Sikander Hashmi – Staying Safe at School KMA Friday Message
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AI: Transcript ©
Respected elders,
your brothers and sisters,
my young friends,
Indeed, all praises for Allah
alone,
the lord of the universe, our creator, our
nourisher,
our sustainer,
our protector.
And we begin by sending peace and salutations
upon his beloved messenger,
final messenger, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah
My brothers and sisters, my young friends,
once again, we find ourselves
at the end of the month of August,
which of course
means that the summer is coming to an
end.
Now depending on how your summer went, you
might be looking forward
to the end, which means that school is
about to start,
or perhaps you don't want to think about
school and you don't wanna think about September.
But nonetheless, today, I guess I'm gonna make
you think about it
for a little bit at least.
Now, alhamdulillah, we find that the situation
now this year, this September,
compared to a year ago
is somewhat better, alhamdulillah.
Yet, of course, there is still
a lot of discussion,
concern
with regards to COVID 19
and the Delta variant.
And, subhanallah, the one thing that keeps coming
to my mind
as we have discussed
many times
is that no matter how hard we try,
no matter how hard we try, indeed, we
must try to do what is best based
on
the knowledge that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has
given us and the latest research
and medical discoveries and all of those things.
Yet,
no matter how we try how hard we
try, we still find that there are challenges
that keep coming up
over and over again. Yes, things have improved,
alhamdulillah,
but still there is concern and there is
this and there is that.
Many guidelines
and protocols for schools, a lot of discussion,
a bit of anxiety,
uncertainty as well perhaps.
We ask Allah
to keep all of us, especially our children
and all the students and the teachers safe
and well. Ameen. Let
us remember though, my brothers and sisters,
that the concerns
about
COVID 19
are only one aspect,
just one aspect of
the risk
that our children
and that you, my young friends,
face.
And this is just one of the risks
that you face
and that has to do with your physical
well-being.
Now, of course, we know that schooling
and education is very important. Right? Our deen
of Islam
encourages
seeking knowledge. The prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam
has encouraged us
as well. So for our all children, schooling
and education, of course, is very important.
But today we find
that along with the physical risk, in this
case, covid 19,
the students' mental and spiritual well-being can also
be at risk.
There's a lot of concern about the physical,
right, which is important because it is at
the forefront at this time.
But along with that,
the mental and spiritual well-being is also something
that can be at risk.
So it is important for us as parents
to remember that, and it is important for
you, my young friends,
to know
that this is the case. So when a
person,
a child
goes to school we've all been to school.
I've been to school. I remember my first
day in kindergarten, the first day at school.
I remember it, yeah,
very well.
Yeah. So we've all been there, but the
challenges have been evolving. The changes
have been many since the days when
we, as parents, you know, used to go
to school.
And the types of challenges, the types of
risks
that children face today,
are
of a very different nature. Some things are
the same, but many things
have changed.
So my brothers and sisters, just as we
take steps
to protect
the physical health and well-being,
we also need to take steps
to protect the mental and spiritual
well-being
as well. Now we have discussed many times
before
that
our mind,
our body,
our soul,
they are all
interconnected.
They are all
interconnected.
Right? So
our physical
being,
right, our physical the physical part of our
existence,
the mental part of our existence,
and the spiritual part of our exist existence
are all interconnected.
They're all connected to one another, and a
lot of times what we find today is
that
many people are struggling with one of those
aspects,
and
as a society, we are trying to find
solutions
only within that one aspect
without realizing that they're actually connected together.
And you can't really just address one without
addressing the others because they're all connected, and
they all impact one another. Right? So when
there is pressure on 1,
when one part
of our being
struggles,
then it affects the others as well.
A person who is doing mentally
unwell, who is unwell mentally,
it will affect
most likely their physical and or their spiritual
as well.
A person who is struggling spiritually,
it will most likely there's a good chance
it is gonna affect them mentally as well
and perhaps physically as well. You know? So
they're all connected
to one another.
Now the physical threat currently is clear.
Right? Which is, of course, like I said,
a lot of focus on COVID 19 and
rightfully so. But there's others as well, other
physical threats,
and But there's others as well, other physical
threats. And we, as parents, know that, especially
as our children grow older. There are certain
behaviors, certain types of activities that we are
concerned about, that we don't want our children
to engage in. You know,
we're thinking about
drugs. We're talking
about alcohol. Many other types of physical risks
that are dangers that exist.
But a question to ask ourselves
is what are the mental
and the spiritual
threats,
or what are the threats that are
mental and spiritual in nature
that threaten
the well-being of our children and our students,
our youth?
What are those things? The physical ones are
clear.
Right? For example, in the United States, somewhat
in Canada as well, there's concern about gun
violence,
school shootings. Right? It has happened here a
few instances in Canada as well. May Allah
protect everyone. Right? So that is clearly a
physical threat that people are aware of, and
they try to protect you know, try to
devise ways to to to ensure that that
doesn't happen.
Right? So there are these physical threats that
we can think of. When children are young,
you tell them, okay. Don't talk to strangers.
You know, if a stranger comes to you
and tells you, oh, get in my car,
then, you know, don't go and this and
that. Right? So we talk about the physical
dangers.
So my question to you is, what are
the threats
from
a mental and from a spiritual point of
view? So this is something that we need
to think about, and we need to discuss,
we need to research, be aware of, and
then address them by taking measures and steps,
and Insha'Allah,
we will try to find opportunities
to talk about some of these dangers and
threats in the coming weeks, Insha'Allah.
Now why is that important?
Because our job
is to always
take reasonable steps,
to make an effort,
and then to place our trust in Allah
subhanahu wa ta'ala. Now, I know this is
something I've talked about before as well.
Right? But honestly, I think we all need
a reminder every once in a while because
as human beings, we are forgetful beings. We
tend to forget.
We tend to
forget. Right? Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala tells us.
Right? Remind.
Right? Why? Because the reminders benefit the believers.
Right? So as a reminder to ourselves,
any challenge that we face, any situation that
we are in, even to my young friends,
as you get ready to go to school
and you get ready
to take on assignments and homework and tests
and exams and all of those things that
we have to deal with in life that
we don't necessarily, you know, enjoy
dealing with. Right? What should be our approach?
Take reasonable steps,
make the effort, and then place your trust
in Allah
As believers, we know that we are not
the ones who accomplish.
We are not the ones who reach the
goal.
We make the effort, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala
takes us to the goal. Allah subhanahu wa
ta'ala makes the result happen. It is not
in our hands, it is not in our
control, but what we are responsible for is
for making the effort.
So our job is to make the best
possible decision
at any given moment.
Any moment.
Make the best possible decision. Make the best
possible choice
that you can.
And then once you have decided, once you
have made that choice,
then we place our trust on Allah as
Allah
tells us,
Right? Once you have made a decision,
put your trust in Allah.
K? Simple as that. This could be marriage.
This could be buying a car. This could
be buying a house.
This could be choosing which school you go
to, which city to live in, whichever choice
you have to make. And there's many choices
we make in life.
Right? You try your best. You reflect, you
do istakharah, you ponder. Right? You try your
best. Whatever you're able to do, you do.
And then you place your trust in Allah
Subhanahu wa ta'ala.
As Allah azzawajal
also tells us,
And
whoever puts their trust in Allah,
then he alone is sufficient for them.
Whoever places their trust in Allah
then He alone is sufficient
for them. So this is a major part
of living life as a Muslim, of being
a Muslim and living it,
to place our trust in Allah
Now, when we talk about effort,
and this is also important,
there are 2 types of efforts.
Efforts
are of 2 types.
We have the physical effort, which we all
understand,
but there's also the spiritual effort as well,
and we need both.
As believers, we know
that we need both.
The physical effort is the effort that we
make with the physical means that Allah subhanahu
wa ta'ala has given to us.
Anas Subramanik radiAllahu anhu relates
that
a man said,
Famous Hadith.
That,
you
Rasulullah, O Messenger
of Allah,
That should I tie it, meaning my camel,
and trust in Allah,
or should I leave her untied
and trust in Allah?
Right? He had 2 options.
He's thinking in his mind
that I'm gonna place my trust in Allah
because we know this is important. Okay. So
that is a constant in both options.
The difference is
do I tie the camel or do I
not tie the camel?
Right? So the trust in Allah subhanahu wa
ta'ala is there in both situations, in both
options that he's asking
about. But should I tie it or should
I leave it untied?
So as we famously know or as we
know the prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam famous
famously said,
that tie her
and trust in Allah
So what do we learn from this? We
learn
that
the tying,
the action,
the rope, because you need a rope to
tie a camel. Right? You can't just tie
a camel without anything.
Right? So the effort,
the physical means
having the tool
does matter. So the rope matters.
The concern
followed by the physical effort
matters,
and ultimately, we are to place our trust
in Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to make it
happen.
So taking the means is part of tawqa.
A lot of times we have this, you
know, Muslims have this impression that
trusting in Allah means that we are not
to take any action, that we don't not
to make take any effort or take any
means.
No.
Taking the means, the permissible means,
taking action,
using the
the the asbaab. This is something from
the teachings of Allah and his messenger sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam.
But also with that then, placing trust in
Allah Subhanahu
wa ta'ala.
Ibn Raja Ibrahim
he says that it should be understood
that truly
relying on Allah does not cancel out taking
the measures
by means of which Allah
causes to happen what he has decreed.
This is the way that Allah has ordained
for his creation.
For Allah
has enjoyed us,
enjoined us to take measures,
yet he has also enjoined us to rely
on him. So he has enjoined both,
to take the
means and also to rely on Allah
So striving to take measures is an act
of obedience to him, and relying in our
hearts on him is an act of faith
in him.
So just as there is the physical effort,
brothers and sisters,
there is also the spiritual effort
which
is just as important,
if not
more important. The prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said
as narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas radiallahu anhu
that
be mindful of Allah,
and you will find him in front of
you.
Recognize and acknowledge
Allah
in times of ease and prosperity,
and he will remember you in times of
adversity.
Recognize and acknowledge Allah
in times of ease and prosperity,
and he will remember you in times of
adversity.
And know that what has passed you and
that you have failed
to attain
was not going to befall you, and what
has befallen you was not going to pass
you by.
And know that victory comes with patience.
Victory comes with
sabr, with patience.
Relief
with affliction,
and hardship
with ease.
All of these things go together. Victory with
patience,
relief with affliction,
and hardship
with
ease.
So the physical steps are important. So, like,
making sure your mask is on properly and
physical distancing is important. You know, these things
are important to protect our physical health,
like developing and maintaining
good, you know,
healthy friendships
and eating healthy and exercising regularly. These things
are important for our mental health,
like being connected with the masjid and the
community
is important for our spiritual health, and these
are just examples.
But along with this effort,
also take full spiritual steps
to ensure maximum protection.
Right? So these are the physical steps that
we could take for each area, just as
an example, for the physical well-being, for mental
health, well-being, and for spiritual well-being. But along
with that,
make the spiritual effort
as well. So for example, offering your prayers,
ideally on time,
making regular dua for protection,
for example, Ayatul Kursi in the morning evening
after each prayer.
The last verses of Surat Al Baqarah,
at night
reciting the Quls.
Right?
At night,
the dua for protection, 3 times in the
morning evening,
the afka' after eat salah. Right? These things
may appear to be little.
They may appear to be small,
but they're not.
They are they're light. They're easy to do,
but they're not small. They're not insignificant. They're
actually very significant
because this is all part of the spiritual
effort. So as believers, my message is
that yes, we take the physical means and
the effort,
we place our trust in Allah
but along with that, along with the physical,
we also take the spiritual means
as well.
Now we might be feeling a bit anxious
going back to school.
Perhaps not. Right? Like I said, some students
may be very happy. Right? But maybe some
parents are a bit anxious.
Some students, some children may be anxious as
well.
So the cure for anxiety and fear, my
brothers and sisters, which is a completely, you
know, separate topic that we could talk about
but very briefly,
is to remind yourself
that Allah
is in control.
He is your protector.
Allah
is your protector,
and no amount of worry or concern
is going to change what is destined to
happen.
No amount of worry
or concern
or anxiety is going to change what Allah
has already decreed.
The one thing or the two things that
could actually happen or make a difference. The
first one thing, of course, is the dua
because the prophet
has told us the dua can
affect one's decree,
the father of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. So
making dua and
a lot of dhikr because we know
that Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala says that,
So when you are feeling anxious in your
heart,
when you are feeling
unsettled in your heart, engage in the zikr
of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala,
and it will remind you of placing trust
in Allah subhanahu
It will remind you that Allah
is in control. It will remind you that
there is no point in worrying
because whatever has been decreed has been decreed,
and the only thing that can really help
at this point is
making du'a and placing your trust in Allah
May Allah
protect us from all types of harm which
is seen and unseen,
whether it is physical or mental or spiritual.
And remember my brothers and sisters, we say
to make du'a, we say to place our
trust in Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala,
and sometimes Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has willed
that there is going to be some hardship.
We don't understand why.
A lot of times, we answer that's the
question, well, why did Allah allow that to
happen?
Why did this bad thing happen to me?
Why am I going through this hardship, this
struggle, this pain and suffering?
Right? And I just give the answer, quite
honestly, I don't know.
I don't know why Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala
chose for this to happen to you.
But we do know that the prophet sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam has said
that,
That wondrous is the affair of a believer
as there is good for him or her
in every matter. And this is not the
case for anyone but a mumin.
If the believer experiences pleasure,
they thank Allah
and it is good for them. And if
they experience harm, they show patience,
and it is good for them as well.
So there is good in everything that Allah
decides for us. So my brothers and sisters,
make the effort
physically,
spiritually,
reasonable effort. Place your trust in Allah subhanahu
wa ta'ala. And whatever the outcome,
accept it accept it as being better for
you. And honestly, if people can actually adopt
this, this, if every single person adopted this
and understood it and believed in it,
it would take away so much anxiety and
stress from this world.
Honestly,
it would take so much anxiety away from
us
and concern and worry and regret about what
has happened.
Simply try your best and leave for Allah
the rest.
Try your best physically and spiritually
and leave for Allah the rest, and whatever
Allah decides you to accept it as being
good for you.
Being,
you know, accepting the decree of Allah subhanahu
wa ta'ala is also from
the perfection of
a believer, from the perfection of belief inside
a believer. May Allah
protect us
all.
We had the sad news of the passing
of the mother of our brother,
Kamran,
Bilgrami,
and also the grandfather of brother Jamal Zakaria,
our board member, also passed away, and others
as well.
Allah
to
cure all of those who are ill,
whether they are suffering from COVID 19 or
cancer or any other illness, those who are
ill physically, those who are ill
mentally and spiritually,
those who are hurt emotionally, may Allah
cure them all and remove their grief. May
Allah
remove the stress and anxiety
from all of those who are suffering,
and mentally. May
Allah remove the depression from those who are
depressed. May Allah
replace all of that with happiness.
We ask Allah to cure all of our
brothers and sisters, especially our elder sister who
is living in pain, our brothers and a
brother and sister living with long term pain
and injuries, and everyone else who is in
the hospitals or who is suffering at this
time.
This Wednesday, insha'allah, September 1st, we will be
having our 1st children's circle,
in person gathering
after nearly 2 years. Alhamdulillah.
So insha'allah, we'll be having the gathering on
Wednesday, September 1st. We'll be having it outside,
insha'allah.
The tap topic will be back to schools
for ages 7 to 12.
Registration,
is required.
So please go to canana muslims.ca/childrencircle
to register for that. And as you know,
the election federal election is coming up on
September 20th. So as,
as we always do, we will have candidates,
visiting us. We give an equal opportunity to
all candidates from all parties.
So please, if you have a moment, do
take time,
to welcome them, to our masjid,
and to speak to them, speak to them,
if you can do so.