Green Muslims of New Jersey (GMNJ) Earth Hour Announcement
Assalamu’alaikum,
What will you do? At 8.30 pm on Saturday the 31st of March 2012 (Jumada Al-Awal 8, 1433AH), hundreds of millions of people across the globe will switch off the lights in homes and businesses for one hour – Earth Hour. This hour is the world’s largest unified public environmental action, acknowledging how each of us can take deliberate action to benefit the planet in the year ahead.
Please make a commitment and join us !
Every day we hear about the plight of our planet Earth. Most of us feel helpless, either we don’t see the relevance given our privileged lives, or, on the other hand, we make pledges that we often don’t really follow through with. Perhaps it is time to start small and be resolved! Our beloved Prophet Muhammed (SAAWS) said, “Do those deeds which you can do easily, as Allah will not get tired [of giving rewards] till you get bored and tired [of performing good deeds!] ... and the most beloved deed to Allah is the one which is done regularly even if it is little.” (Bukhari)
He(SAAWS) also said: "Should the Hour of the Day of Judgment arrive and one of you has a palm shoot in his/her hand, let him/her plant it, if he/she can" (Musnad of Imam Ahmad).
We are often led to ponder the broader wisdom about persevering in doing good deeds from these Hadith sherif. Let us also not overlook the powerful message about the importance of doing something for our Earth even if the world is ending. Earth Hour is in fact a great place to start for some of us and to re-new our commitment for the rest of us to care for Our Earth and thereby fulfill the Amanah (trust) and responsibility that Allah(SWT) has granted to us humans as His Khalifa (Vicegerents) on Earth.
What will we do? Green Muslims of New Jersey (http://greenmuslimsnj.blogspot.com) is dedicated to involving as many of the believers and their Masaajid and religious institutions throughout the New York-New Jersey-Pennsylvania tri-state area to take part in this momentous occasion of Earth Hour. Take the following pledge with us to:
1. Read and learn about Earth Hour, its history and activities world-wide as well as provide a link to the Earth Hour page on our web-sites and social media (face book) accounts http://www.earthhour.org/page/about/about-earth-hour
2. Facilitate the signing up of family, friends and community members for this initiative and take the pledge on line at www.earthhour.org.
3. Weather and circumstances permitting during Earth Hour go outdoors with family and friends and look to the heavens As Muslims, our curiosity and learning experience should be endless; Human beings have always looked up to the Heavens filled with its stars and heavenly bodies in amazement and awe. For Muslims the Heavens and all that is contained therein are among the greatest Ayats (Signs) of Allah(SWT) in Nature and should be a cause of deep reflection and glorification of Allah(SWT).
4. Think ongoing after March 31st on ways that we can take small but purposeful steps in the Muslim community to care for Our Earth and share this with others. In addition, commit on your own to un-plug and engage in your own Earth Hour on a monthly basis throughout the rest of the year.
As Muslims we recognize that everything in the heavens and on earth is created and sustained by the Lord of the Universe, Allah Almighty. Throughout the Qur'an, people are encouraged to look around them, observe and reflect on the beauties and wonders of the natural world - as signs of Allah's Awesomeness and Majesty.
As Allah(SWT) says in the Holy Quran : " Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,- there are indeed Signs for people of understanding,- Those who celebrate the praises of Allah, while standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (With the thought): "Our Lord! not for naught Hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire”. (Holy Quran 3:190-191)
Take this time of being unplugged and disconnected from your electrical world to re-connect and get plugged into Allah(SWT) by remembering the blessings that He(SWT) has provided you with. As the Prophet (SAAWS) reminded us: "Those of you who find themselves enjoying good health, are secure in their community, and have their daily sustenance is as if they had the whole world at their fingertips" (Narrated by Al-Tirmizi). Also pray and make sincere Dua (supplication) to Allah (SWT) to alleviate the straitened circumstances and plight of all those throughout the world who are living without the benefits of electricity and power owing to the ravages and horrors of war, as in Syria, or due to natural disasters, as in many other lands. In this regard, the Prophet (SAAWS) said: “The Dua supplication that gets the quickest answer is the one made by one Muslim for another in his/her absence.” (Reported by Abu Daw’ud and Tirmidhi) and he (SAAWS) also said “"He/she who relieves a hardship of this Dunya (this earthly life) for a believer, Allah will relieve a hardship of the Day of Resurrection for him/her; …” [Muslim]
It is clear that Earth Hour is a challenge to us to begin to fulfill our responsibility as humans on this earth. The only remaining question is what will you do???
Wa’salamu’alaikum,
Sincerely,
Your brother,
Saffet Abid Catovic, Co-Chair – Green Muslims of New Jersey (GMNJ)
http://greenmuslimsnj.blogspot.com
