The Link Canada

Beautiful reminder from a dear brother, Ustadh Rehan Salim. ‘The current financial situation for many people is in the air. Those in a job may not feel the pre...ssure, but the reality is that things are uncertain and *can* take a turn for the worse for anyone. Some quick reflections for: Those who still have a job/income; 1) Thank Allah (swt) - It’s easy to take a standard salary job for granted, but the truth is it’s likely many people would fight to trade places with you (750k have already lost a job during COVID!). That extra, *focused* dhikr praising Allah for his unlimited grace is something we should strive towards. 2) Try and financially help those who reach out Yes, we may not be able to help everyone (circle of concern), but a good rule I’ve seen is to strive to help those in our circle of *influence*. That means people you know or those who genuinely approach you. If unable to help financially, then help getting a job, sharing their CV anything. 3) Be there for those struggling There are people close to us who just need mental support. They might be anxious, depressed or just want someone to give them hope. It might be a coffee for 30 mins or a 10 minute phone call. Either way, there’s no doubt these small, costless acts are heavy on the scale. Those who have lost their job or struggling financially; 1) Try to bear with patience and say Inn lillhi wa inn ilayhi rji’oon - Allah says about those who are patient when tested (by fear, loss of wealth etc.); Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. In a adith, one who bears patience and asks for reward for his hardship, then ‘Allah will compensate him with something better’ (Muslim). 2) Say lots of Istighfr (Astaghfirullah) - Many of the salaf have advised to consistently repent to Allah and because of that are bestowed wealth as per the statement Nu (as) to his people (Surah Nu 10-12). 3) I know it’s hard, but where possible look at those who possess less than you as per the adith of the Prophet (saws). There is such wisdom in this statement and when you really reflect on this you realise how much solace it gives mentally. Finally, sustenance is pre-ordained. We definitely need to keep striving to find work, but Allah has already determined the Rizq for everyone. So bear with patience, keep your head up to find new income and know that with hardship, Allah promises ease.’

Death. Sometimes you watch people die slowly through cancer or some other terminal illness. Sometimes it hits you out of nowhere through an accident or some oth...er sudden tragedy. Tonight hits hard. Dr Alaa Radwan, who was an orphan himself, passed away in a sudden car accident a few hours ago leaving behind an expecting young wife and 2 young children. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. They just recently moved right next to the Masjid. His wife is the sister of our marketing director at Yaqeen, and the daughter of 2 pillars of our Valley Ranch community. This was a family man that exuded a great sense of love to everyone around him. Gentle, loving, and focused. May Allah accept him as a Shaheed, and make it easy for his widow and 2 (soon to be 3 inshaAllah) children that have been left behind. May Allah unite them all in Jannatul Firdaws, and allow his memory and example to stay with them in this dunya. Ameen The Janaza will be at VRIC tomorrow after Asr inshaAllah. Please join us if you can. Please keep them in your duas, and reflect on this beautiful post by his wife Noor Alkurdi that Sh. Yaser found from last year: "Prophet Muhammad pbuh said: "What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of human beings, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the sufferings of the injured. (Bukhari) A beautiful story narrated by my husband: This afternoon was a typical one-I was rushing down the hospital hallways from one OR to the next in my scrub cap and cowboy boots. When suddenly I heard someone call out "doctor, doctor, doctor!!" I finally looked back and saw an old white man in his 70’s or so. He walked up to me and in very broken Arabic said, Assalam Alaikum. I replied yet still unsure who he was. He then said you probably don't even remember me but about a year ago my wife was in this hospital battling terminal cancer. One day I was in the chapel and you walked in with your cowboy boots and your surgery cap with the skulls-(which was a shockingly accurate description). You said hello to me and noticed that I was crying so you walked over and handed me the box of tissues. Then you walked away and you put a rug on the floor-and prayed. I had never ever seen anyone pray a complete prayer before. I knew it was Islamic from a few second clip on TV but it was my first time witnessing the whole prayer. He then said I remember you just sat there afterwards and held your hands up in what looked like supplication. Then you came up to me again and told me you prayed for me and whatever was causing me to cry". At this point I finally recalled the story, amazed by the thorough detail given by the man. He then said it was just such a beautiful moment for me and it led me to google Islam and research it and 5 months ago I converted to Islam... I was frozen and overwhelmed with emotion and embraced the man. He said that he had been making regular visits to the hospital and nursing stations to thank the nurses that took care of his wife and to hopefully find me too. And today he found me and I’m so glad he did. I have been an attending at this hospital for 2 years now and only once in that period was I called in to operate late until 2am which happened to be the same night I found the man in the chapel, the same night that Allah chose for this man to be saved. Alhamdulilah Allah chose me for this story. I am humbled and eternally grateful. ******** Let this be a lesson in humanity for us all-to be human and kind, to be caring and compassionate. This story reminds us that something that we might consider small or insignificant or routine might have a huge impact on someone else’s life. It reminds us of the importance of our salah and how just merely performing our religious duties and obligations and having Muslim character is the most beautiful and rewarding way to reach someone. I ask Allah swt to accept from us all, strengthen our iman and make us amongst the rightful ambassadors of Islam. Ameen." UPDATE WITH LAUNCHGOOD CAMPAIGN FOR HIS FAMILY. PLEASE SHARE WIDELY: https://www.launchgood.com//alaaaldin_mohamed_radwans_lega

This is not a joke. This is not a drill. #COVID19 is spreading widely and you need to pay attention. Cancel your parties and ALL get-togethers. That means movie... nights, games nights, study groups - being around anyone who is not your roommate or significant other. If you’re on campus, it’s critical to stay two metres apart from everyone and wear a mask. If you have symptoms, get tested (e.g. fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, runny nose, etc.). See the full list: https://bit.ly/3iGZtjL If you’ve been contacted by #MLHU or public health, get tested. Otherwise, don’t get tested. Monitor yourself for symptoms and do your part to prevent the spread. If you’ve tested negative recently so what?! You can still get it. You need to cancel all your parties and get-togethers and stay only with your roommate and significant other. Testing is available at Western University's testing trailer, located in the Social Science Centre parking lot. Hours: Monday to Friday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Appointments are also available through the Student Health Care Clinic. To book an appointment, click here: https://bit.ly/3cbk1OE ... #LdnOnt #Middlesex #WesternU #fanshawecollege University Students' Council of Western Health Promotions USC Fanshawe College Fanshawe Student Union

Some years ago in London Ontario

Throwbackcan you spot yourself?

London LINK Magazine's Summer 2013 issue! Read it online: http://issuu.com/londonlink/docs/llinkv3i4_web

One of my favorite shots from June 2011's Summer issue photo shoot! This one did not make it to the cover but it was awesome standing right under a hot air ball...oon as it took off! :) Check out the Summer 2011 issue from two years ago...Alhamdolillah, London LINK has grown in content and stories! :) thanks for sharing our journey! http://issuu.com/londonlink/docs/londonlink_issue6copyy