Strength in Faith – a Virtue of the Believers – I

Strength in religion, determination in practicing it andpatience in
enduring hardships for its sake constitute an aspect of true mettle.
Such is the personality of Prophets, Messengers and those who follow
them willingly and sincerely until the Day of Judgment. Some of their
other qualities are their strict adherence to the religion of Allaah
The Almighty and assertion of truth openly in the face of oppressors
and tyrants. Indeed, even one person with these abilities is better
than masses who fulfill the wishes anddemands of the dissolute
disbelievers, even if only in words.
This strength in faith yields the love and pleasure of Allaah The
Almighty. He even ordered His Prophets, may Allaah exalt their
mention, to possess it, such as in the verse (which means): {O
Yahya(John), take the Scripture powerfully} [Quran 19:12];
"powerfully" here means ardently, keenly and persistently.
Allaah The Almighty also commanded Moosaa (Moses) Saying (what means):
{Take them with power [determination] and order your people to take
the best of it.} [Quran 7:145] His instructions to the Children of
Israel were similar, when He Said (what means): {Take what We have
given you with power [determination].} [Quran 2:63] Mujaahid
commented, "'Withpower' denotes practicing what it calls for; it also
refers to obedience and due diligence."
The Children of Israel were oppressed by Pharaoh, who claimed Lordship
and Divinity. He used to slay their male newbornsand let their girls
live; he would also employ them in forced labor.Yet, they were not
ordered to submit, accept humiliation and adjust to their suffering
and painful reality; they could not change faith-related concepts and
declare prohibitions as lawful or render what is allowed as
impermissible, as some peoplecall for today and others actually do in
practice. Instead, the Children of Israel were ordered bythe verse
(which means): {Take what We have given you with power
[determination].} [Quran 2:63]
Unfortunately, the reality of our lives contradicts these meanings, as
if we do not heed a lesson, for the affliction, persecution and
domination of enemies cannot cease, except when we have unwavering
conviction and deep-rooted faith. Verily, this is the only escape from
tribulations in life, as there is no refuge from Allaah The Almighty
except with Him and no protection from His decree except for the mercy
He confers on people.
Despite that, we continue to be like an individual seeking shelter
from the scorching sun in fire or like dehydrated donkeys about topass
out in the extremely hot weather even though they are carrying water
on their backs. Wecontinue to commit sins, contravene the religion of
Allaah The Almighty, alter the concept of allegiance [to believers]
and disassociation [from disbelievers], and modify Islamic rules in
our educational system, media and in both public and private spheres
of life. All this is done to appease those who oppose Islam. Thus, it
only increases us in weakness and them in their transgression. We
behave as if we have no way out of this harsh reality and that we
cannot pursue the means of real power or possess the ability to
restrain our enemies from persisting in their corruption
andaberration.
In fact, some of us, when afflicted with a calamity, seek help from
creatures, even from these very rivals of ours, as if we were sheep
asking foxes to protect us. Even the disbelievers would sincerely
supplicate to Allaah The Almighty for salvation when they were at sea;
then, they used to throw their idols in the sea and ask for help from
Him. How could such enemies of Islam guide us while Allaah The
Almighty has led them astray? Will they raise us to an honorablestatus
while He has humiliated them? Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
{Here you are loving them but they are not loving you.} [Quran 3:119]
Indeed, power cannot be sought from creatures; even the Muslims of
them are still weak. Therefore, how can we seek it from our enemies
even as their appearancebetrays vehement hatred and their hearts
conceal what is even greater?
True strength only transpires when we apply the divine revelation,
work for the Hereafterand our hearts rely willingly and lovingly only
on Allaah The Powerful and the firm Possessor of strength, Who Says
(what means):
• {Indeed, it is your Lord Who is the Powerful, the Exalted in might.}
[Quran 11:66]
• {And Allaah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed,
Allaah is Powerful and Exalted in might.} [Quran 22:40]
• {Allaah has written, "I will surely overcome, I and My messengers."
Indeed, Allaah is Powerful and Exalted in might.} [Quran 58:21]
Allaah The Almighty has also ordered us to prepare ourselves against
our rivals and pursue the means of power, whether material or
psychological, such aswhen He Says (what means): {Andprepare against
them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you
may terrify the enemy of Allaah and your enemy.} [Quran 8:60]
Furthermore, the Prophet symbolically said: "Indeed, poweris archery."
[Muslim]
But, the greatest form of power is that of belief and conviction. Abu
Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: "A strong believer is better
and more lovable to Allaah than a weak believer; and there is good in
each. Seek what gives you benefit[in the Hereafter] and seek help from
Allaah and do not lose heart..." [Muslim]
The disbelievers may dominate Muslim countries and consequently some
of us start to cower in fear, weakening our Ummah (nation) by this
attitude and exaggerating the power of the enemy. This is, in fact,
the outcome of our weak faith and the effects of Satan on us, as
Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {That is only Satan who
frightens [you] of his supporters. So fear them not, but fear Me, if
you are [indeed] believers.} [Quran 2:175]
Our standards have been reversedso much so that we have becomelike
lions in dealing with the righteous and like ostriches in facing the
disbelieving enemies. However, we must be, as Allaah The Almighty Says
(what means): {Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; and those with him
are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves.}
[Quran 48:29]
Ibn 'Abbaas recounted that the people who gave the pledge to the
Prophet at Al-Hudaybiyah were forceful with the disbelievers, like a
lion is withhis prey. Indeed, this is the characteristic of true
believers; they are tough and severe with those who do not believe,
and merciful and good with the righteous. When they encounter those
who refuse to have faith, they have a surly and angry countenance;
and, they wear a smiling and cheerful face for theirMuslim brothers,
as stated by IbnKatheer .
The Prophet himself, used to be patient in the face of personal harms
that afflicted him. However, if the matter was related to Allaah The
Almighty, hewould implement His directives as forcefully as He
decreed. Truly, this strength is the best way to deter the
disbelievers and those who flout the limits of Allaah, and it also
helps to achieve security.