Islam made the Arabs and those who rallied around them a strong nation, and motivated them towards outstanding honor and glory, which they accomplished in a short period of time. Here, we should ask ourselves this question: How did the Muslims obtain victory during the early period of Islam? How could they win all the battles they engaged in—be they large-scale battles where the entire nation was mobilized, or smaller ones, such as their victory over the Crusaders, where mobilization was not general? The following two principal factors underlie these great victories:

The first factor was that there had been a covenant of some kind between those who believed in the message of Islam, and Allah the Exalted and Glorious, whereby Muslims would sell themselves and their properties to Allah Almighty, and Allah, in return, would grant them victory, firm establishment in this life, and Paradise in the hereafter:

(O ye who believe! Shall I show you a commerce that will save you from a painful torment? Ye should believe in Allah and His Messenger, and should strive for the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is better for you, if ye did but know. He will forgive you your sins and bring you into Gardens underneath which rivers flow, and pleasant dwellings in Gardens of Eden. That is the supreme triumph. And (He will give you) another blessing which ye love: help from Allah and present victory. Give good tidings (O Muhammad) to believers.) (As-Saff 61:10-13)

This kind of contract or covenant was the core, the goal, and the fruit of the Islamic creed. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) called people in Makkah to believe in Allah Alone, and this belief implied dedicating both soul and property for the sake and cause of Islam. This in fact meant putting lives and property at risk, which was clear to all recipients of the message. That was why the delegation of the tribe of Banu Shaiban said, when the Messenger called them to Islam, “O man, you are inviting us to fight kings and we have not got the ability to do so.”

One should think, what kind of a creed is this that makes a person feel that all his abilities are devoted for only one goal? A creed that makes one responsible for every penny spent and every effort exerted?

(Say: Lo! My prayer and, my rites and my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the Worlds. He hath no partner. This am I commanded, and I am the first of those who surrender (unto Him).) (Al-An`am 6:162-163)

So, we conclude that the first reason for the victory of the Muslims in the past, present, or future is the finding of an individual who is willing to sacrifice his or her blood and property to reach his or her purpose. There is no stronger belief on earth than this, and there is no individual stronger than one who embraces that belief.

It is great to have such a person of firm and unshakeable belief, but he or she alone cannot do anything significant to change the reality of a nation, not to mention the whole world. Thus, the second necessary factor was to fraternize such individuals within a solid union in which Muslims are ready to sacrifice themselves and their property for their fellow Muslim. This firm bond constituted the bases for the nascent Islamic Ummah, which united around one faith, one creed, and one way of life. The values of forgiveness and mercy and preferring others to oneself, preached and instilled by Islam in the hearts of its followers, proved very effective in this respect.

(And (as for the believers) He hath attuned their hearts. If thou hadst spent all that is in the earth thou couldst not have attuned their hearts, but Allah hath attuned them. Lo! He is Mighty, Wise.) (Al-Anfal 8:63)

What does one then expect of a nation formed thusly, with a motivating creed and an overwhelming tender brotherhood? A nation like that can never be hindered by barriers or stopped by obstacles. Soon after its formation, this nation spread in the east and the west, filled with much enthusiasm and tenderness, compassion, and mercy.

No doubt that there were other factors for the Muslims’ victory, such as learning the skills of their enemies in fighting. But this factor, as well as any other assistant factors, was the outcome of the above two major factors. Actually, a nation of such strong belief and conviction, enjoying such unity and integration, would not take much time to achieve necessary knowledge, strength, arms, or experience.