Surah Anfal (15-16)
– Reza ul Haque (Jamiatul Falah)
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ زَحْفًۭا فَلَا تُوَلُّوهُمُ ٱلْأَدْبَارَ ١٥ وَمَن يُوَلِّهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍۢ دُبُرَهُۥٓ إِلَّا مُتَحَرِّفًۭا لِّقِتَالٍ أَوْ مُتَحَيِّزًا إِلَىٰ فِئَةٍۢ فَقَدْ بَآءَ بِغَضَبٍۢ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَأْوَىٰهُ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ ١٦
“O believers! When you face the disbelievers in battle, never turn your backs to them. And whoever does so on such an occasion—unless it is a maneuver or to join their own troops—will earn the displeasure of Allah, and their home will be Hell. What an evil destination!” (8:15-16)
Bravery and courage is beloved and appreciable in islam, and they are also a religious ethic. The ideology that Islam presents cannot be held by cowards who lack courage. Because Islam by its nature targets domination and power in order to establish justice, peace and sovereignty of Almighty Allah. There would be no example in history that domination and sovereignty had ever been achieved by cowardly people.
The word [لقيتم] in aforementioned verse, used in its plural form addressing a collective group of people (army, force, party etc.) means, when we’re in state of war, we should not create chaos, but fight unitedly. Allah says in other verses:
“O believers! When you face an enemy, stand firm and remember Allah often so that you may triumph. Obey Allah and His Messenger and do not dispute with one another, or you would be discouraged and weakened. Persevere! Surely Allah is with those who persevere.” (8:45-46)
In this verse, apart from avoiding dispute and remaining steadfast, two more basic things have been instructed:
Obedience and discipline: that is, at the time of conflict, be in the form of collective and follow the leader of your group and the entire group must be ready to sacrifice everything at the behest of the leader.
Remember Allah often at the time of conflict, that is, seek Allah’s support and help in order to achieve what you targeted (dominion over the enemy). On such an occasion, when fighting with the infidels, call the name of Allah loudly and describe his greatness and magnificence. In every move, chant Takbeer loudly and make dua to Allah for help. (One of the benefits of chanting Takbeer causes trembling in the hearts of the disbelievers and discourage them significantly).
At the same time, it is also being told that dominance does not depend on the large number of manpower, nor on the abundant supply of resources, Rather, it rests solely on the grace, blessings, kindness, help and support of Allah. This has happened many times in history and this is the bright side of Islamic history that despite being few in numbers and lacking resources, an army has prevailed over its rival force.
“How many times has a small force vanquished a mighty army by the Will of Allah! And Allah is always with the steadfast.” (2:249)
In the same way the following things have been said in the above verse:
- There should be a leader of the party, if not, then people should elect one of them as their leader. People should follow and obey the leader and sacrifice everything on his behest.
- Jihad should be in collective form, people should not be scattered, if there is no collectiveness, then it must be created.
- Let the people stand firmly and show more courage and unity like a leaden wall, for this is what Allah appreciates.
- During the conflict, the Takbeer should be raised and supplications should be made with loud voices so that the hearts of the enemies be awed.
- Apart from the pleasure of Allah and His Paradise in the Hereafter, the main goal in this world is to cut off the root of disbelief so that fitna can’t rise again.
Just as running away from the enemy is undesirable in collective affairs, it is also not appreciated in personal matters, rather defending ones family, wealth and blood is beloved attitude. Qur’an says:
“And those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves.” (42:39)
Following hadith also recommends defence:
Narrated Zaid: that he heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: “Whoever is killed over his wealth then he is a martyr, and whoever is killed over his religion, then he is a martyr, and whoever is killed over his blood, then he is martyr, and whoever is killed over his family, then he is martyr.”
Once a companion asked: O Messenger of God, what should I do if someone steals my wealth? He said: Don’t let him. The companion asked: If he fights with me? He (PBUH) asked: You too fight. The companion asked: “If he kills me?” He (PBUH) said: “You are a martyr, and if you kill him, he will go to hell.”
Hence, getting rid of the tyranny of the oppressors and saving the world from unjust people is the brilliant wisdom contained in Jihad. Therefore, it is the duty of the believers that fight with the person, party, or the system who has established their domination over the human being through oppression and injustice and never turn back to them. The believers must prove themselves the bearer of truth and justice; and become a Ghazi or a Shaheed in this auspicious effort of establishing justice and peace in the light of Qur’an and Sunnah, and be worthy of Allah’s pleasure and his Jannah.
