The Key to Victory
وَلَا تَهِنُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَنتُمُ الْأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١٣٩﴾ إِن يَمْسَسْكُمْ قَرْحٌ فَقَدْ مَسَّ الْقَوْمَ قَرْحٌ مِّثْلُهُ ۚ وَتِلْكَ الْأَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَيَتَّخِذَ مِنكُمْ شُهَدَاءَ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ ﴿١٤٠﴾
Do not lose heart and do not grieve, and you will be victorious if you are believers. If wounds have afflicted you, similar wounds had afflicted the people (the disbelievers previously). Such days (of victory) We alternate among the people, so that Allah Ta‘ala may know those who believe and take some of you as martyrs – and Allah Ta‘ala does not like the oppressors. (Surah Aal ‘Imraan v139-140)
The Battle of Badr was the first major battle in Islam. In this battle, Allah Ta‘ala blessed the Muslims with decisive victory over the forces of falsehood, despite them being vastly outnumbered and facing an army that had superior weaponry and equipment.
The next major battle that followed was the battle of Uhud. In this battle, seventy Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) lost their lives and the Muslims did not enjoy the victory that they had enjoyed at Badr. Hence, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) naturally felt sorrowful and grieved thereafter.
The above verses of the Quraan Majeed were revealed by Allah Ta‘ala as
consolation to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and to raise their courage. Allah Ta‘ala tells them that instead of mulling over what happened and continuing to grieve, they should look to the future and try their best to make amends. Allah Ta‘ala then promises them dominance and superiority over the forces of kufr – on condition that they remain firmly committed to the path of imaan and Deen. In other words, the secret to victory, strength and dominance is for one to remain obedient to Allah Ta‘ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) at all times. One can never gain success and victory if one is not committed to Deen.
As further consolation, Allah Ta‘ala reminds them that if they suffered wounds and losses, then the disbelievers also suffered wounds and losses. Allah Ta‘ala then informs them that it is the system of the world that people will undergo different conditions at different times. If there are good days, then there will be ‘bad’ days. If there are times of happiness, then there will also be times of sadness. Hence, if the Muslims were victorious on one occasion, it is possible that their enemy will enjoy victory on another occasion.
Nevertheless, even in this difficulty, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) enjoyed a great favour. Allah Ta‘ala reminds them that those Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who passed away were blessed with the lofty rank, magnificent rewards and exclusive privileges of martyrdom.
The lesson that we learn from these verses is that we should never lose hope. No matter what may have happened, we should look ahead, with courage and determination. Instead of falling into despondency, we should strive to acquire the immense rewards that Allah Ta‘ala has promised for the people of patience and perseverance. Likewise, if others are feeling down and depressed, then we should lift their spirits and give them encouragement, as Islam is a religion that offers hope to one and all. However, the most important lesson is that commitment to deen is the key to victory and success in all departments of life
