Allah Ta’ala has made this world an abode of ever changing and fluctuating conditions. 

بِسْم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Allah Ta’ala has made this world an abode of ever changing and fluctuating conditions. 

Allah Ta’ala says in the Quran:

الذي خلق الموت و الحياة ليبلوكم ايكم احسن عملا

(He has created death and life to test you as to who has the best of actions) 

Allah has promised great rewards for those who adopt Sabr/patience at the time of tests and adversities.

Allah says:

انما يوفى الصابرون اجرهم بغير حساب

(The person exercising Sabr receives an unlimited reward from Allah) 

Believers turn their hearts to Allah during adversity.

Allah Ta’ala says:

ما اصاب من مصيبة الا باذن الله و من يومن بالله يهد قلبه

(A calamity does not befall accept with Allah’s permission and he who believes in Allah, Allah guides his heart) 

During these trying times every person is enduring some type of stress, anxiety and even trauma. The most being experienced by those affected directly with Covid-19 and thereafter by those invaluable health workers and doctors who serve in hospitals along with those entrusted with burial preparations and rituals.

Rasoolullah ﷺ says in a prophetic tradition:

الله في عون العبد ما كان العبد في عون اخيه

(Allah assists His servant as long as he is in the service of his brother) 

Rasoolullah ﷺ also said ‘For me to assist a person in difficulty is more virtuous than one month of i’tikaaf/seclusion in Masjid al Nabawi.’ 

I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Imams of West Street Masjid, Houghton to express our gratitude and appreciation to all the doctors and health workers of our community, those who are on the frontline trying to treat and be a means of support to families and individuals affected with Covid-19. 

We also equally express our gratitude and appreciation to all the brothers and sisters of our burial committee, who are selflessly sacrificing their time, fulfilling a community obligation of ensuring that our Muslims are honourably shrouded and buried with dignity in accordance with the teachings of Islam, even in these extremely trying time. 

May Allah accept all your efforts and reward you all abundantly. May He protect you and your families from all types of physical and spiritual harm and sickness

آمِيْن يَارَبَّ الْعَالَمِينْ 

Wassalamu Alaikum  

Qari Muhammad Sauleh Peck