Imperialism And Resistance

A series of excellent majalis delivered by Shaykh Shabbir Hassanally – reflecting on both individual and societal levels of pride and arrogance, with examples from the Qur’an, our history, and our contemporary period. The majalis are in English – and are a must viewing for Muslim and non-Muslim readers of this blog, especially those of you who do not speak Urdu (as most of the majalis I post here are in Urdu).

There are five majalis in all, embeded below is the first day (unfortunately, for some reason, there is a fair bit of background noise and beeping that can be a minor irritant – but bear with it, because the content is important and clearly presented) – A playlist for all five days is available here

Millions upon millions upon millions, estimated 2-3 million in Tehran alone, of Iranians took to the streets today to express a super massive display of their support for the Islamic Revolution and for the Islamic Republic – below are a few photographs and videos from the marches and demonstrations.

Allama Jawad Naqwi is a well known and outstanding scholar of Islam, his talks are widely listened to in Pakistan, and around the world amongst Urdu speakers. English speakers can now read some of his thoughts in online books – that also includes translations of some of his majalis.

Click on the images or links below to read the online books:

Martyr and Martyrdom

The Values of Ashura

Azadari A Movement of Lady Zainab

The System of Wilayat in the Vision of Qur’an

Watch Press TV for complete coverage of Ashura commemoration from around the planet – videos will be posted as they become available.

The Messenger of Allah (s) said: “Whoever observes a sovereign (government) legalizing what Allah has made unlawful, violating the covenant of Allah, opposing the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, and treating the creatures of Allah sinfully and oppressively, and does not oppose him with his speech and action, Allah has a right to bring him to the same fate as that of the tyrant.”

The month of Muharram is of profound importance in the history of Islam, and for all Muslims struggling for justice, and against imperialist ideologies. The events leading up to, and the actual historical battle on the day of Ashura (10th of Muharram) between the forces of Yazeed, and the companions and family of Imam Hussein (AS) carries within it lessons and implications that are beautifully multilayered but, in my view, can only be understood within the context of a struggle. Those not engaged in a struggle for justice may still experience the profound emotions, and be moved to tears. But the real lessons, the internal and external experience of tears, a sorrow of resistance, an identification with the message can only be experienced by that nation, community, and those individuals who are actively questioning the tyrannies of our times.

Urdu speakers (Shi’a or not) should take the time to listen to the majalis of Allama Jawad Naqwi and Maulana Murtaza Zaidi The Muharram site of Shi’a TV is also worth watching during this month.