Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

assalamu alaikum

These days we hear a lot about suicide bombers etc. Young men using them selves as weapons of war or terrorism (terrorist or warrior, depends I guess on what side you happen to be on). It is said that these young men are being told that if they commit suicde in the name of Allah or in defense of Islam, they will go to heaven straight away, that their families and friends will go straight to heaven and that the young man will have 70 virgins for his pleasure in heaven. I have three problems with this and hope you will see me straight on these issues.

First, there is the question of suicide.  The Quran tells us  that if we commit suicide we will go to to the hell fire.  Now I understand that if we die as a warrior for Allah and are killed in battle etc. then we are martyr-ed and go to heaven. But if one intentionally uses this as a way to insure heaven for himself, then it seems to me that the motive/intention is wrong, and the act is not so much for Allah or Islam, but more self serving.

Second, is the question of 70 virgins being at the martyrs disposal when he reaches heaven.  We spend our lives in Islam focusing on Allah's laws, and the and the modesty of womanhood. We are told that the sins of the flesh are terrible, and the punishment for committing these sins brings the wrath of Allah. So how can carnal sin be a reward from Allah, for committing the sin of suicide, or any other act?  It seems to me the reward of going to heaven should be enough for any person to strive to be a good muslim. What is the truth and meaning of these promises made to the suicide bombers.

Third, is that if one commits suicide as a method to achieve heaven for him self and his family andfriends, the question of intersession comes in.  If there is not intersession then how can his act effect the fate of his family and friends?  Will they not be judged on the last day based on their acts in life rather than on what someone else does?

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Answer:

Suicide Bombers

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Regarding your first of the three questions regarding ‘suicide-bombing’, we have answered a similar question on the forum before, which we are forwarding to you.

Your comment: Second, is the question of 70 virgins being at the martyrs disposal when he reaches heaven.  We spend our lives in Islam focusing on Allah's laws, and the and the modesty of womanhood. We are told that the sins of the flesh are terrible, and the punishment for committing these sins brings the wrath of Allah. So how can carnal sin be a reward from Allah, for committing the sin of suicide, or any other act?  It seems to me the reward of going to heaven should be enough for any person to strive to be a good muslim. What is the truth and meaning of these promises made to the suicide bombers.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3834 Narrated by Al-Miqdam ibn Ma'dikarib

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "The martyr receives six good things from Allah: he is forgiven at the first shedding of his blood; he is shown his abode in Paradise; he is preserved from the punishment in the grave; he is kept safe from the greatest terror; he has placed on his head the crown of honour, a ruby of which is better than the world and what it contains; he is married to seventy-two wives of the maidens with large dark eyes; and is made intercessor for seventy of his relatives."

Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 5648 Narrated by Abu Sa'id

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "The lowliest of the inhabitants of Paradise will be he who has eighty thousand servants, seventy-two wives, and for whom a round pavilion of pearls, chrysoprase and rubies as large as the distance between al-Jabiyah and San'a will be set up." By the same isnad he said, "Those who are to go to Paradise, who die whether young or old, will come into Paradise aged thirty and never grow older. The same applies to those who will go to Hell." By the same isnad he said, "They will wear crowns, the smallest pearl of which will illuminate the space between the east and the west." By the same isnad he said, "When a believer in Paradise wishes for a child, its conception, delivery and growth to full age will be accomplished in a moment as he wishes."

Firstly, we must understand that it is not only the martyrs in the Cause of Allah are promised 72 wives in Paradise, but rather every fortunate being who makes it to Paradise will receive that reward and much much more from the Lord of the Worlds. This reward of wives in Paradise is also mentioned several times by Allah Subhanah Himself in the Holy Quran, to the believers who are in Paradise.

Your Question: We spend our lives in Islam focusing on Allah's laws, and the and the modesty of womanhood. We are told that the sins of the flesh are terrible, and the punishment for committing these sins brings the wrath of Allah.

Brother, to fulfill one’s natural carnal desires is definitely not a sin in Islam; but they have to be done legally in the form of a marriage. Yes, illegally fulfilling this desire out of marriage is a grave sin.

Your Question: So how can carnal sin be a reward from Allah?

Allah and His Messenger (saws) have promised that these women will be the wives of the believers in Paradise. Allah has promised that the fortunate ones who reach Paradise will be given whatever they desire from the Merciful and Bountiful Lord. And if one desires a number of wives, Allah will fulfill his request.

Brother, we must understand that what will happen in Paradise and the rewards and bounty that the fortunate people of Paradise will be bestowed upon are things of the ‘unseen’, and we cannot even comprehend their reality and abundance if we wanted to.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said in an authentic narration: “The beauty and splendour of Paradise is something that no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and no mind has even ever imagined!”

What is important is that we obey and follow Allah and His Messenger (saws) and reach that station where our Lord and Creator is pleased with us on the Day of Judgement. Whatever follows after that will be nothing but bliss and pleasure and the abundance of bounty from our Generous Lord.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 44 Surah Dukhan verses 51-57:The God-fearing shall be in a secure place: In the Gardens and Springs, dressed in silk and brocade, sitting face to face. Such will be their station! And We shall wed them to fair-complexioned, gazelle-eyed women. There, in full peace, they shall ask for all kinds of tasty things. There they shall never taste death, after their first death in the world. And Allah, by His Grace shall protect them from the torment of Hell. This is the Supreme Success!

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 55 Surah Rahmaan verses 56-59:…Amidst these blessings (for the people of Paradise) will be those of bashful looks, whom neither man nor jinn will have touched before them. Which of your Lord’s blessings will you then deny? (These virgins will be) as beautiful as rubies and pearls! Which of your Lord’s blessings will you then deny?

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 56 Surah Waqiah verses 27-38:And the people of the Right Hand! Oh! How fortunate will be the people of the Right Hand! They shall be among thornless lote-trees, and piled up bananas, one upon the other; and outspread shade, and ever flowing waters, and abundant fruits; neither failing in supply, nor forbidden; and (sitting) in upraised couches! We shall create their wives anew and make them virgins, lovers of their husbands and of equal age. All this is for the people of the Right Hand!

As believers, it is our duty to believe in every word of Allah and His Messenger (saws). When they have said the believers will be given multiple wives in Paradise, we as true believers, must have complete faith in their words and promises.

Your comment: Third, is that if one commits suicide as a method to achieve heaven for him self and his family and friends, the question of intersession comes in.  If there is not intersession then how can his act effect the fate of his family and friends?  Will they not be judged on the last day based on their acts in life rather than on what someone else does?

The issue of intercession is often mis-understood by most people. Yes, Messenger of Allah (saws) has promised that a martyr will be given the power of intercession by Allah on the Day of Judgement. But it does not mean that he will pick and choose any criminal and will have the power to take him out of Hell. Intercession is in the Power of Allah Alone! He will decide with His Knowledge and Justice, who deserves His Mercy, and who deserves His Wrath.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 39 Surah Zumar verses 44 :What! Have they taken besides Allah others as ‘shofa’a’ (intercessors)? Say to them, “Will they intercede even if they have no power whatever nor understanding?” Say, “Shafa’a is wholly in the Power of Allah Alone!”. His is the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you will be returned.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 34 Surah Saba verse 26:Say, “Our Lord will gather us all together, then He will Judge between us with Truth. He Alone is the One Who Decides, and He Alone Knows everything.”

Let me give you a worldly example to explain the true concept of intercession in the Just Court of Allah. In an university, it is the university who decides who has passed and who has failed. But it honors a reputed person to come and hand out the certificates to those who have passed. Similarly, in the Just Court of Allah, Allah Alone will decide who goes to Paradise and who deserves Hell. For some people, who are just on the border line with their good and bad deeds, and Allah has already decided to forgive them; Allah will honor the martyrs or the like and allow them to intercede for these people. This would be done more to honor the martyrs and the blessed people whom Allah has promised the power of intercession. Whatever the case, it will be Allah who decides for whom He will accept intercession!

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 20 Surah Taha verses 108-109:On that Day the people will come straight to the call of the summoner! No one will dare show any haughtiness, and all the voices will be hushed before the Merciful and you will hear nothing but a whispering mumur. On that Day, no intercession shall avail save his, whom the Merciful may allow to intercede and be pleased to give him a hearing.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 19 Surah Maryam verses 87:(On that Day) no one shall have the ability to make ‘shafaa’, except the one who may have received permission from the Merciful.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan