In the darkness of defeat and the weight of setbacks and weakness that have plagued Muslims for centuries, the search for the causes of victory and the factors of resurgence becomes inevitable. While many nations have sought—and continue to seek—the (material) means of victory on military, economic, and political fronts, many neglect the faith-based and spiritual causes that instill within each individual the "doctrine" of victory, avoiding the trap of material temptations while the "psychological defeat" remains deeply rooted in the collective consciousness of the Ummah.
This frantic pursuit of accumulating the means of "power" and pillars of "influence" stems primarily from a lack of deep understanding of the meaning of victory and the distinction between true and false victory. Western materialism has reinforced the marginalization of spirituality and faith, removing religion from the spheres of politics, state, and society. This has stripped the Islamic Ummah of its spiritual weapon and religious strength, which are its refuge and impregnable fortress. Thus, it is essential to first understand the meaning of true victory as outlined in the Quranic guidance, and then strive to attain the causes and pillars of that victory in light of divine instruction.
How Does the Quran Define Victory?
The word "victory" appears in various forms in the Quran and is mentioned over sixty times. Most verses on victory highlight the inevitable connection between faith and victory, making the believers' triumph contingent upon the firmness of their certainty in Allah’s help—even when worldly considerations and material calculations favor the enemies. Thus, striving for victory under circumstances that defy logical means becomes a divine test for the believers. This divine test carries an absolute promise of victory for those who overcome it and succeed, leading us to understand the Islamic principles that define and elaborate on the concept of victory.
The Quranic Principles Governing Victory
By examining the verses on victory in the Quran, we find that divine guidance has established fundamental principles for the Islamic perspective on victory—principles that serve as governing rules for every Muslim in both private and public life. The most important of these principles are:
- Victory is a grant from Allah, regardless of human factors or worldly causes:
"And victory is not but from Allah. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise." (Al-Anfal 8:10)
"If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely." (Aal Imran 3:160)
"And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might." (Al-Hajj 22:40)
"He gives victory to whom He wills, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful." (Ar-Rum 30:5) - Belief in victory is inseparable from belief in Allah:
"Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, “When is the help of Allah?” Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near." (Al-Baqarah 2:214)
"Whoever should think that Allah will not support [Prophet Muhammad] in this world and the Hereafter—let him extend a rope to the ceiling, then cut off [his breath], and let him see: will his effort remove that which enrages [him]?" (Al-Hajj 22:15) - Victory is not contingent upon numbers or quantitative calculations:
"And already had Allah given you victory at [the battle of] Badr while you were few in number. Then fear Allah; perhaps you will be grateful." (Aal Imran 3:123)
"If there are among you twenty [who are] steadfast, they will overcome two hundred. And if there are among you one hundred [who are] steadfast, they will overcome a thousand of those who have disbelieved because they are a people who do not understand." (Al-Anfal 8:65)
"Already there has been for you a sign in the two armies which met – one fighting in the cause of Allah and another of disbelievers. They saw them [to be] twice their [own] number by [their] eyesight. But Allah supports with His victory whom He wills. Indeed in that is a lesson for those of vision." (Aal Imran 3:13) - Victory is assured for the believers if they fulfill its conditions as ordained by Allah:
"O you who have believed, if you support Allah, He will support you and plant firmly your feet." (Muhammad 47:7)
"It was incumbent on Us to come to the aid of the believers." (Ar-Rum 30:47)
"Indeed, We will support Our messengers and those who believe during the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses will stand." (Ghafir 40:51)
The Pillars and Conditions of Victory
Once faith in the principles of victory established by Islam is firmly rooted, and the Muslim Ummah is certain of these principles, it becomes imperative to strive for the means of victory—foremost among them being faith, the cornerstone of triumph and success, not only on the battlefield but in all aspects of life. By mastering these means, victory in all its forms—over the self, Satan, and enemies—is achieved. The most important causes of victory mentioned in the Quran are:
- Faith (Iman):
As mentioned earlier, certainty in Allah’s support for the believers is the foundation of victory. It provides the necessary "psychological resilience" to face battles. The spiritual and optimistic mindset, confident in Allah, is irreplaceable in achieving any form of victory. This explains how the early Muslims achieved remarkable victories despite being few in number and poorly equipped against vast armies of disbelievers. The success of the early companions and followers in spreading Islam from Mecca to the entire world stemmed from unwavering faith—a faith without which no achievement would have been possible. This also explains the current state of weakness and humiliation among Muslims today, despite their large numbers and material resources. - Patience (Sabr):
This faith and certainty require, in practical application, the second pillar of victory in the Quranic vision: patience. Faith must lead to endurance and perseverance during hardships, when resolve weakens and motivation falters. This is illustrated in the Quranic story of Talut (Saul) and Jalut (Goliath), where the Israelites were tested repeatedly, yet only a few remained steadfast until the end: "But those who were certain that they would meet Allah said, 'How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allah. And Allah is with the patient.'"(Al-Baqarah 2:249)
Patience also means persistently seeking the means of victory even when they seem absent, trusting in Allah’s help even when it appears distant. When the believer holds firm to this conviction, divine glad tidings come as a reward for patience: "And certainly were messengers denied before you, but they were patient over [the effects of] denial, and they were harmed until Our victory came to them. And none can alter the words of Allah." (Al-An'am 6:34)
This necessitates maintaining good expectations of Allah during trials and not despairing of His mercy or support. - Preparation (I’dad):
Once a believer strengthens their faith in Allah, remains patient, and maintains hope in imminent victory, they must also seek material means and do their utmost to prepare: "And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom Allah knows."(Al-Anfal 8:60)
While the Quran emphasizes faith and spiritual aspects of victory, it also encourages material preparation when possible.
This preparation is based on the concept of "deterrence," highlighting the psychological dimension of victory or defeat regardless of weaponry or numbers—consistent with the Quran’s repeated emphasis that numerical superiority holds no value in Islamic calculations of victory: "And [remember] when He showed them to you, when you met, as few in your eyes, and He made you [appear] as few in their eyes so that Allah might accomplish a matter already destined." (Al-Anfal 8:44)
Conversely, the Quran warns against being deceived by large numbers if they lack faith: "Allah has already given you victory in many regions, and [even] on the day of Hunayn, when your great number pleased you, but it availed you nothing, and the earth was confining for you despite its vastness; then you turned back, fleeing." (At-Tawbah 9:25)
This principle explains the success of "resistance" movements, which often emerge from oppressed and occupied peoples fighting against advanced nations and heavily armed armies. The resilience of these small, faith-driven groups—armed with belief in a just cause and certainty in facing enemies—explains their ability to inflict heavy losses on occupiers and liberate their homelands throughout history.
Today, especially in Ramadan, we are in dire need of understanding the true meaning of victory as taught by our religion and Quranic guidance. This begins with overcoming the weakness ingrained in our souls, then reinforcing psychological resilience and faith-based certainty—rather than obsessing over weapons, equipment, or even seeking international sympathy for our causes. This certainty requires turning our faces toward our Quranic direction (Qibla), extracting its lessons, wisdom, and principles, instead of chasing false means of victory promoted by "the other" to further distance us from our identity and keep us in a state of negligence and weakness.
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