Dear community,
Asslamu Alaikum
In the lead-up to and aftermath of elections, feelings of hope, fear, and uncertainty are common, particularly among Muslims and other minority communities in the U.S. In these moments, nurturing spiritual resilience and cultivating inner peace is essential to safeguard ourselves, our families, and our communities from adverse reactions. Certain Quranic verses offer profound guidance and solace, anchoring us in faith and helping us navigate life’s challenges with full surrender, patience, and strength. Reflecting on these verses, teaching them to our children, and integrating them into our daily lives can allow us to feel contentment and stability.
1. Recognizing the Source of Ultimate Power and Trusting in Allah
(وَلِلَّهِ غَيْبُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُ ٱلْأَمْرُ كُلُّهُۥ فَٱعْبُدْهُ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَيْهِ ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُون)َ
“To Allah alone belongs the knowledge of what is hidden in the heavens and the earth. And to Him, all matters are returned. So worship Him and put your trust in Him. And your Lord is never unaware of what you do.”
(Quran, 11:123)
True peace comes from recognizing that Allah is the source of all power. Entrusting ourselves to His wisdom protects us from despair and fortifies our reliance on Him, especially in uncertain times.
2. Acknowledging That Harm and Goodness are by Allah’s Will
(ولَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ ۚ قُلْ أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِنْ أَرَادَنِىَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ هَلْ هُنَّ كَـٰشِفَـٰتُ ضُرِّهِۦٓ أَوْ أَرَادَنِى بِرَحْمَةٍ هَلْ هُنَّ مُمْسِكَـٰتُ رَحْمَتِهِۦ ۚ قُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ عَلَيْهِ يَتَوَكَّلُ ٱلْمُتَوَكِّلُون)َ
“If you ask them ˹O Prophet˺ who created the heavens and the earth, they will certainly say, ‘Allah!’ Ask ˹them˺, ‘Consider then whatever ˹idols˺ you invoke besides Allah: if it was Allah’s Will to harm me, could they undo that harm? Or if He willed ˹some˺ mercy for me, could they withhold His mercy?’ Say, ‘Allah is sufficient for me. In Him alone the faithful put their trust.’”
(Quran, 39:38)
Understanding that no harm or good reaches us without Allah’s permission helps us surrender our fears. In this surrender, we find invincibility, knowing that Allah alone is sufficient.
3. Living with Awareness of Allah’s Constant Presence
(وَمَا تَكُونُ فِى شَأْنٍۢ وَمَا تَتْلُوا۟ مِنْهُ مِن قُرْءَانٍۢ وَلَا تَعْمَلُونَ مِنْ عَمَلٍ إِلَّا كُنَّا عَلَيْكُمْ شُهُودًا إِذْ تُفِيضُونَ فِيهِ ۚ وَمَا يَعْزُبُ عَن رَّبِّكَ مِن مِّثْقَالِ ذَرَّةٍۢ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَلَآ أَصْغَرَ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَآ أَكْبَرَ إِلَّا فِى كِتَـٰبٍۢ مُّبِين)ٍ
“There is no activity you may be engaged in ˹O Prophet˺ or portion of the Quran you may be reciting, nor any deed you ˹all˺ may be doing except that We are a Witness over you while doing it. Not ˹even˺ an atom’s weight is hidden from your Lord on earth or in heaven; nor anything smaller or larger than that, but is ˹written˺ in a perfect Record.”
(Quran, 10:61)
When we are aware and mindful of Allah’s constant watch over us, we become motivated to act with sincerity and integrity, focusing only on His pleasure and seeking comfort in His closeness.
4. Seeking Help from Allah, the Responder to the Oppressed
(أَمَّن يُجِيبُ ٱلْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ ٱلسُّوٓءَ وَيَجْعَلُكُمْ خُلَفَآءَ ٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ أَءِلَـٰهٌۭ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ ۚ قَلِيلًۭا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ)
“Or ˹ask them,˺ ‘Who responds to the distressed when they cry to Him, relieving ˹their˺ affliction, and ˹Who˺ makes you successors in the earth? Is it another god besides Allah? Yet you are hardly mindful!’”
(Quran, 27:62)
Allah is the one who responds to our cries in times of distress, alleviating our burdens and guiding us to better days. Turning to Him, before seeking solutions elsewhere directs our hearts toward true relief and empowerment.
5. Declaring Allah’s Sovereignty Through Words and Actions
(فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُلْ حَسْبِىَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ ۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ)
“But if they turn away, then say, ˹O Prophet,˺ ‘Allah is sufficient for me. There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him. In Him, I put my trust. And He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.’”
(Quran, 9:129)
Declaring our trust in Allah verbally and through actions strengthens our bond with Him. Through this affirmation, we anchor ourselves in His power, finding peace and assurance in His divine plan.
Let us remember, the Quran is timeless. It acknowledges every situation and it is up to us to extract healing, and guidance from it. Let us hold tightly to this gift, especially when we need it most.
May Allah shower us with His blessings and mercy and protect us from evil and harm.
Sincerely,
