The current situation in Gaza brings to mind a significant event in Islamic history, the Battle of Al-Khandaq (Battle of the Trench) in year 5 AH.

This battle, also known as the Battle of Al-Ahzab (Battle of the Confederates), saw an alliance between the mushrikeen of Quraish and their allies marching toward Medinah with the aim of eradicating Islam. Similarly, today, we witness an alliance between the Zionist settler entity and its Western allies besieging Gaza in an attempt to crush the resistance. However, there are crucial distinctions between these two scenarios.

Organisation Under a Single Leadership

During the battle, the Muslims rallied around the Messenger (SAW), who served as the head of state and commander in chief, organising, motivating, and leading them to victory. But today, who can the Ummah rally around, be organised by, get motivated through, and follow to victory? The ongoing massacres in Palestine have exposed the treachery of the rulers and their regimes. It’s clear that we cannot rally behind them, nor can we expect support from the armed forces, as they are restrained by the treacherous regimes. The only way forward is to remove these treacherous rulers and replace them with a sincere leadership that the Ummah can unite together under in order to organise, motivate, and unleash its strength to liberate Palestine.

It would be naive to think we can achieve this without any form of organisation. Even organising a protest requires a group of people to come together, unify their vision, and lead the masses effectively. Therefore, it is wishful thinking that we can break our shackles, remove the treacherous regimes, and liberate Palestine without being organised, motivated, and led.

Recognising the Battle Between Haqq and Baatil

Another significant difference is that during the Battle of Al-Khandaq, it was clear that the battle was between Islam and Kufr, truth and falsehood, and the entire Ummah against its enemies. Muslims worked as a united front, praying for victory after implementing practical steps required for success. However, when looking at the siege of Gaza, does the wider Ummah appreciate this as a battle between Islam and Kufr, or is it seen as a dispute over land, resources, or the ambitions of the Zionists? It’s crucial to recognise this as a battle for all who claim to have Imaan and not just an isolated conflict.

Implementing the Necessary Actions Towards the Correct Solution

During the battle, Muslims implemented practical strategies to achieve victory. They dug a trench, which surprised their enemies and disrupted their plans. In the same way, activities like protests, petitions, will never stop the massacres in Gaza or permanently remove the malign Zionist presence in the region. The solution lies in mobilising the armed forces of the Muslim lands.

Moreover, the Muslims combined practical steps with prayers for victory during the Battle of the Trench. Today, many Imams and scholars suggest relying solely on prayer without accompanying actions, which is insufficient. We must combine necessary actions with supplication and place our trust in Allah’s victory, ensuring that our actions are appropriate to resolve the problem.

“In the Messenger of Allah You Have An Excellent Example“

In conclusion, we should not view the Seerah and its events, such as the Battle of Al-Khandaq, as mere stories but as a guide on how to emulate the Messenger (SAW), the ‘Uswatun Hasanah’ (best of examples).

“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often.”

(Surah Al-Ahzab; 33:21)

And in this regard, you may have noticed something. It is in Surah Al-Ahzab that Allah describes the Messenger (SAW) as uswatun hasanah, and it is this very Surah that Allah (SWT) mentions what happened at the Battle of Al-Khandaq. Hence the reason for the Surah being name Al-Ahzab i.e. the Confederates.

That I would hope is something of note as an item of deep reflection in itself.

Our history is filled with victories and individuals who rallied around the Messenger (SAW). While the Sahabah had his company, we have the Qur’an and the Sunnah as our reference point.

We should never doubt the strength and power of the Ummah. The current shackles is what is stopping us from returning to the glories of past generations and spreading the light of Islam to the rest of the world. With sincere leadership, actions solely for the sake of Allah, supplication, and unwavering conviction in Allah’s promise, victory is within reach Insha’Allah

“And when the believers saw the confederates they said, “This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us, and Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth.” And it did not increase them except in belief and submission.”

(Surah Al-Ahzab; 33:22)