Anas bin An-Nadr (RA) passed by those people who were shuddering of fear and panic, and inquired: “What are you waiting for?” They said: “The Messenger of Allah has been killed.” He said: “What do you live for after Muhammad? Come on and die for what the Messenger of Allah has died for.” [Za’d Al Ma’ad and Sahih Al-Bukhari]

This exchange occurred during the battle of Uhud. According to Ibn Kathir’s tafsir, Shaytaan had shouted “Muhammad has been killed” and Ibn Qami’ah, one of the mushrikeen, claimed to have killed the Messenger (SAW). Some Muslims believed this rumour and the false news was circulated amongst the Muslims that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) had in fact been killed. As a result the Muslims’ resolve was weakened and they did not actively participate in battle.

The Sahabi Anas’s (RA) response was an exemplary example of how an aware Muslim should respond to a situation that requires material action. He vowed to continue the struggle for Islam regardless of the death of the Messenger (SAW) and eventually became martyred in the battle. It was during this battle that Allah (SWT) revealed the following Ayah:

“Muhammad is but a messenger, there have been messengers before him. So, if he dies or is killed, would you turn back on your heels? Whoever turns back on his heels can never harm Allah in the least. Allah shall soon reward the grateful.” [Surah Al-Imran, 3:144]

Likewise in the current struggle between Islam and kufr the role of aware individuals is indispensable. Despondence and despair accompanied by inaction is not an option. Inaction gives the greenlight to America and the West to continue the assault on our Deen unhindered to change and destroy Islam.

Let all of us adopt the approach of Anas bin An-Nadr (RA) and proceed upon the intellectual struggle between Islam and kufr with awareness. We should remind ourselves along the way that in the current reality we need to live for Islam and to aid its establishment in the Muslim world. Therefore, come on and live for what the Messenger of Allah (SAW) lived for.

“It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the Deen of Truth, so that He makes it prevail over all religions, no matter how much the Mushrikoon may hate it.”

[Surah At-Tawbah, 9:33]