EID MUBARAK!
Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,
Dear and respected Sisters we have reached the Blessed Days of the years Bi IzanAllah.
The Prophet said (s.a.w): There is no day on which Allah frees more people from
the Fire than the day of Arafat (9th Dhul Hajj). (Muslim)
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.” (Surah al Maa’idah 5:3)
Last year, just like so many years before that, many of our brothers and sisters were blessed with the honor of performing Hajj, our Holy pilgrimage in Makkah. Many of us had made plans to go this year. We were getting prepared financially, mentally, physically, to get closer and closer to this dream. Then life brought us all to an unexpected turn of events. Right before our eyes we saw the entire planet shut down. Businesses and offices, malls and shops, schools and colleges, parks and museums, airports and subways, everything went quiet. People were forced inside their homes and couldn’t even hug and embrace their loved ones. The great test and fear in every Muslim’s heart was would there be Hajj this year? Alhumdulilah, we are witnessing Allah Rahman on these blessed days; people are performing Hajj. What an honor! Labbaik Allah Humma Labbaik!
For those who prepared but could not go, best is the example of Prophet Ibraheem always prepared and ever ready to sacrifice for Allah sake and that of Bibi Hajra, accepted her situation of being alone and stranded with her infant. It did not stop her from struggling in the way of Allah and neither should the current situation stop us from doing just that.
My dear sisters, Allah is communicating with us through this test. He wants us to realize our weaknesses and focus on His might, His power, and His dominion. Let us take this as an opportunity to get closer to our Creator and work for His cause with more sincerity. Let us encourage our families and friends to take advantage of these opportunities to serve Allah and His creation together.
May Allah accept all our sacrifices and efforts in His path and may He enlighten our hearts and minds so that we grow spiritually and morally as a community striving for His pleasure alone. Aameen.
Eid al Adha Mubarak!
Yours Sincerely,
Abeer Sher
President ICNA Sisters USA.
