Factors or causes for victory
Written by: SK.
Translated by Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
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Thanks be to Allah, the
Lord of the worlds. Peace and prayers be upon the
most honorable of all messengers Mohammad; and all his folks, companions, and
followers to the day they are all summoned together.
A few days ago, and more
specifically last Saturday, the 5th of June marking the 1967 third Arab
Israeli 6-day war. Or as some enjoy calling it the Set-Back day. To learn a
bit about it, listen to someone who lived through it, a Palestinian student.
He says, I was in Egypt, initially, sharing the excitement of the people, and
only being sorry for not being in my country at the time to witness the joy of
victory or re-entering the towns of 7hayfa and yafa. But what I did not know
is the fact that only a few days were between me and loosing what is left of
my country and my right to return to my family home. I can only do that with a
special permission that took me years to get. The June war was meant to pull
the dispersed and destitute Palestinians together, and instead, things got
worse for them, and more of them were even prevented from seeing their
families.
Another witness
remembers how the Jordanian soldiers started retreating in an uncontrolled
manner. They started to get red of their military uniforms in fear of meeting
the Israeli army. People in town also started to get red those things just in
case the Israeli arm would search and find such material and punish the
people.
When the Israeli army
came into the town, they ordered everybody to assemble at the main street in
order to be evacuated to the east bank. The people through fear and hope were
eager to leave thinking there was a better reality awaited them in Jordan.
Another witness says
that what happened in 1967 was more than a setback. It was a destruction of a
dream to reclaim what is rightfully ours that was lost in 1948. People’s
confidence was high because of the commentary of Ahmed Saeed in the Arab Voice
Radio, and the military announcements of the shooting down of all enemy
fighter planes broadcasted during the war. People were deluded about the power
of the Arabs. And suddenly, all the talk was about retreating to the second
defense line, then the third. This is the sign of the end of the dream, and a
sign of worse to come. When we saw the Israeli tanks moving forward and the
Jordanian soldiers retreating, we realized that what happened was a repeat of
what happened only 20 years before.
Now, it has been 40
years to that war, and things are even worse. People then despite what was
known as the Nakbah war or “the Catastrophe”, the 1948 defeat. Despite that,
people were optimistic. Most people were responding due to the propaganda and
atmosphere of excitement most are Arab radio stations drummed up. Only some
minority of people, especially those who witnessed 1948-Catastrophe. But,
their voice was overwhelmed and they were silenced and accused of being the
5th column (or in short: Traitors).
The causes of victory
and defeat in the Islamic history is an important topic, that the common
Muslim should know about. And more specifically, those involved in prorogation
of the Islamic faith. They should learn, and teach the causes of victory and
defeat.
It is a known fact to us
Muslims that Allah has promised us victory for this belief and his followers.
He says: {We surly will make victorious, our messengers and the believers in
this worldly life and when the day of witnessing happens} aya 51 of Ghafer.
And in aya 55 of sourat An-Noor Allah says: {Allah promised those of you who
believe and do good deeds, He will make them the successors in the land, just
as he made those before them successors. And He will strongly establish their
religion that he is satisfied with, for them, and He shall replace their fear
with safety and security. Worship me and believe in no one else but I.}
This is a truthful
promise which must be fulfilled. It was fulfilled during the life of the
messenger (PPBU), then during his successors. Over the years, the Islamic
power saw many victories and many defeats.
The word Victory is a
big word with a wide scope, it includes:
A victory for someone
who is propagating Islam may be in the victory of the belief even if the
particular person is tortured or killed.
The Islamic nation today
faces a devastating reality which can be summarized in three points:
1.
A psychological defeat of many individuals, some unfortunately high
level individuals.
2.
Dependency in many areas, educations, cultural, economical and many
more.
3.
Weakness, humiliation, and scattering or break up. Despite the large
land area, the Islamic nation has become so weak and of low status.
This nation must find
out the causes of victory and defeat. And the reasons that led to this present
demeaning position. It must bring itself out and up to what Allah wants for it
. That is a leading position in this world.
Let us attempt to
summarize the causes of victory and defeat very briefly:
First the causes of
victory:
1)
True belief and good deed. Allah has stated that in many Ayas. And the
main points that form the true belief are:
a)
Dedicated true worship of Allah May he be exalted.
b)
Performing prayers and brining in charity and following all what the
messenger (PPBU) has ordered and avoiding or deterring from what he forbid.
c)
Drawing support from and depending upon Allah alone. Calling for help
from him alone, and asking the victory from Allah. Omar ben khattab said. On
the day of the battle Badr, The messenger (PPBU) looked and saw the infidel
and they were 1000 fighter, and looked at his companions and they were 319.
The messenger faced the Qiblah put out his hands and started calling his Lord:
{Lord, fulfill what you promised me, Lord provide what you promised me. Lord
if you destroy this punch of people of Islam, you would not be worshiped on
this earth.} He kept on putting his hands out, calling his Lord facing the
Qiblah until his robe or over coat fell off his shoulders. Abu-Baker came up
and placed his robe on his shoulders holding it from falling, and said:
Prophet of Allah, enough asking you Lord, for he will fulfill what he promised
you.
d)
Patience and stability either before or during the battle. This
religion will be made strong after many tests and calamities.
e)
Abundance of remembering Allah and saying his name.
2)
The second reason for victory is the unity of the nation. When
Sala-Eddin wanted to liberate the Al-Aqsa mosque, he first ordered the union
between the two most powerful Muslim countries then, Egypt and Sham. When they
were united he went on to fight the crusaders. Separated fragmented Muslims
are far from victory.
3)
Another reason for victory is the strong believing leadership. Strong
scholar and material strength are both required for victory.
4)
Building up the power and logically pursuing what it takes. Everything
that can be done, big or small. The messenger PPBU pursued what it takes, for
he wore the shield, and dug the trench, carried the weapons, took care of the
soldiers and the military commanders, assigned the money. But remember, even
when doing what it takes, still dependence still remain upon Allah alone.
Also remember, that it
was never ever that Muslims had more weapons, or numbers than infidel. But,
belief always made things to be better with Muslims. Whenever Omar felt the
victory is slow coming he used to write to his field commanders saying: {We do
not fight people with numbers and weapons but with this religion, Check you
may have come up with some thing different?} He reminds them to revise their
actions.
Doing what is required
and getting the arms ready can be divided into many items but the most
important are:
a)
Preparation of the true believing soldier and field commander and
purifying it from non-believers. The soldier who is aim is to die in the line
of Allah. Omeir ben h7amam when the messenger PPBU said: {Get up to a paradise
its width is like all the skies and earth.} Omeir said “bukh, bukh”. The
messenger said {What makes you say that bukh bukh} he replies “Messenger of
Allah, only that I would be of people of this paradise”, the messenger said:
{you are of its people}. Omeir took a few dates (about five) off his bag and
started eating, then he said, Am I going to live to eat all these dates. What
a long life it will be. He mean waiting to go to paradise. He threw the dates
away, went to fight until he was killed.
b)
The second item is to get the military equipment ready.
c)
Part of military equipment is the financial required. Money is a major
part of any war. Othman got a whole army ready. The messenger said: {Nothing
Othman can do that will hurt him after what he did today}
d)
Know your enemies and their capabilities. Collecting the intelligence
as the messenger used to do by finding out the size of the enemy’s army by
finding out how many they slaughter to eat.
e)
Total trust in Allah and confidence in his promises. We must be certain
that Allah will make this religion victorious no matter how tight things get,
and no matter what the size of obstacles are in the rout towards victory.
5)
another cause for victory is that the nation is at the level of victory
with its resources, capabilities, resolve (determination), and intentions.
For Allah may delay the
victory if the nation is not ready for it. The capabilities to manage
liberated Muslim land.
6)
Jihad or Fighting in the name of Allah, commending good and deterring
against evil. Jihad keeps the nation safe from external dangers, while
commending good and deterring evil keeps it safe internally.
Jihad is a cause for
glory and power and victory. Allah says: {It was decided that you shall fight,
yet is disliked by you. And you may hate something and there is good in it for
you. And you may love something and yet it is evil for you. Allah knows and
you do not.} 2-216. When looking at the interpretation of the scholar Imam
Qurtuby who lived at the time when Andalusia fell; one could only feel regret
in between the lines and phrases. He says that "and you may hate something"
refers to fighting and blood shed and donating money. "and there is good in it
for you": refers to the taking over the land, victory and glory. While the
statement: "and you may love thing" refers to loving relaxation and the false
peace. Being bad for you refers to the suffered humility, and the losing their
dignity and honor, and the take over by the non-believers and being removed
from your land.
It is known that the
non-believers will not leave Muslims in peace even if Muslims leave them in
peace. We were told this by Allah {And they still fight you fight you until
they return you off your belief if they could . . . } 2-217. and in another
Aya: {Neither the Jews nor the Christians will be happy with you unless you
follow their religion and sect}2-120.
They shall only be happy
in one case and one outcome. They will not leave you without a fight. Not a
military fight, for that is too hard for all. They will fight you with
cultural, intellectual, media, sex. They shall fight you to wreck your
religion and belief, and to loose your faith and conviction. So, dear Muslim,
just be careful and stay alert.
Notes:
-
Adhan
- The call to prayer.
-
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the
messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of
Islam.
Assalam Alaikum -
The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace
be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching
it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during
leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
Aya (or Ayah):
is a verse of the Koran.
It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
is a mountain
outside the city of Mecca
that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing
Hajj must stay at this location on the same
day.
Badr
- The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the
pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph
- A Muslim ruler. See:
(Khalifa)
Dajjal
- Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah
- The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din)
- Religion or way of life.
Duaa:
a prayer in the form of
talking to Allah;
praising him and asking him for help.
Fatwa
- Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are
the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose:
is the highest level of
the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh
- Religious law.
Hadeeth:
is something reported
that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave.
It is usually narrated or told by one
of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are
reported and checked to be genuine. No
more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar -
The Black Stone set into the corner of the
Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj -
The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in
the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas:
is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith
- The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his
followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is
the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or
Hejrah):
the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This
event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12
months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a
name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah -
Worship. All the words and deeds with which
Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese):
On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used
by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar
or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn
Omar.
Imam
(or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman:
belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) -
The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the
Christians.
Islam
- Submission, the religion of all the
prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah -
The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of
the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad:
is striving in the
line
of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving
oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection
of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the
fight one's self against temptations.
It also means "holy war."
Jinn
-
Supernatural, invisible beings race of
beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst
them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on
Judgment Day.
Ka'aba:
A cube shaped building in
Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say
Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by
Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers.
Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage
in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa:
is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation:
"Successor".
Khutbah -
A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr -
Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for
anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran
- Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book
of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran
literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to
the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the
Arabian
peninsula
(in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to
immigrate to.
Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid -
A
center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah -
A
sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah:
is
the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous
black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim
house of worship.
Muhajir -
(Muhajireen)
Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It
was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median
and Ethiopia.
Muhammad -
the final messenger and
prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He
received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in
Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad
ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim
- One who holds faith to the religion of
Islam.
Nafilah:
a voluntary prayer other
than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara -
Christians. Nasrani:
A Christian individual. Nasraniah:
Christianity.
Ommah:
is the Arabic word for a
nation. It usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise -
Another word for heaven. A
garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and
imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels.
All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty
Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise
is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU
(P.B.U.H.) :
Peace and Prayers Be
Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the
messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar -
Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all
things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr):
The night when the first
revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the
last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to
the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and
few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the
holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla -
The direction which Muslims turn for daily
prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish -
An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger
Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan -
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which
is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat -
Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of
worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is
performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa:
A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion
leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants
of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who
ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk -
Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with
Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of
Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam-
Fasting
Sunni:
is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life
style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah):
Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he
dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought.
Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered
the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an
important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes.
It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all
Muslims.
Surah -
A
chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf:
part of the pilgrimage (Hajj)
ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise
direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed -
Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that
there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement
of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new
Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah -
Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person
to understand God.
Taurat: The old
Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah -
the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah):
A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to
Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic
year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual
done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor -
The
Psalms
Zakat -
The
third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
