finest human being. He hoped to become a Shaheed. “By the soul of Muhammad which is in His hand. Indeed, I hope I could fight and get killed, then (live again) to fight and get killed again, then (live again) to fight and get killed." (Al Hadith)

This long life is summarized by the Prophet SAW with the guidance of Allah SWT, in his hadith above. He earnestly wanted this position. The lucky people are those selected by Allah SWT to become Shaheed.."

Sheikh Jabir bin Abdul Qoyyum As Sa’idi Ash Shami in his book, “Al Ishobah Fii Tholabish Shahaadah” explained why dying shaheed or becoming a shuhada has such a high status in Islam.

Reported from Sahl bin Hanif, he from his father, his father from his grandfather, that the Prophet SAW said:

“Whoever asks Allah with sincerity to be martyred in His way, Allah will rasie him to the status of the shuhada even if he dies on his bed.” (Hadith Muslim, Tirmidzi, Nasai and Abu Daud)

Reported from Abu Is-haq, from Al Barro', he said: Someone from the Bani An Nabit of the Ansar came and said: I bear witness that there is no ilah (the true God) except Allah and that you are His servant and messenger. Then, he advanced and fought until he got killed. So the Prophet SAW said:

“This person practiced a few good deeds but is given huge rewards.” (Hadith Bukhari, Muslim, and Ahmad)

Thereby, in the view of Islam, indeed the main success and the best grace attained by someone is if Allah chooses him to die shaheed.

The Prophet SAWsaid to a Sahabah who supplicated to Allah with the do’a:

“O Allah, give to me what is the best You has given to Your righteous slave.”

Rasulullah SAW said to that person:

“If that is the case, your horse will be killed and you will die shaheed in the path of Allah.”

Therefore, Mut Shaheedan or dying shaheed as a shuhada (one who conducts jihad in the path of Allah SWT) is a very lofty and high position that cannot be achieved except by the people who deserve to get it.

In another hadith, it is said:

“It was said, "O Rasulullah, what deed could equal (in rewards) jihad fie sabilillah?" The Prophet said, “You will not be able to do it.” Then, they repeated the same question three times, and all were answered, “You will not be able to do it!” Then, the Prophet said,"The likeness of a Mujahid fie sabilillah is like someone who do sawm (fasting) and solat at night and recite the verses of Allah and he does not stop doing the sawm and solat until the mujahid fie sabilillah returns."” (Hadith Tirmidzi from Abu Hurairah)

Reported from Anas bin Malik RA that the Prophet SAW said:

“Nobody who dies and has something good for him with Allah will ever like to return to this world even though he were offered the whole world and all that is in it (as an inducement), except the martyr who desires to return and be killed in the world for the (great) merit of martyrdom that he has seen.”

Khatimah

Therefore, nothing is wrong with dying shaheed. Dying shaheed is not a death that is useless, low, to be cried upon, abused and feared by a Muslim. Because dying shaheed, to die during the struggle for the religion of Allah SWT or jihad fie sabilillah, is a death in which the degree is so high and honorable in Islam, that could not be achieved and won except by the people who are chosen by Allah SWT.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW as an example and role model for the Muslims gave us such a beautiful illustration about dying shaheed, where he really wanted and hoped to get it. Isn’t this an indisputable proof?

As for living honorably in Islam, it does not mean living in luxuries and extravagance and forgetting the Creator, Allah SWT, like what many living people think today. Living honorably in the eyes of Islam is the total submission of a person, whether as His slave or khalifah.

Honorable life in this world could only be achieved if the entire shari’ah of Islam is implemented in kaafah (totality) until not only the Muslims who would get the rahmah but also the non-Muslims, in fact the whole universe even. So it is a duty for every Muslim to be able to achieve an honorable life in this world, i.e. by way of always making an effort for the establishment of the Islamic shari’ah on this earth.

Thereby, how beautiful and well oriented, as well as fully meaningful is the motto and slogan that had been expressed by the Sahabah and is now getting popular again, i.e. Ish Kariman aw Mut Shaheedan. Live Honorably or Die Shaheed. Both are goodness most desired by every Muslim. May we be able to get either one of the two, Insha Allah…!