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Syria Rising from the Ashes

Writer's picture: Raghad BushnaqRaghad Bushnaq

قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ مَالِكَ الْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِي الْمُلْكَ مَن تَشَاءُ وَتَنزِعُ الْمُلْكَ مِمَّن تَشَاءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَاءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَاءُ ۖ بِيَدِكَ الْخَيْرُ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ - آل عمران: 26

“Say, O Allah, Owner of all sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor whom You will and dishonor whom You will. In Your hand is all good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.” (Surah Aal-E-Imran, 3:26)


I was one year old when Hafez Assad seized power in Syria. My youngest child was just two years old when his son, Bashar, inherited the presidency from him.


Life under the Assad regime was defined by fear, oppression, and deprivation. Basic rights were stripped away, with religious practices and political discussions strictly prohibited. Bribery became the norm to navigate bureaucracy, while essential goods like bread, electricity, and water were scarce, making daily life a constant struggle. The mukhabarat system suffocated the lives and dreams of generations.


Fourteen years ago, Syrians rose peacefully, asking for freedom. In response, they were met with violence, imprisonment, barrel bombs, displacement, and the destruction of homes. Syria became a battleground for foreign powers fighting under the banner of supporting Bashar while pursuing larger agendas. Syrians have reached a point where they no longer see light at the end of the tunnel. The light has dimmed, disappeared, and any hope for a brighter future feels reserved for our grandchildren.


But in December 2024, history unfolded before the eyes of Syrians. Aleppo was liberated, followed by Hama, Homs, and then Damascus. Across Syria and the diaspora, Syrians stood in awe, witnessing what many believed was impossible finally become reality.


حَتَّىٰ إِذَا ٱسْتَيْئَسَ ٱلرُّسُلُ وَظَنُّواْ أَنَّهُمْ قَدْ كُذِبُواْ جَآءَهُمْ نَصْرُنَا فَنُجِّىَ مَن نَّشَآءُۖ وَلَا يُرَدُّ بَأْسُنَا عَنِ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ} يوسف: 110

“Until, when the messengers despaired and thought that they had been denied, Our victory came to them, and We saved whom We willed. But Our punishment cannot be repelled from the people who are criminals.” (Surah Yusuf, 12:110)


The divine permission had been granted, and decades of oppression crumbled under the unwavering resilience of the people. For Syrians, this was not just a political victory; it was a moment of faith, perseverance, and justice fulfilled.

Tears of joy and gratitude flowed as hearts turned to Allah, the ultimate Giver of victory, for this long-awaited liberation.

Victory, however, is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of a greater responsibility. True liberation must be followed by empowerment (تمكين) to establish justice, rebuild the nation, and ensure freedom is sustained. Empowerment comes through faith, unity, and hard work, aligning with divine principles that grant and preserve victory.

Empowerment is not just about worldly strength or dominance but involves attaining Allah’s support and achieving justice, prosperity, and goodness on earth.

From an Islamic Perspective:


Causes of Empowerment


1. True Faith and Righteous Deeds (الإيمان والعمل الصالح):

Empowerment begins with a strong connection to Allah through faith and acts of righteousness. The Qur’an promises:


{وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَمَا ٱسْتَخْلَفَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى ٱرْتَضَىٰ لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًۭا ۚ يَعْبُدُونَنِى لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِى شَيْـًۭٔا} النور: 55

“Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth…” (Surah An-Nur, 24:55)


This highlights that faith and good deeds are prerequisites for societal empowerment.


2. Justice and Fairness (العدل):

Justice is a cornerstone of empowerment. Establishing justice in all affairs leads to trust, stability, and prosperity. Allah commands:


إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ بِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا

"Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing."(Surah An-Nisa: 58)


3. Reliance on Allah (التوكل على الله):

Placing complete trust in Allah while taking practical steps is essential for empowerment. The Qur’an states:


وَمَنْ يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا

"And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a decreed extent."(Surah At-Talaq: 3)


4. Gratitude and Humility (الشكر والتواضع):

Expressing gratitude for Allah’s blessings brings more success and stability. Allah says:


لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ

"If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe."(Surah Ibrahim: 7)


The Prophet ﷺ said:

مَنْ تَوَاضَعَ لِلَّهِ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ

"Whoever humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah will elevate him."(Sahih Muslim: 2588)


5. Unity and Cooperation (الوحدة والتعاون):

Empowerment is strengthened through collective action and unity. The Qur’an encourages:

وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا

"And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided."(Surah Aal-E-Imran: 103)


The Prophet ﷺ said:

مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي تَوَادِّهِمْ وَتَرَاحُمِهِمْ وَتَعَاطُفِهِمْ مَثَلُ الْجَسَدِ، إِذَا اشْتَكَى مِنْهُ عُضْوٌ تَدَاعَى لَهُ سَائِرُ

الْجَسَدِ بِالسَّهَرِ وَالْحُمَّى

"The believers, in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy, are just like one body."(Sahih Bukhari: 6011; Sahih Muslim: 2586)


6. Knowledge and Wisdom (العلم والحكمة):

Empowerment is achieved through knowledge and informed decision-making. The Prophet ﷺ said:

طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ

"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim."(Sunan Ibn Majah: 224)


Allah says:

قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

"Say, 'Are those who know equal to those who do not know?'"(Surah Az-Zumar: 9)


7. Patience and Perseverance (الصبر):

Empowerment often comes after trials, requiring steadfastness and endurance. Allah promises:

إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُمْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ

Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account."(Surah Az-Zumar: 10)


The Prophet ﷺ said:

وَمَنْ يَتَصَبَّرْ يُصَبِّرْهُ اللَّهُ وَمَا أُعْطِيَ أَحَدٌ عَطَاءً خَيْرًا وَأَوْسَعَ مِنَ الصَّبْرِ

"Whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience."(Sahih Bukhari: 1469)


8. Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil (الأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر):

Promoting virtuous acts and preventing wrongdoing establishes a morally empowered community. Allah says:

كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ"

You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah."(Surah Aal-E-Imran: 110)


9. Strong Leadership and Governance (القوة في القيادة والحكم):

Good leadership that prioritizes justice, mercy, and service empowers societies. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized servant leadership, stating:

سَيِّدُ الْقَوْمِ خَادِمُهُمْ

"The leader of a people is their servant."(Sunan Abu Dawood: 2858)


10. Sincerity and Intention (الإخلاص):

Empowerment comes when actions are done solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure. The Prophet ﷺ said:

إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى

"Actions are but by intentions, and every person will get what they intended."(Sahih Bukhari: 1; Sahih Muslim: 1907)





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