We watched in uncomprehending horror at the images of our beautiful country being totally ravaged. What apparently started out as a protest, shockingly spiralled into such brutality and devastation that we had never witnessed before. Nothing was spared, and overnight people lost their businesses, their jobs and their sense of security.
Alhumdulillah my family and I were kept safe by the brave men who stood guard on our streets. Before the police and army could arrive, it was these community men who barricaded and patrolled the streets, throughout the night in the freezing cold. May Allah Ta’ala reward them immensely.
It was a strange feeling to wake up and realise that you can’t just go to the shop and buy a loaf of bread. That the little milk you have has to be carefully rationed. It was humbling to have to receive handouts because there was no other way to get your necessary groceries. It was so, so heart-warming to see the community get together to help each other out. People went out of their way to assist others, relief organisations were working around the clock and the generosity of spirit just shone through. I desperately required nappies for baby Z and I managed to receive some from a kind-hearted soul whom I had never met before!
It is with heavy hearts that we look towards the future and try to rebuild our country again. Everything looks so bleak right now – our hearts are simmering with anger and burning at the injustice of it all. You hear stories and see the horrifying images and your heart just shatters into pieces. But one thing that the criminals cannot take away from us is HOPE. Hope in Allah’s mercy. Hope in Allah’s plans. And hope that Allah will replace us with something better, insha Allah.
We can take so many lessons from this trying time. We can let this test be one that brings us closer to Allah. Let this be a reminder that we are not made for this world…that there is something better, much better, that awaits us on the other side. We were wondering down the path of complacency, of ingratitude, of wastefulness, of sin and vices. Let us now turn to Allah with hearts filled with remorse and retrospection. In these blessed days of Dhul Hijjah, let us bring our homes alive with zikr and recitation of the Holy Quraan.
I know that this year our Eid will be a subdued affair. Some of us have even had our animals looted from the farms. May Allah Ta’ala accept our sacrifices, reward us for our struggles and may we bring the spirit of Ebrahim عليه السلام into our lives.
و مكروا و مكر الله و الله خير الماكرين…”And they plan and Allah plans, and Allah is the best of planners.”
If anyone requires anything, you are more than welcome to email me on mummymuslimah01@gmail.com and I will try my best to assist.
Take care and be safe
Wassalam
Mummy Muslimah 