Assalam alaikum

Usually, I’m not really excited to rush into relief work of crisis or natural disasters, because I believe in long term sustainable efforts.

But, just want to share two things with you about the earthquake in China.

1- When I visited China, I found many ancient masjids (over a thousand year old) and some graves attributed to Sahaba (RA). So, when this earthquake happened, I asked myself, if the Sahabah didn’t discriminate between Muslims and non-Muslims and they traveled all that distance to save the humanity, why are we holding back today when we can help with an online transaction?

2- Usually we are numbed by media stories, but sometimes they can move us too. I listen to this audio story and saw the pictures, Subhan-Allah, my whole perspective changed. So, listen to it too.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90447603

So now, how can you do like what the Sahaba did in China? Well, in China, you can’t “preach” religion. So, you may think it’s a challenge, but because of the same reason Chinese are so hungry for hiyada/guidance.

So here is the opportunity.

Go through Hidaya Foundation, why? Because it’s a long term project, insha-Allah, they won’t stop with relief, but they will develop the community, build orphanage, provide employment opportunities, and so on.

Now, here is what I ask you,
-Blog about the event
-Talk to your local imams
-Write articles for your local Muslim papers

As you know, Allah doesn’t create pure evil, with every hardship comes double relief.

So may Allah make this crisis a turning point for many hearts to him, including yours.

Here is the link to Hiyada Foundation appeal**
http://www.hidaya.org/social-welfare/disaster-relief/china-sichuan-earthquake-2008.html

**Please verify before donating individually about what Hidaya is planning to do. We not recommending this for everyone but we found their plan to administer the relief quiet good.

There are no limits to our technological advances.  Humans have explored space, invented all types of gadgets and gizmos, and created devices that help us monitor the weather, storms and other disasters. Yet, with all our advances we are like dust in the wind when it comes to Allah’s power.  As Allah says in the Quran:

- Did the people of the towns feel secure against the coming of Our wrath by night while they were asleep? (007.097)

- Or else did they feel secure against its coming in broad daylight while they played about (care-free)? (007.098)

- Do they then feel secure from Allah’s plan? But none feels secure from Allah’s plan except the people who shall perish. (007.099)

In the face of such calamities, there is nothing one can do but turn to

Allah in humility and ask for his mercy because we never know when this type of natural disaster can befall us.  You have to feel for the victims regardless of their creed and race that are affected by disaster of such magnitude.  These types of events should remind us all of the power of Allah’s wrath and pray for those brothers and sisters that may have been affected by these calamities.

You can never prepare for such events but it is always good to make a disaster plan (where to meet, what to do) in event we need to ever deal with such situations.  As we all believe, this world will come to end with some massive earthquakes (not suggesting this is one of them), thus this should be a reminder that our life is short and at an moments notice we will have to depart the comfort of this world for the trials of next. 

Ibn Umar used to say, “If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death.”

Take this moment not only to make dua for the victims but also to make dua for protection from Allah’s trials and tribulations.  One of shaytan’s (devils) biggest tricks is make us think that we have plenty of time to slack and waste and put aside our affairs pertaining to the Deen.

To Donate:

Contact Islamic Relief and find out the rules and regulations from them.

The Devastation:

http://www.npr.org/news/images/2008/may/12/earthquake/gallery/index.html