WARFARE

There are three terms used in the Traditions for warfare. (1) Jihād ( جهاد‎ ), warfare carried on by Muslims for the extension of Islām. (2) Fitan ( فتن‎ ), seditions and commotions which will precede the Resurrection. (3) Malāḥim ( ملاحم‎ ), pl. of malḥamah , warfare carried on between Muslim nations and tribes. These are also signs of the Resurrection. [ FITAN , JIHAD , MALAHIM .] AL -WĀRIS̤ ( الوارث‎ ). “The Heir” (of all things). One of the ninety-nine attributes of the Almighty. WAS̤AN ( وثن‎ ), pl. aus̤ān . An idol. [ IDOLATRY .] WAS̤ANĪ ( وثنى‎ ), from was̤an , an idol. An idolater. [ IDOLATER .] WAṢĀYĀ ( وصايا‎ ), pl. of waṣīyah . Lit . “Precepts.” Used in Muslim law for wills and regulations concerning them . [ WILLS .] AL -WĀSIʿ ( الواسع‎ ). “The Capacious.” One of the ninety-nine attributes of God. It occurs in the Qurʾān, Sūrah ii. 248 : “God is the Capacious one and knows.” WASĪLAH ( وسيلة‎ ). Lit . “Nearne .” The name of the highest station in Paradise, which Muḥammad said was reserved for one person only, and which he hoped to obtain for himself. ( Mishkāt , book xxiv. ch. ii. pt. 2.) It is usual for religious Muḥammadans to pray, after the call to prayer ( aẕān ) has been concluded, that Muḥammad may obtain this station of Wasīlah . Hence the place of interce ion, and the office of mediator. That which effects nearne to God. WĀSIT̤AH ( واسطة‎ ). A thing or person intervening; an agent; a broker. Hence, a mediator. WAṢL ( وصل‎ ). “Meeting; union.” A Ṣūfī term used for the seventh stage in the spiritual journey, when the mystic, as it were, sees the Divine One face to face. The stage previous to fanāʾ , or extinction in the e ence of the Eternal One. [ SUFI .] WAS WAS AH ( وسوسة‎ ). Lit . “Inspiring,” or “suggesting.” A suggestion from the devil. The machinations of the devil, to the consideration of which a chapter is devoted in the Traditions. ( Mishkāt , book i. ch. iii.) Muḥammad said, “There is not a single child of man, except Mary and her son, who is not touched by the devil at the time of his birth, and hence the child makes a loud cry when he is born, nor is there one human being who has not a devil appointed to attend him. The devil sticks close to the sons of Adam, and also an angel; the busine of the devil is to do evil, and that of the angel to guide them unto truth.”