Emergency List for Muslims in times of Catastrophes!
Bismillah-ir-rahaman-nir-raheem.
As-salaatu was salaam ala Sayyed-ul-ambiya wal mursaleen wa aala aalihi wa sahbihi ajmaeen.
Amma baad.
Assalam-u-alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu brothers & sisters,
Nowadays- every day is heralding a new catastrophe- be it in the form of an earthquake, a flood, or civil unrest or an act of terrorism.
We often find in news where people were displaced from their homes, their families and in strange surroundings.
Kindred souls have mentioned lists that we find almost everywhere- as emergency evacuations procedures & necessities that list down what we might require in terms of such an event. These lists include medical supplies to canned foods to warm bedding,etc.
But these lists are incomplete when dealing with muslims- because we as muslims- in our belief- know that everything happens for a reason & that ALLAH is Merciful & Compassionate.
We know that such events do not break us but make us stronger in our beliefs- then be it loss of a loved one or loss of a home or our life-style- because all this is temporary as we are on a journey which will end on the Day of Judgement.
Hence, during such unfortunate events- one thing that we CANNOT lose under any circumstances- is our Belief- Imaan- & our identity as MUSLIMS.
Hence, I have prepared an emergency check-list which each & every one of us should have along-with the other emergency stuff. This list is incomplete & I request all of you to add to it & make it more comprehensive because you & I do not know which of these things- just might make a difference in someone's life.
Here is the list.
EMERGENCY LIST FOR MUSLIMS:
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1. Pocket-size Quran or Quran on I-pod (For those who are cannot read or are unable to do so)
2. Traveller's musallah (Prayer-mat)
3. Unstitched sheet (minimum 1) as a use for Kafan (The shroud-cloth)
4. 1 Large sheet to provide covering for the women-folk of the house.
5. Water for "istinjah" (washing of private parts for the purpose of ablution)
6. Miswak for brushing teeth (As per sunnah of the blessed Prophet Muhammad-Peace be upon him)
7. Soap-strips for washing after ablution.
8. A box of dates (as it remains edible for long periods of time) in case halal food or no food is available as the blessed Prophet (Peace be upon him) along-with his blessed family & the noble companions used to survive often ONLY on dates.
I pray that such times do not arrive for any believer where his/her Iman is compromised or put to the test but as muslims- our entire belief rests in that ALLAH is Merciful & Compassionate & will always help us in times of need.
Ameen.
Wassalam