VICTORY, DEFEAT, DRAW - life LESSONS for the believers

English 11:50

pobjena i poraziskušenja (fitnah)poniznostzahvalnostkarakterni razvoj

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Language Original Bosnian

In this sermon, the speaker uses the current World Cup as a starting point for a profound discussion on how believers should perceive life's outcomes. Using numerous Quranic verses and examples from the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the speaker explains that Allah uses both victory and defeat as forms of trials (fitnah) intended to test us and make us better. He particularly emphasizes the importance of humility and gratitude in victories, referring to Surah An-Nasr where Allah, after granting victory, asks us to praise Him and seek His forgiveness. In the case of defeat, the speaker teaches that we should not fall into despair or lose faith, but rather learn from the defeat and use it as an opportunity for growth. Through examples like Qarun's arrogance and the trials of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the speaker demonstrates that true victors are those who remain faithful to their principles regardless of external circumstances. Concluding the message, the speaker calls on all believers to, just like the footballers we have seen at the World Cup, develop strength, unity, and dedication to learning from all life situations.

Key Points

Article available only in Bosnian.

Koristeći primjer Svjetskog kupa, govornik istražuje kako vjernici trebaju shvatiti pobjedu, poraz i neriješeno kao Allahove testove. Ključna poruka je da niti pobjena niti poraz ne trebaju promijeniti naše moralne principe ili učiniti nas arogantnim, već trebni biti lekcije za učenje i rast.

Summary

U ovoj propovjedi, govornik koristi trenutni Svjetski kup kao polaznu točku za duboku raspravu o tome kako vjernici trebaju percipirati životne ishode. Koristeći brojne koraničke ajete i primjere iz Profetova života, govornik objašnjava da Allah koristi i pobjedu i poraz kao oblike iskušenja (fitnah) namijenjena da nas testiraju i učine boljima. Posebno naglašava važnost poniznosti i zahvalnosti u pobjedama, pozivajući se na suru An-Nasr gdje Allah nakon što da pobjedu traži od nas da ga hvalimo i molimo mu oproštaj. U slučaju poraza, govornik uči da ne smijemo pada u očaj ili izgubiti vjeru, već trebni naučiti od poraza i koristiti ga kao mogućnost za rast. Kroz primjere poput Qarunove arogancije i Profetovih iskušenja, govornik demonstrira da su pravi pobjednici oni koji ostaju верни svojim principima bez obzira na vanjske okolnosti. Završetkom poruke, govornik poziva sve vjernika da, baš kao nogometaši koje smo vidjeli na Svjetskom kupus, razvijemo snagu, zajedništvo i posvećenost učenju iz svih životnih situacija.

Key takeaways

Pobjena i poraz su oblik iskušenja (fitnah) od Allaha - nisu samo vanjski eventi već testovi koji trebni oblikovati naš karakter i vjeru (Qur'an 21:35)
Kada nam Allah da pobjedu, trebni biti zahvalni i ponizni, ne arogantni ili prezirući prema drugima - trebni hvaliti Allaha i moliti mu oproštaj (Qur'an 110:1-3)
Qarun je primjer kako arogancija u bogatstvu i успјеху vodi u katastrofu jer je zaboravio da je Allah taj koji daje - nikada ne smijemo biti arogantni u našim dostignućima (Qur'an 28:76)
U porazu, vjernik nikada ne smije izgubiti vjeru, povjerenje, poštenje ili moralnost - to su temeljna načela koja nas čine onima što jesmo
Svaka situacija, bilo pozitivna bilo negativna, je škola za učenje - Prophet kaže da je sve što se dogodi vjerniku dobro za njega jer ima mogućnost učenja (Sahih Muslim)
Zahvalnost dovodi do povećanja od Allaha, zato trebni biti zahvalni za sve - i za pobjedu i za poraz kao oblike testiranja (Qur'an 14:7)
Niti pobjena niti poraz trebni nam promijeniti, niti trebni biti razlog za nečovječnost prema drugima - trebni ostati principijelni, kolegijalnog duha i dedicirani bez obzira na ishode (Qur'an 3:26)

Full article

Introduction: Learning from Life's Outcomes

Dear friends, assalamu alaikum. After a brief pause, we return to our gatherings and reflections on events that have occurred, are occurring, or general advice that we consider important in our contemporary times. One of the things that most of us follow, and which in some way affects us—more or less—is the World Cup currently taking place in Canada, America, and Mexico. It is especially significant because the representation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is playing there, as well as our neighboring Croatia and several other nations we follow. That first round was particularly interesting, so to speak, where our representation played to a draw, lost, and ultimately won. Reflecting on this, I wanted to share several things from the perspective of victory and defeat in the life of a believer—all of us strive to be believers—how to understand victory, how to understand defeat, and how to understand something that is, as we might say, a draw.

Victory and Defeat as Divine Tests

Many people actually make mistakes in these matters. The Exalted Allah, may His glory be exalted, has given both victory and defeat, and even that which is a draw, which can be transferred to our life situations, to actually be a kind of test and trial for all of us. The Exalted Allah says: وَنَبْلُوكُمْ بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةٍ (wa nablūkum bi-ash-sharri wa-al-khayri fitnah) — "And We test you with evil and with good as a trial." No one on this world loves defeat, but it is an integral part of our lives. We all love victory, but we cannot always win. And because of this, it is very important that we make one reflection, that we take certain lessons and messages from what happens around us, that we try to connect it with Quranic texts, with the hadith of the Prophet, peace be upon him, or with his biography, where we have clear examples that the Prophet, may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him, experienced numerous defeats. From the defeat at Uhud to the stoning in Taif, his expulsion from Mecca, and so on, but he was never a loser. On the contrary, he was a victor in this world and in the next. And because of this, it is necessary to take certain messages from this.

Understanding That Victory and Defeat Alternate

The Exalted Allah, may His glory be exalted, tells us about this, and He says that the Exalted Allah sometimes gives one group victory, and sometimes gives another group victory. Of course, this refers to certain life matters; it can mean military victory, and so forth. As the Exalted Allah says: وَتِلْكَ الْأَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيْنَ النَّاسِ (wa tilka al-ayyāmu nudāwiluhā bayna an-nās) — "And these days We alternate between people," meaning that believers can be defeated, and disbelievers can be defeated, or conversely. That is, believers can be victorious and should constantly strive to be victorious. So the Exalted Allah, when He speaks of victory, always advises that we remember Allah, that we thank Him, that we simply remain humble, that we do not become arrogant in that victory.

Gratitude and Humility in Victory

You have in the Quranic chapter An-Nasr: إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ (idhā jāa nasru Allāhi wa-al-fath) — "When the help of Allah comes and the victory," when Allah's aid comes, when Allah gives you something in life, then immediately, very quickly after that, the Exalted Allah asks of us. He says: فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ (fa-sabbih bi-hamdi rabbika wa-astaghfir) — "So glorify with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness." And He says: glorify Allah's name, be thankful to Allah, and ask Allah for forgiveness of your sins. Although, indeed, the Qur'an speaks of victory, of some life victory, of some major life stages, the Exalted Allah, as it were, asks of us that we never become arrogant, that this victory does not carry us to such a degree that we forget Allah, that we forget the way in which we came to this victory, that we forget all those factors of that victory, that we forget to learn something from the victory. Indeed, this is truly, truly very important. The Qur'an gives us a similar example when you have Qarun—Korah—that great tyrant, that wealthiest man in human history. He says about his wealth that he has acquired, and it is enormous, the greatest wealth on earth, he says: إِنَّمَا أُوتِيتُهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ مِنْ عِندِي (innamā ūtītuhu ʿalā ʿilmin min ʿindī) — he says, "I have acquired all of this through my own knowledge," as our people would say: I have earned this with my own ten fingers, my own ten hands. However, this is incorrect. We must always be aware that the Lord is the One who gives, Who created us, Who has given us to be here on earth with purpose, with a goal, that He gives us certain victories, certain help, to test us. Among other things, to test us. So we need to view both victory and defeat from the perspective of school, from the perspective of learning—what is it that we can learn. And because of this, it is very important that victory does not make us arrogant, that we do not begin to despise others, that we do not begin to insult others. That we understand, in fact, that victory is really only part of the test.

Defeat as Part of Life's Curriculum

It is the same with defeat. Defeat is an integral part of our lives. Things will not always go according to our plan. The Exalted Allah clearly says that He will not give people everything they desire. You cannot have everything on this earth that you wish for. This world is not the Hereafter, this world is not Paradise, this world is not a perfect place. This is dār al-ibtilā, the house of trial. Everything that befalls us happens, in fact, with the purpose that we be tested. الْإِبْتِلاَءُ يَكُونُ بِالْخَيْرِ أَوْ بِالشَّرِّ (al-ibtilāu yakūn bi-al-khayri aw bi-al-sharr) — "The trial comes with good or with evil." And because of this it is very important that in defeat we do not fall into despair. A student can fail an exam, it happens. A man can lose a certain amount of money, it happens. A politician can lose certain, I don't know, points or elections. But we must never lose faith, we must never lose confidence, we must never lose honesty, we must never lose morality, we must never lose, that is, those basic principles that make us who we are. And because of this, it is extremely important that we learn from victory, but also from defeat. All of these are things that strengthen a believer, that should stimulate a believer, that should motivate a believer to persevere in life, no matter what befalls him.

The Prophet's Teaching on Tests and Trials

The Prophet, peace be upon him, says: "Wonderful is the example of the believer, wonderful is the example of the believer. Every situation that befalls him is good for him." Why is it good? Well, among other things, because we have the opportunity to learn something from that life situation. Sometimes we will learn better and learn more from a defeat than from a hundred victories. Who will then say that this defeat and this fall had no meaning and had no purpose? Because of this, it is important that we learn from all of this. The Prophet, peace be upon him, further says: if a believer is befallen by something he loves, he thanks Allah, and it becomes even more good for him. We all love to be healthy, to be rich, to be respected, to be this way, to be that way, but it is necessary that we thank Allah for it. That we be grateful for all life victories. Because the Exalted Allah teaches us: وَإِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ (wa in shakartum la-azīdannakum) — "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you." And the Prophet, peace be upon him, further says in this hadith: if a believer or a believing woman is befallen by something she does not love—and none of us loves illness, none of us loves defeat, none of us loves disappointment, none of us loves loss, and so forth—then, says the Prophet, may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him, because it has already happened, then the believer, the believing woman, is patient, and it becomes better for them. So let us learn something from this, learn something from that fall, that defeat, and so forth. Because of this it is very important that we understand that the Prophet's life example is also full of such cases, events, which can be viewed from a worldly perspective as victories, or from a worldly perspective as defeats. However, what is most important, what our beautiful faith teaches us, is that we should never become something we are not. That we should not be arrogant, that we should not be brothers of Satan, that we should not be wasteful. The Qur'an always warns us about this. The Qur'an always warns us that we should be conscious that we are human beings, that we are Allah's servants, that we are someone's children, that we are someone's brothers, someone's sisters, someone's neighbors, someone's friends, someone's fathers, someone's, that is, acquaintances, if you will. And that never, whether it is defeat or victory, should this be something that changes us, something that affects us to such a degree that we trample on others, that we nullify the value of others, that we become arrogant in this world, that we simply do not learn from those life situations with which the Exalted Allah gives us. So these were some reflections that the Prophet, peace be upon him, teaches us, which come to us through the Quranic text and which the Prophet, peace be upon him, definitely taught his companions, and they were truly those who after every worldly defeat, small or great, would rise up again better, stronger, more hopeful, and they learned from their victories and their defeats. And their victories never made them arrogant in the sense of humiliating others, of insulting others, and so forth, which we often tend to do.

Victory, Defeat, and Draw as Schools of Learning

Because of this, both victory and defeat, and even that draw in a life situation, is in fact only a school. Once again, congratulations to our young men—from Sergei Barbarez, Emir Spahic, Vasily, and all the other boys—on what they have done so far, what they have made this entire nation, Bosnia and Herzegovina, proud of, and here for how many weeks we have seen truly both a euphoria and a pride. We see, that is, boys and girls who wear their names on their backs, we see their effort, their dedication, their togetherness, and truly, it would be excellent if we too could learn something from this, and especially our politicians. May Allah reward you. Wassalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh."

Qur'anQur'an 21:35 Qur'an 3:140 Qur'an 110:1-3 Qur'an 28:76 Qur'an 14:7 Qur'an 3:26

HadithSahih Muslim

Topics#pobjena i poraz#iskušenja (fitnah)#poniznost#zahvalnost#karakterni razvoj#Profetov primjer#taqwa - svjesnost Allaha

Transcript (English)

Click any row to jump to that moment in the video.

0:01 Dear friends, peace be upon you.

0:02 After a short break, we return to our gatherings and reflections on events.

0:19 One thing that many of us are following, which may influence us, is the World Cup.

0:34 Especially since the national teams of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia are playing.

0:44 It's very interesting, the first round where our team drew, lost, and finally won.

0:57 Reflecting on this, I want to discuss victory and defeat in the life of a believer.

1:18 Many people make mistakes regarding these matters.

1:21 The Exalted Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, has given both victory and defeat.

1:23 These situations can serve as tests and trials for all of us.

1:38 The Exalted Allah says: وَنَبْلُوكُمْ بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةٍ

1:48 No one in this world likes defeat, but it is a part of our lives.

1:54 We all love victory, but we cannot always win.

1:58 Therefore, it is very important to reflect, to take certain lessons and messages from what is happening around us, and to try to connect that with the Quranic text and the hadith of the Messenger, peace be upon him.

2:12 s.

2:12 or with his poor, where we have clear examples that the Prophet, peace be upon him,

2:17 a.

2:18 Verse.

2:18 s.

2:18 he experienced numerous defeats.

2:21 Thus, from the defeat at Uhud to the stoning in Ta'if, the expulsion from Mecca, and so on, he was never a loser.

2:30 On the contrary, he was a winner in this world and the Hereafter.

2:33 And because of this, it is necessary to take certain messages from this.

2:40 Indeed, the Exalted Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He,

2:41 tells us that sometimes He grants victory to one and sometimes to another.

2:50 Of course, this refers to certain worldly matters, such as military victory, and so on.

2:57 وَتِلْكَ لَا يَعْمُنُ دَاعِيُّهُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ as the Exalted Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, says,

3:02 that believers can be defeated, and disbelievers can also be defeated, or vice versa.

3:10 Thus, believers can achieve victory; they must constantly strive to win.

3:13 Therefore, the Exalted Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He,

3:15 when speaking of victory, always advises us to remember Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He.

3:22 We thank Him, to be humble, and not to become arrogant in victory.

3:30 In the Quranic Surah An-Nasr, اِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ, when Allah's help comes,

3:38 when Allah, the Exalted, grants you something in life, then immediately after that,

3:44 the Exalted Allah asks of us.

3:45 He says: فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ, glorify your Lord's name, thank Allah,

3:52 and ask Allah for forgiveness of your sins.

3:56 Although the Quran speaks of victory, of some great life victories,

4:04 the Exalted Allah seems to ask us never to become arrogant,

4:14 that this victory does not lead us to forget Allah,

4:26 to forget how we achieved that victory, to forget all the factors of that victory, to forget to learn something from victory.

4:29 The Quran mentions a similar example with Qarun, the great tyrant,

4:38 the richest man in human history. He says about his wealth,

4:54 which he amassed, the greatest wealth in this world,

4:56 إِنَّمَا أُوتِيتُهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ مِنْ عِندِي, meaning: I acquired this through my knowledge,

5:13 as our people would say: I earned it with my own hands.

5:15 However, this is incorrect.

5:26 We must always be aware that it is the Lord who gives us,

5:37 who created us, who placed us here in this world with a purpose,

5:42 to grant us certain victories and assistance to test us.

5:44 Among other things, to test us.

5:48 Not everything will always go according to our plan.

5:52 The Exalted Allah clearly states that He will not give people all they desire.

5:58 You cannot have everything you wish for in this world.

6:00 This world is not the Hereafter, it is not Paradise, it is not a perfect place.

6:05 This is darul-ibtila, the house of trial.

6:08 Everything that befalls us happens with the purpose of testing us.

6:14 الْإِبْتِلاَءُ يَكُونُ بِالْخَيْرِ أَوْ بِالشَّرِّ Thus, the trial comes with good or with evil.

6:21 Therefore, it is very important not to fall into despair in defeat.

6:27 Thus, a student may fail an exam; it happens.

6:31 A person may lose a certain amount of money; it happens.

6:36 A politician may lose certain, I don't know, points or elections.

6:41 But we must never lose our faith, our self-confidence, our honesty,

6:56 we must never lose our morals, we must never lose the basic principles

7:03 that make us who we are.

7:17 And that's why it is extremely important to learn from both victory

7:18 and defeat.

7:19 These are all things that strengthen a believer, that stimulate a believer,

7:25 that motivate a believer to persevere in life, regardless of what befalls them.

7:29 The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: how wonderful is the example of a believer,

7:30 how wonderful is the example of a believer.

7:37 Sometimes we learn better and more from defeat than from a hundred victories.

7:44 Who will then say that this defeat and downfall had no meaning or purpose?

7:52 Therefore, it is important for us to learn from all of this.

7:56 The Messenger, peace be upon him.

7:56 s.

7:57 He further says: if a believer is faced with something he loves, he thanks Allah.

8:02 So, it will be even better for him.

8:04 We all love to be healthy, to be wealthy, to be respected, to be this way, to be that way, but it is necessary to turn to Allah, the Exalted.

8:12 We thank you for that.

8:14 Let us be grateful for all the victories in life.

8:16 Allah, the Exalted, teaches us: وَإِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ

8:25 If you are grateful, Allah will surely increase you.

8:26 The Messenger, peace be upon him, said in this hadith:

8:26 If a believer is faced with something they dislike,

8:42 none of us likes illness, defeat, disappointment, or loss.

8:42 Then, the Messenger, peace be upon him, said,

8:42 when this happens, the believer remains patient, and it becomes better for them.

8:42 So, let us learn something from this, learn from the fall, defeat, and so on.

8:50 Therefore, it is very important to understand that the Prophet's, peace be upon him,

8:57 teaching guides us in these situations.

9:02 Life is also full of such cases and events,

9:02 which can be viewed from a worldly perspective as victories,

9:16 or from a worldly perspective as defeats.

9:25 However, what is most important, as our beautiful faith teaches us,

9:31 is to never be what we are not.

9:34 To not be arrogant, to not be brothers of Shaytan,

9:51 to not be wasteful.

10:15 The Quran always warns us about this.

10:17 It reminds us to be aware that we are human,

10:22 that we are servants of Allah, that we are someone's children,

10:23 ... teaches us, which come to us through the Quranic text and which the Messenger, peace be upon him,

10:28 s.

10:28 He definitely taught his companions, who after every worldly defeat, big or small, rose again better, stronger, and more promising, learning from their victories and defeats.

10:45 And their victories never made them arrogant in a way that belittles others, insults others, and so on, which we often tend to do.

10:55 Therefore, both victory and defeat, and even draws in life situations, are in fact just a school.

11:05 Once again, congratulations to our boys, from Sergej Barbarez, Emir Spahić, Vasilj, and all the other guys, for what they have done so far, making this entire nation, Bosnia and Herzegovina, proud. For over a month now, we have truly witnessed a euphoria and pride.

11:28 We see, therefore, boys and girls carrying their names on their backs, we see their effort, their dedication, their unity, and indeed, it would be great if we could learn something from this, especially our politicians.

11:45 May Allah reward you.

11:46 Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah, and His blessings.

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