People's perceptions of their enemies' strength vary. Some people underestimate their enemy’s strength, while others exaggerate it. Exaggeration involves magnifying and sensationalizing an issue to instill fear. ⁽¹⁾ A balanced approach avoids underestimating the enemy or overemphasizing their strength, assessing matters accurately, and preparing adequately for confrontation. This balanced approach, without fear or panic, is the correct one, as exaggerating the enemy’s strength leads to several dangers, including:

1. Psychological Defeat

Magnifying the enemy's strength leads to fear, weakness, reluctance to confront, and surrender to them. This is psychological defeat, which Islam forbids. The belief should be that victory and support come solely from Allah: “And victory is not except from Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (Al-Imran: 126) Allah supports the believers with His soldiers: “And to Allah belong the soldiers of the heavens and the earth. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Al-Fath: 7) Allah even strengthens the believers and instills fear in the disbelievers: “[Remember] when your Lord inspired to the angels, 'I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved; so strike [them] upon the necks and strike from them every fingertip.'” (Al-Anfal: 12)

This divine support and victory require only a group of believers who support Allah’s religion and prepare with whatever strength they can to face the enemy. Then Allah grants them a clear victory: “It is He who supported you with His help and with the believers.” (Al-Anfal: 62)

2. Succumbing to Hypocrites and Dissuaders

In times of fear, hypocrites and dissuaders try to influence believers, convincing them that the enemy can overpower or humiliate them. They exploit human tendencies to enjoy life’s pleasures, which may affect a believer's spirit, making them vulnerable to discouragement. The Quran warns against this: “Those who remained behind rejoiced at their staying [at home] after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allah and disliked to strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah and said, 'Do not go forth in the heat.' Say, 'The fire of Hell is more intense in heat' – if they would but understand.” (At-Tawbah: 81) Allah also says about them: “Had they gone forth with you, they would not have increased you except in confusion, and they would have been active among you, seeking [to cause] you fitnah. And among you are avid listeners to them. And Allah is Knowing of the wrongdoers.” (At-Tawbah: 47)  

3. Clinging to Earthly Life

Fear and terror of the enemy’s strength lead to abandoning jihad, laziness, indulgence in worldly pleasures, weakening Muslim strength and prestige, and allowing the enemy to overtake them. Allah warns believers against this and threatens severe punishment if they settled with humiliation: “O you who have believed, what is [the matter] with you that, when you are told to go forth in the cause of Allah, you adhere heavily to the earth? Are you satisfied with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter? But what is the enjoyment of worldly life compared to the Hereafter except a [very] little. If you do not go forth, He will punish you with a painful punishment and will replace you with another people, and you will not harm Him at all. And Allah is over all things competent.” (At-Tawbah: 38-39)

4. Fleeing from Battles

When fear of the enemy overwhelms someone, they may flee the battlefield, mistakenly thinking this will prolong their life or bring them a more comfortable existence. This is an illusion and a loss. Allah says, “Say, [O Muhammad], 'Never will fleeing benefit you if you should flee from death or killing; and then [if you did], you would not be given enjoyment [of life] except for a little.'” (Al-Ahzab: 16)

Allah strictly forbids fleeing on the day of battle unless it’s part of a combat strategy or to join another fighting group, as neither is considered fleeing from combat. Allah says, “O you who have believed, when you meet those who disbelieve advancing [for battle], do not turn your backs [to them in flight]. And whoever turns his back to them on such a day – unless swerving [as a strategy] for war or joining [another] company – has certainly returned with anger upon him from Allah, and his refuge is Hell – and wretched is the destination.” (Al-Anfal: 15-16)

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also considered fleeing on the day of battle a major sin. In Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim, Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Avoid the seven noxious things.” When his hearers asked, “What are they, messenger of God?” he replied, “Associating anything with God, magic, killing one whom God has declared inviolate without a just cause, devouring usury, consuming the property of an orphan, turning back when the army advances, and slandering chaste women who are believers but indiscreet.”

5- Despair and Hopelessness

Excessive fear of the enemy's strength, especially during their victories, leads to despair, blame, disputes, and a sense of failure. ⁽²⁾ Islam warns against this and urges Muslims to maintain hope and certainty in Allah’s victory, promising severe consequences for those who despair. Allah say, “And despair not of relief from Allah. Indeed, no one despairs of relief from Allah except the disbelieving people.” (Yusuf: 87), and “And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord except for those astray?” (Al-Hijr: 56)

The Prophet (ﷺ) addressed his companions’ crushed morale after their defeat at the Battle of Uhud, urging patience, faith, and hope, as Allah revealed: “So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers. If a wound should touch you – there has already touched the [opposing] people a wound similar to it. And these days [of varying conditions] We alternate among the people so that Allah may make evident those who believe and [may] take to Himself from among you martyrs – and Allah does not like the wrongdoers.” (Al-Imran: 139-140)

Allah also encouraged them to pursue the disbelievers to Hamra al-Asad ⁽³⁾ and praised their response: “Those [believers] who responded to Allah and the Messenger after injury had struck them. For those who did good among them and feared Allah is a great reward.” (Al-Imran: 172) Thus, a believer does not weaken before their enemy but remains steadfast and strengthens their resolve with faith and proper preparation, seeking Allah’s support and victory.

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1. Taj al-Arus, by al-Zabidi (31/ 168).
2. The Path of Da'wah Between Authenticity and Deviation, p. 114.
3. Ibn Hisham's Biography (2/121).

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