No Place for Despair!

One of the noble brothers has made a commendable effort in raising awareness and defending the religion of Allah the Almighty. He sent me a message informing me about the condition of some Muslim youth who have fallen into ignorance of the religion and rejection of its laws...and concluded his speech by saying: (I will not hide from you that I have started to feel despair)...So I say to this dear brother and to all my brothers and sisters: There is no place for despair! Rather, I see myself and see you as "lucky" or blessed that Allah has placed us in this time to work and correct what we can and reap the good deeds that Allah is aware of if our intentions are sincere and our following of the path of Allah is correct.. There is no place for despair! Rather, I see many verses that Allah has revealed to prevent this despair and to place the high ambition...Verses that prevent our souls from lamenting over the creation...So it is not befitting for us to stop at pain, resentment, and fear of the future, for everything that happens and will happen is within the knowledge of Allah, and by His decree, He has decreed it for wisdom, some of which we know and much of which is hidden from us. Many verses you will understand if you look at them from this angle: (So let not your soul grieve for them) (Perhaps you would perish yourself with grief that they are not believers) (Had your Lord willed, they would not have done it) (Would the believers despair if Allah should guide all the people?) Perhaps you were wondering: What is the reason for the frequent mention of this truth in the Quran—that all the rejection of these people is within the decree of Allah? And is it something that Allah is unable to prevent? So I say: All these verses call upon me and upon you: not to despair nor to grieve, but to seize the opportunity, and to thank Allah for guiding you while others have strayed, and to seek His help with an unbreakable spirit, unwavering resolve, and unyielding determination...and look at this reality as fertile ground where you sow the seeds of the call and see, by the permission of Allah, the beginnings of its harvest, and see mountains of good deeds with Allah on the Day of Judgment. With this mindset, I deal with reality, which I acknowledge is difficult, and I acknowledge that the exit of Muslim youth from Islam, and seeing Islam—apparently—decreasing rather than increasing, is not pleasing to any person of a living heart...but I see it as an opportunity at the same time, and I turn the pain into hope and action, and praise be to Allah that I see the effects of this mindset in my continuous call to Islam, and in the interaction of many of those who have strayed among the Muslim youth with what I publish, and their return after wandering, and the increase of my brothers and sisters in pride, steadfastness, and anticipation. There is no place for despair, but rather it is a historic opportunity, a gift that Allah has bestowed upon us...out of knowledge, wisdom, generosity, and mercy...so seize it.