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This content has been automatically translated. View original in Arabic
Peace be upon you. Among the greatest manifestations of Allah the Exalted’s mercy that we observe is how He steadies His servants during trials—truly, there are wonders in this, my brothers and sisters.
I heard an interview with Sister Hanadi Skeik, standing behind a destroyed house. She was asked, “Before October 7th, you saw the Prophet peace be upon him and felt at the time that a great event would occur in which you would have a role. If we revisit this vision with you—when the house collapsed on you and you were later transferred to the Baptist Hospital—exactly when did you feel this was the interpretation of the vision (the vision of the Prophet peace be upon him)?”
Sister Hanadi responded calmly, saying, “After undergoing surgery, I was placed under a tree because there were no beds or any place to shelter this wounded person—meaning myself. At that moment, I remembered my vision with the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him, when he advised me: ‘Be patient, be patient, for Allah does not waste the reward of those who do good.’”
Of course, this is the verse:
And be patient, for indeed, Allah does not waste the reward of those who do good.
He did not say “the truthful,” nor “the believers,” nor “the patient,” but rather said “those who do good,” emphasizing this point. So, all I could do was raise my index finger and say with complete sincerity and contentment: “O Allah, reward me for my affliction and grant me something better in its place.” From that moment, the stage of contentment began.
Then came the news that your mother was a martyr, your husband was a martyr, your eldest brother, his wife, and their children were martyrs, your grandchildren were martyrs—and to this day, your husband, children, and grandchildren remain under the rubble and have not been buried.
Look, my brothers and sisters, how the Most Merciful, Allah the Exalted, strengthened her through a vision she had long before the trial. Then, Allah the Exalted reminded her of this vision at the perfect moment and strengthened her heart with it. This sister lost literally everything in one moment—she lost her husband, her mother, her children, her grandchildren, her brother, her home, her possessions, her wealth, her entire world. Yet, she did not lose her faith. Allah the Exalted had prepared her for this moment beforehand and strengthened her heart to be among the believers—at least, that is how we perceive her.
By Allah, my brothers and sisters, the truly fortunate are those who see Allah’s mercies in their trials. Meanwhile, the one with a diseased heart and weak faith complains against Allah’s decrees and doubts His mercy, even as he sees the trials of others. The afflicted may be patient, and Allah the Exalted sends down upon him mercies and steadfastness. But the distant onlooker, watching from behind screens, says, “Why, O my Lord, do You do this to the people of Gaza?” We seek refuge in Allah from such thoughts.
The matter of visions, my brothers and sisters, is truly remarkable. I have experienced in my own trials how these visions have had a comforting effect, and I have seen the same in brothers around me—including visions of the Prophet peace be upon him.
Of course, we must affirm that our role as Muslims should never be limited to admiring the heroism and steadfastness of the people of Gaza. Rather, we must continue to support them in every possible way, work diligently to take up the means of strength and honor in the long term, and oppose their enemies while disavowing those who conspire against them.
We ask Allah the Exalted to strengthen your heart, O Sister Hanadi, to reward you abundantly, to shelter you, to console you for the loss of your loved ones, and to gather you with them in the Gardens of Eden without any reckoning or punishment.
Peace be upon you.