The Significance of Independence and the Essence of Victory

Freedom is an intrinsic right bestowed upon every human being. In the teachings of Islam, this principle is deeply rooted, as the first verse of the faith proclaims, "There is no god but one Allah, and Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah." This declaration, embraced by millions, highlights the profound connection between freedom and faith.

Victory is not merely a triumph over adversaries but a divine blessing that guides people towards righteousness and offers opportunities for good deeds. As stated in the Holy Qur'an, "Indeed, We have granted you a clear victory, so that Allah may forgive your past and future sins, complete His favor upon you, and guide you to a straight path, and Allah will grant you a mighty help" (Surah Al-Fath, 48:1-3).

However, the true essence of victory lies not just in the conquest but in the establishment of social harmony, unity, and economic balance. The winners, as per the teachings of Allah, are urged to maintain justice and righteousness. Allah Almighty says, "Those who, if We establish them in the land, establish prayer and give zakat, and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. And to Allah belongs the outcome of all matters" (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:41).

After the historic conquest of Makkah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) exemplified humility and mercy by declaring, "Today, I say to you what my brother Yusuf (PBUH) said to his guilty brothers, 'There is no blame upon you today. May Allah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of the merciful'" (Surah Yusuf, 12:92; Tafsir Qurtubi). This gesture of forgiveness and reconciliation underlines the importance of compassion in victory.

Victory should never lead to arrogance or excess. Instead, gratitude and moderation are the virtues to be embraced. After the conquest of Makkah, Allah commanded, "When the victory of Allah has come and the conquest, and you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes, then exalt with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance" (Surah An-Nasr, 110:1-3).

Maintaining peace and order in society post-victory is a collective responsibility. The Holy Qur'an emphasizes, "And do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption" (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:11; Surah Al-A’raf, 7:56). Further, it is stated, "Allah does not like corruption" (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:205). To uphold the safety and well-being of the community, it is essential for all members, including students, scholars, and religious leaders, to foster a spirit of resistance against violence and chaos.

Imams and preachers in mosques, along with teachers in madrassas, play a crucial role in guiding people away from the temptations of vengeance and anger. As responsible citizens, it is imperative to ensure the safety of one’s neighbors and community members, regardless of their faith. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized, "By God! He is not a believer, by God! He is not a believer, by God! He is not a believer." When asked who this referred to, the Prophet replied, "The one whose neighbor is not safe from his harm" (Bukhari and Muslim, Muttafaq Alaihi). Moreover, he stated, "He will not enter Paradise whose neighbor is not safe from him" (Muslim).

In a society inspired by Islamic values, it is the duty of every Muslim to protect the life and property of non-Muslims as well. The Islamic society and state established by the Prophet (PBUH) in Medina serve as a timeless example of this principle. Duties and responsibilities are sacred trusts; violating these trusts is a grave sin. The true meaning of victory is realized when the fundamental spirit of freedom, embodied in a just society, is firmly established.

This article originally appeared on BengaliVogue.com, where we continue to explore the timeless lessons of history and faith. For more insightful articles, visit our website.