a perspective on tragedy

I didn't post anything here about the Ft. Hood shootings. I almost did when, about 5 days after, I heard a radio show that was talking about Muslims in such a horrific way that it really shook me up and made me feel like throwing up. The speaker was so off base it was soooo sad, yet he was preaching to a very large audience who would probably not question his facts. I seriously almost was beside myself, and I was driving at the time. But I still didn't and don't want to get into it here.

Anyhow... a person in our community wrote an interesting little email about this, and I want to share it here. His name is Abdullah Mikail, and here is his perspective:

As salaamu alaikum wa rahmat allahu wa barakatu,

Dear Brs. & Srs.,

Recent tragedies in our society have inspired enemies of our Muslim community to unjustly target us once again with smear campaigns.

Allah SWT does not throw His people into trials and tribulations for no reason. There is a wisdom beyond human comprehension.

Recall the story of Musa AS [prophet Moses] when he was in fear in Egypt. He did not ask, “Why did this happen to me?” When he had to flee to Midian.

Not in anger, or self pity, or rebellion, but in humility and searching for what Allah SWT had in store for him Musa AS reacted, after doing good and giving sadaqa to the family of Shoaib in watering their flocks, he made the doa, “…I am needy of any good You can send down.”.

Musa AS [Moses] was moved, by design, away from the disbelieving people into the service of good people who were in need of him where he found a Nabi to learn from and train under, Shoaib AS.

Allah SWT planned for tragedy in the life of Musa AS, and thus moved him by design to be trained as a Nabi under Shoaib AS, and once his training was complete Musa AS was sent on his mission.


And recall the best example, Mohammad SAW and the first thirteen years of the message and how they were ordered to espouse Islam and be peaceful not even fighting back to defend themselves, but rather peacefully spreading the message and being tolerant of the aggression of others.

And the result, the signal victory of the Treaty of Hudaibiya and the peace that followed, and the strength of unity and faith that brought all the believers together and increased salaam and brought about justice in the later years.

So be patient under the assaults from the ignorant who may not even realize why they are goaded into attacking us as they are lead by the nose ring of the press and the media into insulting us on the street…they do not know the truth and it is still our burden to deliver the message, regardless…so increase in the spreading of salaam and be forgiving…remember the signal victory.

This is the way of Allah SWT with His people…nothing we suffer in life is pointless, it all as meaning and wisdom that is beyond our comprehension. So, each time we are tested with tragedy, the loss of a job, the loss of a family member, the loss of a wife, husband, or child, react the way Musa AS did, and seek the guidance and the mercy of Allah SWT.

We are being prepared for the future by the circumstances of today, and Allah SWT will never suffer his people to be out cast…we have the Firmest Handhold that Never Breaks, do not let go of faith even if you have to go to the mountains and cling to it as you would a root with your teeth.