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Blessings of financial sacrifice during COVID-19

By Mohammed Javed Khan (Zaim Bay Point, CA Majlis)

This is a personal experience that I wanted to share with our Ansar brothers as COVID-19 hit us all unexpectedly earlier this year. I work for the airline industry, which is one of the hardest hit industries. In March we came to know that if the airline industry is not bailed out by the government, we will be at reduced hours/furloughed or permanently laid off.

I came home and told my wife that in April I might not have a job. The very first thing she said we must pay our Wasiyyat chanda in advance for April thru June since the fiscal year will end in June 2020. I was so relieved with that suggestion because that was my first concern as well. We paid our chanda online for the next 3 months. Ansar chanda was already paid in full at the beginning of the year, as a result of the inspiring appeal by Qaid Maal Zahid Mian sahib to all national, regional and local aamla members. Definitely the plan to pay Ansar chanda was by no means a coincidence since Allah put this in minds of many Ansar brothers and surely Allah does not burden a soul more that it can bear to handle.

We moved on with our routine life and left the rest in the hands of Allah. A series of events started to happen; firstly, I received a mail from my ex-employer stating if I do not claim the money from the ADP card by October 15th it will be sent to escheat (Escheat refers to the right of a government to take ownership of estate assets or unclaimed property).

I had no idea that the money was on the card since I had been fully paid when I had left the company. Secondly, a few days later I received another email from AAA stating they are refunding 35% of insurance premium due to COVID-19. Thirdly the employer permitted us to apply for unemployment and they would not contest with EDD. Fourthly, the employer also agreed to keep our benefits while we were on company leave. Fifthly my son received a pandemic EBT card that the school had requested for all students. Sixthly, my wife was reading one of the Jamaat books and she found couple of $100 bills in the book. Lastly, I was looking for some official documents and found $1500 cash in an envelope that I had kept at a safe place and completely forgotten about it.

The takeaway message of this true experience is to let you know that in return Allah rewards you more than what you sacrifice. May Allah enable us all to maintain and increase our financial sacrifice during these tough times (Ameen).

My family’s Umrah experience

By Nadim Malik (NY Queen Majlis)

In November 2018 during Thanksgiving Holidays, my family and I were fortunate enough to take a trip to Saudi Arabia and perform Umrah. While that in itself is quite special, the trip was made even more memorable by the fact that we were with a group of 16 family members, including four generations of my wife’s side of the family. We were able to experience everything with my children’s maternal grandparents and great grandparents! I feel very blessed that my children were able to experience this with them.

I was quite anxious upon our arrival. Having lived practically all of my life in the US, I have to admit I had certain cultural biases regarding the people and conditions in Saudi Arabia. It didn’t take long for me to see the goodness of the people there, and that they were similar to people anywhere. It’s always eye-opening to overcome your own prejudices and it helps you grow. Unfortunately, there were certain things that were disappointing, for example the treatment and attitude towards women.

In both Medina and Mecca, we saw all the major sites and it was inspiring and breath-taking to walk the same footsteps of our beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and his followers. The hike to climb Mount Thawr was especially memorable. It was very difficult for us – and to think that this is something the Holy Prophet did regularly!

Out of all the great experiences and memories, nothing compared with the performing of the Umrah itself, which we were fortunate enough to do twice. It’s hard to put into words how spiritually uplifted and rejuvenated you feel after performing Umrah. I think it’s best captured in the glow you can see in my children in the photo, ages 10 and 12.

Send us your stories of brotherhood, Ijtima memories, or any other inspiring experience that we can share with Ansar brothers via this e-newsletter.

Department of Publications Majlis Ansarullah USA