Paradise is Under the Shades of Swords (Hadith No. 2466)

Bismillah.

Ahadith 2464 – 2465 (below) are repeats. See linked text for related posts.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 71 :
Narrated by Jabir (radiallaahu `anhu)
My father’s mutilated body was brought to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) and was placed in front of him. I went to uncover his face but my companions forbade me. Then mourning cries of a lady were heard, and it was said that she was either the daughter or the sister of Amr. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Why is she crying?” Or said, “Do not cry, for the angels are still shading him with their wings.” (Al-Bukhari asked Sadqa, a sub-narrator, “Does the narration include the expression: ‘Till he was lifted?’ ” The latter replied, “Jabir may have said it.”)

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 72 :
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Nobody who enters Paradise likes to go back to the world even if he got everything on the earth, except a Mujahid who wishes to return to the world so that he may be martyred ten times because of the dignity he receives (from Allah).” Narrated Al-Mughira bin Shu’ba (radiallaahu `anhu): Our Prophet told us about the message of our Lord that “Whoever amongst us is killed will go to Paradise.” Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) asked the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam), “Is it not true that our men who are killed will go to Paradise and their’s (i.e. those of the Pagan’s) will go to the (Hell) fire?” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Yes.”

Today’s Hadith:

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 73 :
Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin Abi Aufa (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Know that Paradise is under the shades of swords.”

I tried Googling (funny how it sits well as a verb) this hadith to see what results I get. Three kinds of opinions (or people) found:

1. Islam is all about war and killing. Some compared the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) to Hitler.
2. Apologetic Muslims: “Oh this hadith is actually part of a longer one, and it’s being taken out of context (which, by the way, it is!). Islam is peace peace peace.” Some even try to disqualify such ahadith to prove their points. Sigh.
3. Balanced (like me :P). Folks who say it like it is. Yes this hadith is misquoted. But it doesn’t mean it’s not authentic. Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) did say it. But then he also said “Paradise lies under the feet of mothers”. You see, jihad is not the only way to Jannah (Paradise), but it’s certainly one of the best. It’s not unimaginable for someone to say such words to the fighters right before facing a battle to boost their morale and get their intentions straight? Jannah is the ultimate goal after all.

Just FYI, the longer version:

Allah’s Apostle in one of his military expeditions against the enemy, waited till the sun declined and then he got up amongst the people saying, “O people! Do not wish to meet the enemy, and ask Allah for safety, but when you face the enemy, be patient, and remember that Paradise is under the shades of swords.” Then he said, “O Allah, the Revealer of the Holy Book, and the Mover of the clouds and the Defeater of the clans, defeat them, and grant us victory over them.”(Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 266l)