Answer
Short Answer:
- Supplicate and pray for the sake of your brothers and sisters in Islam and all of humanity, as much as you can and have faith that Allah will help them, and help all of us to help them, in sha’ Allah.
………….
Asalamu Alaikum Adel,
Thank you for contacting Ask About Islam with your question.
Overwhelmed With Worldwide Suffering & Oppression
You are not alone in your sadness over the many crimes that are perpetrated against Muslims in the name of the so-called war on terror.
Your feelings of helplessness are shared by many in the Muslim world as well as by many non-Muslims who are not fooled by the largely one-sided reporting in the mainstream media.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
He among you who sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue; and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith. (Muslim)
Take Action
As mentioned in the above hadith, we should first try to take action whenever possible to alleviate the suffering of others.
We can do this by supporting them financially, by volunteering with charitable organizations that provide services to victims in need of assistance, or by any other means that would directly benefit them.
Secondly, we can speak out against injustice by phoning government officials, or by writing letters to them as well as to newspaper editors or people with influence.
We can tell coworkers, neighbors, and friends the truth about injustice happening and taking place, for example the situation in Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Burma, and Iraq, and other nations around the world.
It is also important that we inform our brothers and sisters in humanity who are being misled by what they hear and see in the media, or by the words of many world leaders.
We can organize dialogues with people of different faiths to discuss the issues so that the truth about Islam and Muslims is heard from Muslims themselves, not from those with hidden agendas.
Hate Oppression With All Your Heart
Thirdly, if we feel we are truly unable to do any of these things — and Allah knows best what we are individually capable of — then we must, at the very least, recognize these wrongs for what they are, and therefore, disagree with them in our heart.
It is imperative as Muslims that we do whatever we can to help correct wrongs or injustices that we are aware of around us.
Part of the problem is that when anything happens anywhere in the world that involves Muslims and oppression or injustice, the news reaches us quickly and is easily accessible.
We become overwhelmed with all of these events and situations and feel we are obliged to help all of them somehow.
Of course, it is not possible or reasonable to expect an individual, or even a group of people, to be able to help everyone at the same time.
But there is One, however, Who is able to help solve these problems if He pleases, and the good news is that we have direct access to Him at any time.
Make Dua!
The one tool at our disposal that is the most powerful and very easy to implement is the tool of dua, or supplication, to Allah Almighty to improve the situation of our brothers and sisters around the world.
Allah says in the Quran:
When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I answer the prayer of every supplicant when he calls on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way. (Quran 2:186)
To ensure that our supplications are answered, we must be firm in our belief that Allah is able to rectify the problem and that He will answer our prayers.
If we have little hope that Allah will answer our prayers, then we have a poor understanding of His power or little faith in His mercy, or both.
So, supplicate and pray for the sake of your brothers and sisters in Islam and all of humanity, as much as you can and have faith that Allah will help them, and help all of us to help them, in sha’ Allah.
Thank you and please stay in touch.
Walaikum Asalam.
(From AboutIslam’s archives)
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