Turn Pain into Hope and Action
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Turning Pain into Hope and Action
Dear friends, after we published the piece "What the Afghans Lost with the Exit of the Occupation," many brothers commented that they felt extreme pain and oppression from this information about the suffering of the Afghans under occupation. Many commented that they were unable to finish the episode due to the intensity of the pain.
It is crucial for me to clarify, dear ones, that pain is not the goal of the message, but it is necessary to the extent that it awakens you and instills positive determination for your nation. The fuel of a car, meaning gasoline, if it leaks in the car, it will burn it. If it flows in its proper channels, it will move it. We do not want you to burn out, nor to be saddened and discouraged by the information you have heard. Rather, we want you to transform the pain and oppression into a driving positive force that motivates you to work for the elevation of your religion and the salvation of your nation and humanity from their enemies.
My Personal Experience in Turning Pain
Let me tell you something; this transformation is something I have greatly benefited from in my life, thanks to Allah. I have been exposed to temptations and desires in my life, but the pain of my nation prevented me from falling into them with those who fall.
I remember that twenty years ago, I was studying in America. One day, I returned from the university to my accommodation and found that my roommate had left an Islamic newspaper on the table. I picked up the newspaper and saw a picture of a face charred to ashes on the front page. I was surprised by the choice of this picture for the front page, but when I looked closely, I saw the features of a burned face, a burned hand, a burned leg. What is the story? A group of Muslims in Indonesian islands were gathered in a mosque and then set on fire. I saw what makes the hair of children turn white, and my eyes were opened to the great suffering of Muslims where? In the largest Muslim country in terms of population, and I was not aware of this tragedy before.
I did not break down, nor was I discouraged or saddened, but I said to myself: I have been prepared for something if I had realized it, so beware of yourself lest you neglect with negligence. We were exposed to severe temptations, but our love for our oppressed Muslim brothers and our burning for them prevented us from falling into what the heedless fall into. I cannot betray them and drown in sin and leave them to suffer, but we were keen in the Western countries to call and raise the issues of Muslims. And the pain for my oppressed brothers and the love and compassion for them are among the greatest motivations for my call, which I see bearing fruit, and praise be to Allah.
We work on the chains to plant certainty in the hearts, remove doubts, arouse Islamic pride, and spread awareness, and in my mind, I am investing all this to lift the injustice from my brothers and sisters and restore the pride of Muslims. This is what is required of you, brother, not to be discouraged nor to stop at the pain, but to turn it into hope and action.
The Decree of Allah and Wisdom Behind It
Remember, dear ones, that all of this that happens is by the decree of the Wise Allah. He decreed it to test you, so what are you doing? Allah the Almighty says: {That is so. And if Allah willed, He could have punished them [Himself], but [He ordered that] some of you might punish others [for their evil deeds] so that they may be reminded.} [Surah Muhammad, 4:2]
And he wishes that the earth would be leveled with him, and he says: "I wish I were dust." And your Lord does not forget, on that day no one will be punished with His punishment, nor will anyone be bound with His binding. All the torment with which they tormented the Muslims will be light compared to the torment they will receive as a recompense for their crimes, and Allah will satisfy the hearts of the oppressed. Today, those who have believed among the disbelievers are laughing on the couches, looking on. As for this world that we are in, it is a place of trial, not a place of reward, a place of trial, not a place of reward.
Turning Pain into a Practical Project
The beginning of the path is to make a real, firm decision that you want to be part of the salvation of your nation, not a part of the war against it. Some people are pained by what they see happening to their nation, but in reality, they contribute to the spread of desires or doubts, or they assist the hypocrites and oppressors in the war against Muslims. He is, in fact, a part of the war against Muslims, a part of the crime whether he feels it or not.
After that, turn your pain into a project with which you serve your nation. A project in what? Anything that benefits the nation should not be underestimated, for our Prophet peace be upon him said: "Do not belittle any good deed, do not belittle any good deed." Our nation is like a patient riddled with wounds, but we have a guarantee from Allah that he will not die. Any beneficial medicine you can offer him will contribute to his recovery and restoration of his strength, even if it is after some time.
Seek a way to contribute to the support of Islam that you want to meet Allah with, according to your abilities and circumstances. So, race to good deeds. {Race to forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous.} [Surah Al-Imran, 3:133] And {Hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous.} [Surah Al-Imran, 3:133].
Building your project to serve your nation requires patience and striving against the self, its laziness, and its desires, but good tidings: {And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.} [Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:69]
The Importance of Beneficial Knowledge and the Role of Youth
Your acquisition of beneficial knowledge so that you can strengthen the sons of Muslims in faith is one of the greatest projects. There are millions of Muslim sons who have a great intellectual void, which precedes them and affects them. If the people of desires and doubts precede them, they will drag them to hell. If you precede them, you will take them by the hand to paradise, by the permission of Allah.
For example, our brother, the owner of the "Islamic Affairs" channel, recently dedicated a series titled "The Returners," in which he conducts interviews with many young men and women who fell victim to anime, Korean groups, and others, and wasted their religion and worldly life. As soon as they saw someone who cared for them and spoke to them gently, earnestly, and compassionately, they returned and repented. And there are many others who are still drowning and waiting for you to rescue them from their situation.
Conclusion
Turn your pain into a long-term project, and whenever your determination wavers, remember your oppressed brothers and their suffering to regain your strength, determination, and motivation. Do not be sad nor discouraged, {And Allah is dominant over His affair, but most of the people do not know.} [Surah Yusuf, 12:21]
Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.