– Alamgir Hossain (President, Islamic Youth Federation)
As a result of Western conspiracies, in 1948 an illegitimate state called Israel was born. Since then, the Palestinian Muslims have been subjected to various forms of oppression and persecution. The first Qibla, Masjid al-Aqsa, is almost under their control. With the passage of time, the Palestinian issue had nearly faded away from the world’s attention. But after October 7, 2023, the Palestine issue regained its place in global discussions. On that day, the capture of Israeli soldiers by Palestinian resistance shocked Israel—not merely because of the material loss, but more significantly because the Palestinian issue was thrust back into global discourse. Two years have since passed, yet Israel has failed to achieve its goals. It has neither managed to free its captives nor destroy Hamas. Its continued failures, coupled with mounting internal and international pressure, have driven the Israeli government into a state of instability. As a result, it lashes out with brutality, relentlessly bombarding the women and children of Gaza.
In just two years, the occupying power has martyred over 64,000 Palestinian Muslims, injured more than 1,63,000 women, children, and elderly people, and reduced nearly 90% of Gaza to rubble. Showing utter disregard for the so-called international law created by the so-called world leaders, Israel has repeatedly attempted to assassinate Hamas leadership—most recently in Doha, Qatar. This attack not only exposed Israel’s brutality but also laid bare the failure of the United Nations and international law. The United Nations and its affiliated organizations, along with their international laws, are nothing but subtle tools designed to control weaker nations. While they chant slogans of peace and human rights, they lack both the will and any fruitful roadmap for establishing global peace.
Despite ceasefire, the condition of the Palestinians remain dire
Despite so many sacrifices—tens of thousands of martyrs, including great leaders of the resistance—this small group continues to confront the so-called superpowers. What inspires them to keep fighting in the path of Allah is their yearning for martyrdom, their hope for Jannah, and above all, their ultimate goal: seeking the pleasure of Allah. As believers, their motto is: “Either victory or martyrdom.” For a believer, both outcomes are good. Allah the Almighty says:
“Say, ‘Do you await for us except one of the two best things (martyrdom or victory)? But we await for you that Allah will afflict you with punishment either from Himself or at our hands. So wait, indeed we, with you, are waiting.’” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:52)
When a believer’s aspiration is martyrdom, then being slain in the path of Allah is not a loss but an honour. Furthermore, those who are killed in the path of Allah are not dead; rather, they are alive and receiving sustenance from their Lord. Allah says:
“Do not say of those who are slain in the path of Allah that they are dead. Rather, they are alive, but you perceive not.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:154)
Thus, while some of them have already attained martyrdom, others continue fighting with the desire for martyrdom in their hearts. Allah the Exalted says:
“Among the believers are men who have been true to what they pledged to Allah. Some of them have fulfilled their vow (through martyrdom), and others are still waiting. But they have never changed their commitment in the least.” (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:23)
If we turn our gaze to India, we see that Muslims there continue to face oppression and persecution at the hands of extremist Hindutva forces, with Islamophobia being spread incessantly. This enmity is steadily intensifying. On the centenary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), its chief, Mohan Bhagwat, said in Delhi: “Islam, since its arrival, has been an integral part of Indian society and will continue to be in the future.” Those who are deceived by such sweet but misleading words should remember that in 2021 he also said: “Hindus do not bear enmity towards anyone; they wish well for all, and differences of opinion are not disrespected here.” But before us lies ample evidence of their hatred against Islam and the believers. Regarding them, Allah says in the Qur’an:
“You will surely find the most intense in enmity toward the believers to be the Jews and those who associate others with Allah.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:82)
The ‘I Love Mohammad (SAWS)’ controversy is another add
In recent years, we have witnessed several student-led movements and the downfall of governments:
In Sri Lanka (2022), a student movement led to the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. In Bangladesh (2024), a student movement caused the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. In Nepal (recently), student protests led to the fall of KP Sharma Oli’s government.
Reviewing the history and context of these movements makes two points clear:
1. Students and youth are a powerful force, playing a crucial role in bringing about change.
2. The downfall of oppressors is inevitable. Whoever oppresses the people will eventually fall.
Allah grants respite to the oppressor but never leaves them unpunished. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Indeed Allah gives respite to the oppressor, but when He seizes him, He does not let him escape.” Then he recited: “Such is the seizure of your Lord when He seizes the towns while they are doing wrong. Indeed, His seizure is painful and severe.” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim).
The injustices occurring in the world are not because Allah is unaware. He says:
“Do not ever think that Allah is unaware of what the oppressors do.” (Surah Ibrahim 14:42)
Thus, just as Allah sees the atrocities committed by Israel upon Muslims in Gaza, He also sees every act of oppression elsewhere in the world. The more widespread injustice becomes, the nearer the downfall of the oppressor approaches. Indeed, Allah can annihilate them in an instant with a heavenly punishment. But one of Allah’s Sunnahs is that He establishes balance on earth by raising one group to resist and suppress another. Allah says:
“If Allah did not repel some people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah is full of bounty to the worlds.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:251)
In the current situation, our responsibility as the Muslim Ummah becomes even greater. From the above discussion, the points we must focus on are:
1. Whatever the situation, we must remain steadfast upon the religion and strive with all effort for its victory.
2. Youth is a blessing; therefore, we must devote the strength of our youth to the cause of Allah’s religion.
3. We cannot remain idle, thinking Allah Himself will punish the oppressors. Rather, we must always speak the truth before tyrannical rulers. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Speaking the truth before a tyrant ruler is the best form of jihad.” At the same time, we must reflect: is the oppression we face today the result of our neglect in fulfilling the duty of Amr bil ma’ruf wa nahi anil munkar (enjoining good and forbidding evil)? For the oppression of tyrants can either be a test or a punishment for our negligence. In Makkah, the early believers endured terrible persecution, but for them, it was not punishment—it was a test, and they remained steadfast upon faith.
4. We must not be deceived by the sweet words of the leaders of falsehood. Instead, we should recognize them as part of their schemes.
May Allah grant us the understanding of these matters and the ability to act upon them. Ameen, Ya Rabb al-‘Alamin.
