“Allah is sufficient for us and the best of those on whom to depend.” – Koran, 3:173

Surely there is no might, power or deity but God that protects and brings us time after time, triumphantly through the perils of the mighty storms and hurricanes that constantly threaten destruction to our island home.

We in Bermuda should be eternally grateful and give sincere praise and thanks to the Almighty for bringing us through the winds and rains of Hurricane Ernesto last weekend.

There is no messing around with Mother Nature, only the Almighty can conquer the forces of a wild and raging storm.

What can the believers do but pray for God’s mercy and compassion to quell the storm and bring us safely out of danger. Indeed, prayer is power and God relented to our prayers yet again – Alhamdulillah (praise be to God/thanks be to God!).

I believe I can confidently speak on behalf of the Muslim community that we are most grateful and give sincere thanks to the Almighty for sparing Bermuda devastation once again.

This is the prayer we pray during a storm: “O Allah, I ask You for the good of it, for the good of what it contains, and for the good of what is sent with it. I seek refuge in You from the evil of it, from the evil of what it contains, and from the evil that is sent with it.” (Muslim 2:616 and Al-Bukhari 4:76).

Believe it or not, there is an opposite in everything and according to the above Hadith, which was written over 1,400 years ago and is now backed up by science, storms and hurricanes do have some benefits!

Storms help to clean up our planet as we continue to abuse it, the storms and hurricanes become more frequent and more fierce.

To attain a balance and to rejuvenate every year, if you like, Earth undergoes a spring cleaning of sorts. I invite you to research for yourself the Koran, the Hadiths and the sciences as they all attest to the following benefits that hurricanes and storms cause, such as:

• Bringing rain to drought-hit areas

• Breaking up bacteria and red tide

• Providing a global heat balance

• Replenishing barrier islands

• Restoring and rejuvenating plant life

• Bringing communities together

• Making the residents appreciate their government and emergency services.

There is no “I” in team and it has been proven that we in Bermuda pull together in times of need. We look out for each other. We are a team to be reckoned with!

I echo the sentiments of Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, that the men and women of the Department of Parks, the Department of Works and Engineering, including the Highways section, have shown dedication to bring normalcy and safety to residents and visitors alike and deserve to be commended.

So yes, a lot of good can come out of adversity.

Bermuda, let’s continue to do what we do; to pray, to give thanks and to become even a stronger team in all things.

Teamwork makes the dream work. Oh yes, let us undoubtedly do our bit in healing our planet, making it our duty to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Throughout the Koran, Allah advises that He has appointed mankind as stewards of the Earth or “khalifas” (vicegerents) of God: “It is He who has appointed you vicegerents on the Earth.” (Koran, 6:165)

It is our duty, our moral responsibility and obligation to be kind to the Earth as God has commanded us to be and in return, Earth will be kind to us.

Bermuda, let us continue to pray for protection and God’s mercy. Likewise, let us pray for those suffering from natural disasters and the evil of wars.

Let us speak out against blatant genocide. Demand the powers that be to cease fire now and permanently. Pray for justice, which will bring peace on Earth.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto to you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam