Muslims are living now with a feeling of desperation that is affecting their lives on all levels. The feeling of failure to be strong as an Ummah or as individuals has paralyzed our ability to function normally in positive ways to enhance our status in life as well-respected Muslims. When we see how Muslims are divided, lands under occupation, and how we are treated as a community living in the West, in many cases as a security problem, such status leaves Muslims questioning the ability to come back strong and leaves little hope for ever gaining respect from other individuals, nations, and countries around the globe.

When we add to that the misunderstanding of some verses and Hadiths by people lacking knowledge or wisdom, it contributes to a sense of despair and minimizes the chance for regaining strength. For example, when the prophet (ﷺ) spoke about the division of this Ummah into 73 sects, all would be in Hell but only one in Heaven,[1] people felt an impending doom and weakness rather than taking the lessons learned from this Hadith! The lesson is that even in these divisions, the truth is still there and people can still hold on to it! So, act on it, seek the truth and implement it in your life for there is one group holding onto the truth.

Another example is the Hadith of the prophet (ﷺ) when he spoke about nations coming to attack the Muslim Ummah like a group of people approaching a plate of food,[2] Muslims declared defeat without even trying to face such challenges! The lesson is that the prophet (ﷺ) warned of the disease behind such a status “love of life and hatred of death” so that Muslims could be aware and avoid falling into it!

Islam teaches us that strength or weakness is within the person’s self or entity. Money, wealth, force and other means are nothing but tools which if used wisely reflect a strong person, but if used poorly reflect a weak person. The prophet (ﷺ) said: “He is not strong, the one who wrestles, indeed the strong is the one who controls himself when angry”.[3] This is the power that a person should acquire first, the power within.

Islam teaches us that strength is in the truth. The truth stands strong by itself without need for anything to prove it, it is there. When a philosopher shared his thoughts with an illiterate old lady about a book he wrote showing 1000 evidences to prove that God existed, she said: “My son, if there weren’t 1000 doubts in your mind, you would not need 1000 proofs!” He said: “O Allah, grant me faith like the one of this lady.”

The term (Al Haqq) or the truth was used to describe every fact that existed. Allah (ﷻ) named Himself Al Haqq: {This, then, is God, your Lord, the “eternal” Truth. So after the truth, what is there but error} 10:32. Allah (ﷻ) called Islam the truth: {O prophet, indeed we have sent you with the truth, as a bearer of glad tidings and “as” a forewarner} 2:119. Heavens and earth are made in truth: {And He “alone” is the One who created the heavens and the earth with “the very essence of” truth} 6:73.

Being honest or innocent is strength in itself even if the entire world claimed your guilt. Aisha (RAA), found strength in two things when accused of adultery: the truth in the fact that she did not do it, and in the Dua to Allah to clear her name. Allah indeed answered her prayers and exonerated her by bringing the truth of her innocence in a verse of the Quran recited from then till the Day of Judgment.

Because our faith in Allah is the truth, it brings power to us at all times and during all types of hardships.  It helps us feel the guardianship of Allah, and this reflects power and strength in us. Allah (ﷻ) is the (Walii) the patron and the guardian of believers. Allah (ﷻ) said: {God is the Patron of those who believe. He brings them out from the veils of darkness into the light} 2:257. Allah reminded us also of the fact that He is the One in charge of everything and His power overrules all things. Allah said: {God has inscribed “in the preserved book of heaven”: I shall, most surely, triumph- I and My messengers. Indeed, God is all-powerful, overpowering} 58:21.

Words of truth are power. The prophet (ﷻ) said: “The best Jihad is a just word by an unjust sultan.”[4] Ibrahim (ﷺ) brought silence to the unjust king when he failed to respond to the truth of the actions only done by God! Allah said: {Then, indeed, it is God who brings the sun from the east; so you bring it from the west! Thus he who disbelieved was confounded} 2:258.

Ethics and morals are power because they are the truth. Morals can turn enemies into friends; {For not equal are the good deed and the evil deed. “So” repel “their evildoing” with that which is the best “in the sight of God.” Then, behold! The one who had enmity for you, and for whom you had enmity, may become like a most intimate friend} 41:34. Just remember how the forgiveness from the prophet (ﷺ) to the people of Makkah for all their atrocities against the Muslims brought them to become brothers and sisters in Islam, after the Muslims returned to conquer Makkah.

Every Muslim should be strong, insha Allah, because of his truth, the truth that he is a Muslim, a believer in the truth, one who submits himself to Allah. This strength goes up and down depending on how much this fact rests in his/her heart. Here are some words of advice to help you see the truth in yourself:

1. Please Allah and His prophet before anyone else. Let nothing prevent you from doing that, for Allah is the ultimate Truth and no one should be pleased before Him. {If your fathers and your children and your brothers and your wives and your kinsfolk, and the wealth which you have acquired, and the commerce that you fear may stagnate, and the dwelling with which you are well pleased are more beloved to you than God and his messenger and striving in his path, then wait until God brings his command “to punish the godless wrongdoers} 9:24.
2. Patience is your bridge to strength. The truth is there and only patience is needed to reach it and enjoy it. That is power. Allah reminded his prophet that: {Therefore; be patient, “O prophet” indeed, the promise of God is “ever” true} 40:55.
3. Understand God’s divine judgment in life. Work through this system set by Allah and depend on Him for there are reasons behind everything. Allah said: {For had it not been that Allâh checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the Name of Allâh is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down. Verily, Allâh will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allâh is All-Strong, All-Mighty} 22:40.

I hope that we can see into our strength the way power is meant to be seen; to hold onto the truth in everything.

By Sh. Kifah Mustapha

[1] Abo Daoud

[2] Abo Daoud

[3] Bukhari

[4] Abo Daoud