SECOND REMINDER. Yaumu Al-Raaba'a, 12th day of Jumaadal Aakhir (Wednesday, 28th February). DECLARE WAR AGAINST YOUR SINS THROUGH GOOD DEEDS. Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem. Our beloved mother queen Aa'ishah may ALLAH be pleased with her reported: A group of Jews asked permission to visit the Prophet and when they were admitted they said, “Death be upon you.” I said to them, “Rather, death and the curse of Allah be upon you!” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: يَا عَائِشَةُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ رَفِيقٌ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ فِي الْأَمْرِ كُلِّهِ O Aaisha, Allah is kind and HE loves kindness in all matters. Sahih Bukhari 6528, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi. Al-Bukhari cited this tradition as evidence that the Prophet did not punish non-Muslims who blasphemed against him. On another occasion, the Prophet was asked to invoke curses upon the idolaters who were persecuting the Muslims and he refused to do so. Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was told, “O Messenger of Allah, pray against the idolaters!” The Prophet said: إِنِّي لَمْ أُبْعَثْ لَعَّانًا وَإِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ رَحْمَةً Verily, I was not sent to invoke curses, but rather I was only sent as mercy. Sahih Muslim 2599, Grade: Sahih. In order for Muslims to emulate these beautiful examples, the Prophet would tell stories of others prophets in the past who asked Allah to forgive their people even as they were being beaten and harmed by them. Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: I saw the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, tell the story of a prophet who was beaten by his people and he wiped the blood from his face, saying: ‏ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِقَوْمِي فَإِنَّهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ My Lord, forgive my people for they do not know. Sahih Bukhari 6530, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi An-Nawawi comments on this tradition, saying: In this tradition is what the Prophet practiced of forbearance, patience, forgiveness, and compassion for his people, his supplication for them to receive guidance and to be forgiven, and for them to be excused for their sins as they did not know. Sharh Sahih Muslim 1792 Hence, we should strive to practice patience, mercy, and forgiveness whenever we are confronted with abuse. We should control our anger, pardon people, and supplicate for Allah to guide those who have gone astray. If we do so, we will win the hearts of our enemies and turn them into our close friends. Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best. May Allah keep guiding us all. Aameen.