The Work Must Go On

The Prophet, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “If the Final Hour comes while you have a shoot of a plant in your hands, and it is possible to plant it before the Hour comes, you should plant it.” [1]

The progress the Canadian Muslim community has made over the last few decades has been nothing short of remarkable. With each passing year, our numbers have grown, our knowledge has deepened, and our resources have increased. Our institutions, once fledgling, have matured into pillars of strength and support for our community.

Yet it is impossible to celebrate these achievements when confronted by the harrowing reality of the ongoing atrocities in Palestine. The sight of the oppression and suffering of our brothers and sisters threatens to cast a shadow of doubt over all that we have built here in Canada. Despite our tireless efforts to foster understanding and relationships within the wider Canadian society, it appears that many of our political leaders have turned their backs on us. To make matters worse, countless Muslims have seen their livelihoods threatened for daring to speak out on behalf of the oppressed. In the face of such adversity, it may feel as though we simply do not belong here.

Nevertheless, surrendering to despair would be a grievous mistake. Despite the recent weeks of profound sorrow and frustration, the progress we have made remains intact. Our commitment to strengthening our institutions and deepening the roots of our community in Canada is unwavering. This entails supporting Muslim professionals in their pursuit of success and spiritual fulfillment, ensuring that our masjid programs continue to connect families to their places of worship, and enhancing the quality of education in our Islamic schools to provide children with a firm religious foundation and a world-class education. It also involves developing stronger institutions that can advocate for Muslims in Canada and abroad.

Each and every one of us has a part to play, and now – more than ever – is the time to play it. Sound Vision Canada plays its part in this process through the professional development training and skill-building resources it provides for not-for-profit leaders, educators, imams, and more. As a registered charity, it works hard to cultivate excellence and elevate the standards of quality in our Muslim community.

The path to improvement is a long and arduous one. Indeed, we may not even live to see the full fruits of our labour. Yet if our intentions are sincere, Allah Most High will certainly reward us for each small step we take. Even if the Hour arrives before our seeds bear fruit, the efforts that we took to plant them will not go to waste, and their rewards will be everlasting.

[1] Al Adab Al Mufrad, 479.