Correcting the concept of victory after the ICJ ruling

Recognising that stories are one of the finest ways of stabilising īmān and reassuring broken hearts, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would often share with his companions accounts of the past, people who met intense adversity with patience and reliance upon Allah.

Contents

The story of a boy, a king, the People of the Ditch, a magician, and a monk Allah refers to the above event in Surat al-Burūj How does this connect to the ICJ ruling against Israel?World has woken up to the Zionist regime’s evil nature Keeping up the momentum As Muslims, we hold the only true position on what is to come It may not be in this life, but justice will come Action points Also read

One such transformative story that redefined the notion of victory and loss, a real-life story of deep relevance in light of Palestine’s pain, is one narrated by Muslim on the authority of Suhayb (radiy Allahu ‘anhu). [1]

The story of a boy, a king, the People of the Ditch, a magician, and a monk

As reported by Suhayb (radiy Allahu ‘anhu), the Prophet ﷺ shared the following:

“There was a king among those before you, who had a magician who worked for him. When the magician grew old, he said to the king,

إني قد كبرت فابعث إلي غلاما أعلمه السحر

‘I have grown old, so send me a boy to teach magic.’

“So, the king sent him a boy to learn.

“On his way to the magician, the boy encountered a monk and sat with him, finding his words appealing. Whenever he went to the magician, he would pass by the monk and sit with him.

“The magician would beat the boy (for arriving late), so he complained to the monk, who said,

‘When you fear the magician, say: ‘My family detained me’. And when you fear your family, say: ‘The magician detained me.’

“On one of those days, the boy came upon a huge beast that was blocking the people’s way, and thought,

‘Today I will know who is better, the magician or the monk.’

“He picked up a stone and said,

‘O Allah, if the monk’s matter is more beloved to You than the magician’s, then kill this beast so the people can pass.’

“He threw the stone, killed it, and the people passed.

“He told the monk, who said,

‘My son, today you are better than me. You have reached a level I see, and you will be tested. If you are tested, do not reveal my whereabouts.’

“The boy could cure the blind and the leper and heal people of all diseases. A blind royal advisor heard of him, brought him many gifts, and said,

‘All of this will be yours if you heal me.’

“The boy said,

‘I do not heal anyone; only Allah heals. If you believe in Allah, I will pray to Allah to heal you.’

“The man believed in Allah, and Allah healed him.

“When he went to the king, he sat with him as usual. The king asked,

‘Who restored your sight?’

“He said,

‘My Lord.’

“The king asked,

‘Do you have a lord other than me?’

“He said,

‘My Lord and your Lord is Allah.’

The king took him and tortured him until he disclosed the whereabouts of the boy. The king summoned the boy and said,

‘My son, your magic has reached the point where you can cure the blind and the leper, and you do this and that.’

“The boy said,

‘I do not heal anyone; only Allah heals.’

“The king tortured him until he disclosed the whereabouts of the monk. The monk was brought in, and when he refused to renounce his faith, a saw was placed in the middle of his head and was sawed in half.

“Then, the king’s advisor was brought in and, upon refusing to renounce his faith, was also sawed in half.

“Then, it was the boy’s turn; he refused to renounce his faith, so the king sent him with a group of his men to a mountain, telling them to throw him off if he refused to recant.

“On the mountain, the boy said,

‘O Allah, spare me of them in whatever way you wish.’

“So the mountain shook, the men tumbled to their death, and the boy returned to the king.

“The king asked,

‘What happened to your companions?’

“The boy replied,

‘Allah saved me from them.’

“The king then sent him with another group to the sea to throw him in if he refused to recant. The boy prayed again, and the boat overturned, drowning them, but he returned to the king.

“The king asked,

‘What happened to your companions?’

“The boy replied,

‘Allah saved me from them.’

“He then said,

‘You will not be able to kill me until you do what I tell you to do.’

“The king asked,

‘What would that be?’

“He told him that he could not kill him unless he gathered the people in one place, crucified him on a trunk, took an arrow from his quiver, placed the arrow in the bow, and said the following before shooting him,

‘In the name of Allah, the Lord of the boy.’

“The king did exactly that and shot the boy, hitting him in the temple. The boy raised his hand to his bloodied temple (in pain) and died at the scene.

“The people proclaimed,

‘We believe in the Lord of the boy! We believe in the Lord of the boy! We believe in the Lord of the boy!’

“The king was informed,

‘Do you see what you were afraid of? By Allah, your fear has come upon you; the people have believed.’

“So, he ordered trenches to be dug at the entrances of the roads (to prevent people from escaping) and set them ablaze, saying,

‘Whoever does not renounce his religion, throw him into it.’

“They did so until a woman came with her child, hesitating to jump in the blaze.

“The child said to her,

‘O mother, be patient for you are upon the truth.’ [1]

Allah refers to the above event in Surat al-Burūj

Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) says,

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ فَتَنُوا۟ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَتُوبُوا۟ فَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ ٱلْحَرِيقِ

“Indeed, those who have tortured the believing men and believing women and then have not repented will have the punishment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the Burning Fire.

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّـٰتٌۭ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْكَبِيرُ

“Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great victory.” [2]

How does this connect to the ICJ ruling against Israel?

When the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its landmark ruling that found it plausible that Israel’s acts could amount to genocide, the reaction among Muslims was mixed.

Some felt tremendous disappointment, particularly as the final judgment will take many years, and particularly because the killing not only resumed but intensified post-ruling.

However, the story of the boy and the magician offers a complete shift in perspective.

Despite the public execution of a child, and the genocide of his entire community, Allah labelled the outcome as a “great victory”. This is attributed, in part, to the boy’s success in propagating the narrative of truth and ensuring it was heard by all.

The young child succeeded in breaking the monopoly on the media that was held by the prevailing powers and introduced a new narrative that the community collectively witnessed and embraced.

This was indeed a victory, albeit at the cost of their lives, because dying for the truth and entering Paradise is infinitely more honourable in Allah’s Eyes than living upon a lie and being cast into Hell!

World has woken up to the Zionist regime’s evil nature

The South African legal team reached the necessary threshold for the case to be brought before the ICJ. Witnessing such an adept legal team craft a document that stands as perhaps the most formidable ever presented to any legal body was a global spectacle in itself.

The world watched and listened intently as the crimes perpetrated against Palestinians, widely disseminated across the Internet, were meticulously compiled in an 84-page dossier. This document was then laid before the world’s highest court in an 8-hour uninterrupted live-streamed presentation marked by exceptional clarity and coherence.

For the first time, the genocidal actions of the Zionists have become a household topic worldwide. During the hearing, the ideology of Zionism faced unprecedented scrutiny, with many questioning its viability in the 21^st century.

For the first time, the shield of immunity that Israel had long enjoyed was decisively breached. It humiliated the US elite who said South Africa’s case was “meritless”, humiliated the elite of the UK when David Cameron said their case was “nonsense”, and humiliated France when it described it as a “distorted reality”.

Now, discussing genocide in the context of Israel no longer labels one anti-Semitic or a sympathiser of terrorism.

Keeping up the momentum

With that said, traction must be maintained during this historic moment by doing things that our legal framework still gives space for.

This may include any of the following:

starting an organised campaign to contact companies, arms-related or otherwise, that work with the Israeli entity, telling them, “You may be complicit in assisting genocide”;
setting up Palestine/Islamic exhibitions in public venues to meet the current surge in demand to know about Palestine and Islam (the secret behind Palestinian resilience);
contacting the ICJP (International Centre of Justice for Palestinians), an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians, and academics who aim to protect the rights of Palestinians through the law, and asking them how you can help;
committing to sharing content daily, aiming for at least one post, be it on a WhatsApp status or similar platforms.

As Muslims, we hold the only true position on what is to come

When all is said and done, a clear perspective on the bigger picture is essential. And it is this perspective that ultimately separates Muslims from all others.

Our entrenched belief is in the Last Day — the Day of Reckoning — where not a soul shall escape the Court of Allah. Regardless of worldly successes or failures, victories or losses, life or death, our sight is so obsessively fixated on that inevitable day of justice that our worldly successes do not cause us excessive celebration, nor do our setbacks plunge us into excessive grief.

It is precisely the thought of that inevitable and fast approaching Day that shapes our decisions in life; it’s what motivates us to lower our gaze, to reject riba (interest) at any cost, to perfect our hijab despite pressure, to structure our evenings and weekends so purely.

It is our motivator to steer clear from theft, injustice, harming of the innocent, and oppression at any level. We fear that Day and recognise that ultimate justice is dispensed only on that Day.

“Won’t you tell me about the wonders you saw in the land of Abyssinia?” [3]

This was the question that the Prophet ﷺ asked a group of companions who had returned to Madina from the land of Abyssinia.

One of them responded with a remarkable story:

بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ بَيْنَا نَحْنُ جُلُوسٌ مَرَّتْ بِنَا عَجُوزٌ مِنْ عَجَائِزِ رَهَابِينِهِمْ تَحْمِلُ عَلَى رَأْسِهَا قُلَّةً مِنْ مَاءٍ فَمَرَّتْ بِفَتًى مِنْهُمْ فَجَعَلَ إِحْدَى يَدَيْهِ بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهَا ثُمَّ دَفَعَهَا فَخَرَّتْ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهَا فَانْكَسَرَتْ قُلَّتُهَا

“Yes indeed, O Messenger of Allah.

“While we were sitting one day, an old nun belonging to the religious class passed by, carrying an earthenware cup containing water over her head.

“A young man crept up from behind, placing one of his hands between her shoulder blades. He then shoved her, causing her to fall to her knees, which also caused the vessel to shatter.”

فَلَمَّا ارْتَفَعَتْ الْتَفَتَتْ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَتْ سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُ يَا غُدَرُ إِذَا وَضَعَ اللَّهُ الْكُرْسِيَّ وَجَمَعَ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَالْآخِرِينَ وَتَكَلَّمَتْ الْأَيْدِي وَالْأَرْجُلُ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ فَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُ كَيْفَ أَمْرِي وَأَمْرُكَ عِنْدَهُ غَدًا

“When she stood up, she turned towards him and said,

‘O treacherous one, you shall come to learn! On that Day when Allah sets the Footstool, gathers the first and last of creation, and the hands and feet speak about what they earned, you will know, then, how the matter between you and me will be settled.'” [3]

The Prophet ﷺ remarked,

صَدَقَتْ صَدَقَتْ كَيْفَ يُقَدِّسُ اللَّهُ أُمَّةً لَا يُؤْخَذُ لِضَعِيفِهِمْ مِنْ شَدِيدِهِمْ

“She spoke the truth! She spoke the truth! How can Allah sanctify a nation that does not take the side of the weak against the strong?” [3]

It may not be in this life, but justice will come

As we strive for justice with all our might, we remain completely cognisant of the fact that true justice may not be attainable in the Dunya.

Bearing this in mind, I turn to some verses of the Qur’ān, Allah’s final message to humankind. These verses call for the undivided attention and observance of every King, President, Prime Minister, politician, and anyone else wielding any form of power over others.

To those who feel secure after having perverted the course of justice today, or who naively assume safety should they evade punishment in this temporal existence, we draw their attention to the closing verses from chapter 14, Surat Ibrāhīm, where the One (al-Ahad) and only King (al-Malik) says:

وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَـٰفِلًا عَمَّا يَعْمَلُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ ۚ إِنَّمَا يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ لِيَوْمٍۢ تَشْخَصُ فِيهِ ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرُ

مُهْطِعِينَ مُقْنِعِى رُءُوسِهِمْ لَا يَرْتَدُّ إِلَيْهِمْ طَرْفُهُمْ ۖ وَأَفْـِٔدَتُهُمْ هَوَآءٌۭ

“Do not think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them until a Day when their eyes will stare in horror, rushing forth, heads raised, never blinking, with their hearts void.

وَأَنذِرِ ٱلنَّاسَ يَوْمَ يَأْتِيهِمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ فَيَقُولُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ أَخِّرْنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍۢ قَرِيبٍۢ نُّجِبْ دَعْوَتَكَ وَنَتَّبِعِ ٱلرُّسُلَ ۗ أَوَلَمْ تَكُونُوٓا۟ أَقْسَمْتُم مِّن قَبْلُ مَا لَكُم مِّن زَوَالٍۢ

وَسَكَنتُمْ فِى مَسَـٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمْ كَيْفَ فَعَلْنَا بِهِمْ وَضَرَبْنَا لَكُمُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ

“And warn the people of the Day when the punishment will come upon them, and those who did wrong will cry,

‘Our Lord! Delay us for a little while. We will respond to Your call and follow the messengers!’

“It will be said,

‘Did you not swear before that your power would have no end?’

“And you passed by the ruins of those who had wronged themselves, and it was made clear to you how We dealt with them, and We gave you many examples.” [4]

Allah ‘azza wa jal continues,

وَقَدْ مَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرَهُمْ وَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَكْرُهُمْ وَإِن كَانَ مَكْرُهُمْ لِتَزُولَ مِنْهُ ٱلْجِبَالُ

فَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُخْلِفَ وَعْدِهِۦ رُسُلَهُۥٓ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌۭ ذُو ٱنتِقَامٍۢ

“They made their plots, yet their plans are known to Allah, even if their plan had been sufficient to do away with the mountains.

“So do not think, O Prophet, that Allah will fail His promise to His messengers. Allah is indeed Almighty, capable of punishment.” [5]

He (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) goes further,

يَوْمَ تُبَدَّلُ ٱلْأَرْضُ غَيْرَ ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ ۖ وَبَرَزُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلْوَٰحِدِ ٱلْقَهَّارِ

وَتَرَى ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ يَوْمَئِذٍۢ مُّقَرَّنِينَ فِى ٱلْأَصْفَادِ

سَرَابِيلُهُم مِّن قَطِرَانٍۢ وَتَغْشَىٰ وُجُوهَهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ

“Watch for the Day when the Earth will be changed into a different Earth and the Heavens as well, and all will emerge before Allah — the One, the Supreme.

“On that Day, you will see the criminals bound together in chains, with garments of tar, and their faces covered with flames.

لِيَجْزِىَ ٱللَّهُ كُلَّ نَفْسٍۢ مَّا كَسَبَتْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ

هَـٰذَا بَلَـٰغٌۭ لِّلنَّاسِ وَلِيُنذَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَلِيَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا هُوَ إِلَـٰهٌۭ وَٰحِدٌۭ وَلِيَذَّكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ

“As such, Allah will give to every soul what it has committed. Surely, Allah is swift in reckoning.

“This Qur’ān is a sufficient message for humanity so that they may take it as a warning and know that there is only One God, and so that people of reason may take heed.” [6]

Action points

Contact the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) and find out how you can support their efforts.
Learn more about history as it often repeats itself, as shown by the ICJ ruling and the Zionist state's actions.
Keep sharing news that is coming from Palestine, we need to sustain the momentum.