My beloved people…

In the face of this catastrophic reality we are living—one that has far surpassed the bounds of logic or even imagination—with all the tragedies and pain we’ve endured in Gaza, and the massive losses we’ve suffered, and with the grief and anguish that have pierced our hearts—we are left, my dear friends, with only two choices.

The first is to accept our fate—both its good and its bitter—with full faith in Allah, the Almighty, the Compeller. To root that faith deep in our hearts as a healing remedy we desperately need, and through it preserve what remains of us: our health and sanity, our ability to stay alive with the least amount of damage. To protect our children, our families, and those we love—without losing them. To hold on to our religion, beliefs, and certainty in God without falling into despair. And to search with full focus and effort for whatever relief, temporary solutions, or patches we can find—even if scarce or limited.

This is our final and only chance to reduce the damage and limit the loss as much as possible.

But that choice is entirely yours, my friend. No one will be held accountable for your decision but you. As life has taught us, people will simply observe as you fade and break—some might rejoice if they’ve always resented you, others will cry helplessly if they truly love you. And I don’t think you’d accept either—the pity of your loved ones or the satisfaction of your enemies.

So it’s your decision alone—its outcomes, both sweet and bitter, will be yours to bear. You can gather what remains of yourself, your scattered pieces, your surviving family, and carry them with you to the shores of life…

Or you can fall into the second option—one I see as far worse, and utterly futile.

That is, to abandon everything I’ve just said—to let despair consume you and everyone around you. To allow the fire within to burn unchecked, for your aching heart and weary mind to slaughter you slowly. To pour your pain and fury on the innocent around you—your terrified daughter, your anxious wife, your trembling son, your elderly mother who has never witnessed horrors like these. She too is crushed with grief.

Your neighbors and everyone around you are likely going through the same. Even if you don’t see it, they are just as broken. And they may be in greater need of you—of a bit of peace from your side.

So don’t let the defeat come from within you.

Don’t turn your pain into anger, abuse, despair, or conflict. Don’t make this war even more brutal with smaller wars—fights at home, disputes among loved ones, clashes, shouting, slander, betrayal, heartbreak, humiliation, and more destruction. Because then, my kind friend, things will only become worse—down to the level of hell itself.

And I don’t think you truly want the second choice.

Oh Allah, we are weak—grant us Your victory. We have no power but through You—so aid us. Forgive us, have mercy on us, be with us, not against us. Guide us to what is right and good through Your knowledge and wisdom.

Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal wakeel.