COMPANION A RENEWED LOVE FOR AL-AQSA

By Zahra Beig

Amid the latest tension and war in Palestine, one can’t help but simultaneously feel both so connected and yet too disconnected from the conflict and the suffering of its people. Our as-of-yet unanswered du’as for Al-Aqsa still sit on our lips. Our eyes remained glued to our screens as we read and share updates. What is it about this place, this land, and its people?

Why is it special?

Allah talks about Al-Aqsa in the Qur’an saying,

“We have blessed (it) from within and We have blessed what is around it” . The Qur’an refers to it as Al-Ard Al-Muqaddasa, “The Holy Land” . Imam ibn Al Jawzi, rahimahullah, says it is called this because when you go and pray in that land, it purifies you of your sins. In this blessed land of the Prophets there is not a single handspan of space that a Prophet did not stand. Every part of it is holy.

While Muslims pray to Makkah today, we know Al-Aqsa to be the first Qiblah. By making the Qiblah change during the lifetime of the Prophet, Allah honored in one instance both the land of Al-Aqsa and our Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

SubhanAllah even more sacred than the land itself is the people in that land. Our brothers and sisters in Palestine are more sacred than Al-Aqsa and indeed more sacred than the Ka’aba. The Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam told us that the blood, the property, and the honor of the people is more sacred than the Ka’aba in the Hajj, more sacred than Al-Aqsa.

How then, my young brother and sister, should we feel when these sisters and brothers of ours are harmed, killed, and denied basic rights like clean water and freedom of movement? How can we handle it when dirty boots storm into the blessed ground of Masjid Al-Aqsa where all the Prophets who ever lived stood side by side in Salah behind our Messenger? The heart feels constricted and the eyes weep and we can’t help but wonder, is there any hope?

A message of hope

My young brother and sister, I know the recent events in Palestine and Gaza in particular are overwhelming and painful, but do not feel hopeless. Do not think that Allah is angry with us. We must have firm faith that for the believers there is good in everything, as the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam told us. For the believer, the positives are greater than the hardship.

When Allah mentions in the Qur’an the hardships endured by the Bani Israil under Fir’own, He immediately follows it by saying, “We wanted to bless them and make them leaders. ” Allahu Akbar. When Allah wants to make a leader, he gives that person hardship which brings them closer to Allah and helps them put total trust in Him. Hardship purifies and strengthens.

We should feel hopeful that Allah is giving our brothers and sisters a chance to earn His pleasure and mercy. We should feel hopeful that Allah is giving us an opportunity to become active and to stand up for truth. We should feel hopeful that Allah is giving us the chance to be unashamedly Muslim. We should feel hopeful that Allah is giving us an opportunity to defend our sisters and brothers in Palestine.

We should feel hopeful dear young Muslim that Allah’s Messenger sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said,

“Allah has promised me that He will take care of ash-Shaam (the Holy Land) and its people.

May Allah give them victory in our lifetime. Ameen.

What can I do to help?

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4. Increase your love for Al-Aqsa! Learn more about this blessed land and love it because Allah and our Prophet love it. Make du’a for the Holy Land and the oppressed within it. Making du’a is one of the easiest ways to help. Increase the chances of your prayers acceptance by making du’a at the times known for acceptance – the last third of the night before Fajr, Fridays in the last minutes before Maghrib, while traveling, while it is raining, and while one is fasting. Another easy way to help is to call or write the President, your senators, and your representatives. Let them know that you want our government to stand up for the human rights of all individuals, and that includes Palestinians. Tell them that we must stop funding the Israeli military because they commit war crimes. Tell that we must end blanket support of Israel while it continues its illegal occupation of the Holy Land and because it continues to create new illegal settlements. Do not be shy. Be firm, yet respectful. It is the job of public officials to hear what their constituents have to say. The President can be contacted via the White House switchboard at 202-4561414 or the comments line at 202-456-1111 during business hours. To find and contact your federal elected officials, visit www.usa.gov/electedofficials. Ask a parent if you need help. Join Muslims around the world and people of conscience in Boycotting products made by companies that play a direct role in Israel’s crimes. Visit bdsmovement.net for a list of companies to boycott. Among them is Pillsbury, Sabra hummus, Sodastream, and fresh Israeli produce (including medjool dates). Look for the words “Product of Israel” . If we work together to target our boycott toward the worst offenders, it will have a stronger impact inshallah.

5. And finally, keep an eye out for protests and rallies in your area. Attend with your whole family and be sure to make large, eye-catching, colorful posters! Here are some ideas for slogans for your poster:

Palestine will be free

Mr. President, do not fund Israeli Apartheid

Palestinian Lives Matter

Apartheid ISreal

Is an Israeli child’s life worth more than a Palestinian child’s?

Stop illegal settlements in Palestine

End the Occupation Now

May Allah bring peace and freedom to the Blessed Holy Land. May Allah bring relief and victory to our brothers and sisters in Palestine over their oppressors. May Allah make us instruments that He uses to bring khayr. May Allah not burden us with more than we can bear. May Allah grant this ummah ‘Aafiya (protection from pain, suffering and hardship). Allahumma Ameen.

Palestine - The Truth

BY RUMAYSA BHATTI 11 YEARS OLD MURPHY, TX

What do we know about Palestine? The people in the news keep telling us that the Palestinian people are trying to hurt others and are taking away their freedom. But what is the truth.

The truth is that the people in Palestine are dying, hurting, suffering, and losing loved ones. They got kicked out of their homes and have no place to live. Their schools and hospitals get bombed and so many babies also die. The people who are hurting them don't get blamed for it because those people have lots of power and money and so many people support them.

H O W T O D R A W D O M E O F R O C K ?

Hanna Awwab 5 years old Diamond Bar, CA