The Prophet (saw) did not only call to Islam and attack the corrupt systems and beliefs around him, but he also actively worked to establish the State by approaching those with the authority to rule, those who were in positions of authority or could hand him authority - this is known as nussrah (support) and is a critical issue for the Islamic movement today. While the Prophet (saw) was preparing society with his open call, the actual influential people in Madinah facilitated the birth of the Islamic State there naturally, without the need for a coup d’état, which may have been needed in different circumstances. Many fail to recognise that the triumph which resulted after the Hijrah came at the end of a long struggle, one that will be necessary if we are to taste the same victory. Allah (swt) says,
“Do they think they will be left to say: We believe without being tested? Surely We had tested those who came before them. Surely Allah will know who are faithful and who make a lie.” [TMQ 29:2-3]
Whilst the message of Islam was reaching wider and wider audiences the actual land (dar) which the Prophet (saw) needed to launch the system and from which he could carry it to mankind through invitation and jihad eluded him. He (saw) spent time approaching directly the heads of tribes and those in power around the Arab peninsula, asking directly for the support to rule by Islam. Islam could never be limited to a belief system and a few individual religious rituals; those that believed in it had to rule by it. Allah (swt) says,
“If anyone rules by other than what Allah has revealed, they are disbelievers.” [TMQ 5:44]
Many tribes were approached by the Prophet (saw) who was often accompanied by Abu Bakr (ra) who was an expert on the various tribes and their genealogies. One example suffices to prove this point. The bani (tribe) Amir ibn Sa‘ssah were approached and after many discussions ranging over Islam to their military strength it was determined that this tribe was sufficiently strong to be a launching point for the new state, and they were prepared to support the Prophet (saw), however they put one condition in querying whether they would have the authority (rule from their tribe) after the Prophet (saw). The Prophet (saw) did not accept support from them and responded that “Allah gives the authority where He wills” and could not accept any compromise in the deen even at a time when he and his companions were facing great hardship.
When the unequivocal support did come from the tribes of Aws and Khazraj from Yathrib (Madinah) the Prophet (saw) showed clearly the importance of getting the power and authority for Islam. At the second pledge of ‘Aqabah, late into the night he (saw) asked for twelve naqeeb (leaders) from them to come forward as it was they that were going to ensure the handing of power to him with full conviction in him and his message.
When the Prophet (saw) did complete the Hijrah to Madinah, and was given the full authority, the forces of the previous tribal leaders were seen out in force the very next morning to defend their new leader and the new Islamic State. Even ‘Abdullah ibn Ubay ibn Salool later labelled as the head of the hypocrites of Madinah recognised that power had been taken through proper preparations when he jealously said, “This has been planned in the night.”
The Prophet (saw) proved that there could be no state without authority and there could be no authority without building the support from those that could deliver power. It would be nice to think that in today’s world the Ummah would come out on mass in the streets demanding the implementation of Islam and that the corrupt regimes will lay down and pass the power on, but in the absence of such a natural birth it is likely that the State will need the assistance of a sincere following from those of influence like the army.