RAMAZAN AND WARFARE
Far Removed From Each Other
Asection of Muslims subscribe to the notion that Ramazan is the month of Furqan, the month of victory. This line of thought ensures victory if jihad, in the sense of war (qital), is waged during Ramazan.
Hence battles were waged against supposed enemies during Ramazan over the last few years. Such wars have invariably ended in the destruction and defeat of the Mujahideen or aggressors themselves. Even with such devastating evidence to the contrary, they have not changed their opinion or reconsidered their stand. It is strange indeed that they still connect war with this sacrosanct period.
What is the basis or source for reckoning the month of Ramazan as the month of victory?
It is the fact that the battle of Badr took place during the life of the Prophet in the month of Ramazan, in 2 A.H. In this battle, the Prophet and his companions emerged victorious. This was the logic used to regard Ramazan as the month of victory.
But this is a flawed assumption. The battle of Badr was not a matter of choice for the Prophet of Islam. It was a war fought to defend against an enemy who had marched towards Madinah in this month to attack the Prophet and his companions. This armed aggression led to the defensive war at Badr.
None of the other battles in the initial history of Islam were fought during Ramazan. For instance, the battle of Uhud took place near Madinah on the 6th Shawwal, 3 A.H., and the battle of Hunain took place on 11th Shawwal, in 8 A.H. This is a clear proof that the month of Ramazan has nothing to do with war.
War is never the choice of believers. Islam states that war can be waged only in defence. And it is more than clear that it is the aggressor who fixes the date according to his choice, leaving no option to the defender.
The Prophet observed:
Do not wish for confrontation with the enemy, instead ask for
peace from God. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
This illustrates the basic principle of Islam vis-a-vis war. Peace is the rule and war an exception. In Islam, war is an act of compulsion rather than an option. The situation of war is not created by the believers but forced on them requiring a response in self-defence.
The month of Ramazan is called the month of patience. It is the month of self-control; curbing desire; not being provoked in spite of provocation; developing spirituality by enduring the pangs of hunger and thirst; and striving to come closer to God by remembering Him through prayer and the reading of the Quran. This is possible only when man distances himself from the human world and brings himself closer to the spiritual world of God.
These dictums amply make it clear that Ramazan is the month of peace. This is the month of awakening one’s inner nature, to be engrossed in thoughts of God, rather than in embroiling oneself in worldly matters.
On sighting the new moon of Ramazan, the Prophet Muhammad observed:
‘O God, let the moon of the month of Ramazan appear on us
with peace and security.’ (At-Tirmizi, Ad-Darmi, Musnad Ahmad).
The above Dua (supplication) shows the feelings with which the Prophet of Islam welcomed the month of Ramazan. These words of the Prophet provide a definite proof that Ramazan has nothing to do with war. Rather it aims at building a society in which peace and goodwill flourish.
On fasting during Ramazan, the Quran says: “So that you may guard yourselves” (2: 183). Fasting has been prescribed to enable people to follow the right path; to receive training for a life of righteousness (Taqwa).
Taqwa, guarding oneself, is explained in a Hadith. Umar Farooq, the second Caliph once asked Ubayy ibn Kaab, a senior Companion to explain the meaning of taqwa.
Ramazan is the month of training in self-control; of
refraining from being provoked in spite of
provocation and striving to come closer to God.
He replied, “O, Leader of the believers, have you ever taken a path flanked by thorny bushes?”
Umar replied in the affirmative. Ubayy ibn Kaab wished to know how he protected himself.
He said, “I gathered my clothes close to me and went on my way”.
Ubayy ibn Kaab said, “It is this cautious attitude which is called taqwa.” (Al Qurtubi)
Ramazan is the month of taqwa; it is the month of guarding
oneself against ‘thorns’. It would be strange to think of Ramazan
as the time for embroiling oneself in thorns, instead of guarding
oneself from them!
Wise Adjustment
Always remember that it is not your intention or your
desire that determines the course taken by the external
world. It is a wise adjustment between your desires and
external realities that leads to great success.