Have you ever broken a bone? Sprained an ankle? Burnt your finger? Pulled a muscle?
It’s more than likely that you have experienced some sort of bodily injury.
When we experience the smallest of injuries – a paper cut or even a small bruise – it’s almost impossible to ignore it. We may forget about it in the hustle and bustle of our day, but undoubtedly, the pain and reminder of injury will resurface eventually.
Nu’man b. Bashir reported Allah’s Messenger (SAW) as saying: “The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever” (Bukhari).
So what about our fellow believers?
What about our brothers and sisters who are considered “the world’s most persecuted minority”?
Do we ache or experience pain because of the persecution of our Rohingya brothers and sisters? Have we lost sleep? Have we shed a tear? Have we even bothered to mention them in our du’ah each and every salah?
Are we the personification of this beautiful hadith of the Prophet (SAW)?
Let’s make it easier than that – have we felt even the slightest of authentic pain like that which we feel when we stub a toe or get a paper cut? For many of us, the answer will sadly be no.
And perhaps we may feel guilty about that fact that we don’t feel that strong, one-body connection with our brothers and sisters across the world who are suffering far greater than most of us can even begin to imagine. Perhaps we feel like we have let them down.
But who have we really let down?
Ultimately, we have not fulfilled our obligation to Allah (SWT). And ultimately, we are the only ones who are at a loss.
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“If anyone relieves a Muslim believer from one of the hardships of this worldly life, Allah will relieve him of one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection. If anyone makes it easy for the one who is indebted to him (while finding it difficult to repay), Allah will make it easy for him in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, and if anyone conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah helps His slave as long as he helps his brother” (Muslim).
The key here is that “Allah helps His slave as long as he helps his brother” – SubhanAllah. As Muslims, what more do we seek in this life than the aid and help of Allah (SWT)? And it is as simple as helping your fellow Muslim.
So what can you do?
- Make Du’ah – Pray for their protection, their reward, their forgiveness, and the victory of this Ummah.
- Contribute & Donate – Support relief efforts that are legitimate and on the ground.
- Advocate to your local political representatives – Send letters, Make calls, and ensure that your voice is counted amongst those who have spoken out against this genocide.
May Allah (SWT) make us amongst those who help their fellow Muslims, and who earn the help and mercy of Allah (SWT) in that process. Ameen.
