This message is a heartfelt plea to my fellow brothers and sisters in Islam. The issue of Palestine has remained a burning concern for the Ummah, aflame since 1948, and recent events have shown that this fire shows no signs of extinguishing anytime soon. We have experienced the elation of the Ummah in response to the courageous actions of Palestinian fighters, as well as the heart-wrenching sorrow caused by the relentless and inhumane bombardment of Gaza. As Muslims, we are grappling with a multitude of emotions, and among them, perhaps, is a sense of despair—despair at our perceived inability to make a difference.

Yet, amid these emotions, there’s a vital question that each one of us should be asking: What can we do regarding the issue of Palestine? I want to break this down into three simple questions:

Question 1: Do I have any responsibility towards the land of Palestine and the Palestinians?
Question 2: What is the solution for the issue of Palestine?
Question 3: What role do I play?

In response to the first question, I am confident that most of you reading this blog will unequivocally agree that we bear a responsibility towards the land of Palestine and its people.

However, it is questions 2 and 3 that often lead to confusion, despair, and a sense of helplessness. But, my dear brothers and sisters, if we have answered ‘yes’ to the first question, it automatically obliges us to address questions 2 and 3. We cannot remain passive spectators, nor can we entrust others to provide answers without knowing whether they have indeed addressed these questions correctly. Why? Because we have accepted a responsibility that includes comprehending the problem, seeking its solution, and understanding our role to the best of our abilities.

Now, who has decreed that we bear this responsibility towards the land and people of Palestine? Is it our personal conviction, or is it because Allah (SWT) has entrusted us with this weighty responsibility? If it is a divine responsibility, then we must realize that on the Day of Judgment, Allah (SWT) will hold us accountable for this responsibility. What explanation will we offer Him? That we did not make an earnest effort to discern how we should shoulder the responsibility He (SWT) assigned us? This, indeed, is a sobering thought.

So, my beloved brothers and sisters, the purpose of this blog is not to provide concrete answers to questions 2 and 3. Instead, it is a call to introspection, a plea for all of us to deeply contemplate how we are responding to the distressing scenes unfolding on our TV screens and mobile phones. The crux of the matter is that many of us might default to positions like “all we can do is make du’a” or “we must donate to help our afflicted brothers and sisters.” However, have we genuinely strived to understand the intricacies of the situation and our role—correction, our duty—in this matter? Ultimately, we owe it to ourselves, for a day will unquestionably come—a day of reckoning when we will stand before our Lord, and He will inquire about how we led our lives, how we honored our responsibilities.

Allah (SWT) says:

“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it. And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”

(Surah Al-Zalzalah; 99: 7-8)

And remember, we have affirmed that the situation in Palestine is one of those responsibilities. How will we respond to this question, especially if we lack answers to questions 2 and 3 at this moment?

“O you who believe, respond to Allah and the Messenger when He calls you to what gives you life, and be sure that Allah intervenes between man and his heart, and that to Him you shall be gathered.”

(Surah Al-Anfal; 8:24)