Spending Before The Conquest
by Babar Ahmad

24th March 2004

"Not equal among you are those who spent before the Conquest and fought (and those who did so after it.) All those are greater in rank than they who spent afterwards and fought. But to all Allah has promised the best reward. And Allah is Well-Aware of what you do."

[Quran 57:10]

Some commentators say that the Conquest refers to the Treaty of Hudaybiyah, in Year 6 after the hijrah, which the Prophet (saw) signed with the polytheists of Makkah and was a precursor to the Conquest of Makkah three years later in Year 8 after the hijrah. Others say that the ‘Conquest’ is the Conquest of Makkah itself. Whichever is the stronger opinion; both refer to a distinct conquest and victory for Islam.

This verse was revealed in Al-Madinah towards the end of the Prophethood in reference to the Companions who supported Islam before it became victorious. Before the ‘Conquest’, there were those believers who were hesitant in spending, sacrificing, struggling and supporting, whether physically or materially, the religion of the Prophet (saw). They were cautious to spend their wealth and openly declare their support for the cause as they may have had doubts in their minds as to whether or not this cause would be victorious or not. They may have thought, If we spend all our wealth and fight for Islam and then it is defeated, then we will lose our efforts in supporting a failed cause. However, if we remain believers without openly spending, fighting, and supporting Islam, and then it is made victorious, then we will still be able to share in the victory.


Then there was the other, smaller group of dedicated believers who openly spent and fought for the religion, because they had absolutely no doubt whatsoever that this cause would win and that Islam would eventually become victorious. Furthermore, they realised that in order for the religion to triumph, it needed the support of dedicated believers at the time when it was most unpopular to support it.

Allah the Almighty thus revealed this verse after the Conquest, when Islam became victorious and it became clear to both the believers and the polytheists all over Arabia that the Prophet (saw) had won. Allah The Exalted specifically singled out the group of believers who openly supported the religion before its victory became apparent because it is commendable and courageous to support a cause when it is unpopular, but easy once it has become victorious. Once a cause becomes triumphant, people from all places flock to it to give their support. After the Conquest, when it became clear who had won and who had lost, believers from everywhere came to the Prophet (saw) with their offers of wealth and manpower. Allah the Supreme still acknowledged this second group, But to all Allah has promised the best reward (i.e. Paradise)… but He makes it clear that the group who spent and fought before the Conquest were distinctly higher in rank than those who spent and fought once the main battle was over and victory had been achieved.


In December 2001, a handful of Muslims -alleged foreign ‘terror’ suspects- were arrested and detained indefinitely. Few amongst the Muslim community in the UK bothered to even say something, including myself, let alone make a stand. In fact, those who are not even Muslim made a stand first and began to speak out. However, when in December 2004, three years later, the House of Lords unanimously ruled that detention without trial was illegal and disproportionate; all of a sudden Muslims began to appear from everywhere and openly support the now-victorious cause. Whilst it is improper and un-Islamic to question the intentions of these Muslims and why they remained quiet when their efforts were most needed, it is wholly correct to say that this group is not the same in rank as those Muslims who supported this cause when it was unpopular, ‘unfashionable’ and frowned upon.


The same thing happened with the Guantanamo detainees. In early 2002, the first images appeared of Muslims being transported to Guantanamo Bay: hooded, shackled, deprived of senses and barefooted. Reports began to emerge of how US soldiers were throwing Qurans in toilets and female US interrogators were smearing menstrual blood onto the faces of Muslim detainees. Yet there was a deafening silence from the majority of Muslims until when it was announced, in March 2004, that five Britons would be coming home from Guantanamo Bay. Suddenly, statements of support began to appear from everywhere once victory had been declared and their ordeal was over.


Unfortunately, this state of affairs represents reality. We are not prepared to support clear-cut causes for fear of being adversely labelled as extreme, unpopular or unfashionable. But then what is the point of supporting a cause once it triumphs and becomes famous and popular? Allah the Almighty works in wondrous ways. Sometimes when we are hesitant to support even our own causes, Allah forces us to support them whether we like it or not.


A few days ago, an Algerian detainee known as ‘A’ was released from Woodhill Prison after having spent three and a half years in prison without charge or trial. Shortly before he was due to be released, I said to him, Brother, I don’t know if I will ever see you again, but in case I don’t, I wanted to take this opportunity to ask for your forgiveness. He asked me, Forgiveness for what? I replied, Three years ago I watched on TV as you and several others were arrested and unjustly detained without trial, but I didn’t do anything about it because I didn’t really care much about it. Now I am in prison without trial and you are going home. And tomorrow, those Muslims who do not do anything about me, they will be in prison and I will go home. And then those who do not do anything about them, they will be in prison whilst the others go home. And so on.

Having said this, I embraced him. A few days later he went home but I remain in prison.


Visit:www.freebabarahmad.com

Write to him: Babar Ahmad, MX5383, HMP Belmarsh, Western Way, Thamesmead, London.SE28 OEB ; Note he has been moved to Belmarsh]