We always find the Islamists emphasizing the importance of understanding “the nature of the conflict”; meaning, that it is a struggle between Kufr and Imaan; as if this is a profoundly insightful point about which none of us is aware.
They want to keep the discussion centered on this point because it keeps it within the parameters in which they are qualified to speak. They can talk about ‘Aqeedah until they turn blue in the face. What they cannot talk about, and do not want to talk about, is how the conflict is being carried out; how this conflict between Kufr and Imaan is being manifest on the ground; and how we are supposed to deal with it.
The “nature” of the conflict is obvious, and needs very little discussion. Allah and His Messenger ï·º told us the nature of the conflict well before the Islamists did. What we need to understand are the modalities of the conflict; the strategies of our enemies, the tactics, how exactly they are pursuing their agenda of hostility against Islam. Why do they use one method in one place, and another method in a different place? What are the tools and weapons they use, and how do they use them? What are the dynamics of their system, and how can we respond in a practical, realistic, and successful way?
We do not need a khutbah, we need a strategy.