Victory Comes with Patience

Opening Du'a

Oh Allah, you are the most deserving of being remembered, the most deserving of being worshipped, the helper of those who seek you, the most compassionate of those who possess authority, the most generous of those who are asked, and the most abundant of those who give. You are the king, you are the one who has no partner, you are the one and there is no rival to you. Everything perishes except your face, the hearts are open to you, the secrets are public with you, and whatever you have made lawful, indeed it is, and whatever you have made unlawful, no one can change.

Oh Allah, you are the most deserving of being remembered, the most deserving of being worshipped.

اللهُ أَكْبَر، اللهُ أَكْبَر، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْد

Eid al-Fitr: A Celebration of Achievement

My brothers and sisters, oh the servants of Allah, Eid al-Fitr has come to us after 29 days we have spent in fasting, prayer, charity, supplication, and recitation of the Qur'an. All praise is due to Allah — it is our duty to thank Him for these great blessings that He has given us during this month of Ramadan.

The month of Ramadan is in which Allah revealed the Qur'an, as a guidance for people, and a clear proof of guidance, and for all of creation. And Allah, at the end of the verse in which He mentioned the obligation of fasting, said that He has guided you, and perhaps you might be grateful to Him. And at the end of Ramadan we glorify, express our gratitude, and seek forgiveness from our Lord.

Allah intends for you ease, and does not intend for you hardship, and wants for you to complete the period of fasting of the month of Ramadan. Glorify Allah for that to which He has guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful.

We glorify Him because our love of Allah supersedes our love for food, drink, and desires. This love motivates us to leave our comforts, give charity, and obey Him in private — whereas no one will ever know if you're really fasting or not. We thank Him for the teaching and the acts of worship that purify our hearts, elevate our status, and forgive our sins.

Fasting one day for the sake of Allah can distance you from the Fire by 70 years. So what about fasting the whole entire month? We praise Him for His sound legislation and wise decrees. We seek forgiveness for any shortcoming during the month of Ramadan.

Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz advised communities to end Ramadan with seeking forgiveness and giving zakat al-fitr. And zakat al-fitr is obligatory upon each and every individual in the household. It should be given before the prayer. Those who forgot to give it can still give it — and I believe there are some boxes outside; if you have not given zakat al-fitr, it is still wajib on you to give it today, all the way until the end of the day.

Qatada noted that the Qur'an reveals our sins and the remedy, which is seeking forgiveness. The Qur'an reveals to us what our sickness is and what our remedy is. Our sickness is our sins, and the remedy is seeking forgiveness from Allah. So let us increase our remembrance of Allah, especially in praising, thanking, and seeking His forgiveness during these blessed days.

اللهُ أَكْبَر، اللهُ أَكْبَر، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَر، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْد

We are so happy and celebrating the coming and arrival of Eid. We are smiling and happy not because we are done or it's over — rather, because we made it and we did it.

If it were not for the grace and the mercy of Allah, we would not have fasted and prayed. So all praise is due to you, our Lord, and we thank you.

The Power of Unity and Cooperation

My brothers and sisters, we learned during the month of Ramadan how to work together, how to be unified, how to collectively be — and how when we work together collectively, we can accomplish a lot. Among the greatest reasons for strength are unity, cooperation, supporting one another, and advising each other. As Allah says in the Qur'an:

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, and advise each other to truth, and advise each other to patience.

Let us strive to foster cooperation, harmony, and brotherhood among ourselves. Remember — teamwork makes the dream work. When we come together, our acts of worship become easier. Just think about it: many of us fasted an average of 370 hours last month. We had hundreds of iftars and suhoors, and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for those in need. That's the power of community.

It is crucial to keep the spirit alive. One of the ultimate goals of our religion is to help one another in goodness. We care deeply about our community, our society, and our country, and its future. But what sets us apart as a community is that our care for our nation is not based solely in our self-interest — it is for the interest and goodness for all.

Engaging Society: Interfaith Dialogue and Civic Responsibility

This cooperation must extend beyond our community to include broader societal issues. That's why I believe that in these challenging times, it is crucial for our community to engage at all levels, especially when it comes to interfaith dialogue, and to build bridges with other religious and cultural groups. Fostering understanding and cooperation among diverse communities is not only a way to combat prejudice and misinformation, but also a reflection of our Islamic values of compassion and respect for all humanity.

I support participating in interfaith events, discussions, cooperation, and service projects that promote mutual respect and understanding. By working together with each other and with others, we can address common challenges, celebrate our shared values, and create a more inclusive and harmonious society — and also allow us to debate our issues in a more friendly and trusted environment. The best way to predict the future is to create it together.

As Muslims, we are called to be ambassadors of Tawheed, peace, justice, and understanding of each other. An hour offered to connect with others can lead to meaningful change and a stronger, more united society.

We must play an active role in addressing matters that affect everyone. For instance, there are those trying in our state to legalize gambling in the state of Texas. There are people who try to promote things that limit freedom of expression and speech, and restrict voter participation. There are those who are spreading hatred among community members, dividing us as a nation, and turning us against each other based on political affiliation, social issues, race, or religion. Some are undermining the beautiful qualities of our nation — a land of dreams, a land of emigrants, a place where power changes hands peacefully, and where the law, science, and culture are respected. All these are things that have now become a question mark, shaken to their foundations.

Unfortunately, we see many of these values being challenged. We are all in the same boat, and it is our responsibility as members of society to work towards repairing our society and preserving its beauty. I believe that working towards unity is an obligation of our time. I truly believe that when we stand together, we stand a chance — because together we build resilience in the face of challenges.

Social Justice and Advocacy

We must acknowledge the various challenges that the Muslim community and society at large are facing today, on multiple fronts — social, political, and economic. It is important to stay resilient and have a strong faith during difficult times. We know that trials can strengthen our character and unity.

Dear brothers and sisters, social justice and advocacy is one of the biggest challenges and responsibilities upon us as a community and a society at large these days. We are all aware of the ongoing issues of social justice, such as racial inequality, economic disparity, and the rights of marginalized communities. I encourage all of you to engage in advocacy efforts that promote justice and equality. Islam calls for standing up for the oppressed and working toward a fair society.

One of the tools available to us is your participation — especially in voting. In this regard, thanks to those brothers and sisters who brought a voter registration table, because soon, on May 3rd, there is a local election about the school district and city council. I think we should have a presence, and a strong presence, during these election cycles.

Solidarity with Palestine

We cannot ignore the ongoing tragedy and suffering of the Palestinian people. That is why I ask the community today to show a symbol of solidarity with our brothers and sisters over there who face violence and displacement. This is not just happening now in Gaza, but also in the West Bank. The machinery of war has been relentless for decades, killing many innocent people. The recent escalation is unprecedented and unjustifiable.

It is not just the duty of Muslims, but of every person with a conscience, to condemn this ethnic cleansing. However, let us not despair. We must strive to raise awareness about their plight and advocate for their rights through peaceful and legal means. Importantly, we should not allow this issue to lead to unjust generalization or extremist actions. We must also be cautious not to lose friends or isolate ourselves, nor should we become hostile toward others who may not share our views on the political aspects of this matter.

Guarding the Salah

Dear Muslims, I urge you to be diligent in your prayers. Allah commands us to maintain the prayers, especially the middle prayer, which is Asr. Performing the salah is a recurring command throughout the Qur'an. Learn the correct way to pray and teach it to your family.

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 631)

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Pray as you have seen me pray." And command your family to pray and be steadfast in it, as Allah says in the Qur'an.

Stay connected to the mosque and do not abandon it after Ramadan. Ibn Mas'ud said: "The Prophet ﷺ taught us the ways of guidance, and among these is praying in the mosque where the call to prayer is made."

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 654)

In another narration: "Whoever wishes to meet Allah tomorrow as a Muslim, let him maintain these five prayers where they are called, in the masjid. For Allah has established for your Prophet ﷺ the ways of guidance, and praying in the masjid is indeed part of the sunnahs of guidance. If you were to pray in your home, as someone who neglects prayers and prays at home, you would abandon the sunnah of your Prophet. And if you abandon the sunnah of your Prophet, you would go astray."

Mental Health Within Our Community

My brothers and sisters, it is important to raise awareness about mental health. There are many mental health challenges that many individuals face, especially in the current climate of uncertainty and stress. Let us have an open conversation about mental health within the community and promote resources of support. Remember that seeking help is a smart act, not a shameful one. It is a sign of strength, and caring for our mental well-being is essential for strong iman, strong participation, a strong family, a strong community, and a strong society at large.

That is why, alhamdulillah, in our masjid — the Kareelah Islamic Center — we have started offering free counseling hours to our community for those who need it, for young and adults alike. So make sure that you utilize this service.

Victory Comes with Patience

Finally, I advise you to cultivate patience, for it is the key to relief and victory. Patience is a virtue that allows us to control our words, actions, and reactions. Patience is the road to wisdom. It means adapting to our circumstances in a healthy way, and having the endurance to face life's challenges. Patience can be tough, can be bitter, but the outcome is sweet and leads to ease.

As they say: "Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet." And as the saying goes: "Whoever is patient will find."

The Qur'an frequently mentions patience and praises the patient, stating in many verses:

"And be patient, for your patience is only through Allah."

Patience is essential for worship and adherence to Allah's commands. It is a significant factor in avoiding what is forbidden, and it is crucial for happiness, especially during difficult times. Perhaps there is only one cardinal sin — impatience. Because of impatience, we were driven out of paradise, and because of impatience, we cannot return.

Patience in Every Aspect of Life

Be patient with yourself as you strive for improvement. Remember: have patience with all things, but first of all, with yourself.

Be patient with your children as you raise and educate them. Be patient with your parents. Be patient with your spouse in marital life, as marital life is full of challenges. I believe the strongest relationships are not always the ones that show no struggle, but the ones that grow through them.

Be patient in your studies and pursuit of knowledge. Be patient in your work — don't rush or become frustrated if things don't go your way at first. Be patient with poverty and illness, for Allah can change circumstances. Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Be patient with your community and its reform; change requires perseverance.

Be patient with people. As the Prophet ﷺ said:

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4032)

"The one who interacts with people and endures their harm is better than the one who does not."

And he asked — once I met a person who I always found very impatient with people, so I asked this young man: "Hey, why are you so impatient?" He said: "Sheikh Walid, I had my patience tested and it's negative."

And be patient even with your adversaries, for this weakens them.

Remember: victory comes with patience. Thank you for being patient with me today. May you all have a blessed Eid.