How to Justify our Ignominious Defeat in Ramadan?! [Archives:2000/49/Focus]

Mohammed
Al-Hakimi
Yemen Times
Taiz Office
Going through the Islamic history, we find lots of incidents in which we have taken pride in since time immemorial. I would like to discuss here objectively the reasons behind the absence of those virtues and deterioration of ourselves – Arabs and Muslims – in almost every field in life.
Islamic history stands witness to the fact that Ramadan used to be the month of struggle and victory.
Today, most Muslims think it to be the month of sleeping and relaxation. When actually the opposite is true. For example, during this month Badre Battle took place in the second year of Hijra. That battle distinguished between the truth and the untruth. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran, in verses of – Sourat Al-Furqan. An interesting fact in that battle is that despite the number of Muslim fighters being 319 against a thousand non-muslim warriors, the muslims won the battle. Another example is the conquest of Mecca, which took place also in Ramadan, the eighth year of Hijra after 20 years of struggle.
Not only that, but also there were two great victories against the Jews and the Tatars. The fight against the Tatars took place on Friday, 25 Ramadan, 658 Hijra, and with Jews on the 10th of Ramadan, 1393 Hijra.
Arent those glorious incidents enough to remind Muslims of what Ramadan should mean to them. All facts recalled from history prove that victory is not always dependent on numbers, rather it depends on faith and willpower. Its a war to defend religion, not partisanship and nationalism.
Today the callous and ignominious attitude of our leaders in particular and of ourselves in general towards those massacres and violations being practiced against Muslims in the Philippines, Palestine, Sudan, Chechnya and Kashmir and other parts of the world truthfully reflect our insincerity and unwillingness to strive and fight for defending the dignity of our religion.
Yet, there is still a speck of hope. Perseverance of Muslims in Jerusalem and Chechnya make hopes so soaring up that one dreams of a glorious day to break soon.
Unless we aspire for changes in our hearts, we will never change into better. We should remember the glorious verse in the Holy Quran: Lo ! Allah changeth not the condition of a folk until they (first) change that which is in their hearts.

——
[archive-e:49-v:2000-y:2000-d:2000-12-04-p:./2000/iss49/focus.htm]