A Word of Truth in Ibtihal Abu Saad
I listened to Ibtihal Abu Saad's interview published two days ago, in which she answers questions about how she prepared for this moment when she spoke the truth about Microsoft. Her words were truly wonderful and full of lessons. The most beautiful part is what she said, which I translated:
"There were many fears in addition to the fear of losing my job: such as the fear of being marked with a black mark for the rest of my professional life, and that there would be problems with my residency... many worldly fears were present and in my thoughts..
But when it became clear to me that the company was complicit, my entire repentance became one intention – and here her eyes teared up – she said: I did not want to stand before Allah on the Day of Judgment and confess to Him any complicity in this genocide.
And I knew that my staying in Microsoft, my silent stay in this prestigious job and comfortable position, would lead to that result on the Day of Judgment.
And this fear that overwhelmed me and took over my heart, overshadowed every other fear of the immigration enforcement agency - meaning that they would come and take her away to deport her from America - or any other practical fears."
Ibtihal was not an ordinary employee, but she went on to complete her studies at Harvard University with an American scholarship, and appeared in the well-known FORBES magazine. And I knew that her stance would not only make her lose all her privileges, but it is expected that the people of falsehood would continue to pursue her for life. The fear that overshadowed all this was her fear of standing before Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgment and confessing to her partnership in the genocide. And in her words, she said:
I just did not want to face Allah on the Day of Judgement and have to admit to any complicity in this genocide…That is the fear that was overwhelming for me.
Great words that people need to learn from.. May Allah reward her with good and establish her and increase her reward and compensate her with good for what she has lost.
Now, a point was raised that Ibtihal had participated in a scientific paper on "Transgender Rights," and that she had participated in the liberal She Hacks Boston event to support those who describe themselves as nonbinary, meaning neither male nor female. Therefore, her motives in supporting Gaza may be humanitarian and rights-based, including both right and wrong.
In fact, my brothers, the paper mentioned is old, as is her participation in the event. And I think that all of this does not represent the sister's character now. And we ask Allah to guide her to clarify this, for many look up to her as a role model. And she is worthy of this clarification, God willing.
So her interview from a few days ago clearly shows her invoking the fear of Allah and seeking His pleasure in the stance she took, as we see it. And she clearly said in her interview what I translated: "Anything you do for the sake of Allah, Allah will not let you down. And we know that Allah Almighty wants us to fight for the oppressed and to be a voice that opposes any complicity in the genocide in Gaza. The presence of this intention will give you tranquility and help you to be endowed with the necessary reliance to act and face feelings of anxiety and despair and to do something while believing that Allah Almighty is with you."
And she mentioned that the most verse and hadith that were on her mind as she prepared for this stance is the saying of Allah Almighty: (And what is the matter with you that you do not fight in the cause of Allah and for those who, being weak, are ill-treated?) And the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): (Whoever leaves something for the sake of Allah, Allah will compensate him with something better than it).
Her words are full of such reverence for Allah Almighty and good reliance on Him and seeking His help. And I think that this zeal and faith of Ibtihal is one of the many good fruits of yours, O people of Gaza. She had a living heart in which the spark of faith did not die. This spark moved and shone after Ibtihal saw what she saw of what her brothers and sisters in Gaza are exposed to. - "But, you know, Iyad, are you not objecting to her work as a Muslim woman in this environment among foreigners if the company was not complicit? And do you think it is appropriate for a young woman to appear in an interview with a man and broadcast her voice and image?"
- O brothers, we need to distinguish. Our words are praise for the sister's stance in speaking the truth with great faith and good reliance and prioritizing the Hereafter over the world, as we see it. Not everything we talk about a stance of truth and sincerity by a Muslim brings us other things he has, which need a separate discussion. Then we enter into a debate that inflames the hearts and loses the benefit instead of gathering the hearts on the good we agree on.
- It is permissible for us to praise this good in her with ease, and to call for emulating her in this good, and I personally was affected when I listened to her interview and consider that I have learned a profound lesson from our dear sister. And this does not necessarily mean that we consider her a role model in everything. Nor am I a role model in everything, nor are you. The absolute role model is the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).
- And we say here to the Muslim woman who does not work in Microsoft or Google or any company, but rather raises her children and is a comfort to her husband... do not feel, O righteous Muslim woman, that you are less than Ibtihal. If you raise your sons and daughters on good reliance on Allah, and on speaking the truth without fearing the blame of the blamer in Allah, and on prioritizing the Hereafter over the world, and that they fear to meet their Lord with the blood of a Muslim on their necks, then you are bringing out for the nation of Islam men and women like Ibtihal. And it is not necessary that your fame be spread in the two worlds as long as the Lord of the worlds is aware of you.
- In conclusion: We say to those who participate in tightening the noose on the people of Gaza and help the criminals to isolate them for the sake of a little worldly gain that is not worth even a tenth of what Ibtihal has sacrificed: The stance of Ibtihal and similar stances is an argument against you on the Day of Judgment. And if you want to belong to the nation of Muhammad (peace be upon him), do not think that this honor is without a price.
- To our sister Ibtihal: We ask Allah to establish you and honor you and increase you in faith, reliance, and support for the truth, and we ask Him, the Exalted, for us and for you that we meet Him while He is pleased with us and says to us on the Day we meet Him: (Enter it in peace and security).