On Monday, March 22nd 2004, Israel succeeded in killing Syekh Ahmad Yassin, the leader of Hamas Palestine, by air attack in Sabra, Gaza Line, after failing several times. The attack of Israel was a very painful one for the Moslem people, the death of Syekh Ahmad Yassin was a very sad one. In this article, I am trying to explain from Islamic point of view about the death of defender of Islam, like Syekh Ahmad Yassin.   In Islam, Syekh Ahmad Yassin is categorized as syuhada, because he died in struggling for Gods teaching (Islamic teaching). Dead as syuhada is really never dying, actually. Why? Because in the Holy Quran God says (translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali):   And say not of those who are slain in the Way of God: They are dead. Nay, they are living, though ye perceive (it) not (al Baqarah: 154). Think not of those who are slain in Gods way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord (Ali Imran: 169).   But where does the syuhada live? Will he/she revive from the death and be alive again in the world? Of course not. There is another life after the life of the world. It is called akhirat (the hereafter), the place where human account for all their deeds in the world in front of God, the place of heaven and hell. Akhirat is the last phase of life for good. This is the place where syuhada lives happily. God says (translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali):   They rejoice in the bounty provided by God: And with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the (Martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve (Ali Imran: 170) They glory in the Grace and the bounty from God, and in the fact that God suffereth not the reward of the Faithful to be lost (in the least) (Ali Imran: 171)   Those words Gods words encourage Moslem people to survive, to struggle for Gods teaching.

Thus, it is no wonder that they will never surrender to anyone who (try to) destroys Islam. They will defend Islam until their death coming. But, the happiness in akhirat is not the one and only reason in choosing to die for the Moslem faith. The main point is degrading of Gods teaching. It is same as degradation of God, creator of mankind and the universe. These words above show Moslem that they will not die vainly in struggling Islam. Therefore, they prefer to die for God to reach endless happiness definitely in akhirat than to be alive, obeying the unbeliever who will never give them happiness