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Just from the Holy Quran alone, Allah (SWT) promises us victory for three specific reasons. Allah (SWT) mentions in Surah An-Noor the first reason He (SWT) promises us His victory and help, “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 before them, and that 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 a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). And perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat and obey the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) that you may receive mercy (from Allah)” (Ayat 55-56)
These Ayat from Surah An-Noor informs us that Allah (SWT) will give victory to those who help Allah (SWT). We know that Allah (SWT) doesn’t need our help but it means doing everything and anything to help the cause and religion of Allah (SWT). This requires us to be a personification of Allah’s (SWT) religion in our lives and to spread it to others in the best demeanor and behavior. Furthermore, this means we must be steadfast in our Iman and faith.
During the early days of Islam in Makkah, the Muslims faced persecution and so, they couldn’t practice freely such as performing salaat publicly. Therefore, Allah (SWT) says that if He (SWT) gives security and power to the Muslims, they will publicly perform salaat, give zakat, promote the good and forbid the evil.
Also, Allah has commanded in the Quran, “Allah has decreed: “Verily! It is I and My Messengers who shall be victorious.” Verily, Allah is All-Powerful, All-Mighty.” (Surah Al-Mujadilah, Ayah 21). This ayah applies to us as Muslims, we are the followers of the Prophets, and thus, we need to be helping the cause and religion of Allah (SWT) to receive His help.
The second reason Allah (SWT) helps is when there is unity amongst the Muslims. Allah (SWT) tells us in the Quran (Surah Al-Anam, Ayah 159), “As for those who have divided their religion and broken up into factions, have nothing to do with them [Prophet]. Their case rests with God: in time He will tell them about their deeds.” When we quarrel and fight amongst ourselves, it deflates our spirit and produces negative results.
When the Sahaba were united during the Battle of Badr, they won against the Quraish but disunity led to defeat in the Battle of Uhud. During the Battle of Uhud, a group of hypocrites breaking away resulted in turmoil and defeat. A civil war amongst the Muslims nearly occurred. Allah (SWT) commands us in the Quran (Surah Ale Imran, Ayah 103), “Hold fast to God’s rope all together; do not split into factions. Remember God’s favor to you: you were enemies and then He brought your hearts together and you became brothers by His grace; you were about to fall into a pit of Fire and He saved you from it- in this way God makes His revelations clear to you so that you may be rightly guided.”
This indicates the importance Islam places on community and society to receive Allah’s (SWT) help to attain success and/or victory. Currently, Muslim division exists based on numerous factors that have caused ineffectiveness in battling Islamophobia and persecution of Muslims around the world. Whatever the differences might be, we need to set them aside to achieve a greater good.
During the Caliphate of Syedina Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS), the Kharijites, who held unusual beliefs split from mainstream Islam. Hazrat Ali (AS) negotiated with them and sent one of the greatest scholars alive at that time Ibn Abbas (RA) to debate the Kharijites to convince them to return to the Ummah.
About one-half and some accounts say two-thirds of the Kharijites rejoined the Ummah under Caliph Ali (AS) but the remainder did not. Caliph of the Ummah Ali (AS) replied that if the rest of the Kharijites don’t harm other people, the mainstream Muslim community couldn’t force them to change their beliefs. This exhibited Syedina Ali’s (AS) wisdom and pragmatism.
The third reason Allah (SWT) gives us help and victory occurs when we strengthen ourselves. In the Quran, Allah (SWT) directs us, “Prepare against them what you ˹believers˺ can of ˹military˺ power and cavalry to deter Allah’s enemies and your enemies as well as other enemies unknown to you but known to Allah. Whatever you spend in the cause of Allah will be paid to you in full and you will not be wronged.” (Surah Al-Anfal, Ayah 60).
As Muslims, we must strengthen ourselves not just physically but intellectually in terms of learning the techniques of public relations, media, campaigning, and building narratives as fifth-generation warfare becomes widespread. Allah (SWT) is telling us that every individual has a talent or skill that we should nurture and master.
