Uth ke ab bazme-jahan ka aur hi andaz hai / mashriq wa maghrib mein tere daur ka aaghaz hai.
The month of Ramadan is the most auspicious month in the Hijra calendar. We all know it was the month in which the Qur’an was revealed, the Battle of Badr was fought and the conquest of Makkah took place.
If we make a comparative study of what the Muslims had at that time and what the Muslims world over have today, we find that the Muslims were ill-equipped and lacked the means as well as the weapons to fight such a major war. Furthermore they were outnumbered three to one. Yet it was this small army that defeated a large and well equipped army with the help of Allah.
Even in the later stages we find that the small citadel of Islam in Madina was attacked by its enemies from all sides. By pagans, Jews, Christians, even Romans. Yet these Muslims were the ones who went on to conquer Makkah, even Rome and Persia later after the demise of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him).
What I have been trying to show here is how Islam evolved, from the weak and oppressed Muslims of Makkah who emigrated to Madina and formed a city state slowly becoming so powerful that they came over the mighty Empires of Rome and Persia later.
Today, we see that Muslims are attacked from all sides. Also, today we may not have the weapons and technology that the so-called developed countries possess. But we needn’t be disheartened. Here is an important lesson for us from the Battle of Badr. As mentioned, they did not have proper means to fight the Pagans but ultimately they were the ones who won. As is mentioned in the Qur’ān, the followers and the army men of Talut say in Surah Baqara, Verse 249: “But those who were convinced that they must meet Allah said, ‘How oft, by Allah’s will, hath a small force vanquished a big one. Allah is with those who steadfastly preserve.”
We learn from this verse the importance of staying steadfast in adverse conditions. Whenever we discuss the Muslims’ present condition, we need not talk about how the Muslims are held at a disadvantage but how to solve it. The need of the day is not sitting at street corners and lamenting at the present situation of Muslims. It calls for action. We need to spread the Message of Islam through the various means. We can enter the print media and write in newspapers to make the people aware about Islam over there. The main thing is to try our own methods to do something for Islam. We need to improve our knowledge in Islam and try to rectify the corruptions that have crept in our society. Having done this, we do not have to care what the outcome is along with this if we have strove hard only for Allah’s cause, He will inshaAllah help us in the same manner as He had promised Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless and greet him) in Surah Anfal, Verse 9: “Remember ye implored the assistance of your Lord and He answered you: I will assist you with a thousand of the angels, ranks on ranks.”