The situation on the ground in Palestine looks bleak, but Maria Akbar argues that the Muslim believer must never lose hope because victory is certain and Allah’s help is always near.
October 7th, 2024 marks the one year anniversary of Israel’s war on Gaza which has resulted in the genocide of the Palestinian people.
The statistics are shocking, the destruction is dreadful and the impunity with which Israel behaves is just unbelievable. There appears to be no limits to the lengths that Tel Aviv will go to to achieve its aims. And the worst part is that there’s no leader who will stop these maniacs, and thus they are all complicit in genocide.
But despite the situation being abysmal, the Muslim believer must remain positive and hopeful. Islam teaches us that we will surely be tested as this whole life is a test. The Qur’an even mentions an example in Surah al Baqarah, where Allah SWT says:
“Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so violently shaken that even the Messenger and the believers with him cried out: ‘When will Allah’s help come?’ Indeed, Allah’s help is always near.”
Living in the West, we have become so blinded to the realities and the suffering of people around the world. Whilst many are barely getting adequate food, water and shelter for survival, we have access to more than we need.
We have worldly desires at our fingertips and have the privilege to focus on ourselves, what fulfils us and the enjoyments of the dunya. Our difficulties pertain to relationships, jobs, wealth but rarely to survival or security.
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Personally speaking, I know I have lost sight of my role in the Ummah, in the part that I have to play in the revival of Islam, and in what legacy I will leave when my years of existence become a period in history. And make no mistake, we will all be part of that history.
When we learn about periods in history such as the Abbasid Caliphate,(750-1258) the Ottoman Empire (1299-1922) or the World Wars, we realise that there were individuals at those times that dedicated their lives to revive Islam in various ways.
During these periods in history there were many worldly successes as well as defeats. However, the defeats didn’t take away from the ultimate success for those individuals involved who strived for the sake of Allah.
They were people just like us. And there will come a time when future generations will look back at the history of the Gaza genocide 2024, and they will learn about those who stood for the Palestinians; who despite being silenced, persecuted and arrested, stood for the truth.
Ultimately, victory is promised by Allah SWT. He does not tell us when that victory will come so it may not come today, in 20 years from now, or even in 100 years from now. But surely it will all happen by the will of Allah.
But the victory that each of us is able to attain right now is dependent on how we behave as slaves of Allah, in working towards achieving that ultimate victory. That can look different for everyone – for some of us it may be campaigning, for others raising money for charities, educating or praying.
The situation on the ground bleak. Israel continues to murder with no accountability; not stopping at Gaza, but attacking the West Bank, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and who knows where next. It is difficult to see an end to this conflict and the victory of the Palestinian people any time soon.
Nevertheless, the Muslim believer must reconcile this reality with lessons from our Islamic history, such as the Battle of Badr when the Muslim minority were victorious against the non-Muslim majority when Allah sent angels to assist the believers in battle.
So our hearts must believe firmly that victory will come, and we must strive towards this. But we must not become disheartened if we do not see the results today. Our only job is to fulfil our role as righteous slaves of Allah SWT and do what we can in our power to assist His cause.
if we do this we will be victorious in this world and in the hereafter. And Allah’s plan will unfold when He decrees. Ameen.
