"Thus have We made for every prophet an opponent from among the sinners..."
Sura Furqan (25:31)
An observer following humanity's historical march and the process of its long and bitter struggle, discerns two directly opposite currents, two conflicting forces. On one hand, there is the power of evil, transgression, perversion, deviation, blasphemy and tyranny, personified through a number of tyrannic despots and dictators, such as Pharaoh, Nimrod, Abu Jahl and the unjust dominating classes in every era and nation.
On the other hand, there is the power of faith, piety, truth, peace and the call to justice, mercy and equality, personified through such great prophets as Abraham (a.s.), Moses (a.s.), Jesus (a.s.) and Muhammad (s.a.w.) and their sincere followers who spread the message of monotheism and proclaimed the call of faith, to save humanity from slipping in the darkness of disbelief and idolatory.
That faithful group always appears, on the stage of history to wage a sacred struggle against the forces of perversion and deviation. There was not a single prophet who did not suffer, together with his followers, from tyranny, oppression, torture and persecution, because of his invitation towards truth and righteousness, and opposition to injustice, disbelief and tyranny. And there were no advocates of truth who did not suffer the same fate as the prophets did. In the way of Allah they endured imprisonment, terror, torture, banishment and martyrdom at the hands of the tyrants and dictators, the enemies of Allah and mankind. The glorious Qur'an illustrates this epic struggle between the prophets and their followers on one side, and the enemies of Allah and truth on the other:
"And how many a prophet has fought with whom were devoted men (beside him), so they did not become weak-hearted on account of what befell them in the way of Allah, nor did they weaken (in their faith) nor did they abase themselves; and Allah loves the patient. And their saying was none other than what they said: "Our Lord! forgive us our faults and our extravagance in our affair, and make firm our feet (on the right path) and help us against the unbelieving people."
Sura Aal Imran (3:146,147)
"Thus ham We made for every prophet an opponent from among the sinners and sufficient is your Lord as a Guide and Helper."
Sura Furqan (25:31)
The Seal of the prophets, Muhammad (s.a.w.) along with his brave cousin Imam Ali (a.s.) and his sincere companions, was always in the forefront of the struggle for the sake of truth and for making this earth a place of peace and happiness. The glorious Qur'an testifies to the role played by the great Prophet and his faithful followers in defending justice and faith, with the spirit of self-sacrifice and redemption, in harmony with the teachings of Allah, and in pursuit of the logic of reform and divine examination:
"Therefore bear up patiently as did the apostles endowed with constancy had patience, and do not seek to hasten for them (their doom). On the day that they shall see what they are promised they shall be as if they had not tarried save an hour of the day. A clear message! Shall then any be destroyed save the transgressing people?"
Sura Ahqaf (46:35)
Thus through this long and bitter historical struggle, the prophets and their followers resisted disbelief, injustice and corruption and inspired the oppressed people with the spirit of heroism and self-sacrifice and guided them in raising the banner of protest for the realization of their deprived rights, in the face of the despots and the dictators, who had enslaved mankind , and had considered themselves god-heads on this earth. Allah, the Strong and Mighty, helps and guides the faithful who struggle in His way and will surely punish those who are disbelievers.
"And (as for) those who strive hard for us, We will most certainly guide them in Our ways; and Allah is most surely with the doers of good."
Sura Ankabut (29:69)
"... then We gave the punishment to those who were guilty and helping the believers is ever incumbent upon Us."
Sura Rum (30:47)