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Did You Wake Up for Your Children in Gaza?

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We are all aware of the emphasis on brotherhood and unity in Islam. When you take a closer look at the Verses and Ahadith on the subject, there is an interesting point. Unity, brotherhood, and our compassion for our fellow Muslims are correlated to our Iman.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “None of you truly believes till he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself.”

“The Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe.”

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“He is not a believer, who goes to bed full, knowing that his neighbor is hungry.”

My treatment of others is a reflection of my Iman. My distress at the suffering of Muslims is an indication of the condition of my Iman. This is critical for us to understand not only in terms of our collective efforts to unify the Ummah, but also in our individual efforts to please Allah.

Now with more than 900 Muslims dead, almost 300 of them children and 100 women and over 4000 people injured, the question we all have to ask ourselves is:

What did I do about this and how did this impact me?

The Quran tells us that the believers are brothers, so if my own brother had been killed or severely injured, how would I react? What would I be willing to spend for his medical care? Would I be able to sleep peacefully at night if the lives of my family members were in danger? Could I comfortably eat to my fill knowing that my own children are starving?

Well, what if I could? Then how would you describe me? Cruel. Heartless. Inhuman. One thing’s for sure, it’s definitely not the behavior of a believer.

Now going back to the issue at hand, it’s been over 2 weeks since the suffering and persecution of our brothers and sisters began. What have I done? How has it impacted me? What changes have come about in my life due to it?

These are very important questions that we have to ask ourselves. Our Iman depends on it. Our position in the eyes of Allah hinges on it. Our relation to the Prophet (pbuh) on the Day of Judgment will be determined by it.

What can we practically do in our situation?

We can financially contribute. But let’s be honest and realistic about this. How much can we really contribute? What can I truly and sincerely afford to give? To answer this we’ll have to ask ourselves a few more questions:

What is my need and necessity? What are the luxuries I enjoy? What luxuries do I incorrectly consider my needs?

If you’re honest and truthful, then the answer will hurt. Let me explain. That 2004 Honda Accord you drive can be called a need, but the 2009 Acura TL (with leather, DVD, built-in Navigation system, etc) that you’ve been eyeing is most definitely a luxury. Now if we starting taking that type of a look at our lifestyles, then how much could we really and truly be doing? Remember that wealth and luxuries will not only be worthless in the Hereafter, but can be become a burden. Even in this life, wealth doesn’t bring happiness. Just ask one of the wealthiest men in Europe, Adolf Merckle, who threw himself in front of a train because of losing money in the recent financial crisis.

The next thing is Dua. The importance and effectiveness of making Dua and asking Allah for his help is also known to everyone, and has been mentioned in other articles here. Have we taken full advantage of this powerful tool? I’ll go back to the original premise, if my own brother was sick or the lives of my own children were in danger, I would be up all night praying and crying before Allah, asking for his help and mercy. But how many times since this tragedy started did I wake up in the night and make Dua and beg Allah to shower his help and mercy upon the innocent people suffering?

So let’s start taking action for their sake and ours.

Download the Khutbah – Did You Wake Up for Your Children in Gaza?

[audio:http://muslimmatters.org/audio/Did%20You%20Wake%20Up%20For%20Your%20Children%20in%20Gaza(1-9-09).mp3]

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

Abdul Nasir Jangda is the founder and director of Qalam Institute. He is a hafiz and specialist in Sīrah & Hanafi Fiqh with a Bachelor's from Jamia Binoria, a Master’s in Arabic from Karachi University, and a Master’s in Islamic Studies from the University of Sindh.

8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. shaz

    January 14, 2009 at 9:30 AM

    good post, thanks. it’s indeed a test for us all. and as a test, i feel we also need to be reminded to keep anger in check.

  2. Mustafa

    January 14, 2009 at 1:51 PM

    Shaykh ANJ hit the nail on the head with this one.

    I worry about my son’s head when he falls, when another one of my sons in Gaza just died.

    I get upset because there’s too much spice in my food, when there are families who eat weeds just to stay alive.

    I sit in my nice car (which is only a few days older than this crisis), and I just feel so ashamed.

    Until when will I stop mixing up what I’m “accustomed” to with things that I really need? But no, I still have not been saved from the greediness of my soul, so no I still have not yet succeeded :(

    Jazaakallahu khayran for the punch in the gut, Shaykh, it’s the pain that keeps us awake. (And you had to mention the Acura too!)

  3. Mustafa

    January 14, 2009 at 9:08 PM

    is it possible to get a better quality audio? this one seems to be cracking. jazakhAllah khair

  4. AbdulNasir Jangda

    January 14, 2009 at 10:40 PM

    Someone messed with the settings on the audio system, so the quality is bad.

    That’s why I wrote a gist of the Khutbah. InshaAllah better audio next time.

  5. MM Associates

    January 14, 2009 at 11:05 PM

    Jazaakum Allahu khayran for the reminder.

    (Amatullah)

  6. ilmsummitee

    January 18, 2009 at 6:50 PM

    BarakAllahu feek shaykh for the much needed reminder……may Allah strengthen us and return our ummah back to the deen!

    SubhanAllah, qiyaam has no substitute, it really doesnt. The tranquility it brings and the closeness to Allah (swt) is unparalleled, may we be amongst those who fast the days and pray the nights. Ameen.

  7. Ahsaan

    January 29, 2009 at 10:56 PM

    Wonderful article.
    Thank you for the reminder.

  8. Saaddd

    October 7, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    Amazing

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