THE DAILY SUNNAH

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Imagine being in Mecca during the early days of Islam, when there was no place of strength or collective worship for the Muslims. The only gathering of Muslims was in a location on the outskirts of Mecca, where the weakest and most vulnerable among them were gathered.

The Prophetﷺ endured all sorts of harm during this time. He was physically harmed, emotionally betrayed, and psychologically tortured. As the mercy to the world, he witnessed innocent children, women, and men being oppressed.

It was a place where torture and suffering were on display.

Around five years into the Prophet's ﷺ mission, Abu Jahl, the Pharaoh of that time, decided to escalate his aggression against the Muslims. He targeted the most vulnerable in society, the children, women, and those who were defenseless. He took them to the outskirts of Mecca, to an area with scorching heat, and tortured them. The intention was to make an example out of them, to instill fear in the hearts of the Muslims.

Can you imagine walking by that area in Mecca, seeing your brethren tied up, starved, and prohibited from drinking water? Our Prophetﷺ could not physically intervene, but he did not ignore them. He would go to them and offer words of comfort.

"Be patient.”

“Paradise is promised for you.”
“Paradise is around the corner."

Abu Jahl, in his cruelty, intensified the torture whenever the Prophetﷺ was present. The Muslims had to witness this, unable to do anything. They had to either be in it or walk by it. It was a difficult and painful time.

But what is the lesson we can learn from this?

We must remember that our Prophetﷺ experienced this helplessness, too. He heard the cries of the oppressed, witnessed their suffering, and even heard the last shout of a woman who became the first martyr of Islam. It was undoubtedly more difficult for him than it is for us now.

Amid this suffering, Allah sent signs of hope. Miracles happened, like the blind woman who regained sight when she stated that the idols had no power. These signs were a reminder to the Muslims that they were not abandoned. Paradise awaited them.

As we watch our brothers and sisters in Gaza, feeling a sense of guilt and helplessness, we must remember that the prophets, their companions, and the believers of the past have experienced similar feelings. They faced oppression and adversity, but they persevered.

What we must understand is that the oppressors think they can break a people with brute force. But history has shown that it is their image that shatters. Abu Jahl's attempt to break the people of Islam only broke his claim to morality and generosity. His brothers turned away from him, and even the bystanders recognized the truth.

Find solace in the fact that the oppressors will ultimately face the consequences of their actions. The Prophetﷺ endured immense suffering, yet he continued to walk with patience and grace.

Our helplessness should not lead to despair but to a deeper reliance on Allah's mercy and a stronger commitment to supporting those in need.

May Allah grant ease to the people of Gaza and all those suffering worldwide. May He grant them strength, patience, and victory. And may He guide us all to be a source of support and compassion for our fellow human beings.

🪞 Reflection:

How can we respond to helplessness?
How can we assure others who are feeling helpless?

🎬️ Take Action:

1. Donate to Support Relief Efforts: $50 is food for an entire family. Even if you have donated, contribute again.
2. Access Resources: Everything you need to make an impact.
3. Get Educated: The War on Gaza Explained
4. Boycott Pro-Israel Businesses: Disney, Starbucks, McDonald’s, to name a few.

🕯️ Inspiration:

Feeling Helpless While Watching Oppression

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