Live free ... or die trying - Ramadhan Reflections 2019 [Day 14]

O Prophet! urge the believers freq uently and strongly to (defensive) fighting. If there be of you twenty steadfast, they shall overcome two hundred and if there be a hundred of you they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because these are a people devoid of understanding. (8:65) Commentary NUMBER 20: This verse, which speaks directly about war and the battles which must sometimes be fought in order to safeguard religion, looks at this “necessary evil” in a few interesting ways.  One of the first things which we see from this verse is that even if a country is equipped militarily, however there is still the need to encourage the troops towards the goals and objectives – and this is seen around the world when the leader of a country sends the troops to war that he/she encourages them and puts a sense of ‘hope’ within them about the need for them to go to war and that they have the full support of the country that they are fighting to protect.  In Islam, the true Commander in Chief is an infallible individual such as the Prophet or one of his legitimate successors (either the infallible Imam or one whom he appoints) who is leading the battle by Allah’s permission; they have strong faith and conviction in what they are doing and that it is something approved by the Almighty one; they are reminded of those who came before them, the shuhadāʾ - martyrs – people who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Allah; they are encouraged through the Quranic narratives which speak about the rewards of their actions and what awaits them in heaven, and they are also given insight into what follows their victory for themselves and their citizens back home. However we should not only limit this verse to the times of a physical war in which guns are in hand and bombs are being dropped, but rather this verse is also applicable in times of the ‘soft wars’ which even today we face by belligerent states and individuals against Islam and specifically  those who are working against the followers of the Ahlulbayt.  The verse makes it clear that we must always be ready to counter the enemies – no matter who they are or whatever they may be. However, we must have true faith and conviction in what we are standing up for, and we must pray that Allah grants us the patience and fortitude for with these factors in place, we will be successful.  Point of Reflection Islam has never been a ‘numbers game’ – regardless of how many are on the side of the Muslims, Allah is looking for the spiritual traits such as true faith and conviction, patience and steadfastness and even if outnumbered and outgunned, as Muslims, we will still be victorious … or at least we will die trying.