By Naeem Baig
As we end Ramadan of 2016 we are saddened with the parting of this great month. Muslims throughout the globe are deep in thought and intensified acts of worship as Ramadan culminates and Eid-ul Fitr dawns.
But while we are in this state of sadness we are confronted with another dimension, which is causing us a lot of pain. And that is that almost on a daily basis, there are bombings in multiple places throughout the world and more recently even in the city of Al-Madinah: The City of the Prophet Muhammad, sallalahu elaihe wa sallam. Explosion in this blessed city took place almost a stone throw away from Prophet’s Masjid. This is the second most sacred place after the sanctuary of Makkah. Violation of such a nature at these places is tantamount to Kufr or disbelief.
Too often Muslims have had to bear the burden when someone with a Muslim name bombs any place. We rush to condemn these notorious acts and make it very clear that they do not belong to Islam and certainly not the actions of a true Muslim.
And now in these last days of Ramadan, there are bombings in Turkey, Afghanistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, Iraq and at three places in Saudi Arabia. It is enough to lead some into clinical depression, others into losing their faith and yet others to be in such confusion regarding the correct Islamic response to these tragedies – what would Rasoolullah SAS do in such circumstances?
We must not lose hope. We have our sources of strength; The Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Rasoolullah SAS which will guide us through these tough times. The key lesson for us is to have firm faith in Allah SWT that He SWT has the power to change the condition from the individual to the whole creation. We read in Surah Maryam how Allah SWT took care of her when she was most vulnerable. She thought that it was better for her to die than to live and face the reality of having a son when no man has ever touched her.
And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: “Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!” (19/23)
But by the power of Allah SWT baby Jesus spoke from the cradle to exonerate his mother and give glad tidings that he was a Messenger of God.
And when the two hosts saw each other, the companions of Musa (Moses) said: “We are sure to be overtaken.” (26/61)
But Prophet Musa (AS) with firm faith said:
[Moses] said, “No! Indeed, with me is my Lord; He will guide me.” (26/62)
And guidance came immediately for Prophet Musa (AS) to strike the sea with his staff and they would be saved and Pharaoh and his hosts would be drowned.
Stories of putting trust in Allah SWT in the Qur’an are abundant. During their migration to Madinah, Rasoolullah SAS and Abu Bakr took cover in the cave of Thaur, as the pagans were closing in upon them, Rasoolullah SAS calmly said to Abu Bakr, “O’ Abu Bakr! What do you think about the two, with Allah as their third.”
Putting our trust in Allah SWT will only increase our rewards in this world and in the Hereafter. What may look like the end now might be a beginning of something much better. The problem with us is that we want immediate response and not to go through the full test from Allah SWT. We cry way before we reach the breaking point.
Allah SWT mentions:
And these days [of varying conditions] We alternate among the people so that Allah may make evident those who believe … (3/140)
Ibn Kathir commented regarding this verse: And so are the days, that We give to men by turns, and at times – out of wisdom – Allah SWT allows the enemy to overcome you, although the final good end will be yours.
In conclusion, we must know that the bombers who are clothed in Muslim garments with a flag tied on their heads are in fact enemies of Islam, they are no Islamic State, they are Daesh and we may call them Khawaarij, who want to destroy Islam and Muslims.
