Strategies for the Rise of the Islamic Ummah: Between the Simplicity of Resistance and the Power of Technology

Strategies for the Rise of the Islamic Ummah: Between the Simplicity of Resistance and the Power of Technology

By Dr. Hussein Yamani

Writer and researcher in international economic relations

Two Key Strategies for the Rise of the Islamic Ummah

After placing trust in Allah Almighty, obeying Him, and avoiding disobedience, comes the importance of taking the necessary means and striving on earth in ways that please Him and fulfill the higher objectives of Shariah — preserving religion, life, intellect, wealth, and honor. From this foundation, we can examine two prominent strategies for the rise of the Islamic Ummah, each representing a different vision for the nature of the struggle and means of revival.

First Strategy: Abandoning Modern Technology and Relying on Popular Resistance

This strategy is inspired by the heroic experience of the people of Gaza in their resistance to occupation, where they faced a highly developed war machine with faith, willpower, and relatively primitive means. The idea here is that spiritual and moral superiority can compensate for material weakness and that distancing oneself from Western civilization may break the chains of dependency and cultural-technological infiltration.

It is a call to return to simplicity, community solidarity, and grassroots empowerment, away from reliance on systems or technologies that can be compromised or disabled. The strongest weapon, they argue, is unwavering belief — and victory is ultimately a divine promise for the patient believers.

However, this approach faces major challenges, especially given today’s interconnected world. Technical isolation may lead to further weakness and vulnerability, particularly in health, education, and economic sectors.

Therefore, it is essential to begin today implementing the Gaza resistance strategy — no one knows what the future holds!

Second Strategy: Developing Technological Capabilities to Reach at Least a Quarter of Enemy Power

This strategy calls for advancing scientifically and technologically and building comprehensive knowledge and industrial systems. The goal is to reduce the gap between the Islamic Ummah and its enemies — even reaching just a quarter of their power could establish a strategic deterrent and self-sufficiency.

This approach requires mobilizing human talent and brilliant minds in fields such as engineering, artificial intelligence, defense, energy, and agriculture, based on an independent civilizational vision grounded in Islamic values — not copying the West but competing with it. It aims to free the Ummah from technological dependency and to possess the tools of the modern age for da’wah, defense, and empowerment.

Historical experience shows that investment in science and technology, while preserving identity, can lead to significant breakthroughs and restore some of the Ummah’s pioneering civilizational role.

However, this strategy faces significant challenges, chief among them being that the Zionist-American powers do not allow weak dependent nations to develop their technological — especially military — capacities, which they see as an existential threat.

Conclusion: A Dual Strategy Combining Faith and Technology

There is no single or final strategy. Rather, the best path may lie in combining both approaches:

Relying on faith, resilience, and grassroots social organization.

Alongside serious efforts to develop technical capabilities, long-term planning, and comprehensive preparation.

If obstacles and barriers are placed against technological advancement, then the first strategy remains sufficient to counter servitude and dependency.

We have two real-world examples:

Afghanistan, which was liberated from American occupation through the first strategy.

Gaza, which stood firm against the might of the occupation and even the world, relying solely on what they could prepare — where conviction outweighed the weapon.

As Allah Almighty said:

“And prepare against them whatever you are able of power...” [Al-Anfal: 60]

Power includes: faith, weapons, knowledge, planning, economy, and media.

This article is in the path of Allah.

, and our final prayer is: All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.