09 January 2024
Ebrahim Moosa | Palestine Information Network
As the Israeli genocidal campaign on Gaza persists, a common question voiced by many is: ‘When will this all end?’ People are regularly asking: ‘When will victory come?’ ‘Is the resistance winning?’ ‘When will we see the defeat of the oppressors, and the ultimate end of this Occupation?’
A campaign of mass murder persisting for over three months, and this too coming on the back of an accumulated 75 years of Occupation and ethnic cleansing is indeed a heavy burden to bear. As more and more global citizens arise to speak out, and as levels of public support for the Palestinian people reach unprecedented levels, it is humanly understandable that we seek out glimmers of progress and evidence of a conclusive outcome.
Yet, an Islamic imperative at this moment perhaps requires us to re-evaluate our very conception of victory and success.
The Sahabi, Sayyiduna Haram bin Milhan h was sent as an envoy of Rasulullah ﷺ with a letter to Amir bin At-Tufayl, the disbelieving chief of Banu Amir. Amir did not read the message but rather as the letter was being read, he ordered a man to stab Haram bin Milhan h with a spear from the back. As the spear came out from the other end of his chest, Haram bin Milhan gathered the blood in his cupped palms and said, before he breathed his last: “Allah is the Greatest! I am successful, by The Lord of The Ka’bah!”
The Qur’an describes this conception of outcomes, exemplified here by Sayyiduna Haram h, as ihda Al-Husnayain: “one of the two excellent things,” referring to either martyrdom or physical victory. What is conveys, is that believer succeeds even in conditions of apparent worldly failure, and gains, even in loss.
Hence, our fixation with only a particular notion of victory is myopic. The martyrs of Gaza have already won. As per the Prophetic promise, their souls are “in green birds, hanging from the fruits of Paradise, or the trees of Paradise.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī)
The indomitable children, inspiring mothers, unyielding elders, industrious medics, intrepid journalists, incredible women and unshakable men are already victorious. They are living examples of how Aqidah and values are transferred from ink on pages of books to blood that flows through arteries and veins. They are testimony that a people who believe that death is not the end cannot be defeated. And they have provided a clarion living explanation of verses from the Qur’ān that, prior to this, we probably never fully understood.
As believers we should appreciate that what is specifically sought for by Allah ﷻ is our sincerity and efforts. The nature of the outcome, on the other hand, is not something we should be unduly preoccupied with, as this is solely the prerogative of Allah ﷻ.
Rasulullah ﷺ has taught us that deeds are judged by their intentions – not their physical outcomes. And what Allah ﷻ appreciates most are our efforts:
“But whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it accordingly, and is a true believer, it is they whose striving will be appreciated.” (Qur’an 17:19)
The Ahadith remind us that the reward promised for deeds embarked on such as Hajj or Hijrah is guaranteed, even if these acts are interrupted or ultimately not completed, due to circumstances beyond our control. Even though a desired outcome is not reached, Allah ﷻ, who is Ash-Shakur, The Most Appreciative, guarantees the reward based on the intention made, and the effort expended.
Together with intention and effort, what is also sought by Allah ﷻ from the believers, is patience. It is this sabr then, that ultimately yields victory.
Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas h reported: Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Know that there is much good in being patient with what you detest, victory will come with patience, relief will come with affliction, and ‘with the hardship will come an ease.’” (Musnad Aḥmad)
Over 100 days into the Israeli aggression on Gaza, this is no time to falter in our efforts, or to grow impatient. We should reaffirm our commitment towards Masjid al-Aqsa, the land of al-Isra and Mi’raj and its people, and redouble our efforts – with sincerity, patience and consistency – for the emancipation of the Palestinian people.
Do not underestimate the power of sincere deeds for the cause even though they may be small in the materialistic sense. Remember that our primary objective is to please Allah ﷻ and be absolved of blame when we meet Him. And ultimately the Promise of Allah ﷻ will ever hold true: “You shall surely gain the upper hand if you are [true] believers.” (Qur’an 3:139).
