Shukr is the Arabic word for gratitude. God Himself has an attribute named Ash-Shakur, meaning that God is appreciative of the smallest of strivings of man. He rewards manifold and is pleased at this minor positive stride of man even more than a parent is of seeing their baby take their first steps.
So in obedience to God’s command for us to be grateful servants of His, we say - Alhumdulillah - ‘All Praise Belongs to Allah’ who is the cause of any and all the good and happiness that we received in 2024.
Many members of our Dayton Ahmadiyya Muslim Community were blessed this year with children, jobs and personal achievements - like a couple of our kids getting into OSU. A few of us were able to visit London, England to meet the Spiritual Head of The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may God be his helper) - and benefit from his company and wisdom. He had a successful heart procedure this year which we are also very grateful for.
This year, Our Community was able to establish Mosques as institutions of worship, learning and peace across the globe, one such Mosque was completed in Milwaukee.
The Prophet of Islam - Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) - has stated: “He who is not grateful to people can not be grateful to God”. Thus, we as Muslims are thankful to each and every person who has, in any way, contributed to our happiness and success this past year.
We are also excited and looking forward to what the new year has to offer. Muslims finish and start the year with prayers to God Almighty for success and felicity.
Islam is a religion of peace. It lays down guidance to ensure peace on all levels be it individual, societal, economic etc. So we as followers of this faith desire and pray for nothing less than for peace and justice to reign supreme in all parts of our globe. That is our main hope for 2025: May God make this a town, a nation and a planet of peace and tranquility.
The slogan of The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is: “Love For All, Hatred For None.” Our hope is that this is something not only every one of our members holds fast to but that all people make this a principle in their lives.
Everything that begins must have an end, only God is from ever and forever so we turn to Him for help, support and prosperity. May God make 2025 a blessed year for all of us. Ameen (Oh God! Please Accept This Prayer).
Usama Rehman graduated from The Ahmadiyya University Of Theology and Languages in 2020. He has been serving as the Imam and Missionary for The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in central and southwest Ohio since January 2022.
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