The Koran keeps before the reader's eye human destiny, heaven or hell. But, how is man saved from hell? How can man make up for his own sins so as to reach heaven? Islam's answer is total surrender to Allah's will by repentance, prayer and good works. But, how many good works will bring salvation about? The question remains unanswered except in the case when one is willing to die for the Cause of Allah. Here are quotes from the Koran,

"Let those who fight for the cause of Allah who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter. To him who fights in the cause of Allah, - whether he is slain or gets victory -soon shall We give him a reward of great (value)." (Surah 4:74)

"They [that] fight in His Cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in Truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his Covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded: that is the supreme achievement." (Surah 9:111)

From the Christian viewpoint, the above is a distortion of the meaning of martyrdom. Christ has made the Supreme Sacrifice for the Sin of the World and forgiveness is offered to those who turn to him. It is true that the Christian martyrs gave up their lives for the faith but never in the cause of warfare. Christians who sought martyrdom were told by Church authorities not to do so.

As an example, let us consider St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church. He was a deacon of the Church of Jerusalem who taught the faith in Jesus with eloquence in Jerusalem. He was stoned to death by the Jews outside the city. As they were stoning him he cried out "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them'; and when he said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:59-60) Note, he did not die while in battle chapping off heads or having his head chopped off. Like Christ, he also forgave his enemies. This is the ultimate meaning of martyrdom.

The same holds true during the Roman persecutions. Christians were put to death for refusing to worship the Emperor or other gods and they did not fight back to save their lives. Even during the Crusades when Christians fought the Muslim Turks, there was never an automatic going to heaven. If they did not repent of grave sins they went to hell. All that the Pope promised the crusaders was the elimination of that punishment due to sin or that period of purification called Purgatory which is to be paid in justice before entering heaven.

 

The Ideal Martyr of Islam