al-Ibtala wa Kayfa Tastafid Minhu al-Daawat
- Author died
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- Editions
- Mu’assasat Iqra’ lil-Nashr wa-al-Tawzī‘ wa-al-Tarjamah
al-Ibtala wa Kayfa Tastafid Minhu al-Daawat (Tribulation and How Islamic Movements Can Benefit from It) is a treatise by the contemporary Egyptian author Magdi al-Hilali examining the nature of trials (al-ibtila'), their underlying causes, and the ways Islamic activists and movements (da'awat) can draw spiritual and practical benefit from them. The book was published in its first edition in 1428 AH / 2007 CE by Mu'assasat Iqra' in Cairo.
Background and Purpose
Al-Hilali notes that whenever a trial strikes Islamic work, many participants attribute it solely to the external conflict between truth and falsehood (al-haqq wa-al-batil) or view it passively as an inevitable historical norm. While acknowledging that such an understanding reassures the hearts of callers against despair, the author argues that this perspective remains incomplete. The purpose of the work is to present a holistic framework enabling movements to analyze tribulations deeply, correct their internal shortcomings, and turn setbacks into opportunities for renewal and growth.
Core Principles and Themes
The author structures his analysis around several foundational principles:
- Comprehensive Analysis Following Quranic Guidance: Tribulations disrupt movement activities and drain resources; thus, they must not be dismissed without rigorous examination. The author cites the extensive Quranic commentary on the setback at the Battle of Uhud spanning nearly sixty verses in Surah Al 'Imran (3:121–179) as the prime model for dissecting the roots of failure.
- Divine Decree in Tribulation: Adversaries can inflict no harm except by God's permission, citing the verse regarding Pharaoh's oppression: وَفِي ذَلِكُم بَلَاءٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ عَظِيمٌ ("And in that was a great trial from your Lord"). Consequently, callers must search for the divine wisdom and reasons that brought the affliction upon them.
- Responsibility Proportional to Standing: Because bearers of da'wah are entrusted with awakening the community, any complacency or neglect carries grave repercussions, as illustrated by the divine rebuke to those who hesitated during the campaign of Tabuk.
- Internal Shortcomings as Primary Causes: Sins and disobedience among ranks are highlighted as the primary factor behind adversity. The author observes that the disobedience of only forty archers out of an army of seven hundred (roughly six percent) at Uhud led to military defeat, quoting the verse: قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنفُسِكُمْ ("Say, 'It is from yourselves'"). He cites 'Umar ibn al-Khattab's advice to Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas before the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, cautioning that the army's sins posed a greater threat than the enemy.
- Individual Self-Reckoning ("Am I the Cause?"): Every individual is urged to scrutinize personal conduct for minor sins, delay in congregational prayer at mosques, indulgence in doubtful matters, internal disputation, distraction by worldly affairs, self-admiration, or failure to enjoin good and forbid evil. He illustrates this with reports including Abu Ayyub al-Ansari's explanation of spending in God's cause at Constantinople and an account transmitted by Malik ibn Dinar.
- Tribulation as a Divine Gift and Preparation: Trials serve as a manifestation of divine care, refining callers before empowerment (tamkin) so that they experience subjugation and avoid becoming oppressors themselves once granted authority. He quotes al-Qadi 'Iyad's al-Shifa' regarding the wisdom behind the afflictions endured by the prophets.
Practical Model from Zad al-Ma'ad
The book concludes by offering an abridged excerpt from Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya's Zad al-Ma'ad regarding the divine wisdoms in the Battle of Uhud as an analytical model for understanding tribulations. These wisdoms include: revealing the negative consequences of disobedience and division; distinguishing sincere believers from pretenders through alternating victory and defeat; cultivating true servitude in hardship as well as ease; curbing self-exaltation; inducing humility and total reliance upon God; elevating believers to spiritual ranks unachieved by their deeds alone; curing spiritual maladies caused by prolonged ease; granting the status of martyrdom; and gradually leading oppressors to destruction.
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