Brainwashed and blind folded

Hands sawn by the handcuffs

Feet are now numb to the chains and the cold concrete

The body is so bruised and wounded

I can’t even remember what not feeling pain is like

The screams and the thwacks of the whips

Are now background noise

I can’t even remember what silence sounds like

My brain is foggy by the alcohol they force us to drink

My legs are bare because of the scissors that cut through my skirts’ fabric

And here comes another round of torture

I can’t forget the feeling of the metal chair 

They stuck me in to beat me up

Because i am muslim

He is here because they found a Quran hidden underneath his mattress

She is here because she was concealing her hair

He is here because he had a beard and his chin wasn’t bare

She is here because she called her mom abroad to tell her not to drown in despair

So they uprooted us from our homes and took our lives away because to them we are a threat

Because we look different, sound different, and they want people to forget

That we exist. They want us to forget

Who we are

They want to erase us from this planet

And how convenient is it if no one sees the scars

So they put us all in the same cage

Hidden to the eyes

They torture our men

Rape our women and they sterilize

And the children that are already alive

Are scattered around from their family deprived

And sent to orphan camps so they can be

Annihilated before they even start to survive

Pile us up like you wouldn’t even treat a beast

They really hate us, to say the least.

That is not my story.

It’s theirs. Them, millions of stolen lives

It’s not mine to tell, i shouldn’t be here screaming these words

But both the words and the people were left on silent

And how can the world know if we also stay silent

How can we not lend them our vocal cords

They need us to stand by them and unite the hords

And we have failed them for too long.

So today we change the narrative voice

We are not leaving the oppressors spread any more lies

They need to hear our rage they need to hear our chants

Our sisters and brothers need to know our voices are theirs as long as they are voiceless

So let’s yell and screech and howl and shout

Until our lungs run out of air

And our throats turn dry

And our voices tear

The silenced era is over

And we will fight, we swear.

– Tesnime

Everyone suffers from hardship in life. It is safe to say it is completely normal, whether that be something big or small. However, it’s important to keep in mind that it is all a test from Allah, the All-Mighty. So do not lose hope. Have faith in Allah, always.     

We all get tested in life and it can often get quite difficult to deal with. First of all, there is a few things to understand- why we suffer from hardship           

The Quran states: وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَىْءٍ مِّنَ ٱلْخَوْفِ وَٱلْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient. [2:155 Saheeh International]

This life is not meant to be easy, Allah has told us we will be tested with trials and tribulations, but it is the action you take to overcome these trials that truly matter. Do not run away when facing troubles, instead stand and fight against them. There is a hidden gift behind every hardship- “Paradise is surrounded by hardships” [Hadith Qudsi- Jami’ at-Tirmidhi:2559]. Perhaps these trials will make you closer to Allah, closer to the Deen and will allow you to develop a stronger relationship with your Creator. In the end it will all be worth the struggle.

Allah tests those whom He loves the most.  No matter how difficult the trial, no matter how much you are wanting to give up, remember, Allah is with you. Is there anybody else in the entire universe that could stand meeting you in whatever state- happy, sad, angry, hopeless? No one except Allah SWT. So turn to Him, He is always listening, He never lets His servants down.

How to handle hardships:   

Ø  Talk to Allah through dua. Dua is the most powerful weapon; the perfect way to communicate with your Lord, the one who created you. When making dua, do so with full hope that Allah will accept your prayers. Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There is no Muslim who calls upon Allah, without sin or cutting family ties, but that Allah will give him one of three answers: He will quickly fulfill his supplication, He will store it for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an evil from him similar to it.” They said, “In that case we will ask for more.” The Prophet said, “Allah has even more.” [Source: Musnad Aḥmad 11133].

Ø  Remain hopeful because Allah is always listening and “Allah does not charge a soul except with that within its capacity” [2:286 Saheeh International].

Ø  Speak to someone, don’t keep it bottled up inside of you. But speak to the right people, those who you genuinely trust and those who have your best interests at heart. If you’re finding it difficult to make friends come along to our weekly gatherings on Friday at Mcdougalls

Ø  You attract what you are. So have a positive mindset always. Positive thoughts attract only positive energy. Shift your focus and you will start to notice all the little blessings in life.           

Ø  Take care of your body and soul, do some exercise and of course, eat good food. Praying your salah is not only a spiritual act but is also a way of caring for your soul.

Ø  Don’t forget to reciteQuran; it is the food for your soul. Ever feel worried? Open up the Quran, even if it’s just one ayah, recite. Try it. See the relief and inner peace you will feel. Try to make it a routine, again, even if it’s only one ayah.

Ø Sadaqah (charity) eases hardships, removes calamities and helps cure illnesses. It will welcome more blessings/baraqah in your life and wealth In Sha Allah. Therefore give, for the sake of Allah SWT.

Ø Put your complete and utmost faith in Allah SWT. Allah SWT says:  “…And whoever relies upon Allah – then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.” [65:3 Saheeh International].

Allah says: “… And if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a cubit, and if he draws near to Me a cubit, I draw near to him a fathom. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.” [Hadith 15, 40 Hadith Qudsi]

So even if you have already given up faith, it’s never too late to turn back as Allah is always there for you, even if no one else is there. You are not alone. In the end the ultimate help is from Allah indeed. Take small but routine/regular steps and keep praying and keep striving. Better days are yet to come In Sha Allah.

إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا

“Indeed with hardship will be  ease“

[Saheeh International 94:6]