Whoever wishes for their prayer to be answered, let them ask Allah—Blessed and Exalted—by the people of Gaza.

#Ishārāt

My brother has passed away. Kindly recite Fatiha.

The people of Gaza are the leaders of this Umma. Allah, Most High, states: “Those muʾminūn who stay behind—other than those forced to by necessity—are not the same as those who do jihād in the Way of Allah, sacrificing their wealth and themselves. Allah has given those who do jihād with their wealth and themselves a higher rank than those who stay behind. Allah has promised the Best to both, but Allah has preferred those who do jihād over those who stay behind by an immense reward” [Qurʾān 4:95].

The prophetic directive is to seek to know Allah in times of ease, so that He will know you in times of hardship.[1] Allah, Most High, states, “Say: ‘Allah rescues you from it, and from every plight” [Qurʾān 6:64].

This means: draw near to Allah through obedience, gratitude for His abundant blessings, patience in the face of His difficult decrees, and sincere reliance upon Him before trials befall you. "In times of ease" refers to periods of wealth, good health, and safety. Drawing near to Him during wealth is achieved through charity and benefiting others with one's wealth; during good health, through acts of worship; and during safety, by being devoted to Him, as the mind is free from enemies and fear. If you do this, "He will know you in times of hardship" by relieving your distress and providing you an escape from every difficulty and worry because of your earlier devotion. If you draw near to Him during times of choice, He will reward you in times of necessity with His assistance and subtle grace.

As for the people devoted to Allah, their relationship with Him is constant, as they remain preoccupied with Him and abandon everything else. Thus, He will be with them during death, the grave, the Day of Judgment, and beyond.

It has also been said: a servant should have a special connection with their Lord, such that they find Him near, fulfilling their needs. In solitude, they find comfort in Him and taste the sweetness of His remembrance, supplication, intimate conversation, and service. The servant will continuously face hardships in this world, in the Barzakh, and on the Day of Judgment. But if they have this special relationship with their Lord, that will suffice them in all situations.[2]

[1] The ḥadīth is reported by al-Tirmidhī §3382 on the authority of Abū Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him).
[2] Al-Sirāj al-Munīr, v. 2 p. 151; Muntahā al-Sūl, v. 3 p. 379.

#Adab