Short Description
Comparing what happened to Baghdad at the hands of Mongols to what happened at the hands of Americans, we find many similarities. Americans appeared on the stage so suddenly,
Comparing what happened to Baghdad at the hands of Mongols to what happened at the hands of Americans, we find many similarities. Americans appeared on the stage so suddenly, just like the Mongols, a nation with no history, built upon others' skulls. Americans have slaughtered tens of thousands of native Indians to create their own country and destroyed the natives’ civilization to create what they call their civilization. Days passsed and they became the single power just like the Mongols were; they never accepted others as equals, only as followers.
The similarities between their deals and covenants with those of the Mongols are astonishing; neither does not keep a word nor respect a covenant. Mongols and Americans did not need a strong reason to attack Iraq, it was all their allegations that nobody could challenge, and they both said they are there simply to liberate the country!
And the similarity in their wars?! Same, they did not mind killing civilians, women or even children, massive destruction, looting (gold then, oil now); plain injustice. The Mongols centered themselves in Afghanistan first to have their military bases secured before advancing to Baghdad; Americans did exactly the same. “Is this the legacy they have transmitted, one to another? Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!” [Qur’an 51:53].
Their military strength, the massive armies, the spectacular technology, long term planning, and all the money spent generously to supply the army to the best of their ability; all the same. Minkokhan divided the world into enemies and friends (or followers), the same was done by the new Minkokhan (Mr. Bush). The alliance between the Mongols and Christians, in spite of the Christians weakness, is exactly what we see today between Americans and the British. The British have a long history in the Middle East; they could be useful in the process, especially taking the dangerous missions to avoid losses to the American army.
The Mongols also made alliance with the Kurds in northern Iraq; exactly the same as the Americans did. American armies pierced Muslim land with approval and acceptance on their way to Iraq; the same as Mongol armies did centuries ago. Mongols united with Shiite inside Iraq, the same as the Americans have done. Both used the psychological war by Muslim traitors deceiving people into believing that they are undefeatable and the only way to safety is to surrender (Mongols then, Americans now).
Holako worked through his man (Moed El-Deen) to lower the numbers of the army and decrease their allowances; the exact same happened when sanctions were forced upon the Iraqis to weaken them. Baghdad was under siege, then and now, fighters were ordered to surrender and hand in their weapons. Al-Mostasem ran away fearing for his own life, just as Saddam did. Al-Mostasem’s two sons were killed before he was captured, the same as Saddam’s two sons were killed before he was captured.
We saw the Mongols promising peace if not resisted, as well as the Americans; both did not keep a word. Both planned to invade and never leave, exactly the same; history repeats itself. But all the similarities are not to scare Muslims, what Muslims should worry about is the similarity between our situation then and now. We are defeated only because of our weaknesses and sins, we have to stop and think, why are we so helpless while we are over a billion Muslims.
Problems we should overcome:
1. Absence of focus: “O ye who believe! If ye will aid (the cause of) Allah, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly.” [Qur’an 47:7]. A very simple rule, we follow Allah’s rules, we are then granted victory. Trying to find middle ground and accepting eastern and western philosophies is not going to get us anywhere. Qotoz yelled: “Oh Islam”, loud and clear because his vision was clear. If we adopt the Muslim system in our countries, our education, our banking, our armies, all aspects have to go back to the original, pure Islam; that is nothing to fear or be ashamed of.
2. Divisions: “And obey Allah and His Messenger; and fall into no disputes, lest ye lose heart and your power depart; and be patient and persevering: for Allah compasses round about all that they do.” [Qur’an 8:46]. We were deeply divided when the Mongols defeated us; each ruler considered that his part of the world was safe as long as Mongols were not at his doorstep!
3. Drowning in pleasures of this life: Muslims were keen on gathering riches and pleasures, forgetting that this life is short and Muslims are not supposed to relax, but work hard towards the great reward in the Hereafter. “When We decide to destroy a population, We (first) send a definite order to those among them who are given the good things of this life and yet transgress; so that the word is proved true against them: then (it is) We destroy them utterly.” [Qur’an 17:16].
4. Giving up fighting in the cause of Allah: accepting peace in weakness is surrender, Muslims did not realize that the only way to protect our rights is to fight for them. Peace is not an option when our land is taken, our children are killed and our sacred places are invaded. The word jihad was mentioned in the Qur’an more than 30 times.
“O Prophet! Rouse the Believers to the fight. If there are twenty amongst you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two hundred: if a hundred, they will vanquish a thousand of the Unbelievers: for these are a people without understanding.” [Qur’an 8:65] “O ye who believe! Fight the Unbelievers who gird you about, and let them find firmness in you: and know that Allah is with those who fear Him.” [Qur’an 9:123]
“The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year) – so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are sacred: that is the straight usage. So wrong not yourselves therein, and fight the Pagans all together as they fight you all together. But know that Allah is with those who restrain themselves.” [Qur’an 9:36]
The word jihad is not a bad word that we should be ashamed of; how can a nation wanting to protect itself and defend its beliefs give up jihad?
5. Ignoring military preparation: the Mongols prepared their army as best as they could, planned for their wars very carefully; nothing was left to chance. Meanwhile, the Muslims were deep asleep, no intelligence, no preparation, no planning; defeat was barely a surprise.
6. Loss of role models: one role model is more effective than a thousand lectures, people learn by watching others much more than they learn by listening to a well written lecture. We saw how people followed Qotoz because he was their role model.
7. Befriending the enemy: many Muslim leaders fell into the trap of befriending their enemies while Allah says: “O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: they are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily, Allah guides not a people unjust.” [Qur’an 5:51].
8. Depression: Muslims did not believe in themselves, they over estimated their enemies, while Allah says: “O my sons! Go ye and enquire about Joseph and his brother, and never give up hope of Allah’s soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah’s soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith.” [Qur’an 12:87 ]
9. Giving leadership to those who do not deserve it: only people who are capable of carrying the responsibility should be allowed to reach leadership positions; not family members or friends!
10. Absence of shoura (true democracy): we miss on a lot of good advice by not listening to others. We waste millions of good opinions by ignoring the ideas of others. “It is part of the Mercy of Allah that you deal gently with them. Were you severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about thee: so pass over (their faults), and ask for (Allah’s) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then, when you have taken a decision, put thy trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him).” [Qur’an 3:159 ]
With all the similarities between the two stories, there is still a big difference: resistance. We saw vicious resistance to the Americans in Iraq; resistance defeated Americans and killed thousands of them. We saw them worried about the result of this war; they can not say that they are victorious up till today.
Allah will grant victory to this nation, the same as He did before, and we will be able to get out of our trouble today the same as we did before, no doubt. “And you shall certainly know the truth of it (all) after a while.” [Qur’an 38:88]
Comments
Send your comment