Friday, Oct 18Â |Â 3:30pm ET
In the early hours of Monday, an airstrike hit the al-Aqsa Hospital compound in Gaza, setting tents ablaze where families had sought shelter. Women and children were trapped inside as the fire spread. The footage is haunting—people on fire, others screaming and tearing down tents in desperation. At least four people lost their lives, and many more were injured.Â
In moments like these, it’s hard not to ask: “Why is God allowing this to happen? If God is so Loving, why is there so much suffering? Why doesn’t He intervene?” And it’s not just what we see in the news—maybe you’ve felt the weight of these questions in your own life. Personal struggles, loss, and hardship can leave you wondering: “Where is God in all of this?”
Join us for a deeply reflective conversation this Friday with Shaykh Fouad Elgohari, a scholar with over 15 years of study in Islamic theology and expertise in addressing life’s toughest questions. Sh. Fouad has dedicated his work to helping believers understand the nature of God and how to reconcile faith with hardship.
In this session, he’ll shed light on how Islamic theology approaches the reality of suffering—and why, even in the darkest moments, there is wisdom to be found. If you’ve ever questioned God’s will or need tools to help you process these painful events, don’t miss this session.Â
Shaykh Fouad Elgohari
Fouad Elgohari was born in Cairo, Egypt and raised in the U.S.A. As a student of fifteen years in the classical Islamic sciences with a specialization in systematic theology (kalam), Fouad serves as an instructor, academic consultant, and research fellow on various international councils, institutes, and educational programs.
He received a Bachelor’s degree in the Liberal Arts, and went on to pursue Islamic Studies in Egypt from numerous institutes and under the supervision of senior-scholars of Al-Azhar where he received advanced traditional licenses (ijazat khassah) to teach credal theology, Sunni legal theory, Maliki Legal Rulings, Arabic language, tasawwuf, Ḥadith, and the Qur’anic sciences. He went on to further specialize in systematic theology (kalam) and legal theory (usul al-fiqh). In 2018 he graduated from Claremont School of Theology with an M.A. in Islamic Studies. His research is in post-classical (13-18th century) Islamic intellectual history, with a focus on the rational sciences (kalam, usul, logic, philosophy).
Fouad is a faculty member with Sabeel Community’s Dar al-Rayyan, a Traditional Global Seminary program. He is also currently a regular weekly instructor at The Majlis, a local initiative in Southern California founded on offering traditional learning in the American context, while developing an intentional community rooted in love and service.
What is Friday Gems?
Friday Gems is CelebrateMercy’s weekly live online program, which aims to further our mission to educate the world on the true essence of the Prophet’s ﷺ life and character.
For the average busy English-speaking Muslim adult, it’s a great way to maintain a consistent connection with the most beloved ﷺ of God, on the most blessed day of the week.
Part 1 (30 min) of the session is a fulfillment of the tradition of the Prophet ﷺ to engage meaningfully with the 18th chapter of the Quran, The Cave (al-Kahf), every Friday. This practice holds various virtues. English translation is shown on the screen with the Arabic verses so that it’s a meaningful experience for the audience.
Part 2 (30 min) is an inspiring and practical reminder delivered by one of our esteemed teachers on a certain aspect of the Prophet’s ﷺ life, character and teachings. This is coupled with references to relevant passages in the Quran. The topic is presented in a manner that’s applicable to one’s own life, today’s world and current events.
Part 3 (20 min) is a heartfelt discussion and Q&A between the teacher and the audience. It’s a great opportunity to foster community and support one another, no matter where a person is in their journey. Emulating the Prophetic example, prayers and encouragement are exchanged, leading to a heart softening and spiritually uplifting experience.