Yes it is true that being in prison will cause feelings to rise and sometimes plummet, but whatever the individual state, it is important to keep everything in perspective and to accord each event its rightful place in Allah’s greater creation (this world and the hereafter). Always remember while undergoing this trial/test – all of us are treading a path that was excavated by many before us throughout the ages. They had their sights firmly set upon the hereafter, never dithering left or right, and never distracted. They were the vanguard of this deen and the nucleus of their struggle was (love) for their Lord and the hereafter.

Allah says: Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Verily, my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Alameen (mankind, jinns and all that exists). Quran 6-162

My advice to those that are reading this that are free, did Allah’s Messenger not advise you to visit the sick for your own sake and ask for their dua, as they are surrounded by angels? This is because he - the one with the sickness - is being purified through hardships. Then what is the status of the one whose whole world has become a prison cell? Should you not visit him for your own benefit like the benefit of visiting the sick? Should you not write to see how he is? Should you not ask about his family? The Messenger of Allah described the gatherings of believers for the sake of remembering Allah to be gardens from the gardens of Paradise, surrounded by angels in which even the passer-by gets reward for brief participation. Then what of the prisons where Muslims are gathered for their belief, that Allah is their Lord, wherein they are locked up and the key thrown away? Are there no blessings in these places? Is there not even the reward of the passer-by when visiting these prisoners of faith?

Finally brothers, do not start to consider anything to be out of control as every situation around the world is in Allah’s control, in fact it is exactly as Allah knew of it pre-eternity and without anybody’s help He can change every situation in any which way He chooses, all in an instance. Remember, life may often only be understood backwards but must be lived forwards. Each of us will have our precious moments from yesteryear that we cannot release but the most that you and I can now do is to ask Allah to accept and cause our good deeds prior to this, not to be lost or withered away. Therefore continue to ‘reinvent’ yourself as much as possible to prison life and be determined and focused in that. At the same time, know that ‘reinvent’ does not mean ‘rehabilitate’, for your only crime was to say ‘la ilaha ilAllah’

I pray that we are all accepted amongst the righteous and truthful in the gardens of Paradise, ameen. I hope that we can all enjoy the delights of jannah because of these days of hardship.

And maybe then, we will look back and the only regret we will have is the days we didn’t spend in captivity for the sake of our Lord.

Wa-salam,
Your brother,

Omar Khyam
NB4268

Source: al-istiqamah.com