The Trench of Ash-Shaam

Indeed the Jihad in Ash-Shaam, the blessed land of Allah has gone through great adversities and everytime it seems like it has come to an end. It is here where the believer finds serenity and tranquillity in the promise of the Almighty revealed to the holy Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him "for Allah has on my account taken special charge of Ash-Shaam and its people".

(Sunan Abu Dawud)

This special care doesn’t mean that Allah will not test us. Indeed if Allah loves a people He will test them and if He the Vanquisher willed He would have granted us victory but he has revealed:

"And if Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allah - never will He waste their deeds. He will guide them and amend their condition. And admit

them to Paradise, which He has made known to them".

(47:4-6)

And the holy Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him has said:

"Be on your guard that the commodity of Allah is precious. Verily the commodity of Allah is Jannah". (At-Tirmidhi)

It is a great blessing for the people of Ash-Shaam, the Muhajireen (Emigrants) and the Ansaar (Helpers amongst the people of the land) that the Gracious has chosen them to be his soldiers in this blessed land. Their battle will with the assistance of Allah bring the dignity and glory back to the Islamic Nation. A statement like this may seem eccentric to many in the shadow of the political chaos we witness in Ash-Shaam but a believer knows that the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him is the truthful confirmed one and the Knower of the Unseen has revealed to him peace and blessings of Allah be upon him:

"The Romans will enter into a peace treaty with you, then you and they will fight one another as enemies, and you will be victorious; you will collect the spoils of war and be safe. Then you will come back until you stop in a meadow with many hillocks. A man from among the people of the Cross will raise the Cross and will say: ‘The Cross has prevailed.’ Then a man among the Muslims will become angry and will go and break the Cross. Then the Romans will prove treacherous (breaking the treaty) (and will gather) for the fierce battle".

(Sunan Ibn Majah)

"The place of assembly of the Muslims at the time of the fierce battle will be in al-Ghutah near a city called Damascus, one of the best cities in As-Sham".

(Sunan Abu Dawud)

We should therefore respond to the call of our Lord to remember the situation of the muslims in the battle of the trench:

"O ye who believe! Remember Allah's favour unto you when there came against you hosts, and We sent against them a great wind and hosts ye could not see. And Allah is ever Seer of what ye do. When they came at you from above you and from below you, and when eyes shifted [in fear], and hearts reached the throats and you assumed about Allah [various] assumptions. There it was that the believers were tried, and shaken most mightily ".

(33:9-11)

Although the disbelievers had gathered to deracinate Islam, the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him gave tidings to his companions that he was given the keys of Ash-Shaam, Furs and Yemen. In these difficult days the Islamic Nation was divided into groups just like we see now.

The true believers; "And when the true believers saw the disbelievers, they said This is that which Allah and His messenger promised us, Allah and His messenger were truthful. It did but confirm them in their faith and resignation".

(33: 22)

The people with sickness in their hearts; ”And when the hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is sickness, said, Allah and His Messenger promised us only delusion. And when a party of them said: O folk of Yathrib! There is no stand (possible) for you, therefore turn back. And certain of them (even) sought permission of the Prophet, saying: Our homes lie open (to the enemy). And they lay not open. They but wished to flee ".

(33:12-13)

What is strange is that the Muslims who came to this blessed land with a firm faith that their Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said:

" It has been revealed to me that I am going to die and will not stay long, and you will follow me group after group, striking one another's necks. And the place of safety for the believers is Ash-Shaam".

(Sunan an-Nasa’i)

They, may Allah guide them have somehow found the love for worldly life underneath the ruins of Ash-Shaam and are now seeking refuge from the promised tests by leaving to lands of trials and tribulations. Indeed they should know that it is not the Jihad which has changed but their hearts and their intentions. Verily they should remember Allah’s words:

"And indeed they had already made a covenant with Allah not to turn their backs, and a covenant with Allah must be answered for".

(33:15)

And they should be certain that the Sovereign Lord has revealed:

"Say: 'Flight will not profit you, if you flee from death or slaying; you will be given enjoyment of days then but little. Say: Who is he who can protect you from Allah if He intends to harm you, or intends mercy on you And they will not find, besides Allah, for themselves any Wali (protector, supporter, etc.) or any helper". (33:16-17)

Abu Ibrahim al Muhajir

Student of Knowledge in Ash-Shaam