What to do about what happened

I remind you and myself that a fire can’t be extinguished by another fire but by pouring water over it. Violence does not end violence. It only increases it. As Muslims we are against all violence, no matter who does it. We condemn the actions of Hamas and all calls to violence. We follow the Qur’an which clearly advocates against violence and murder and says:

مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنَّهُۥ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًۢا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَآ أَحْيَا ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا

Ma’aida 5: 32   That is why We ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever takes a life—unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land—it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity.  

The example of Rasoolullahﷺ is the best example for us to follow. In Makkah where heﷺ and those with him were subjected to the greatest persecution including when some of his Sahaba, like Sumaiyya bint Khayyat (RA) and her husband, Yasir bin Amir (R), the parents of Ammar bin Yasir (R), were being tortured and were eventually murdered by Abu Jahal, Rasoolullahﷺ advised them and Ammar bin Yasir (R) to be patient; to have Sabr. He didn’t tell them to retaliate or fight the oppressor. This was not pacifism. This was guidance from Allahﷻ because whatever Rasoolullahﷺ said or did, was because of Wahi from Allahﷻ.

Then when Rasoolullahﷺ had been given victory over his enemies who had persecuted him and his family, killed his daughter, killed many of his Sahaba who he loved more than we love our own children, he forgave them all. He didn’t extract revenge though it was in his power to do so, and he would have been justified if he had done so. He did not do that because there is only one way to stop the cycle of violence and that is to break the cycle. The truth about any conflict without exception, be it between individuals, groups, or nations, is that it can only be resolved by all parties sitting together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and arrive at an agreement which is just and fair for all. No matter how difficult this may seem to be or how long it takes, this is the only way to resolve any conflict. There is no other way. The sooner all parties wake up to this and come together to speak, the sooner the conflict will end. This is what we must pray for. For Sabr, for the ability to get over the pain, for the wisdom to forgive and to go forward.

I advise you and myself, that we must repair our relationship with Allahﷻ  and beg for His Forgiveness and ask Him for His help. That's the only way to change the terrible situation that we find ourselves in. I therefore want to begin by asking Allahﷻ for His Mercy and Forgiveness and for His Protection from all evil; what is visible and known and what is invisible and hidden. Justice is only with Allahﷻ and will happen only when Allahﷻ Wills it. Allahﷻ’s Will depends on our actions and so we need to correct our actions. Our situation will not change until we change ourselves.

Islam demands complete submission and obedience as a condition of faith. A Muslim is one who has submitted. Not someone sitting on the fence and trying to find a desire-compatible version of Islam. Islam didn’t come in different flavors and amounts of caffeine or sugar. Islam came as one complete truth, needing no additions, subtractions, good for all time, needing no alterations or corrections. Allahﷻ commanded us and said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ فِى ٱلسِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ

Baqara 2: 208   O believers! Enter Islam wholeheartedly and do not follow Satan’s footsteps. Surely, he is your sworn enemy.

It is our attitude of selective obedience which is the root cause of bringing upon ourselves the anger of Allahﷻ.