The Weapon of Choice

What should be the most important weapon to take to war? Many people have and will give many different answers to this question.   Most people would be concerned with the quality of their weapons.  The range of the weapon’s force, the magnitude of its force, the precision of its effects and many other factors would be amongst the first thoughts that comes to people’s minds when they assess and select their weapons of choice to take to the front lines with them. 

It is important to keep in mind that when we think of war and speak of war, we should not instantly think of conventional wars that we learn about in our history books or watch in news.

Every day we are in multiple wars with multiple fronts with multiple enemies, the biggest enemy being our own worldly inclinations and temptations, our own nafs or soul.  Other enemies could be (but not limited to) those who attempt to weaken our faith via multiple routes, those who offer to us the benefits of usury, those who offer to us means of gambling and drinking alcohol, those who make major sins seem insignificant, those who make what is forbidden seem permitted to us and what is permitted seem forbidden, and many more enemies.

In short, when we think of war, we must certainly step outside of conventional wars fought with jets, tanks, swords, guns, and etc.  With this in mind, we need to seek a weapon that we can always carry with us to every war, every front, against every enemy, a weapon that is always available to us, and a weapon that is better than all other weapons.

What should be the weapon of choice for a believer?

As always, the first place we look for answers, should be the commands and guidelines of God that have been revealed and explained to us through our beloved prophet and his ahlul bayt, peace be upon them all.

Let us read and always remember the following Good (but like authentic) tradition.

7)

Arabic Texts:

عَنْهُ] عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ[ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ الدُّعَاءُ أَنْفَذُ مِنَ السِّنَانِ الْحَدِيدِ.

Farsi Translation:

امام صادق (ع) فرمود: دعاء نافذتر است از نيزه آهنين.

English Translation:

It's narrated from him [Ali ibn Ibrahim] from his father from ibn Abu Omayr from Abdallah ibn Senan from Abu Abdallah, peace be upon him, who has said: “Supplication [dua] is more powerful than a sharp iron spear.”

Source:

Al-Kafi, Volume 2, Page 469, Tradition #7