An observer of Islamic obligations will not fail to notice that they are interconnected; as soon as one obligation ends, the time for another begins.
Often, these obligations overlap, emphasizing that a Muslim’s life has no room for idleness or leisure. It is a life of diligence and effort, racing against time to achieve as much as possible before life's end. These accomplishments serve as rewards and blessings in the Hereafter, bringing joy in the eternal life. They also leave behind a legacy among people, inspiring others through a commendable life and noble deeds.
No nation surpasses ours in understanding the value of time, especially when this perspective on life and the Hereafter was clear in the minds of our elite and intellectual leaders, and even among the general public. This is evidenced by the immense body of work left behind by our scholars in various fields.
You find that some of them produced such a vast amount of scholarly work that one of us today would struggle merely to copy it. So, when did they have time to master these sciences, excel in them, and become distinguished authors among their peers? Examples of this abound in the biographies of these great authors.
The secret behind this lies in what was mentioned earlier: they were diligent about their time, not wasting a single moment. This is how Islam nurtured them. A close example of this can be seen in the season of fasting, as the blessed month of Ramadan involves multiple obligations for the Muslim, which accompany fasting without distracting from it, nor does fasting detract from them. When the blessed month comes to an end, the time for another obligation, Hajj, begins...
Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "The pilgrimage is [during] well-known months, so whoever has made Hajj obligatory upon himself therein [by entering the state of ihram], there is [to be for him] no sexual relations, no disobedience, and no disputing during Hajj" [Al-Baqarah/197].
It is well-known that the months of Hajj begin with Shawwal, which comes immediately after Ramadan. During this time, Muslims prepare to perform another pillar of Islam.
After the verses of fasting, you will find a direct mention of jihad and encouragement towards it. Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors. *And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al-Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers. *And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Fight them until there is no fitnah and [until] the religion [i.e., worship] is for Allah. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors. [Fighting in] the sacred month is for [aggression committed in] the sacred month, and for [all] violations is legal retribution. So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same way that he has assaulted you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is with those who fear Him."
[Al-Baqarah/190–194].
A Muslim naturally receives Allah's commands with submission and obedience, but understanding the wisdom behind the order and nature of acts of worship enhances their motivation to perform them actively. For example, fasting involves abstaining from daily habits like eating and drinking, training the soul to obey Allah until obedience becomes a new character and daily norm. Similarly, Hajj represents a departure from one’s homeland, residences, childhood memories, youthful moments, and family ties. It entails traveling to a barren valley surrounding the Sacred House of Allah, encircled by deserts. The journey holds no worldly allure, requiring the soul to face hardships and challenges such as the risk of hunger, thirst, scorching heat, freezing cold, and dusty winds—none of which offer any tangible benefit or comfort to the self.
Thus, the journey is for Allah alone, in response to His call as conveyed by our father Ibrahim (peace be upon him). Allah Says (What means): "And proclaim to the people the pilgrimage; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, coming from every distant pass. That they may witness benefits for themselves..." [Al-Hajj/27-28].
These benefits are more spiritual than material. They elevate the soul by fostering detachment from worldly desires and increasing faith as one witnesses the masses united by the words of Tawhid (There is no god worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah). This, along with other benefits, can be explored further in their respective contexts.
The point here is to highlight that reflecting on the nature of the two obligations (fasting and pilgrimage) and their arrangement makes it clear that fasting serves as a preparation for Hajj. Both fasting and Hajj involve a detachment from the earthly aspects of human nature, allowing the soul to ascend and connect with the spiritual realm. The soul, in its journey, seeks knowledge of Allah and finds peace and tranquility in His proximity.
Similarly, Jihad, which involves enduring hardships and facing dangers—starting from the separation from family and ending with the departure from this world to the Hereafter—entails sleeplessness, fatigue, wounds, and thirst. The precursor to this jihad was fasting, which served as training to endure the difficulties of battle. Hunger, thirst, and patience during Ramadan are essential preparations for those who wish to confront an enemy that is oppressive, hostile, and disrespectful of sacred boundaries and rights. A person who is not detached from the worldly pleasures and temptations, and does not yearn for what is with Allah, cannot approach jihad with enthusiasm, courage, and competence.
This, in particular, is what our righteous predecessors embodied when their leader threatened their enemies by stating that he had come to them with a people who love death as much as their enemy loves life. The disbeliever, who is attached to the earth, finds his pleasure in the fleeting and artificial delights of this world, which corrupt and destroy his being. Meanwhile, the believer finds his complete happiness in the obedience of Allah, which leads him to a place of honor and truth with the Almighty, the Sovereign.
Thus, fasting was a preparation for jihad, so when it conflicts with it, jihad takes precedence over fasting. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said to his companions during the conquest of Makkah: "You are approaching your enemy, and breaking your fast is stronger for you." [Moslim].
This physical preparation for jihad is accompanied by a spiritual preparation, which is even stronger and more impactful. Allah, The Almighty, Said about fasting (What means): "O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous." [Al-Baqarah/183]. Moreover, about Jihad, He Said (What means): "And fear Allah, and know that Allah is with the righteous." [Al-Baqarah/194].
Thus, the piety that a Muslim learns during the month of Ramadan becomes a weapon to face the enemy in battle. It is also a character and feeling that strengthens their resolve and determination when encountering the enemy. Fasting is based on the concept of being aware of Allah, feeling that He is observing His creation and counting their deeds. This awareness is the gateway to piety, where the pious person becomes consistently conscious of Allah’s presence in all aspects of their life, ensuring that they do not neglect any obligation, commit any forbidden action, or take a shameful stance.
The pious fighter knows that their happiness lies in advancing with courage and manliness; this is a sign of faith. On the other hand, fleeing the battlefield is considered one of the seven major sins that a Muslim avoids. The acts of bravery in the heat of battle are those whose consequences will be praised tomorrow. As Allah Says (What means): "On the Day when every soul will find what it has done of good present before it, and what it has done of evil, it will wish that there were a great distance between it and that evil." [Al-Imran/30].
Indeed, there is a vast difference between the one who is presented with a situation and steps forward with courage, moving boldly without hesitation, and the one who is presented with the same situation yet turns his back in humiliation, hiding from the eyes of others. The disgrace of the latter in this world connects with the disgrace he will face in the Hereafter, and his shame among his peers is compounded by his dishonor before Allah.
Preparing fighters and equipping them with Taqwa (God-consciousness) is a clear indication that our jihad in the path of Allah aims to uphold His word, spread truth and virtue, and deliver His message to His servants. We do not seek to oppress anyone, nor do we desire wealth, treasures, or to enslave people for our own interests, as other nations of oppression and aggression have done. Even our enemies have testified that history has never known a conqueror more merciful than us.
Yes, indeed, we convey the religion of Allah that He revealed to His Prophet and made a mercy for all worlds. We strive to free people from worshiping other servants to worshiping Allah alone, and from the injustice of systems to the justice of Islam. This is why we defend our lands and homelands with fervor, courage, and valor, sacrificing everything precious to protect them so that the darkness of oppressors and the tyranny of the unjust does not overshadow our nation and us. We aim to keep our lands—where the revelation descended—a beacon of guidance for those lost in the turbulent sea of darkness and the conflicts of oppressive powers. We place firm hope in Allah that the light will once again shine from our lands, bringing the mercy of Allah to all humanity.
Yes, it is the Islamic upbringing... where there is no room for emptiness, frivolity, or aimlessness. Instead, it is a series of interconnected and cooperative duties to ensure that the word of Allah remains supreme on earth. We hope that this nation has absorbed the lessons learned from the seasons of obedience, reflecting them in its behavior and way of life, so that it continues to be the best nation brought forth for humankind.
