152 / WHAT TO SAY WHEN ENCOUNTERING THE ENEMY

The Sunnah contains remembrances and supplications for a Muslim to recite when encountering an enemy or an oppressive ruler. In essence, they express seeking refuge in Allah, holding fast to Him, and relying upon Him—Mighty and Majestic—to protect him from their evil, keep him safe from them, and preserve him from their schemes and plots. Allah—Mighty and Majestic—is the Protector of whoever seeks refuge in Him and is sufficient for whoever holds fast to Him, for all affairs are in His hand, and there is no creature but that He holds it by its forelock.

Among the remembrances prescribed by the Sunnah when encountering the enemy is the report narrated by Abu Dāwūd, al-Tirmidhī, and others from Anas ibn Mālik—may Allah be pleased with him—who said: “Whenever the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—set out on a military expedition, he would say: ‘O Allah, You are my strength and my Supporter. By Your aid I maneuver, by Your aid I charge, and by Your aid I fight.’” 1.

His words, “O Allah, You are my strength,” mean: You are my aid. I have no helper besides You and no refuge other than You. You alone I ask for help, and to You alone I turn for refuge.

His words, “and my Supporter,” mean: I have no supporter besides You. Whoever has Allah as his supporter can never be overcome, as Allah Most High says: “If Allah supports you, none can overcome you; but if He forsakes you, who can support you after Him? So let the believers put their trust in Allah.” 2.

His words, “By Your aid I maneuver,” mean: I devise my strategy. This is also the meaning of the expression, “There is no might or power except through Allah”: there is no means of averting harm and no power to attain good except through Allah.