A Heartfelt Plea
Dawat-e-Islami’s Support for Flood victims
Mawlana Muhammad Imran Attari
Chairperson of Dawat-e-Islami’s Central Executive Committee
Allah Almighty, who created and sustains all worlds, says in the Quran:
اِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ اِخْوَةٌ
“The Muslims are brothers ˹to each other˺.[1]”
Allah’s Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , who cares profoundly for his Ummah, spoke of this brotherhood in two hadith:
1. “In their mercy, mutual love, and compassion towards one another, you will find the Muslims are like one body; when one part of it aches, the entire body experiences sleeplessness and fever.”
It is mentioned in another similar narration: “All Muslims are like a singular person; if his eye begins to hurt, the entire body aches; if his head were to cause him pain, the entire body will also be pained.”[2]
2. “A Muslim is like a building for another Muslim, whereby one brick supports the other.”[3]
It is the mercy of Allah Almighty that my guide and mentor, Amir of Ahl al-Sunnah دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ , not only teaches his followers how to love the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , but also his Ummah. He is forever occupied with serving and supporting the believers. This deep-rooted compassion is manifested particularly when the Ummah experiences worries, afflictions or troubles of any kind. Wherever needed, Dawat-e-Islami is at the forefront aiding the Muslims. This has become almost autonomous; a natural reaction carried out without second thought.
Whether Muslims are facing difficulties in Pakistan or elsewhere, Dawat-e-Islami actively promotes Muslim welfare and is constantly planning and strategizing projects to alleviate the Ummah of its pains and worries. It is purely the mercy of Allah that allows us to do so. Dawat-e-Islami has now spent 41 years serving the Ummah of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , with Islamic brothers tasked with responsibilities related to this stationed across the world.
Dawat-e-Islami is organised into regions, boroughs, and wards, with 500,000 people in responsible positions. Besides registered personnel, there is no shortage of Muslims who have love for Dawat-e-Islami and volunteer with us.
Pakistan has recently experienced unprecedented levels of flooding, with over 30 million victims. As Dawat-e-Islami already had a global network in place, its FGRF wing, which was specifically formed to deal with welfare and societal matters, was prepared to offer essential aid before most other organisations.
Generally, an individual residing in a neighbourhood knows of those who live around him to some degree, in terms of what they do or their respective situations. Dawat-e-Islami’s network has reached far across Pakistan and allowed us to maintain awareness of what is taking place, and where. This greatly benefits the FGRF wing, as information regarding where to deliver aid, to whom, in what capacity, and when, all became readily available.
We had declared to ourselves: “The nation has entrusted us with their donations and monetary support. The sincere followers of the Messenger صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم donate to us with complete trust in our dedication and transparency. Therefore, Dawat-e-Islami must keep its eyes open and remain tactful when using it.”
Of course, there was still a great amount of perturbation in conveying aid to flood victims. There were two reasons for this. One being the sheer number of victims, whilst the other being the complete and total flooding of certain localities. Road-based transport was rendered of no use as a result, making it difficult to deliver aid.
We also encountered another problem, albeit one not directly due to the flood. Some criminal and apathetic individuals would block the roads and loot the resources being transported, even resorting to physical violence. With the mercy of Allah, Dawat-e-Islami was not deterred by this. Instead of back-pedalling, we worked even harder to help our Muslim brothers and sisters.
By Allah’s grace, other organizations and institutions, including Pakistan’s Armed Forces, offered considerable help in distributing aid and emergency resources. Lockheed C-130 aircrafts have been put to use to this end thus far, with pre-prepared meals, dry rations, and financial aid distributed with their help.
Dawat-e-Islami’s FGRF wing has divided their post-flood support system into three areas of operation.
1. Maintaining liveable and survivable circumstances for flood victims without homes or who may be stranded in floodwater.
This entails the daily distribution of considerable amounts of pre-prepared meals, dry rations, blankets, mattresses, and other necessities. Temporary living spaces were also arranged, with tents especially assembled for salah and learning Islamic knowledge. Thus, those affected by these floods were not only given physical nourishment, but spiritual too.
2. Maintaining the health of flood victims and their livestock, as well as treating illnesses
Dawat-e-Islami’s doctors and paramedical staff selflessly threw themselves into this noble task, working around the clock. Mosquito nets were put in place to limit the spread of insect-borne diseases, and medical encampments were established to deliver treatment.
3. Restoration and recovery
This included rebuilding masjids, madrassas, and homes, and arranging suitable jobs for flood victims.
Alhamdulilah, these acts of brotherly support and goodwill for the Ummah are currently in full flow.
I present a humble plea to all those who love the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم , his Companions, and family to extend this love to the Ummah and to strive to remove their difficulties! As of now, they are suffering from unimaginable disasters. Allah Almighty has granted great wealth to very many of us; I implore you to come forth and aid the afflicted Ummah, especially those affected by these recent floods. The supplications they make for you in return will emanate from the bottom of their hearts.
اٰمِیْن بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّیْن صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم
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