Kayfa Tasbiq
- Author died
- 1434 AH
- Editions
- Markaz al-Fajr li-l-I'lam
Kayfa Tasbiq (Arabic: كيف تسبق, lit. 'How You Can Surpass', full title: Kayfa Tasbiq al-Ulama? [How You Can Surpass the Scholars?]) is a treatise by Khalid al-Husayanan (d. 1434 AH / 2012 CE) published by Markaz al-Fajr lil-I'lam in 1431 AH (2010 CE). The work argues that active fighters (mujahidun) can attain spiritual precedence over religious scholars who sit out of armed conflict.
Purpose and Scope
Al-Husayanan clarifies at the outset that the "precedence" (sabq) he addresses is relative rather than absolute; while scholars have surpassed others in seeking, preserving, and transmitting Islamic knowledge, he asserts that many contemporary scholars have deprived themselves of major acts of worship linked to armed struggle. The author argues that human beings inevitably have deficiencies and that excellence in one domain of worship—such as scholarship, fasting, or night prayers—does not compensate for neglecting jihad and guarding frontiers. He describes participating in jihad as the most difficult act of devotion in the modern era due to widespread opposition and discouragement from both critics and religious figures.
Structure and Content
The treatise is organized into introductory arguments followed by two central thematic discussions detailing acts of worship and spiritual virtues.
Six Acts of Worship
The book enumerates six acts of worship related to armed conflict that the author claims many contemporary scholars miss:
- Jihad in the path of God (al-jihad fi sabil Allah), described as the pinnacle of devotion combining internal and external virtues.
- Guarding the frontier (al-ribat), which the author presents as yielding ongoing rewards that exceed decades of voluntary fasting and prayer and continue after death.
- Military preparation (al-i'dad), which covers acquiring physical and modern weapons capability and marksmanship based on Quranic mandates.
- Emigration (al-hijra), departing home territories for combat zones.
- Night sentry duty (al-hirasa), guarding vulnerable positions against adversaries, highlighted as an act surpassing the virtue of the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr).
- Setting out on morning and evening military campaigns (al-ghadwah wa-l-rawhah).
Seven Virtues of Martyrs and Combatants
The second part outlines seven specific rewards promised in scripture to fighters and martyrs:
- One hundred ascending levels in Paradise reserved for combatants.
- The singular longing of the martyr to return to the worldly life to be killed repeatedly because of the divine honor witnessed.
- Seven specific privileges granted to the martyr, including immediate forgiveness at the first shed of blood, safety from the punishment of the grave, and intercession for relatives.
- Reaching an afterlife station surpassed only by the prophets.
- Stationing in battle being superior to seventy years of prayer performed at home.
- The status of those who fight in the front lines without turning back.
- Dwelling in the highest abode in Paradise.
The author concludes by urging readers to combine armed struggle with religious learning, Quranic memorization, nightly vigils, and adherence to the prophetic Sunnah.
Sources and Methodology
The work relies on scriptural evidence from the Quran and prophetic hadith, alongside interpretations and rulings from classical and later Sunni scholars, including Abu Ja'far al-Tabari, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Qudama, Ibn al-Nahhas, Ibn Kathir, Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi, and Abd al-Rahman al-Sa'di.
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