Gaza in our hearts [Archives:2009/1222/Viewpoint]
Nadia Al-Saqqaf
There is a chapter in the Holy Quran called Sutar Al-Fateh, which could be translated as the chapter of conquer. In the last few days, many received text messages inviting Muslims to read this chapter and dedicate it to our brothers and sisters in Gaza, fighting for their lives and land.
The starting verses of this Surah read:
“Surely We have given to you a clear victory. That Allah may forgive your community their past faults and those to follow and complete His favor to you and keep you on a right way.
And that Allah might help you with a mighty help. He it is Who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they might have more of faith added to their faith– and Allah's are the hosts of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Knowing, Wise)
That He may cause the believing men and the believing women to enter gardens beneath which rivers flow to abide therein and remove from them their evil; and that is a grand achievement with Allah.
And (that) He may punish the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women, and the polytheistic men and the polytheistic women, the entertainers of evil thoughts about Allah. On them is the evil turn, and Allah is wroth with them and has cursed them and prepared hell for them, and evil is the resort.
And Allah's are the hosts of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is Mighty, Wise.”
These verses were sent to our prophet Mohammed (MPBH) when he was faced by the forces of non Muslims who chased him away and tortured his followers. Today, the Muslim people feel with their brothers and sisters in Gaza. We pray for them and read such verses of the Quran pleading to Allah that he will support them and grant them victory over the enemy.
This is what we can do as people, as citizens and not decision makers. We can contribute with our thoughts and prayers, with our donations and our demonstrations. But the rest remains upon the shoulders of those who can make a difference such Arab and Western leaders. But let them remember that history will write down what decisions they make and how they have let down their people and humanity as a whole. How 2009 will always be remembered as the year of massacre and defeat of humanity.
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