Cowardice Haunts the Arab and Islamic Nations

Cowardice Haunts the Arab and Islamic Nations

By Dr. Hussein Yamani

Researcher in International Economic Relations

Cowardice has long plagued the Arab and Islamic nations during times of weakness and division. Meanwhile, the Qur'an describes the Children of Israel as cowardly and hesitant in battle, despite the many blessings and miracles God bestowed upon them. He condemned them for their fear and reluctance, citing several examples in the Holy Book.

Allah says:

 “They said, ‘O Moses, indeed there is a tyrannical people in it, and indeed we will not enter it until they leave it; but if they leave it, then we will enter.’”

Then two men among them said, “Enter upon them through the gate. For when you enter it, you will be victorious. And rely upon Allah, if you should be believers.”

 Surah Al-Ma’idah: 22–23

Yet they still refused and said:

> “They said, ‘O Moses, indeed we will never enter it, ever, as long as they are within it. So go, you and your Lord, and fight. Indeed, we are sitting right here.’”

 Surah Al-Ma’idah: 24

In another instance, Allah says when they asked their prophet to appoint a king so they could fight in Allah’s path:

> “Have you not seen the assembly of the Children of Israel after [the time of] Moses when they said to a prophet of theirs, ‘Send to us a king, and we will fight in the way of Allah’? He said, ‘Would you perhaps refrain from fighting if battle was prescribed for you?’ They said, ‘Why should we not fight in the cause of Allah when we have been driven out from our homes and our children?’ But when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away, except for a few of them. And Allah is Knowing of the wrongdoers.”

 Surah Al-Baqarah: 246

Thus did Allah describe a people granted prophecy, signs, and kingship, yet they still shrank from battle.

Today, we see the Arab and Islamic nations falling into the same trap. Many of their leaders and people claim that their power is weak, the balance of power is not in their favor, and that the battle is unequal. But Gaza came to destroy this flimsy excuse.

Despite being a besieged city with no standing army, air force, or navy, Gaza — through its patience and resilience — managed to stand firm against the largest military arsenal in the region and global efforts to disarm and subdue the resistance. Yet it endured, fought back, and stunned both its enemy and its allies, inflicting military, diplomatic, and moral losses, and isolating the aggressors on the global stage.

For nearly two decades, Western demands have persisted: disarm the resistance, dissolve it, silence it. But none of this has succeeded. Gaza grew stronger, more determined, and taught the nation a vital lesson: that victory is not measured by weapons alone, but by faith, determination, and holding firmly to justice.

The excuse of “we are weak” has fallen forever. Gaza’s weapon is faith, and its heroes are men who fulfilled their covenant with God.

If Muslims today expect victory without sacrifice, or war without blood, then they misunderstand the laws of God on earth. As Allah says:

> “Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. And who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great triumph.”

 Surah At-Tawbah: 111

Jihad is not a leisure trip, and victory is not gifted to nations on a silver platter — it is seized through patience, sacrifice, and unwavering resolve.

This article is in the path of Allah.

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