Episode 20 - Why Does God Humble Us Before He Grants Us Victory?

Introduction

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings, dear brothers. While we see the suffering of Muslims in the afflicted countries, we may overlook a great wisdom of Allah the Almighty in prolonging the affliction.

The Wisdom Behind Prolonging Affliction

He, the Most High, does not want His servants to achieve an easy victory that would lead them to be arrogant with themselves, forget His blessings upon them, or even tyrannize on earth while in the euphoria of victory. Therefore, Allah the Almighty tests His servants with what breaks their spirits and makes them feel their weakness and helplessness before He grants them victory.

Do you remember a verse that indicates this?

Evidence from the Quran and Sunnah

Battle of Badr: Humiliation Before Victory

Allah the Almighty said: {And already had Allah given you victory at Badr while you were oppressed.} [Al-Imran: 123]. Notice His saying: {while you were oppressed.}

Ibn Al-Qayyim mentioned in "Zad Al-Maad" about the wisdom of Allah the Almighty in the upbringing of His servants that if He tests them with defeat and humiliation, they humble themselves and submit, thus deserving victory. He said: "The gift of victory is only with the state of humiliation and submission." Allah the Almighty said: {And already had Allah given you victory at Badr while you were oppressed.}

Battle of Hunayn: The Danger of Arrogance in Numbers

And on the contrary, He said: {And [remember] when He showed them to you as few in your eyes and [made you] as few in their eyes and said, "Do not kill yourselves [i.e., one another] and indeed, He is to what you do, Forgiving.} [At-Tawbah: 25]. He, the Most High, if He wants to honor His servant, empower him, and grant him victory, He first breaks him, and His empowerment and victory over him are according to his humiliation and submission. End of his speech, may Allah have mercy on him.

So, on the day of Hunayn, the Muslims were arrogant with their numbers and were taken by the euphoria of their numbers and equipment, but it did not benefit them at all. They were exposed to loss at the beginning until a small number gathered around the Prophet, peace be upon him, who tasted the bitterness of being left to their own strength and power. They then disassociated from it and knew that they had no helper except Allah, so Allah granted them victory despite their few numbers.

And on the day of Badr, they were few in number and equipment. The emigrants had suffered persecution, torture, and expulsion for leaving their homes and families and seeking refuge in Medina. They were thus humble. Although they were noble in their hearts, their weak condition prevented them from arrogance, pride, and boasting. So, Allah granted them victory after this humiliation. {And already had Allah given you victory at Badr while you were oppressed, so fear Allah that you may be grateful.}

Summary of Wisdom

Therefore, prolonging affliction upon the Muslims has a wisdom, some of which is that they humble themselves and submit to Allah until, when He honors them, empowers them, and grants them victory, they remember their former state of weakness. Thus, they do not become arrogant or tyrannical but attribute the favor to Allah the Almighty and fear Him in the nations they conquer afterward.

Supplication and Conclusion

We ask Allah to honor the Muslims and empower them after their breaking and humiliation. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.