Major Transformations in the Ummah: Lessons from the Seerah
Throughout history, the Ummah has faced trials that have tested its resilience, patience, and faith. Allah reminds us in Surat al-Baqarah:
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ
مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ
مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌۭ ٢١٤
“Do you suppose that you will enter the Garden without first having suffered like those before you? They were afflicted by misfortune and hardship, and they were so shaken that even the messenger and the believers with him cried, ‘When will God’s help arrive?’ Truly, God’s help is near.” (2:214)
Similarly, in Surat Aal-e-Imran, Allah describes the perseverance of past believers:
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن نَّبِيّٖ قَٰتَلَ مَعَهُۥ
رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٞ فَمَا وَهَنُواْ لِمَآ أَصَابَهُمۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ
وَمَا ضَعُفُواْ وَمَا ٱسۡتَكَانُواْۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
“And how many a prophet has had numerous godly people combating alongside him? And they did not waver regardless of that which afflicted them in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken, nor did they give in. And Allah loves the patient ones.” (3:146)
These verses highlight an important reality: the Ummah will continuously face challenges that shake its core. The question is: how do we respond? The answer lies in the Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Key milestones in the Seerah
The revelation of the Quran
When Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) first received revelation, he was commanded to stand against the ignorance and oppression of his society. This phase was met with severe resistance, rejection and hostility. Yet it laid the foundation for the transformation of the Ummah.
Delivering the message
As the message spread, opposition intensified. The Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions were subjected to torture, exile, and a boycott. Yet, they remained steadfast.
The Hijra (Migration)
After enduring years of hostility, the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his followers migrated to Madinah, which was a milestone in his biography, his challenges did not end. Even though the citizens of Madinah were more welcoming and accommodating, it was not the end to the troubles.
The change of Qibla
Approximately 16–18 months after the Hijra, Allah commanded the believers to change the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to the Ka‘bah. This shift symbolised the emerging distinct identity of the Muslim Ummah.
The Battle of Badr
In 2 AH, the believers faced the Quraysh at Badr. Though vastly outnumbered, they secured a resounding victory. At this battle, the believers learned the lesson that a small group can defeat a larger force, breaking the illusion that a battle is about numbers and that if the smaller side will lose then there is no point doing anything. It showed us that you can do a lot if you are with Allah.
The Battle of Uhud
A year later, in 3 AH, the Muslims suffered a setback at Uhud. Despite initial success, they suffered shock and loss. Uhud was a shake to the Ummah from which it learned many lessons from – the importance of obedience and following instructions and working with each other.
The Battle of the Trench (Khandaq)
In 5 AH, Madinah was besieged by 10,000 troops. The Muslims, under the Prophet’s guidance at the suggestion of Salman al Farisi, dug a massive trench around the city—a strategy unheard of in Arabian warfare. they were terrified with their hearts in their throats.
إِذْ جَاءُوكُم مِّن فَوْقِكُمْ وَمِنْ أَسْفَلَ مِنكُمْ وَإِذْ زَاغَتِ الْأَبْصَارُ وَبَلَغَتِ الْقُلُوبُ الْحَنَاجِرَ وَتَظُنُّونَ بِاللَّهِ الظُّنُونَا
[Remember] when they came at you from above you and from below you, and when eyes shifted [in fear], and hearts reached the throats and you assumed about Allah [various] assumptions. (33:10)
After that Allah sent the wind and they were victorious. When you are with Allah will subjugate everything to serve you. Allah sent a storm that scattered the enemy forces, proving that divine help arrives when believers hold firm.
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
In 6 AH, the Prophet (peace be upon him) signed a peace treaty with the Quraysh. It was another milestone in the history. Each one of these milestones shook the community and shaped the Ummah.
The Conquest of Makkah
In 8 AH, the Muslims marched into Makkah victorious. Instead of seeking revenge, the Prophet (peace be upon him) forgave his former persecutors, embodying the principle that true strength lies in mercy and justice.
The key to victory: patience, resilience, and faith
Allah describes the righteous in the verse from Surat Ale Imran as those who “did not weaken, nor did they give in.” Weakness is not just physical; it begins in the mind. Mental defeat precedes physical defeat. Allah warns against surrendering to hardship, as this leads to humiliation.
Instead, the Rabbaniyun are those who are strong in mentally, physically and spiritually.
This is what we need to remind ourselves in life – we need to be strong. Our strength comes from Allah. The sequence of these events show that we will have continuous challenges that shake us to the core, so the question is how will we respond? Respond with patience resilience and the result will be victory. Without these you cannot get victory.
Inshallah I am optimistic regardless of what people say, the Ummah is now persevering with all these tests. We have shown a great deal of patience and resilience and I am hoping this will be a new page for our Ummah. Victory will come, but it takes time and effort and collaboration.
We ask Allah to give us the ability to be among those who are close to Him and rely truly on Him. Ameen.
Based on the khutbah of Shaykh Haytham Tamim 14th February 2025
- The 13 quantities of the people of the lofty chambers of Paradise
- Are surrogacy and IVF permitted in Islam?
- Racism is never the answer to any problem
- Is it permissible to wear snakeskin in Islam?
- What is the difference between Islamic mortgages and conventional mortgages
