Excerpts from the Jumuah Bayaan conducted on 13/10/2023
Many lessons can be derived from the current Palestinian – Israeli issue.
عن ابن عمر أخبره، «أن امرأة وجدت في بعض مغازي رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم مقتولة، فأنكر رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ذلك، ونهى عن قتل النساء والصبيان(سنن الترمذي #1569)
When Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam would dispatch an army, he would instruct them, “Do not take the life of a child, nor a woman, nor the elderly.” These categories of humankind do not have the capability of defending themselves. However, an elderly person who holds an opinion in war may be killed.
When the battle of Hunayn took place, Dhuraid bin Thamma was 160 years old. He was blind yet the Kuffaar brought him onto the battlefield. Reason being that he was strategic and possessed great insight in war. He advised the Kuffaar to place their goods at the top end of the town, and to face the Muslim army while they were mounted on their animals. Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam killed him based on his intelligence in war.
It is mentioned in Abu Dawud Sharif, “When Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam would dispatch an army he would say, ‘Go out in the Name of Allah Ta’ala, upon the religion of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Do not kill an elderly person, a small child, nor a woman,’.”
These are the instructions of Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam to this Ummah regarding the etiquettes of war. However, the Israelis who have thus far killed 2300 children in Palestine, justify their inhumane actions with false propaganda of the Muslims beheading 40 of their children. A Jewish woman being interviewed after she was held captive by the Muslim soldiers was asked about their treatment towards her. She testified that they did not harm her, and they told her that they would not harm her, according to the teachings of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. After two hours they left her home, leaving her untouched.
Battle of Badr
Never did we fight the Kuffaar on the basis of strength, numbers, artillery, and manpower. Our fighting was on the basis of our connection with Allah Ta’ala. With this connection, Sahaaba Radiallahu Anhum went on to the battlefield and defeated the enemy. When the battle of Badr took place, Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam had no intention of going to war. A caravan headed by Abu Sufyaan passed by Madinah Sharif loaded with merchandise from Shaam on its way to Makkah Mukarramah. Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam thought of the people who made Hijrah to Madinah Munawwarah and were unable to carry all their possessions with them. The kuffaar had taken advantage of their situation and looted all their possessions. Based on this, Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam felt they needed retribution as well as intending to destabilize them, as the Kuffaar were growing stronger. But they didn’t have the ability to carry this out. When this news reached Abu Sufyaan, he sent a message to Makkah Mukarramah that the Muslims were planning on attacking them. On the turn, 600 fully-armed Kuffaar and 200 horsemen readied themselves. In total, their army comprised of 1000 well-equipped soldiers. On the side of the Muslims, the army of Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam consisted of 313 Sahaaba Radiallahu Anhum, and just two horses and 70 camels.
When the army arrived at the plains of Badr, the Kuffaar had already set themselves up on the good area of the battlefield. They had water while the Sahaaba had no water. Just like the Palestinians today, who’s water supply has been cut by the Israelis.
Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam turned to Allah Ta’ala in Dua, “O Allah! These Quraish have come with all their means of deception. They have come to make an effort to deny Your Rasool.” Their intention was to wipe the Muslims off the face of the earth. Today, the Israelis wish to wipe the Palestinians off their homeland.
اللَّهم هَذِهِ قُرَيْشٌ قَدْ أَقْبَلَتْ بِخُيَلَائِهَا وَفَخْرِهَا تَحَادُّكَ وتكذِّب رَسُولَكَ اللَّهم فَنَصْرَكَ الَّذِي وَعَدْتَنِي اللَّهُمَّ أَحِنْهُمُ الْغَدَاةَ (البداية والنهاية 3/328)
اللَّهُمَّ أَنْجِزْ لِي مَا وَعَدْتَنِي اللَّهُمَّ آتِ مَا وَعَدْتَنِي اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ تَهْلِكْ هَذِهِ الْعِصَابَةُ مِنْ أَهْلِ الإِسْلاَمِ لاَ تُعْبَدْ فِي الأَرْضِ—— (صحيح مسلم #1763)
Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam continued with his Dua, “O Allah! Your Help which You promised us. O Allah, if these Sahaba have to perish today, you will never be worshipped on the surface of the Earth.”
Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam put his head down in Sajdah thereafter. That night, it rained. Mud formed on the forehead of Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam and Hadrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu had to stop Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, encouraging him that the Help of Allah is near. The effect of the rain on the Kuffaar was that it waterlogged their ground making it slippery, whereas on the side of the Muslim army, the water made the ground firm for them to stand on.
Allah Ta’ala speaks of this in the Quraan:
إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ أَنِّي مُمِدُّكُمْ بِأَلْفٍ مِنَ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ (الانفال :9)
“When you called upon Allah for Help, Your Rabb responded to you that verily I will strengthen you with one thousand angels one after the other “
And this is what we need to do; we need to turn to Allah Ta’ala, cry to Allah Ta’ala! Where we can assist financially, physically, we should do so. But overall, we should endeavor to make two Rakaats of Salaah and make Dua to Allah, attend the Masjid and cry to Allah Ta’ala.
Allah Ta’ala mentions further, “I will strengthen you with 1000 Malaaikah that will come one after the other.” There was no need for the Sahaaba to fight any longer. The Malaaikah had come to fight. Allah Ta’ala further states, “Allah did not make it except as a glad-tidings for you. You fear these enemies, but we will send the Malaaikah to help you. The help is only from the side of Allah. Allah Ta’ala is All-Mighty, All-Wise.”
The help of Allah Ta’ala was so extensive that Allah Ta’ala caused the Sahaaba to fall into a slumber. In the midst of the battle, Allah Ta’ala granted them ease. Where the rain descended, they used the water for their purification, and to repel Shaytaan. Shaytaan provoked the Mu’mineen by saying that if they were on Haqq, they would have been given the side where the water was. Allah Ta’ala sent the rain and this made the Sahaba steadfast.
Allah Ta’ala commanded the Malaaikah, “I am with you; go and strengthen the Mu’mineen. I will place fear in the hearts of the Kuffaar. Strike their necks and fingertips.” It is mentioned that when a Sahaabi went forth to strike a Kaafir, before he could attempt, he saw the head of the Kaafir already falling to the ground. These were the Malaaikah and this is how Allah Ta’ala granted them victory. Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam picked up a handful of sand and threw it, which went into eyes of every Kaafir.
Allah Ta’ala says:
وَمَا رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ رَمَى(الانفال :17)
“You didn’t throw when you threw, but Allah threw.”
In another verse, Allah Ta’ala states:
إِن يَنصُرْكُمُ اللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمْ وَإِن يَخْذُلْكُمْ فَمَن ذَا الَّذِي يَنصُرُكُم مِّن بَعْدِهِ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ
(آل عمران :160)
“If Allah assists you, none can overpower you. And if Allah removes His Help, then who is going to help you thereafter. The Mu’mineen should place their trust upon Allah Ta’ala.“
Picketing, protesting and going out on the streets is not going to help us. Watching the media and news is not going to help us. Placing your trust in Allah Ta’ala will be of benefit to you.
Allah mentions:
كَم مِّن فِئَةٍ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةً كَثِيرَةً بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ (البقرة :249)
“Many small armies overpowered huge armies with the permission of Allah. Allah is with those who are patient.”
The help of Allah Ta’ala will arrive, but it is dependent on every individual. If we reform and beseech Allah, the help will come to those afflicted in Gaza, just as the help of Allah Ta’ala descended on the occasion of Badr and Uhud. Allah Ta’ala grant us Taufeeq, Ameen!
