Some religious leaders not happy with limit number on gatherings
Church leaders say President Ramaphosa’s decision to reopen churches is a partially answered prayer. Faith-based gatherings are permitted with a limit of 50 people for indoor venues, and 100 for outdoors. eNCA reporter, Nqobile Madlala is out getting reaction to this decision. Courtesy #DStv403
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
Words of encouragement by Qari Sauleh Peck
As Muslims we should try to be positive at times of difficulty by having good thoughts towards our creator Allah Ta’ala.
Rasoolullah ﷺ states in a prophetic tradition that Allah says:
انا عند ظن عبدي بي
‘I deal with my servant according to his expectations of me’.
We should have high hopes from Allah’s mercy that He will soon grant ease from the present difficulties experienced globally in sha Allah.
If any person or family has been affected with the current pandemic, we should firstly turn to Allah in dua for their recovery. We should avoid becoming paranoid by trying to find reasons to blame someone, thereby giving the impression that those affected have some type of stigma or are guilty of negligence.
Allah says:
ما اصاب من مصيبة الا باذن الله
No calamity befalls anyone except with the permission of Allah.
ومن يومن بالله يهد قلبه
He who believes in Allah, Allah will guide his heart.
Those affected should turn to Allah via Sabr and forbearance and know that Allah has promised the greatest of rewards for those who are patient during times of adversity. They sometimes reach high stages in Jannah due to patients, which under normal circumstances they would be unable to achieve.
We should all be turning to Allah with zikr and dua by engaging in the recitation of prophetic duas.
Rasoolullah ﷺ stated that whoever recites the following dua thrice in the morning and evening, will be saved from calamities.
اعُوذُ بِكَلِمَاتِ اللهِ التَّامَّاتِ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ….
بِسْم اللهِ الَّذِيْ لا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الاَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَ هُوَ السَّمِيْعُ العَلِيْم…
We recite Hasbulallahu wa ni’mal wakeel as much as possible which is a supplication made by the honourable Sahabah at the time of need.
حَسْبُنَا اللّهُ وَ نِعْمَ الْوَكِيْل
We should make abundant istighfaar and seek forgiveness for our sins.
Rasoolullah ﷺ said:
The person who seeks forgiveness abundantly, Allah will grant him an escape from every difficulty, ease from every worry and sustenance from where he least expects.
Lastly, we all should adopt the necessary precautions and guidelines that have been advocated by health professionals and this can easily be achieved by practicing on the pure Sunnah of Rasoolullah ﷺ in our daily activities.
May Allah protect us and grant ease to all those who have been affected.