Importance of Fighting for the Cause of Allah
Alhamdulillah-ir-Rabbil Aalameen
– Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, the One Who has set order in
creation and the One Who has given life to everything.
In an era filled with confusion and disorder,
it is essential to remember that the noblest struggle for a sincere believing
Muslim is against his own Nafs, against his own ego and passions – such
a Nafs that seeks to divert him from the path of Allah. The Holy Prophet
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said after an expedition: “We have returned from the
lesser Jihad to the greater Jihad” (Bayhaqi); that is, the struggle against
oneself, against desires that lead to disorder/ chaos (fitna).
Allah tells us in the Qur’an: “And as for the one who fears to stand before his Lord and restrains his soul from passions, Paradise will be his refuge.” (An-Nazi’at 79: 41-42). This shows that the first duty is inner discipline, that is, to set a barrier against temptation and arrogance.
The struggle against the Nafs is the
foundation of all other struggles. A Muslim must learn discipline, patience,
and constancy. Without inner discipline, no external struggle can succeed. The
Holy Prophet (pbuh) taught us: “The strong one is not the one who overcomes
others by force, but the strong one is the one who controls himself when
angry.” (Bukhari, Muslim). This Hadith shows that true strength is
self-control, not violence. Thus, the first Jihad is against anger, arrogance,
and passions that divert a person towards sin.
But the struggle does not stop with oneself; it
extends to the responsibility of maintaining unity among Muslims. Islam has
taught universal brotherhood, not just within a small circle, but throughout
the entire Ummah. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “The believer to another
believer is like a building whose parts support each other.” (Bukhari,
Muslim).
This means that no Muslim has the right to
reject his brother or sister of the same faith; on the contrary, he must
protect him, give him shelter, and if there are innocent people, even from
among other religions, the latter must also be kept safe for the sake of Allah.
The Qur’an makes this call: “And do not let
hatred of a people incite you to be unjust. Be just; that is closer to piety.”
(Al-Maida 5: 9). This verse shows that justice and protection of innocents is
an obligation commanded by Allah.
In a world filled with confusion, satanic
ideologies, and false perceptions, it is essential that Muslims remain firm,
not allowing evil and corruption to take control. Satan promised Allah: “I will mislead them all, except Your sincere servants.” (Sad
38: 83-84)
Thus, sincerity and unity are the key. But
unity does not mean exclusion of others; on the contrary, it means living
together in respect. Hindus, Jews, Christians, and Muslims all have one
Creator, Allah. But over time, people began to introduce false gods into their
daily lives, which made them forget Allah. A Muslim who calls himself Muslim
but does not act as a Muslim also counts among those who stray when he abandons
divine commandments and follows Western cultures – the very cultures that Allah
condemned and warned the Ummah against so that Satan does not seize any part of
them. Allah says in the Qur’an: “Say: O People
of the Book! Come to a common word between us and you: that we shall worship
Allah alone, without associating anything with Him.” (Al-Imran 3: 65).
This shows that the call of Islam is towards unity in recognition of the
Creator, not towards division.
Allah has promised that His order in the world
cannot be stopped by human power. “It is He Who
has sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth so that it may
prevail over all other religions, despite the aversion of those who associate
false gods [with Allah].” (At-Tauba 9: 33).
This means that Allah’s order – justice, peace,
and truth – will always triumph. No human system, no empire, no ideology can
stop the divine plan. Therefore, the duty of every Muslim is to persevere in
his Deen with patience, constancy, and brotherhood, working for world
peace and for a New Order based upon divine justice.
In a Hadith, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “The
Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe.”
(Bukhari, Muslim). This means that the behaviour of a true believer is
protection, not aggression. And he (pbuh) also said: “He who does not show
mercy, Allah will not show mercy to him.” (Bukhari)
Thus, mercy and humanity are the foundation of
divine order. A Muslim must not only defend his faith, but also defend human dignity
– that is, protect the lives of innocents, respect diversity, and fight
injustice.
The unity of the Ummah is an obligation. The
Qur’an commands us: “And hold firmly to the rope
of Allah, all together, and do not be divided.” (Al-Imran 3: 104).
This verse shows that division is a fatal weakness, and unity in faith is true
strength. A Muslim must not let pride, jealousy, or rivalry divide the
community. Satan seeks to create division, but Allah commands unity. Therefore,
every Muslim must work for reconciliation with his brother and the Muslim
nation, must work for brotherhood/ sisterhood (fraternity) and solidarity. And
this solidarity must extend to the protection of innocents too, even if they
are not Muslim, because justice and mercy are universal values.
In building a New World Order based upon divine
justice, Muslims must not forget humanity. Islam has taught us that every human
life is sacred. Allah tells us in the Qur’an: “Whoever
kills an innocent life (that has not committed murder or corruption) on earth,
it is as if he has killed all humanity. And whoever saves the life of an
innocent, it is as if he has saved all humanity.” (Al-Maida 5: 33).
This verse shows that protection of life is a universal duty. Therefore, a
Muslim must not only defend his community, but also defend all humanity against
injustice and oppression.
In a Hadith, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “The
believers, in their love, mercy, and compassion for one another, are like one
body: when one of its members suffers, the whole body feels that pain.”
(Bukhari, Muslim). This shows that solidarity is not just a concept, but a
reality. A Muslim must feel the pain of his brother, and also the pain of all
humanity. It is in this spirit that World Peace can be restored.
Therefore, every sincere believing Muslim must
struggle for the cause of Allah, beginning with himself. He must have
discipline and inner struggle against the Nafs; and this gradually
extends to his surroundings and family, where the true teachings of Islam, the
true values of Allah’s Deen, spread everywhere. And those who succeed in
resisting Satan’s attempts to mislead them, and who gain victory in this
struggle, then form a community of the righteous (Saaliheen), and it is
they who march towards the unity of the Ummah – not by force, but by their good
character, good heart, good intention, and by respecting human and Islamic
rights. And when they succeed in this discipline and unity, it will culminate
in the realisation of a world order based upon divine justice.
Thus, my call to you: do not let Satan and
false perceptions divert you from the truth. Allah has already decreed His
plan, and He and His Messengers will always triumph. A Muslim must be firm in
his faith, generous in his mercy, and constant in his struggle against
injustice. It is upon this path that world peace can be restored, and that all
humanity can live together in respect and dignity, under the command of Allah. Insha-Allah,
Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 03 April 2026~ 14 Shawwal 1447 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.