The Elephant in the Room – as Caretakers of Earth, Muslims Must Oppose its Destroyers

Pollution has appeared on land and at sea because of what man’s hands have accomplished, so he may let them taste something of what they have earned, in order that they will turn back [in repentance]. (30:41)

Although many translators translate fasad as “corruption,” it can definitely also refer to “pollution” which is indeed a kind of corruption that conveys to modern understanding that this isn’t about leaders getting kickbacks or bribes, it’s about directly destroying the earth and its resources.

It is both dereliction of our duty and a threat to our survival as a species to harm the earth. The Quran warns us not to commit fasad (corruption of any kind) upon the earth many times (around 60x including non-environmental corruption). And our mandate from the Almighty as humans is to be caretakers of the earth. Thus we must also struggle against those who cause the pollution and destruction of the resources of our planet, its water, living things, minerals, air, everything. But now the earth is horribly polluted and made toxic at the hands of humans, and who is the biggest criminal? The U.S. military.

The Deliberate Sterilization of God’s Mention from Western Culture

You can notice it in news broadcasts, in television series, in Disney movies and all kinds of cartoons, especially the Marvel series. You can find it in public discourse as the “standard model” of communication – the scrupulous avoidance of mentioning God or anything “sacred” in Western culture – except rarely when covering news about religion. Yet even then the word “God” is usually replaced with “approved words” like “nature” or “Mother Nature” (which Apple capitalized for me!). This is something I’ve been aware of for the longest time, but it’s extremely important to articulate it now in light of world events, the culmination of a long-standing erasure of the Sacred from so-called “Western” culture. Public mentions God are rare except in “sanctioned” phrases like “OMG” or “god-forsaken” or “godawful.” Compare to public discourse as it used to be in Muslim countries, like Egypt, where the name Allah was one of the most frequently-used words, effortlessly incorporated into daily life. Now with the imposition of Nazi and hedonistic “leaders” such as Sisi in Egypt or MBS in Saudi Arabia, the elimination of God in language, even where Islam is the dominant religion, is underway.

But maybe insha’Allah not for long…

Good and Evil Have Rarely Been So Obvious

Palestinian family sharing a Ramadan meal in the rubble.

The photo above is the perfect image of human dignity and goodness under unimaginable circumstances. Despite bombardment, soldiers killing children by the thousands, no shelter and no safe place to go, yet they find this moment. They deserve our undying support and admiration to do whatever we can to help their people in this genocide in Gaza and all of Palestine. Contrast with the image below:

And many more would have shot him on sight.

Or this/

Worshipers in Al-Aqsa mosque zip-tied for praying there.

Is there any greater depravity?

This was the least offensive of many images showing off women’s lingerie making lascivious faces and gestures, one man wearing woman’s underwear over his uniform.

These are all attempts to humiliate and dehumanize Palestinians as their society routinely does. But NOTHING can destroy the resilience, courage, and high moral character and faith of the Palestinians. Not even these depraved satanic forces. And of course, it’s obvious who is going to hell and who is going straight to the highest paradise for their powerful faith and patience under the most dire persecution imaginable.

Trying to celebrate Ramadan in the most dire circumstances. Is that not bravery and faith for such small children?

How the West Is Wrong

The genocide in Gaza has been an awakening for people of conscience worldwide as to the hypocrisy of the so-called “West,” whose leaders have been exposed as morally bankrupt. Whether they were ever guided by the ethics they claim to espouse is itself in doubt. Among such people of conscience are Muslims, whom the West has demonized as terrorists in lockstep obeisance to Israel and their Zionist ideology.

The West is characterized by hubris, thinking they are the elites of the world and everyone else is dross, lower-level human, and there’s this secret, subterranean drive among them to subvert the rights of “lesser” humans to make life better for the “superior” ones. If anything, the genocide proves Western leaders are devoid of what is required for people to be good: a sense of truth, justice, compassion, right and wrong. Either one believes in these values or rejects them, but the only way to reject them is to cover them up. This is the meaning of the Arabic word kufr – to cover up. And what are they covering up? Al-Fitrah, the conscience, which is, one could say, “hardwired” into our hearts/minds by our Creator. Children are born with it. Such innocents, if exposed to that which is abhorrent to the Fitrah – evil deeds, pain, torture, and abuse – will dissociate from it, literally. This is being used by certain (perhaps numerous!) Western leaders to create human slaves to serve their outward heinous needs. The entire Western project must fall, and it can’t be soon enough! It is our responsibility as Muslims to unite with all people of conscience, and be able to discern who they are, in order to establish a moral authority that is universal, compassionate, reasonable, and God-fearing. Let me define that further.

Video Explains Israeli Cruelty, Similar to How the Quran Describes Satan

In this video, an Israeli who is against the Israeli occupation of Palestine and the siege of Gaza tells us “How Israelis Live so Easily with Occupation.” He explains why they commit atrocities and are comfortable with the occupation, as well as the current war crimes in Gaza and now Rafah, where they can hear children’s screams of agony from starvation and fear. His answers show us a mindset like Satan’s as described in the Quran, although that was not his observation. How can people commit these evil, unconscionable atrocities against mothers and children and celebrate them? Why do they dehumanize Palestinians, who welcomed the first refugees in the aftermath of WWII, and in return were massacred?

Satan’s “original” sin which condemned him to hell was arrogance. We may have wondered if that’s enough to warrant hell. But this arrogance is the root cause of all evil.

Why Does Allah Allow the Genocide in Gaza?

This is an important question, and Nouman Ali Khan gives us a fantastic and true answer to it.

The genocide in Gaza is an extreme example of fitnah, a test – not to be confused with fitrah which refers to the basic sense of right/wrong and true/false installed in all humans by God – of both the aggressor-oppressor and the victim. The oppressor has already failed his test by the oppression and the more it continues the greater the failure and Allah’s wrath; the victim, however, is also being tested.

The disbelievers support one another. If you do not do the same, there will be persecution in the land and great corruption. (8:73)

The Palestinians have supported one another, and persevered in their faith beyond most people’s imagination! They are an example to the world. And no matter how horrible the test, it is temporary – this life itself is temporary – but the reward in Paradise is everlasting and absolute bliss.

So their Lord answered them, “I shall not let the work of any worker among you, male or female, be in vain; each of you is like the other. So those who emigrated, and were expelled from their homes, and were hurt in My way, and fought and were slain—I shall absolve them of their sins and shall make them enter Gardens with rivers running below, a reward from God. And God, with Him is the most beautiful reward. (3:195)

“The people of Gaza have become a living miracle”

While looking for another article I’d read before on Yaqeen Institute’s website (whose founder is Dr. Omar Suleiman), I discovered this headline: “How Gaza is Restoring Faith in God and Saving the World” by Dr. Ovamir Anjum. The title alone expresses what I’ve been noticing on every platform of social media, notably TikTok but also X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, even LinkedIn. And others. The title of this post is the first sentence of that article. Another great sentence from the article: “Hope for a new world, it has become evident, has come not from the shining capitals, technological feats, or trillion-dollar schemes, but from the rubble of Gaza.” In difference ways and from seemingly every corner of the globe, variations on this theme are being expressed by a vast array of people, united by this one astounding thing. At a time of unimaginable agony for people of conscience watching the unending horror of a genocide and extreme atrocities committed against innocent civilians, especially children, this is a much-needed positive take on the meaning and Divine purpose that transforms the evil demented deeds and goals of the perpetrators into a saving grace for the entire world. This is an article well-worth your time to read.

Islam and What’s Happening in the Middle East: Sami Hamdi

This video goes beyond its title to bring us a comprehensive view of how Muslims should view the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza in particular and all of the occupied territories in general, and all that results as a consequence of this. The Houthis have emerged as the heroes and most nominally Muslim countries have emerged as having been hijacked by West-promoted corrupt leaders to the point of being OK with genocide. As always with YouTube, you can adjust its speed and skip around the banter to focus on what matters. This video raised Sami Hamdi’s stature in my eyes to a whole new level. The very emotion that became visible, for which one tends to apologize, is the very thing that let me know he is truly a trustworthy witness to what we are seeing. The word mu’min at its heart means trustworthy in the most thorough sense of the word.

How to Deal with the Genocide in Palestine

The horrors of Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and also wherever Palestinians live are unimaginably traumatic. My heart is really there daily, and it can be difficult because we are limited in what we can do, but we can and should do something. First, we can make du’as for the Palestinians who are suffering, and some suggested du’as are here. If there’s any problem accessing it, try this link, from which you should be able to download.

Second, we may need to understand how to handle the aggressive Israeli Propaganda Machine, where lobbyists and pro-genocide activists may threaten and try to either divert attention or even resort to character assassination or threats. We can go on social media to express our views, call and write to our congressmen or representatives wherever we live, as well as participate in protests. But we should be aware of how active the Israeli lobby is in the US and UK, as well as elsewhere, yet be brave enough to speak out. It helps to know how to handle arguments one may face in this situation. Professor Hatem Bazian, who has faced this propaganda head-on successfully, helps us prepare ourselves.

In the War on Humanity, Allah Gives us a Fighting Chance

This article in Yaqeen website shows us the tools Allah gives us to fight against genocide, the propaganda that upholds it in Palestine and elsewhere including America, and more.

There’s never been a more important moment. In a very real sense we are all Palestinians, and a few in control are censoring our voices and trying to control even our biological makeup as individuals. But the Quran is highly relevant and guides us as to how to save ourselves. Some excerpts below:

On Gratitude, Thanksgiving, and Islam

This Yaqeen Institute article entitled “Does Thanksgiving Make a Mockery of Gratitude?” gives us a brilliant and insightful discussion, with examples, of what gratitude is and is not, notably showing the distinct difference between how the Islamic empire grew and how European-style settler-colonial empires or projects grew. His examples include the horrors in Palestine now as well with America’s dubious relationship with the many indigenous peoples (actually nations but not organized as “modern nation-states”) whose lands the European settlers violently usurped. But he also helps us find the way forward.

We can easily see how true this is! Everything Israel accuses Hamas of doing is what Israel actually does and is continuously doing.

An article well-worth reading with historical background and some startling facts! This Smithsonian article also gives more on the more disturbing and accurate history of Thanksgiving.

Inspired by Palestinians, Many Now Read the Quran, Turn to Islam

This is such a big thing, especially on TikTok, that Zionists are trying to ban the social media site used by millions, a large number of whom are young people. Meanwhile, Israelis have humiliated themselves on TikTok with videos displaying the utmost arrogance and lack of humanity, so out of touch are they with moral values or actual compassion for people. Their dances are often explicitly sexual, showing the depraved nature of this genocide. On the other hand, the faith and resilience of Palestinians under the most dire of circumstances has inspired untold numbers of people around the world to read the Quran and find out more about Islam, often reverting/converting. But they, and all people of conscience, face an international movement to ban free speech, targeting anyone who opposes the ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. This is in opposition to democratic principles to circumvent those very principles for the despicable and greedy goals of destroying Palestinians entirely in a total genocide and usurping the oil off their coast.

“Invest your energy in one thing; Erasing Gaza from the face of the earth,” the Likud MK and former public diplomacy minister Galit Distel Atbaryan said. (The Times of Israel)

Allah’s Infinite Justice

Note re featured image above: When you plot the sun’s position at the same time of day once a week throughout the year you get this figure of eight, or infinity symbol, called Analemma. April and September are at the crossover point in precisely the same position.

Muslims know that Allah’s justice is perfect – one of His significant names is Al-‘Adl, the Just. In fact, justice of the highest order is required of all Muslims, for “indeed Allah loves those who act justly.” (5:42, 49:9, 60:8) But certain theological dogmas in Christianity and other faiths involve beliefs which at their heart represent God/Allah to be unjust. Which is itself unjust to Allah/God. It’s not the only one we’ll explore here, but the doctrine of original sin is a prime example. Is it just or fair to hold a person guilty for an act they did not themselves commit? Clearly not. The Quran tells us, contrary to church doctrine, that God/Allah forgave Adam/Eve and even gave them words to properly express their feelings.

Then Adam received some words from his Lord, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed it is He who is the Acceptor of Repentance, the Merciful. (2:37) – (close to the beginning of the whole Quran)

Lies Mined from the Bible Used to Promote Genocide

I’ve been in a state of dread since Israel began its declaration of “war” – a euphemism for genocide, mass murder, slaughter, sadistic systematic killing of children, women, and men – on an entire region of 2.2 million civilians, not soldiers, kept in an open-air prison surrounded by barbed wire and soldiers with shoot-to-kill orders. Easy targets for an IDF whose conscience has been excised. They are openly and with intent ethnically cleansing all Palestinians including those who have nothing to do with Hamas. Death toll: over 10,000 civilians plus journalists, doctors, and international aid workers, and of course, over 4,000 children. Israeli Zionists are atheists who use selectively interpret Biblical references to promote their war crimes to their ardently blind supporters among Christian Zionist “evangelicals,” a group with an international reach. Meanwhile the real reason for the genocide is oil off the coast of Gaza, technically belonging to the Gazan people. Israel is willing to kill or displace over 2 million human beings in an epic Holocaust for that oil. It’s all about greed and religion is merely a pretext.

This article explains exactly what this biblical reference is all about, making an arbitrary mythological connection between Palestinians and an ancient group of people long gone, and how they invoke this to lure Christians to join the Zionist genocide brigade.

Tahajjud: Prayer of/for the Oppressed

Even though I have published a du’a for the oppressed, this is also a collective recitation in Arabic that itself is very beautiful and moving, and also an English version. As the genocide ongoing in Palestine by Zionist forces aided by the U.S. and some European forces and armaments continues unabated to the shock of people the world over, many of the most sympathetic people are unable to offer much help for them, increasing the pain and sorrow. Public protests have sprung up worldwide. But we can also offer du’a, prayer, this being one example. Even those unable to go out and protest can listen to and participate in this du’a at home. And pray to Allah in your own language. The beauty and power of collective recitation is the soul and meaning of Tahajjud.

In Arabic

In English

Tragedies of Epic Scope

How will we answer her? When will the Zionists be held accountable for any of their many atrocities? Right now the tide is turning against them and they are unable to perceive it or prevent it insha’Allah. Meanwhile the genocide of Palestinians continues unabated. Zionists (not to be confused with Jews; Zionism is an ideology not a religion) do not believe Divine retribution could ever apply to them, as “chosen people,” and so they refuse to think the Biblical laws regarding justice, such as the Ten Commandments, could apply to them, because they’ve found a “workaround.” Zionism is actually antisemite, because it wants people to think they follow God’s law and they use religion for public relations. But in reality they do not actually follow the Torah or represent Jews or Judaism at all. It’s called playing with words, mixing truth with falsehood to justify crimes against humanity. The aya below is speaking of Bani Isra’il or “the children of Israel (prophet Jacob),” the ancestors of modern Jews.

Exposing the “Genocide Club” to Light

After 9/11, which Netanyahu said “was very, very helpful to us,” the US started the “International War on Terror,” going full-tilt on its path toward becoming a security state, also known as a police state, through the implementation of the Patriot Act. The War on Terror was followed by the development of a very lucrative product, the Genocide Enablement Kit, complete with a ready-made “internationally” agreed-upon group to demonize (Muslims), instructions on the use of false flag atrocity theater to achieve compliance among the people, the reputation of the US and other “respectable” nations as a shield against accountability, and a host of security technology from Israel’s top-rated surveillance and security-related products. This enables the despots’ and fascists’ takeover of public opinion, enabling the kits’ consumer nation to join an international party of nations without accountability, committing crimes against humanity and genocide with the support and publicity cover of their “fellow nations:” the United States, France, and Israel, among others. But Israel didn’t need such a kit. They already got one from the Nazis, coupled with inspiration from Zionism, the idea of a “land without a people,” not telling the Jews who followed them that to make such a land, first they had to murder or expel all the people.

Israel has a Jewish population of 7,145,000.

90,000 of them subscribe to this channel.

1.2% of Israeli Jews are enjoying watching videos of Palestinians being brutally murdered by their bombs.

Sick society doesn't being to describe it. https://t.co/HKjhUi5JoR

— Dan Cohen (@dancohen3000) October 21, 2023

Israel has successfully brainwashed a sector of the country into believing their lies. But not all the people of Israel. The human conscience is seriously hard to erase. We must all stand as one: Jews, Muslims, Christians, the unaffiliated whose religion is their own conscience.

The Almighty Will Help the Palestinians to “A Manifest Victory”

This wonderful video by CJ Werleman gives an invigorating synopsis of how the world is responding to the Palestinian situation in a powerful way. And Muslims understand Allah alone brings about nasr-ullah wa-lfat’h, “Allah’s intervention and a manifest victory.” (48:1) All our fervent prayers and those of all people of conscience will insha’Allah be answered, the du’a and efforts of Jews, Christians, Muslims, and all others who stand for justice and want peace and an end to the occupation and oppression of Palestinians, who in reality represent all human beings, all of us. So in reality this is victory for humanity itself. Let us all continue our efforts in support of Palestine, it’s not over yet, the Genocide continues. Because the purveyors of oppression and war are still out there fighting against the will of the people, dead-set on power and greedy for more wealth and worldly entitlement. Because what happens to Palestinians can happen to all of us unless we continue to resist. God help us all.

And they routed them, by God’s leave, and David slew Goliath, and God gave him sovereignty and wisdom, and taught him of what He wills. And were it not for God’s repelling people, some by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted. But God is Possessed of Bounty for the worlds. (Al-Baqarah 2:251)

Palestinians Represent All Humanity

We are currently forced to watch the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, an open-air concentration camp of 2.2 million people, half of whom are children. By now almost everyone on the planet knows this, knows Israel is doing this, everyone knows they bomb civilians, cut off their food, water, medicine, and electricity. The death toll for Palestinians has already exceeded 4,000 and counting. The U.S. vetoed a UN resolution for an immediate ceasefire to stop the killing. The U.S. government is complicit in these murders and in Israeli oppression, refusing to even stand for human life. Some think this conflict could ignite World War III. But what’s really happening is the world is now separating into groups, those who side with justice and truth, and those on the side of oppression and evil. What could be more evil than a deliberate genocide of children and families? Clearly Allah the All-Knowing is showing all of us in stark reality what America’s leaders and Israel stand for now. We must bravely speak truth to this blatant evil and the powers behind it, including the groveling “superpower,” who aids and funds Israel’s use of terror, intimidation and the power of atrocity, lies, and false scenarios to promote their agenda, knowing Allah brings the truth to light, no matter how much the deniers and falsifiers hate it. It’s becoming glaringly clear that the Quran’s words are coming to pass at this very moment. But don’t forget All people of conscience are allies of people of faith, in Arabic allatheena aamanu.

Trustworthiness Needs Accountability – What Is a Mu’Min?

Another meaning of mu’min is “someone you can trust” – someone trustworthy. Often translated “believer,” that English word misses a significant part of the meaning of mu’min which is the element of trust. In the Quran, faith is not the same as belief in English, which infers a “leap” of presumption without the use of the mind. Whereas one of the frequently asked questions in the Quran is “will you not use your minds??” Afa la t’aqiloon? Faith in the ultimate accountability of Judgment Day is a powerful basis for both ethical and reasonable action. That, plus holding no mere mortals in heaven and earth higher than the One Who created all existence, gives those who truly do this the highest honor, the most powerfully steady hearts. Like the Palestinians who stand tall despite being bombed in a tiny plot of land where they are trapped with no way of escape, and cut off from water, food, electricity and supplies, deliberately and vengefully, by Israel, which has always enjoyed ZERO accountability. Thanks to the U.S., U.K., and other nations complicit in letting the Nakba – itself a genocidal act of ethnic cleansing – pass with no accountability as well as Israel’s systematic persecution of the original inhabitants of the land Zionists took by force, Palestinians.