Deah, Yusor, and Razan: Our Three Winners

Problems afflict the pious and the impious. Its how one deals with them that decides whether they are blessings in disguise or punishments. –Yasir Qadhi

I am absolutely broken from the events that have happened this week. I cannot even express how much pain I have felt as a Muslim. People from all over the world are experiencing the same grief that we are experiencing here as Muslim Americans. With this pain, we feel a tremendous amount of fear. We live in a country that is supposed to welcome every race and religion with open arms, yet, we find many of these arms filled with violent hate just for what we believe in. The safety we once used to feel living in the country that we have been so proud of has shattered. Can you accept living in this world full of hate? I cannot live in this paranoia. This incident cannot be all about sparking fear and anger. These deaths represent much, much more than just their political implications.

Someone else’s death is our own wake up call. Awaken from this grief. There is a huge sign from Allah (God).

These deaths have happened for a reason and God has shown us a blessing in it, SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah). Deah, Yusor and Razan — whose names mean light, easiness, and sensibility — are our guidance.  These were incredible Muslims who lived their lives serving the community for the sake of Allah. They have set the ultimate example of the incredible young Muslims we can be. Their deaths have represented each and every one of us living with and dealing with the nature of Islamaphobia in the United States today.  The passing of these three has reminded us that nothing lasts forever. This life is a temporary pit stop in a much longer journey. The only things we will take with us to our grave are our good deeds and actions. We must remember that.

Their passing has had me questioning myself: What have I done to leave a legacy behind? How much work have I put into growing in my faith? What are my priorities? What are my goals? Have I served or given enough in charity? Will I be remembered? Am I pleasing Allah? I am surely wasting time because life is too short. We don’t know what will happen to us today, tomorrow, or a month from now. The events at Chapel Hill, the brutal murder of three graciously pious people, is my wake up call. I find this to be a blessing in disguise. The way that this news has affected not only the community in America, but the people around the world is incredible. There is a reason for this — it is a wake up call to humanity.

The loss of Deah, Yusor, and Razan has lifted my faith and drawn me closer to our Creator. It has forced me to think about the reality of death; that it will come soon, no matter what. We will face our Lord and we will need to answer for our actions. Maybe Allah is testing us in our Faith and seeing how we deal with this trial.

Thank you, my heroes. Thank you Deah, Yusor, and Razan for representing me. For representing Muslims in America. This tragedy could have been any of us. It can be any of us. If death meets me, I want to be ready to face it. I want to be able to leave a legacy that also is remembered across the world as a reminder of what is to come.

The three victims of the hate and ignorance in the world now rise as a flag for the oppressed. Our three winners have not only left us with a lasting impression of their good work in this world but they have left us with a reminder, with a tool, with their names. I did not know Deah, Yusor, and Razan and I do not know their families, but today I feel like they are my brother and sisters. I feel a lot closer to them. Alhamdullilah (praise be to Allah), that they have brought me much closer to Islam. Alhamdullilah for this blessing in disguise.

May God, the All Mighty, bless them with the highest levels of Paradise. May He fill their graves with light. May he provide patience and strength to their families and to everyone across the world who has been affected by this tragedy.

“The heart is ever restless; it will only find rest in the remembrance of Allah.” – Yasir Qadhi

—
Image from NPR.org