Praise be to Allah Who had us eye-witness how our Ummah is still alive and that there is goodness in it until the day of Judgment. Praise be to Allah Who out of His bounty enabled the people of Gaza to remain patient and steadfast and thus they could show such a heroic resistance as may not be shown by any other people whatsoever. Praise be to Allah Who caused the Muslim Ummah to uprise once again, the hearts of Muslims all over the world to beat and Muslim communities in Europe, USA and elsewhere to show active action once again in spite of restraints known to everyone.

Praise be to Allah through Whose bounty good deeds are done.

The current case of Gaza is that of a unique victory that can be achieved only by the loftiest personalities, a kind of victory perceivable only to those whose hearts are enlightened by Allah's light and who is given far insight. Actually, Gaza steadfastness can be understood only by those of firm belief and faith. However, worldly-thinking people view it a kind of madness and an indicator of frivolous thinking and lack of farsightedness.

Honorable people of Gaza endured the burden of preserving the dignity of the Muslim Ummah. This should be understood in view of the great moral decay of many of those who although claiming to be Muslims completely forsook the cause and connived with the Jews in slaying the struggling people and crushing the just Palestinian cause. Considering the issue in the light of Divine interference, we will come to understand that what happened in Gaza is a real miracle. In fact, the steadfastness we saw is by no means human; rather, it is a Divine bounty conferred by Allah upon whatever righteous people He likes.

"Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter. And Allah will cause to go astray those who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.), and Allah does what He wills." [Ibrahim, 27]

No doubt, those great people endured such humanly unbearable incidents as loss of children, destruction of houses, loss of property and lack in foodstuff, water, clothing and medicine. I dare swear by Allah this is the best kind of victory, i.e. victory over one's own self, Satan, worldly desires and enemies as well.

How did this happen although they had been besieged for about 18 months before the airstrike? How could this happen when they are given up by most Muslim leaders? How could this happen when some of their fellow Palestinians connived with their enemy? How could this happen when the tremendous war machinery bombs the Strip day and night? How could this happen when the greatest country in the world backs the oppressing Zionists and provides them with necessary consultation, funds, media support and veto?

How did then this steadfastness and victory take place?!!

It is a Divine miracle by all measures. It is thus the duty of all Muslims to kiss the heads and hands of Palestinians (by way of showing gratitude). Why not? Undoubtedly, they caused us hold our heads high and preserved our dignity through remaining steadfast at the front line facing the enemies of Allah and His religion.

By Allah, it is a bounty worthy of much praise. So, all praise is due to Allah the Lord of the worlds!

In spite of the beautiful patience endured by the people of Gaza their high-level faith and human loftiness, some people here and there charge victims and those aggrieved with the responsibility for the crimes committed by tyrants and the faults perpetrated by murderers. Those people out of complete lowliness and servility wonder why they overestimate their power and why they trouble the Jews with their rockets. They also might wonder why they do not spare Palestinians the trouble and do not give up rule to the Palestinian Authority. I would like to ask them what authority they speak about. In fact, the actual Palestinian authority is the one elected by the people's free will through fair and free election. The true authority is not that one that rebelled against people's will and wanted to steal their freedom, effort, property and sustenance. Is it not astounding that the old PLO maintains this title since 1994 AD? Should they remain in authority although everyone could see how they plundered Palestinian money donated by Muslims all over the Muslim world and remitted it to European and US banks for the interest of immoral and irreligious persons?

Should they remain in authority although rejected by the people and although now unmasked?

Should they remain in power even after they backed the Jews and the Jews backed them?

This is the real face of the so-called Authority to which the honest people of Gaza are to be subordinate. Will they show such courage when they have full authority? Will we see then such a scene of dignity and glory we enjoy watching now?

I dare swear by Allah the answer is definitely no!

Verily, Allah does not set right the work of corrupters and the Ummah will never achieve victory through the help of hypocrites and liars. Having neglected Allah's rights, they, with greater reason, are worthier of neglecting people's rights!

We stand, wholeheartedly, fully energetic and enthusiastic, willing to sacrifice our lives and property and sparing no effort or work of mind, by steadfast struggling mujahid dear Palestinians. Completely confident of Allah's mercy and bounty, we say to them, "People of Gaza, be patient, you will verily find your abode in Paradise."

I also address all Muslims all over the earth who might feel frustrated on seeing the awful scenes of hundreds of martyrs and thousands of those injured. I say to all sincere Muslims whose hearts bitterly aches sorrowing over the grief of their brothers and sisters in Palestine, why should we feel frustrated?

"Certainly no one despairs of Allah's Mercy, except the people who disbelieve." [Yussuf, 87]

Actually, frustration arises from misunderstanding and misconception of the reality of things. Carefully examining the issue, we will find out that Gaza events bear glad tidings for Palestine and the whole Ummah. In fact, those who despair do not perceive the Islamic conception of victory. As to Islam, victory is an invaluable asset and is only granted by the Lord of the worlds to a certain category of His servants. Such a category has to practically prove that they love Allah and His Messenger, love jihad in the cause of Allah and are absolutely willing to sacrifice everything for safeguarding the religion, the land and the honor. Without proving so, no victory is granted. Actually, most people are all talk but no action.

Accordingly, Gaza scenes represent the price inevitably to be paid for victory that is to come one day. Moreover, it is impossible to see victory after a lengthy negotiation round or achieved by one who forsakes his religion and country's cause. Furthermore, victory may never be achieved by people who do not know how to perform Wudu' (ablution) or prayer. In addition, no victory should be aspired for without exerting efforts, sacrifice and courage.

It is such a clear and easily understandable equation that can be ignored only by those who do not understand the true tenet of Islam. Within this context we should understand the Hadith that states that the Prophet (peace be upon him), having passed the family of Yassir while being tortured by Makkan polytheists, comforted them and said, "Be patient, you will verily find your abode in Paradise." Within the same context we should also understand why the Companions endured all kinds of persecution and torture with patience and endured being renounced by their own people and being besieged in a mountain pass.

With this in mind, we should also perceive the reason why the Companions departed their homeland and endured much suffering while the Prophet (peace be upon him) is living amongst them. This also answers why Allah did not hasten to grant Muslims victory only one or two years of torture instead of delaying it to the second year after Hijrah (emigration from Makkah to Madinah), i.e. after 15 years of sufferance.

In brief, all these things took place because this is the only way to victory. However, searching for easier and less fatigable ways leading to victory is a kind of self-illusion and superficial thought.

The whole world unanimously rushed greedily upon righteous people and held them accountable for the consequences. In fact, the same was the situation adopted by the world when the Prophet (peace be upon him) started to propagate his mission in public. How wonderful are the words of Al-'Abbas bin 'Ubadah Al-Ansary, while explaining to the Ansar (supporters) the nature of this religion, that state, "You are paying him a pledge of a war against the black and the red (that is, against all kinds of people)."

This is the right way leading to victory, which, although anonymous to many people, is seen clearly, thank Allah, by the people of Gaza and Palestine.

Dear Muslim peoples, do not lose heart on seeing martyrs fall in Palestine, for those are the real successful people, whose souls are in the insides of green birds having lanterns suspended from the Throne, roaming freely in Paradise where they please.

My dear Ummah, do not be terrified, for Allah has full power and control over His Affairs, but most of men know not. No doubt, there will come a day when rights are given back to those deserving, when sincere Muslims will raise high the flag of Islam over the blessed land.

I dare swear I can see this day coming very soon as the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw it when Allah made him see the keys of the Levant. Certainly, the keys will remain in his hands regardless of the passage of time, for this is Allah's promise and Allah never fails to fulfill His promise.

We ask Allah to glorify Islam and Muslims.

 Dr. Ragheb Elsergany

Related links:

God Help You, Gaza

Al-Aqsa: Wrecking Likely?

Palestine

https://islamstory.com/en/artical/3407515