How are things going for everyone? I hope everyone is staying healthy and doing well. I hope that everyone continues to be happy and well.
I want to tell you a tale today that has greatly inspired me. I'll do my best to explain it to you, but it's a little challenging. I'll relate this story in my older brother's own words because I heard it from him.
According to my brother:
I traveled to Sweden fifteen years ago. I met a fifteen-year-old crippled youngster at a mosque in the city of Malmö.
The boy was seriously crippled; he was unable to speak and move his hands or legs. However, in spite of his illness, he spread the word about Islam, and many people accepted it as a result of his invitation.
I seen him firsthand, and I must say that he was an amazing and motivating individual who was promoting Islam.
Now, who is this boy with a disability? How can someone who is so disabled—unable to talk or move his hands or legs—invite others to Islam?
The narrative proceeds as follows:
One of my Swedish friends informed me, "We're going to take you to a mosque in Malmö today," while I was in Sweden. I'm hoping you'll enjoy it.
There was only one mosque in Malmö at the time; possibly there are now more. It was lovely to see the mosque surrounded by verdant gardens. It was not quite time for prayer when we arrived at the mosque. I noticed a young man sitting inside. He was a Somali-born Swedish citizen.
This young man was crippled; he had no control over his hands or legs, and they were immobile. His legs were motionless, and his hands trembled all the time. His legs were tied to the chair's base, and his hands were fastened to the chair's arms. He was silent, too.
I approached him, kissed his forehead, and put my hand on his shoulder. "How are you?" I then asked him. I then offered him some consolation and talked to him about the benefits of patience in sickness.
Meanwhile, the Swedish Social Welfare Ministry had arranged for two people to come in the morning and two in the afternoon to care for him, assist him, and fulfill his needs.
One day, while I was with him, he gestured with his head to one of the attendants, and soon a man came and stood next to him, bringing something with him.
It was a box containing several small banners. Each banner had a different phrase written on it, such as: "I need water now," "I need to go to the toilet," "I want to meet my mother," "I want to meet my friend." These were the boy’s requests.
He would make head gestures to the attendants to get what he needed, and they would comply.
"Sheikh, the boy you just met and showed affection to, many people have embraced Islam through him," my companions informed me at this moment. "How is that possible?" I said in amazement. How could a youngster who is mute, unable to respond to inquiries, unable to argue, and unable to provide any proof persuade others to accept Islam?"
My pals clarified, saying, "Sheikh points to one of the attendants when they arrive to look after him in the morning and says, 'I want to meet my friend.'" After that, the attendant brings his friend. "You should ask my friend about Islam, and then let me hear his explanation," he continues, gesturing to the other individual.
"You explain to me the difference between Islam and Christianity," he says, gesturing to the attendant. After that, the attendant would describe how the two religions differed. I witnessed this firsthand, and you won't believe it.
After they have finished talking, the youngster points to the board next to him and requests that they give him a book about Islam that is on the shelf.
This crippled child was using his caregivers to spread the word about Islam.
It was a remarkable occasion. How was it possible for a youngster who is speechless, unable to move his hands or legs, and immobilized throughout his body to invite so many people to Islam?
I was there when this incident happened.
Thank you, Allah.
I want to let you all know that this story is about more than just extending an invitation to Islam. Its true goal is to demonstrate how a person can achieve great things with self-confidence.
If we have complete faith in ourselves, we can overcome any challenge, regardless of the position or circumstances we find ourselves in.
Our self-assurance will enable us to achieve greater things.
Insha'Allah, this crippled youngster has the ability to transform lives in spite of his situation.
His life shows us that one's aim or heart power can never be constrained by material, mental, or physical constraints.
Thank you, Allah.