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Reflections on the Liberation of Syria and the Joy of Reclaiming Sacred Spaces
Assalamu Alaykum,
Many Muslims’ reactions to the events in Syria have not met expectations, often due to the challenge of understanding the complexities involved. You may have concerns about the role of political forces in liberation of Syria—whether through support, indifference, or uncertainty about the factions involved in the operation. You might also be unsure about the future or what lies ahead for those who led the liberation. These concerns are understandable.
However, my dear brother, we recognize the difficulty of this moment and the intensity of the challenges being faced. We don’t know what the future holds for those who played a role in liberation of Syria, but we ask ALLAH to guide them, provide them with support, and grant them success and unity in HIS obedience. Despite all of this, it should not prevent you from sharing in the joy of your brothers in Syria, who have purified ALLAH’s houses—places once desecrated by criminals and outcasts. Today, the call to prayer is heard again, and prayers are being established in these sacred spaces once more.
Celebrating the Triumph of Freedom: A Brother’s Joy in Liberation of Syria and the Power of Shared Happiness
The release of tens of thousands of detained brothers and sisters, who endured suffering beyond what words can describe, has brought immense joy. The reunion of families with their fathers, mothers, brothers, sons, and daughters is a moment of deep emotion. The fall of the ruthless tyrant, his humiliating escape, and the people of Syria finally breathing the fresh air of freedom and dignity after fifty-four years of oppression—these are all signs of ALLAH’s mercy. The hope that surged in the hearts of Muslim peoples, seeing a regime that once seemed unshakable collapse like a fragile spider’s web, is something we cannot overlook.
These are all events that ALLAH loves, and they bring joy to the heart of the believer. Your happiness in witnessing these changes is not an act of political naivety or thoughtless emotion, as some may assume. In fact, withholding joy in such moments reflects an imbalance in thought and feeling. It is not wisdom or rationality, as you might think, but rather an emotional rigidity that prevents you from sharing in the happiness of your fellow believers.
What, then, is the meaning of “The believers are but brothers“1? Is it not a core part of brotherhood to share in the joys and sorrows of others? Don’t you realize that withholding your joy only saddens them, creating a distance between you and them?
Yesterday, I shared some posts, and one of our brothers in Syria commented: “It’s not enough, Dr. Eyad, we want you to record a video showing us you laughing”. For this brother, and for all our brothers in Syria, I will record a video and laugh for you, celebrating this victory together and offering my heartfelt congratulations.
Embracing the Victory: Overcoming Fear and Celebrating the Hope of Liberation of Syria
You might be thinking, “But I fear that the coming days will bring events that make us forget this joy and dampen people’s spirits”. Even if something happens, don’t allow it to overshadow the euphoria of victory and the joy of ALLAH’s mercy. Our enemies have worked tirelessly to make us forget the triumphs in Gaza, and they will do the same in Syria, trying to extinguish any hope for liberation and to instill fear in us at the prospect of breaking free from their chains. By withholding your joy, you are inadvertently playing into their hands and responding to their plans.
We’ve witnessed how, in recent days, some detainees, upon being freed and hearing their families breaking down doors to say, “Come out, you are free!” were hesitant, afraid, and doubtful. Their poor souls couldn’t fathom that the day of their liberation had truly come.
We don’t want to fall into that same mindset, doubting our own potential for liberation and believing that nothing happens on this earth except what is allowed by forces that, no matter how powerful, are ultimately contained by ALLAH. They may plot, but remember: “…they plan, and ALLAH plans. And ALLAH is the best of planners“2. Our task is not to succumb to fear or denial, but to embrace every event as an opportunity to move forward with faith and action.
Lessons in Resilience: Embracing Hope Amidst Setbacks in the Journey Toward the Liberation of Syria
It is crucial to maintain the momentum of our emotions during these times, as humans are more likely to learn lessons and draw valuable insights when in a strong emotional state. We must reflect on what has happened, engage with it, and understand the key elements of victory, rather than remaining apprehensive and rigid.
Setbacks in the coming days are possible, and they are part of the natural ebb and flow of events and the maturation of our experiences. We can take a lesson from Afghanistan’s history: after a long struggle, it was liberated from the Russians. Yet, shortly afterward, the brothers who had fought together turned against each other, fighting for power. Then, someone emerged from among the Afghans to unite them and free them from the internal conflict. However, Afghanistan was soon occupied by world powers again, and the Afghans endured further horrors. Yet, they remained resilient, fighting the occupation for twenty years until they were liberated once more.
In Afghanistan’s experience, we also saw how America believed it had secured the loyalty of the fighters, thinking they could be controlled, that the plan was perfect. But in the end, America’s ambitions failed, and it was humiliated by the very hands of those it sought to subdue, ultimately leaving defeated after twenty years. ALLAH, in HIS wisdom, will continue to distinguish the evil from the good until HE completes HIS favor upon HIS oppressed servants.
Balancing Joy and Resolve: A Call for Unity and Continued Struggle in the Face of Oppression
There is nothing more painful than remaining shackled in the chains of slavery to tyrants, and nothing more devastating than the death of the spirit of jihad in this ummah. The combination of feeling joy for the present moment, while also preparing and staying ready for the future, is not a contradiction, but rather a balance. Your joy for your brothers in Syria, alongside your sorrow for your brothers in Gaza, is not contradictory but reflects this balance.
So, rejoice and allow yourself to express your joy. Ask ALLAH to make the outcome for Syria, Palestine, Sudan, and all Muslim lands one of goodness, honor, victory, and empowerment, and to use us all in this noble cause.
“And ALLAH is predominant over HIS affair, but most of the people do not know“3
(Suraat Yuusuf, 12:21)
Source:
- Dr. Eyad Qunaibi. “خايف أفرح بتحرير سوريا”. YouTube Video.
