Asalam Alayakum wa Rahamatuallahi wa Barakatuhu,

I wanted to post this blog post last week for the first ten days of Ramadan, but it was a difficult topic to write about. Last week, a brother left Islam, which is never easy. His ‘friend’ (facebook friend) made a status about him saying this particular brother “deserves to get struck by lightening”. This one status led to 300+ comments saying various things from “you are going to hell” to kids threatening to “go beat him up”.

Take a moment to remember, this happened last week, during Ramadan. The first ten days of Ramadan are ten days of Mercy for all people. If we cannot be merciful towards each other, then how can we expect the Perfect Creator to be merciful towards us, imperfect sinners? What right do we have to judge an individual on his/her decisions? What right do we have to judge and determine his/her Akhira?

Were those nasty comments and threats suppose to bring him back to Islam? Did you even care that he left? Did you even care if he came back? Or did you want to prove what a devout Muslim you are through self-righteousness? That brother may have left Islam, but you gave him no reason to come back. If a brother or sister walks out on Islam, we have to keep that door of Islam open, we cannot slam the door shut. We have to be ready with open arms, with Prophetic character shining through that door of Islam in hopes that he/she comes back. We cannot ostracize and and push them away even more. I knew how that brother felt. I knew that I would never want to associate myself with those individuals who could be so harsh and ruthless and yet call themselves Muslims. Can you blame him for leaving? Can you blame him for not wanting to come back? I am not saying that I am comfortable with a brother or sister leaving Islam. Abadan. But, if people wrote 300+ comments attacking me, I would probably run the other way too.

We must always remember, Allah swt is the One that guides and misguides who He wills and He is the changer of hearts.

The brother who left Islam definitely saw the status and read the comments, however he did not react. He could have been belligerent, threatened the other kids, or even hated on Islam. But he didn’t. MashAllah he had so much sabr, so much patience to not respond to the negative attacks. May this be the deed that pleases Allah swt and leads him to Jannah. I do not pray for a large amount of viewers, but today I do pray that this post be read by the individuals who commented on the status, by the individual who wrote the status, and most importantly I hope this is viewed by the brother who left Islam. I want you to know that I understand you are going through a difficult time with friends, with family, and it is a personal struggle. For the Sake of Allah I still love you and if I knew you, I would want to be there for your just as a friend. We may not be bound together with the rope of Islam but we are still bound together with the rope of humanity. I pray that a sense of humanity reach all of our Muslim brothers and sisters so that they may change their ruthless behavior and show mercy towards one another regardless of decisions and paths we take.

So next time you see something like that on facebook, before you click “comment” think again. Think of how you will face Allah swt on Yawmil Qiyaam. We will be judged on everything. Allah swt tests us to see what we say/don’t say and how we react/don’t react. How will we face our Lord when me make so many mistakes, knowingly and unknowingly? If you are to be questioned on that day about your actions, what will you say? Will you be the one to say, “I told him he is going to hell”, “I told him I would hurt him”? If you didn’t take part in that…did you do everything in your power to make it stop or to help the situation? Sometimes we don’t realize the tools we have to fix problems. Maybe you could be the one to reach out and show love, kindness and mercy towards the brother. Kindly, tell the person who put the status up, that you don’t think humiliating and hurting someone is the way to handle this. But, what if you dont know the indivudal well enough…? What you can do is make dua. Dua is the weapon of the believer. Don’t let your tongue become a weapon against your heart and soul. Trust Allah, and make Dua. Maybe that is all it takes: True belief and trust in Allah that it will be okay and always remembering He is the Only One from whom we should seek help.

These next ten days of Ramadan are for forgiveness. If we want Allah swt to forgive us, we should all be asking forgiveness from those we have harmed. If you have said or written something about someone else, humble yourself and personally ask that individual to forgive you (I am going to inshAllah do this as well this week). May Allah swt make it easy for us to ask for forgiveness and may He forgive us all for our shortcomings. Ameen.

Ummati, Remember if someone walks out on Islam, leave open the doors. Make dua that he walk through the doors of Islam again. Make dua that Allah swt grant us all Prophetic character that may shine and inspire.

Love the Ummah but not only the Ummah. Be merciful towards the Ummah but not only the Ummah. Forgive the Ummah but not only the Ummah.

Hold tight to the rope of Islam. Hold tight to the rope of Humanity.

“Respect to all who cultivate ummahnity.”

-Mark Gonzales

Peace, Love, Islam

The Shahada Believer