Salam alaykum,

Following the recent acid attacks on our fellow brothers and sisters, the Grenfell Tower Fire and the spike in anti-Muslim hate crimes, Islamophobia and terrorist attacks against the Muslim community, it is important for us to be aware, vigilant, unified, look out for each other & pay attention to our surroundings.

Furthermore, it is incumbent upon us to follow the advice and the sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Our beloved Rasool was not only a man of faith and a messenger but was also a fair, modest and calm leader who spoke with wisdom, firm conviction and reliance upon Allah. In these tough times, it may well feel like there isn’t anyone to turn to and our only option is to live in constant fear from walking out of our homes and going to work and our children going to schools. Do not be afraid, for indeed Allah is with us. Allah is the controller of all affairs, He is the sustainer, the Protector, the All-Loving. Our community must stand united and stay true to our high standards of Islam and repel evil with good.

We must continue to speak out against all injustices and speak truth to power, through humility, patience and firm conviction in Allah’s will. We must support our brothers and sisters emotionally and mentally. Be ready to speak to them and nurture a space for healing and confidence building in their unique and wonderful abilities. We only have each other to turn to besides Allah when times are difficult and our faith is only completed through the service of assisting and aiding one another. For the one most beloved to Allah, is the one who is most beneficial to others.

We should also aim to protect ourselves from harm and evil and learn and recite the following dua. As the Prophet PBUH said:

“There is no person who says, in the morning and evening of every day: (بِسْمِ اللَّهِ) In the name of Allah (الَّذِي لاَ يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَىْءٌ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاءِ) with Whose Name nothing on earth or in heaven harms (وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ) and He is the All-Hearing the All-Knowing (ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ) 3 times (فَيَضُرَّهُ شَىْءٌ) and is then harmed by anything.”

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لاَ يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَىْءٌ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ

Walaykum al Salam,

Omar Salha