O Prophet! Rouse the believers to the fight. If there are twenty amongst you, patient and persevering, they will subdue two hundred: if a hundred, they will subdue a thousand of the disbelievers: for these are a people without understanding. Now, God has lightened your [task] for He knows that there is now weakness among you: But [ever so], if there are a hundred of you, patient and persevering, they will subdue two hundred, and if a thousand, they will subdue two thousand, with the leave of God: for God is with those who patiently persevere. (8:65-6)
Just as these verses of Surah Anfal
indicate
the extent of the obligation of Jihad, they also highlight the principle
on which Divine Help descends on believers in an armed struggle. They unequivocally
state that Divine Help in this matter is governed by a specific law and
is not subject to the whims and desires of people. The Almighty has fixed
a principle according to which He helps people who set out for Jihad
and
always abides by this principle. A reflection on these verses shows that
Divine Help in a war is based on the following three statutes:
Firstly, the basic thing that entitles
people to Divine Help is perseverance and resolution. No group of Muslims
becomes entitled to it unless it has this quality in it. A battalion of
Muslims devoid of this quality should not expect Divine Help when it faces
the enemy. The words 
(Sabirun) and 
(Sabirah)
of the above quoted verses allude to this reality. Moreover, the words 
(wallahu ma‘a al-sabirin: God is with those who persevere) at the
end of the verse also bear reference to this fact.
Secondly, an army must be equipped
with proper military strength if it is to wage war. No doubt, whatever
happens, happens because of God’s will and one must fully repose one’s
trust in Him, but this is also a reality that the Almighty has created
this world on certain laws. The scheme behind these laws dictates that
whatever measures are adopted for doing good and virtuous deeds, they must
have the backing of necessary resources. What are these means and resources?
A ratio between Muslim and enemy forces has been put forth in these verses
by the Almighty. If this has not been achieved, then efforts should be
made by the Muslims to achieve it. If they wage Jihad by ignoring
this ratio by succumbing to emotions, they themselves would be responsible
for such a rash step. Such a step would, of course, not be entitled to
any Divine Help.
Thirdly, it is the force of faith
that compensates for any lack of material force. The words 
(‘alima
anna fikum da‘fa: He knows that there is now weakness among you) and 
(bi
annahum qawmun la yafqahun: for these are a people without understanding)
bear reference to this inference. The word 
(da‘f)
in Arabic is not only used for material and physical weakness but also
for weakness in faith and belief. Similarly, the meaning of the words 
(la yafqahun) used in contrast to the strength of faith implies
a weakness in faith and belief. The verse, consequently, says that since
the disbelievers are devoid of true faith and belief while, on the other
hand, the believers possess them, so if the believers are outnumbered by
1:10 even then they would be the victors.
It is evident from the context of
the surah that the ratio stated is of the period of the battle of Badr.
After this battle, many people entered the folds of Islam – people who
were not as strong in faith and resolve as those who had been the 
(sabiquna’l-awwalun: the pioneer converts). Though Muslims greatly
increased in numbers as a result of these conversions, yet the level and
extent of faith decreased overall since the converts were nevertheless
not as strong in their faith as the
(sabiquna’l-awwalun: the pioneer converts). Consequently, the Almighty
Himself informed the Muslims that now this ratio had decreased to 1:2 from
the original 1:10.
Finally, it needs to be appreciated
that the ratios stated in these verses are about the Companions (rta) of
the Prophet (sws) – who were a group of noble souls who waged Jihad along
side the Prophet (sws) and as a result of a direct command of the Almighty.
In later times, it can be estimated whether this ratio has increased or
decreased keeping in view the extent of faith Muslims have.