Advice in Light of the Tragic Masjid Shootings

I sadly woke up today to the shocking news of what happened to our brothers and sisters, young and old, in two masājid in Christchurch, New Zealand. They were peaceful human beings who woke up expecting their Friday to be like every other Friday.

They entered their day expecting to work, go to school, attend to their children, pay their bills, eat their favourite dinner, pray their salāh, recite Sūrah al-Kahf, and observe the Jumu’ah proceedings.

Then, Subhān Allāh, without a moment’s notice, when least expected, it all came to an end at the hands of two terrorists and those who support and fund them. To add to insult to injury, one of the terrorists recorded his entire rampage unashamedly.

Indeed Allāh Almighty is enough for us.

Many at this fragile moment are saying: “Stop the world, I want to get off!”

By Allāh, I felt estranged at the shocking news as well, and couldn’t help but wish it was a bad dream that I would wake up from and seek protection in Allāh as a result of.

At this difficult time, allow me to share the following important guidance.

I
Every soul shall taste death at its appointed time with the permission of Allāh Almighty, not a second before and not a second after.

Our brothers and sisters whom returned to Allāh Almighty; it was their exact time.

Allah Almighty says in Sūrah Āl-‘Imrān:

وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفْسٍ أَن تَمُوتَ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ كِتَابًا مُّؤَجَّلًا ۗ وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الدُّنْيَا نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا وَمَن يُرِدْ ثَوَابَ الْآخِرَةِ نُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا ۚ وَسَنَجْزِي الشَّاكِرِينَ

And it is not [possible] for one to die except by permission of Allāh at a decree determined. And whoever desires the reward of this world – We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the Hereafter – We will give him thereof. And we will reward the grateful.[1]

Let us all take a reminder to always be ready to meet our Lord and pray every prayer as if it were our last.

II
The jurists of Islām have stated that anyone who passes away due to oppressive actions of others, attains the status of martyrdom (shahādah/shahīd).

The reality is that the events of today really show us that there were people beloved to Allāh Almighty and close to Him living amongst us! We just did not know until now. Subhān Allāh.

III
Sometimes Allāh Almighty wants to grant His slave a station in paradise that he/she cannot attain by themselves, so a difficulty is permitted to set in, and through beautiful patience, the slave of Allāh Almighty attains a nobler rank in the hereafter.

May Allāh, through this recession, raise the ranks of the deceased, their families, and each and every one of us hurting because of it. Āmīn.

IV
Human beings have been blessed with cognitive intelligence and are creatures of choice. These atrocities were conducted by choice and the perpetrators will face the wrath of the Almighty in this life and the next. Rest assured that their pain will outlast any pain they think they have caused.

V
To the families afflicted by this oppressive act of murder: by Allāh, death is not the end, rather it is only the beginning. The deceased are alive and sustained with their Lord, and now it is upon us to do what we can do to maintain our īmān, and adhere to the sunnah. This is in order to return to our Lord whilst He is pleased with us, when our time to depart arrives—so that we can be reunited with the loved ones lost today in the highest paradise.

I have no doubt, that when that union happens in the timeless life of the hereafter whilst surrounded by unimaginable beauty and gifts; everyone will say: “Indeed whatever Allah does; He does good!”

VI
To those who remain tested with life: du’ā is the weapon of a believer. We must pray and release our hearts’ thoughts to Allāh Almighty, and seek assistance from Him.

Pray for the highest paradise for the deceased.

Pray for protection of īmān and a beautiful patience.

Pray for an immediate cure to fall over those battling with severe injuries as a result of the ordeal.

Pray for the doctors working complete shifts to remain inspired in their efforts and practice.

Pray for law and order, and for the authorities to succeed in apprehending every terrorist involved in this tragedy.

Let us also remember to pray for all of our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world who endure similar suffering on a regular basis.

May Allāh Almighty shower His mercy upon the deceased, bring ease to the afflicted families, cause justice to descend upon the terrorists, and unite us all in the highest paradise as a result of our patience through this ordeal.

Āmīn.

*Your brother,*
*Sajid Umar*