Tuesday, December 13, 2016

ALEPPO, ALLAH'S HELP IS NEAR




We see what's happening in Aleppo and really, words fail me. What kind of a world do we live in. Practically, something worse than the Holocaust was being live documented and tweeted and people saw it, liked, shared and posted it but beyond that, did anyone truly care? Did we think of those innocent children, the homeless, the wounded and the hungry when we reclined on our soft beds? Did we care enough to wake up for Thahajjud and cry silently to Allah, begging for His help on them? If you have, then Alhamdulillah, your heart is alive. 

It's ironic you know how Syria is surrounded by Muslim countries and yet, no one stepped in to actually help them. How long are they going to compete with each other to build the tallest building and make a car out of gold? How much longer are they going to be deluded by the glamour and glitter of this Dunya? Have we been so blinded by all this that we have become deaf to the cries of the Syrians, blind to their suffering and dumb to even speak for them or at least, make Duaa for them? Do we even have a heart left?
 
So what's there to look at get solace in? The Ummah in in tatters. There are plenty of Muslim countries but who is there to speak up on behalf of the oppressed Muslims, not just in Syria but in Palestine, Rohingya, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Yemen, it just goes on... 
 
The Ummah has lost all hope.
 
Except for the promise of Allah and you know what? I've come to realize that when all we've got is empty promises around us, this promise of Allah. .That's enough.
 
This one verse from Surah Baqarah... SubhanAllah, it just paints the perfect picture. It's as though Allah is talking directly to the people of Syria. It's as though He is comforting them. It's so beautiful...
 
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah?" 
Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near. (Quran 2:214)

 
I studied the Tafseer of this verse about an year back and over here, I'll write what I learnt in that, In sha Allah.
This verse basically says that entering Jannah isn't easy. We have to go through some trials. And note: If we haven't been tested this way even to a small extent then know that it is sure to come in the future. See, the address here is to us, the Muslims. 
 
And on the other hand, if you are facing any difficulties because you are a believer, then know that this isn't strange. It has even happened to the Prophets of Allah.
In this verse specifically, and it really is the perfect picture of Aleppo right now, Allah talks about how they were shaken- زُلْزِلُ is the word used- by one test after another. And isn't this what we are seeing right before our eyes in Aleppo. Be it chemical bombs, being driven out, beaten up, raped... It's all happening there. 
 
The first recipients of this verse was of course, Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam and his Sahabahs. Meaning, the previous generations, even they suffered. But even when they were tortured, burnt alive, sawed, flesh removed, etc, they did not give up on their Imaan. So what are the tests we face and what are the negativism we face and SubhanAllah, how vulnerable are we to what we face?
 
So, they were tried and tested and pushed so much so that even their messenger and those who believed with him said "When is the help of Allah?" And isn't this precisely what the Muslims of Aleppo, Palestine, Rohingya, Kashmir, etc are asking? When is the help of Allah.
 
The words of the Quran and perfect. Every single word, Allah has chosen it so perfectly. Notice how they said متى - When. Not أين - where is the help of Allah? This was their Yaqeen, their certainty. They knew Allah's help was going to come. It was just a matter of when.
So even when the world doesn't respond, Allah does and how beautiful His response is. "Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near." This is all the hope we have left Ya Allah!
 
Don't ever give up. Hold on for a little bit longer for Allah's help. Be patient in the face of trials. The path to Jannah is surrounded by difficulties. But these trials, when a believer goes through it, it strengthens him and raises his ranks before His lord. 
Oh Allah, elevate the status of those who are struggling with difficulties in your path. Help them with your special help, grant them Sabr and reward them with Jannah. Help the people of Aleppo Ya Allah!
 
 

4 comments:

  1. Assalamu Aleikum,sister.
    This's so deep.

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    1. Walaykum salaam warahmathullahi wabarakathuhu. Jazakumullah Khair sister :)

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  2. Hi, this is a very interesting blog you have. It is nice to hear a perspective which we rarely get to hear.
    Now I am a 21 year old non Muslim girl from India. I really wanted to have a discussion on few questions I had. I hope you don't mind?
    First of all, "So, they were tried and tested and pushed so much so that even their messenger and those who believed with him said "When is the help of Allah?" And isn't this precisely what the Muslims of Aleppo, Palestine, Rohingya, Kashmir, etc are asking? When is the help of Allah."
    #1 So why is only the suffering of Muslims your focus? Do non-Muslims, because of their faith mean nothing to you?
    #2 What is your thought on non-Muslims? Would I burn in hell because I do not believe in Allah?
    #3 Would Gandhi and Mother Teresa also burn in hell? Or never get to experience paradise if it exists?
    #4 What do you think about suffering and riches not being divided on basis of faith around the world. Some of the richest countries are non-Muslim as well as some of the poorest. Does Allah play any role in that?
    #5 Who are your role-models? Any non-Muslims among them?
    #6 What do you want to become in your life? What profession?
    #7 How would you behave if your daughter renounces Islam and starts wearing bikini?
    #8 What about the fact that in today's world there are almost no niqabi politicians (except maybe in Saudi Arabia where they have no choice), sportspersons, scientists, journalists (dealing with non-religious stuff), business-women etc.? But you will find examples of hijabi women in these professions. Doesn't that imply that niqab is an impediment in their success?

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    1. Hi, thanks! No problem. I'll reply as best as I can. :)
      #1 So why is only the suffering of Muslims your focus? Do non-Muslims, because of their faith mean nothing to you?
      This doesn't mean that we don't pity or help the non-Muslims who are oppressed as well. In fact, Muslims are supposed to help the oppressed, regardless of religion. But the difference is that this promise of the help of Allah is specifically for Muslims because of our faith and belief that Allah is God.


      #2 What is your thought on non-Muslims? Would I burn in hell because I do not believe in Allah?
      According to Islam, all humans are created with a fitrah, which is the innate nature in which we recognize our true Creator. At some point in the life of every single person, Allah will show it to them with certainty that Allah is the only true God and no one deserves worship but Him. Even after knowing this, if they don't accept, then as we learn in the Quran, they shall be of the inmates of hell-fire. This is not injustice from Allah but this is the injustice done to oneself where he/she refuses to accept the Creator.


      #3 Would Gandhi and Mother Teresa also burn in hell? Or never get to experience paradise if it exists?
      If they died without acknowledging that Allah is the Lord and Prophet Muhammad is the messenger of God, then yes. Of course, in the last stages of death, we never know if they recognized and accepted Allah and if they did so, then the matter is with Allah.


      #4 What do you think about suffering and riches not being divided on basis of faith around the world. Some of the richest countries are non-Muslim as well as some of the poorest. Does Allah play any role in that?
      Wealth and poverty are both tests from Allah. That when we are rich, do we remember and thank Allah and give away part of our wealth in charity and for those who are in poverty, do they still persist in obeying Allah? The entire life is a test and in all affairs and matters, Allah plays a role. He tests each person according to his/her capacity.


      #5 Who are your role-models? Any non-Muslims among them?
      We have Prophet Muhammad PBHUH as our role model and he is enough as our role model for us.


      #6 What do you want to become in your life? What profession?
      Live in obedience to Allah because that's the purpose of our existence. Allah says that He did not create man except that we worship Him. And I do have a profession as well. I'm a freelance writer.


      #7 How would you behave if your daughter renounces Islam and starts wearing bikini?
      If that were to happen, I'd blame myself for not bringing up my daughter in the correct way.


      #8 What about the fact that in today's world there are almost no niqabi politicians (except maybe in Saudi Arabia where they have no choice), sportspersons, scientists, journalists (dealing with non-religious stuff), business-women etc.? But you will find examples of hijabi women in these professions. Doesn't that imply that niqab is an impediment in their success?
      Sorry sister but you are wrong there. There are so many Niqabis who are doctors, teachers, businesswomen and so on. The media makes it sound as though there arent any and that all Niqabis are jailed in their homes but this is not true.


      Hope these answered your questions. If you still want to ask anything more, feel free to email me on niqablovers@gmail.com

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