Riding The Wave Again —- Joining The Prayer Movement
Riding The Wave Again —- Joining The Prayer Movement
This is excerpted from Shoulder to Shoulder #196:
GOD AT WORK IN WASHINGTON:
We have all known for years that there have been many Christians in the
governmental systems throughout American history, including our generation.
And, there is not doubt remaining as to the strong personal faith of
President Bush and his wife, Attorney General John Ashcroft and his family,
a large number of congressional legislators, and many others.
However, you may not be aware of some of the things going on both before and
since the September 11th terrorist attack. I thought you might be
encouraged to know the following information which I have received from
various sources.
- From a Report by John Robb with World Vision:
Thanks to those of you who were able to join us in prayer during the
Washington, D.C. Prayer Summit last week. Approximately 30-40 pastors and
prayer leaders from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, denominations and
organizations took part including those of us who came from other parts of
the country. . . .The city’s history was presented —-racial wounds, tensions and divisions
going back to its founding, as well as the violent riots between Blacks and
Whites that have erupted from time to time due to frustration over injustice
and lack of compassion. In recent years the world has come to Washington in
the form of many other ethnic groups, complicating the dynamics of the city
even more. However, God is doing a new thing bringing Christian leaders from
many diverse groups together. They have been praying for three years for the
city and each other. . . .On Tuesday, July 3, John Dawson, Dick Eastman and I met with a key official
in the White House concerning the issue of healing America’s wounds through
spiritual means. He seemed quite open and sympathetic to what we shared with
him. That evening some of us returned to pray inside the White House at the
invitation of a small group of regular intercessors, one of whom is on the
staff. . . . The staff person who is also an intercessor told me that the
atmosphere has been changing since President Bush, a committed, praying
Christian, took over. Now she is hearing staff people saying “God bless you”
they pass in the corridors. Another intercessor told us that there are now
70 senators and congress people studying the Bible and praying together with
Lloyd Ogilvie, the Senate Chaplain.Please give thanks to God with us for what He is doing to cleanse and heal
our capital.As an example of what God is doing around the world, read this report from
the Lighthouse Movement:2. A Report from the Lighthouse Movement
PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER TEAM GROWS:
Launched just a week ago, The Presidential Prayer Team is experiencing
phenomenal response from around the world. Originally planned for starting
in November, the need for this grass-roots prayer effort was accelerated by
the terrorist attacks on September 11. Today, 100,000 Americans have
already registered to pray daily for the President, his Cabinet and the
Nation. That number is now rising by over 2,000 new members per hour.For more information, call 1-800-295-1235 or go online to
www.presidentialprayerteam.org/.3. Below is another exciting development.
BILLY GRAHAM PRAYER CENTER OPENS IN NEW YORK:
“Religion Today Summaries” by Crosswalk.com reports the following.
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center,
international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association opened a prayer center in New York City to help
bring comfort and hope to those shaken by the tragedy.The Billy Graham New York Prayer Center is staffed by teams of pastors
dedicated to giving New Yorkers spiritual and emotional support in their
time of grief. Located in Manhattan, the prayer center is available by
telephone to anyone who needs help coping with the recent attacks.“While all Americans feel pain and sadness over the recent terrorist attacks,
the people of New York witnessed this tragedy with their own eyes,” said
Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse and CEO of the Billy Graham
Evangelistic Association. “We want to make sure that New Yorkers know that
we love them and God loves them, and that we just want to be there to listen
and pray for them in their time of need.”Individuals and families can call (212) 206-1001 for prayer and support.
For additional support, or to make a donation, visit
www.samaritanspurse.org and www.billygraham.org/.4. Here are excerpts from a USA Today article:
Our President and His Stand for Christ
President’s faith is a ‘great comfort’ to him
By Judy Keen, USA TODAYWASHINGTON – After President Bush met with Macedonian President Boris
Trajkovski in the White House this month, Bush invited his guest into his
private study. There, the two men knelt side by side in silent prayer.White House aides didn’t mention that devotional interlude when the described
Trajkovski’s visit May 2 to reporters, and they were displeased to learn
that the private moment was about to become public.Religion infuses the president’s daily life. Bush, 54, starts every day on
his knees, praying. He reads the Bible each morning and studies a daily
Bible lesson. He often asks a Cabinet secretary to lead a prayer at the
beginning of Cabinet meetings. He says he frequently prays in the Oval
Office. He sometimes prays on the phone with a minister friend who lives in
Houston.Bush’s family, friends and longtime aides say faith helped him quit drinking,
find his vocation in politics and check his fiery temper. He says it has
made him more humble and tolerant. “I find great comfort in my faith,” he
told Fox News last month. “It helps me realize that I am a person that has a
lot of responsibility, but I am just a person – nothing more than a human
being who seeks redemption, solace and strength through something greater
than me.”Bush isn’t reluctant to describe his active faith. “I pray all the time,” he
said in the Fox News interview. “When I am alone in the Oval Office (and)
something might be on my mind … I will pray. I don’t think that I could be
sitting here as comfortable as I am and as peaceful as I am had it not been
for my religion.”Bush’s prayers in the Oval Office are usually solitary. But Trajkovski, like
Bush, is a Methodist. The Macedonian president is also a lay minister.
Before the visit, Trajkovski’s staff suggested to White House aides that he
would welcome a chance to pray with Bush. When Trajkovski entered the Oval
Office for the formal meeting, Bush recognized a pin on his lapel. It was
the emblem of the United Methodist Church, a cross and a flame signifying
the Holy Spirit. After their official conversation, Bush invited Trajkovski
to join him in prayer.Kirbyjon Caldwell is senior pastor at Windsor Village United Methodist Church
in Houston and a Bush friend who sometimes prays with the president over the
phone. Caldwell says Bush’s faith is such a significant part of his life
that he can’t help but talk about it. “The president’s faith is
extraordinarily important to him, not just for spiritual reasons but for
professional, emotional, social and family reasons,” Caldwell says. “The
president allows his faith to permeate his entire being. He does not keep
his faith in a box and open it when he’s in trouble.”However, he doesn’t impose it on anybody, his aides say. They see his
expressions of faith as one key to his character. “I find it very
welcoming,” says press secretary Ari Fleischer, who is Jewish. “It’s a
reminder for everyone about the importance of faith in our lives, and the
president practices his so powerfully and so privately that it serves as a
simple reminder of the American tradition of having a strong faith.”Bush has said he doesn’t think of himself as an advocate for his religion,
but he doesn’t intend to hide his faith. “I am … a lowly sinner who
sought redemption and found it,” he told USA TODAY in January. “That
doesn’t make me better than anybody, it just adds perspective, I hope. I
think people are going to find that in tough times … they’re going to see
a steady hand because the rock on which I stand is something other than the
moment, the emotion of the day.”5. Here is a fascinating report from a church member where Max Lucado is
pastor:Hello Dear Friends,
I heard such a wonderful thing at church today that I knew I would have to
share it with you all.Most of you already know that our pastor is Max Lucado, a Christian author
who is very popular for his many wonderful books about the Lord.This week, Max was invited (along with several other famous preachers) to
have lunch at the White House with President Bush. Their meeting took place
on Thursday and Max shared with us this morning how it had gone.As the ministers sat down to lunch and waited for President Bush to appear,
Max said that he was expecting G.W. to walk in the room looking tired,
serious, and depressed. When the President came in, Max said he looked
totally the opposite of tired: he was energetic, joyful, and very focused on
his talk with the ministers.Max asked President Bush how he could seem so calm and peaceful in the midst
of all the tragedy. The President’s reply was, “I’m feeling stronger now
than I’ve ever been in my life. And the reason is because every person in
America is praying for me. When I stay on my knees, that’s when I have
power.”The ministers then asked the President how he would like them to pray for
him, and how their congregations back home should be praying. Mr. Bush
asked, first, for clarity of mind so that he could make wise decisions, and
then he asked that we pray specifically for his wife and two daughters, as
he is very concerned about their safety.I knew that you would be as encouraged as I was to hear about this meeting.
We must thank God that we have a President who loves and fears the Lord. No
human leader is perfect, but God is perfect, so let’s keep President Bush
lifted up in prayer before the Father.So, what about our praying? Is the Church in America really praying? Are we
praying in authority? Are we going to pray , , , , without ceasing? Are we
willing to pray as long as it takes? Are we willing to become people of
prayer?There is absolutely no doubt that there is a new movement of prayer.
However, it must not wane. It must go beyond situational praying or panic
praying. Now that God’s people have begun to pray, we must stay at it.
There has not been a time such as this since World War II when so many
people have been praying . . . . not only in America, but also around the
world. I have received personal messages from people in Indonesia, Nigeria,
Bosnia, Croatia, Germany, Austria, Ukraine, France, New Zealand, Australia,
England, Scotland, and many other places. In each case they have expressed
three things . . . . their horror and sorrow over what happened, their love
and compassion for America, and their outpouring of prayer in our behalf.So, I say we are at a pivotal point in our history. We have before us an
opportunity . . . . one that can make or break our nation. It has never
been more clear in my mind that we as believers must —- we Must —-
become people of repentant, believing, prevailing prayer. I know I’ve
written about this frequently in recent weeks, but it cannot be said enough.If you do not have a vital personal prayer life, repent and get one. If your
church does not have a corporate prayer ministry, create one. If your
people are not crying out to God at this time, do whatever it takes to bring
them to that point. Prayer must once again be a foundational ministry upon
which all else is built and from which all else flows.WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING?
What should we be doing? I mean as Christians, not just in America, but
around the world. Not only do we have over 6,000 lives dead through the
terrorist attacks, not only do we have an economy is deep trouble, not only
do we have the airline industry and others teetering on the brink of
collapse, but we also have five million Afghani’s with no place to go, and
starving to death by the tens of thousands.We have thousands of terrorists scattered around the globe in over 60
countries and now migrating to still more countries. We have continued
terrorist activities taking place such as the murder of a Colombian
official’s wife last week near Bogota, rampaging Muslim radicals killing
Christians daily in Indonesia, Nigeria, and other places. Terrorist attacks
and religious extremism are being carried out daily in places like Sudan.
Almost every continent is under attack from the grossest of evil.It’s as if all hell has been opened and the powers of darkness and
destruction are rolling over our world like black waves of hate and
violence. It is not just that America will never be the same . . . . the
entire world will never be the same. Prophecy, theory, and theological
prediction have suddenly become living reality. The world suddenly shrank
in size, and we are staring at evil face to face. As of September 11th,
there is no safe place left on earth. It is as if someone opened the gate,
lowered the fence, and turned evil loose. Someone has said it is as if
someone took the lid of the bottomless pit, and hell flew out in all its
evil fury.In light of that, I’m sure you’d agree that we must pray. Especially in
situations such as we now face world-wide.Paul told young Timothy that “first of all” we should pray for all people,
and especially those placed in authority over us. As we do so, let me
suggest the following:- We must recognize that the battle in the physical realm will not be won
if we do not do battle in the spiritual realm . . . . a truth far too often
neglected by the Church.I don’t know what it is that keeps many Christians from doing battle against
the demonic hordes of Satan. Is it a belief that since Jesus won the
victory, we don’t need to fight? Is it fear? Is it that some don’t believe
in the demonic? Is it because we think it’s a sign of weakness to admit we
can’t handle it? Is it pride? What, in heaven’s name, is it that keeps us
from doing battle in the heavenlies so we can see liberation and victory on
this earth?2. We must stop wasting time deciding just whose prayer God hears and whose
He doesn’t. Leave that up to God. Who are we to declare that God doesn’t
hear the prayer of a Muslim or a Jew, as one evangelist declared a decade
ago? How do we know what God hears and doesn’t hear? Like Job’s friends,
we made some really stupid and unsubstantiated claims. Now it may be time
for God to correct us as well.Not only can He choose to hear, but, and this may come as some shock, He
might even choose to act in response to the prayers of an unbeliever. If He
loves the world, then it seems reasonable to assume He is well capable of
hearing them.3. We must pray from a position of conviction as a lifestyle rather than a
position of a crisis of the moment. One thing that bothers me greatly, as
it probably does you, is that it takes some grave tragedy such as September
11th to call America . . . . and even churches . . . . to pray. We should
have been doing that all along. Of all the things that disturb me regarding
the past condition of the Church in general, it’s the fact that prayer has
not been its primary focus and ministry. Ministry, evangelism, missions,
disciple making . . . . all of these flow out of a solid prayer base.4. We must pray from the motive that the purposes of God be fulfilled rather
than we be relieved of our suffering, heartache, and hardship. There is
liottle doubt that God is using this recent experience to expose our
sinfulness, our worldliness, and our hypocritical conduct, both as a nation
and as believers. We have no right to beg God for mercy until we beg for
His forgiveness. A good place to begin would be Nehemiah’s prayer in
chapter one, and David’s prayer at the end of Psalm 139. It would’t do any
harm to include his prayer in Psalm 51 either. God is a God of forgiveness,
healing, restoration, and redemption. However, there’s lots of garbage
between us and Him that must be dealt with before we can expect any
significant results.5. We must pray as our first choice and not our last resort. I sometimes
wonder what America would be like of God’s people had spent the last ten
years crying out to Him for mercy instead of neglecting such a vital part of
Biblical instruction. Could it be that this fiasco could have been averted?
Only God knows.6. We must see that every church once again becomes a house of prayer, just
as Jesus said it should be. Set aside the clock and the agenda, and get to
praying. Give more time for prayer and ministry in your services. Precede
each committee meeting and Sunday school class with a season of prayer, and
not just an opening routine.7. We must pray from hearts that are broken, burdened, and filled with
frantic but confident faith. One of America’s great Bible teachers Ron Dunn
said it well: “We don’t really believe God and pray until we have to.”
Well, God has brought us to the “have to”. And now it’s time.I am immensely excited over the rising prayer movement that has been going on
for the past ten to fifteen years. The tragedies of September 11th,
however, seem to have really thrust that movement onto a new level. If we
were to ever strike while the iron is hot, this is the time.CAN WE MAKE THIS OUR PRAYER?
Perhaps you have already received this prayer voiced by author Max Lucado.
Few things I have read seem to say it any more succinctly.Do It Again, Lord (By Max Lucado, Sept. 15, 2001, www.injoy.com)
“Dear Lord, We’re still hoping we’ll wake up. We’re still hoping we’ll open
a sleepy eye and think, “What a horrible dream.”But we won’t, will we, Father? What we saw was not a dream. Planes DID gouge
towers. Flames DID consume our fortress. People DID perish. It was no dream
and, dear Father, we are sad.There is a ballet dancer who will no longer dance and a doctor who will no
longer heal. A church has lost her priest, a classroom is minus a teacher.
Cora ran a food pantry. Paige was a counselor and Dana, dearest Father, Dana
was only three years old. (Who held her in those final moments?)We are sad, Father. For as the innocent are buried, our innocence is buried
as well. We thought we were safe. Perhaps we should have known better. But
we didn’t.And so we come to you. We don’t ask you for help; we beg you for it. We
don’t request it; we implore it. We know what you can do. We’ve read the
accounts. We’ve pondered the stories and now we plead, “Do it again, Lord.
Do it again.”Remember Joseph? You rescued him from the pit. You can do the same for us.
Do it again, Lord.Remember the Hebrews in Egypt? You protected their children from the angel
of death. We have children too, Lord. Do it again.And Sarah? Remember her prayers? You heard them. Joshua? Remember his fears?
You inspired him. The women at the tomb? You resurrected their hope. The
doubts of Thomas? You took them away. Do it again, Lord. Do it again.You changed Daniel from a captive into a king’s counselor. You took Peter
the fisherman and made him Peter an apostle. Because of you, David went
from leading sheep to leading armies. Do it again, Lord, for we need
counselors today, Lord. We need apostles. We need leaders. Do it again, dear
Lord.Most of all, do again what you did at Calvary. What we saw here last
Tuesday, you saw there that Friday. Innocence slaughtered. Goodness
murdered. Mothers weeping. Evil dancing. Just as the smoke eclipsed our
morning, so the darkness fell on your Son. Just as our towers were
shattered, the very Tower of Eternity was pierced. And by dusk, heaven’s
sweetest song was silent, buried behind a rock.But you did not waver, O Lord. You did not waver. After three days in a dark
hole, you rolled the rock and rumbled the earth and turned the darkest
Friday into the brightest Sunday. Do it again, Lord. Grant us a September
Easter.We thank you, dear Father, for these hours of unity. Christians are praying
with Jews. Republicans are standing with Democrats. Skin colors have been
covered by the ash of burning buildings. We thank you for these hours of
unity.And we thank you for these hours of prayer. The Enemy sought to bring us to
our knees and succeeded. He had no idea, however, that we would kneel
before you. And he has no idea what you can do!Let your mercy be upon our President, Vice-president, and their families.
Grant to those who lead us wisdom beyond their years and experience. Have
mercy upon the souls who have departed and the wounded who remain. Give us
grace that we might forgive and faith that we might believe.And look kindly upon your church. For two thousand years you’ve used her to
heal a hurting world.Do it again, Lord. Do it again.
Through Christ, Amen.”
IN CONCLUSION:
Our lives are now in God’s hands alone. Without Him, we are without hope.
It is imperative that God’s people rise to the occasion in passionate
prayer, compassionate ministry, and courageous witness.Oh, my dear friend and partner! Please! Please become a person of prayer .
. . . a person who prevails in prayer . . . . a true prayer warrior. Gather
your family around you and make family praying a priority . . . . every day,
seven days a week. Teach your children to pray. Gather pastor friends
together and begin praying regularly . . . . for each other, for your
respective churches, for your community, for your nation, for the world.It’s time to ride the wave . . . . the new wave of a great prayer movement.
Don’t be left behind by indifference, preoccupation, or judgmental walls
built between you and other believers. If God passes you by this time,
there may not be another.In His Bond,
Bob Tolliver — Rom 1:11-12
Copyright October, 2001
Life Unlimited Ministries
Do You Get “Shoulder To Shoulder”?
ADDENDUM ON ISLAM:
Below is information sent me in response to my earlier note containing quotes
from the Koran. Thanks, Dick.Dear Bob,
Here are Quotes from CARM.org on Islam & the Koran:
Quotes from the Qur’an
Is there or is there not compulsion in religion according to the Qur’an?
“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error:
whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy
hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things,”
(2:256).“And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people (assembled)
on the day of the Great Pilgrimage,- that Allah and His Messenger dissolve
(treaty) obligations with the Pagans. If then, ye repent, it were best for
you; but if ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And
proclaim a grievous penalty to those who reject Faith,” (9:3).“But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans
wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for
them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular
prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah
is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful,” (9:5).Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that
forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor
acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the
Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves
subdued,” (9:29).Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry www.carm.org/islam.htm
Interesting Quotes from the Hadith on Jihad Jihad means striving. It is used
to describe the inner struggle against sin as well as the outer struggle
against those who would oppose Islam.Did Muhammad teach Holy War upon those who reject Islam? Yes he did.
Following are various quotes from the Hadith dealing with killing people.
The second best deed is to participate in JihadAllah’s Apostle was asked, “What is the best deed?” He replied, “To believe
in Allah and His Apostle (Muhammad). The questioner then asked, “What is the
next (in goodness)? He replied, “To participate in Jihad (religious
fighting) in Allah’s Cause.” The questioner again asked, “What is the next
(in goodness)?” He replied, “To perform Hajj (Pilgrim age to Mecca) ‘Mubrur,
(which is accepted by Allah and is performed with the intention of seeking
Allah’s pleasure only and not to show off and without committing a sin and
in accordance with the traditions of the Prophet).” Volume 1, Book 2, Number
25, Narrated Abu Huraira:Muhammad said if someone leaves Islam, to kill him Ali burnt some people and
this news reached Ibn ‘Abbas, who said, “Had I been in his place I would not
have burnt them, as the Prophet said, ‘Don’t punish (anybody) with Allah’s
Punishment.’ No doubt, I would have killed them, for the Prophet said, ‘If
somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.'” Volume 4, Book 52,
Number 260, Narrated Ikrima. Also, see Volume 9, Book 84, Number 64
Narrated ‘Ali. Muhammad approves of killing someone who hurt him and having
the killer lie“Allah’s Apostle said, “Who is willing to kill Ka’b bin Al-Ashraf who has
hurt Allah and His Apostle?” Thereupon Muhammad bin Maslama got up saying,
“O Allah’s Apostle! Would you like that I kill him?” The Prophet said,
“Yes,” Muhammad bin Maslama said, “Then allow me to say a (false) thing
(i.e. to deceive Kab). “The Prophet said, “You may say it.” Then Muhammad
bin Maslama went to Kab and said, “That man (i.e. Muhammad demands Sadaqa
(i.e. Zakat) from us, and he has troubled us, and I have come to borrow
something from you.” On that, Kab said, “By Allah, you will get tired of
him!” Muhammad bin Maslama said, “Now as we have followed him, we do not
want to leave him unless and until we see how his end is going to be. ..”
Volume 5, Book 59, Number 369Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah.
Paradise was guaranteed to the first to take part in a naval battle That
‘Umair bin Al-Aswad Al-Anasi told him that he went to ‘Ubada bin As-Samit
while he was staying in his house at the sea-shore of Him with (his wife) Um
Haram. ‘Umair said. Um Haram informed us that she heard the Prophet saying,
“Paradise is granted to the first batch of my followers who will undertake a
naval expedition.” Um Haram added, I said, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! Will I be
amongst them?’ He replied, ‘You are amongst them.’ The Prophet then said,
‘The first army amongst’ my followers who will invade Caesar’s City will be
forgiven their sins.’ I asked, ‘Will I be one of them, O Allah’s Apostle?’
He replied in the negative.” Volume 4, Book 52, Number 175 Narrated Khalid
bin Madan:Those who fight in Jihad have the right to the spoils of the conquered or
Paradise if he dies The Prophet said, “The person who participates in (Holy
battles) in Allah’s cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in
Allah and His Apostles, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward,
or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to Paradise (if he is killed
in the battle as a martyr). Had I not found it difficult for my followers,
then I would not remain behind any sariya going for Jihad and I would have
loved to be martyred in Allah’s cause and then made alive, and then martyred
and then made alive, and then again martyred in His cause.” Volume 1, Book
2, Number 35Narrated Abu Huraira.
“. . . “This is the Will of Allah, “After the people returned, the Prophet
sat and said, “Anyone who has killed an enemy and has a proof of that, will
posses his spoils.” I got up and said, “Who will be a witness for me?” and
then sat down. The Prophet again said, “Anyone who has killed an enemy and
has proof of that, will possess his spoils.” I (again) got up and said, “Who
will be a witness for me?” and sat down.Then the Prophet said the same for the third time. I again got up, and
Allah’s Apostle said, “O Abu Qatada! What is your story?” Then I narrated
the whole story to him. A man (got up and) said, “O Allah’s Apostle! He is
speaking the truth, and the spoils of the killed man are with me. So please
compensate him on my behalf.” On that Abu Bakr As-Siddiq said, “No, by
Allah, he (i.e. Allah’s Apostle ) will not agree to give you the spoils
gained by one of Allah’s Lions who fights on the behalf of Allah and His
Apostle.” The Prophet said, “Abu Bakr has spoken the truth.” So, Allah’s
Apostle gave the spoils to me. I sold that armor (i.e. the spoils) and with
its price I bought a garden at Bani Salima, and this was my first property
which I gained after my conversion to Islam.” Volume 4, Book 53, Number 370Narrated Abu Qatada.
“. . . . While we were in this state, the Lord of the Heavens and the Earths,
Elevated is His Remembrance and Majestic is His Highness, sent to us from
among ourselves a Prophet whose father and mother are known to us. Our
Prophet, the Messenger of our Lord, has ordered us to fight you till you
worship Allah Alone or give Jizya (i.e. tribute); and our Prophet has
informed us that our Lord says:– Whoever amongst us is killed (i.e.
martyred), shall go to Paradise to lead such a luxurious life as he has
never seen, and whoever amongst us remain alive, shall become your master.”
(Al-Mughira, then blamed An-Numan for delaying the attack and) An-Nu’ man
said to Al-Mughira, “If you had participated in a similar battle, in the
company of Allah’s Apostle he would not have blamed you for waiting, nor
would he have disgraced you. But I accompanied Allah’s Apostle in many
battles and it was his custom that if he did not fight early by daytime, he
would wait till the wind had started blowing and the time for the prayer was
due (i.e. after midday).” Volume 4, Book 53, Number 386Narrated Jubair bin Haiya.
Allah’s Apostle said, “Allah guarantees (the person who carries out Jihad in
His Cause and nothing compelled him to go out but Jihad in His Cause and the
belief in His Word) that He will either admit him into Paradise (Martyrdom)
or return him with reward or booty he has earned to his residence from where
he went out.” Volume 9, Book 93, Number 555, Narrated Abu Huraira:The preceding Hadith are translated by Sahih Bukhari and are quoted from and
online source found atCHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS AND RESEARCH MINISTRY
Contact CARM at www.carm.orgCopyright by Matthew J. Slick, 1998. All rights reserved
Most of this site is assembled in the Apologetics Notebook
- We must recognize that the battle in the physical realm will not be won