Reflecting on the Afghanistan visit by UK Ulama

al-Salāmu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullāhi wa Barakātuh

Contents

Words uttered by the brothers of Prophet Yusuf What is practical hypocrisy?May Allah grant all of us steadfastness

To our esteemed scholars and leaders who embarked on the journey to Afghanistan, seeking to gain firsthand knowledge of the conditions of our brothers and sisters there and to dispel the false rumours many of us regretfully believed previously:

May Allah count you amongst those who are always at the forefront of noble endeavours. While this initiative might be belated, it is nonetheless praiseworthy.

We sincerely thank you for going on this fact-finding delegation. [1]

There rests upon you the responsibility to speak the truth and support and encourage similar initiatives to aid and assist those in need. [2]

Words uttered by the brothers of Prophet Yusuf

If I imagine myself for a moment in your esteemed company — a privilege I unfortunately did not partake in — I envision addressing our Afghan brothers with the same words that the brothers of Yusuf (ʿalayhi al-Salām) once uttered to him,

“Indeed, Allah has preferred you over us, and we have certainly been sinners.” [3]

And from what I’ve come to understand, the sentiment of the Afghan leaders and shuyūkh that you met may have echoed the words,

“No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and He is the Most Merciful of the merciful.” [4 ]

Our religion teaches us to think well of others, to verify news, especially if it comes from unreliable sources, lest we harm others out of ignorance and later regret it.

“O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.” [5]

But it is our regret that many in our community believe the deceitful politicians, media, and commentators, adopting their narratives, even ridiculing our brethren, though we are warned,

“O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them.” [6]

What is practical hypocrisy?

Esteemed scholars, by no means do I accuse anyone of hypocrisy. However, the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ feared practical hypocrisy.

We should be wary, lest we fall into it when times become challenging. As Allah reminds us, some among us “lend an ear” to the hypocrites and the wicked.

Why do we listen to them or believe the deceitful in their reporting about Afghanistan? Some of these media organisations have even resorted to slander and negative reporting about members of the delegation itself!

Therefore, it is incumbent upon you to continuously engage with various platforms, write in newspapers and websites, hold conferences, and use all means of communication to convey the absent truth.

Address the general public, both Muslims and non-Muslims. Perhaps invite some Afghan scholars you’ve met for a visit here, so that we may benefit from their knowledge, experience, and sacrifices.

Share with the masses the sufferings you’ve witnessed: souls lost, honour violated, homes destroyed, children killed, and many traumatised. But also highlight the resilience of those who stand firm in their faith, who may be materially poor but are spiritually rich, and who hold tightly to their Qur’ān, even when it is desecrated in the West.

May Allah grant all of us steadfastness

To our honoured brothers in Afghanistan: exhibit patience, for patience during prosperity is harder than during trials.

When the Children of Israel told Moses (ʿalayhi al-Salām),

“We suffered before you came to us and [after] you have come to us…” [7]

He (ʿalayhi al-Salām) replied,

“Perhaps your Lord will destroy your enemy and make you successors in the land to see what you will do.” [7]

Now that Allah has granted you stature, while we look upon you with admiration for this honour, my sincere advice is to remain steadfast upon the command of your Lord and persevere through both ease and hardship. May Allah grant us and you steadfastness.

As the Messenger ﷺ is reported to have said in a narration reported by Anas (radiy Allāhu ‘anhu) and recorded by Tirmidhi,