Daraa and the Borders...

Daraa and the Borders

Peace be upon you, brothers. The topic of the unified sermon mandated by the Ministry of Endowments for last Friday was "Kindness." Some preachers tried to deviate slightly from the script and relate the reality to the topic of the sermon. After discussing the mandated points, they said phrases like, "And kindness includes being kind to our people in Daraa by opening the borders for them."

Here, we must pause. May Allah reward these preachers for their diligence in not straying from the reality of Muslims in the sermon, but what they mentioned is not kindness. We must call things by their rightful names.

Kindness or Duty?

Perhaps if the people of Daraa were Buddhists, Hindus, or Zoroastrians, then opening the borders for them would be an act of kindness. I say "perhaps" because it is not far-fetched that the matter might fall under the category of obligation depending on the circumstances and conditions, as aiding the oppressed against the oppressor is part of our religion, even if the oppressed are non-Muslims.

But when your neighbor is a Muslim, opening the borders is not an act of kindness, nor is it the obligatory duty. Rather, the obligatory duty is to support our Muslim brothers and to unite against their enemies. Allah the Almighty says: {And if they seek help of you for the religion, then you must help}.

You might say, "The eye is keen, but the hand is short." You address us as individuals who are hindered by obstacles. We call it kindness as if it is a favor and generosity, but the duty in this case is complete support. How can what is less than that be called kindness?

Illustrative Example

If a gang of robbers attacked my neighbors, and their women and children knocked on my door seeking help, and their men were defending themselves, but I did not open my door, or I opened it only after the robbers had killed some of the children and women and dragged some of the men through the streets. Imagine me saying at that moment, "Can anyone blame me? Is it not my house and my door? Is there anything that forces me to act otherwise?"

Evidence from the Quran and Sunnah

Did Allah reveal: {And what is the matter with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah, and for those weak, ill-treated men among men, women, and children, who say: "Our Lord! Take us out of this town, whose people are oppressors, and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper"}?

Did Allah reveal: {Verily, this ummah of yours is one ummah}?

Did the Prophet, peace be upon him, ever say: "He who abandons a Muslim in a place where his honor is diminished and his sanctity is violated, will be abandoned by Allah in a place where he desires His support"?

These are mere questions. Whoever does not know the answer today will know it when he pays the price. We ask Allah the Almighty to relieve all Muslims from the humiliation and degradation they are in. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.