As the Key Turns..

[Umm Khawla]

As the Key Turns is my brother in law’s (Fahim Ahmad/Abu Sinaan) blog. For those of you who may not know him, he's one of the Toronto18 detainees arrested in June 2006.

It’ll be updated as often as we can insha’Allaah, but considering the length of time the prison security takes to have his mail sent out, a bit of a gap should be expected.

Here’s an excerpt from one of his posts:

Asalam alaikum wa rahmatulllah…
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Everyone I speak to for the first time from here always has the same question: what do you do all day? So I figure I’ll answer it, and perhaps it might be of benefit to someone, insha’Allah. I’ll keep the routine general, what everyone does, rather than my self specifically.

Prison life is all about routines. Its all about consistency in day to day actions, and sticking with it. Its very easy to get bored, to lose motivation, to slacken and to just give up. That’s what prison is, its designed to do that, its designed to break you. Countless people do break. They just go nuts. I’ve been in ‘segregation’ (isolation) for the entire time, so it’s a little different what I do in comparison to guys in general population ranges. For them, its all about working out, phone time, tv, socializing, more work outs, more tv, and then sleep. People come on the ranges, new personalities, different personalities, some get along, some don’t. there’s a guy, or sometimes, a group of guys that run the range, they basically dictate what goes on and how things are done. If someone messes up, the C Os hold them responsible, if things are going good, they get some extra privileges or goodies…and that’s how you get through your time on a range.

If anyone would like to write to Fahim or the other Canadian detainees, please post your messages here and I'll make sure to pass them on.

[Aseerun]

There's this beautiful saying by Ahmad Shawqi:

The lions roar in iron and never shall you see

In the prison a lion sobbing in submission

He's a good writer masha Allah!

By the will of Allah, we will most certainly send our letters to him and the rest of the Canadian detainees involved in the case of the Toronto 18.

Jazaaki Allah Khayr for giving us an opportunity to help our brethren. May Allah, tabaraka wa ta'aala, hasten their release and return them safely to their loved ones, ameen Ya Rabb!

[Aseerun]

If anyone would like to write to Fahim or the other Canadian detainees, please post your messages here and I'll make sure to pass them on.

Okies - here's my letter. It's short, but khayr insha Allah.

In the name of Allah

All praise is due to Allah and may peace and blessings be upon his servant and Messenger Muhammad and on his household and all of his Companions.

Amma ba'd (As for what follows):

My dear brothers - the Heavenly Pen has preceded in what will happen until the Day of Judgement, and the Heavenly Scrolls have dried, so do not grieve nor fear.

'And know that if the entire nation were to gather upon benefiting you with something, they would only benefit you with something that Allah has (already) written for you. And if they were to gather upon harming you with something, they would only harm you with something that Allah has (already) written for you.' (At-Tirmidhi)

Allah is al-Hakeem (The Wise) and there is always wisdom behind His will, even though we may fail to understand it.

Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah the Most High have mercy on him), used to say whilst imprisoned in the fortress of Damascus:-

“If I were to give in charity the worth of this fortress filled with gold, it would not be enough to thank Allah for the blessings this imprisonment has brought.“

Allah is al-Raqib (The All Observant) - and this means He is the One who knows of and protects.

Allah is al-Muhsi (The Knower of Each Thing Separately) - As the night is like the blanket for the sky and as the day, fills the world with light - every creature does an act and these acts - He knows each of them separately.

Allah is al-Wajid (The Resourceful) - 'Do they not then consider the Qur'an carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein many a contradiction.' (An-Nisaa, verse 82).

So then I remind you my brothers- Do not lose Hope:

Allah taa'ala answers the prayer of the disbeliever who is in distress; so how much more can the Muslim expect who doesn't associate partners with Him?

'And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their faith pure for Him only, but when He brings them safely to the land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others.' (al-Qur'an, chapter 29, verse 65)

Lastly, always remember the Promise of Allah - 'Verily, with every hardship, there is relief' Surat Al-Inshirah, verse 6.

Your Sister in Islam
Living on the land of the kangaroos and Koalas

[Amatullaah]

Assalamu 'alaykum ukhti.

While I do not feel comfortable writing a letter to a brother, could you tell me what the Muslims can do for the brothers and their families to help them?

[Umar247]

Salam alaykum,

I would say generally for sisters even if they do not feel comfortable writing to brothers ( at least they have a reason, brothers have no such reason yet its always sisters who write! ) , there are a number of things you can do :-

1. Send a general message of support and ask someone to pass it on. Inshallah I don't mind doing this (and this is for anyone in any country inshallah) , as I am always looking for brothers to write to anyway inshallah. Just PM me the message and the name of the brother, and if I have his details I will let you know and send it as well. I struggle with the australian brothers as I don't have their details, but most others I have inshallah, particularly in europe

2. Publicise the case within your immediate family, extended family and friends, so inshallah people are aware generally.

3. Normally these brothers have some complex legal problems, which need publicity and getting to the right channels. Inshallah write to your MP / Congressman / whatever, just generally protesting about the inhumanity of the sentence or the case. Normally there are templates provided already, so all you have to do is email.

Inshallah the above helps

Walaykum salam and take care

Umar

[Aseerun]

Assalamu 'alaykum ukhti.

While I do not feel comfortable writing a letter to a brother, could you tell me what the Muslims can do for the brothers and their families to help them?

Wa 'alaykum as-Salam wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh

Adding to what brother 'Umar (may Allah preserve him) said:

On the Toronto18 site, there's a How You Can Help tab - click the link to see info.

Also, here are some Action Alerts

Lastly, make du'aa for them insha Allah. May Allah accept from you, ameen.

[Umm Khawla]

Jazaakillaah khayr Aseerun.

Originally Posted by Amatullaah
Assalamu 'alaykum ukhti.

While I do not feel comfortable writing a letter to a brother, could you tell me what the Muslims can do for the brothers and their families to help them?

Salam alaykum,

I would say generally for sisters even if they do not feel comfortable writing to brothers ( at least they have a reason, brothers have no such reason yet its always sisters who write! ) , there are a number of things you can do :-

1. Send a general message of support and ask someone to pass it on. Inshallah I don't mind doing this (and this is for anyone in any country inshallah) , as I am always looking for brothers to write to anyway inshallah. Just PM me the message and the name of the brother, and if I have his details I will let you know and send it as well. I struggle with the australian brothers as I don't have their details, but most others I have inshallah, particularly in europe

2. Publicise the case within your immediate family, extended family and friends, so inshallah people are aware generally.

3. Normally these brothers have some complex legal problems, which need publicity and getting to the right channels. Inshallah write to your MP / Congressman / whatever, just generally protesting about the inhumanity of the sentence or the case. Normally there are templates provided already, so all you have to do is email.

Inshallah the above helps

Walaykum salam and take care

Umar

Thats right. Our other website is Presumption of Innocence Project if you'd like to educate yourself about the Toronto18 case.

There's nothing wrong with sending a general message like sister Aseerun's letter, and you can send it anonymously but I guess its a matter of personal preference and I understand that. They need du`aas the most, so please remember them and all other prisoners in your sujood.

Br. Omar, in regards to your pm, Fahim's gonna be moved soon (as have been the other brothers including Zakaria Amara) so when that happens (most likely this week) I'll send you the new mailing addresses insha'Allaah.

[Amatullaah]

Salam alaykum,

I would say generally for sisters even if they do not feel comfortable writing to brothers ( at least they have a reason, brothers have no such reason yet its always sisters who write! ) , there are a number of things you can do :-

1. Send a general message of support and ask someone to pass it on. Inshallah I don't mind doing this (and this is for anyone in any country inshallah) , as I am always looking for brothers to write to anyway inshallah. Just PM me the message and the name of the brother, and if I have his details I will let you know and send it as well. I struggle with the australian brothers as I don't have their details, but most others I have inshallah, particularly in europe

2. Publicise the case within your immediate family, extended family and friends, so inshallah people are aware generally.

3. Normally these brothers have some complex legal problems, which need publicity and getting to the right channels. Inshallah write to your MP / Congressman / whatever, just generally protesting about the inhumanity of the sentence or the case. Normally there are templates provided already, so all you have to do is email.

Inshallah the above helps

Walaykum salam and take care

Umar

Wa 'alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu.

Brother, if you could just let the brothers know I am making du'a for them and care about them and their well-being very much feesabilillah, I would appreciate it. Just let them know that I and other Muslims I know care about them and have not forgotten about them.

Jazak'Allahu khayran.

[Amatullaah]

Wa 'alaykum as-Salam wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh

Adding to what brother 'Umar (may Allah preserve him) said:

On the Toronto18 site, there's a How You Can Help tab - click the link to see info.

Also, here are some Action Alerts

Lastly, make du'aa for them insha Allah. May Allah accept from you, ameen.

Assalamu 'alaykum ukhti,

I was wondering (since I live in the GTA) if the families of the brothers (particularly those when the husband and main bread-winner is now incarcerated) need any help? I would like to help since I heard that they are not receiving much support from the Muslim community here, astaghfirullah. If so, could you let me know what I could do (I have a job now and insha'Allah I will be making enough money to help Muslims).

Any information is appreciated.

Jazak'Allahu khayran ukthi.

[Aseerun]

Assalamu 'alaykum ukhti,

I was wondering (since I live in the GTA) if the families of the brothers (particularly those when the husband and main bread-winner is now incarcerated) need any help? I would like to help since I heard that they are not receiving much support from the Muslim community here, astaghfirullah. If so, could you let me know what I could do (I have a job now and insha'Allah I will be making enough money to help Muslims).

Any information is appreciated.

Jazak'Allahu khayran ukthi.

wa 'alaykum as-Salam wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh

May Allah reward you sis. Donations are always needed. Insha Allah our dear sister Umm Khawla can let you know more

'By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give (freely as a charity) from that which you love; and whatever you spend Allah knows it well.' (3:92)