Responding to Beirut: How can we help?
The explosion that destroyed the port of Beirut was one that was not only felt throughout Beirut, but one that has placed the Global Ummah in a state of action. Yet again, the Muslim community has arisen to support our brothers and sisters in need. With over 100 people dead and thousands injured, this is a catastrophe that calls us believers to stand together.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ told us quite clearly, “Whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden from the burdens of the world, Allah will relieve them of a burden from the burdens on the Day of Judgement. And whoever helps ease a difficulty in the world, Allah will grant them ease from a difficulty in the world and in the Hereafter” (Tirmidhi).
During this turbulent time, we are more in need of banding together than entertaining discussions of how this grave issue occurred. To be clear, this is not a time of fruitless debates and arguments on whether the government is or isn’t at fault. Nor is it a time of debating political or religious affiliations of the organizations now on the ground. This is not a time to scrutinize how the media decides to speak on this, or whose best interests are currently being served by this catastrophe. Leave all of this to the people of Lebanon who are capable enough to find answers to many of the questions we all may have.
The question you should be asking right now is,
How can I help?
Dua
It goes without stating, but it’s so very easy to forget about Dua during times of strife. We can completely forget that during difficult times, the only real help is found with Allah. People have lost their lives, take the time to pray for their forgiveness, and that Allah enters them into His paradise. Videos have surfaced of children being held in the arms of their caretakers during the blast. There will be trauma associated with this event for years to come, if not forever. During times like these, we should be concerned with praying to Allah to grant these children sound sleep during the days and weeks ahead. We ought to be praying that the hearts of parents are calmed when the anxiety and fear right now must be overwhelming. The people of Lebanon need our prayers.
Check on Friends and Family
It’s easy to take to the keyboard or phone and begin sharing, tweeting, and posting stories on all that has happened. However, while there may be a surplus of comments, there may be a shortage of loving messages from you and others. When I slowed down and thought of friends and family, I realized that I knew a handful of people in Lebanon, and specifically in Beirut. I’ve tried my best to recall names, numbers and send them messages reminding them that they are loved, cared for, and that I’m here to assist them in whatever way possible. Remind those affected that you care.
Donate
The reality is, money is needed during these times. At least four hospitals have been damaged according to CNN, and hospitals are already overwhelmed. Over 300,000 people are currently displaced due to the damage. It’s important to note that this is happening in a country that has been going through immense financial difficulty. Recently, they have also had added pressure amidst fears of Covid-19. We can donate to organizations across the world, especially in Lebanon, that are coming together to ease the harm.
Allah (mighty and sublime be He) will say on the Day of Resurrection: O son of Adam, I fell ill and you visited Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I visit You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so had fallen ill and you visited him not? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I feed You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so asked you for food and you fed him not? Did you not know that had you fed him you would surely have found that (the reward for doing so) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked you to give Me to drink and you gave Me not to drink. He will say: O Lord, how should I give You to drink when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: My servant So-and-so asked you to give him to drink and you gave him not to drink. Had you given him to drink you would have surely found that with Me.
Donate to Shaykh Yasir Qadhi’s Campaign which alongside the READ Foundation has quickly set up a campaign to assist with medical supplies and water.
Donate to Muslim Aid Australia who are collecting funds for Mobile Blood Donation Vehicles.
Donate directly through LaunchGood which has an entire page of various organizations that have raised almost a million dollars since the blast. You can select a specific campaign or choose “Give Directly” and allow LaunchGood to disperse funds to the platform’s various reputable campaigns.
One certain thing is, there are ways for you to help the Lebanese people. Now get to work.
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