Chapter 20(a) - The Excellence of Martyrdom

“I once asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), about the words of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), ‘I swear by Allah, enduring one thousand strikes by the sword is easier than dying on the bed.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It means ‘for…

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Over every virtuous deed is a virtuous deed until…

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), saying, ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), would say, “The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘No drop is more…

“On the day of Jamal Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), delivered a speech. He praised and glorified Allah; then said, ‘O people, I came to these people, called them and presented proof in support of my truthfulness. They then…

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that someone asked the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, ‘Why is a martyr not examined and tried in his grave?’…

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one is killed for the cause of Allah, Allah will not show him any of his sins.”

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Which kind of Jihad is more virtuous?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is the one in which the legs of one’s horse are cut off and his own blood is spilled for the cause of Allah.’”