Election night November 8, 2016 was a long tense night for many, specifically minorities that had been targeted by one of the Presidential nominees; not the least the Muslims. What started as an exciting, hopeful night soon turned into a nerve wrecking one filled with fear and frustration.
I was one of those unfortunate viewers. The night started calm and there was optimism in the air. I was telling my husband this must be the happiest night for Hillary Clinton, as I was convinced the Oval Office would soon be hers. A couple of hours later though, the polls were not looking as promising and I was starting to feel dismay and shock.
Living in Texas, I knew my fellow Texans mostly to be Republicans. However, many of the states that were usually won by the Democratic Party failed to be so this time. Honestly, I felt tricked like many other voters who had voted for Hillary Clinton. We did not see this coming, as Clinton had won the popular vote and there were all those promises here and there that Clinton was going to be the next President of the USA for sure.
I went to bed that night in tears, feeling angry and shocked. I felt disgusted too and that night I tweeted: “I thought what shocked me the most was Trump’s debasing of so many, tonight I realized it was those who made him President that shocked me the most.”
There is always a Light at the end of the Tunnel
SubhanAllah, ironically, I woke up next morning feeling a serene sense of Sakeenah (peace) I hadn’t felt for ages. I went to wake up my little kids and I told my daughter, “you might as well hear it from me before you hear it elsewhere: “Trump won the elections.” “What?” Even my little 7 year-old daughter didn’t see this coming. I told her sweetie, nothing happens except that Allah knows of it. Allah has a plan for us, Almighty knows what is best. I felt a sense of resilience; now is the time to hold our heads up high and show the world what true Islam is.
There were tremendous positive messages out there sharing my positive feelings like that of Sheikh Yasir Qadhi: “Muslims! Cheer up. Trump’s victory is nowhere near as bad as a hundred other things that have occurred to our Ummah. Just look at how many political calamities that have befallen the Ummah over the course of its history: the wars of Riddah; the civil wars of early Islam; the invasion of the Mongols; the fall of Andalus; the Crusades; the era of colonization; the division into nation-states post World War I… and the list goes on and on. Yet, not only did we survive, we managed to retain our faith and grow to be what we are, alhamdulillah wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.
A beautiful reminder from our Prophet (peace be upon him) that he wanted us to do when faced with a calamity:
“If one of you is afflicted with a calamity, then let him remember his calamity by me (i.e., by my death); for indeed, it is the greatest of calamities” (Ibn Majah)
Meaning: if the Ummah managed to live on after the death of its beloved Prophet, which was the greatest calamity to ever befall the Ummah, then surely it can face ANY trial or calamity thrown its way! Allah is our Protector, and what a great Protector He is!
Sheikh Jamal Diwan tweeted: “I went to sleep hopeless and woke up hopeful. That’s from Allah. Chins up, backs straight. It’s planting season.
Muslema Purmul (Chaplain with Institute of Knowledge and is a Co-Founder and contributor to Safa Center for Research and Education) tweeted: Our hardest work is internal. Turning pain into love & service. Refueling hearts with worship. Waging mercy with advocacy.
Imam Zaid Shakir tweeted: As Salaam Alaikum Brothers and Sisters, America today is no different than it was yesterday. The sun will shine…
Dalia Mogahed (an American scholar of Egyptian origin and the Director of Research at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding in Washington, D.C.) tweeted: #OnNovember9 I will continue to challenge bigotry and reach out to people of conscience for a stronger America.
Kudos to our non-Muslim Neighbors
One of the significant optimistic feedbacks the American Muslims have had after the elections is the solidarity and support of their non-Muslim neighbors. There have been numerous incidents, both of messages sent to mosques as well as to Muslim individuals.
Imam Omar Suleiman, shared a message he received from Dr. Andy Stoker, the senior minister at First United Methodist Church in Texas: “Omar, I am here for you. I believe in your work and I believe in you. We are better together than apart. If there is anything I can do to be a conversation partner for you or your community, I am here. Praying for you and your community.”
Suleiman says:” I had the opportunity to speak at his Church the previous Sunday. I was so touched by his message that I invited him and his family to come to our Masjid tomorrow and meet our community. Please join me in welcoming him and his family tomorrow after Isha prayer at Valley Ranch Islamic Center.”
There was also wonderful gatherings of non-Muslims that stood outside mosques shortly after the election results with supportive messages such as “I Love our Muslim Friends”, “You are not Alone”, “One Nation Stronger Together”, “Love and Unity for All Americans”, “Resist Islamophobia”,etc.
Brother Omar Salha tweets about a note that was found at a mosque: “I am sure things must be scary for you all right now. I hope the coming weeks and months are peaceful, but no matter what please know that many of us appreciate what you bring to this community and wish you nothing but love. Thank you, a concerned neighbor.”
A Muslim sister in Texas found a touching note on her door from her non-Muslim neighbor: “I want you to know that if you ever feel unsafe or if you need anything, I will gladly help in any way that I can, even if it’s just to help you find other resources. Please accept my apologies for any poor treatment you’ve received from our non- Muslim neighbors and countrymen. We do not all share that lack of compassion. The church we attend is a church that welcomes and provides sanctuary for people of all faiths- Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, etc. We believe in and support your right and privilege to worship and live as you see fit. They will help you if [you] ever need anything, too. May God always bless you and your family, I am proud to know you and consider you my friend.”
Lessons from Quran and Seerah
Allah Almighty tells us: {And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah , and indeed to Him we will return.” Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.} (Quran 2:155-157)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teaches us lessons from the Seerah on how to face hardships:
“Remember that there is much good in bearing with patience that which you dislike, and that victory comes with patience, and that with hardship comes a way out and with difficulty comes ease.” (Ahmad)
Sheikh Yasir Qadhi advises us:
“Muslims! Remember these Quranic advice:
1) Everything happens by the decree of Allah.
During the Battle of Tabuk:
{Say: Nothing shall befall us except what Allah has willed for us. He alone is our Protector, so in Allah let the believers place their trust.} (Tawbah: 51)
2) Victories and defeats are in cycles – you can’t have one without the other, and typically after one you get the other.
During the Battle of Uhud:
{And these are the cycles that we distribute it between the people} (Al-Imran: 140)
3) An evil might bring about much good.
The Incident of Hudaybiyya teaches us that Allah uses what appears to be a calamity in mysterious ways.
{And it is possible that you dislike a matter, but Allah places much good in it} (An-Nisa: 19)
4) Never lose hope, and always be optimistic.
{And do not become weak, nor grieve, for surely you shall be victorious if you believe} (Al-Imran: 139)
Regardless of who wins or loses, we have a job ahead of us, and that job is to do our utmost best to serve our Lord, in our personal and public lives, and to follow in the footsteps of our Prophet in all circumstances, until we leave this world.
May Allah help us in that task!”