Close your eyes for a moment and walk with me through the streets of Gaza. The air is heavy with smoke and sorrow. Beneath your feet lies the rubble of homes that once sheltered laughter and love. Mothers hold the remains of their children in plastic bags. Six-year-old boys limp through the ruins, missing limbs but holding onto hope. The streets run red with the blood of innocent sisters and brothers. Over 40,000 souls have been lost.
In the face of such despair, one might wonder: How can anyone endure? What gives the people of Gaza the strength to persist? The answer lies in their unshakable faith and a profound understanding of justice, rooted in the teachings of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“There will always remain a group from my Ummah upon the truth, unbroken by their enemies and unwavering in their faith. They are the people of the Holy Land and its surroundings.” The people of Gaza are a living embodiment of this hadith. They stand steadfast in their belief, fortified not by worldly power but by an unyielding connection to Allah. This resilience is not just inspiring; it is a wake-up call for all of us.
We often feel distant from Allah, struggling with fleeting faith and worldly distractions. In contrast, the people of Gaza demonstrate an unwavering trust in their Creator, even as calamities rain down upon them. They remind us of Ali ibn Abi Talib’s profound words:
“Sometimes the hardship you face is a hidden blessing, forcing you to look beyond the material world and draw closer to the Creator.” Even children in Gaza exemplify this faith. We’ve seen videos of young boys, wrapped in bandages from burns, telling their fathers, “Don’t lose hope. This is our land.” A six-year-old, riddled with bullets, whispers the shahada in his last breath. Their courage is a testament to their belief that death is not an end but a return to Allah.
For the rest of us, who live far from the chaos and destruction, their sacrifices demand reflection. If Gaza can maintain its faith under such trials, what excuse do we have to waver in ours? Imam Al-Ghazali reminds us: “Loving Allah isn’t just about feelings in the heart; it’s about devotion through obedience and service.” Faith is not a fleeting emotion but a daily commitment to follow Allah’s commands and refrain from what He forbids. The people of Gaza have shown us what it means to truly love Allah. Their pain has elevated their faith, and their reliance on Him remains steadfast.
Justice, a core tenet of Islam, is also deeply intertwined with their struggle. The Quran commands: “Be steadfast in your devotion to Allah, witnesses to truth and justice. Do not let hatred for others prevent you from being just.” (Quran 5:8) The people of Gaza embody this principle. Despite their suffering, they continue to stand for what is right, refusing to betray their principles or give in to oppression. Their fight is not just for survival but for justice and dignity, a reminder that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Their resilience does not absolve us of our responsibility. If we learn anything from the people of Gaza, it is that their trials are a test for us as well. Their unwavering faith demands that we examine our own. Have we done enough to support them? Have we used their struggle as a mirror to evaluate our own connection with Allah?
To the mothers of Gaza, who lose their children and turn to Allah instead of complaining, we say thank you. To the children who show courage beyond their years, we owe our gratitude. And to the elders who teach us that faith is not just ink on a page but blood in our veins, we are forever indebted. Let their sacrifices transform us. Let their faith inspire us to strengthen our relationship with Allah and stand up for justice in every form. We owe it to them and to ourselves to rise above complacency and live with purpose, devotion, and gratitude.
May Allah protect Gaza and grant us the strength to follow their example.
By Sh. Hassan Natour