Fasting Kids Inspired Me

As salaamu alaikum wa rahmatuallah,

Insha Allah, I hope this is not crossing boundaries, yet I felt inspired to write this letter.

For quite some time now I have been incarcerated. And never have I stepped into a masjid. I have 20 months left until my release to the Feds, shortly thereafter I will be home, insha Allah.

Your newspaper did something to me. I felt my eyes well up in tears when I saw all the children who fasted [Muslim Link October 31, 2008 issue], alhamdulillah. Reality struck, knowing Islam is expanding and our youth are still inspired to worship Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala). It is a difficult path here, but today those faces gave me inspiration, for I know that this was my hardest Ramadhan yet! And I know those who didn’t fast. In our condition, some are weak.  Yet still, 9-year olds, and some 5-year olds, sacrificed their eating, because He said so! Wow!

My most wanted desire is to raise a daughter on the deen of truth, or a son as a lion of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala). To expose them to what they were created for, and to establish why the trust is so sacred; not to take lightly but to live for Allah by it! I feel that is where Islam is proven, in our children. They are future protectors. They can be proof, but first it starts home in our own hearts. May Allah continue to aid and assist you all, and may He grant guidance and paradise for those whom strive in His cause.

Robert Kyle Horne
[Brother Robert is an inmate at a federal prison]

Sacrifice – The Essence of the Eid

Assalamu’alykum,

Some criticize the way in which some of the udhiya meat distribution is done around the local area.

There is this underlying sense that people are taking pride in their efforts and successes and projects more than feeling a sense of relief and joy in fulfilling their religious obligation to Allah as well as distribute wealth more evenly in the community and give solace to the unfortunate.

I challenge each reader to step back and ask themselves, “When I donated my qurbani meat, did I do it with respect and appreciation that someone took my offering or did I feel bloated about being the giver and not the taker? Or, did I avoid any of the labor and inconvenient involvement in sacrifice by sending a check or money order to a relative in Pakistan or Syria or Indonesia? Did I turn Eid into a shopping and party event like Christmas or did I relive a part of the sacrifice of Allah’s khalil [friend] – Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) -- and imagine his relief and joy at the opportunity to slaughter an animal instead of my son?”

A. Rehman
Virginia

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