As-salaamu-alaikum everyone,
The struggle continues! Each day we all must confront and endure the struggles of this life as we move closer and closer to our creator. We all continue to endure the coronavirus. We all continue to endure racism and the struggle to make Black Lives Matter. Tomorrows khutbah will be about the struggles that women continue to endure. This weekend is the day of Ashura. On this day, many Muslims will struggle to keep the memory of Karbala and Imam Husain alive while others will struggle by fasting. And Lord knows we all have our own personal struggles that we deal with.
Therefore we pray for Allah to give us SABR. God is with those who have SABR [2:153]. Although SABR is often translated as patience, I understand it to be a meaning that combines the concept of patience and perseverance together. To me, SABR means to keep struggling for all that is good while having the patience to never give up.
So I encourage all of you (and especially me) to keep doing the best you can. Do not lose hope. Keep struggling on and enduring the challenges around us. God is with those who have SABR.
Brother Joshua