Malfuzat – Volume I — Page 57
Malfuzat - Volume I Islam was Granted Two Strengths in War 57 Now reflect that this very word 'ribat', which refers to horses that are tied at the border for defence against the enemy, is also used to refer to those souls which are trained in preparation for the inner battle against Satan that constantly wages on within. It is absolutely true that Islam was granted two strengths in war. The first strength was used in the early period of Islam for the purpose of defence and to seek retribution. When the idolaters of Arabia oppressed and persecuted the Muslims, a party of one thousand valiantly took on a hundred thousand disbe- lievers and exhibited this pure strength and grandeur in every trying time. As this time passed, the philosophy of the word 'ribat' pertaining to physical strength and skill in war became manifest. The Present Era Calls for Feats in Spiritual Battle Now, in the era that we are passing through at present, there is absolutely no need for any physical war. As a matter of fact, in the latter days, precedents were to be set in battles that would ensue within-spiritual battles. For in the present age, an elaborate arsenal of equipment has been prepared to fuel apostasy and irreligion within the hearts of people. And so it is necessary to combat these forces with similar weaponry because this is a time of peace and harmony. We enjoy every kind of comfort and security. Everyone is free to preach and propagate their reli- gion and to follow its injunctions. Given that Islam is a true advocate for peace, rather, when Islam is the foremost religion that truly disseminates peace, harmony and safety, how can it seek to establish its earlier practice in this era of peace and freedom? Hence, it is the latter practice, i. e. the undertaking of spiritual struggle, that is needed in this day and age. As the Persian proverb goes: که حلوا چو یکبار خوردند و بس Halwa once partaken of is enough. Jihad in the Present Age There was another factor underpinning the practice of earlier times and it was to exhibit bravery, which in that era was deemed to be the most commendable and cherished quality one could possess. In the present day, war has become a science where even a person who sits at a distance can fire a canon or a gun. However, in