I Didn't Get Shot

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

On Friday night we were at Tahrir Square. There were reports that about 3 million people were at Tahrir during the day protesting. So we wanted to check out what was going on. So, after our dhikr gathering, we made a stop at Tahrir. It was after 10:00 pm. The place was still packed with protestors, young and old, along with banners and vendors selling flags and all kinds of sweets and traditional foods. It was quite a festive night!

While we were standing next to the families of those who were killed during the revolution and also near where a puppet symbolizing Mubarak was being hanged, suddenly a wave of men came towards us. We rushed to the side, almost getting stampeded. Alhamdulillah. Afterward, we were told that the protestors were escorting some top military people, who should not be there, out of Tahrir. And I thought it was a sign for us to leave.

As we were walking towards the entrance to the train station to get home, I spotted a group of men who appeared to be learned. I had the opportunity to talk with a few of them who said they have been there since the revolution started on January 25 and witnessed much of what had happened. When I asked one of them why he spent too much time at Tahrir Square, he said, "I feel this is home and it has a lot of memories." A few hours later, he called, concerned that we might still be at Tahrir. He seemed relieved when I told him that we had left after we spoke with him. He told me that the military had came and opened fire and left 4 people dead. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.

People think that the blessings are things that they are given and forget all the things that are taken away--the harmful and dangerous things. Imagine the blessings I am enjoying right now which I cannot see them--such as the blessing of not having cancer. Imagine you are diagnosed of having cancer, your whole world would turn upside down. Many did when this happened to them. Imagine you lose your child or your beloved wife/husband right now, you would be totally lost. Many did when this happened to them.

The completion of blessings is not from laying out the means to this world and the ability to acquire wishes but rather the kindness of Allah is what He wards away from us in this world. The things that are taken away from you of harm are actually greater blessing than what is actually given to you.

When we tell people to count their blessings, they often think of their wives, their kids, their bank accounts, their houses, their nice furniture, and all those things that they have. They forget to start counting things that they don't have to suffer from.

Try counting your blessings this way, "I didn't...
1. I didn't lose my job in the economic down turn
2. I didn't lose my house in earthquake or Tsunami or flood or fire or bombing
3. I didn't have cancer
4. I didn't get into an accident the other day
5. I didn't lose my mind or limb or speech or sight or hearing
6. I didn't lose my father or mother or child or beloved wife/husband or brother/sister or good friend ...
7. I didn't lose my freedom and peace
8. I didn't lose my car
9. I didn't get shot ...
and all the many Didn'ts happen to us.

When you are denied something that you have been hoping for, let's bring to mind perhaps Allah is warding off something that you don't realize. We should not be frustrated if we don't have what other people have. It might be that Allah is drawing you closer to Him. So then, what He withholds from you is a greater blessing than what He spreads out to you.

Remember Al-Wasi', the One who encompasses in every praiseworthy matters, the One whose generosity encompasses all existence. Nothing escapes His generosity. His power encompasses all things and nothing escapes Him. His knowledge encompasses all knowledge and no matter distracts Him from another. He knows the evil and He is vast in His power.

We hope in the vastness of His mercy and fears in the vastness of His knowledge.

May Allah have mercy on the Ummah of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam