If you ask someone today how to define power, they will tell you that power is money, influence, or control. Take a step back and look at the history of power through a different lens; an entirely different picture emerges.
As we trace the history of the early Muslims, there is one aspect that is quite notable: Their bodily strength did not play any part in the events in which they were involved; rather, it was the believers themselves who had real faith, despite all difficulties and being hunted down for persecution. They were able to maintain a form of conviction that no weapon would be able to replicate.
They held onto a belief in God, which was stronger than any fear or difficulty they had ever experienced before. Their faith was not a blind faith, but one that acted – a faith with conviction, and it changed not only their lives and those around them, but also moved mountains.
Faith Over Power in Islam
Faith in Islam is not a passive belief. It is often displayed under pressure and when you feel like you have no other options left. Many verses in the Holy Qur’an reinforce this message.
Visible power may not carry any importance in this regard, for faith over power in Islam implies this paradigm shift in which you take action, prepare yourself, but never put your trust in anything except faith.
Moreover, faith in Almighty Allah has also been about holding strong against overwhelming odds, as witnessed by many historic events that were much greater than just physical power.
The Qur’an states,
“Indeed, with hardship comes ease” (Quran 94:5-6)
Faith over power in Islam, in the context of the Qur’an, denotes taking actions relying on Allah fully.
“And trust in Allah; and Allah is enough” (33:3)
Thus, through Islamic history, we have the same combination of action and trust over and over again. It is always action with faith and faith with action.
Stories of the Prophet from a Life of Faith: When Faith Was Unaccompanied by Any Support
The life stories of prophets show what such a faith means in practice. The Qur’an doesn’t narrate events only. There are also clear themes in it. The lives of prophets exhibit those themes. These are not abstract stories, but real moments as follows.
The Battle of Badr
The Battle of Badr is the best example in the history of Islam where belief proved to be very powerful.
Before fighting began, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made heartfelt prayers to Almighty Allah for His assistance, praying as is mentioned in Sahih Muslim:
“O Allah, if this group is destroyed today, there will be no one left on Earth to worship You.”
This was not done out of despair. It was that of a man wholly confident in the mercy of Allah Almighty.
In the Battle of Badr, 313 Muslims under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) fought against a large opposition. Muslims won the battle due to their unravelling faith, and Allah helped them turn the tide of the battle in their favour. This can be seen in Allah’s reassurance to Muslims at this time when they called upon Him for assistance (the Qur’an tells us so):
“[Remember] when you asked for the assistance of your Lord, and He answered you, ‘Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another.’ “(Qur’an 8:9)
The Muslim community had barely lived two years in Madinah after 13 years of severe persecution in Makkah. They were facing a force of around 1,000 Qurayshi soldiers who wanted to destroy the last vestiges of Islam among the Muslims.
Moses and Pharaoh: When Power Reached Its Limit
The story of Prophet Moses (AS) and Pharaoh is one of the strongest examples in Islamic history of the superiority of faith over authority.
Pharaoh was not a king. In fact, he declared himself a god, and said to his people: “I am your Lord, Most High.” (Quran 79:24)
And his people unwillingly believed him. He controlled the greatest empire in the world at that time and governed the lives of a nation in bondage, wielded absolute power over everything around him, and was the most revered man in society at that time.
Then, Prophet Moses (AS) came into Pharaoh’s court, a man who had escaped Egypt, a man who had spent years as a shepherd, and a man who had requested Allah to grant him his request before this mission:
“My Lord, expand my breast and ease my task.” (Quran 20:25-26)
As a human, he was scared but asked Allah for some courage since he knew exactly what he was getting into. When Allah commanded Moses to go to Pharaoh to deliver the message to him:
“Go to Pharaoh, for he has exceeded all limits.” (Quran 20:24)
After that, Moses was mocked by Pharaoh, and then Pharaoh called for his sorcerers, threatened, and even eliminated some believers. Finally, he pursued Moses and the Bani Israel into a corner at the sea with the entire might of his army behind him. At that point, when all the people were saying “We will be caught”, Moses said:
“My Lord is with me, and He will guide me” (Quran 26:62)
After a sincere prayer by Prophet Moses, the sea water split into two halves. Moses (AS) and his people crossed it, and when Pharaoh and his army tried to cross it, they were swallowed by the sea. So, it’s about being affirmative when there are no open doors and the result is uncertain.
Prophet Ibrahim: Faith That Didn’t Bend
Prophet Ibrahim (AS) went against the entire society in his opposition to the idols that were being worshipped. Prophet Ibrahim was fighting not a king but his people. Although he was opposing idol-worship, which was common among his people, he never faltered.
Based on what the Qur’an says, during the time of throwing Ibrahim into the fire, God instructed:
“Oh Fire! Be cool and safe for Ibrahim!” (Quran 21:69)
Despite all of the threats and risks that were presented to the Prophet Ibrahim, there is one thing for sure.
He walked out of the fire safely without getting burnt. A scene that became famous as a sign of unwavering Faith in Islam throughout its history.
When Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was cast into the fire, Allah did not take him out of it before he got into the fire. It was a sign that Faith in Islam sometimes needs to go through trouble as well.
The Story of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): His Power Was In His Compassion
There is one important aspect of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)’s life that summarizes everything perfectly.
Having suffered oppression in Makkah for many years, he came back with power in hand. It was the time of Makkah’s conquest when power could have been wielded as vengeance.
But he forgave all the people who were involved in all the hostile activities throughout the years. It is not weakness but powerful control that is tempered with faith.
And the Holy Qur’an calls him
“O Prophet, we sent you for a mercy into the worlds.’” (Qur’an 21:107)
This line ultimately changes everything!
Prophet Joseph (AS): The Faith That Prevailed Over All Efforts to Kill Him
Joseph (A.S) dealt with many horrible things in his life: being thrown into a well by his brothers, sold into slavery in Egypt, and wrongfully imprisoned after the wife of Al-Aziz falsely accused him.
Many years were yet to pass before Joseph (A.S) came out of prison. He never once lost or wavered in his conviction that Allah would fulfil His promises to him. While in prison, he said,
“Indeed, it is my Lord who is Subtle in what He wills”. (Qur’an 12:100)
Strength of Faith in Islamic History
Prophet Moses (AS) was on the edge of a body of water with an army behind him, Ibrahim (AS) was thrown into a fire, the Muslims who fought at Badr were heavily outnumbered, and Joseph (AS) languished for many years in prison. The Qur’an is clear regarding this:
“Do you think you will enter paradise without having been tried as those before you had been tried?” (Qur’an 2:214).
Difficulty did not indicate the lack of faith. In these stories, it was the very context in which faith proved what it was. This is the consistent message of the prophet stories of faith across the Quran: the trial is part of the testimony, but praying and believing in Allah would ultimately remove all the hardships from one’s life.
