Written by: Ahmad Mansoor
Many nations may pen their histories, but the Afghans stand as a people who, instead of merely chronicling events, forge history itself. Defeating three superpowers in a century is something that defies the limits of mere human reason and intellect; yet, when reason is bound to unwavering faith, the impossible becomes possible.
For the Atheists and the Disbelievers, the battles of Badr, Uhud, and the defeats of various empires during the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs are often dismissed as fanciful tales, mere myths from a bygone era. Yet, in the 21st century, the Almighty has shown His promises fulfilled and demonstrated the might of faith through living examples. Despite the stark differences in martial resources, capabilities, and equipment between the eras of the pious predecessors and the 21st century in Afghanistan, the victory of truth over falsehood has left the forces of falsehood bewildered.
Looking back at two decades of relentless struggle, it becomes clear that Imān triumphed over brute strength and technological supremacy. The initial assault by the superpower USA and NATO, with arrogance and claims to have dominated the world, had reached a point where with their vaunted technology, they fancied themselves arbiters of life and death, yet failed to grasp the wisdom of a sage who proclaimed, “Weapons may deliver death, but they offer no sanctuary from it.”
Indeed, while the apparent means of truth seemed feeble before the mighty apparatus of falsehood, faith in divine promises, an intrinsic understanding of the sanctity of freedom, and steadfastness on the path of jihad led to the humbling of a superpower—a victory far from trivial. This topic demands extensive research from various perspectives, such as understanding the causes behind this jihad’s success.
Allah fulfilled His promises of support to the believers, revealing to oppressed nations that falsehood’s material strength is as insignificant as an ant against the faithful. Twenty years ago, there was no comparison between us and them—the Afghan nation and America. The general belief was that, like other Muslim countries, Afghanistan would also fall into the clutches of imperialism, and, God forbid, the ideology of Islam would be supplanted by Ataturk’s secular ideals
The notion of waging war against America was considered to be nothing more than utter madness, and the agents of the West sold their faith cheaply while promoting immorality and obscenity.
Astonishingly, the 9th of Sonbula marks the day of defeat and retreat of the same America before whom the whole world had bowed twenty years ago. But the brave Taliban and Afghan Mujahideen raised the banner of rebellion against them.
Every invader would do well to mark the date of 9th Sonbula in their annals, for it was on this very day, three years ago, that the mighty American forces were compelled to flee away under the cover of night, humbled and in retreat.