Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned the following:
Acquiring victory and success is not based on whether the Muslims are few or many in number. Rather, the number of the Muslims is a separate aspect and is not relevant in regard to acquiring victory.
In regard to acquiring victory, there is just one thing that the Muslims need to bear in mind – pleasing Allah Ta‘ala and remaining engaged in the effort of deen. After ensuring that Allah Ta‘ala is pleased with them and engaging in the effort, if the Muslims acquire victory, then they should express gratitude and appreciation to Allah Ta‘ala. Conversely, if they are unsuccessful, then they should adopt sabr (patience).
In reality, a believer is never unsuccessful, though it may outwardly appear as though he is unsuccessful. The reason is that in every situation, he has still acquired the reward of the Hereafter for his effort, and this is the primary objective and goal of every believer.
Once, Hazrat Khaalid bin Waleed (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) selected thirty Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to stand and face an army of sixty thousand disbelievers. Seeing this, Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said to him, “You will destroy these ummatis of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) (by taking so few warriors).” Thus, Hazrat Khaalid (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) increased the number to sixty Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), so that each Sahaabi would face one thousand disbelievers. (In this battle, the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), with the help of Allah Ta‘ala, were victorious.)
We thus see that the focus of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) was not primarily on their numbers, (but was rather on acquiring the divine assistance of Allah Ta‘ala and engaging in the effort to the best of their ability).
(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 22/223-224)
