The Muslim Ummah has continuously faced oppression, mistreatment, and attempts at the complete eradication of Islam. These centuries of cruelty have led Muslims to a state of weakness, hopelessness, and lack of faith in the Creator. However, is this oppression truly the reason the victory of Islam has been delayed?

An-Nasr, as described by the Words of Allah in Surat An-Nasr, is the "Ultimate Help" or "The Victory". Allah (SWT) has sworn numerous times in the Qur'an that the enemies of Islam will surely be defeated and the believers will prevail.

"Whoever allies themselves with Allah, His Messenger, and fellow believers, Allah’s party will certainly prevail."  [Surat Al-Maa'ida - 5:56]

"Indeed, the ones who oppose Allāh and His Messenger - those will be among the most humbled." [Surat Al-Mujadila - 58:20]

Thus, it is a certain matter that the Muslims are to be victorious in the end, no matter how large the magnitude of the disbelievers. The question then arises: when will it come? How much more suffering and pain must the Ummah face before the victory comes? Has Allah abandoned us?

In reality, it is not Allah (SWT) who has abandoned us, but it is us who abandoned Him. The Ummah has degenerated to such a level that such people exist: "It's just makruh; it's not that big of a deal!" Or even worse, "Music is just a minor sin; I am not harming anyone!" The true fear of Allah (SWT) has been abolished from the hearts of the Muslims. The standards are so low that individuals who commit to the absolute basics of the religion are recognized as religious or gallant. Knowledge has become something not sought for — seen as boring and a waste of time. The Sunan of our beloved Prophet (SAW) become increasingly forgotten and not practiced! Are such people really deserving of Nasr?  

It is harsh to contemplate things in this way, but in reality, it is truly the fault of all of us as individuals. Some might say, "What is it with us? We do not control the affairs of the world, nor are we its leaders. How is this our fault?" My answer to you is: count your faults. Many of us claim that we want to fight for Islam, but how many truly are able to fight their lusts and desires? How many of us get up readily to place our heads on the floor in humiliation? How many of us adhere to the Sunan of our Prophet (SAW)? Consider this account  from Ameer Al Mu'mineen, Umar bin al-Khattab:

“I am very surprised at how long it is taking to conquer Egypt, as you have been fighting for the last two years, unless it is because of some sins that you have committed, or you have started to love this world as your enemy does. Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, only grants victory to people who are sincere...” [1]

By now, the heart with faith should feel a sense of regret and defeatedness. But, continuous complaining and regret over the state of the Ummah won't get us anywhere. Each one of us needs to take action and by the will of Allah (SWT), there will be a difference. The question then arises, where do we start?

First and foremost, we must take the initiative to observe our duties, be keen on performing our Salaah on time, pay zakah, and show gratitude to Allah (SWT) by being dutiful to our parents. We must then remember that Allah (SWT) afflicts calamities upon the believers as a means to test them, expiate their sins, and expose the hypocrites within them so that once victory arrives, leadership will be definite and not controlled by false believers. After all, Allah (SWT) tests those whom He loves most. [2]

"Do you think you will be admitted into Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so ˹violently˺ shaken that even the Messenger and the believers with him cried out, “When will Allah’s help come?” Indeed, Allah’s help is always near." [Surat Al-Baqarah - 2:214]

We can extract several messages from this verse — some of which are:

• A sincere belief that only Allah (SWT) is capable of granting us victory.

• The certainty that Allah (SWT) will grant us victory.

• Knowing that there is true wisdom behind Allah (SWT) delaying His aid to us.

• Upholding patience in times of calamity is a virtue and a means of entering paradise.

• The victory of Allah (SWT) is not for anyone who calls themselves Muslim; rather, it is for those who to the fullest degree believe in Allah in their hearts and commit to the duties He obligated.
  
  

In addition to the above, there are prerequisites to attaining the Nasr of Allah (SWT). Whoever seeks divine help without satisfying these conditions is going against Islamic teaching and common sense. They are:

• Sincere Faith through Belief and Action - The True Muslim does not only believe in Allah (SWT) but also acts upon his belief. The Prophet (SAW) said: "Say, 'I believe in Allah and remain steadfast'." [3]  
  
  

• Supporting the Religion of Allah (SWT) - Those who strive for the sake of Allah come ever closer to earning His assistance. This support can be in the form of giving Da'wah to non-Muslims, donating to Muslims in need, spreading knowledge related to Islam, etc. [4]
  
  

• Putting Trust in Allah (SWT) - A Firm belief that Allah will grant us victory is greatly essential. [5]
  
  

Trust in Allah (SWT) comes in two important parts and they are:

1. Taking appropriate measures to achieve victory.

2. After effort is placed, having faith that Allah has decreed the best to happen.
   
   

• Abundant Du'aa' and Dhikr - Two of the most powerful weapons of the believer are supplication and remembrance of Allah. [6]
  
  

• Engaging in Unity - To ensure our religion's victory, we must put aside any disputes and unneeded divisions. We must call each other to True Islam, and do whatever we can to leave deviance. [7]
  
  

• Adhering to Guidelines that Save Us from Doom & Humiliation - Sin is a natural occurrence of all of mankind; thus, it is critical to sincerely regret our faults, be determined to not go back to them, and repent wholeheartedly. If we've wronged someone, we should also seek forgiveness from that person. Beyond this, couple the obligatory prayers with supererogatory ones and seek to follow the example of our Prophet (SAW).
  
  Finally, we must commit to 'Amr bil Ma'roof wa Nahi 'Anil Munkar (Calling to Goodness & Forbidding Evil). It is true that  Allah (SWT) is the Supremest of Judges, but this does not mean that we cannot condemn the actions of those who sin, call to evil, and foul the image of Islam. The Prophet (SAW) said:

“Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot do so, then with his tongue. If he cannot do so, then with his heart, which is the weakest level of faith.” [8]

The true believer calls to Goodness, and he strives to abolish Evil whenever he can. It has been narrated that Imam Ahmad (RH) said:

"There will come a time upon people, a believer will be like a stinky carcass (disliked and hated by people around him) among them! And people will point toward Munāfiq (Hypocrite) their fingers (i.e. he is a remarkable person). They will make the commandments of Allah something in which there is no benefit.  When a believer sees an opportunity to command good or prohibit evil, he will not be patient about it till he commands (good) or forbids (evil), but the people will complain that he is doing something that doesn't concern him! As for a hypocrite (Munāfiq), whatever he sees, he will not care about it and it will be said about him: What a good person he is, he doesn't intervene in what doesn't concern him."  [9]

اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْلَنَا وَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنتَ وَ اَصْلِحْهُمْ وَ اَصْلِحْذَاتْ بَيْنِهِمْ وَ اَلِّفْ بَيْنَ قُلُوْبِهِمْ وَ اجْعَلْ فِىْ قُلُوْبِهِمُ الاِيْمَانَ وَ الْحِكْمَةَ وَ انْصُرْهِمْ عَلى عَدُوِّكَ وَ عَدُوِّهِمْ
اللَّهُمَّ مُنْزِلَ الْكِتَابِ، سَرِيعَ الْحِسَابِ، اهْزِمِ الاَحْزَابَ، اللَّهُمَّ مْهُمْ وَ زَلْزِلْهُمْ
اللهُمَ أنْصُرْ إخْوَانَنا فيِ فلسطين وَ الشّيشان وَ كشمير وَ العراق وَ الهند وَأفغانستان وَ الفلبّين وَ باكستان وَ فِي كُلِّ مكانٍ
اللهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الإِسْلامَ وَالمُسْلِمِينَ، اللهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الإِسْلامَ وَالمُسْلِمِينَ، وَأَذِلَّ الشِّرْكَ وَالمُشْرِكِينَ وَدَمِّرْ أَعْدآءَ الدِّينِ وَاحْمِ حَوْزَةَ الإسْلامِ يَا رَبَّ العَالَمِينَ
اللهُمَّ فُكَّ قَيْدَ أَسْرَانَا وَأَسْرىَ المُسْلِمِِِينَ، اللهُمَّ فُكَّ قَيْدَ أَسْرَانَا وَأَسْرَى المُسْلِمِِِينَ، اللهُمَّ فُكَّ قَيْدَ أَسْرَانَا وَأَسْرَى المُسْلِمِِِينَ، وَرُدَّهُمْ إِلُى أَهْلِهِمْ سَالِمِينَ،

اللّـهُمَّ آميـــــــــــــــــــن اللّـهُمَّ آميـــــــــــــــــــن اللّـهُمَّ آميـــــــــــــــــــن