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The fall of the tyrant

The fall of the tyrant
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December 13, 2024
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In Surat An-Nur, Allah Almighty reassures us that He never breaks His promises:

‫وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمۡ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَیَسۡتَخۡلِفَنَّهُمۡ فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ كَمَا ٱسۡتَخۡلَفَ ٱلَّذِینَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ وَلَیُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمۡ دِینَهُمُ ٱلَّذِی ٱرۡتَضَىٰ لَهُمۡ وَلَیُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ خَوۡفِهِمۡ أَمۡنࣰاۚ یَعۡبُدُونَنِی لَا یُشۡرِكُونَ بِی شَیۡـࣰٔاۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعۡدَ ذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ فَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡفَـٰسِقُونَ ﴿ ٥٥ ﴾

Allah has promised those of you who have attained faith and have done righteous deeds that He will most surely make them successors in the land as He made those before them successors, and that He will most surely establish for them their religion which He has approved for them, and that He will most surely substitute security in place of their fear—as they worship Me, never associating anything with Me. But whoever denies after that—those are the defiantly disobedient. (An-Nur, Ayah 55)

The fulfillment of Allah’s promises, however, is not based on our timeline. Allah’s timing is in His Hands. The essence of our test is that while we firmly believe in His promises, the challenge lies in waiting for His decree to manifest. There is no doubt, that His promise will be fulfilled, for He never breaks His promise.

In Surat Ar Rum, Allah confirms this:

‫وَیَوۡمَىِٕذٍ یَفۡرَحُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ ﴿ ٤ ﴾

‫بِنَصۡرِ ٱللَّهِۚ یَنصُرُ مَن یَشَاۤءُۖ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِیزُ ٱلرَّحِیمُ ﴿ ٥ ﴾

‫وَعۡدَ ٱللَّهِۖ لَا یُخۡلِفُ ٱللَّهُ وَعۡدَهُۥ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا یَعۡلَمُونَ ﴿ ٦ ﴾

And on that day, the believers will exult

in Allah’s support. He supports whomever He wills, and He is the Almighty, the Bestower of mercy.

The promise of Allah—Allah never breaks His promise, but most of mankind knows not. (Ar-Rūm, 4-6)

The fall of the tyrant in Syria

Alhamdulillah. It finally happened! It took 50 years by Allah’s will.

Alhamdulillah Allah delivered His promise. Alhamdulillah He showed grace and mercy to His servants. Alhamdulillah He gave them security and gave justice to the oppressed. Alhamdulillah at the fall of the tyrant.

There are many ayahs that speak about tyranny and oppression in the Quran – the effects of tyranny as well as the punishment.

Man becomes a tyrant when he thinks he is self-sufficient When he forgets that there is a power higher than him who will judge him and hold him accountable on the Day of Judgement. Surat Fatiha reminds us daily of the the Malik al Yaumideen, the Master of the Day of Judgement.

Some people did not live to witness it, however as Allah said to His Prophet (ﷺ), plan unfolds according to His wisdom and timing:

وَإِن مَّا نُرِیَنَّكَ بَعۡضَ ٱلَّذِی نَعِدُهُمۡ أَوۡ نَتَوَفَّیَنَّكَ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَیۡكَ ٱلۡبَلَـٰغُ وَعَلَیۡنَا ٱلۡحِسَابُ

Whether We show you some of what We have promised them or take you at death, your duty is indeed mere proclamation, while Ours is the reckoning. (Ar-Ra’d, Ayah 40)

Allah also reminds us victory that is guaranteed for the righteous.

The fall of the tyrant when it finally happened took just 11 days— it was unexpectedly swift, beyond the expectation of those on the ground. When something is meant to happen Allah facilitates the means. This is how Allah brings victory when the time is right.

As Allah stated in Surat Ash Shu’ara, though He gives wrongdoers some time to enjoy their gains, eventually, their past will catch up with them and they will face judgement:

‫أَفَرَءَیۡتَ إِن مَّتَّعۡنَـٰهُمۡ سِنِینَ ﴿ ٢٠٥ ﴾

‫ثُمَّ جَاۤءَهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ یُوعَدُونَ ﴿ ٢٠٦ ﴾

‫مَاۤ أَغۡنَىٰ عَنۡهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ یُمَتَّعُونَ ﴿ ٢٠٧ ﴾

So have you seen if We let them enjoy (life) for (many) years,

then there comes to them what they were promised,

of what avail to them will their past enjoyments be? (Ash-Shuʿarāʾ, Ayah 205-207)

In Surat Al Anam, He states:

‫فَلَمَّا نَسُوا۟ مَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهِۦ فَتَحۡنَا عَلَیۡهِمۡ أَبۡوَ ٰ⁠بَ كُلِّ شَیۡءٍ حَتَّىٰۤ إِذَا فَرِحُوا۟ بِمَاۤ أُوتُوۤا۟ أَخَذۡنَـٰهُم بَغۡتَةً فَإِذَا هُم مُّبۡلِسُونَ ﴿ ٤٤ ﴾

‫فَقُطِعَ دَابِرُ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلَّذِینَ ظَلَمُوا۟ۚ وَٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِینَ ﴿ ٤٥ ﴾

Then, when they forgot what they had been reminded of, We opened for them the gates of everything until, when they delighted in what they were given, We seized them suddenly, and they were instantly in despair.

Thus the last remnant of those who were unjust was cut off. And praise be to Allah, Lord of all realms. (Al-Anʿām, Ayah 44-45)

In Surat Al Balad, Allah points out the sense of security that tyrants feel, imagining they are invincible and can get away with injustice.:

‫أَیَحۡسَبُ أَن لَّن یَقۡدِرَ عَلَیۡهِ أَحَدࣱ ﴿ ٥ ﴾

Does he think that no one will be able to restrain him? (Al-Balad, Ayah 5)

It is a clear message to tyrants: you may do whatever you wish – kill, destroy, bomb, strike, imprison, displace, plunder the wealth of people, be arrogant, lie, and distort the facts, but you will never escape God’s punishment. God’s promise is true, and those who have been wronged will get their justice.

The conditions for victory

Victory comes with conditions. Allah repeatedly emphasises that success is for “those who believe and do righteous deeds.” Faith accompanied by righteous actions are the two main pillars for achieving Allah’s help. Additionally, obedience to Allah’s commands and the delivery of justice are crucial. If these are neglected, those in power risk being replaced by others who fulfill these conditions. History shows us that tyrants are eventually overthrown due to their oppression.

Lessons moving forward

It is essential to reflect on lessons from past revolutions.

Beware of revolution thieves
Be alert to opportunists who exploit revolutions for personal gain, often masking their true intentions with persuasive rhetoric and misusing religious texts, quoting the Quran. Stay vigilant and discerning to avoid falling prey to their schemes.

Unite across differences
Unity is vital. Put aside differences of race, sect, or background to strengthen the nation—except in cases involving major crimes. However, unity does not mean turning a blind eye to atrocities and heinous acts; such naivety would be counterproductive.

Hold criminals accountable
Unity does not imply pardoning those responsible for atrocities or injustices. Delivering justice is essential to protect the country and its people.

Prioritise justice over emotion
Avoid being swayed by emotional responses, such as the urge for revenge, which can impair sound judgment. Focus on the broader public interest and the nation’s long-term stability to safeguard future generations.

Never compromise on principles
Uphold your principles steadfastly, regardless of external pressures for approval, whether from the West or elsewhere. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) never compromised his principles for acceptance. People respect and rally behind those who stand firm in their values.

Be cautious in alliances
Be careful when forming alliances or selecting collaborators. Evaluate their intentions and alignment with your values before entrusting them with roles of influence.

Preserve the state and rebuild it on new principles

The state must be preserved and rebuilt upon just principles. Establish a foundation that prevents tyranny, promotes accountability, and prioritises the welfare of the people.

This is a pivotal moment in history. In this transitional and very fragile phase. Those who held power for the last 50 years will not relinquish it easily. They will resort to any means necessary, including violence, to keep power and reclaim control if given the opportunity. Stay vigilant and prepared for their attempts to destabilise progress.

May Allah Almighty enable us to overcome the past and rebuild the nation with safety, peace and justice. Ameen.

Based on the Khutbah of Shaykh Haytham Tamim 13th December 2024

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Shaykh Haytham Tamim is the founder and main teacher of the Utrujj Foundation. He has provided a leading vision for Islamic learning in the UK, which has influenced the way Islamic knowledge is disseminated. He has orchestrated the design and delivery of over 200 unique courses since Utrujj started in 2001. His extensive expertise spans over 30 years across the main Islamic jurisprudence schools of thought. He has studied with some of the foremost scholars in their expertise; he holds some of the highest Ijazahs (certificates) in Quran, Hadith (the Prophetic traditions) and Fiqh (Islamic rulings). His own gift for teaching was evident when he gave his first sermon to a large audience at the age of 17 and went on to serve as a senior lecturer of Islamic transactions and comparative jurisprudence at the Islamic University of Beirut (Shariah College). He has continued to teach; travelling around the UK, Europe and wider afield, and won the 2015 BISCA award (British Imams & Scholars Contributions & Achievements Awards) for Outstanding Contribution to Education and Teaching.

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