25 RAMADAN - THE GREAT BATTLE OF AIN JALUT...AND COMPARISONS WITH THE STATE OF THE MUSLIMS TODAY

The month of Ramadan is indeed a month of blessing in which the Muslim seeks to gain nearness and the immense reward from Allah. It is also a month in which many lessons can be drawn from Islamic history. During this month the Muslims fought many famous battles thereby expanding the mercy of Islam into new lands and also repelling the aggressors that invaded the Islamic lands to restore the protection and authority of Islam and the Muslims. (This had been illuminated in my previous postings, notably the famous Battles of Badr and Hattin.)

Another such famous battle was the Battle of Ain (or Ayn) Jalut in 658 AH (1260 AD) against the Mongol (or Tartar) invasion, which is considered as one of the greatest victories in the annals of human history. Considering the current predicament of the Muslims in Afghanistan, Palestine, Kashmir, Indonesia, Bosnia, Chechnya - indeed the Muslims all over the world, there are many comparisons and key lessons that can be learnt from this famous battle.

Paintings depicting the Battle of Ain Jalut

 
OVERVIEW OF THE BATTLE

Towards the end of 656 AH/1258 AD the Mongols launched one of their largest assaults on the land of the Islamic Khilafah, resulting in the seizure of the Khilafah capital, Baghdad, the killing of the Khalifah Mu'atasim Billah, and the occupation of three quarters of Islamic land.

Heading towards Egypt and Morocco, the last stronghold of the Muslims, the Mongols sent a threatening letter to the Ameer of Egypt, Al-Muzaffar Saifudeen Qutuz, which included the following statement, "We have demolished the land, orphaned the children, tortured the people and slain them, made their honoured despised and their leader a captive. Do you think that you can escape from us? After a while you will know what's coming to you..."

Due to the Muslims weakness and low morale, it was thought that such a threat would suffice in breaking any resistance from the Muslims. However, Qutuz had a different reply. He killed the Mongolian delegation and left their corpses hanging in his capital, lifting his soldiers and people's spirit on the one hand, and putting down his enemy's and that of their spies and loyalists on the other hand.

This raised the spirit of the Muslims and simultaneously shocked the Mongols for they realised they were facing a leader unlike those they had previously encountered.

Qutuz rallied the Muslims to prepare for the inevitable battle that would occur. Under his leadership, Muslims were rallied upon Iman, unity and the necessary weapons of steel to confront the enemy. He sought the help of Governors and Scholars alike to unify, stand for the defense of Islam and focus the efforts of the Muslims towards the liberation of the Islamic lands.

Mongol Empire and Mamluk Sultanate circa 1260 AD. Note the sizes of both.

Ain Jalut Battlefield

Then it was time to engage the enemy on the battlefield at Ain Jalut on the Friday 25th Ramadan 658 AH/1260 AD. Qutuz led the Muslims into the battle, which initially swayed towards the Mongols. Observing this, Qutuz climbed on a rock, throwing his helmet away, shouting "Wa Islamah...Wa Islamah...," urging the army to keep firm and fight Allah's enemies. The frustrated leaders of the army looked towards that voice to see their leader's flushed face, hitting angrily with his sword and engaging the enemy. Qutuz's courage stunned his leaders who promptly followed his footsteps, lifting the morality of the Muslim army.

 

Soon, the battle shifted in favour of the Muslims, until the Mongolian army was shattered and fled from the battle. Victory was for Islam and the Muslims. As for the Mongols, when they realised their incursion and dominance in the Islamic East was fading and that Muslims regained their power, they escaped towards their homeland, which eased Qutuz's efforts to liberate all of Sham (Syria) in a few weeks.

Mamluk Warriors

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BATTLE

The Battle of Ain Jalut saw a decisive victory of the Mamluks of Egypt over the invading Mongols, which saved Egypt and Islam and halted the westward expansion of the Mongol empire.

It was one of the most significant battles of world history - comparable to Marathon, Salamis, Lepanto, Chalons and Tours - in that it set the future course of both Islamic and western civilization. Had the Mongols succeeded in conquering Egypt, they might have been able, following the return of Hulegu (who, upon the death of the Great Khan, Mongke, and in keeping with Mongol tradition, had to withdraw before the Battle of Ain Jalut), to carry on across North Africa to the Straits of Gibraltar. Europe would have been surrounded from Poland to Spain. Under such circumstances, would the Islamic Civilization have flourished? Would the European Renaissance have occurred? Its foundations would certainly have been far weaker. The world today might have been a considerably different place.

As it was, the Mamluks not only stopped the Mongols’ westward advance, but - just as important - they also smashed the myth of Mongol invincibility. The Mongols’ belief in themselves was never quite the same, and Ain Jalut marked the end of any concerted campaign by the Mongols in the Levant (or Greater Syria, which then comprised modern Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Jordan).

In saving Cairo from the fate of Baghdad (which was ravaged by the Mongols in 656 AH/1258 AD), the battle of Ain Jalut also sealed the doom of the relatively weaker remaining Crusader states. Mamluk Egypt rose to the pinnacle of Islamic political, military and cultural power, a position it maintained until the rise of the Ottomans some 200 years later.

COMPARISONS WITH THE STATE OF THE MUSLIMS TODAY

Such a decisive victory for the Muslims under a sincere leadership, at a time when they were weak and overpowered by the enemy, draws many comparisons with the situation of the Muslims today:

Comparison 1 - Treachery of the Rulers

The ability of the Mongols to have achieved from the beginning such a crushing blow against the Muslims, taking the capital of the Khilafah, killing those sincere to the Deen and then taking hold over two-thirds of Islamic land, resulted from the treachery of Al-‘Alkami. Al-‘Alkami was the minister to Khalifah Mu'atasim Billah. He tricked Mu'atasim to make peace with the Mongols whilst at the same time conducting secret correspondence with the Mongols, promising them to halt any resistance against them providing that they appoint him as Khalifah and allow him to establish his own state in Baghdad. This treachery led to the death of Mu'atasim and the sincere governors and scholars who went to negotiate with the Mongols only to be killed. It also led to the death of Al-‘Alkami at the hands of the Mongols, for their promises to him meant nothing.

Compare the treachery of Al-‘Alkami to that of the rulers over the Muslims today. The Muslims are being tricked into making peace with Israel through the actions of the rulers, many of whom have publicly already made their peace, like Mubarak of Egypt [now deposed], [King] Abdullah of Jordan and [the late] Arafat of Palestine. The result of this treachery is the continual existence of Israel and the betrayal and bloodshed of the Muslims in Palestine who live as oppressed prisoners under Israeli rule.

What did these leaders get in return from the enemy? Bankrupt economies, social deprivation, absence of political will, the perpetual fear of Israeli aggression and a Muslim Ummah that has recognized their treachery and work to remove them from power.

As for the example of [ex-Pakistani President] Musharraf, he attempted to convince the Muslims of Pakistan the benefits of allowing America to bomb the Muslims in Afghanistan for economic benefit, the easing of sanctions and a say in the formation of a new government in Afghanistan. What did Musharraf get in return for his services to America? The economic benefits promised by America are insignificant in dealing with the total debt that Pakistan is servicing and linked to the harsh structural adjustment policies of the IMF that seek to place the vital economic resources in the hands of private foreign investors and institutions whilst placing further hardship upon the Muslims of Pakistan. Politically, Musharraf was "shocked" to discover that the Northern Alliance had entered Kabul with the permission of America, though America had agreed to halt the Northern Alliance advance into Kabul until it had consulted with the Pakistani leadership.

These rulers and their treachery has gained nothing for Islam, the Muslims, neither for themselves - yet they persist in their treachery.

Allah says:

"As for those who take the Kafir as allies in preference to the believers, do they hope to be honoured by them, when behold all honour (Izza) belongs to Allah alone." [Surah An-Nisa 4:139]

Comparison 2 - Responding to the Threat of the Enemy

The Mongols had sent a chilling reminder to the Muslims about any opposition to their expansion and rule. But though the Muslims were weak and of low morale, Qutuz stood firm upon Islam responding to the threatening letter with an equal threat. His stance to the delegates of the Mongols was to inform them that they were dealing with a people that would not permit the desecration of Islam, its people and its lands. Then he took steps to mobilize his resources to prepare for the battle.

Compare this to when [former] President Bush of America declared that the war of Afghanistan was a war in which countries had to choose sides. To the UN delegates he stated and threatened categorically this choice was, "Either you are with us or against us." How did the rulers over the Muslims respond to this threat which would mean the desecration of Islam, its people and lands?

Musharraf, Karimov [President of Uzbekistan] and the Turkish leadership were from those who not only supported America in its threat, but provided the necessary intelligence and logistical support for America to carry out its attack upon the Muslims of Afghanistan. Gaddafi of Libya, King Abdullah of Jordan were from those who publicly supported America and even gave their support for the bombing to continue during the month of Ramadan. Others such as [President] Bashier (Sudan) and Arafat offered their support by compiling a list of "suspected terrorists" in their states and handing them over to the CIA.

The likes of [President] Bashar al-Assad of Syria implicitly gave their support to America by wanting to gain assurance that America's threat was confined to Afghanistan and did not extend to the Arab states. As for the likes of [the late] Saddam Hussein his flaunting opposition to America's threat cannot be considered in the same ilk as the stance of Qutuz. Qutuz stood upon Islam and his desire to protect Islam whereby Saddam, without the need of America has desecrated Islam, taken the blood of the Muslims and siphoned their resources in Iraq. As for his political stance it is purely for the benefit of his western backers i.e. Britain.

While Qutuz's response to the Mongols threat raised the spirit of the Muslims and simultaneously shocked the enemy, the response of the rulers of today in similar circumstances has left the Muslim Ummah in despair and simultaneously reassured the Americans about their compliance to their will.

Allah says:

"O you who believe! If you aid (the cause of) Allah, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly." [Surah Muhammad 47:7]

Comparison 3 - Response of the Scholars

Amongst the many publicly renowned scholars who contributed to encouraging the Muslims to unify and prepare for the Jihad was the "Sheikh of Scholars" Al-Izz Bin Abdis-Salam. Aside from responding to this command with vigour rallying the Muslims and using the mimbar (pulpit) of the mosque to remind the Muslims of their responsibilities, such was the integrity of Al-‘Izz that even when Qutuz required a fatwa to impose taxes upon the people in order to equip the Muslim army, Al-‘Izz refused until all the wealth of the governors and their leaders was spent.

Compare this with the scholars who have taken the public positions in the Muslim world today, whilst those of sincerity languish in the prisons of the Muslim world. How the scholars taking the public positions have permitted the rulers to partake in such betrayal against Islam and the Muslims in Afghanistan and in their own states. When Prince Nayef, the Saudi Interior Minister said "Nobody has the right to issue a fatwa (religious ruling) calling for a jihad [holy war] and support for the Afghan regime, except the ifta (jurisprudence) council or whoever is assigned by that council to issue a fatwa. All religious scholars agree on this, and jihad is not obligatory unless ordered by the leader of the country," where were the scholars of the ifta council to declare the Jihad?

In America, one such Imam declared the duty of the Muslims in the American army to defend their homeland (America) and attack those who America considers her enemy. How, instead of restraining the just ruler to the truth, they permit the corruption of the unjust rulers who have sought to retain the division of the Muslim lands and the implementation of Kufr upon the heads of the Muslims. In addition they have permitted the rulers to take the wealth through the imposition of harsh and unbearable taxes like in Pakistan with the General Sales Tax (GST) and the raising of VAT in Sudan as a substitute for direct taxes.

Abi al-'Awar as-Silmi reported that the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. said: 

"Beware of the doors of the ruler for they have indeed become a source of trouble and humiliation." (Saheeh ad-Dailamee, Ibn Mundah, Ibn-'Asaaki - as-Saheehah: 1253)

Comparison 4 - Preparation for the Battle

Qutuz gathered the governors, the scholars and the Muslims upon Iman, unity, the preparation to fight and focusing upon the victory of Allah over the enemy. The necessary money was raised towards this objective and the army was mobilized to engage in the battle to defend Islam, its followers and lands and to fight the usurping aggressor.

Compare this with today, how the rulers have prepared the governors, scholars and army for the battle. Musharraf helped the Americans prepare for the battle against the Muslims and deserted the Muslims completely. He instructed the army to prepare to stand on the Afghan-Pakistani border to prevent any Muslims fleeing from Afghanistan to seek refuge in Pakistan rather than stand alongside their Muslims brothers in Afghanistan to fight against the enemy. Musharraf used the army to quell any demonstrations that voiced support for the Jihad in Afghanistan and prohibited the raising of money towards the Jihad. While this was occurring, a unit of the Jordanian army was returning from over a 1500 mile distance UN duty to protect British interests in Sierra Leone and flew over Palestine upon their return, forgetting that Muslims, just 10 metres next door in Palestine were suffering at the hands of Israeli aggression.

Have the rulers forgotten the words of Allah when He says:

"Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly." [Surah Al-Anfaal 8:60]

And Allah says:

"O you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them affection while they have disbelieved in what came to you of the truth, having driven out the Prophet and yourselves [only] because you believe in Allah , your Lord. If you have come out for jihad in My cause and seeking means to My approval, [take them not as friends]. You confide to them affection, but I am most knowing of what you have concealed and what you have declared. And whoever does it among you has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way." [Surah Al-Mumtahanah 60:1]

Comparison 5 - Calling to Islam at Times of Need

During the battle, when initially the Mongols were in ascendancy Qutuz climbed on a rock, throwing his helmet away, shouting "Wa Islamah...Wa Islamah...", urging the army to keep firm and fight Allah's enemies. This attitude can be seen from the example of the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. during the Battle of Uhud when he rallied the nine Sahabah (Companions) who were around him by shouting, "Come on! I am the Messenger of Allah," at such a time when the Qurayshi army had gained the upper hand in the battle and many of the Muslims had become weak and deserted the battle believing that the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. had been killed. This was the Iman, passion and love of Islam that Qutuz wanted to build within the Muslims.

Compare this to the rulers of today. Though the need to rally the Muslims upon Islam and Allah's help is evident, we find the rulers shouting, "Wa America!! Wa UN!! Wa NATO!!" Arafat and the Arab rulers did not seek to rally the Muslims behind Islam on the matter of Israel. On the contrary Arafat announced that there could be no peace unless America was the broker. Likewise, when Musharraf was put under pressure from America on the matter of Afghanistan, he responded by rallying the Muslims to accept the American demand to use her air bases to launch attacks against Afghanistan.

Do the rulers not remember the dua' (supplication) of the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. after he was chased out of Ta'if bleeding from the stones that were thrown at him by the children and slaves and he lamented:

"O Allah! To you I complain of my weakness, little resources and lowliness before man. O Most Merciful! You are the Lord of the weak and You are my Lord. To whom would you confide me? To one afar who will misuse me or an enemy to whom You have given dominance over me? If You are not angry with me I do not care Your favour of well-being on me is sufficient for me. I take refuge in the light of your countenance by which the darkness is illuminated and the things of this world and the next are rightly ordered, lest Your Anger descends upon me or Your Wrath not Light upon me but come down upon me. It is for You to be satisfied until You are well pleased. There is no power and no might except in You."

Comparison 6 - Impact of the Battle

The direct outcome of this battle was the liberation of the Muslims from the Mongolian rule and their corrupt creed, lifting the spirit and esteem of Muslims, and regaining the strength and position of the Islamic State which stood for centuries defending Islam and Muslims against the spread of Kufr.

Compare today. Look at the Arab-Israeli wars, the Pakistan-Indian wars, Bosnia, Palestine, Gulf Crisis etc - the direct outcome has been one of the rulers over the Muslims reinforcing the subjugation of Kufr, destroying the esteem and spirit of the Muslims and betraying Islam and the people. The aftermath of Afghanistan shows the Afghan leaders gathered around with begging bowls at the Bonn Conference over the new government for Afghanistan after the blood of Muslims is spilled whilst America sizes up its options to attack another part of the Muslim land in its pursuit of "terrorists."

Source: The Winter Of Islam And The Spring To Come.

CONCLUSION

The Battle of Ain Jalut was a glorious event in the annals of Islamic History and if the comparisons which were made were to evoke a true lesson that we would learn from and tread the path of, it would be the following:

Under the sincere Islamic leadership, the Muslims were unified, gained strength and direction from their weakness, their Iman re-ignited and the prepared armies of the Muslims were unleashed to repel the aggressor, defend the lands and body of the Muslims and return the authority to Islam.

Today we lack this sincere leadership and the Islamic system that would mobilize the resources of the Muslims towards the duty of Islam and the Muslims. Leaders who seek victory for the enemies of Allah, His Messenger and the Muslims lead us.

The blessed month of Ramadan should not pass without the Muslims recognizing and engaging in the duty to remove these leaderships and their corrupt systems that they implement upon us.

May Allah Help us to complete our fast and obligations and to establish His rule, the Khilafah.

[Source: Khilafah.com and Saudi Aramco World (edited). Images added.]

Note: A good Malay version of the Battle of Ain Jalut can be read in Bukit Barisan blog.