By Ibrahim Hersi Jibril

We missed our gorgeous children so dearly. They are innocent and lovely. They were our eyes and ears. After a long day of work, they were the only ones that fill our eyes and hearts with full of happiness, delight and enjoyment. We watch them eat with their little mouths; sleep peacefully; play with their little friends; laugh joyfully; and cry so loudly that it touches your hearth and makes you so sad that you will try everything in your capacity to make them stop carrying. You watch them grow every day not only physically but also mentally, spiritually, intellectually, religiously, culturally etc. They start every time asking new and difficult questions about life, which we, as parents, provide the answers for them as much as we can. It is a blessing from Allah (SA). It is impossible to describe the blessing of parenthood unless one experiences. This joyful and happiness alters overnight.

We wake up one morning and heard the most tragic, touching and heartbreaking news: our child is recruited by Al-Shabab. What a shock? Our little innocent and lovely child is becoming a human bomb or killing machine. How can that be? The shock and the pain are unbearable and immeasurable. It is not that you do not believe the decree of Allah (the Qadar) or the death, Wa Ciyaadu Bilaah, we, as parents, do. The most painful aspect is that you do not know where your child is. When did he left? How did he left? Who influenced him? Every night and day when you come across his little bed, cloths, shoes, ball, or friends, it breaks your heart deeply. You stare these subjects for hours recalling how your child played with it or wear it. You feel sad, pain, depression, stress, angry etc. You feel, as a parent, that you abandoned your child. You blame yourself for not being there for him. You feel that you failed to provide your child for the support that he needed. Otherwise, the reasoning goes, he would have stayed. You wonder what was that you did to your child. Did you miss something that he said? Did you ignore when he tried to share his thoughts or problems with you? Were you not there emotionally for him when he needed you? Failed to find answers, you start consulting with your wife/husband by asking whether you are a good father/mother out of insecurity. Asking this question, your wife/husband, who also is going through the same pain, if not worst, reassures you that you are indeed a good parent and husband/wife. At the same time, s/he started to weep because s/he is witnessing the pain and the self-blame that you are experiencing. S/he tells you, while crying, not to hurt yourself so bad and relax. However, their weeping makes you sadder and the cycle starts all over again.

Sometimes, you see yourself crying without knowing it. You feel that he needs your help now. That he is somewhere crying or shouting “Dad! Mom! Where are you? I need you!” What a painful thought. You picture constantly what kind of condition he is in: Is he safe? Is he healthy? Is he sick? Is he hungry? Is he in shock, as we are? Constant and countless questions without single answer is our daily life. It is not that we have little faith (Iman). If we do not have faith (iman), we would not have been dealing with this horrible state constructively. The most striking aspect of this situation is that we, as parents, do not know the whereabouts or the state of our children. If one of your children passes away, you know that everyone is dying and say (Inaa Lilaahi Wa’inaa Ilayhi Raajicuun). But when you do not know whether your child is dead or alive, it is more painful. You care so much for your child, regardless of his age, that you cannot sleep sometimes. You wish to hear his voice or his whereabouts. You go to work knowing that your life is empty without your child. You look your wife’s or husband’s face and you can see the pain and the agony that they are going through but trying to cover.

Al-Shabab is responsible for all of this. They are the ones who brainwashed our children daily across the world. The warlords did not do such an evil act. They were criminals, but they were not as criminal and brutal as Al-Shabab. Al-Shabab should be stopped. They are cancer to our people. According to countless Sheikhs (Muslim Scholars), they are the real Khawarij that our Prophet (PBUH) prophesized. Their actions and deeds are diametrically against the teaching of our peaceful religion. They are, indeed, impediment to our peace and prosperity. I pray to Allah to prevent from them the pain and the agony that they imposing on defenseless Muslims. Let us pray all to Allah and let us join those who are attempting to crush Al-Shabab or, rather, Al-Shaydaan.

Ibra_Jibril@yahoo.com

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