By Dr. Saeed Abd-ul-Azim

Strength in religion—the strength to adhere to it and patiently endure trials for its sake—is a manifestation of true fortitude. It is the hallmark of the Prophets, Messengers, and those who righteously follow them until the Day of Judgment. Steadfastness in the religion of Allah and courageously proclaiming the truth in the face of tyrants and oppressors define them. The presence of even one individual from this powerful group is more valuable than countless others who surrender, even verbally, to the demands of corrupt disbelievers. This strength earns the love and pleasure of Allah, as He commanded in His Book. Allah says: “O John, take the Scripture with determination.” [Quran 19:12], meaning: with seriousness, diligence, and effort. He also commanded Moses (peace be upon him): “Take it with determination and order your people to take the best of it.” [Quran 7:145] And He commanded the Children of Israel: “Take what We have given you with determination...” [Quran 2:63] Mujahid explained, “‘With determination’ means to act upon its contents with obedience and diligence.” Sadly, this contradicts what is prevalent in our lives and the lives of people today, as though we have learned nothing. Crises, calamities, and the domination of enemies over lands and peoples demand strong faith and deep conviction. This is the way out of tribulation, for there is no refuge or escape from Allah except to Him and no one protected from Allah’s decree except those upon whom He has mercy. Yet, we persist in behaving like “one who seeks refuge from the heat of the sun by [going to] the fire,” or as the poet describes, “Like a donkey in the scorching heat, dying of thirst … while water is carried on its back.”

We persist in disobedience and negligence regarding the religion of Allah, distorting the concepts of loyalty and disassociation, and altering Allah’s law in our educational curricula, media, and public and private lives to appease the enemies of (both) Islam and the Muslims. Consequently, we only increase in weakness, while they increase in tyranny. It is as if we see no escape from our dire reality, no path to true strength, no means to deter our enemies from their arrogance and misguidance.

When facing danger at sea, the polytheists would sincerely call upon Allah, casting their idols overboard and crying, “O Lord!” Yet, some among us, when hardship strikes, attach their hearts to created beings—even to their enemies—as if asking wolves to guard sheep! How can they guide you when Allah has led them astray? How can they honor you when Allah has humiliated them? “Here you are loving them, but they do not love you...” [Quran 3:119] Strength is not found in creation, for all created beings are weak, even if they are Muslim. So how can we seek strength from our enemies when hatred pours from their mouths and what their hearts conceal is even worse?

The Children of Israel were oppressed; Pharaoh claimed lordship and divinity, slaughtering their sons, sparing their women for forced labor. Yet, they were not commanded to submit, accept humiliation, perpetuate their suffering, distort their faith, permit the forbidden, or forbid the permissible, as some demand and others practice. Instead, they were told: “Take what We have given you with determination…” [Quran 2:63]

True strength arises when we connect earth with heaven, this worldly life with the Hereafter, and our hearts with the Almighty. Allah’s Might surpasses all: “Indeed, your Lord—He is the Powerful, the Exalted in Might.” [Quran 11:66] And He says: “And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.” [Quran 22:40] He further states: “Allah has decreed: ‘I will surely overcome—I and My messengers.’ Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.” [Quran 58:21] Allah commands us to prepare for strength and acquire its means, both spiritual and material, stating: “And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom Allah knows.” [Quran 8:60] The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Indeed, strength is in archery.” [Muslim] The greatest strength is the strength of faith and conviction. In a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both. Be eager for what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be helpless...” [Muslim].

The disbelievers may gain control over the Muslim lands, leading some to sow fear, spread discouragement, and exaggerate the enemy’s strength while minimizing the capabilities of the Muslims. This stems from weak faith and the devil’s influence over such individuals, “That is only Satan who frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are [indeed] believers.” [Quran 3:175] The balance may also shift, causing us to act like roaring lions toward the righteous but like ostriches when facing disbelieving enemies. Allah says: “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves.” [Quran 48:29] Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) commented: “The people of Hudaybiyyah were fierce against the disbelievers, meaning harsh towards them, like a lion toward its prey.” This is the characteristic of believers: to be stern and severe with disbelievers but kind and compassionate toward the righteous. As Ibn Kathir explained, a believer should frown and show anger toward the disbeliever while being cheerful and friendly toward fellow believers. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would bear personal harm with patience, but if the matter concerned Allah, he would act with severity, adhering to Allah’s commands. This sternness toward disbelievers and those who transgress Allah’s limits serves as a powerful deterrent and establishes security and peace.

The Path of the Prophets (peace be upon them):

Examining the divine laws, the prophetic traditions, and the stories of the Prophets and Messengers reveals that strength in adhering to the religion of Allah, confronting disbelievers, and calling to the Lord of the Worlds is a defining characteristic of their lives.

For instance, Prophet Noah (peace be upon him) called his people day and night, privately and publicly. It is said that he would even enter their homes to invite them to the truth. His people inflicted physical harm upon him to the point of unconsciousness, yet upon regaining consciousness, he would say, “Worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him.” He continued inviting them for 950 years, yet only a few believed. Did he falter, weaken, or abandon his mission? Certainly not. Instead, he was commanded to build the ark, and he built it on dry land, fully trusting that Allah would cause it to sail and anchor. Whenever the leaders of his people passed by, they mocked him. He responded, “If you ridicule us, then we will ridicule you just as you ridicule.” [Quran 11:38]

This was Abraham (peace be upon him), breaking idols, calling his father, confronting his people, and debating Nimrod, who possessed worldly power. He left Hagar and his son Ishmael in a barren land, prepared to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command, and traveled from place to place, declaring, “Indeed, I will go to [where I am ordered by] my Lord; He will guide me.” He strove in the cause of Allah with true striving, unafraid and undeterred by earthly power. Allah, the Almighty. says: “Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader, devoutly obedient to Allah, inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allah. [He was] grateful for His favors. Allah chose him and guided him to a straight path.” [Quran 16:120-121]

And this was Moses (peace be upon him), who confronted Pharaoh, the one who claimed lordship and divinity, and debated with the magicians—said to have numbered seventy thousand. He was compelled to flee to Midian, where one of the women said to her father, “O my father, hire him. Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy.” [Quran 28:26] His strength was evident in his patience and perseverance while urging the Children of Israel to remain steadfast in Allah’s religion: “Seek help through Allah and be patient. Indeed, the earth belongs to Allah. He causes to inherit it whom He wills of His servants. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous.” [Quran 7:128] His strength also manifested in his reverence for Allah’s symbols, such as when he threw down the tablets and seized his brother by the head, pulling him toward him.

Whoever examines the life of the leader of the first and the last, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), will find complete and perfect faith-based strength. His call to his people and his patience with their harm—both to his noble person and to his distinguished companions—was characterized by a resolve that declared, “If they were to place the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand on the condition that I abandon this matter, I would not abandon it until Allah makes it prevail or I perish in the process.” They offered him generous proposals to abandon his call, but he remained steadfast. They plotted to kill him, but Allah saved him. He was forced to migrate from the land most beloved to Allah and to himself. He never ceased striving in the cause of Allah, whether in Mecca or Medina. He was endowed with both physical and spiritual strength. He remained resolute when battles intensified and danger loomed. The bravest of his Companions would seek refuge with him. On the day of Hunayn, when the Muslims fled, the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) stood firm, declaring, “I am the Prophet, no lie. I am the son of Abd-ul-Muttalib.” His Companions then rallied around him. He wrestled Rukana, one of the strongest men in Arabia, and the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) defeated him three times. Before his mission began, he would worship in the Cave of Hira for many nights, with Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) providing him with provisions. Who among us could endure such devotion?

The Righteous as Well:

Reflecting on the lives of the righteous reveals sincere adherence to the truth, embraced with unwavering strength, without alteration or distortion. Consider the Companion of the City in Surah Yasin, who witnessed the killing of the messengers. Despite this, he came running from the farthest part of the city to renew the call: “Follow the messengers. Follow those who do not ask of you any payment, and they are [rightly] guided.” [Quran 36:20-21] Did he not fear for his life? Why did he not prioritize his household and family? He entrusted his affair to Allah, knowing that Allah does not forsake His allies—those who remain steadfast in adhering to His laws in both ease and hardship, comfort and adversity. When they captured and killed him, he continued advising them even in death, just as he had in life, saying: “If only my people knew of how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honored.” [Quran 36:26-27] But his people were insignificant in the sight of their Lord: “And We did not send down upon his people after him any soldiers from the heaven, nor would We have done so. It was not but one shout, and immediately they were extinguished. How regretful for the servants!” [Quran 36:28-30]

The strength of faith and depth of conviction were the reasons behind the steadfastness of the Companions of the Cave, the believer from Pharaoh’s family, Abdullah the youth, and the people of the trench.

How else can we explain the stance of Sumayyah, her husband Yasir, and their son Ammar, all enduring harm for the sake of Allah? Despite the torment, they remained firm in their obedience to Allah. The polytheists would lay Bilal on the scorching sand during the hottest part of the day, placing heavy stones on his back while he repeated, “One, One.” Umm Jamil (It seems there might be a confusion with the name. It’s more commonly known as Umm Jamil, Abu Jahl’s wife, who tortured Bilal) would heat iron until it glowed red-hot and place it on his head, causing him to writhe in agony.

The procession of those tortured on earth is long. Among them are those imprisoned, killed, exiled, and even sawn in half, starting from their heads, yet none of this turned them away from their faith. Some had their flesh torn from their bones with iron combs, yet this did not deter them from their religion. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) himself endured harm more than anyone, yet neither he nor his followers wavered or submitted. Instead, they declared, “Sufficient for us is Allah, and He is the best Disposer of affairs.” So, O our people, respond to the call of Allah and believe. Beware of believing in part of the Scripture while rejecting other parts. The consequence of such an act is disgrace in this life, and on the Day of Resurrection, you will face the severest punishment: “And your Lord is not unaware of what you do.” [Quran 27:93]

Beware—be very wary—of the traits of the hypocrites, who worship Allah only when convenient: “And of the people is he who worships Allah on an edge. If he is touched by good, he is reassured by it; but if he is struck by trial, he turns on his face [to disbelief]. He has lost [this] world and the Hereafter. That is what is the manifest loss.” [Quran 22:11]

Those who take disbelievers as allies instead of believers—do they seek honor through them? Indeed, all honor belongs to Allah: “Those who take disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do they seek with them honor [through power]? But indeed, honor belongs to Allah entirely.” [Quran 4:139]

Tomorrow, the truth will be revealed, and those who dealt in hypocrisy will discover their gains were nothing but a mirage: “Until, when he comes to it, he finds it a mirage. He finds Allah before him, and He will pay him in full his due; and Allah is swift in account.” [Quran 24:39] There will be no excuse or justification for altering the religion of Allah or changing His laws: “Say, ‘It is not for me to change it on my own accord. I only follow what is revealed to me.’” [Quran 10:15] Do not use concessions or coercion in inappropriate circumstances as excuses. Life is fleeting, and Paradise is a precious reward. A noble woman would rather die than compromise her dignity. Indeed, dying in obedience to Allah is better than living in disobedience. Know that the destruction of your enemies lies in their arrogance about their strength: “As for ‘Aad, they were arrogant upon the earth without right and said, ‘Who is greater than us in strength?’ Did they not consider that Allah Who created them was greater than them in strength? But they were rejecting Our signs.” [Quran 41:15]

Our bodies may weaken, but the essence of faith and certainty in our hearts must never falter. Be steadfast, O servants of Allah, for whoever breaks their covenant only harms themselves: “And if you turn away, He will replace you with another people; then they will not be the likes of you.” [Quran 47:38]