earlier last month two brothers from the NewYork area had the chance to visit some muslim brothers being held in a maximum security prison located upstate New York. on the morning of the trip it was suggested that a call be made to the respected Sh. Faleh Al Harbi to seek his advice for the brothers being held in this facility, being that most of them are facing anywhere between 10-20 yrs. the call was placed by mustafa george and the Sheikh had the following to say:
It is upon the brothers to hold firmly to obediance of Allah and submission to His orders. they should also understand the affairs of belief and divine decree. they should know that its possible that Allah has placed them in a position that has good in it. One should not do that which is against the religion, nor be a cause for problems in the prisons because harm and oppression are forbidden. One should work to perfect his character and become knowledgable in his religion as much as he is able during this time. He should (spend this time) memorizing from the book of Allah and reciting it. He should also memorize different texts according to his ability (usool ath thalatha etc...) He shouldn't become upset or disturbed. One must know that Allah subhanahu wa Ta'la is the One who controls all affairs. Its possible that the individual has entered the prison sentenced to life but he does not spend the full time there. One does not know, its possible that the decree of Allah is close and that the one in jail does not stay there long. So what one does is that he returns this affair to the owner of the affairs and He is Allah subhanahu wa Ta'la. It is obligatory upon an individual to live for the day that he is in. One should be grateful if he wakes up in good health. He should not look towards the dunya but rather he should look at the day he is presently living. there is nothing greater then the hour that one is presently in. They should ask Allah that Allah protects them and forgives them. they should also ask that Allah corrects and eases their affairs. No one knows, its possible the situation changes, the government changes, politics change and the individual is set free. Its possible he gets sentenced to life and is freed after a few months. Allah is the One in charge and over all affairs. it can be the case the one was put in jail due to a mistake and after some time this mistake is corrected and the individual is freed. So the believer does not think the way the disbeliever thinks. The believer knows and has certainty that Allah controls all affairs and that Allah has the ability to do all things. He also understands that Allah has placed him in this state and that it may be that this is something good for him. In it may be good for ones deen and for his hereafter. One should understand that its possible that if this was not decreed for him, then it may be that something else much worse could have occured. One must put his trust in his Lord. He should ask Allah to make things easy for him. He should not look towards mankind thinking they posses the power of Allah. Its possible that one's affairs become easier. They should also take this time to correct their aqeedah. (then the Sheikh gave salams)
DarulHadeethHarlem
19-09-2003 @ 12:40 PM
