Hypocrisy in the Ummah: Vacationing While Palestine Bleeds

As the summer sun shines brightly, many eagerly embrace the vacation season, reveling in leisurely getaways and joyful reunions. Yet, in stark contrast, a harsh reality unfolds in Palestine, where the heat of oppression and violence relentlessly affects the lives of our brothers and sisters.

While we indulge in the luxuries of freedom and tranquility, they struggle to find respite from the unrelenting grip of occupation. This stark dichotomy raises a haunting question: can we truly celebrate our own liberation while turning a blind eye to the subjugation of our Ummah?

Despite our verbal expressions of sympathy for Palestinian children, our actions betray our true priorities. We condemn the injustices they face, yet we plan summer getaways for our own kids, indulging them in leisure activities. What are we teaching them by prioritizing our enjoyment over the suffering of their Muslim brothers and sisters?

The Quran reminds us:

“And whoever is saved from the wrath of Allah, it will be as if He has been saved from a great calamity” (Surah Al- Ankabut, Verse 3).

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“The believer is not he who is happy while his brother is suffering” (Sahih Bukhari).

By neglecting the plight of Gaza’s children, we fail as parents to instill the values of empathy, compassion, and justice in our own kids. We’re raising a generation that prioritizes self-interest over humanity, ignoring the struggles of others to focus on their own fleeting pleasures.

It’s time to reflect on our hypocrisy and teach our children the true meaning of Islam — to feel the pain of others and act with kindness and solidarity.

The concept of jihad is often misunderstood as merely violence. In fact, it is a struggle for justice, striving to uphold the rights of the oppressed and fighting against tyranny. It is a call to action, to stand against the injustices that afflict the innocent, like the children of Palestine. But instead of answering this call, we indulge in leisure activities, prioritizing our comfort over the struggle for justice.

This summer vacation was a missed opportunity to teach our kids about humanity, compassion, and the value of struggling for justice. Instead of indulging them in leisure activities, we should have educated them about the importance of standing up for the oppressed, like Palestinian children facing occupation and displacement.

There’s a disconnect between our proclaimed Muslim values and our inaction in supporting oppressed Muslim communities like Palestine. We recite verses and hadiths emphasizing justice, compassion, and solidarity, yet fail to translate them into action.

As parents, we must instill these values in our children through activities promoting empathy, kindness, and justice, such as volunteering, charity work, and advocating for the oppressed. If we don’t, we fail as Muslims, parents, and humans, raising children who will inherit a legacy of hypocrisy and indifference.

As we return from our summer vacations, let us reflect on our priorities and consider the values we want to pass on to our children. Do we want to raise a generation that values luxury over justice, comfort over compassion, and indifference over humanity? Or do we want to raise a generation that understands the true meaning of jihad, that strives for justice, and stands in solidarity with the oppressed?

Consider ways to support Palestine, even if symbolically — through donations, advocacy, or simply learning about their struggles. Teach our children that justice is not a mere word but a value worth fighting for. Together, we can make a difference, ensuring our children inherit a legacy of compassion, justice, and humanity.

As we speak out against injustice, let us remember that solidarity is not a social media trend, but a call to action. Marginalized communities like Palestine need our genuine empathy and tangible support. They need us to listen to their stories, amplify their voices, and use our privilege to advocate for their rights.

Let us move beyond tokenistic gestures and work towards meaningful actions that bring tangible change. Let us be the generation that not only speaks out against injustice but also takes action to dismantle it, ensuring justice and equality become a reality for all.