NUSSRAH - THE METHOD TO TAKE AUTHORITY. (Seize Power)
What Is Nussrah?
It is the Divine Method to take the Authority (Al-Sultaan)
Juristic Definition; NUSSRAH:- To persuade people of power to give Authority to Muslims enabling them to implement Islam.
Originally, it is a Fard Kifaayah (upon Muslims wherever they are) to take the authority in order to implement Islam. However, now it is a Fard Kifaayah Muhattam upon Muslims.
The Divine Method to take authority is by seeking Nussrah. Allah(swt) says in the Qur'an:-
"And say, �My lord, lead me in with the truth and lead me out with the truth, and grant me the authority with power to support me." [EMQ - 17:80]
This was a command on the Messenger of Allah(saw) to seek 1-Authority(Sultaan) WITH 2-Power(Naseer).
Ayah [17:80] was revealed in the 10th year after the Muhammad (saw) was appointed as Messenger.
Ibn Hisham reports that until this ayah was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (saw) did not approach the tribes for the purpose of seeking Nussrah to establish the Islamic State.
NB: Seeking Nussrah to take authority in order to implement Islam is a divine method with the same Hukm of taking authority. However, the Hukm of seeking Nussrah is Fard Muhattam and Qat'i - i.e. decisive without abrogation.
There are two reasons that Nussrah is sought for:-
1. To protect the Da�wah.
2. To seize power and establish Shari�ah.
The Nussrah discussed here is that of seizing power.
The Messenger Muhammad (saw) seek it from Al-Kufalaa.
Al-Kufalaa were the Al-Ansaar... mentioned in Musnad Al-Imaam Ahmad, And Musnad Al-Darimi and Al-Tabaqat for Al-Waaqidie.... etc
The divine conditions for Al-Ansaar are:
1- Muslims
2- Trustworthy
3- Sane
4- Mature
5- Kufalaa:- those who are in charge over the whole affairs of people: feeding, defending, chothing, sheltering etc
6- Unconditional life and death support for the sake of Allah (that islam to be implemented)...
Al-Ansaar have divine descriptions therefore we must not deal with the matter in a logical manners...
The public opinion is not a pre-requisite condition to take the Nussrah
Public opinion it may help but it means nothing to Al-Ansaar because they are the Kufalaa anyway, i.e. they have the power and the influence to take charge over the affairs of the people, feed people, clothe people, shelter people, defend the people and defend the land.
Regarding assessing the amount of material power required in establishing the Islamic State. It is sufficient to have enough power to implement Islam internally, and protect the State 80km externally.
Nussrah has to be:-
1. Unconditional.
2. Sought from Muslims only.
Seeking the Nussrah
Attaining the Nussrah (Support) is a critical element of the divine method to establish the Khilafah (Islamic State). A review of the Sunnah of the Messenger (SAW) shows how Nussrah was intentionally sought for 5 years. The Nussrah of those who could physically affect the reality of that time were the tribes of weaponry. Tribes where targeted, who could defend the Messenger (SAW), establish the authority of Islam in their land, defend the Muslims from attack and use their power to propagate the Deen. Such a discussion is critical for the weighty fact that those who call for Islam to cure the ills today must have a way to bring about a profound change. We present this as a reminder of the method of the Prophet (saw) which we must today follow in order to fulfil the command of Allah (Swt) and re-establish his deen upon the earth.
Quraysh
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) had, on many occasions sought the support from Quraysh. His da�wah had started in Makkah and its end goal was the establishment of an Islamic authority in Makkah. This was something that the Quraysh were wholly aware of. In the last days before his death, the Quraysh approached Abu Talib with a view towards reaching a negotiated settlement as a result of the pressure from the da�wah activities of the Muslims. A delegation of 25 key personalities from the leadership of Quraysh, including Abu Jahl bin Hisham, Abu Sufyan bin Harb and Utbah ibn Rabia came with great hopes of reaching a compromise.
Abu Talib summoned the Messenger (SAW) "Here are the most celebrated of your people. They have proposed a meeting to submit a policy of mutual concessions and peaceful co-existence." His (SAW) reply was straightforward "It is one word that will give you (i.e. Quraysh) supremacy over Arabs and non-Arabs." Abu Jahl becoming intrigued replied "What is this word? I swear by your father that we will grant you not one but ten such words" He (SAW) replied "Say; La ilaha illallah." At this the Quraysh clapped their hands in ridicule and left.
Utbah ibn Rabia, one of the key leaders of Quraysh (father of Hind and father in law to Abu Sufyan) returned to his people after discussing with the messenger of Allah (saw). They had no illusions about the significance of the Messenger�s (Saw) call, He addressed his people saying, "I heard words of great significance...O people take heed of my words - leave this man. If the Arabs (i.e. those other than Quraysh) finish him, then you will be spared of trouble. But if he succeeds and defeats the others his dominion will be yours and his power will be yours and you will be the most fortunate of people."
The understanding was clear to all, this call to La illaha illalah was one of attaining authority and power. This was the basis upon which the Quraysh would have dominated the other Arabs and non-Arabs. This was understood clearly by his enemies at that point, the leaders of Quraysh.
The cousin of the Prophet, �Ali (RA) narrates "When Allah commanded His Messenger (SAW) to present himself to the Arab tribes, he went out to Mina accompanied by myself and Abu Bakr (RA) where we came to gathering of Arab tribes."
Bani Sheeban bin Thalabah
The Messenger of Allah was taken to Bani Sheeban bin Thalabah. Abu Bakr who accompanied him on these discussions and was aware of the lineage of tribes recommended them to the Prophet for their suitability saying "May my parents be sacrificed for you, none besides them are more honourable than this tribe." The dialogue between Abu Bakr and one of their leaders, Mafruq is most revealing. Abu Bakr asked Mafruq, "What is your number?" Mafruq replied "We are one thousand in number and one thousand is no little figure." Abu Bakr continued "What about the Manaa (power/defence) amongst you?" Mafruq answered "We always struggle, for every nation is bound to struggle." Abu Bakr further enquired "What about the result of the battles between you and your enemies?" Mafruq responded, "When we fight we are in one of our furies and the battle is enraged.... We prefer our horses to our children and we prefer weapons to milking animals. So far as the victory is confirmed it is from Allah."
Hearing this exchange and their suitability to offer him support, the Prophet immediately invited the tribe to Islam "I call you to witness that there is no God but Allah, that I am is His Messenger, and that you shelter me and protect me until I discharge the duty placed upon me by Allah."
Mafruq asked the question "What do you preach my brother?" - To which the Messenger recited verses from Surah al Anam. Mafruq enquired, "Tell me something more about your preaching, O my Qurayshi brother! By Allah this speech is not of any who inhabits the earth. If it were theirs we would recognise them."
The Messenger recited "Allah commands justice and the doing of good. And giving help to kith and kin. Allah forbids evil deeds, Munkar and rebellious actions. He admonishes you so that you may take heed." [TMQ 16:90]
The discussion expanded to include Hani ibn Qabisah who was their religious leader and Muthanna bin Haritha, their commander of war. However the ensuing discussion showed that despite their many qualities they were unsuitable to offer support. Muthanna explained to the Messenger of Allah "We have a treaty with Kisra (Emperor of Persia) due to which we are staying here (i.e. their land between the valleys of Yamamah and Samawah). According to the treaty we are not authorised to raise any new movement or give asylum to any such person who initiates a new movement. It is possible that your mission might be disliked by the Emperor...If you need our help (and shelter) against those in Arabia, we are ready for that."
The Prophet rejected their offer as he was looking for unconditional support, as he (saw) said "I think you do not show any reservation in replying to me.........The one who supports Allah�s deen, should protect it from all sides." Clasping the hand of Abu Bakr, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) arose and left the assembly.
The rejection of Bani Sheeban bin Thalabah reveals that the Prophet was not seeking refuge from attack only, for this tribe were willing to offer him sanctuary from Quraysh. It was to seek support from peoples who were capable of offering protection from all sides. This is also indicative of how he had a global vision and designs on dominance over all other deens, with ambitions even on the great Persian Empire of that day.
Bani Amr bin Sa�asa
Bani Amr bin Sa�asa was approached to accept the Deen and give protection to Islam. One of their men, Bayharah bin Firaz said "By Allah if I could take this young man from Quraysh I could eat up all the Arabs." He asked the Messenger "Do you think if we follow you and God gives you victory over your opponents we shall have the command after you?" The Prophet (SAW) replied " Command belongs with Allah who places it where he wills." Bayharah replied, "Are we to expose our throats to the Arabs in your defence and when you are victorious the command will go to someone else! We do not need your deen!" With this they rejected to support the Prophet (SAW) and turned their backs on him.
Bayharah�s reply is most revealing for it shows that the Prophet�s approach was not merely to bring the tribe to Islam, but to get them to give physical protection to him and His deen. They understood clearly that this call was a challenge to whole of the Arabian way of life but wanted political authority to pass to them after the Messenger.
The quest to gain support continued. The historians of Seerah have documented this in far greater detail. Some sources state that the Prophet approached as many as 40 tribes, with the same objective and conditions as have been detailed above. Some of these tribes are Bani Bakr bin Wail, Bani Hanifah, Bani Kinda, Bani Kalb Bani Fazarah, Bani Sulaym, Bani Abd ibn Hawazin, Bani Ghassan, Bani Murrah, Bani Abs, Bani Harith and Bani Udrah.
Nussrah from Al- Aws and Al Khazraj
Eventually this support was to come from the power brokers of Madinah, the leaders of Al Aws and Khazraj who gave the bai�ah to the Messenger (SAW), known as the Pledge of War. It is reported that 73 men and 2 women from Yathrib came to the Makkah for a landmark meeting. They met the Prophet (SAW) late at night in secret at al-Aqabah before the Hajj on the days of Tashriq. Only Muhammad (SAW) and his uncle Al-Abbas went to meet this delegation. They went to great efforts in keeping the meeting secret. Attendees were told that if anyone forgot about meeting not to remind him, if anyone was asleep that they should not be awoken. Al Abbas spoke to the delegation "O people of Khazraj (meaning Al Aws and Khazraj)�if you think you can fulfil your commitments which you have made and defend him, then assume the responsibility which you have taken upon yourself to do. If you are going to abandon him and hand him over after he has come to you, then leave him now, for he is honoured by his people and safe in his land."
In this meeting the Messenger of Allah (SAW) also spoke, " I will enter into a contract of allegiance with you, provided that you protect me like you protect your women and children." Upon this al-Bara� took the Messenger�s hand, "By Allah we will protect you like we would our womenfolk. Administer the oath of allegiance to us, O Messenger of Allah, for we are men of war and men of coats of nail. We have inherited this from generation to generation." The delegation further asked, "If you succeed in your mission will you leave us?" Being assured of their commitment the Prophet pledged, " I will wage war against whom you wage war and declare peace with whom you declare peace. My blood is your blood and my pact is your pact." It is narrated that the Messenger requested the choice of 12 leaders to make the pledge.
This was the precursor to the migration of the Messenger from Dar ul Kufr, at that time (Makkah) to a potential Dar ul Islam, Madinah- home to the first Islamic State.
The Objective of Nussrah
As these well-documented incidents show the aim of Nussrah was not protection for the Prophet only. If this had been the case he could have migrated with many of the Sahabah in the early years to Abyssinia where Negus gave asylum. Indeed He (SAW) could have continued da�wah in Makkah after the Taif incident under the protection of Al Mutim ibn Adi, who pledged to bear arms in the protection of the Prophet (SAW) alone. The Prophet could have taken the offer of Muthana, the Commander of War from Bani Sheeban bin Thalabah, who explicitly offered him support and refuge from his people in Arabia, when at that time they were the only threat.
The aim was to seek support for protection of his life, but - also to take power and authority. It was through this that Islam could be established in the land. Without authority Islam could not have been established in the land and can never be established now. This was understood clearly by those that the Prophet approached. Bayharah from Bani Amr bin Sa�asa knew this. Why else would he remark that with this man (i.e. Muhammad) he could eat up all the Arabs (i.e. gain domination over them). It is why Utbah ibn Rabia advised his people to avoid confrontation with the Prophet and reap the rewards of his domain and power if the Messenger succeeded. The Quraysh though intrigued by the promise of ruling over all Arabs and non-Arabs could not provide support because it was linked with the condition of testifying on the Shahadah.
The lessons Muslims must take today is that this phase of the Seerah of seeking support to take power, is the only way to attain a state today. The Messenger spent 5 years in pursuit of this even at the expense of humiliating himself, as was the case in Taif, despite the fact that this has been made haram. This undoubtedly indicates the nature of this activity being a fard. Even more conclusive is the hadith of �Ali who said that the approach to tribes was based on �amr - the command of Allah.
Today the equivalent men of Nussrah are those in command of the armed forces of the Muslim armies. They are the men who could offer support to remove the corrupt regimes and implement Islam. They are the ones who could defend the Islamic lands from physical attack. It is essential that these Muslims are targeted and won over to the cause of Islam. The armies of Pakistan, Turkey, Syria, Egypt and the like are full of Muslims with Islamic sentiments. They have a crucial role to play in Establishing the Khilafah.
REFERENCE
Qadi abu Sa'ad al-Harawi was a judge who held court in Damascus at the time when the Crusaders occupied Palestine (as the Jews today occupy those lands). The Crusaders, just like the Israelis today, immediately set about terrorising the Muslims. The Muslims' homes were stolen, their blood drenched, the land and their women were dishonoured.
Qadi Abu Sa'ad did not suggest to the Muslim leaders that they sign for peace with the Crusaders, Instead, he immediately sped to Baghdad, to the court of the then Khalifah, al-Mastazhir Billah, who was busy tending his flowers. He addressed the leader of the Musllims thus: "How dare you slumber in the shade of complacent safety leading lives as frivolous as garden flowers, while your brothers in Syria (of which Palestine was a part) have no dwelling place save the bellies of vultures? Blood has been spilled! Beautiful young girls have been shamed, and must now hide their sweet faces in their hands! Shall the valorous Arabs resign themselves to insults, and the valiant Persians accept dishonour?"
The eloquence of the Qadi's discourse and the devastation of this shattering news led the Khalifah and his courtiers to weep. Qadi abu Sa'ad's reply was a message of anger which can just as easily be directed to those who today just shed tears or make fanciful rhetoric about the situation of Muslims in Palestine, or are merely satisfied with giving a few pence to a Palestinian charity: "Mans' meanest weapon is to shed tears when rapiers stir the coals of war... never have Muslims been so humiliated, never have their lands been so savagely devastated."
Muslim armies number hundreds of thousands, our arsenals are full of modern weaponry... as ever it is our leaders who are cowards. They are the ones who ask for summits in response to mass killing. Qadi Abu Sa'ad's plea went almost unheard, until Salahideen unified the Muslims and fought the Crusaders one hundred years later.
Ibn Hajr Al-'Asqalani related that Abu Idris Al- Khaulani heard from Nahik Ibn Surim Al-Sakuni that Rasoolallah (SAW) Muhammad said: "You will fight the pagans until the remnant of you fights on the River Jordan, you to the east of it and they to the west of it." Al-Saukuni said that he did not know where on earth the Jordan was at that time.
[Ahmad Ibn Ali Ibn Hijr al-'Asqalani, al-'Isaba fi Tamiyyz al-Sahaba, Volume 3, p.545 (al-Maktabah al-Tijariyah al-Kubra, Cairo, 1939)]
The Messenger Muhammad (saw) said:
"Some peoples will come on the Day of Judgement and their Imaan will be outstanding, it's light will shine from their chests and from their right hands. So it will be said to them, 'glad tidings for you today, Assalaamu alaykum and goodness for you, enter into it (Jannah) forever!' So the angels and the Prophets will be jealous of the love of Allah for them." So the Sahabah asked, ' who are they O Messenger of Allah?' He (saw) replied, "They are not from us and they are not from you. You are my companions but they are my beloved. They will come after you and will find the book (the Qur'an) made redundant by the people, and a Sunnah which has been killed by them. So they will grab hold of the book and the Sunnah and revive them. So they will read them and teach them (the Qur'an and the Sunnah) to the people and they will experience in that path a punishment more severe and more ugly than what you (O Sahabah) have experienced. Indeed, the Imaan of one of them is equivalent to the Imaan of forty of you. The Shaheed of one of them is equivalent to forty of your Shuhadaa'. Because you found a helper towards the truth (the Prophet [saw]) and they will find no helper towards the truth. So they will be surrounded by tyrant rulers in every place, and they will be in the surroundings of Bayt ul-Maqdis (al-Quds). The Nussrah (victorious material support) of Allah will come to them, and they will have the honour of it on their hands." Then he (saw) said "O Allah give them the Nussrah and make them my close friends in Jannah." [Musnad of Imam Ahmed]