Dear community members,

I hope you and your family are doing well and staying safe during these challenging times insha Allah.

Indeed we are going through tough times, and what could be tougher than not being able to attend congregational prayers in the house of Allah or attending Jumuah Salat and listening to the Friday Khutbah? The situation we are in, my dear brothers and sisters, is unprecedented.

For the very first time in our lifetime, the masajid around the world are closed or have limited access due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This difficult decision was made to best serve the safety of our congregation. Although the masajid are closed for now, we urge our community not to despair. In these difficult times we should go back to Allah with prayers and seek forgiveness.

Our prophet (peace be upon him) taught us how to respond to all situations.

قال رسولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم:

عَجَبًا لأمرِ المؤمنِ إِنَّ أمْرَه كُلَّهُ لهُ خَيرٌ وليسَ ذلكَ لأحَدٍ إلا للمُؤْمنِ إِنْ أصَابتهُ سَرَّاءُ شَكَرَ فكانتْ خَيرًا لهُ وإنْ أصَابتهُ ضَرَّاءُ صَبرَ فكانتْ خَيرًا لهُ 

. رواهُ مُسْلِمٌ

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:

“How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him.” 

(Narrated by Muslim, 2999).

Difficult times are part of Allah’s laws in this universe; they are part of the tests that people go through.  We should also realize that our patience when facing difficulties raises our status in front of Allah, and may lead to the forgiveness of our sins. Allah says in the Quran:

 “وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوفْ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الأَمَوَالِ وَالأنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ * الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ”

 (سورة البقرة 155-156)

“And certainly, We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to As-Sâbirun (the patient). Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly! To Allâh we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.”

(Qur’an 2:155-156)

I therefore urge myself and my brothers and sisters to be patient and comply with the directives from our health professionals. We also need to take the necessary precautions by washing our hands and keeping our social distance in these difficult times.

That being said, we recognize that some members of our community, especially those who are self-isolated or vulnerable, and in need of our support.

That is why the we came together with United Muslim Organizations of Ottawa-Gatineau (UMO-OG) to deliver food, medical supplies and groceries to our most beloved seniors and those who are at risk or in self-isolation.  If you happen to have any contacts or are aware of anyone in this category who may require assistance please urge them to visit this Facebook page for more details.

Of course, we recognize the dangers at stake, which is why we have consulted with local physicians to take the necessary precautions to keep our volunteers safe through contactless deliveries and proper sanitization measures.

We ask Allah to deliver us from the situation we are in and to protect us all- Ameen.

اللهم إنا نسألك أن تحفظنا بحفظك، فأنت خير حافظاً، وأنت أرحم الراحمين.

نعوذ بكلماتك التامات من شر ما خلقت.

Wa assalam,

Jalil