BISMILLAH HIR RAHMAN NIR RAHEEM

By: Dr. Kanwal

 My Feelings Regarding the Earthquake
 

Respected Ustazah,

Assalaam O’Alaikum,

I wanted to write to you for so many days now, but so much happening around since 8th Oct.
A time which seemed to have changed me inside out...and what I am praying is that this feeling lasts for the rest of my life, and is not a temporary phase..........

I would like to share few things I experienced:

• I was all set to do my Dura-e-Quran, and with this earthquake, I felt that all verses are directed at it. I am so thankful to Allah SWT that I am a Muslim, who has Quran in her hand. Each time, I have a fear from aftershocks........I just cling to it. I lay my full trust in Allah SWT, as only   Allah SWT can protect me in this crisis. Then, I feel so depressed about all those people out there, who are not drawing their strength from Quran, and they also have similar 'Natural disasters' in their areas. Now, it is my job to reach out to more people, and tell them that the One Who can save us, make us get over all fears, is Allah SWT alone.

• For first few days, I also felt so guilty, as talking about Tsunami and Hurricanes etc. I was feeling bad for people, but I NEVER EVER tried to get into their shoes and actually feel their miseries. I felt so ashamed of myself. Now I know (maybe to some extent) how it feels to be facing such situation. The scenes are so similar to what we read in first few verses of Surah   Al-Hajj.

• I was fascinated when read in Quran how our earth rotates and revolves but is place of peace for us. But I think, since the day of earthquake, I am saying 'thank you Allah SWT for making this earth peaceful for us'.......and want to say this with each breath, and each time I walk, or move around.

• I feel I never thanked Allah SWT enough for all His blessings. Now, whatever I look at, I want to go down in Sajida and thank Allah SWT for all His blessings. All the verses in Quran seem to have a different meaning for me now.

• Zubaida Baji gave a small talk to all students, and one thing she said, just killed me inside. She said, 'While saying Istighfar, please do not focus on what people are doing around, but look inside you and then, think, all this has happened because of me, and now its time for me to change, and say sorry to Allah SWT’. Now, when I go to all hospitals, and see all those people, I want to change myself (InshAllah), and be a better person, not taking my religion casually.

• MashAllah people are doing a lot --- working in all areas to help out others. But, I look at all the work being done, and I feel that for most of them this is the end of it. I mean, just a 'Natural disaster'........and life moves on....... And it scares me as it is so much important that we focus on the main reason, and work in that direction...... i.e., Emaan of people. I asked all my neighbors to get in one place, and do some Istighfar, but people around do not see any need of it. Infact, I heard some people in Islamabad saying what wrong have we done to say all this. People also think, Nauzubillah, it is so cruel of God to kill so many innocent people, and let go of all rich and elite.

• We are now organizing to send teams from Al-Huda for spiritual counseling. e.g., I passed tasbeehs to mothers in children hospital (idea by Sadia Naveed), and they were so happy and asked us what they should recite, so we told them kalima and Istighfaar. We are having a two day workshop on grief counseling by Salma, a psychologist, recommended by Sadia Bukhari. Please do guide us on this issue.

• We have to multiply our energies and efforts together in this direction. Please remember us all in your duas, and pray for us.

Salaam to all,

Kanwal