اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ. وَاَللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
Eid Mubarak!
It is with a great deal of happiness mixed with gravitas that I pen this message to you all, my dear Irfa’a friends and family all around the world.
The past year has witnessed many difficult and constrained circumstances for many of us. It has brought home to bear in an indelible way, the seriousness of life, and also what a precious and beautiful gift it is. We have learned anew, of how little is in our control, and yet, how empowered we are by our faith and our determination.
We have learned again, the meaning of ‘tasleem’; to be in a state of beautiful surrender to Divine will – working, and walking with God, in peace. This state so difficult to achieve easily for modern people who, used to seemingly limitless agency, can easily forget how dependent we really are. But the pandemic has reminded us that we never really were self-subsisting in the first place, but always were kept in security by One greater looking out for us.
Ramadan has come and gone, like a beautiful pause, as it so often does, reminding us of this state of utter dependency that is our true state. And like last year, again this year, the still raging pandemic, has brought this message closer to bear. Again this year, many of us are still unable to gather for our cherished festival prayers and gatherings…many of us may be missing loved ones to greet, and many are tired and weary. Nevertheless, we remind ourselves that God is with the patient, and patience was never really easy. But it is enriching. For God is with those who are patient.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
‘O you of belief, seek help through patience and prayer, verily Allah is with the patient’
Quran 2:153
The verse tells us that patience is the outcome of work, it is not a passive state at all. It must be sought – prayer is a way to attain it. And patience is a means to gain help.
I am both sad at the passing of Ramadan, and immensely grateful for the bounteous blessings this month always brings. Despite immense hardship, the first structures for what is to become God willing, a place of prayer and contemplation – the Irfa’a center in the East has seen major milestones in its construction. It’s name – Al Bait Al Isra’a. We register our great thanks to Allah and praise Him abundantly. We have inaugurated it on the 14th of Ramadan.
By God’s grace, we have been able to build and carry on during periods of severely constrained circumstances including partial lock-downs, travel bans, food shortages and what not. This is a testament to the blessing of fulfilling God’s work…it will get done, no matter what trouble. For the will of God, cannot be derailed.
God’s work is like a mighty river that will somehow finds its way to the sea. No matter who is a part of it or who is not. It will get done. God’s word is the fulfillment of that work. You should strive to be among those who find a way to join that mighty river, so that you are part of fulfilling that great word and work.
God’s work is like a mighty river that will somehow finds its way to the sea. No matter who is a part of it or who is not. It will get done. God’s word is the fulfillment of that work. You should strive to be among those who find a way to join that mighty river, so that you are part of fulfilling that great word and work.
The current eruption of the terrible conflict in Palestine is a reminder of the seriousness of the times we live in. We will continue our prayers and our work for our brothers and sisters there.
Our work to spread the wealth of sound knowledge cannot take a back seat to other works. In these times especially, guidance and truth is a live-giving drink that must be extended to so many who are parched and weary. To do this, I require your strong support. We need helpers, assistants, those who have knowledge of IT, audio and video programming, those who can transcribe, who can type, proof and edit and help us publish, those who can help us organize and present workshops and classes. All of this cannot be done alone or with a few. It requires the cumulative strengths and talents of our whole Irfa’a friends and family. Please write to us if you are able to contribute in any way (admin@irfaa.ca or drfarah@irfaa.ca)
Many have helped greatly along the way – to them I am immensely grateful. May God increase and enrich them. And I know many wish to help, but find time difficult to come by. In this case, we have taken the decision to hire help, and so look to your generous support to do so.
My thanks to all who have helped us financially and in many other tangible and intangible ways. I ask my Lord to show my gratitude to you.
To all of you who have reached out but to whom I have not been able to reply, especially when in my seclusion during the last ten days of Ramadan, and to all our Irfa'a family and friends, know that my prayers have been for you.
As the sound of the Eid takbeer rings out in your homes, I remind you to reflect on its meaning – that indeed God is greater, and that there is no power no force except God, all is from the One Divine and all belongs to the One Divine and all will return to the One Divine. He has assisted and enabled numerous and countless times throughout history, shown how He manifests truth and eradicates darkness… given light and brought victory in times of much greater difficulty than we find ourselves in. So remember that, that God is greater, and entrust yourself to the Greater One, and you will be fine.
Assalamu alaikum warahmatullah, my sincere wishes for a blessed and peaceful Eid for you all.
