Dear Friends,
I have received messages from several of you inquiring about my state following the news in Afghanistan. I thank you all for your heartfelt concern and du’as. I’ve also had some people ask for my specific reflections and if I could share more on my social media platforms. As much as I appreciate that anyone would care to know my thoughts, the truth is that I do not feel qualified in any way to have any. Yes, Afghanistan is my birth country and I do have family that still reside there, but I feel incredibly inept and ignorant of the actual situation there.
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As a 1.5 generation Afghan-American in the diaspora, with virtually no memories of life in Afghanistan since coming to America as a refugee as a young child, and who has never visited there in my lifetime, I simply do not know enough about the situation to form any opinions that are based on facts. And I do not feel that mainstream media, especially U.S. sources, or politically motivated actors in the west who speak on Afghanistan are necessarily reliable sources of information.
Thus, I believe the best people to speak about Afghanistan and those who I defer to, are those with far more expertise and lived experiences; those who have lived there as adults or are there now and have had to endure the political chaos and horrific living conditions of the past 20 years (or longer) and actually know more than what we are shown in news clips and soundbites.
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I advise all my brothers and sisters, whether they are Afghan or otherwise, to channel their positive energy, their du’as, their social activism, their financial support, etc. to what will benefit the most vulnerable people in Afghanistan, the children, orphans, women, elderly, and ill.
Political mudslinging, hopelessness, messages of despair, cursing and hysteria, are NOT helping the people of Afghanistan in any way, shape, or form. What will help them is looking towards trusted relief organizations like Islamic Relief Worldwide who have been working on the ground for decades and may be able to still provide guidance on how we can bring relief to those who need it, connecting with individuals or trusted groups in the west who have contacts on the ground and may need support, and lots and lots of du’as for khayr!!!!
This is the time for Afghans and Muslims worldwide to use the power of du’a and prayer. If you’re not praying but worried about the situation there, then make a change and turn your heart to the only One who can actually change their condition.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ ۗ
“Allah does not change a people until they change what is in themselves” (13:11).
Wake up and pray Tahhajud (night prayers) and let your tears for everyone there fall on the prayer mat before your Lord in sha Allah.
Be proactive, not just reactive. This is a time we need to RESPOND to everything we’re seeing rapidly unfolding before us, by calling on our Lord with sincere and present hearts, knowing full well that safety, security, and well-being, are only guaranteed by His will.
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May Allah ﷻ bring peace and security to the people of Afghanistan. May He remove every treacherous liar, corrupt actor, and evil monster from any position of power and authority. May those who are in power be sincere and fearful of God. May all the innocents, the oppressed, and the most vulnerable people of Afghanistan band together in faith and be enveloped by God’s mercy and love. Amin. May Afghans, Muslims, and all people of sincerity and humanity never tire of helping those who are most in need in whatever way they can, be they in Afghanistan or elsewhere. And may every believer, remember to NEVER let political strife, war, oppression, or any other catastrophic event shake their faith.
Allah ﷻ is the Owner of everything in His creation, and He will ask us about our actions. We are NO position to question His will, but rather we must accept His decree with full trust that as long as we believe and show patience, we will receive khayr.
وَنَبْلُوكُم بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً ۖ وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ
“We test you with evil and with good as trial, and to Us you will be returned” (21:35).
Suhaib reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
عَجَبًا لِأَمْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ أَمْرَهُ كُلَّهُ خَيْرٌ وَلَيْسَ ذَاكَ لِأَحَدٍ إِلَّا لِلْمُؤْمِنِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبَرَ فَكَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ
Wondrous is the affair of the believer for there is good for him in every matter and this is not the case with anyone except the believer. If he is happy, then he thanks Allah and thus there is good for him, and if he is harmed, then he shows patience and thus there is good for him. (Muslim)
Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
عَجِبْتُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَقْضِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ قَضَاءً إِلَّا كَانَ خَيْرًا لَهُ
I am amazed by the believer. Verily, Allah does not decree anything for the believer except what is good for him. (Musnad Ahmad)
