I ruined my eating habits today - I ate like 4 cookies 1/2 hour ago. That’s 200 calories right there. =( And now your cupcake pic looks yummy

Jazakallah khair for your comment. I must say that everything you said is correct.

HOWEVER, there must be an acknowledgment of the ahadith regarding those Muslims, during Rasoolullah’s (s) time, who converted to Islam on the battlefield and were killed that same day. They weren’t told to go back to Madinah and do Jihad an Nafs; Why? Because when one is on the battlefield, Jihad is fard al ‘ayn on that individual. So from this, we understand that when Jihad is fard al ‘ayn, there is no escape and no excuse.

What takes Jihad to the status of fard al ‘ayn? There are three things and it can be either one of these three:

1. When Muslim lands are attacked
2. When the Imam calls to march forth
3. When the armies meet

And some include a fourth which is when Muslims are captured as POW’s.

Secondly, according to Imam ash-Shafi’i, when Jihad is fard al ‘ayn, it then even becomes mandatory on those whom Jihad is usually not mandatory: the young, the old, and the women. The source for that is Mashari al Ashwaq ila Masari al Ushaaq by Shaykh ibn an-Nuhaas

Thirdly, Jihad an Nafs will continue till ones death. So for someone to say, “I cannot go out for Jihad, even though I am convinced that it is fard al ‘ayn, I cannot go because I need to perfect my Iman i.e., Jihad an Nafs” this is wrong to say since:

a. How long and when will you know that your Iman is perfected? The simple answer to this is that when you feel, in your heart, the love for Allah, His Messenger, and Jihad fe Sabeelillah, you must march forth. Look at 9:24

b. Jihad as-Sayf is one of the greatest forms of Jihad an-Nafs and every true Mujahid can testify to this. One is tested on and off the battlefield constantly. When the Mujahid makes Hijrah, he is tested with his wealth, intelligence, and tawakkul (on Allah). Then when he marches forth, he knows that he is cognizant of getting a bullet stuck in his stomach or something else negative might happen to him; but as he marches forth he becomes stronger psychologically speaking and is ready for anything and is running towards Shahaada.

Also, regarding the first point, the ahadith about the person dying on the battlefield. Rasoolullah (s) said about them, “They did little, but were rewarded much”

They got Paradise, even though they never prayed one single Rakaat. That is not to say we are not obligated to do these things, rather, it is only there to keep in mind that when Jihad is fard al ‘ayn, it’s time to pack up and the limited amount of time you have left to purify yourself should be done perfectly

Jazakallah khair

Ma’salama