Fort Smith Mosque Pays the Debts of Man Who Vandalized Their Building

 In October of 2016, the Masjid Al Salam in Fort Smith was vandalized. But over one year later, the man behind the act, Abraham Davis, receives his ticket to freedom from the people he hurt the most. 

"It shouldn't be hanging over him for the rest of his life," President of Al Salam Louay Nassri said.

October of 2016 Swastika's etched in spray paint and the words "go home" covered the front of the Masjid Al Salam. 

The mosque security cameras caught the man behind the act. 

"We knew this person did a bad thing and there has to be consequences for their actions," Nassri said. "But we didn't have any ill feelings towards anybody."

Abraham Davis' felony charge consisted of community service and a hefty fine. 

A task Davis might not have been able to complete on his own. 

"We heard that he was having financial problems," Nassri said. "Now if you don't pay your fine, that's an automatic six years in jail. Well, we didn't want him to go to jail for six years."

So just before the new year arrives, president of Al Salam Louay Nassri decided to write a check for one-thousand seven hundred dollars to wipe away the rest of Davis' fines.

"After all that he had been through, we didn't want him sitting on the severe financial stress," Nassri said. "And like I told him, we want him to have a much better future."

The large sum of money was originally set aside for renovations to the mosque. 

"We thought this was the right thing to do," Nassri said. "We thought if someone does something bad and came and apologized, you just forgive them. That should be the natural thing. We had no idea that this forgiveness would be an international story."

Nassri says "Al Salam" means "peace" and he continues to uphold that meaning. 

"If he would've known who we are, he wouldn't of done this," Nassri said. "If we would've known his troubles with us, we would've tried to help him. Communication is extremely important. Education is extremely important."

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HADITH OF THE DAY: GOD'S MERCY IS NOT LIMITED

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recited: "My servants who have transgressed against their souls (through sinning should) not despair of God's mercy, for God pardons all sins." (Quran, 39:53)

Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 745

The Prophet also quoted the devil as saying to God: "I shall continue to lead Thy servants astray as long as their spirits are in their bodies." God replied: "(And) I shall continue to pardon them as long as they ask My forgiveness."

Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 742

Hadith: Ask god for forgiveness and health

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Ask God for forgiveness and health, for after being granted certainty, one is given nothing better than (good) health." - Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 780

Dont Be Sad: Extract the honey but do not break the hive

Everything that has gentleness in it is beautified, and whatever lacks it is spoiled. When you meet someone, giving him a bright smile and a kind word, you are displaying a characteristic of the truly successful man, a characteristic that even a bee exhibits. When a bee lands on a flower (doing so for a practical purpose) it does not destroy it, because Allah rewards gentleness with that which He does not give for harshness. There are certain people whose personalities are like magnets, attracting everyone who is nearby, simply because they are loved for their gentle talk, their good manners, and their noble deeds.

Winning the friendship of others is an art that is mastered by those that are noble and pious; a circle of people constantly surrounds them. Their mere presence in a gathering is a blessing, and when they are absent they are missed and asked about.

These blessed people have a code of conduct entitled:

{Repel [the evil] with one which is better [i.e. Allah ordered the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly], then verily! He, between whom and you there was enmity [will become] as though he was a close friend.} (Qur’an 41. 34)

They suck out malice from others with their sincerity, forgiveness, and gentleness. They forget evil that was enacted upon them and preserve the memory of kindnesses received. Biting, harsh words may be aimed at them, but such words pass by their ears without entering and continue on their path without ever returning. They are in a state of calmness. People in general, and Muslims in particular, are safe from suffering any harm at their hands. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:

“The Muslim is the person whose tongue and hand do not harm other Muslims. And the Believer is he whom others trust, with their blood and wealth.”

He (bpuh) also said:

“Verily, Allah ordered me to keep relations with those that cut me off, to forgive the one who does an injustice with me, and to give to those who withhold from me.”

{Those who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily Allah loves the good-doers.} (Qur’an 3: 134)

Give to such people glad tidings of an imminent reward in this world, in terms of peace and tranquility.

Also give glad tidings to them of a great reward in the Hereafter, of Paradise, wherein they will be in close proximity to their forgiving Lord.