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Why You Are Great! by Ossama Jammal, VP
Many times a question about YOU (The Mosque Foundation and its community) is asked, "Why is the Mosque Foundation and its Community so great?" The inquirers were not doubtful despisers, rather they were curious admirers. It wasn't easy to sum up the answer, but immediately a story from the Seerah (life of the Prophet p.b.u.h) flashed in my memory.When Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) came back one day from his solitary retreat in Cave Hira'a, shivering after receiving the divine message from Allah through the Archangel Gabriel, his wife Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) calmed him down and uttered these inspirational words of wisdom:
"كلا أبشر، فوالله لا يخزيك الله أبدًا، فوالله إنك لتصل الرحم، وتصدق الحديث، وتحمل الكلَّ، وتكسب المعدوم، وتقري الضيف، وتعين على نوائب الحق".
“Do not worry and rejoice (O'Muhammad). By Allah, He shall never subject you to any indignity, for you are always kind to your kin, true to your word, you carry the burdens of the weak, you rescue the weary, you are hospitable to your guests, and you support those who seek justice and redress."
Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) summed up the characteristics of greatness that her husband was endowed with and assured him that he is worthy of this awesome task. In other words, these characteristics became the criteria against which greatness can be measured.
The Mosque Foundation took the reign of leadership for many years and became a role model mosque in the Chicago-land area, if not nationwide, for its passionate community, truth and sincerity, rescue for the weary, generosity for the needy, and support for the weak in seeking justice and dignity. Not by our account, but by all those who came to know YOU firsthand. You've been dignified and recognized as a Great Community when you embodied those characteristics for greatness mentioned by Khadijah.
You have been truthful to your word and you proclaimed it loudly on every occasion, never afraid or wavering; for standing with the truth are signs of honesty and strength.
You have responded to every natural calamity -the Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters, with generous donations. You fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and wiped the tears of the orphans and the distressed.
You are always there for every occasion and event- not because of your large community - others are as large as you are if not larger- but because of your commitment and dedication. Your contributions are always the largest- not because you are rich, others are also well to do- but because of your generosity. Despite your expensive and expansive projects, you kept your doors open to every worthy cause- not because you have extra reserve- but because you trusted the One who has all the reserve in the world.
You supported those who were inflicted with injustices, not yielding to political correctness at the expense of justice and truth. At times you paid the price, but at all times you remained giant in the face of all forms of phobias.
You believed in your Islamic identity and unity and rejected every call for nationalistic and tribal affiliations as a basis for selecting your leadership. You rose above the fray and stood tall like a solid rock crashing every wedge attempted to divide you.
You believed in your civic duty, thus you were engaged. You registered in record numbers to vote. You understood that your vote counts, and when it counts it can bring about positive change. You joined hands with fellow citizens for the common good, and together, sought solutions to lingering social and economic problems.
Your leadership may be important, but from within YOU the leadership emerged. You raised them, nurtured them, and reaped your fruits. Your volunteers are hallmarks of dedication, commitment, and discipline.
Indeed, you earned your leadership merits, respected and recognized for being true to your words, passionate for the weak, generous to the needy, hospitable to your guests, and champions for the distressed-- that is Why You Are Great!