
Many lessons have emerged from the turbulence of the past two weeks and this has impacted all of us in some way.
The most profound lesson is that of unity. We have witnessed this in the various communities where people of different religion, race, background and profession came together for the common objective of protecting and defending our loved ones as well as our possessions.
We as believers, were commanded by Allah Azza wa Jal and Nabi (ﷺ) to remain united over 1400 years ago. Why did we wait for an almost civil war for unity to come about in our communities?
Allah Azza wa Jal says:
وَاعۡتَصِمُوۡا بِحَبۡلِ اللّٰهِ جَمِيۡعًا وَّ لَا تَفَرَّقُوۡا
And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. (3:103)
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّه لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
The believers are but brothers therefore seek reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah so that you may receive mercy.(49:10)
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said :
الْمُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ كَالْبُنْيَانِ يَشُدُّ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضًا
“A believer is like a building to another believer with one portion of it strengthening the other.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Another point to take note of is physical and weapons/firearms training. Most of us were not armed during the unrest and most definitely those who weren’t armed regretted it tremendously.
We must never forget that being physically prepared and trained in weaponry was the way of the Noble Sahabah رضي الله عنهم.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) informed the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم that they should never become complacent and abandon the knowledge of combat and warfare. He (ﷺ) said:
سَتُفْتَحُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَرْضُوْنَ، وَ يَكْفِيْكُمُ اللهُ، فَلاَ يَعْجِز أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَلْهُوَ بِأَسْهُمِهِ
“Many lands will soon be opened to you and Allah will suffice for you. So none of you should show any weakness in shooting with his arrows.” (Muslim, Ahmed)
Alhamdulillah, our communities are filled with our muslim brothers and sisters who have some skill which can be used to benefit our communities.
It is incumbent upon us to encourage our young people to get actively involved in community work. Don’t leave them out by treating them like children. Usaamah bin Zaid رضي الله عنه was 17 years old when he was appointed by Nabi (ﷺ) to lead an army. So let’s train and prepare our youth in the various required skills to be the next generation that will serve our communities.
During the unrest, forms were going around to the various guarding/patrolling posts where each member was required to give his information as well as state his skill. Our muslim community should have some database similar to this so that those with a specific skill set may assist those who require that specific help.
We need to take heed from that which we have just experienced.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
لاَ يُلْدَغُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مِنْ جُحْرٍ وَاحِدٍ مَرَّتَيْنِ
“A believer is not stung twice (by something) out of the same hole.“(Sahih al-Bukhari)
Ebrahim Mahomedy
15 Dhul Hijjah 1442/26 July 2021