by Dawud Walid and Dr. Hatem El Haj
As Muslims dedicated to Islamic sacred legislation, we recognize the honest outpouring of concern amongst school college students all through the West who search to place a right away finish to the genocide in opposition to our brothers and sisters in Gaza, in addition to search freedom for Palestinians from unlawful occupation. Provided that we’re academics of various Islamic sciences and have interaction college students and activists, we’ve some phrases of encouragement, plus honest recommendation in staying true to prophetic etiquettes for Muslim advocates engaged in protests and college encampments in addition to these non-college college students who’re contemplating elevating consciousness in regards to the plight of Palestinians at upcoming Democratic and Republican conventions this summer season.
Keep Hopeful of Divine Mercy and Help
Allah says in Surah al-Baqarah, Ayah 214:
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“Or do you suppose that you’ll enter Jannah whereas you haven’t but been visited with troublesome circumstances like those that handed on earlier than you? They have been touched by hardship and struggling and have been shaken till the Messenger and people who believed with him mentioned ‘When with the help of Allah coming?’ Unquestionably, close to is the help of Allah.”
Allah (Mighty and Chic) who got here to assistance from the Sahabah (could Allah be happy with them) in occasions of nice problem is totally conscious of the struggling of the folks of Gaza and is in full management. As Gazans proceed to point out resilience within the face of nice calamity, we should always stay hopeful of the promise of Allah
and preserve gratitude for the relative ease that we live in although we face points corresponding to police intimidation, doxing, and false media narratives. This hope doesn’t imply that we shouldn’t be appalled by and grieving over the atrocities dedicated in opposition to our fellow believers and human beings, nor does it imply that we should always fail in doing our utmost to cease this oppression. Quite the opposite, inserting our belief in Him ought to empower us with the arrogance and vigor to try tirelessly, for we will by no means lose when working for His sake. Nevertheless, this additionally implies that our efforts should align with His pleasure, as we preserve full belief in His infinite energy and boundless knowledge.
Excellent Justice is Reserved for Allah ![subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He)](https://c7c8edde.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/plugins/islamic-graphics/img/black/png/swt.png)
within the Akhirah
Do not forget that as all of us try to see simply outcomes for the wrestle for justice for Palestinians in our lifetimes, Allah is the final word determiner of outcomes, and the manifestations of these come about based mostly upon His Divine knowledge, not our temporal timelines. We hope to see a liberated Palestine sooner slightly than later, however know that on the Day of Judgement all criminals shall be held to account. Nobody is getting away with something ultimately.
Repentance is a Key to Success
Allah says in Surah an-Nur, Ayah 31:
“And repent to Allah collectively O you who imagine so that you acquire success.”
Repentance or turning to Allah is a non secular station with a starting that has no ending till we depart from this world. To achieve success on this life and the subsequent, we should flip our hearts in the direction of Allah
. This begins with having regret for the sins that we commit, negligence of what we’ve not fulfilled, and deficiency in not striving for excellence to enhance in our endeavors. Repentance additionally includes looking for forgiveness and desisting from these issues which lead us into error and negligence. Past being aware of sins that we may very well be committing together with within the identify of attempting to result in good, we needs to be keenly conscious that our sins have a unfavorable affect upon the Ummah; thus, whereas trials from Allah
could befall the perfect of His creations to raise their ranks, aid from these trials needs to be sought by way of honest repentance. It’s narrated that Ali bin Abi Talib
supplicated, “And forgive me of sins which deliver calamity (al-Bala’) descend.”1
The primary wrestle for these concerned in activism and neighborhood organizing as Muslims, due to this fact, needs to be in repentance, ideally awakening from sleep within the final third of the night time previous to Fajr prayer. Typically, looking for forgiveness all through the day needs to be a part of the each day non secular program of activists. Our Prophet mentioned, “By Allah, Certainly I search forgiveness with Allah and repent to Him on a regular basis greater than seventy occasions.”2
Success Comes from Allah ![subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He)](https://c7c8edde.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/plugins/islamic-graphics/img/black/png/swt.png)
not Merely Materials Means
In the end, the flexibility to realize success or tawfiq is immediately linked to our obedience to Allah . Subsequently, it’s incumbent that every one activism and neighborhood organizing is congruent with the Qur’an and Sunnah. Created means or asbab needs to be pursued, however counting on them as an alternative of Allah
will in the end result in failure. Earlier than deploying means or methods, we imagine that it’s incumbent for activists earlier than performing to seek the advice of certified students or superior college students of information for the aim of striving for this congruency. Allah
says in Surah an-Nahl, Ayah 43:
“And We despatched not earlier than you besides males to whom We revealed [Our message]. So, ask the folks of scripture for those who have no idea.”
Be Scrupulous Relating to Coalitions
Though we should be in coalition with others out of necessity based mostly upon present socio-political dynamics, we should be cautious to not scale back Islamic dedication to justice to the sensibilities of the “Progressive Left” and Neo-Marxists. We can’t management others’ language and means, however we do have management over ours.
Our intention shouldn’t be merely to assemble giant crowds at our occasions. We should train warning in providing platforms to these with differing agendas, guaranteeing that we don’t carelessly assist the promotion of what’s reprehensible in our faith below the guise of “solidarity.” Furthermore, we should train warning in becoming a member of actions or disruptions led and managed by others with differing agendas.
No Crossing of Redlines that Violate Islamic Sacred Legislation and Prophetic Etiquettes
There are particular acts that we should be clear on which are redlines that shouldn’t be crossed that are sinful and/or can repel folks of conscience from supporting Palestinians:
Any type of bodily violence or blatant intimidation of individuals who disagree with our place on Palestine. For example, not going to college officers’ personal houses the place their households reside attempting to enter these domiciles, nor scaring their youngsters—an motion inconceivable for any Muslim.
Destruction or vandalism of personal or public property. For instance, not spray-painting “Free Palestine” and “Lengthy Stay Intifada” on college buildings.
Utilizing profanity in chants and slogans.
Disregarding Islamic teachings on modesty and gender interactions, that are binding on each Muslim women and men, and needlessly exposing Muslim ladies to the danger of being manhandled by officers or violated by antagonists.
Facilitation of “teach-ins” at encampments that promote or search to normalize the forbidden. So-called “Pinkwashing teach-ins” that are staples of the sexual and gender confusion motion is an instance.
Blocking highways and bridges within the identify of disruption.
Starvation strikes within the identify of “solidarity” with the folks of Gaza who’re disadvantaged of meals and water.
We have now a spiritual obligation to help our brothers and sisters in Gaza by way of non secular means, financial assist, and socio-political means. There are types of the latter from lobbying one’s elected officers to extra passive means corresponding to boycotting Israeli items. Whereas protests and encampments might be helpful, we should always train prudence to make sure that their advantages outweigh their potential harms. They need to additionally not be mere shops for venting frustrations however slightly function launching pads for better and long-term efforts.
As we’ve concern for the Ummah, we felt obligated to remind our beloved school college students and others within the motion that our ethical compass should be Islamic sacred legislation and our tone be guided by the etiquettes embodied by the Prophet . We hope that that is acquired with an excellent opinion of the writers and that it’s not dismissed as “moralizing” or “tone-policing” as morality and tone matter in our activism, particularly with regards to the continued genocide in Gaza.
And Allah is aware of finest.
Associated:
– American Muslim Students Categorical Assist For College Pupil Encampment Protests
– Quranic Verses For Steadfastness For The Valiant Protesters On Campus