Previous posts:
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Sura 2, Part 1
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Sura 2, Part 2
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Sura 2, Part 3
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Sura 2, Part 4
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Sura 2, Part 5
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Sura 2, Part 6
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Sura 3, Part 1
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Sura 3, Part 2
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Sura 3, Part 3
To gain a deeper understanding of how Muslims view themselves in the context of fighting an infidel enemy, the sections of the Qur’an covering the Battle of Uhud and the Battle of Badr should be read and analyzed. In Sura 3, a small band of Muslims face overwhelming odds yet prevail at first (Badr) while failing in the second battle (Uhud):
According to Ibn Ishaq, when the Quraysh arrived at Badr, nearly a thousand strong, Muhammad cried out to Allah: “O God, if this band perish today Thou wilt be worshipped no more.” But shortly later Muhammad told his follower Abu Bakr: “Be of good cheer, O Abu Bakr. God’s help is come to you. Here is Gabriel holding the rein of a horse and leading it. The dust is upon his front teeth.” Muhammad then strode among his troops and issued a momentous promise — one that has given heart to Muslim warriors throughout the ages: “By God in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, no man will be slain this day fighting against them with steadfast courage advancing not retreating but God will cause him to enter Paradise.” One of the assembled Muslim warriors, ‘Umayr bin al-Humam, exclaimed: “Fine, Fine! Is there nothing between me and my entering Paradise save to be killed by these men?” He flung away some dates that he had been eating, rushed into the thick of the battle, and fought until he was killed. Muslim warriors have fought with similar courage throughout history, knowing that if they are victorious they will enjoy the spoils of war (about which there is much discussion in sura 8), and if they are killed they will enjoy Paradise.
Understand and believe that pointing out unbalanced odds only increases the willingness of a Muslim to fight to the death. If they win, it will be by Allah’s hand with the help of angels. If they lose, they earn a ticket to Paradise. No downside.
The defeat at Uhud, not incidentally, is believed to have been brought down on the Muslims by their distraction from battle — they turned aside to loot rather than obey orders to pursue.
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