Finding Alláh’s Help, and Victory

A-úthú billáhi minash shaytánir rajím. Bismilláhir Rahmánir Rahím!

[Arabic du’á]

The Help of Allah And His Victory

The month of Ramadan is the month of Blessings, the month of Patience and the month of Mercy. It is also the month of the Quran.

“Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down as a guide to mankind, also clear signs for guidance and judjment. [ch 2/v185]

During the month of Ramadan, we tend to pay special attention to the Quran. We may devote more time to reading it or listing to it.

But as soon as Ramadan is over we go back to normal, we may read a little bit of the Quran on Fridays, and we may recite some verses at funerals or to start celebration. We may enjoy listening to a Quranic recitation by a favorite Hafez or Sheikh. But in general, the Quran remains for many Muslims only a symbol of religion, an old book collecting dust on a shelf, a mere collection of beautiful words and sounds.

It is true that the Quran is honoured and treated with utmost respect, but do we go beyond the words and the sounds to the meaning? to the substance?

Do we follow its rules and implement them in all aspects of our daily life? Do we obey its commands? Do we understand its lessons and examples? Allah Says about the Quran:

” This is the Book, in it is guidance, sure without doubt, for those who fear Allah.” [ch2/v1].

He also says:

” And We have sent down to thee the Book explaining all things, a Guide, a Mercy and Glad Tidings to the Muslims”. [ch16/v89]

Do we look in the Quran for Guidance, for Mercy and for Glad Tidings?

The Muslim Ummah has, on the whole, neglected the Quran for a long time. We have been looking for glad tidings in many places other then the Quran.

First, and for many years we have looked to the UN to bring glad tidings and comfort to the Muslims in Palestine, Kashmir and Bosnia. Nowadays we are looking to Uncle Sam to bring glad tidings and aid to the Muslims in Kosova and Chechnya.

The Muslim women in Chechnya have no Caliph Mu’tasem to come to their rescue, and so one can blame them for calling on the Pope or the White House for aid.

We all want an end to the humiliation and defeat of our Ummah. We want victory for all oppressed Muslims all over the world, for all Muslim Communities and for our Ummah. But help, victory and glad tidings to the Muslims will come only from Allah who says:

“There is no Aid Except from Allah, the Exalted the Wise.” [ch3/v126].

How do we get aid from Allah? The answer is in the Quran.

“Indeed, Allah will aid those who aid His cause. Indeed Allah is all-Powerful, all-Mighty.” [ch22:v40]

In this noble Verse Allah has promised to help and give victory to those who help His cause. And it is known that the help and victory of Allah comes by following what He has prescribed, obeying His command, avoiding His prohibitions, helping His Messengers, and their followers, aiding His Religion and fighting against His enemies until the word of Allah is made uppermost and the word of His enemies is debased.

In another verse the Quran says:

“O you who Believe. If you help Allah, Allah will help you; and establish your feet firmly. [ch47:v7]

Believers are given here a pledge that Allah will be on their side and will favour them with victory if and when they help and aid His cause.

However, this divine intervention and support are not granted to those who sit and wait, nor are they ever won by those who neglect the duty of preparing their own defences and making the plans necessary to achieve victory.

The requirements

The victory from Allah has it is own requirements which were clearly stated in the Quran for those who care to contemplate and those who seek guidance.

Faith

The First requirement is faith In Allah. Ímán or faith is first and the most essential step on the road to victory. If we need help and aid from Allah, if we want Him to grant us victory then we must believe in Him, in His Book, in His messengers, in the Day of Judgment, in Paradise and the hellfire. How could any one ask Allah for any thing if he/she does not believe in Him?

A true believer is always willing and ready to strive with his money, his fortune and self for the sake of Allah and His cause.

“Allah has purchased of the believers their persons and their goods: For theirs in return is the garden of Paradise.” [ch9/v111]

This is an exclusive bargain with the Believers. In this divine bargain, Allah takes man’s will and soul and his wealth and goods, and gives him in return, ever lasting happiness.

Preparation of Power

The second step on the way to victory is represented by the following verse, which says;

“Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power.” [ch8/v60].

The faith in Allah should be translated into positive action, into preparing, planning and making ready all means of power.

In every fight, physical, moral or spiritual we should arm ourselves with the best weapons and the best arms against our enemy. The power is not intended for oppression nor aggression .It is a defensive power, a deterrent against aggression and tyranny, and for the protection of peace and justice.

Avoiding disputes

The third step or requirement for victory is being united and supportive of each other. Standing together like a solid structure. The Quran says:

“And hold fast all together, by the Rope which Allah stretches out for you and be not divided among you.” [ch3/v103]

“And fall not into disputes, Lest ye lose heart And your power depart. And Be patient and persevering for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.” [ch8/v46]

Fragmentation, division and disunity leads to weakness. Conflicts and frictions among the Muslim countries and communities may not lead to victory at all. It leads to loss and defeat.

Let us look at the Muslim community in this country. Are we united?. Are we co-ordinating our efforts and affairs to safeguard our own interests as a religious minority? Do we speak with one voice? Do we support and aid each other? Are we really and truly a “Solid Structure” as Allah and His messenger like us to be?.

Tawakkul and Du’a

And finally, when we follow al the steps that are required for victory as explained in the Quran, when we do what we are asked to do, then we must put our trust in Allah. The Prophet said:

“who likes to be the strongest of all people let him put his trust in Allah.”

Before the Battle of Hunian, the Muslims felt conceited with their numbers. They thought that victory was guaranteed. They did not put their trust in Allah.

“On the day of Hunain your great numbers elated you. But they did not avail you . The Land for all that it is wide, Did constrain you, and you Turned back in retreat.” [ch9/v25]

Allah Almighty does not alter the established laws of social change in favor of Muslims, Jews or Christians. These laws apply equally even to those select few, the Prophets. At the battle of Uhud, Muhammad himself suffered physical injuries to the head, had a tooth broken and fell into a ditch, owing to negligence by his troops and shortcomings in preparing for war. How long, then, could Muslims continue arrogantly claiming identification with Islam, while discarding its teachings and refusing to abide by its laws or heed its warnings? Can Muslims not see how the tables have been turned against them? As other nations have armed themselves with science and hard work, and come to sweep over most of the Muslim lands and dominate their people… Muslims are in need of turning back to the Book of Allah, the Qur’an, and fully appreciating the laws of civilization and social change which He has laid down. They must cast aside all calls to abandon Islam or do away with the guidance that Allah has placed in their hands. They must break away from all superstitions and wake up to Allah’s eternal justice, and realize that their glory and dignity have been undermined only as a result of their own negligence and deviation.

Let us ask Allah to guide back to the Quran, to understand it and implement its rules and orders and avoid its prohibitions. Let us ask Allah to enlighten our minds with wisdom and hearts with solid Faith. Let us ask Him to unite our ranks and overcome our conflicts and disputes. Let us ask him to give aid and victory to all Muslims who are fighting against all forms of oppression and injustice and make them prevail over their enemies.

[du’á in Arabic]

Ameen! Aqeemus Salaah!