The very first revelation his Lord—exalted is He—sent down to him was: “Recite in the name of your Lord who created.” That was the opening of his prophethood. He was commanded only to recite it to himself; at that point he was not yet instructed to convey it to others.

Then the words were revealed: “O you who are wrapped in your cloak, arise and warn.” Thus Allah made him a prophet with “Recite” and a messenger with “O you who are wrapped.” He was next ordered to warn his nearest kinsfolk, then his own tribe, then the surrounding Arabs, then all the Arabs, and finally all mankind. For about thirteen years after his prophethood he continued to warn through calling to faith without fighting … and he was commanded to refrain, endure, and pardon.

After that he was granted permission to emigrate, and permission to fight. He was then ordered to fight those who fought him and to leave alone those who withdrew and did not fight him. Later he was commanded to fight the idolaters until “religion belongs wholly to Allah.”

I say: From this final stage it is evident that it is obligatory to fight the unbelievers and take the offensive against them after inviting them and presenting the evidence, so that the word of Allah may be supreme. Fighting the disbelievers in Islam is therefore not merely defensive; it is an active jihad so that religion may be wholly for Allah.

We ask Allah to support His religion and to exalt His word; He is Mighty and Powerful.

Hadith 1
Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was facing the enemy, he would wait until the sun had declined; then he would stand among the people and say:
“O people, do not wish to meet the enemy; instead ask Allah for well-being. But when you do meet them, stand firm, and know that Paradise lies under the shade of swords.”
He would then add: “O Allah, Revealer of the Book, Dispatcher of the clouds, Defeater of the confederates, defeat them and grant us victory over them.”

Overall meaning
The Prophet ﷺ forbids his community to wish for an encounter with the enemy, for such wishing breeds self-admiration, arrogance, and contempt for the enemy, which undermines the caution and prudence required. He orders them to ask Allah, exalted is He, for well-being—protection from every harm of this world and the Hereafter, among them having to face the enemy.

He then clarifies the causes of victory should they be tested by an enemy: steadfastness, patience, timing the battle for the cooler period after the sun passes the meridian—when the winds rise, bodies are invigorated, and victory draws near—and not relying on their own strength and equipment but rather seeking Allah’s help, victory, and the routing of the foe.

Finally, he cited a supplication suited to that circumstance, beseeching Allah as the Revealer of the Book who legislated fighting so that His rites and rulings might be manifested—an appeal grounded in the blessings of religion