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iTunes ChannelBr. Tariq Mehanna’s Letter from Prison
Share17th of Dhu al-Hijjah 1429
December 15th 2008
Bismillah, was-Salamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullah wa barakatuh,
My dear brother, Ahmad,
It was absolutely refreshing and reassuring to have received a letter from you, and the brothers and sisters from all over. You have no idea what a letter from the outside world means when one is here. The whole psychological makeup of prison is such that it is designed to remove your individuality, instead turning you into nothing more than an identification number. Everyone wears the same color prison uniform, eats the same food, is subject to the same regulations, etc. So to receive a message marked with your actual name on it, written specifically for you — this is a reminder that you are an actual person with an actual life and actual family and friends. So, having [so many] letters slipped under my cell door reminded me of how fortunate I am to have received support from people who mostly know nothing about me except that I am their brother in faith, and [these] letters never leave my side.
One thing I would like to point out is in regards to how many brothers and sisters, when writing to a prisoner or any other Muslim in need, will start off the reminder with ‘you already know this,’ or ‘I can’t say much you don’t already know.’ In Surat al-Hashr, Allah says in one verse: {“O you who believe, fear Allah and let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow, and fear Allah…“}.
So, the same injunction was made twice in the same verse to fear Allah. Imam Ahmad pointed out that patience is mentioned in the Qur’an over ninety times. So, there are certain concepts that have to be drilled into our heads constantly for us to truly understand and internalize and apply them properly in our lives. Reflect, also, how you have been and will continue to recite Surat al-Fatiha at least seventeen times everyday for the rest of your life. Shaykh ‘Uthaymin once pointed out that the Qur’an and the reminders it contains are such that every time you read some verse, you come away with a deeper meaning than the previous time you read that same verse! Now, in an environment such as this, the concepts of patience, tawakkul, etc. take on completely new meanings. So, every reminder boosts morale and strengthens resolve, and helps you look at the situation in the right light.
The greatest asset in here is the ability to remember Allah no matter what condition or situation I am in. When I was handcuffed and couldn’t use my hands to pray, when I was in solitary confinement and had no contact with human or book, when shackled by my hands and feet during the hour-long rides back and forth between court and prison hunched over in the dark, stuffy prison van, etc. — when all sources of material comfort have been taken away, it is then when you realize exactly how essential dhikr is to your sanity and survival. People here place so much reliance on the skills of their lawyers, the mercy of the judge, etc., but looking around at them all, I laugh at how easy it is for me to call upon the One who controls every atom in the universe compared with how hard it is for an inmate to get what he wants from those on the outside that he places so much reliance on, who are not always placing him on their list of priorities. Ibn al-Qayyim’s ‘al-Wabil as-Sayyib‘ contains great parables and expositions on the virtues of dhikr. But the reason I mention how helpul the act of dhikr has been here is to encourage you all on the outside to realize its true value and take proper advantage of it now, and not just if you happen to go to prison, because if you remember Allah in times of ease, He will help you in times of hardship, guaranteed! It’s the easiest act of worship!
I spend my time reading whatever I can get my hands on. Every Tuesday, the library cart is supposed to get some books to my unit, but they are extremely inefficient here when it comes to such services, and the cart has only been around once in the past few months. I picked up and completed a 700-page biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer (the so-called “father of the atomic bomb”) called ‘American Prometheus.’ It was quite a revealing story of how the man who essentially handed America the nuclear bombs by which she sought to bring the Soviet Union to its knees was blacklisted by the FBI and excommunicated the minute he voiced his opposition to the thirst of zealots in the administration to build even deadlier weapons. I also just completed a history of the Colombian cocaine trade that had its peak in the ’80s, and last night completed a book about the topic of celibacy as debated in the Vatican. There are also old issues of National Geographic Magazine floating around between inmates here, so I try to read those whenever one comes my way. I think they are popular around here because they contain more pictures than words 
. I had a copy of Yusuf Ali’s translation of the Qur’an for a while, but I had lent it to an inmate interested in Islam who was released on bail before he could return it to me. So, I’ve been relying on the Qur’an I have memorized when it comes to recitation.
Despite the fact that this is a maximum security facility and the restrictions are at times cumbersome, I really do not have much I can complain about. I have a place to sleep, three meals a day, and I can pray whenever I want in peace. I can think of millions of people around the world who cannot claim the same luxuries. On top of that, one sometimes needs a place like this to achieve clarity of mind. So, as the cliché goes, this has been a blessing in disguise in that I’ve been able to benefit from various aspects of incarceration that would ordinarily seem undesirable. I can only think of the countless imprisoned Muslims in the jails of tyrants around the globe and hope that if it is not Allah’s Decree to free them in the near future, that they taste the sweetness that Allah has placed them in prison to taste… May Allah free our sisters sooner than all…
I would like to end this letter by reminding all who read it to realize what you have been blessed with before it is taken from you: the warm hug of a loved one, the company of righteous people, the ability to see the sun and moon, a breath of fresh air, praying in a mosque, hearing the Qur’an recited, reading a good book of your choosing, taking a shower with clean water whenever you feel like, even something as simple as being able to open a door and walk out of a room! If there is one lesson that everybody can learn in here – be they Muslim or kafir – that is to take the initiative to appreciate the value of the luxuries you are blessed with before they are taken from under your nose. We hear this in every khutbah but one unfortunately cannot truly appreciate this advice until all these delights of life are out of reach, in actuality. (I highly suggest Cummings’ ‘The Enormous Room‘ in this regard, if you can find a copy, where he describes, in candid detail, life in a French prison camp stripped of all the material possessions that were once within easy grasp.) Indeed, prison only makes the Muslim stronger…
Was-Salamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuh,
Your brother in the green jumpsuit,
Tariq Mehanna
See Also: Tariq Mehanna: ‘Catch all’ uses of ‘al-Qaeda’ and the Sudbury thought criminal
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SubhanAllah. May Allah ta’ala assist him and remove him of these charges, Ameen.
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Amazing is the affair of the believer! Every affair of his is good for him, and this is not for anyone except a believer: if he experiences something pleasant, he is grateful to Allah and that is good for him; and if he comes across some adversity, he is patiently persevering and that too is good for him!” [Saheeh Muslim]
bismillah. [by abu abdAllah]
ameen to all the duas of Tariq, Ahmad, and Amatullah. mashaAllah, sister Amatullah chose a perfect hadith for her reaction to the letter. the words that most struck me from brother Tariq: “…because if you remember Allah in times of ease, He will help you in times of hardship.”
may Allah release Tariq, Fahad, Dr. Ali, Dr. Aafia, and so many more Muslims the charges against them either ludicrous or in any case so much less than commensurate to their treatment by the government. may He preserve their strength and that of their families. may He accept from them, forgive them of their mistakes and excesses, and facilitate for them every good thing.
It is very easy for me to say this, but like br. Tariq says, if he were to look back at his life, not necessarily at the time of death, but certainly during the reckoning, and reflected on how he was able to completely dedicate himself in worship during this time in prison he would be greatly relieved by this, and would be thankful that he didn’t have the opportunity to be tempted away from worship in the way so many other people will be regretting about on that day.
Subhan Allah…
Tthose outside of prison thank Allah for their ‘freedom’, while those inside of worldly prisons thank Allah for their true freedom to worship Him.
Yasir
And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives
and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones. Who, when afflicted with calamity, say:
“Truly! To Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” They are those on whom
are the Salawat (i.e. who are blessed and will be forgiven) from their Lord, and (they are
those who) receive His Mercy, and it is they who are the guided-ones.
Surah al-Baqarah (2:155-157)
Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: “We believe,”
and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And
Allaah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will
certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although
Allaah knows all that before putting them to test).
Surah al-‘Ankabut (29:2-3)
And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter,
that is the life indeed (i.e. the eternal life that will never end), if they but knew
Surah al-‘Ankabut (29:64)
No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of
Decrees (al-Lauh al-Mahfuz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for
Allaah. In order that you may not be sad over matters that you fail to get, nor rejoice
because of that which has been given to you. And Allaah likes not prideful boasters.
Surah al-Hadid (57:22-23)
And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what
your hands have earned. And He pardons much.
Surah ash-Shura (42:30)
And verily, We will make them taste of the near torment (i.e. the torment in
the life of this world, i.e. disasters, calamities, etc.) prior to the supreme torment (in
the Hereafter), in order that they may (repent and) return (i.e. accept Islam).
Surah as-Sajdah (32:21)
And when some hurt touches man, he cries to his Lord (Allaah Alone),
turning to Him in repentance, but when He bestows a favor upon him from Himself,
he forgets that for which he cried for before, and he sets up rivals to Allaah, in order
to mislead others from His Path. Say: “Take pleasure in your disbelief for
a while: surely, you are (one) of the dwellers of the Fire!”
Surah az-Zumar (39:8)
So verily, with the hardship, there is relief. Verily, with the hardship, there is relief (i.e.
there is one hardship with two reliefs, so one hardship cannot overcome two reliefs).
Surah ash-Sharh (94:5-6)
“When Allaah wills good for His slave, He hastens the punishment for him in
this world, and when Allaah wills ill for His slave, he withholds the
punishment for his sins from him until he comes with all his sins on the Day of
Resurrection.” [Reported by at-Tirmidhi (2396)
Could you possible post/re-post the address to write to Tariq for those who may want to write to him? JAK
Initially, I wasn’t sure whether to re-post his address, because he will probably be let out on bail (insha’Allah) by the time a reply reaches him. In any case, if you do write him, I’m sure the letter will be forwarded to him if he is released when it arrives, so here is his mailing address:
Tarek Mehanna
ID# 50660
Room E327 Unit E3
Plymouth County Correctional Facility
26 Long Pond Road
Plymouth, MA 02360
Assalamo elikuim
SubanAllah ! Mashallah this brother is amazing wish I and my children can have the level of taqwa he have.
May Allah swt have His Rahma on him and others, Ameen.
Wasalam
Jazaak’Allah Khayr for the share.
may Allah free our imprisoned brothers and sisters wherever they may be.
subhanAllah! What moving letter and his tawakul is truly inspiring. jazakallaahu khayr for sharing with us and ameen to all the duas.
Hasbun Allahi wa Ni`ma al-Wakil…
May Allah(SWT) Provide for Br. Tariq and all Muslims in need and under oppression – May Allah(SWT) Purify and Accept his faith and deeds and make this difficulty a means of taqarrub and closeness to Allah(SWT) which is a gift that cannot be measured.
Not all tests are easy, so May Allah(SWT) Make it easy for him and ours for us.
B’idhnillah he and all Muslims will be Free in all senses of the word soon.
Ina lilah we ina ilyhe rajoon.
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Jazzakum Allah Khair for posting his letter. I pray that brother gets justice, soon. He sounds like a great brother in Islam. May Allah grant him Jannah. Ameen.
May Allah azzawajal grant him justice… mashaAllah, what an insightful letter…
Great news, wAlhumdulillaah! May Allaah continue to make things easy for our dear brother and inshaa Allaah he will be out soon, aameen.
Wa assalaamu ‘alaykum
Jazaakullah khayran brother for publishing this inspiring letter from Tariq. It says a lot about his persona that he still manages to benefit us all with his words, in freedom and captivity.
Could you please email our site?
wasalam
Umm ‘Uthmaan
al-istiqamah.com
Aa Wr Wb,
Mashaallah. What a inspiring letter?
Allah the Almighty says: [Victory will be yours; but on Allah put your trust if you have faith.] (Al Maidah, 5:23 )
Umm Salamah narrates: I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAL ALLAHU ALAYHI WA SALLAM) say, “Any Muslim that says when a calamity befalls him that which Allah commanded him: To Allah we belong and to him we return. O Allah reward me in this calamity and give me better then it – (any Muslim that says this) Allah will grant him better than (that which he lost).” – Muslim
May Allah swt grant you justice and grant you reward in this duniya and in the hereafter.
salaam.
Asslam o Alaikum.
Amazing letter with a good and impressive and fruitful words … and also have a lesson for all of us who enjoying freedom…
Allah bless u and make thing easy for u and for all those mulims sisters and brothers who r in trouble and Allah grant us strength and unity and ability that we can do some thing practical for our brothers who are in trouble in any part of world. aameen….
“O Lord! I make my complaint unto thee, of my feebleness, the vanity of my efforts. I am insignificant in the sight of men, O Thou Most Merciful! Lord of the weak! Thou aret my Lord! Forsake me not. Leave me not a prey to strangers, nor to mine enemies. If Thou art not displeased, I am safe. I seek refuge in the light of Thy countenance, by which all darkness is dispelled, and peace cometh in the Here and Hereafter. Solve Thou my difficulties as it pleaseth Thee. There is no power, no strength, save in Thee”
Waaslam..
The brother has been released.
All praise is due to Allah.
bismillah. [by abu abdAllah]
takbir! (Allaho Akbar!)
takbir! (Allaho Akbar!)
takbir! (Allaho Akbar!)
innalhamdolillah.
Alhamdulillah this is great news.
May Allah keep him with his family.
Alhamdulillah! Great news alhamdulillah. wAllahu ma’a as-Saabireen.
May Allah protect him and his family, Ameen.
Alhamdulillah! Allahu akbar! JazakAllahu khayran for letting us know the news akhi. May Allah protect Tariq and clear him of all charges. Ameen.
Asslam o Alaikum..
May Allah make thing easy too for all those who are still suffering in prison ameen
Regards
This is very good news! May Allah protect him! May Allah hasten the release of all our muslim brothers and sisters around the world!
Allahu Akbar
Allah Akbar
Allah Akbar
Ya I know am a little late but Alhamdulilah he is released, lets just keep in dua’s all the other brothers and sisters like Sh. Zoubayr to have a speedy trail and released as soon as Allah premits!
[editor: jazak Allah khayr for your post, sister. but everyone should be clear on the fact that Shaykh Zoubayr's case in Houston concerns only his immigrations status. may Allah resolve the matter in his favor so that the shaykh and his family can continue to benefit the Muslim community of Houston.]
Assalaamu Alaikum all -
The ebook recommended by Br. Tariq is available at Project Gutenberg:
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/8446
Wasalaam,
Danial