RAMADAN 583 AH/1187 AD - THE GREAT BATTLE OF HATTIN, SALAHUDDIN AL-AYYUBI AND ISLAMIC UNITY

The story of Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi (or Saladin as he is known to the west) and the Battle of Hattin is well-documented; their details will not be recounted here. Salahuddin is best known for his conquest of Jerusalem and his clash with Richard the Lionheart. Salahuddin was a hero and a great warrior of Islam; he became the most powerful figure in the Islamic world and the ruler of a sizable empire held together almost entirely by his own abilities.

The Empire of Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi

The Battle

In summary, the Battle of Hattin was a battle that took place in northern Palestine (near Tiberias in present day Israel) that marked the defeat of the Christian Crusader armies of Guy de Lusignan, king of Jerusalem (reigned 1186–92), by the Muslim forces of Salahuddin. It paved the way for the Muslim reconquest of the city of Jerusalem (October 1187 or 583 AH) and of the greater part of the three Latin States - Tripoli, Antioch, and Jerusalem - thus nullifying the achievements made in the Holy Land by the leaders of the first Crusades and alerting Europe to the need for an ultimately unsuccessful third Crusade.

A painting showing the Crusaders' 1099
massacre and destruction during their
invasion of Jerusalem.

88 years before the Battle of Hattin, the Crusaders set out for Palestine to 'Free the Holy land from the Muslims' and find the fabled wealth of the East. After a long and wearying journey, and much plundering and slaughter of Muslims, they reached Jerusalem in 1099. The city fell after a siege of nearly five weeks, and the Crusaders moved in. And they carried out a savagery the like of which the world has seldom seen. All Muslims and Jews in the city were put to the sword. In two days, the Crusader army killed some 40,000 Muslims in the most barbaric ways. The peace and harmony in Palestine, which had lasted since Umar Al-Khatab, the second caliph after the Prophet s.a.w., ended in terrible slaughter. The Crusaders violated all the ethical laws of Christianity, a religion of love and compassion, and spread terror, allegedly in the name of Christianity.

During the 1170s and 1180s, however, the Muslim states surrounding the kingdom of Jerusalem had been united by Salahuddin. Salahuddin had been appointed vizier of Egypt in 1169 and soon came to rule the country as Sultan. In 1174, he imposed his rule over Damascus; his authority extended to Aleppo by 1176 and Mosul by 1183. For the first time, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was encircled by Muslim territory united under one ruler. The Crusaders defeated Salahuddin at the Battle of Montgisard in 1177, and in the early 1180s there was an uneasy truce between the two sides, which was broken by the raids of Christian Prince Reynald, lord of Kerak castle, on Muslim caravans passing through his fief of Oultrejordain. Raynald also threatened to attack Mecca itself.

Although tensions had increasingly escalated between Christians and Muslims leading up to the Battle of Hattin, it was not until 1186 that an event sparked the renewal of major hostilities in the Holy Land. It was then that Reynald refused to honor a truce between Christians and Muslims, and attacked a caravan of Muslim pilgrims. Salahuddin retaliated by gathering his Muslim forces and began a campaign that leading to the famous battle of Hattin.

Paintings depicting the Battle of Hattin

In July 1187 the Crusaders were camped at Sepphoris, about 20 miles (32 km) west of the Sea of Galilee, when word reached them that Salahuddin had attacked the city of Tiberias along the lake. On July 3 about 15,000 Crusaders abandoned their camp to go to the relief of the besieged city. Their route took them through a hot, arid plain where, halfway to Tiberias, they ran out of water while under continual harassment from Salahuddin's cavalry. The Crusaders' condition worsened after a night spent without water, but the next morning they resumed their march, heading toward a range of hills above the village of Hattin.

Battle of Hattin: Left: Battle Area. Right: Battle Map 

Horns of Hattin (2005), viewed from the east

Confronted by Salahuddin's army, the Crusaders, who were no longer able to fight effectively, left the road and were driven back against the two largest hills, the Horns of Hattin, by the Muslims. There they suffered a decisive defeat at the hands of the 18,000-man Muslim army. Most of the Crusaders were killed on the field, but Salahuddin spared the lives of King Guy and most of the Christian lords. On the day after the battle, Salahuddin launched his campaign to retake the city of Jerusalem.

Salahuddin and Guy of Lusignan after the 
Battle of Hattin

The situation leading up to the battle was described in a 14th century Muslim account of Sihab al-Din, which was reportedly based on eyewitness sources, as follows:

In the year 583 AH [1187 AD] Salahuddin's campaign and conquests began. This year the sultan gathered the army and set out with a division of soldiers to lay siege to Kerak, because he feared that the lord of Kerak should attack pilgrims. He sent another division with his son Malik al-Afdal to raid the region of Acre, and they took a lot of things as booty. The sultan then went to Tiberias, took up his quarters there, laid siege to the town and occupied it by force of arms. But the citadel resisted. Tiberias belonged to the count, lord of Tripoli, who had exchanged gifts with the sultan and had accepted obedience to him. The Franks sent priests and the patriarch to the count to keep him from his agreement with the sultan. They rebuked him, and he was brought along with them. The Franks gathered to meet the sultan, and the battle of Hattin took place. Allah helped the Muslims to be victorious, they surrounded the Franks on all sides and destroyed them, killing and capturing them. The group of prisoners included the great king of the Franks, the prince Reynald, lord of Kerak, the lord of Jubail, Humphrey, the son of the Humphrey, the grand master of the Temple and a lot of Hospitallers. From that time the Franks never managed to invade Syria. With this very important battle Allah gave dominion over the coast and the holy city [Jerusalem]. [Deremilitari.org]

The Islamic Union of Salahuddin

The story of Salahuddin is that of one of the most attractive figures in Medieval history, a rare example of a leader who was respected on both sides of the religious divide in the Holy Land, and one whose reputation has deservedly survived intact across the intervening centuries. Of greater significance and often overlooked is the example from history of Islamic unity under the great and just leadership of Salahuddin.

Salahuddin was noted in historical sources for his justice, courage, and honorable character.

History clearly shows that the Islamic world can rise again only if it returns to its own central tenets and values, the most important of which is Muslim unity and solidarity. The Islamic world's stance against the Crusaders is an important example in this regard. When the armies of the First Crusade reached the Middle East, the Muslims were divided into fractions stemming from various disputes and arguments. This disunity prevented them from putting up an effective resistance, and so the barbaric European invaders were able to create an empire centered on Jerusalem after slaughtering the native population. However, decades later, the Muslim commander Salahuddin united the different Muslim groups under his command and defeated the invaders.

Nevertheless, defeating the Crusaders was not going to happen overnight. Salahuddin not only united the Muslims under one flag, but also started a scientific and moral awareness. The Encyclopedia Britannica says:

It was an essential part of his [Salahuddin's] policy to encourage the growth and spread of Muslim religious institutions. He courted its scholars and preachers, founded colleges and mosques for their use, and commissioned them to write edifying works...Through moral regeneration, which was a genuine part of his own way of life, he tried to re-create in his own realm some of the same zeal and enthusiasm that had proved so valuable to the first generations of Muslims when, five centuries before, they had conquered half the known world. ["Saladin," The Encyclopedia Britannica, 2002 Edition]

When this moral, scientific, and religious regeneration combined with political unity, Islamic civilization rose once more. Salahuddin, commanding a united Islamic army, defeated the disbanded and demoralized Crusaders at the Battle of Hattin in 1187 and freed almost all of the occupied Palestinian land, including Jerusalem.

One of the most prominent aspects of Salahuddin's Islamic Union was that it represented the Qur'anic ideals of justice, moderation, and peacefulness. While best known for this military victory, Salahuddin was also very forgiving and just toward the Crusaders as well as all other Christians. Even though the Crusaders had inflicted unspeakable cruelty on the Muslims, Salahuddin exacted no revenge upon them, and no civilian was harmed when he freed Jerusalem. In addition, he maintained his authority over the radicals within his own ranks. Following the slaughter of 3,000 innocent Muslim civilians at Castle Acre, ordered by King Richard the Lion-Hearted, commander of the Third Crusade, some Muslims demanded revenge: They wanted to massacre Jaffa's (today's Tel Aviv) Christians. Salahuddin successfully calmed his soldiers down and extinguished their bloodlust, and so guaranteed the safety of Jaffa's Christians.

In the end, Salahuddin brought peace to the Holy Land by granting the Crusaders some privileges and concessions. On 28 August 1192, the two parties agreed upon and signed a peace treaty. Salahuddin made a great gesture: He invited the Crusader's commanders, who had killed thousands of Muslims in their quest to conquer Jerusalem, to stay there as his guests. Those Crusaders visiting Jerusalem were astonished by the Muslims' great forgiveness, compassion, and justice. On one occasion, upon learning that his former enemy King Richard was sick, Salahuddin sent his own physician to treat him, along with some ice to reduce his temperature. Salahuddin became a legend throughout Europe for his righteous character, which was based on the Qur'an's values.

In short, Salahuddin's Islamic Union gave the Muslims power and victory, as well as the opportunity to realize the justice, compassion, and peacefulness central to Islamic morality. Muslims were moved to serve Islam, prevent some radical movements from spreading among Muslims, and live according to the Qur'an.

The Justice of Salahuddin

Immediately after Hattin, and on the very same day that Prophet Mohammed had been taken from Mecca to Jerusalem in one night, the day of the ascent [Isra' Mi'raj], Salahuddin entered Jerusalem and freed it from 88 years of Crusader occupation. When the Crusaders had taken the city 88 years earlier, they had killed all the Muslims inside it, and for that reason they were afraid that Salahuddin would do the same thing to them. Whereas he did not touch even one Christian in the city. Furthermore, he merely ordered the Latin (Catholic) Christians to leave it. The Orthodox Christians, who were not Crusaders, were allowed to live in the city and live and worship as they chose. The British historian Karen Armstrong describes the second Islamic capture of Jerusalem in these words:

On 2 October 1187 Saladin and his army entered Jerusalem as conquerors and for the next 800 years Jerusalem would remain a Muslim city...Saladin kept his word, and conquered the city according to the highest Islamic ideals. He did not take revenge for the 1099 [Crusader's] massacre [of the Muslim], as the Qur'an advised [Surah Al-Nahl 16:127], and now that hostilities had ceased he ended the killing [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:193-194]. Not a single Christian was killed and there was no plunder. The ransoms were deliberately very low...

Saladin...released many of them freely, as the Koran urged,...His brother al-Adil was so distressed by the plight of the prisoners that he asked Saladin for a thousand of them for his own use and then released them on the spot...

When Imad ad-Din saw the Patriarch Heraclius leaving the city with chariots crammed with treasure, he urged Saladin to confiscate it. But Saladin refused. The Qur'an said that oaths and treaties must be kept to the letter and it was essential that the Muslims should observe the legalities...Heraclius paid his ten-dinar ransom like everybody else and was even provided with a special escort to keep his treasure safe during the journey to Tyre. [Karen Armstrong, Holy War]

In short, Salahuddin and the Muslims in his command treated the Christians with great mercy and justice, and even showed them more compassion than their own leaders had.

 When King Richard I of England captured the Castle of Acre, he massacred the Muslims. The painting above depicts the 
executions of hundreds of Muslim captives. Their corpses and severed heads piled up beneath the platform.

After Jerusalem, the Crusaders continued their barbarity and the Muslims their justice in other cities in Palestine. In 1194, Richard the Lionheart, who is portrayed as a great hero in British history, had 3,000 Muslims, among whom were many women and children, basely executed in Acre Castle. Although the Muslims witnessed this savagery, they never resorted to the same methods. They abided by Allah's command "Do not let hatred for a people...incite you into going beyond the limits" [Surah Al-Ma'ida 5:8] and never used violence against innocent civilians. They never employed unnecessary violence, not even against the Crusader armies they defeated.

The savagery of the Crusaders and the justice of the Muslims once more revealed a historic truth: Only an administration built on the principles of Islam could allow people of different faiths to live together in Palestine. This fact continued to be demonstrated for 700 years after Salahuddin, particularly during the Ottoman period.

Lessons from the Battle of Hattin and Salahuddin's Islamic Union
 
Eight centuries have passed since the time of Salahuddin's Islamic Union. Today's Muslims need an Islamic Union for the same reasons as they did back then. Although the Islamic world is not under attack by a coalition army, as it was at the time of the Crusades, it is facing many threats. Furthermore, the Islamic world has fallen behind other civilizations in terms of science, technology, culture, art, and thought. Ever since the nineteenth century, the Islamic world has been seriously harmed by the many false ideologies and philosophies produced elsewhere, imported into its midst by misguided people, and spread among those who were not familiar with the Qur'an's values. On the other hand, some radicals who claimed to represent Islam while doing their best to subvert its morality, often unknowingly helped those who were consciously sewing the seeds for later conflict.

For all of this to end, Muslims must rebuild their civilization so that it can once again guide the world, light the path, and deliver peace and justice. But if this vision is to become a reality, they must follow Salahuddin's method: working for the rebirth of Islamic morality, knowledge, and faith, based on the Qur'an and Sunnah, and achieving the Islamic world's political union.

Video: The Battle of Hattin

[Source: Palestine, Islamic Union, The Islamic Union of Saladin Al-Ayyubi, and Islam Has Brought Peace and Harmony to the Middle East All Through History (edited). Some images added.]

20 RAMADAN - THE LIBERATION OF MECCA

Allah has confirmed His Messenger's vision with truth: You will enter the Masjid al-Haram [Sacred Mosque] in safety, Allah willing, shaving your heads and cutting your hair without any fear. He knew what you did not know and ordained, in place of this, an imminent victory. (Surah Al-Fath 48:27)

One night in Madinah, the Prophet s.a.w. dreamed that the believers would enter the Sacred Mosque and walk around the Ka'bah. After he awoke, he gave this good news to the believers, for those who had migrated from Makkah to Madinah with him had not been able to return since.

In Surah Al-Fath above, Allah revealed to the Prophet s.a.w. that He would help and support him, that the dream was true, and that the believers would enter Makkah. A short while later, with the Treaty of Hudaybiyah and the conquest of Makkah, the believers entered the Sacred Mosque in complete safety, just as the dream had foretold. That was how Allah showed that it had been His will that the Prophet's (saw) dream be fulfilled...

Other verses that give the glad tidings of Makkah's conquest are given below:

He held their hands back from you, and your hands from them in the valley of Makkah, after giving you the upper hand over them. Allah sees what you do. (Surah Al-Fath 48:24)

Truly We have granted you a clear victory, so that Allah may forgive you your earlier errors and any later ones, complete His blessing upon you, and guide you on a straight path. And so that Allah may help you with a mighty help. (Surah Al-Fath 48:1-3)

Surat Al-Isra' states that the unbelievers cannot stay in Makkah:

They were very near to scaring you from the land with the object of expelling you from it. But had they done so, they would only have remained there a short time after you. (Surah Al-Isra' 17:76)

The Prophet s.a.w. entered Makkah and conquered it on 20 Ramadan, 8 AH (630 AD). Two years later, all of the unbelievers left Makkah, just as Allah had said that they would. Another point that should be noted here is that when the Prophet s.a.w. gave that good news to the believers, it looked totally out of the question. In fact, the situation pointed in quite the opposite direction, and the polytheists appeared quite determined never to let the believers enter Makkah. As a result, those who had doubts in their hearts began to doubt the Prophet's (saw) words. Yet, the Prophet s.a.w. trusted in Allah, paid no attention to the doubters' words, and told people what Allah had revealed to him. The Qur'an confirmed his words, and the prediction was fulfilled shortly afterwards. This was one of the miracles of the Glorious Qur'an.

(When the Prophet s.a.w. entered Makkah with his head bowed, it was Surah Al-Fath above that he was reciting. When he realised the honour of the conquest Allah had bestowed upon him, he felt so humble before Allah that his chin almost touched the back of his camel.)

[Source: Allah's Miracles in the Qur'an (edited)]

____________________________

THE LIBERATION OF MAKKAH
By Sheikh Taqiuddin an-Nabahani

As soon as the treaty of Hudaybiyah was signed between the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. and the Quraysh, the tribe of Khuza'ah came under the protection of Allah's Messenger and Banu Bakr sided with the Quraysh. Relations between the Quraysh and the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. remained peaceful and both sides resumed their business. The Quraysh expanded their trade in order to make up for what they had lost during the wars against the Muslims. Allah's Messenger s.a.w. pursued his task of conveying the Message of Islam to the whole of mankind while simultaneously strengthening the position of the Islamic State over the Arabian Peninsula and providing safety and security within the State itself.

The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. defeated the Jewish fortifications at Khaybar and then he s.a.w. sent his envoys to the kings of various states and established foreign contacts. He s.a.w. expanded the authority of the Islamic State to the point where it engulfed the whole of the Arabian Peninsula. Then exactly one year after the treaty Hudaybiyah the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. called on the people to prepare for the ‘Umra ul Qada (making up the Umrah missed at Hudaybiyah) having been excluded from performing it the previous year. A convoy of two thousand men marched from Madinah and, in accordance with the Hudaybiyah agreement, none of the men carried more than the single sword in its sheath as prescribed by it.

However, the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. feared betrayal by the Quraysh and he prepared an army of a hundred riders, appointing Muhammad ibn Maslamah at its head, with instructions to lead the convoy, but not to trespass the sanctity of Makkah [Mecca], which they duly obeyed. The Muslims went on to perform the fulfilled ‘Umrah and they returned to Madinah without incident. After their return to Madinah the people of Mecca began embracing Islam. Khalid ibn Walid, ‘Amr ibn 'As and the guardian of the Ka'bah, ‘Uthman ibn Talhah embraced Islam, followed by a large number of people from Mecca. The Muslims grew stronger by the day, whereas fear and weakness crept into the Quraysh's ranks.

When the Muslims returned from the battle of Mu'tah, having suffered a large number of casualties, the Quraysh deemed that the Muslims were finished, so they motivated the tribe of Banu Bakr against Khuza'ah and supplied them with weapons. Banu Bakr attacked Khuza'ah killing some of their men and the remaining Khuza'ah fled to Makkah for refuge. ‘Amru ibn Salim al-Khuza'i then hurried to Madinah and told the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. what had happened and implored his help. The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. replied, "May you be helped, O ‘Amru ibn Salim."

Upon this the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. decided that this breach of the treaty by the Quraysh could not be ignored nor could it be corrected except by the conquest of Makkah. The Quraysh became afraid of the consequences of breaking the treaty, so they sent Abu Sufyan to Madinah with the aim of strengthening the treaty by asking for an extension. However, Abu Sufyan did not go directly to meet Allah's Messenger s.a.w. and instead went to the home of his daughter Umm Habibah, wife of the Messenger of Allah s.a.w.. As he moved to sit on the Messenger of Allah's bed she folded it up so that he could not sit on it. When her father asked her whether she had folded it because he was too good for it or whether it was too good for him, she replied, "It is the Messenger of Allah's bed and you are a filthy polytheist so I do not want you to sit on it." Abu Sufyan replied, "By Allah since you left me you have turned bad." He then left in a rage.

Later Abu Sufyan managed to talk to the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. and to ask for the extension to the treaty which he so badly desired, but he did not receive any reply as he was ignored completely. Next he went to Abu Bakr and pleaded with him to speak to the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. on his behalf. Abu Bakr refused to do so. Then he approached ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab who rebuked him harshly saying, "Should I intercede for you with the Messenger of Allah? By Allah if I had only an ant I would fight you with it." Finally he went to see ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib who was with Fatimah and he appealed to him to intercede with the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. ‘Ali answered that if the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. had determined a thing then it was useless for anyone to try to talk him out of it. Turning to Fatimah he asked her to let her son Hasan be a protector between men. She said, "None could give protection against the Messenger of Allah." At this point Abu Sufyan became desperate and he rode off shortly back to Makkah where he told his people about his experience in Madinah. Meanwhile, the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. urged his people to prepare for battle and he marched with them towards Makkah. He s.a.w. was hoping to take the Quraysh by surprise in order to force them to surrender and thus avoid bloodshed.

The Muslim army numbering ten thousand set off from Madinah to conquer Makkah. They eventually reached Marr al-Dahran, which was about five kilometers from Makkah, without the knowledge of the Quraysh. Although, the Quraysh expected an invasion and their leaders were still debating how they should counter it. During this time, the ever vigilant Abu Sufyan came out to assess the danger that was looming over Makkah when he was met by Al-‘Abbas, who had by then accepted Islam. He was riding the Messenger of Allah's white mule on an errand to warn the Quraysh to seek protection or face annihilation from the Muslims, since the Quraysh were not in a position to stand in the Messenger of Allah's way. Al-‘Abbas said to Abu Sufyan, "This is the Messenger of Allah and his army and I fear for you and the Quraysh if he should enter Makkah by force." Abu Sufyan asked, "What is there to do?" Al-‘Abbas asked him to ride behind him and together they would go to meet the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. and seek his protection. As they proceeded through the Muslim encampment, they passed by ‘Umar's fire. ‘Umar recognized the Messenger's mule and also spotted his implacable enemy Abu Sufyan.

Realizing that Al-‘Abbas wanted to seek protection for Abu Sufyan, ‘Umar dashed to the tent where the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. was in order to ask him to cut off Abu Sufyan's head. However, Al-‘Abbas galloped his mule there ahead of ‘Umar exclaiming as he entered, "O Messenger of Allah, I have offered him my protection." A serious argument between ‘Umar and Al-‘Abbas arose, whereupon the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. said to Al-‘Abbas, "Take him away to your quarters and bring him back in the morning." The next day Abu Sufyan was brought to the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. whereupon he embraced Islam.

Al-‘Abbas said to the Messenger of Allah s.a.w., "O Messenger of Allah! Abu Sufyan is a man who likes to have some cause for pride, could you not do something for him?" Upon hearing this Allah's Messenger s.a.w. proclaimed that, "He who enters Abu Sufyan's house is safe, and he who locks his door is safe, and he who enters the Masjid is safe." Allah's Messenger s.a.w. then ordered that Abu Sufyan be detained in the narrow part of the valley where the mountain projected so that the whole Muslim army would pass by him and he would see them. Afterwards, he hurried back to his people shouting at the top of his voice, "This is Muhammad who has come to you with a force you cannot resist. He who enters Abu Sufyan's house is safe, and he who locks his door is safe, and he who enters the Masjid is safe." On hearing this the Quraysh aborted their resistance. Then the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. marched and entered Makkah, while remaining on the alert. He s.a.w. had instructed his commanders to split into four divisions and not to fight or shed any blood unless they were forced to do so. The army entered Makkah meeting no resistance except the division of Khalid ibn Al-Walid, who quickly dealt with it.

The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. dismounted at the top of Makkah where he stopped for awhile before marching towards the Ka'bah, which he circumambulated seven times. He s.a.w. then summoned ‘Uthman ibn Talhah and he opened the Ka'bah. People gathered around him, and he s.a.w. addressed them by reciting the verse:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَى وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ

"O mankind, We created you from male and female, and made you into peoples and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is that who has "At-Taqwa". Verily, Allah is All knowing. All-Aware." [Al-Hujurat, 49:13]

Then the Messenger of Allah  asked, "O Quraysh, what do you think I am about to do with you?" They replied, "Good! You are a noble brother, son of a noble brother." He s.a.w. said, "Go your own way for you are free." Inside the Ka'bah, the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. ordered the pictures of angels and prophets which were decorating its walls to be torn down. He s.a.w. also found a dove made out of wood which he broke in his hands and then threw it away. Lastly, Allah's Messenger  pointed to the multitude of idols present with a stick in his hand and he recited the verse:

وَقُلْ جَاء الْحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ الْبَاطِلُ إِنَّ الْبَاطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقًا

"And say: Truth has come and Batil has vanished. Surely! Batil is ever bound to vanish." [Al-Isra, 17:81]

All the idols collapsed onto their backs one after the other, then they were burned, broken up and disposed of. Now the sacred house was finally purified.

The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. remained in Makkah for fifteen days, during which time he s.a.w. organized its affairs and taught the people Islam. Thus was Mecca completely liberated and as a result the main obstacle standing in the way of the Islamic campaign had finally been overcome. The great victory was achieved with only a few pockets of resistance, such as Hunayn and the city of Ta'if, remaining in the Arabian Peninsula. These were not expected to prove difficult to remove.

[Source: Extracted from the book The Islamic State (p. 106) by Sheikh Taqiuddin an-Nabahani. Images added.]

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EXEMPLARY CHARACTER SHOWN BY THE PROPHET S.A.W.

Returning the Key of Ka’bah to Its Hereditary Keepers

After destroying the idols, the the Prophet s.a.w. gave back the key of the sacred house to the hereditary keepers and told the people to come in peace to him. This conduct delighted the Meccans. They considered this great act of kindness and forgiveness of the Prophet s.a.w. the height of nobility and came forward to enter this astonishing religion which returned enmity with love.

Entry Into Makkah: A Humble Victory

The Prophet s.a.w. entered Makkah with his head lowered in thanks giving to Allah, his beard almost touching the saddle of his dromedary and the Surah Al-Fath on his lips, to denote the honor and victory granted to him.

On the day the Prophet s.a.w. victoriously entered Makkah, which was the religious and political center or rather the heart of Arabia, he took care to exemplify the principle of justice and equality to man and humility and submission to God, not forgetting even one cardinal virtue upheld by Islam. He seated Usama b. Zayd, the son of his ex-slave, with him on his camel although all the nobles of the Quraysh and of his own family, Bani Hashim, were present on the occasion...

The day Makkah fell to the Prophet of God s.a.w., he happened to talk to a man who began to tremble because of his awe. The Prophet s.a.w. consoled him saying, "Be at ease and do not be afraid. I am not a king but merely the son of a Qurayshite woman who used to take meat dried under the sun."

The Day of Mercy and Forgiveness
 

Sad b. Ubada passed by Abu Sufyan with a detachment of the Ansaar. While marching ahead he shouted: "Today is a day of conflict, Sanctuary is no more, Allah has humbled the Quraysh."

In a short while, the Prophet's regiment came near Abu Sufyan. He complained to the Prophet s.a.w. and repeated what Sad had said. The Prophet s.a.w. was displeased with Sads bragging and replied: "Nay, today is the day of mercy and forgiveness. Today will Allah honor the Quraysh, and raise glory of the Sanctuary."

The Prophet s.a.w. sent somebody for Sad and taking the emblem from him gave it to his son Qays. It meant as if the standard had not been taken away from him at all (Zad al-Ma'ad, Vol. I, p. 425).

Whatever the Prophet s.a.w. said or did, he was in fact guided from on High. The transfer of the standard was merely symbolic but not superfluous. The Prophet s.a.w. set at ease, on the one hand, Abu Sufyan whose feelings had been hurt and, on the other, he avoided doing anything painful to Sad b. Ubada whose services for the cause of Islam were of no mean order...

The Prophet of Mercy

The Prophet s.a.w. then asked the Quraysh, "O Quraysh, what do you think am I about to do with you?" "We hope for the best," They replied, "You are a noble brother, son of a noble brother."

The Prophet s.a.w. said in reply, "I say to you what Yusuf (Prophet Joseph) said to his brothers: 'This day let no reproach be (cast) on you' (Surah Yusuf 12:92); go your way for you are all free."

Then the Prophet s.a.w. ordered Bilal to climb on top of the roof of the Ka'bah and give the call for prayer. This was the first time that the chiefs and nobles of the Quraysh heard the call to prayer resounding in the valley of Mecca.

Thereafter the Prophet s.a.w. went to the house of Umm Hani bint Abi Talib, took a bath and offered eight raakats of prayer as a thanksgiving gesture for the victory that God had granted him.

Equality Before Law

Fatimah, a woman of Bani Makhzum, was in the meanwhile apprehended on the charge of theft. Her clansmen approached Usama b. Zayd in the hope that the Prophet s.a.w., being well disposed towards him, might be able to intercede with him for the woman. When Usama mentioned the matter to the Prophet s.a.w., he found his expression completely altered. The Prophet s.a.w. said to Usama, "Do you speak to me about the bounds put by God?" Usama felt so ashamed that he beseeched the Prophet s.a.w., "O Messenger Allah, pray to God to forgive me." In the evening, when the people convened, the Prophet s.a.w. said after praising Allah:

"The people before you were destroyed because they used to overlook when a highborn or man of substances among them committed a theft but when the poor or the weak did the same they chastised him as ordained by the law. I swear by Him who holds my life that if Fatimah bint Muhammad had committed theft I would have amputated her hand."

The Prophet s.a.w. ordered to cut off the right hand of the culprit. She is reported to have sincerely repented of her sin and led a normal life after marrying a man (Bukhari and Muslim).

Kindness To Enemies

Now that the victory was complete, all the citizens of Makkah were granted amnesty. Only nine persons were condemned to death. Of these was one who had been guilty of apostasy after accepting Islam, another man had deceitfully killed a Muslim while few others had been busy bringing down Islam and vilifying the Prophet s.a.w. Abdullah b. Sad b. Abi Sarah had abandoned Islam. Ikrima b. Abi Jahl so detested Islam that he had fled to Yemen. His wife became Muslim and requested from the Prophet s.a.w. to grant him immunity. Ikrima was the son of Abu Jahl, the greatest enemy of the Prophet s.a.w., yet he was not only pardoned but when he came back to Makkah, the Prophet s.a.w. accorded him a warm welcome. The Prophet s.a.w. rose to receive Ikrima in such a haste that his robe fell from his shoulders.

The Prophet s.a.w. was well pleased to admit Ikrima to the fold of Islam. Accorded a place of honor among the Muslims, Ikrima distinguished himself by his deeds of valor in the battles fought with the Apostates and the Byzantine forces.

One of these culprits was Wahshi, the slave of Jubayr b. Mutim, who killed the Prophet's uncle Hamza (ra). The Prophet s.a.w. had condemned him to death but when he came to witness the truth in Allah, the Prophet s.a.w. accepted his allegiance.

There was also Habbar b. Al-Aswad who had attacked the Prophet's daughter Zaynab (May Allah be pleased with her). She had fallen from her litter and had an abortion. Habbar had also fled from Makkah but when he came back to accept Islam, the merciful Prophet s.a.w. also forgave him. Among those found guilty were two singing girls, Sarah and her friend, who used to sing satirical songs denigrating the Prophet s.a.w. When immunity was demanded for them, the Prophet s.a.w. granted them impunity from punishment and they acknowledged Islam (Zad al-Ma'ad, Vol. I, p. 425)...

IMPACT OF THE LIBERATION OF MECCA

The liberation of Makkah is great event in the history of Islam because after this liberation Islam spread in all corners of the world beyond Arabia. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. won that great battle without any bloodshed.

The liberation of Makkah had a tremendous impact on the Arabs. It was a great victory for it vindicated the claim that Islam was the religion of Allah and paved the way for its reception by the whole of Arabia. Tribesmen from distant deserts started coming to Madinah in batches or sent deputations to give credence to Islam.

A number of tribes had treaty relations with the Quraysh which bound them to keep away from the Muslims, while the others feared or respected the Quraysh as the guardians of the holy sanctuary. With the submission of the Quraysh to Allah and His Prophet s.a.w., all these obstacles were removed.

There were also tribes who believed the fate of Abraha still fresh in their mind that no tyrant could lay his hands upon Makkah and, therefore, they preferred to wait and see the result of the contention between the Muslims and the Quraysh. Some of them had actually decided to leave the Prophet s.a.w. alone and to accept him as the Prophet of Allah if he were successful in winning over his own tribe (Bukhari on the authority of 'Amr b. Salama).

When Allah allowed His Prophet s.a.w. to gain the upper hand over Makkah and the Quraysh yielded obedience to him, willingly or unwillingly, the whole of Arabia bowed its head to Islam in a way unheard of in the country given to disorder and unruliness throughout the ages. The Bedouins had thronged to Madinah, from every clan and tribe, to pay their respects to the Prophet s.a.w. and to accept Islam directly from him. It was then that Allah revealed Surah An-Nasr (meaning Succour or Help) which said:

When comes the Help of Allah (to you, O Muhammad against your enemies) and the conquest (of Makkah), and you see that the people enter Allah's religion (Islam) in crowds [Surah An-Nasr 110:1-2].

[Source: Peace Be Upon Him and The Sealed Nectar p. 249 (edited). Images added.]

LAILATUL QADR: THE NIGHT THAT CHANGED HISTORY

THE NIGHT THAT CHANGED HISTORY
The Khutbah (Sermons) of Arshad Gamiet (Royal Holloway College, University of London, UK)

First Khutbah:

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam,

During the last ten nights of Ramadhan, we feel a special kind of excitement, a special sense of anticipation, because of one very important night. I refer of course to Lailatul Qadr, the Night of Power.

Surah 97 [Al-Qadr] of The Holy Qur'an reads:

"We have indeed revealed this [Message] in the Night of Power. And what will explain to you what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand Months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission on every errand. Peace…this until the rise of Morning!" [Surah Al-Qadr]

What is so special about Lailatul Qadr? Why does The Holy Qur'an describe it as "better than a thousand months?" If there were no Lailatul Qadr, what would it matter?

The first Lailatul Qadr was the night that changed history. It was the night that Jibreel (alayhis salaam) brought the first revelation, the first verses of The Holy Qur'an were pronounced in a cave on Jabal Nur, the Mountain of Light. Just imagine, if there were no Lailatul Qadr, there would have been no Qur'an today, if Allah had sent no new revelation after Nabi Isa. The world would have been in an unimaginable mess! There would have been no authentic record of the pure and unadulterated Word of Allah, for all generations to be able to seek and find correct guidance. Mankind would have followed Torahs and Bibles, which were constantly under revision and review, depending on what was expedient at the time. The Holy Books we would have used today, would have drifted further and further away from the original teachings of those great prophets Moses and Jesus.

Let us consider the world scenario on the day before Jibreel (alayhis salaam) appeared in the Cave on Jabal Nur, to pronounce those majestic words:

"Read, in the Name of your Lord and Cherisher, who created! Created man out of a mere clot of congealed blood. Read, and your Lord is most Bountiful. He who taught the use of the Pen. Taught man that which he knew not!" [Surah Al-'Alaq 96: 1-5]

Think about the state of the world just before these words were pronounced! Pompous, arrogant and unjust rulers governed Rome and Persia, who were superpowers at the time of Muhammad. They believed that might was right. They regarded the Arabs as a wild and uncivilised people, unworthy of conquest. The followers of two great religions, the Jews and the Christians, had lost the original teachings of Nabi Musa and Nabi 'Isa (alayhis salaam). They had substituted those teachings with their own writings. Their Torah and Bible now reflected their own human desires. These holy books could no longer be regarded as the pure, unadulterated Word of Allah.

Outside the Christian and Jewish worlds, the Arabs were practising Idolatry, and they had desecrated the Holy Ka’ba with 360 idols, almost one for each day of the year. Women were treated unjustly, and newborn daughters were often buried alive. Nowhere appeared any sign of hope and it seemed that mankind was doomed to a dismal fate. Then literally and metaphorically, out of the darkness of the Cave, and out of the darkness of human despair, there appeared the first words of The Holy Qur'an, the first rays of light for suffering humanity.

That same light that filled the Cave during Lailatul Qadr, that filled the heart of our dear Prophet Muhammad [saw], has shone brightly down the ages, to fill our lives also. Year after year, for over 1,400 years, almost a Millennium and a half, the light of Lailatul Qadr has brought hope and renewed faith, to a world that would otherwise be stumbling in total darkness and despair.

Dear brothers and sisters, we all take great care that our homes have adequate gas and electric power. It is also important that we do not neglect our spiritual power. Let us plug our heart and soul in to Lailatul Qadr and recharge our iman batteries. If Muslims hadn’t been so lax about their faith over the last few centuries, we would not today have to witness the humiliation and tragedy of Chechnya, Bosnia, Kosovo, or Kashmir.

Let us spend our Night of Power, remembering Allah s.w.t., and offering thanks to Him, for his countless blessings that we enjoy each moment of our lives. Let us ask Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, to lift the burden of injustice and oppression from so many Muslim communities around the world. Let us ask him for his Divine power to help us become the dynamic, disciplined and balanced community, the Ummatan wasatan, the Witness to the nations, as described in The Holy Qur'an. Let us spend this historic night asking our Lord and Master, to help us become the model Muslims that our children and all future generations would love to follow...

Second Khutbah:

The Night of Power energised history. The brilliant and irresistible light of Allah’s revelation illuminated the darkness of human ignorance and deprivation. In the 7th Century, Islam lit up the world. And despite many setbacks, trials and tribulation, in communities large and small, Islam still lights up the darkness of human weakness, ignorance and evil.

What can we learn from the history of Islam, that will help us build a better future?

We learn that no miracle will come out of the sky, just because we made a wish. In Surah Al-Ra’d, 13:11, we read:

"Truly, never will Allah change the condition of a people, until they change what is within themselves…"

Allah will not change our condition, until we make the effort to turn away from what displeases Him, and we strive, sincerely, to seek His pleasure. At times, we might feel that this is too difficult. It seems much easier just to do what pleases ourselves, like most other people seem to be doing. Remember that our Prophet Muhammad [saw] started his prophetic mission, as a minority of one. Family and friends later joined him. But he had to work hard, with sincerity, patience and perseverance, for his community to grow. Because he was determined, and Allah was pleased with him, that growth was inevitable, and it developed in quantity and quality.

Within a few years, the effect of that first Lailatul Qadr was that it transformed the weak and troublesome Arab tribes into a nation of Supermen. It was as if the desert sand of Arabia had turned into gunpowder, and when the fuse of iman was lit, the Muslims became an unstoppable, irresistible force. They exploded out of the Arabia, north, south, east and west. Even the Roman and Persian superpowers who used to regard them with contempt, were swept aside within a few short years.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam, that mystical and mysterious force that descends by the command of Allah Most High, during Lailatul Qadr, the Night of Power, has proven itself in history. Its clear evidence is there for all of us to see. Remember that it was during Ramadhan that some of Islam’s noblest and greatest victories were achieved, for example, the Battle of Badr, the Conquest of Makka, the Conquest of Spain, and the Defeat of the Mongols at Ain Jalut.

That same irresistible force that helped our noble ancestors to attain victory in these epic battles, is there for us to discover and use, if we make a sincere and total commitment to serve Allah. From this great Night onwards, let it be our goal, our lifetime commitment. Let us make a covenant with Allah, that we will serve him alone, with all our energy, wealth, talent and possessions. Remember, Allah wants us to be full-time Muslims, not merely Friday Muslims or Eid or Ramadhan Muslims. Allah does not accept anything divided, especially our divided loyalty.

So, my dear Brothers and Sisters, why not let me, and you all here, make a commitment today, to serve Allah whole-heartedly, and to let our first love be our love for Allah. And for His sake alone, let us strive every moment of every day to purify and improve ourselves, in body, heart and soul.

Anything less than this will be unworthy of us who choose to call ourselves Muslims and Believers. Only when we have purified our hearts from greed, vanity, cowardice, envy and malice, and we have filled that space with a love of truth, beauty and justice, can we expect Allah to change our condition. Once we have won this Jihad al nafs, this battle against our innerself, we can deserve the help and Mercy of Allah.

I pray that during this historic time, in this Holy Month, on this Great Night of Power, when His angels are sent by His Command, that Allah Most Gracious will accept our commitment. May He also help us to purify our hearts, strengthen our faith, and enable us to meet every challenge, overcome every difficulty in our lives. May Allah allow us to serve Him in our work, in our leisure, in our study, in our business and professions and in our family life and social relations. And when the time comes for us finally to return to Him, may Allah admit us to the companionship of those whom He loves as His friends.

Ameen!

[Source: Khutbah Bank (edited). Images added.]

17 RAMADAN - THE GREAT BATTLE OF BADR

Another momentous event in the history of Islam that occurred on the 17th of Ramadan, in 624 AD, was the Great Battle of Badr. The following is a summary of the event. 

Location: Badr is located about 80 miles from Madina
Date: Friday, 17th Ramadan 2 AH, 13th March 624 AD.
Muslim Army: 313 men, mainly infantry with 2 horses and 70 camels
Mushrikeen Army: 1000 men, mainly riders with 100 horses and 700 camels
Muslim Martyrs: Vary between 14 and 100 according to different traditions
Mushrikeen killed: 72 out of which 36 killed by Imam Ali a.s.
Result: Battle won by the Muslims

"And indeed Allah assisted you at Badr when you were weak, so be careful (to your duty) to Allah so that you may be of the thankful ones. When you said to the believers 'Does it not suffice you that your Lord should assist you with three thousand angels sent down...'" [Surah Ali-Imran 3:123 and 124]

The old town of Al Badr

A Historical Perspective

The Battle of Badr was the first of the great battles of Islam. The faithfuls were put to the first real test during this battle. Badr is the name of a celebrated well and a market-place of Arabia, and is so named after a certain Badr bin Quraish bin Mukhlad bin an-Nadr bin Kananah, who hailed from the clan of Ghaffar.

From the start of Ramadan, a report reached Madina that a large trading caravan of Quraish was returning to Mecca from Syria under the leadership of Abu Sufyan bin Harb accompanied by fifty armed guards. It has been pointed out that this richly loaded caravan constituted a grave threat to the security of Madina, therefore, Prophet Mohammad s.a.w. dispatched Talha bin Ubaidullah and Saeed bin Zaid, to gather intelligence about the caravan and to report back. It was discovered that it was a large caravan in which all the Makkans had shares. The Quraish had decided to put all their savings into it and use the profits on arms, horses and other items of war to use against the Muslims.

The news was highly disturbing. The Prophet (S.A.W) left Madina and decided to meet the caravan in Badr with 313 men. Among them only 2 were on horses and 70 had camels and the rest were on foot. There were only 6 men with protective gear (zirah). Imam Ali a.s. was the standard bearer of the Muslim army.

Abu Sufyan feared an attack from the Muslims and sent a messenger to Mecca telling them of his fears. On receiving the message, an army of 1000 men, 100 horses and 700 camels under the leadership of Abu Jahl left Makkah to go to Badr. Meanwhile Abu Sufyan took a different route back to Makkah avoiding Badr. When the army of Abu Jahl reached Jahfah, a little half-way to Badr, an emissary of Abu Sufyan - or Abu Sufyan himslef according to some traditions - met with the army of Abu Jahl and informed them that the caravan had passed through the danger zone safely and that it was not necessary to march towards Madina. On hearing this, some of them counselled that they should go back, but Abu Jahl and his party rejected the suggestion violently in their proudness and the lust of power and their desire to crush the Muslim army and proceeded towards Badr.

The Importance of the First Great Battle of Islam

The personality of the Messenger s.a.w., his leadership and his unequalled firmness were critical. He was to the Muslims the final refuge at Badr and at every battle he attended. The Hashmites (the clan of the Prophet s.a.w.) were led by Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib a.s. who entered this battle relatively obscure and came out with unequalled military fame. His military performances, as well as that of the Companions of the Prophet s.a.w., became the popular subject of the Arab caravans conversations throughout the Arabic Peninsula.

The hearts of the hundreds of companions of the Messenger were filled with the faith and readiness for sacrifice. Many of them viewed martyrdom to be a gain, equal to life and victory. These good companions were the army of Islam, its first line of defense and thick wall behind which the Messenger s.a.w. used to stand. They were the attackers and the defenders.

The importance of the outcome of the battle were evident from the prayers of the Prophet s.a.w. himself. Abdul Malik ibn Hushham narrates in his book As-Seerah An-Nabawiyah that the Prophet s.a.w. prayed to his Lord:

"God this is Quraish. It has come with all its arrogance and boastfulness, trying to discredit Thy Apostle. God, I ask Thee to humiliate them tomorrow. God, if this Muslim band will perish today, Thou shall not be worshipped."

The Battle

In the beginning as per Arab custom, single combat (one to one) took place. The famous Quraysh warriors Utbah ibn Rabi'ah (the father-in-law of Abu Sufyan), his son Walid ibn Utbah and his brother Shebah ibn Rabi'ah, came to challenge the Muslim warriors. Hundreds of companions were around the Prophet s.a.w. and many of them were expecting to be called upon to start the battle but the Prophet s.a.w. chose to start from his own family. The load was heavy and the heavy load could be carried only by the people to whom it belonged as he called upon Imam Ali a.s., Al-Hamza and Obeidah Al Harith (all from the clan of the Prophet s.a.w.) to face the three warriors. Imam Ali a.s. destroyed Al-Walid and Al-Hamza killed Utbah; then they both assisted Obeidah against his opponent Sheibah. Sheibah died immediately and Obeidah was the first martyr at this battle. He died after he lost his leg.

The Quraysh got disturbed and began attacking en masse. When the general offensive began, hundreds of companions participated in the battle and offered sacrifices and pleased Allah. But the members of the house of the Prophet s.a.w. distinguished themselves. Imam Ali (a.s.)'s endeavour was unique at this battle. When Hanthala Ibn Abu Sufyan faced him, Imam Ali a.s. liquified his eyes with one blow from his sword. He annihilated Al Auss Ibn Saeed, and met Tuaima Ibn Oday and transfixed him with his spear, saying "You shall not dispute with us in God after today."

In the thick of the battle, the Prophet s.a.w. prayed to Allah s.w.t. In Surah Al-Anfaal Allah s.w.t gave the answer:

"When you asked for help from your Lord, He answered you. Indeed I will aid you with a thousand of the Angels in rows behind rows". [Surah Al-Anfaal 8:9]

According to authentic tradition, Allah s.w.t had already promised victory to the Muslims following the prayers of the Prophet Mohammad s.a.w. and during the battle, Allah s.w.t sent down first one thousand then three thousand and then five thousand Angels to help the Muslim army. According to some narrators of the army of infidels, they saw these warriors having a sword in one hand and a whip in the other and whoever got stuck by the whip was instantly killed.

The Results

The names of the 14 martyrs killed in the Battle of Badr

The mushrakeen army got frightened and began to retreat. The skill of Imam Ali a.s., the other Muslim soldiers and the sight of so many Angels struck terror in the enemies hearts. 72 Kuffar were killed including their leader Abu Jahl. Imam Ali a.s. killed no less that 20 of them, though some historians give his credit of killing 36 of them. 14 Muslims were martyred.

70 prisoners were taken by the Muslims. This was the first opportunity of the Muslims after their long and bitter sufferings at the hands of the Meccans to wreak vengeance on them, if they chose. However, the prisoners were treated with kindness and some became Muslims. In later days some of the prisoners said: "blessed be the men of Medina, they made us ride whilst they walked, they gave us wheat and bread to eat when there was little of it contenting themselves with plain dates." The rich prisoners paid ransom and were set free. Others were asked to gain their freedom by teaching 10 Muslims to read and write.

The battle of Badr strengthened the faith of the Muslims and laid the foundation of the Islamic State and made out of the Muslims a force to be reckoned with by the dwellers of the Arabic Peninsula.

Lessons from the Battle of Badr

The Battle of Badr is a great example from our history that teaches: "victory does not depend on numbers or collecting weapons and shields - Victory is from Allah."

"How often has a small group overcome a might host by Allah's leave. And Allah is with the patient." [Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 249]

However, Allah only grants victory to those who believe in Him and put their complete trust in Him. Allah sent blessing and help to the believers in the Battle of Badr and made them victorious over the disbelieving pagans only after putting them to trial! Allah tested the Muslims for ten years in Mecca and then He tested them again by the order to migrate to Al-Medina leaving behind all possessions.

It was the result of the strong trust of the Sahabah (the Companions of the Prophet s.a.w.) in Allah that they willingly marched towards the battlefield, even though they knew that the disbelievers had come with huge army and weaponry.

It was their craving for Allah's Pleasure and Paradise that they proclaimed: "We will fight along with you. By Allah! If you were to take us to Bark al-Ghimad, we will still fight with determination against its defender until you gained it." So after Allah had tested them, He made them stand firm against their enemies, and granted them the courage to fight them. It was only by the Help of Allah and His Blessings that the Muslims could defeat the disbeliever who were three time greater in number and well-equipped.

Otherwise, in the times of Jahiliyyah (ignorance - the time before Islam), these very same people were the weakest of people found on the face of the earth, as Imam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullah) mentions the statement of Qatadah Ibn Di'amah as-Sadusi in the Tafseer of Surah Al-Anfaal 8:26:

"Arabs were the weakest of the weak, had the toughest life, the emptiest stomach, the barest skin and the most obvious misguidance. Those who lived among them lived in misery; those who died went to the Fire. They were being eaten up, but unable to eat others! By Allah! We do not know of a people on the face of the earth at that time who had a worse life than them. When Allah brought Islam, He made it dominant on the earth and thus bringing provisions and leadership for them over the necks of people. It is through Islam that Allah granted all what you see, so thank Him for His favors, for your Lord is One Who bestows favors and likes praise."

It was due to their cowardice that when Abrahah attacked their most sacred city, Mecca, and resolved to demolish the Ka'bah, they evacuated Mecca and ran away with their wives and children to mountain tops. But when they embraced Islam, believed in Allah, avoided sins and purely followed the teaching of Allah's Messenger - Allah made them the rulers of the world. They triumphed at the time of Allah's Messenger s.a.w and after his death. The Kuffar feared the Muslims!

But when the Muslims abandoned the life of righteousness and adopted sins, Allah, the Exalted, snatched away His Blessings from them and they were left to their state of misery. However, even today, if we Muslims were to believe in Allah and put complete trust in Him Alone, then Allah will help the Muslims over the Kuffar. It is the result of our sins that in many parts of the world Muslims are being oppressed by the Kuffar and subjugated to hardships.

Today, if we show willingness to sacrifice our wealth and lives for the sake of Allah, and purely follow the teachings of Allah's Messenger s.a.w., Allah will remove our hardships and grant us victory and supremacy over the Kuffar.

Allah says:

"Allah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those who before them, and He will grant them the authority to practice their religion that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whosoever disbelieves after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)." [Surah An-Nur 24: 55]

[ Source: Ziaraat.com and Ahya.org (edited). Images added.]