Forty days after the eruption of war in Gaza and after the death of more than 11,500 Palestinians, the ongoing events in the besieged strip remain unparalleled, challenging both moral norms and human principles.
In such circumstances, to sympathize with the steadfast people of Gaza – and Palestine in general – one must not be a Muslim; it is sufficient to be a human being and to have a human consciousness.
As the world turns a blind eye to the crimes of Israel, one usually faces the question of what action the general public can take to support the Palestinian people.
First, learn about what is going on exactly, because knowledge is power.
Second, do so from reliable sources, because there are so many half-truths and outright lies in circulation. Indeed, the Gaza proceedings are framed within a global ideological conflict whose main fuel is (mis)information.
Third, work on improving yourself: spiritually, morally, and intellectually, because Almighty Allah declares that He will improve our collective condition (what is around and beyond us) only when we improve what is inside ourselves (al-Ra’d, 11). The former is the effect, the latter the cause.
Fourth, never stop spreading and living the truth under all circumstances, because falsehood thrives only when the truth is absent. The active presence of the truth is the antidote to the bogus presence of falsehood. Evil appears strong only because righteousness is non-existent.
In the case of Palestine, Israel appears great and fearsome only because Muslims are weak; there is no competition. The two cannot coexist. It is either righteousness or evil.
“helping” Allah by supporting and helping His cause on earth (His Islam and His righteous servants) because He promised His divine help only to those who “help” Him (al-Hajj, 40; Muhammad, 7).
Sixth, continue enhancing your status as a Muslim (a servant of Allah) by getting ever closer to Allah through faith and good work, and by forging alliances with Him and the rest of the Muslim ummah (community), because Allah vows that it is only “His party” (hizb Allah) that will be victorious eventually, and that “the party of Satan” (hizb al-shaytan) will be defeated (al-Ma’idah, 56; al-Mujadilah, 19).
Seventh, sincerely boycott whatever Israeli and Western products the rest of the ummah agrees to boycott. Stay with the rest of good Muslims and good global citizens. Allah is with groups and their collective actions. Be an organic part of the jama’ah.
Eighth, remember that the most important items to be boycotted are Western ideologies, misleading knowledge, and inappropriate values. While the former aspect of the boycotting initiative targets the economic sector, this particular aspect targets existence as a whole. It is more comprehensive, and so, more effective and more enduring.
Ninth, start – or intensify if you are already on board – enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, because our calamities, including those associated with our incompetent and misleading leaders, are nothing but a combination of tests and punishments.
One of the certain ways to be punished either by catastrophes or the imposition of inept and deceiving leaders, is to shun the commandment of enjoining good and forbidding evil (al-amr bi al-ma’ruf wa al-nahy ‘an al-munkar).
The Prophet warned us in a narration reported on the authority of Hudhayfah, saying: “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, you either enjoin good and forbid evil or Allah will certainly soon send His punishment to you. Then you will make supplication, and it will not be accepted.” Related by Imam Ahmad.
The Qur’an is explicit that Muslims are the best nation on account of them possessing the true faith and a reformist culture: “You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah.” (3:110).
Tenth, donate whatever you can: wealth, knowledge, talent, time, and energy. Do not be ungenerous, for Allah is never ungenerous with you.
Eleventh, participate in peaceful demonstrations to contribute to the dissemination of the truth and to jolt decision-makers out of their indifference or complacency.
Twelfth, use the available democratic means and channels to remind our Muslim leaders that their inability – much less unwillingness – to deal with the plague of Israel in a manner that suits its diabolic character does not bode favorably for their future.
If they fail to convincingly demonstrate that they are aware of their paralysis and that they are willing to start changing the humiliating status quo as soon as possible, they ought to be made aware that they will also be implicated in the Gaza crime as much by history as the ummah.
Their failure will bespeak a betrayal of not only Gaza – yet again – but also their own citizens. Indeed, the Muslim public has demonstrated, emotionally and to some extent intellectually as well as spiritually, that they are ready to be reborn and led into a better future.
They have likewise shown that they have courage and strength of character. Muslim leaders, the onus is on you – this is the critical moment for a meaningful transformation to take place.
Thirteenth, never get tired of praying, because prayers are a weapon of believers. With prayers, you deal directly with Him Who holds the keys to all solutions. While Allah controls everything, nothing controls Him. Thus, prayers denote an existential privilege.
However, keep in mind that prayers, too, have prerequisites. Invoking divine help while not taking any action, or preparing to take any action, is an abuse of the wonderful concept of prayer (du’a).
The Qur’an instructs: “And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely (upon Him)” (3:159).
The Prophet also asked a person to tie his camel first and then to put his trust in Allah. For that reason are prayers mentioned as the thirteenth and second last point in this list of what each and every Muslim can do for Gaza.
Fourteenth, whatever you do, make sure you do not slacken. The entire Islamic community (ummah) with its dormant capabilities has been galvanized. Patience and steadfastness are the keys. There should be no turning back.
The true enemies of Islam and Muslims, on the one hand, and of humanity together with civilization, on the other, have revealed themselves (have reared their ugly heads), and so should the forces and soldiers of the truth be known.
Undeniably, it is time to make a stand and regain some honor. It is time to stand up and be counted.
SOURCE: https://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/opinion-analysis/ideological-world-war-in-gaza-14-things-you-can-do-to-help/2/
