Published on Mar 08 2010 by Nadimur Rahman

People of Divine communities have the same responsibilities as the Prophets of God who establish them, i.e. summon people to God and having pointed out misleading thoughts and practices that get set in with the passage of time, show them the way of truth. History of religion tells us that each time followers of a Prophet of God did this they received overwhelming opposition, especially at the time when they were small in number. Pharaoh-like people tried their best to obliterate Prophets of God and their followers. This happened with each religion as long as they stayed firm on the original message. Likewise, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was treated in similar manner although he was the most beloved of God. The troubles, difficulties, wars etc. that he had to endure were indeed more than the earlier Prophets. However, his steadfastness was resolute and he inculcated this spirit in his Companions as well. Lack of numbers and weapons etc. did not ever shake the resoluteness of his Companions. The Holy Qur’an states: ‘As to those who answered the call of Allah and the Messenger after they had received an injury — such of them as do good and act righteously shall have a great reward; (3:173)

Those to whom men said, ‘People have mustered against you, therefore fear them,’ but this only increased their faith, and they said, ‘Sufficient for us is Allah, and an excellent Guardian is He.’ (3:174). This strength of faith and spirit to sacrifice one’s life in the cause of God can be seen in the account of the Battle of Uhad. Due to the error of a small group of Muslims, a battle that had been clearly won was turned around and the pagans of Makkah attacked once again incurring heavy loss on the Muslim side. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) lost his blessed tooth but the Companions gathered around him in a manner that no force could move them and each attack of the enemy met with failure. The pagans of Makkah appeared to have the upper hand, although not in the militarily. The Arabs taunted them that they had imagined to retaliate for Badr, but what sort of a victory was this where there was neither any bounty of war nor any prisoners. This incited the pagan to return to the battlefield and attack the battle-weary and injured Muslims. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) got wind of this. He gathered the Companions and prepared to chase the pagans but said that only those would participate who had been to Uhad. Imagine the weary and the injured Companions, 250 of them set out with the passion of a victorious army. When they encamped the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) ordered that fire be lit in 500 spots. It was a most impressive sight from distance. The pagans of Makkah thought it better to go back. The Muslims too returned after a stay of two three days, God’s awe having struck the pagans. It is significant to note that on return from Uhad Abu Sufyan had declared and challenged that they would fight the Muslims at Badr one more time. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) accepted this callenge. In 4 Hijra the Muslims prepared an army of 1500 while Abu Sufyan prepared an army of 2000. His spies had informed him about the numbers of Muslims and he was secretly perturbed that their number was not large enough. He sent a man to Medina to scare the Muslims into believing that a very large Makkan army was on its way. However, God states such propaganda by the enemy actually enhances Muslims in faith. Their reply was and always is: ‘Sufficient for us is Allah, and an excellent Guardian is He.’ The 1500 Muslims reached Badr but the pagans of Makkah went back from a little outside Makkah. They said it had been a famine year and their preparation was not adequate, they would come the year after. Death had scared the pagans off whereas it enhances believers in faith. Hudhur said the history of Islam is full of incidents where the scare-mongering of the enemy did not work. Today, the believers should respond in the very same manner. Today the followers of the Promised Messiah respond in the same vein when efforts are made to scare them. True believers are not frightened of the scare-mongering of any group, any legislative body or any organisation. They are always steadfast and firm on faith. They are beaten up, abused and their lives are taken, but they are never in awe of anyone save God, their response is always: ‘Sufficient for us is Allah, and an excellent Guardian is He.’ The more the enemy tries the more they turn to their Lord. Hudhur said today there is great opposition towards our community in some countries. This, in fact is a testimony of its truthfulness. In their opposition all the 72 sects of Islam have tried their utmost in Pakistan but have not been able to harm Ahmadis, indeed, they cannot harm them. Apparent loss is nothing for a true believer, the real thing is faith. Hudhur said he receives letters from parents and families of the martyred Ahmadis expressing a greater and enhanced spirit of faith and sincerity. Now, opposition is growing in parts of India as well and the situation in Bangladesh too continues to be adverse at any given opportunity. In some Arab countries, be it Syria or Egypt, situation is similar as it is in Bulgaria and some ex-Soviet states where the Muftis pressurise our community. Opposition of the community of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in different parts of the world confirms its global significance. Those who appreciate and understand the Divine attribute of Al Hasib will always respond that no matter how much opposition there is, their reply is: ‘Sufficient for us is Allah, and an excellent Guardian is He.’ This is what we have learned from the Companions of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). 

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