Fourteen centuries ago, the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad -- May peace and blessing of God be on him -- prophesied about this age when the whole world would be squeezed into a village, and humanity as a whole would be at the precipice of destruction. We read in the Holy Qur'an revealed by God to Prophet Muhammad: By the Age! Man is surely in a state of complete loss, except those who believe and do good works and exhort one another to the truth and exhort one another to be steadfast. Holy Qur'an, Ch. 103, V. 1-4.
There is an olive branch, however, within this short chapter of the Holy Qur'an, which assures us that through the efforts of a few that believe and continue to strive despite all odds against them, the state of affairs shall change for the better. Adhering to truth and patience and continuous reminding for the same are mentioned as the hallmark of those who will bring peace and tranquility back to the suffering humanity.
Despite the ever improving means of communication and transportation, humans are becoming ever more divided. Hatred was brought to our doorsteps on that fateful day 18 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked our nation in the name of Islam. More than 3,000 innocent lives were taken in an instant, and many later succumbed from the fallout. Ever since, we see hatred increasing unabated in these United States, despite efforts by many to abate it. Muslims throughout the country and abroad declared the act of these terrorists abhorrent to Islam and Muslims, but the merchants of hatred seem to get the upper hand.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been at the forefront fighting hatred with love, offering a hand in friendship to even those who raise their hands with malice, and ignorance with courteous appeals to wisdom, ever since they established their movement in this country 99 years ago. Since the 10th anniversary of 9/11 in 2011, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has spearheaded a national campaign, Muslims for Life 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive, that is held by its 70 or so chapters in US to raise blood to save lives. In fact, through this campaign close to 80,000 pints of blood have been collected, saving potentially more than 250,000 lives. This campaign involves working with communities across all faiths to bring out the best in human character, to save lives and bring peace, as a fitting response to those who took lives and spread fear and hatred. Al-Islam Students Association, a University of Arkansas registered student association, has, since 2011, raised about 1,500 pints of blood, in cooperation with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, and many faculty, staff and students across the university, while memorializing those who had fallen on 9/11.
God Almighty promises a great reward for those who save lives, as it is stated in the Holy Qur'an: On account of this, We prescribed for the children of Israel that whosoever killed a person -- unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land -- it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind. Holy Qur'an, Ch. 5, V. 33.
NAN Religion on 09/14/2019