Allah SWT created human beings to function in this world with innate characteristics that qualify them to worship, to act as khalifah (to govern the affairs of the world), and to carry trust (to establish divine justice on earth).
The messengers and prophets were appointed as exemplary leaders, together with the Book of Allah revealed to them.
Allah SWT says:
كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗ فَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّبِيِّۧنَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ لِيَحۡكُمَ بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِ فِيمَا ٱخۡتَلَفُواْ فِيهِۚ وَمَا ٱخۡتَلَفَ فِيهِ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوهُ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مَا جَآءَتۡهُمُ ٱلۡبَيِّنَٰتُ بَغۡيَۢا بَيۡنَهُمۡۖ فَهَدَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لِمَا ٱخۡتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلۡحَقِّ بِإِذۡنِهِۦۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَهۡدِي مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٖ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ ٢١٣
“Mankind was of one religion. Then Allah sent the prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners, and revealed with them the Book in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed. And none differed over it except those who were given it, after the clear proofs came to them, out of jealous animosity among themselves. Then Allah guided those who believed to the truth concerning that over which they had differed, by His permission. And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 213]
When some reject the prophets and messengers and the guidance of Allah revealed with them, then conflict arises as part of the natural order of the world. This happens as a test for those who believe alongside the prophets to uphold the truth from Allah and reject falsehood.
Allah SWT says:
أَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ أَن تَدۡخُلُواْ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأۡتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوۡاْ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۖ مَّسَّتۡهُمُ ٱلۡبَأۡسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلۡزِلُواْ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصۡرُ ٱللَّهِۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصۡرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٞ ٢١٤
“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.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 214]
There are three groups of people engaged in conflict in this worldly life:
1. The group that believes and fulfills their duties as human beings according to Allah’s commands.
2. The group that openly opposes Allah (disbelievers), becoming the army of Iblis who rebelled against Allah and arrogantly rejected the creation of mankind.
3. The group that pretends under the guise of Islam (hypocrites), acting opportunistically by siding with whoever appears stronger and likely to win.
Allah SWT says:
وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَلَا تَنَٰزَعُواْ فَتَفۡشَلُواْ وَتَذۡهَبَ رِيحُكُمۡۖ وَٱصۡبِرُوٓاْۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ ٤٦ وَلَا تَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّذِينَ خَرَجُواْ مِن دِيَٰرِهِم بَطَرٗا وَرِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا يَعۡمَلُونَ مُحِيطٞ ٤٧ وَإِذۡ زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ أَعۡمَٰلَهُمۡ وَقَالَ لَا غَالِبَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَإِنِّي جَارٞ لَّكُمۡۖ فَلَمَّا تَرَآءَتِ ٱلۡفِئَتَانِ نَكَصَ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيۡهِ وَقَالَ إِنِّي بَرِيٓءٞ مِّنكُمۡ إِنِّيٓ أَرَىٰ مَا لَا تَرَوۡنَ إِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ ٱللَّهَۚ وَٱللَّهُ شَدِيدُ ٱلۡعِقَابِ ٤٨ إِذۡ يَقُولُ ٱلۡمُنَٰفِقُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ غَرَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ دِينُهُمۡۗ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٞ ٤٩
“And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient. (46)
“And do not be like those who came out of their homes insolently and to be seen by people and avert [them] from the way of Allah. And Allah encompasses what they do. (47)
“And [remember] when Satan made their deeds pleasing to them and said, ‘No one can overcome you today from among the people, and indeed, I am your protector.’ But when the two armies sighted each other, he turned on his heels and said, ‘Indeed, I am dissociated from you. Indeed, I see what you do not see; indeed, I fear Allah. And Allah is severe in penalty.’ (48)
“[Remember] when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts was disease said, ‘Their religion has deluded them.’ But whoever relies upon Allah – then indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” (49) [Surah al-Anfal: 46–49]
The Qur’an narrates events that occurred during the time of the Prophet SAW:
1. The believing Muslim group that followed the Prophet SAW and continued the mission of the prophets became the target of attacks from all opposing forces throughout history.
Allah SWT says:
وَمَا نَقَمُواْ مِنۡهُمۡ إِلَّآ أَن يُؤۡمِنُواْ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡحَمِيدِ ٨
“And they resented them not except because they believed in Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy.” [Surah al-Buruj: 8]
Allah tests the believers to remain steadfast despite being surrounded by extreme, misguided, and oppressive enemies. Therefore, believers are obligated to remain steadfast, united, patient, and to strive, and are forbidden from division. With that, they are promised victory in this world and the Hereafter.
Any group that truly represents Islam will not be accepted by its enemies. Any group accepted by the enemies of Islam indicates it is not the true Islamic group, even if it carries the label of Islam.
2. The greatest enemies of Islam are those who are strongest in opposition, most extreme in oppression, and most arrogant, striving to eliminate Islam and its followers and to destroy its state. They are powerful, unjust, and arrogant, driven by Satan who deceives them with wealth and power.
During the time of the Prophet SAW, this group was led by Abu Jahl, commanding a large army with alliances of non-Muslim groups and major powers of that time. They were arrogant and proud of their strength, numbers, and weapons.
They mocked the Muslims as weak, few in number, and lacking resources.
Their hostility intensified with the incitement of Satan, including from among the Jews of the People of the Book who are most condemned, and Iblis, who is accursed.
3. Then come the hypocrites who disguise themselves as Muslims, spreading slander and labeling the believers as foolish or fanatical. They emerge opportunistically during conflict, siding with whichever appears stronger. In reality, they follow perception without guidance or truth.
Allah SWT says:
وَمَآ أَصَٰبَكُمۡ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡتَقَى ٱلۡجَمۡعَانِ فَبِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ وَلِيَعۡلَمَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ١٦٦ وَلِيَعۡلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ نَافَقُواْۚ وَقِيلَ لَهُمۡ تَعَالَوۡاْ قَٰتِلُواْ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوِ ٱدۡفَعُواْۖ قَالُواْ لَوۡ نَعۡلَمُ قِتَالٗا لَّٱتَّبَعۡنَٰكُمۡۗ هُمۡ لِلۡكُفۡرِ يَوۡمَئِذٍ أَقۡرَبُ مِنۡهُمۡ لِلۡإِيمَٰنِۚ يَقُولُونَ بِأَفۡوَٰهِهِم مَّا لَيۡسَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ أَعۡلَمُ بِمَا يَكۡتُمُونَ ١٦٧
“And what befell you on the day the two armies met was by the permission of Allah, so that He might make evident those who believe, (166)
“and that He might make evident those who are hypocrites. It was said to them, ‘Come, fight in the way of Allah or defend yourselves.’ They said, ‘If we had known there would be fighting, we would have followed you.’ On that day, they were nearer to disbelief than to faith. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts, and Allah knows best what they conceal.” (167) [Surah Ali ‘Imran: 166–167]
What is mentioned in the Qur’an is from the knowledge of Allah, everlasting and applicable beyond the time of the Prophet SAW. Its guidance repeats throughout history.
Today, leaders among the enemies of Islam display arrogance, influenced by Satan, especially among certain Jews. They follow desires and worldly ambitions.
Meanwhile, hypocrites spread slander and assist clear enemies of Islam while claiming to be Muslims.
This is the war that is occurring and repeating today in the Persian Gulf and the Arab world. It began with attacks against Islamic revival movements by non-Muslim forces, banned even in Muslim and Arab countries.
The current major power leader, Donald Trump, displaying arrogance influenced by Zionist ideology, is leading a coalition (Ahzab) with Jewish Zionists and new polytheist groups to eliminate Islam and those defending Palestine and Al-Aqsa.
Many Muslim countries, especially Arab nations, claim independence but do not uphold Islamic sovereignty. Islam is partially implemented, while major aspects, especially governance, are neglected.
They even allow foreign military bases aligned with Zionist Israel on their lands, despite Allah’s warning about their enmity.
Allah SWT says:
لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ ٱلنَّاسِ عَدَٰوَةٗ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱلۡيَهُودَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشۡرَكُواْۖ وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقۡرَبَهُم مَّوَدَّةٗ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا نَصَٰرَىٰۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنۡهُمۡ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهۡبَانٗا وَأَنَّهُمۡ لَا يَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ ٨٢
“Indeed, you will surely find that the most intense of people in hostility toward the believers are the Jews and those who associate others with Allah; and you will surely find that the nearest of them in affection to the believers are those who say, ‘We are Christians.’ That is because among them are priests and monks, and because they are not arrogant.” [Surah al-Ma’idah: 82]
The Jews from the Zionist movement have seized the holy land of Palestine and Masjid al-Aqsa, supported by Western countries together with the Zionists, through the most violent means.
Western nations that worship wealth and power (an ideology of materialism) have turned them into objects of devotion.
Although they claim to be Christians, they have abandoned the Book of Allah and replaced it with man-made constructs. They glorify materialism, thus becoming polytheists (mushrikin). This is because Allah SWT says:”
أَمۡ لَهُمۡ شُرَكَـٰٓؤُاْ شَرَعُواْ لَهُم مِّنَ ٱلدِّينِ مَا لَمۡ يَأۡذَنۢ بِهِ ٱللَّهُۚ وَلَوۡلَا كَلِمَةُ ٱلۡفَصۡلِ لَقُضِيَ بَيۡنَهُمۡۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ ٢١
“Or do they have partners who have ordained for them a religion that Allah has not permitted? And if not for a decisive word, the matter would have been settled between them. And indeed, the wrongdoers will have a painful punishment.” [Surah al-Shura: 21]
“They are a new group of polytheists together with Zionist Jews within the Ahzab (allied coalition) in opposing Islam.
There are also non-Muslims who uphold humanitarian values and condemn the Zionists and their supporters for their extreme ظلم (oppression). They come from countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe that do not support the United States and the Zionists in the current conflict.
Unfortunately, the allied forces (Ahzab) are using their bases in Arab and Muslim countries to attack the Islamic Republic of Iran, which stands together with Palestinian Islamic groups from the Sunni, Shi‘a, and Ibadi schools, under the pretext of sectarianism and ethnicity.
In reality, the allied forces (Ahzab) are attacking all who carry the name of Islam without distinction of race or sect. This shows that the war taking place is between Islam and non-Islam, not between race or sect.
The scholars unanimously agree that all Islamic schools are Ahl al-Qiblah, sharing the same pillars and foundations of Islam. Therefore, all are obliged to unite against the common enemy to the level of fard ‘ayn, as Islam is in a state of danger.
Islam must be elevated to govern the world and to prevail over all other systems, whether they are called religions or ideologies. Allah SWT says:”
هُوَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أَرۡسَلَ رَسُولَهُۥ بِٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ ٱلۡحَقِّ لِيُظۡهِرَهُۥ عَلَى ٱلدِّينِ كُلِّهِۦ وَلَوۡ كَرِهَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكُونَ ٩
“He is the One who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth so that He may make it prevail over all religions, even though the polytheists dislike it.” [Surah al-Saff: 9]
Allah commands believers to oppose disbelievers and hypocrites.
Allah SWT says:
يَحۡلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ مَا قَالُواْ وَلَقَدۡ قَالُواْ كَلِمَةَ ٱلۡكُفۡرِ وَكَفَرُواْ بَعۡدَ إِسۡلَٰمِهِمۡ وَهَمُّواْ بِمَا لَمۡ يَنَالُواْۚ وَمَا نَقَمُوٓاْ إِلَّآ أَنۡ أَغۡنَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ مِن فَضۡلِهِۦۚ فَإِن يَتُوبُواْ يَكُ خَيۡرٗا لَّهُمۡۖ وَإِن يَتَوَلَّوۡاْ يُعَذِّبۡهُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَذَابًا أَلِيمٗا فِي ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةِۚ وَمَا لَهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِن وَلِيّٖ وَلَا نَصِيرٖ ٧٤ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ عَٰهَدَ ٱللَّهَ لَئِنۡ ءَاتَىٰنَا مِن فَضۡلِهِۦ لَنَصَّدَّقَنَّ وَلَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ٧٥ فَلَمَّآ ءَاتَىٰهُم مِّن فَضۡلِهِۦ بَخِلُواْ بِهِۦ وَتَوَلَّواْ وَّهُم مُّعۡرِضُونَ ٧٦ فَأَعۡقَبَهُمۡ نِفَاقٗا فِي قُلُوبِهِمۡ إِلَىٰ يَوۡمِ يَلۡقَوۡنَهُۥ بِمَآ أَخۡلَفُواْ ٱللَّهَ مَا وَعَدُوهُ وَبِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡذِبُونَ ٧٧ أَلَمۡ يَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعۡلَمُ سِرَّهُمۡ وَنَجۡوَىٰهُمۡ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَّـٰمُ ٱلۡغُيُوبِ ٧٨
“They (the hypocrites) swear by Allah that they did not say (anything offensive), but indeed they uttered the word of disbelief and disbelieved after their Islam, and they intended what they could not attain. And they did not resent (Allah and His Messenger) except that Allah and His Messenger had enriched them out of His bounty. So if they repent, it will be better for them; but if they turn away, Allah will punish them with a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and they will have neither protector nor helper on earth. (74)
“And among them are those who made a covenant with Allah, (saying), ‘If He gives us of His bounty, we will surely give charity and be among the righteous.’ (75)
“But when He gave them of His bounty, they became miserly with it and turned away while they were refusing. (76)
“So He caused hypocrisy to follow in their hearts until the Day they will meet Him, because they broke their promise to Allah and because they used to lie. (77)
“Do they not know that Allah knows their secrets and their private conversations, and that Allah is the Knower of the unseen?” (78) [Surah al-Tawbah: 74–78]
So respond to the call of Allah, which contains the true promise of victory in this world and the Hereafter!
Allah SWT says:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ هَلۡ أَدُلُّكُمۡ عَلَىٰ تِجَٰرَةٖ تُنجِيكُم مِّنۡ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٖ ١٠ تُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَتُجَٰهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمۡوَٰلِكُمۡ وَأَنفُسِكُمۡۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ ١١ يَغۡفِرۡ لَكُمۡ ذُنُوبَكُمۡ وَيُدۡخِلۡكُمۡ جَنَّٰتٖ تَجۡرِي مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَٰرُ وَمَسَٰكِنَ طَيِّبَةٗ فِي جَنَّٰتِ عَدۡنٖۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ ١٢ وَأُخۡرَىٰ تُحِبُّونَهَاۖ نَصۡرٞ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَفَتۡحٞ قَرِيبٞۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ ١٣
“O you who believe, shall I guide you to a transaction that will save you from a painful punishment? (10)
“(It is that) You believe in Allah and His Messenger and strive in the cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives. That is better for you, if you only knew. (11)
“He will forgive your sins and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow, and into pleasant dwellings in Gardens of ‘Adn. That is a great success. (12)
“And (there is) another (blessing) that you love: help from Allah and a near victory. So give glad tidings to the believers.” (13)[Surah al-Saff: 10–13]
“As for those who are strong in Islam and in faith, from all schools of thought and nations, they rise to strive in the cause of Allah, courageously responding to His call.
In contrast, those among the hypocrites who side with the enemy, and those whose faith is weak, commit a grave sin for failing to respond to the call of Allah.
Allah SWT says:”
وَإِذۡ قَالَت طَّآئِفَةٞ مِّنۡهُمۡ مِّنْهُمْ يَـٰٓأَهْلَ يَثۡرِبَ لَا مُقَامَ لَكُمۡ فَٱرۡجِعُواْۚ وَيَسۡتَٔۡذِنُ فَرِيقٞ مِّنۡهُمُ ٱلنَّبِيَّ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ بُيُوتَنَا عَوۡرَةٞ وَمَا هِيَ بِعَوۡرَةٍۖ إِن يُرِيدُونَ إِلَّا فِرَارٗا ١٣
“And (remember) when a group among them said, ‘O people of Yathrib (Madinah), there is no place for you (to stay), so return.’ And a party of them asked permission from the Prophet (to go back), saying, ‘Indeed, our homes are exposed (unprotected).’ But they were not exposed; they only intended to flee. And thus they incurred a great sin and the غضب (wrath) of Allah.” [Surah al-Ahzab: 13]
Now, mankind is being tested by Allah in this worldly life, particularly through trials of wealth and power, as well as intellect and desires granted by Allah, as promised in His words:
تَبَٰرَكَ ٱلَّذِي بِيَدِهِ ٱلۡمُلۡكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ قَدِيرٌ ١ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ لِيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ أَيُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلٗاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٢
“Blessed is He in whose Hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent. (1)
“[He] who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed and He is the Almighty, the Most Forgiving.” (2) [Surah al-Mulk: 1–2]
ABDUL HADI AWANG
President of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)
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