"Call to mind when you are a small (band), deemed weak through the land and afraid that men might despoil and kidnap you; but He strengthened you with His aid, and gave you good things for sustenance; that you might be grateful:" (Q8:26)
Good fortune i!exhilarating and advantages over others (especially adversaries) build up confidence and embolden the heart. Being in the majority means so much in the scheme of things. Controlling the majority shares in a company accords an immense influence, and being in the majority in the house of law keeps the fate of a country with a party; by and large, power often belongs to the multitude. Numerical advantages could count in several cases but not in all cases at least, not with Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Few, with Allah, always overcome the multitude.
POWER COMES TO NAUGHT
A clear millennium before the birth of Prophet Isa (PBUH) right in the vast Palestinian desert in the Middle East an unequal contest ensued. Talut (PBUH) at the head of a few, weak and sparsely equipped force clashed with Jalut (Coliath), a giant at the head of a powerful and well armed army.
"When Talut sent forth the armies, he said, 'Allah will test you at the stream; if any drinks of its water, He goes not with my armies: only those who taste not of it go with me: a mere sip out of the hand is excused. But they drank of it, except few. When they crossed the river, He and the faithful ones with him, they said: this day we cannot cope with Goliath and his forces.' But those who were convinced that they must meet Allah said: 'How oft, by Allah's will, has a small force vanquished a big one?' Allah is with those who steadfastly persevere". (Q2:249)
Just true to faith, Allah was with the faithfuls, Jalut was killed not by the blow of a sword or spear but an ordinary stone slung by a young man, Dawud (PBUH). The multitude fled the battle field while the few were victorious.
INEFFECTUAL NUMBERS
For several centuries, the Romans bestrode the world weilding colossal power and influence. Their civilization I kept other races years behind them and their powerful army raked in territories after another. At the peak of its power, the empire spread from Europe to Africa and across the Red Sea, the Nile and the Persian Gulf into the Middle East.
On 20 August 630 CE, Heraclius, the Roman Emperor appointed Theodorus, his brother as the commander of a great force to counter the rising profile of Muslims. Zayd ibn Harith, at the head of 3,000 Muslims advanced till they, I reached Ma'an in the territory of Syria. The Romans mo-Ii bilized a formidable 200,000 fighting force.
"If Allah helps you, none can overcome you; but if He forsakes you, then who is there that can help you beside Him? In Allah, let the believers put their trust" (Q3:160).
While the Muslims were at Ma'an, they heard of this build up. One of them suggested that a message be sent to the Prophet (PBUH) back in Madinah informing him of the size of the opposing force. This suggestions was about to be ratified when Abdullah ibn Rawahah rose and said: "O people! By Allah, that which you fear might happen to you is precisely why you came here, namely, Martyrdom. We Muslims do not fight either with numbers, physical strength, or material equipment, our only power lies in this religion which Allah has been gracious enough to give to us." At this battle (of Mutah) 3,000 Muslims fought against 200,000 men and eventually scared them off the battle field.
SPANISH WATERLOO
A contest between a 12,000-strong army against one that is 100,000 in strength is apparently a no contest: but Allah was with the few against the multitude. In 711 CE., Tariq, a young and energetic lieutenant at the head of 12,000 strong Muslim army landed at a place later named Jabal-Tariq (Gibraltar) in Spain. Roderick the commander of Spanish army encountered the Muslims at the bank of Guadelete with all confidence; sure that with his 100,000 soldiers, the war would be easy.
"...He gives victory whom He will and He is Exalted in Might, Most Merciful: (It is) the promise of Allah. Never does Allah depart from His promise: but most men understand not." (Q30:5-6)
The resoluteness and perseverance of the Muslims helped to route the Spanish army inspite of their numbers and Roderick, the commander was drowned in his flight.
"... We gave power to those who believed against their enemies, and they became the ones that prevailed. " (Q61: 14)
THE MORE, THE MERRIER?
What was responsible for these unusual victories of the few over the multitude? Check them out.
REBELLIOUSNESS
"For some of their crimes it is Allah's purpose to punish them. And truly most men are rebillious".(Q5:49)
Fir'aun said:
"No god do i know for you but myself" (Q28:38).
Namrud also said to Ibrahim (PBUH):
"I give life and death" (Q2:258).
These are quintessence of men who stood in rebellion to Allah and intent upon usurping His right Power and arrogance-have always tipsied men to deny Allah, putting in place structures to supplant the Will of Allah and hoist obstacles in the path of His worship. They mock Allah's Way and they belie it. Fir'aun was submerged in the Red Sea, in a murderous chase of the few that believed and Namrud was humbled by a fly. The multitude of them Allah dealt with by insignificant host in this world and their full recompense is eternal perdition.
"It is the promise of Allah. Never does Allah fail from His promise: but most men know not" (Q30:6).
UNAWARE OF ALLAH’S CONTROL
"Allah has full power and control over his affairs but most among mankind know it not." (Q12:21)
Allah is the Lord of the worlds. He alone created life without a helping hand
"It is Allah who originates life and repeats it" (Ql0:34).
After creation, Allah alone also sustains all life:
"verily, His are the creation and the command, blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and the Sustainer of the worlds!"(Q7:54).
If Allah alone created and only He sustains life, He alone reserves the right to regulate all lives. However, the multitude of men are wont to deny Allah this right. To most men, their own idea and concept of living is more workable than that of Allah's. Thus they think they can shape their lives according to their whims. The multitude of men considers Allah's legislation unimportant both in their personal and collective existence.
Incidentally, their affairs has never for once slipped from the grip of Allah
"Truly Strong is the grip of Allah" (Q5: 12)
"and there is not a moving creature, but He has the grasp of it's forelock" (Q11:56).
"He has the power to send torment on you from above or from under your feet or to- cover you with confusion"(Q6:65).
Still, most men remain heedless.
DENIAL OE THE HEREAFTER
"The Hour will certainly come! therein is no doubt Yet most men believe not. "(Q40:59)
Just as there was a period of time in which man
"was nothing (not even) mentioned" (Q76:1)
so, after man's Present life, time will continue into Al-Akhira when on the basis of deeds and misdeeds, man will be judged, rewarded or punished.
However, the multitude of people even when they believe in a supreme God, cannot concieve that their dead and decayed bodies will be ressurrected and that they will be called to account for their actions on earth.
"The unbelievers think that they will not be raised up, 'for judgement' say! Yea, by my Lord! You shall surely be raised up: then shall you be told: the truth of all that you did, and that is easy for Allah" (Q64:7).
Men deny the Hereafter both in their actions and thoughts. Consciousness and firm faith in akhira has important effects on ones attitudes, emotions and actions in this world. It gives meaning to the purpose of life, a believer in Hereafter will not be limited to worldly desires and greed, he will not be materialistic because he knows that this life will not end with his death and also will avoid obnoxious and criminal acts. Incidentally the multitude of men are not found doing these because their belief in the Hereafter is either weak or non-existent.
DENIAL OF THE PROPHET
“We have not sent you but as a Messenger to all mankind, giving glad tidings, and warning them; but most men know not. They say: when will these promises (come to pass) if you are telling the truth?"(34:28-29)
When all the previous messages were largely disregarded or corrupted by man, Allah sent this last messenger- Muhammad (PBUH) with a firm and clear message; belief in Allah and obedience to him as His Prophet. Allah .also confirms,
"take what the messenger gives you, refrain from what he prohibits you. (Q59: 7)
But- most men rejected him, calling him a possessed man but
Rejection of the Prophet tantamounts to rejection of Allah altogether and no one rejects Allah except one who is doomed to Hell. Conversely, obedience to him is obedience to Allah:
"Verily those who plight their fealty to you plight their fealty ill truth to Allah" (Q48:10)
Just as it was in the beginning of his mission, when most men stood against him, plotted against his message and persecuted his few followers; so it is to day, the multitude of men on earth belie and reject him, calling his followers bad names in order to hang them.
"Verily We have prepared Hell for the unbelievers for (their) entertainment"(Q18: 102).
Inglorious indeed iS the end of the multitude.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited