The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi on 17 December 2010 is the base of the Tunisian Revolution or the Jasmine Revolution.Similarly, the martyrdom of Abu Sayed on 16 July 2024, is the main spirit of the July Revolution. But there is a difference between Mohamed Bouazizi and Shaheed Abu Sayed. Bouazizi is not a martyr as he took suicidal action against injustice.On the other hand, Sayed was severely shot by the then govt. force.From the video footage, we can see that at the beginning of police attack, he was trying to resist the bullet with a simple stick as like as the cricket bat hitting the ball. But later, only Allah know what was going on his mind,he spread his arms instead of trying to escape.And he becomes martyred.
اے ایمان والو! جب تم (میدانِ جنگ میں) کافروں سے مقابلہ کرو (خواہ وہ) لشکرِ گراں ہو پھر بھی انہیں پیٹھ مت دکھانا
O believers! When you combat the disbelievers (in the battlefield), never turn your backs on them, (even if they are) a large army.
(al-Anfal, 8 : 15)
Taken from: https://www.irfan-ul-quran.com/english/qid/250/What-is-the-punishment-for-running-away-from-the-battlefield
وَ مَنْ یُّوَلِّهِمْ یَوْمَىِٕذٍ دُبُرَهٗۤ اِلَّا مُتَحَرِّفًا لِّقِتَالٍ اَوْ مُتَحَیِّزًا اِلٰی فِئَةٍ فَقَدْ بَآءَ بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللّٰهِ وَ مَاْوٰىهُ جَهَنَّمُ ؕ وَ بِئْسَ الْمَصِیْرُ
اور جو شخص اس دن ان سے پیٹھ پھیرے گا، سوائے اس کے جو جنگ (ہی) کے لئے کوئی داؤ چل رہا ہو یا اپنے (ہی) کسی لشکر سے (تعاون کے لئے) ملنا چاہتا ہو، تو واقعتاً وہ اللہ کے غضب کے ساتھ پلٹا اور اس کا ٹھکانا دوزخ ہے، اور وہ (بہت ہی) برا ٹھکانا ہے
And he who turns his back on them that day, except he who is maneuvering in the fight, or he who wants to join one of his own troops (for support), certainly he returns with the wrath of Allah and Hell is his abode and that is (the most) evil abode.
(al-Anfal, 8 : 16)
Taken from: https://www.irfan-ul-quran.com/english/qid/250/What-is-the-punishment-for-running-away-from-the-battlefield
Shaheed Abu Sayed did not turn his back on them - that is what we have observed. He fought against injustice and this is called 'Jihad' in Islam.
Lessons:
family background, educational institution, body building, social status,leadership of a political party, being religious scholar-nothing is required to be a hero. A pure intention ,courage and above all, faith in Allah is needed only. You don't need to take selfies, rather world will keep you on the spotlight with real love and respect (by the way, if you take heroic step just for people's attention,then it will not be counted as Jihad.Remember!).
Copyright©️Rumana Reza,2025
