Death and wounds we receive on the battlefield are called in the East Shahadiat, that means that a higher degree of piety or virtue was given to them. It may surprise a spiritual person who is kind, mild, good, that a higher degree of virtue should be given to one who wishes to kill another. The mystic does not look at it in that way. He looks upon it with the consideration that he who gives his life in battle, gives it not for his individual self. Man usually gives his life for his own purpose, for his own benefit. All his life he is striving to accomplish his own aim. He may commit suicide, he may die with the vision of the self-benefit before his eyes. The one who gives his life in battle, gives it, not for himself, but for those for whom he has fought, that means for the whole nation. Therefore for many, and where there are many, there is the thought of God. He has given his life for God.

This is Shahadiat, and the greater the number for whom he has given his life, the greater is his Shahadiat. It would be better if it were given for all, for humanity. We may remember the life of Christ, that was given for the truth, for humanity. This is the greatest Shahadiat.

The wound, though it is not death, may be a great loss. We can see what the loss of one tooth is. The dentist may put in a new tooth, but there will never be the same joy as the own tooth. That is gone. Or if a man has lost his leg, however well made the artificial leg may be, it will never be as good as his own leg. The wounded man may have lost what can never be replaced. If all the territory is gained, it can never be given back to him. Our appreciation should be so great that it is enough to make up to him whatever he has lost.