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Allah
Almighty created this life and laid down for it certain fixed laws. He
has ordained that the believers strive against their enemies and prepare
all they can for that purpose. They are to follow the ways that bring
about victory.
There
is no doubt that the first way to victory is to believe in
Allah, the Creator of the universe, and the Only One Who can revive
nations and breathe life into souls?. Almighty Allah says: [Lo! Allah
defendeth those who are true. Lo! Allah loveth not each treacherous
ingrate.” (Al-Hajj: 38) He also says: “… To help believers
is incumbent upon Us …” (Ar-Rum: 47) and “Lo! We verily do
help Our messengers, and those who believe, in the life of the world and
on the day when the witnesses arise …] (Ghafir: 51)
Belief in Allah does not mean only to utter the Shahadah (the
Testimony of Faith) and words and expressions in remembrance of Allah.
True belief in Allah is to have unshakeable, firm belief that Allah is
the Supporter of all in the heavens and the earth; to follow all His
teachings; to obey His commands regarding the necessary measures to
preserve our honor and (national) sovereignty; and to join efforts with
one another as believers to hold fast to Allah’s law. He who does so
is guided to the Straight Path.
The second way to achieve victory is to prepare as much force
as we can to confront our enemies, without underestimating the force
of the enemies and the treacherous intrigues they may plot against us.
We should also not be deluded regarding our ability to gain victory
while we have no firm bases for that. Allah Almighty says: [Make
ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered,
that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others
beside them whom ye know not. Allah knoweth them. Whatsoever ye spend in
the way of Allah it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be
wronged.] (Al-Anfal: 6)
[Whatsoever ye spend in the way of Allah…] in the above
Qur’anic verse indicates that every Muslim can contribute directly or
indirectly to the cause of jihad. He who is able to fight directly in
the battlefield is to do so, and he who cannot may support the cause in
other ways. Whatever the individual’s position in society, he can
contribute to the cause of his nation, and each will be rewarded by
Allah according to his contribution. Allah’s Messenger (peace and
blessings be upon him), said: “Anybody who equips a warrior (going
to fight) in Allah’s cause is like one who actually fights. And
anybody who looks well after his (the warrior’s) family in his absence
is also like one who actually fights.” The Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) would also send some of his Companions on
missions in the interest of the nation at times of battles. He (peace
and blessings be upon him) would regard those Companions as fighters in
Allah’s cause and would give them shares of the booty equal to that of
those who fought in the battlefield, though they had not actually
participated in fighting. He (peace and blessings be upon him) would
regard them all as fighters in Allah’s cause, for they had contributed
directly or indirectly to the cause of jihad. May Allah be pleased with
them all.
The third way to victory is to be always on the alert so
that the enemy cannot deceive us. We are to bear always in mind the
hadith: “War is deceit.” We should also remember always that
our enemy is treacherous and may use every cunning way to dominate us.
Hence, we are to take into consideration Allah’s words: [Obey Allah
and obey the Messenger, and beware …] (Al-Ma’idah: 92) and
[Those
who disbelieve long for you to neglect your arms and your baggage that
they may attack you once for all …] (An-Nisa’: 102) We are also
to take into account the Hadith: “The best among people is the one
who holds the reins of his horse (ever ready to march) in the cause of
Allah, flies on its back whenever he hears a fearful shriek or a call
for help, flies to it, seeking death at places where it can be
expected.”
The fourth way to victory is to be ready to take prompt action
on hearing the call to jihad to fight against the enemies, without delay
or recoil from participating in fighting. Allah says: [O ye who
believe! What aileth you that when it is said unto you: Go forth in the
way of Allah, ye are bowed down to the ground with heaviness. Take ye
pleasure in the life of the world rather than in the Hereafter? The
comfort of the life of the world is but little in the Hereafter. ]
(At-Tawbah: 38-39)
The fifth way is to unite, join hands with one another,
obey the Muslim leader, keep the order, and face the enemy courageously
and steadfastly. Almighty Allah says: [O ye who believe! When ye meet
an army, hold firm and think of Allah much, that ye may be successful.
And obey Allah and His Messenger, and dispute not one with another lest
ye falter and your strength depart from you; but be steadfast! Lo! Allah
is with the steadfast.] (Al-Anfal: 45-46) and [Lo! Allah loveth
those who battle for His cause in ranks, as if they were a solid
structure.] (As-Saff: 4)
The sixth way is to fight sincerely in Allah’s cause,
which includes fighting to defend one’s freedom, honor, dignity,
homeland, family, sacred places, property. Allah’s Messenger (peace
and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said: “By He in
Whose Hands Muhammad’s soul is, he who fights against them (the
enemies) today patiently and courageously for Allah’s sake and is
killed (while doing so), Allah will admit him into Paradise.” He
(peace and blessings be upon him) also said: “He who is killed
while protecting his property is a martyr; and he who is killed while
defending his family or his blood or his religion is a martyr.”
The seventh way to victory is to have sincere wish and
enthusiasm to participate in jihad in Allah’s cause till we either
gain victory or are martyred, depending heart and soul on Allah, after
taking all preparations in that regard. Almighty Allah says: [Say:
Naught befalleth us save that which Allah hath decreed for us. He is our
protecting Friend. In Allah let believers put their trust! Say: Can ye
await for us aught save one of two good things (death or victory in
Allah's way )? while we await for you that Allah will afflict you with a
doom from Him or at our hands. Await then! Lo! we are awaiting with you.]
(At-Tawbah: 51-52)
These are the true ways that can bring about victory. It is not beyond
Allah’s power to bestow on the true believers, who fight sincerely in
His cause, resounding victory. [… and in that day believers will
rejoice in Allah's help to victory. He helpeth to victory whom He will.
He is the Mighty, the Merciful.] (Ar-Rum: 4-5)”
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