By: Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai (may Allah have mercy on him)
The true essence of faith in Allah is revealed during times of weakness and tribulation. A person of true faith does not only rejoice at the strength of Islam, the dominance of Muslims, and the news of victory, making his face shine and heart swell with joy. Instead, he remains steadfast and hopeful during the times of Muslims' weakness and tribulations without succumbing to despair and hopelessness.A person with true faith in Allah remains unshaken when darkness of distress and sorrow covers, and the enemies of Islam attack Muslims from all directions. His faith and belief in Allah only increase during severe trials and tribulations. He does not lose heart because he knows that the final victory is for the Muslims and that the religion of Islam will prevail. A true Mujahid always strives for the dominance of Allah's religion on His earth and adheres to patience and certainty for this great cause.
Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim stated that he heard Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) saying:
"Leadership in religion is achieved with patience and certainty." Then he recited this verse:
"And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs."
[As-Sajdah: 24]
[Madarij al-Salikin by Ibn al-Qayyim 2/154, Manzil al-Sabr]
The most important gift given to humans is certainty.❀ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Ask Allah for certainty and well-being, for no one has been given anything better than certainty after well-being."
[Ibn Majah: 3849, its chain is authentic; authenticated by Ibn Hibban, Al-Ihsan: 948, and Al-Hakim 1/529; agreed by Al-Dhahabi]
This Ummah will only be destroyed if Muslims abandon their efforts for Islam, sitting idly with hopes akin to Sheikh Chilli's dreams without action.
Allah alone knows the unseen. We do not know when aid will come and when the era of goodness will prevail. We only know that our Ummah, by Allah's permission, is the best nation. Allah will surely help the Muslims, even if it is delayed. We do not know which generation Allah will use to remove the dense clouds of tribulations and elevate this Ummah, but we know that such a day will surely come.
❀ The beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Allah will continue to plant new people in this religion who will be used in His obedience until the Day of Judgment."
[Ibn Majah: 8, its chain is good; authenticated by Ibn Hibban, Al-Mawarid: 88]
The Prophetic Hadiths provide many glad tidings that increase certainty and optimism. Among them is Allah's promise that the Ummah of Islam will rule from the east to the west. Many regions in the world have not yet been conquered by Muslims, and a day will come when these regions will also be conquered and enter the realm of Islam, InshaAllah.
❀ It is narrated in a Hadith that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Allah gathered the earth for me, so I saw its eastern and western parts. Surely, my Ummah's dominion will reach as far as what was gathered for me."
[Sahih Muslim: 2889]
Knowing that Islam will dominate the world, why should we be despondent over Muslims' weakness in any specific era?
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
"Islam will prevail and not be defeated."
[Sharh Ma'ani al-Athar by Al-Tahawi 3/257, its chain is good; also see Sahih Bukhari 3/218 before Hadith 1354]
❀ The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave glad tidings with his blessed tongue:
"Allah will continually increase or honor Islam and its people and decrease polytheism and its people until a rider travels between such-and-such (i.e., the seas) fearing nothing but injustice. This matter (Islam) will reach its peak."
[Hilyat al-Awliya by Abu Nu'aym 6/107, 108, its chain is authentic; Amr bin Abdullah al-Hadhrami is trustworthy, endorsed by Al-'Ijli Al-Mu'tadil and others]
It is evident that the rule of Muslims will continue to spread. The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave such glad tidings that dispel all despair and make every Muslim firm during tribulations. Hearts are reassured with happiness and comfort.
❀ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Give glad tidings to this Ummah of supremacy, victory, and establishment (on earth)."
[Musnad Ahmad 5/134 Hadith 21223, its chain is good; Rabia bin Anas is a reliable narrator]
Jihad will continue until the Day of Judgment, and a group will always remain dominant on the truth. Those who intend to harm them will fail.
❀ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"This religion will remain established, a group of Muslims will continue to fight for it until the Hour is established."
[Sahih Muslim: 1922]
Allah's scale is not like that of humans. Allah's scale is one of complete justice, wisdom, and fairness. Indeed, after weakness, Allah grants strength to His servants. Reflecting on the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him), this becomes clear. He said:
"You are given help and provision due to your weak ones."
[Sahih Bukhari: 2896]
The Muslim is dragged with shackles, dressed in yellow or other prisoner uniforms, pursued and captured worldwide, lacks modern weaponry, is poor and helpless. Through his supplication, prayer, and sincerity, Allah will aid this Ummah no matter how weak the Muslims are. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Sometimes a disheveled, dust-covered man, pushed away from doors, if he swears by Allah, He will fulfill it."
[Sahih Muslim: 2622]
We see today that power and dominance are with the enemies of Muslims, but we should not forget that Allah is the Absolute Controller. He is not unaware of His believing servants. He never desires for Muslims to remain perpetually oppressed and humiliated.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"The scale is in the hands of the Most Merciful; He raises some people and lowers others until the Day of Judgment."
[Ibn Majah: 199; Al-Nasa'i in Al-Kubra: 7738, its chain is authentic; authenticated by Ibn Hibban: 2419, Al-Hakim 525; agreed by Al-Dhahabi]
Allah will surely elevate Muslims after their fall, provided they sincerely strive to please Him. Every century, Allah creates people who revive faith in the hearts of Muslims, compete in goodness, and do not care about tribulations. People follow their example, sacrificing their lives for the sake of Allah. Allah will create such people who will correct mistakes and guide people on the right path. They will spread the call of the Book and the Sunnah and renew the religion.
❀ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Indeed, Allah will send for this Ummah at the head of every hundred years someone who will renew its religion."
[Sunan Abi Dawud: 4291, its chain is good]
Distress, humiliation, and defeat will surely be removed one day, InshaAllah, whether through those who compete in goodness or the Mujaddids (reformers), but it is certain that these tribulations will not last forever. Allah has declared war on all enemies of Islam, and who fears those against whom Allah has declared war? The rule of these enemies of Islam will one day come to an end.
It is mentioned in a Hadith Qudsi:
"Whoever harbors enmity against a friend of Mine, I declare war against him."
[Sahih Bukhari: 6502]
Let us encourage one another to be patient in tribulations and to remain steadfast in accepting destiny's decisions. We should spread the glad tidings of Islam's victory and dominance rather than despair.
Those who become despondent and pessimistic due to prolonged waiting should remember that when the Companions complained to the Prophet (peace be upon him) about their hardships and difficulties, he said:
"By Allah, this matter (Islam's dominance) will be fulfilled... but you are in a hurry."
[Sahih Bukhari: 6943]
Allah demands from His servants the trust and certainty exemplified by the mother of Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him). Allah commanded her:
"But when you fear for him, put him into the river and do not fear and do not grieve."
[Al-Qasas: 7]
She put Musa (peace be upon him) in a chest and placed it in the river without fear or grief, even though the river posed a great danger to a small nursing infant. Allah saved Musa (peace be upon him). This infant eventually reached the palace of the greatest tyrant of that time, Pharaoh, who raised him, and ultimately, this child became the cause of Pharaoh's destruction. Such are the marvels of Allah's power.
❀ The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned three types of people who have no good in them:
"Three people should not be questioned about... and a man who doubts Allah's decree and despairs of Allah's mercy."
[Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad: 590; Ahmad 6/19 Hadith 23943, its chain is good; authenticated by Ibn Hibban, Al-Ihsan: 4541]
Thus, when people are afflicted with the disease of doubt and despair, they cannot succeed until they repent, place their trust in Allah, and firmly believe in His help and support. Belief in destiny is the best creed, ensuring the final victory for the righteous.
❀ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Everything has a reality, and a servant does not reach the reality of faith until he knows that what has afflicted him could not have missed him, and what missed him could not have afflicted him."
[Ahmad 6/441, 442 Hadith 27490, its chain is good; those who weakened it made a mistake]
The matter of the destined time (appointed destiny) and the fixed term (appointed time) neither advances due to haste nor delays due to lethargy. Such a firm belief eradicates impatience, and the heart becomes assured that the final outcome and victory belong to the righteous.
Although the Muslim Ummah is going through a phase of weakness, we should not forget that this is by Allah's decree. Allah is capable of restoring the lost honor and leadership. The nature of humans is to experience both heights and depths, as mentioned in the Hadith:
"The example of a believer is like a fresh, green plant; the wind tilts it sometimes, and it straightens it up at other times."
[Sahih Bukhari: 5643; Sahih Muslim: 2810]
The most important thing is that a believer will surely stand tall (and prevail) one day, and this is Allah's universal practice (and decision). When the prerequisites of destiny are met, such a day will surely come. InshaAllah.
This has been Allah's method and law concerning previous nations as well.❀ It is mentioned in a Hadith that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Nations were presented to me, and I saw a prophet with a small group, a prophet with one or two men, and a prophet with no followers."
[Sahih Muslim: 220]
Despite this, the call continued and will continue in every era, no matter how weak it becomes. No prophet can be blamed for not having any guided followers because they made their utmost effort in conveying the message. Guidance is in Allah's hands. Similarly, no Mujahid can be blamed for not achieving victory despite striving with his full capacity and effort in jihad.
The only question is whether we fell short in utilizing the means and whether there was any laziness or negligence in our efforts. The rest is up to Allah's will, and He does whatever He pleases whenever He pleases.
When the martyrs feared that the living might lag behind in jihad due to their weakness, they asked their Lord:
"Who will inform our brothers that we are alive in Paradise and are provided with sustenance so that they do not abandon jihad and flee from the battlefield?"
Allah said:
"I will inform them on your behalf."
[Sunan Abi Dawud: 2520, a good Hadith; Ahmad 1/266; Al-Hakim 2/88, 298; also see Ithaab Athaab Al-Qabr by Al-Bayhaqi with my commentary: 212; Ibn Ishaq clarified the narration]
The night will eventually end, and the daylight will spread everywhere. The worthless will be swept away, and what remains on earth will be beneficial for people.The decree of Allah's decision will inevitably come to pass: the final victory belongs to the righteous. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds.
[Adapted with additions and verification from the book "These Are Our Morals"]