وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُم مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمْ وَآخَرِينَ مِن دُونِهِمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَهُمُ اللَّهُ يَعْلَمُهُمْ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِن شَيْءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ
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. And whatever you spend in the cause of Allah will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.
[Al-Quran 8:60, Translation: Sahih International]
As a nation, we know some nations are our enemies, trying to harm us through overt or covert operations. There are others who have not yet shown their true face. We may think of them as friends, but Allah knows exactly who the enemies are. The Quran ordered the Prophet to be prepared, to be able to defend, and also as a deterrent!
Important to note in the above quoted ayat are the following points:
- prepare enough so that the military might is terrifying!
- the enemies of Muslims are actually the enemies of Allah!
- not every enemy is known to the Muslims; some haven't yet shown their true face!
- Allah knows who the enemies are!
- Allah Himself is warning and ordering the prophet to be prepared!
- it will be repaid in full!
- no injustice will be done!
Points 6 & 7 are promises made by Allah, and Allah always keeps His promises! Defence budgets may seem very costly, especially when the resources are meagre, but it will be repaid in full. Allah has promised full compensation and absolute justice on the Day of Judgment. This world is a place of temporary trial, and the Hereafter a place of eternal consequences.
Reading the above ayat in context (eighth ruku of the eighth surah: alAnfal)
وَلَا يَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا سَبَقُوا إِنَّهُمْ لَا يُعْجِزُونَ
وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُم مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمْ وَآخَرِينَ مِن دُونِهِمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَهُمُ اللَّهُ يَعْلَمُهُمْ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِن شَيْءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ
وَإِن جَنَحُوا لِلسَّلْمِ فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
وَإِن يُرِيدُوا أَن يَخْدَعُوكَ فَإِنَّ حَسْبَكَ اللَّهُ هُوَ الَّذِي أَيَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِهِ وَبِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ
وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ لَوْ أَنفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَّا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِنَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ حَسْبُكَ اللَّهُ وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
And let not those who disbelieve think they will escape. Indeed, they will not cause failure [to Allah].
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. And whatever you spend in the cause of Allah will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.
And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah . Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing.
But if they intend to deceive you - then sufficient for you is Allah . It is He who supported you with His help and with the believers
And brought together their hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have brought their hearts together; but Allah brought them together. Indeed, He is Exalted in Might and Wise.
O Prophet, sufficient for you is Allah and for whoever follows you of the believers.
[Al-Quran 8:59-64, Translation: Sahih International]
It is important to note here that the call for war, and to prepare thus is the responsibility of the Head of State and the government. The citizens respond to the call and make the necessary preparations and sacrifices. Our dear Prophet was the Head of State of the City-State of Medina (old name: Yasrab).
The Muslim world is beset with many internal and external challenges. There are many Muslims suffering war and extermination due to the aggression of non-Muslims against them. In spite of the huge number of Muslims and their collective wealth, we are unable to defend our fellow-Muslims or even deter the enemy.
With the passage of time, it is becoming increasingly clear that the beliefs regarding the final battle of believers against the non-believers is imminent. A great battle in the Middle East seems to be brewing. We do not know whether we will witness the final battle in our lifetime, or if this is a prelude to what is to come. However, we will be held responsible for our role in the comity of nations! Even if we are bound by international treaties and internal constraints to not be able to defend fellow Muslims militarily, we must continue to prepare and be prepared to at least be a deterrent force, which inspires awe and fear in the hearts of the enemies of Allah.
Please also read:
Abstract
According to the verses of the Quran: the Arab Prophet-Messenger Muhammad, born and raised in the Arab major city of Makkah, speaking the native Arab language, and warning with a scripture revealed in Arabic, all together seem to be pointing to a major prophecy for the Middle East: the battle between the believers in the one true God and the followers of Satan, and the eventual triumph of Truth.
Abstract
Allah keeps His promises, and expects the same from us. The Quran mentions the covenant and from whom it has been taken. It also details the ratification of the covenant and the consequences of keeping or breaking it.
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