In His Name, the Most High
This is the seventh part in a detailed discussion on patience. The discussion is built on the seminal work (based on a series of lectures) by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khamenei. The book is published as ‘Discourses on Patience’.
Video of the Majlis (Sermon/Lecture)
This write up is a companion to the video majlis (sermon/lecture) found below:
Contents
Majlis - Patience - Part 7
Clip - Memories of al-Abbas
Ziyarat - Ziyarah of Sayyedah Zaynab
Recap
Over the past three weeks we have discussed the various fields of patience, that is Patience in Obedience, Patience Against Sin, Patience in Tragedies, and Patience in Optional Tragedies. This week, which is the penultimate session on this subject, we will be looking at two key points:
Firstly, the ways that Patience in Optional Tragedies can be encouraged, as per the teachings of Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and his pure family, peace and blessings of God be upon them all, as there is much in both the Quran and the traditions (ahadeeth/narrations) that can help with being better equipped to cope with these very difficult tests.
Secondly, we will start looking at the advantages and effects of patience. This final section, which will be started this week, and will conclude next week - with His permission and grace - will look at the effects of patience; which while they have been covered to an extent in each of the earlier section; we will look at them in more detail.
Ways for Encouraging Patience in Optional Tragedies
In view of its importance and fundamental role, there are many verses of the Quran that focus on this particular branch of patience, so that Muslims can feel the beauty of this very special struggle in their hearts and souls.
One of the ways for being patient against optional tragedies is to ponder on the tragedies that are beyond our control.
Indeed, in order that the inevitable confrontation with death may not be difficult for the wayfarers, those on the path of Truth, the path of God, the Holy Quran reminds us that:
Death is destined for all human beings. Those who do not die on the battlefield will eventually die on their beds in their homes. Life and death all belong to God, and the deeds which are carried by us, those which are accounted for on this path, carry the best of compensations and indeed bonuses from God, the Mighty, the Wise.
وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ ۚ أَفَإِن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ انقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِكُمْ ۚ وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ اللَّهَ شَيْئًا ۗ وَسَيَجْزِي اللَّهُ الشَّاكِرِينَ
Muhammad is no more than a messenger. Messengers have passed on before him. If he dies or gets killed, will you turn on your heels? He who turns on his heels will not harm God in any way. And God will reward the appreciative.
- Quran, Surah Aal-i-Imraan (the Chapter of the Family of Imraan) #3, Verse 144
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَقَالُوا لِإِخْوَانِهِمْ إِذَا ضَرَبُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ أَوْ كَانُوا غُزًّى لَّوْ كَانُوا عِندَنَا مَا مَاتُوا وَمَا قُتِلُوا لِيَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ ذَٰلِكَ حَسْرَةً فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
O you who believe! Do not be like those who disbelieved, and said of their brethren who marched in the land, or went on the offensive, “Had they stayed with us, they would not have died or been killed.” So that God may make it a cause of regret in their hearts. God gives life and causes death. God is Seeing of what you do.
- Quran, Surah Aal-i-Imraan (the Chapter of the Family of Imraan) #3, Verse 156
الَّذِينَ قَالُوا لِإِخْوَانِهِمْ وَقَعَدُوا لَوْ أَطَاعُونَا مَا قُتِلُوا ۗ قُلْ فَادْرَءُوا عَنْ أَنفُسِكُمُ الْمَوْتَ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
Those who said of their brethren, as they stayed behind, “Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed.” Say, “Then avert death from yourselves, if you are truthful.”
- Quran, Surah Aal-i-Imraan (the Chapter of the Family of Imraan) #3, Verse 168
The other method, consists of reminding of the progress accomplished by accepting these calamities on the desired path, and the severe blows dealt to the obstacles on the path by these means.
وَلَا تَهِنُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَنتُمُ الْأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
And do not waver, nor feel remorse. You are the superior ones, if you are believers.
- Quran, Surah Aal-i-Imraan (the Chapter of the Family of Imraan) #3, Verse 139
إِن يَمْسَسْكُمْ قَرْحٌ فَقَدْ مَسَّ الْقَوْمَ قَرْحٌ مِّثْلُهُ ۚ وَتِلْكَ الْأَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَيَتَّخِذَ مِنكُمْ شُهَدَاءَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ
If a wound afflicts you, a similar wound has afflicted the others. Such days We alternate between the people, that God may know those who believe, and take martyrs from among you. God does not love the evildoers.
- Quran, Surah Aal-i-Imraan (the Chapter of the Family of Imraan) #3, Verse 140
The Holy Quran, emphasises upon its followers to not worry, nor be weary, because victory ultimately belongs to the believers. If the believers receive blows, then certainly similar blows are also dealt to the enemy.
The third method, consists of narratives of the predecessors, of those who came before us, and their role and position against optional tragedies. The Holy Quran, puts the patience, steadfastness and fortitude of the prophets, their supporters and the pioneers of Islam in the following way:
وَكَأَيِّن مِّن نَّبِيٍّ قَاتَلَ مَعَهُ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيرٌ فَمَا وَهَنُوا لِمَا أَصَابَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَمَا ضَعُفُوا وَمَا اسْتَكَانُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِينَ
How many a prophet fought alongside him numerous godly people? They did not waver for what afflicted them in the cause of God, nor did they weaken, nor did they give in. God loves those who endure.
- Quran, Surah Aal-i-Imraan (the Chapter of the Family of Imraan) #3, Verse 146
There are many such verses; these are just a selection, and that too from a single chapter - that of the Family of Imraan - there are many verses; that describe very similar situations, and encourage the believers to walk the path of the prophets.
Of course, patience against such optional tragedies, while being potentially extremely difficult, and being something that requires a strong determination and faith; is nevertheless, at the same time a task that plays a miraculous role in producing and enhancing the resolve, building firm resolve and righteous belief, righteous faith; and more importantly, this is a crucial component that is responsible for the creation of an ideal Islamic society, an ideal Islamic community.
It is for this reason, there are many verses, as well as many narrations (ahadeeth/traditions) of the Prophet and his pure family, peace and blessings be upon them all, that emphasise, in varying styles and manners the importance of this branch of patience. Such traditions, as well as the many verses of the Quran, provide and guide to the necessary guidelines and instructions on its practice.
Since we have generally spoken of narrations in this discussion, let us therefore, quote one more narration about patience against all kinds of tragedies which is as follows:
“Abu Basir - a well known and famous companion of Imam as-Sadiq - quotes from Imam Ja’far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq, peace and blessings of God be upon them, as follows:
‘A free person is free in all situations, if a terrible tragedy befalls him, he is patient, and tragedies and such inflictions cannot break him. He might be arrested, chained, and subjected to great tyranny, but he converts those hardships into comfort as did Prophet Joseph the Righteous who’s freedom was least affected by oppression, tyranny and imprisonment’”
- al-Kafi, Volume 2, Page 89
The Advantages and Effects of Patience
Ultimately, before this series concludes, we must speak about, rather it is necessary that we discuss and mention, the advantages and constructive effects of patience.
While, through the course of our discourse, we have covered this subject to a certain degree, but it is worthwhile to provide more detailed information regarding the individual and social effects of patience. Indeed this warrants further discussion.
It should be mentioned here, that, we are not looking into the advantages of patience in the next world, that is the rewards which will be awarded in the hereafter to a person for being patient in their temporal life. But, at the same time, it should not be forgotten that such rewards, cannot be separated from some of the advantages of patience, as practices on this temporal realm.
At present, we will be looking into the rewards and advantages of patience, for a patient person, for a patient society or community, for groups of patient people.
It is difficult to start to select certain advantages out of the unlimited advantages of patience.
One could say in a nutshell, that everything, this world as well as the next world, the higher noble human ideals, as well as the lowest mischievous plots and schemes; in other words, each goal or aim, desired by anyone, are all directly tied to their being steadfast and patient.
If it is required to provide logical reasoning to support the above statement, an if the vast experiences gained by humanity throughout history are not sufficient enough to convince someone, then let us present this clear and explicit formula:
Accomplishment of a goal requires action, and action requires patience and endurance.
Everyone must have, at least a couple of times in their lifespan, examined the validity and correctness of this formula.
Permanence and Victory
Imam Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, peace and blessings be upon him, in the following words of great wisdom has said:
“A steadfast patient person would never be denied success, however, it may materialise after a long time”
- Nahjul Balagha
In another saying, attributed to Imam Ali, the same theme has been described as follows:
“Whoever mounts the horse of patience, would definitely find his path to the field of victory”
- Nahjul Balagha
During the battle of Siffien, in an inspiring sermon to boost the morale of his forces, of the believers, Imam Ali said:
“Make your supports upon righteousness and patience (stability, fortitude); because it is only after patience that victory shall be bestowed upon you”
- Tarikh Kamil of Ibn Athir
Is it really true, that patience and endurance will enable a person to achieve his goal? If this is an overall divine law that is always applicable, then why all along history do we encounter many groups, who despite their best efforts at endurance, steadfastness and patience could not accomplish their desired goals? Who could not witness that victory?
During the early period of Islam, there are incidents like the epic of Ashura, the uprising of the Tawwabun (the Repentant), of Imam Zayd ibn Ali and similar such incidents that took place in later periods.
Of course, everyone would like to know the answer to this quandary, to the above questions. If we ponder a little, the answer becomes abundantly clear.
Indeed, those who consider these historical events, such as the epic of Ashura, or the martyrdom of Imam Zayd ibn Ali, as being ‘unsuccessful’ and ‘inconclusive’ events, and indeed as a violation of the overall divine law - that after patience comes victory - have not recognised the aims and objectives that were incorporated in each of these events, and whose attainment, meant success and victory for these movements.
Now, let us ask this question:
What were the aims of these historical events?
If this question is to be answered correctly, it would become quite clear that under no circumstances were they defeated or disappointed in their endeavours and efforts towards achieving the cherished goals.
It should also be noted, that the aims and objectives, as regards to being long or short term, differ from each other.
Some of the aims could be accomplished in a short time, while others could only be realised after an extended period.
To plant a sapling, nurture it and make all other necessary arrangements, are preliminary requirements, in order to utilise the fruits of that tree.
If all the preliminary requirements are completed, without any negligence or delay, and if all appropriate precautions are taken to enable it to resist any negative factors that would lead to it being unproductive or that would cause it to decay, then without any doubt this plant would grow into a tree, and would bear fruits.
However, a uniform and fixed period for all places does not exist.
Sometimes, the fruits of such a tree will be obtained after one year. But occasionally, the type of tree, the fruits under consideration, and the natural circumstances are such that one cannot hope to have fruits for at least 10 years.
Certainly, the ultimate goal for taking care of this sapling, which will be achieved after 10 years, is to have the desired fruits of the tree.
During all these long years of waiting, the aim is such that each year’s efforts will move the sapling ever closer to the time when it will bear fruits. As each year passes, the gardener will become happier and satisfied that his efforts over the past years have produced results, that the sapling has grown through one stage getting a year, or a month, or a week, or even a day closer to its time for bearing fruit.
Now, if an observer, aware of the efforts and endeavours of this hard working and patient gardener, sees no fruits after the passing of a year, he may wring his hands in frustration, hopelessness and indeed may lose confidence in the famous notion - as we have discussed:
“It is only after patience, that victory will be attained.”
Indeed, if an observer, out of a lack of maturity and inexperience, was to criticise the gardener, then such an observer would obviously be deemed as a narrow minded and impatient person by everyone and would be reminded, that he should not expect that efforts and endeavours of one year will produce results, that are the equivalent of 10 years.
The movement of Ashura, and all other later movements that had the same direction and goals, without exception, succeeded in achieving their desired aims and goals.
Each of these movements were giant strides for the destruction of the power of tyrants that were ruling - illicitly - in the name of Islam, and for the establishment of the ideal Islamic society, the ideal Islamic community.
Without any doubt, following these pioneering giant steps, if the courage of later generations would have encouraged them to take the next steps, the ultimate result would have certainly been achieved.
Therefore, to expect that ultimate result, which could only be achieved through the organised, consistent, and continued efforts and involvement of a few generations, to be attained by a few people, or by a group of people from a single generation is certainly incorrect, and indeed results from ignorance and over expectation - both of which can lead to all manner of catastrophes.
In the example above, we can say to the impatient and inexperienced observers that; those who have accepted the hardship of gardening, and of discharging their duties, understand fully that the work done by them, every hour, every day has already produced the desired results, and indeed produced such results instantaneously, even before the passing of the hour or the day.
That they have achieved their result, through the practice of patience, with each passing instant.
Two years - for example - of the hard work of this gardener brings the fruit bearing date, closer by two years. If his efforts were not there, the fruit of the sapling would have been delayed by two years, or perhaps two years of fruit bearing time would have been wasted.
Is reality other than this?
Parallel to this reality, there exists another reality also. If, after an obstacle, which prevented the sincere gardener from continuing his job, another gardener does not pursue the duties of his predecessor, by undertaking the planned activities for the third and fourth years, then it is obvious that this tree will never bear fruit.
Let us consider the example of a certain load that needs to be carried to a place, say for example ten steps ahead of where it is. Now let us suppose, that it has moved by two steps. One could say that the load has gotten closer to its final destination by two steps.
If the first person, responsible for its delivery, is in a position to undertake the remaining steps, he would do so, if not, then his substitute would carry the load and complete the remaining steps to ensure that the load reaches its final destination.
But, if this responsibility - that of moving the load on its remaining eight steps - was not discharged by either the first person, or his substitute, then obviously the load will never be delivered to its final destination.
However, there is no doubt, that the result of patience in taking the first two pioneering steps have been achieved, because the load has moved by two steps.
To uproot a deep rooted tree, and to remove a huge rock without having the proper equipment, such as a drill, chainsaw, or powerful and strong hands is, of course, not possible.
But, even if someone has all of the require tools, but does not have patience; then they will not be able to accomplish their goal.
If the first person has strong hands and patience, after making some headway is forced to discontinue his efforts, then the others who were supposed to take his place are duty bound to carry on the job by one more step, and move another step closer to success.
Likewise, the uprising of Imam Zayd ibn Ali, because of an unexpected tragedy - an arrow struck him on the forehead and he fell instantly - could not accomplish the final victory, but the result of his pioneering step - that is to rise up against tyranny - was achieved immediately by him.
His uprising was a heavy blow to the huge rock of the usurper Umayyad regime.
A heavy rock, which requires repeated and continuous blows to it, in order to be destroyed completely, if the initial blows are accompanied by later blows, then this oppressive boulder of the tyrannical Umayyad rule - which hung like a yoke on the collective neck of the Islamic Ummah, the Islamic community and was a source of oppression - would have shattered into pieces.
Without a doubt, without the initial and severe blow being struck, the later blows would not have achieved those desired results, or maybe no one would have even dared to strike those later blows.
Indeed, there are narrations (ahadeeth/traditions) in the books such as Bihar al-Anwar and the like - that consider the martyrdom of the Master of the Martyrs, Imam Husayn as the key factor in the collapse of the Sufyanid rule, and the martyrdom of Imam Zayd ibn Ali as the key factor in the collapse of the Marwanid rule.
As a historical note; the Umayyads usurped the Islamic government in 41 AH, when Muawiyyah - the then governor of Damascus - forced Imam Hasan, the second Imam of the Muslims, to abdicate. The Umayyads were divided into two branches:
The Sufyanids, who’s rule terminated with the death of Muawiyyah ibn Yazid (aka Muawiyyah II) in 64 AH
The Marwanids whose rule started with Marwan ibn al-Hakam and ended with Marwan ibn Muhammad al-7emar in 132AH
The Umayyad regime was overthrown by the Abbasids, who were at least as corrupt and tyrannical if not arguably worse.
In looking at all these important lessons; we can see that what is happening today, what has happened since the start of creation where the humanity fell into a state of occupation; there have always been small movements that have worked to reform the entirety of humanity, the Islamic Ummah and return it to the straight path.
Patience has been a core component of all these efforts; that have been in motion since the very start of time. With each of the divinely inspired prophets - of which Islamic traditions tell us that there have been 124,000 - they have all been moving towards the Truth.
Each prophet and his community, picking up the baton, as the one before him moves on.
The ‘rally race’ is ongoing; but each part of this movement, brings humanity and the Islamic community, ever closer to the Truth, to Righteousness, to God.
When we saw in 1979, the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, this was a massive blow to the Satanic forces; to the hegemon; to those who seek to usurp the rights of humanity, but it would have been impossible, without the efforts that came before it.
Furthermore, its endurance, now for 45 years, would not have been possible without great patience, without great sacrifice; and indeed, through its existence; it has paved the way for - by way of inspiration if nothing else - the movement in Lebanon, in Palestine, in Iraq, in Syria, in Yemen, and all over the world.
People may - due to conditioning by the legacy media and politicians - attempt to deny this; but the very fact that Islam exists as a truly revolutionary force in this, the 21st Century of the common era, is because of the patient, diligent, and consistent work of the Prophets, the Imams, the thinkers, the martyrs, the truthful, the leaders of the Islamic Revolution, the leaders of the Islamic Resistance, and every truth seeking and truth promoting believer.
This chain was revived in Kerbala, by the Master of the Martyrs in the Epic of Ashura, and continues to move ever forwards; until the return of the Master of the Age, and indeed ever onwards till the day, when every soul is sorted.
This is why, when we reflect on the Epic of Ashura, there is great importance in that. When we recount the events; we give them life once more; we infuse the epic itself and the heroes of the epic into our own selves; and thereby, we recharge and strengthen our patience; while dispelling the Satanic forces of negligence and despondency.
This is why, it is so important, that the days of Muharram, the days of Arbaeen and other such events are utilised correctly by the various Islamic societies and community.
They should not become events where there is no movement towards the Truth, where clowns and entertainers, monkeys - as per the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad - are sat astride the pulpits and simply bemuse the people, and indeed, instead of moving them forwards towards Truth, take them backwards and towards falsehood.
The institution of the majlis (or gathering) that was established following the epic of Ashura by the likes of Lady Zaynab and Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-Abedeen, were not merely to mourn the martyrs of Ashura; but rather they were to renew the pledge, to ensure that their message continued, and that the movement of the Caravan be ever forwards.
When such gatherings are relegated to poor entertainment, or where the prostitution of the blessed efforts of the pioneers of Islam, such as the Prophet Muhammad and his pure family, peace and blessings be upon them all, is done to attain some temporal euphoria; this is not a means to move towards God, nor is it in sync with the practice of true patience.
Rather, this is the embodiment of impatience; where the impatient ones seek ‘instant gratification’ - be it by way of a brief dopamine rush, be it through ‘raising funds’ for all manner of confused and vanity projects; that do not help to move the community forward towards Truth, but further embroil said community in the trappings of this world.
Indeed, when there is a discussion at a majlis, at a gathering, that teaches from the teachings of the martyrs, expands on their goals and aims, and relates their struggles to those of the present day; this is the embodiment of patience; this is how the long term aims and goals of the martyrs are achieved, and this is something that is the practice of the Prophets and the Imams, of the Martyrs and the Truthful.
Such activities give us a renewed impetus, to move onwards; to stay firm to the path, regardless of the difficulties, and to know that the dawn is very near.
Indeed, as a clear example of this, we see the position and stance of Lady Zaynab, who saw everything, all the horror, the tyranny, the oppression, the terror meted out by the forces of Yazid against the pioneers of Truth on that fateful day of Ashura.
Yet she remained resolution. She remained strong.
She remained true to the covenant with God; so much so, that due to her great insight, and understanding, that the fruits of this great patience, this great resistance, would be so beautiful, she said, without any hesitation, when asked about how she saw the martyrdom of Imam Husayn, his family and companions by the forces of the Umayyad tyrannical despot Yazid ibn Muawiyyah; she said, clearly and firmly:
“I saw nothing, but beauty”
Her seeing beauty, was because she knew that due to the forbearance, the patience, the fortitude of Imam Husayn, his family and companions, due to the struggle and steadfastness of Imam as-Sajjad, due to the strength that she herself had been inspired with by the Lord of the Universes; she understood that this Caravan would never be stopped nor defeated; and this truly when we think of it even, is to see nothing but beauty.
When we look at how, in more recent times, the Islamic Resistance movements in both Palestine and Lebanon have suffered monumental blows, great hardships, genocide even. There have been horrific terror attacks, such as the now infamous pager and walkie-talkie sabotage operations that maimed hundreds if not thousands and murdered tens.
There have been the massive ‘bunker busting’ strikes where 85 tonnes of explosives were dropped in residential areas of Beirut’s southern suburbs, levelling them, razing them to the ground, that resulted in the martyrdom of our beloved Sayyed Abu Hadi and his companions, and countless innocents.
When we see all of these, the understanding should not be that of despondency; as we have discussed; rather that of beauty, as espoused by Sayyedah Zaynab in the follow up to to Ashura.
This is because; the enemy, the child killing Zionist genocidal criminals and their enablers in the collective West have achieved nothing. For decades they tried to destroy Afghanistan, what happened? They had to hand it back to the ones who they sought to depose.
In Iraq, they are more unstable as occupiers now, than they were before; and their hold on that country is weakening by the second.
In Syria, they exposed their true faces as the sponsors of the terrorist DAESH entity, and in Iraq when they murdered the greater warrior and opponent of DAESH, the Martyr of Quds, Hajj Qassem Soleimani, may God bless his eternal soul, they saw a fierce backlash; and they now know their time in the West Asia region is at an end.
In Yemen, they tried for years, using their weak-minded proxies of the regimes of the various oil fields and shopping malls with flags, to topple and remove the honourable movement of the Helpers of God - Ansarallah, led by Sayyed Abdul Malik Badreddine al-Houthi, may God protect him. They used all manner of munitions to murder the people of Yemen, yet what result did their yield? Have the heroes of Yemen bent the knee to the Empire or its vassals?
Far from it, indeed now, in order to prevent a genocide, the honourable heroes of Yemen, the people of Ansarallah, are enforcing a blockade that even the Zionist entities more stringent backer, the US empire is unable to break.
In Lebanon, they felt they had destroyed the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hizbullah, yet what happened? Hizbullah today, is far stronger and resolute than a year ago, even with all the pain and heartbreak it has been forced to endure. But this is the nature of the patient; this is nature of the believers, those who are true to their covenant with God; they are as described in the Quran:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
وَلَا تَقُولُوا لِمَن يُقْتَلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتٌ ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَشْعُرُونَ
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
أُولَٰئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَوَاتٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ ۖ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَO you who believe! Seek help through patience and prayers. God is with the steadfast.
And do not say of those who are killed in the cause of God, “Dead.” Rather, they are alive, but you do not perceive.
We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger, and some loss of possessions and lives and crops. But give good news to the steadfast.
Those who, when a calamity afflicts them, say, “To God we belong, and to Him we will return.”
Upon these are blessings and mercy from their Lord. These are the guided ones.- Quran, Surah al-Baqarah (the Chapter of the Cow) #2, Verses 153 to 157
Without going into these verses too deeply at this time, we can see that there is a profound logic and wisdom to why within Islam, we do not consider those who have been killed in the way of God as being ‘dead’, rather; they are alive, and receive their sustenance from their Lord and it is us who remain, who do not perceive them.
But, their path continues, their works continue. We saw with the Resistance in Lebanon, that when the Zionists murdered Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, that Shaykh Naeem Qassem became the Secretary-General of the Party of God, the operations and resistance against the Zionists continues unabated; and the Zionists have only further ensured their end.
The path of the martyrs, the path of the Caravan of Love, the path of Ashura, continues, unhindered, unbroken, and ever stronger and ever more resilient.
Indeed, we are reminded of a great saying by Imam Khomeini, and this was re-iterated by Marty Sayyed Abu Yasir, Sayyed Abbas al-Musawi, who said - as a direct message to the Zionist terrorists and their masters:
“Kill us, and our people will become ever stronger and stronger”
Even in Western mythology, such as that of the Star Wars franchise; it can be seen, that when the forces of evil, are about to kill the leaders of good, when the proverbial Darth Vader is about to strike down the Jedi Master, Obi Wan Kenobi; Kenobi tells Darth Vader:
“If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”
This is the eternal Truth, that Truth, righteousness will always prevail; and that falsehood and tyranny will always be destroyed; indeed the Quran speaks of this clearly:
وَقُلْ جَاءَ الْحَقُّ وَزَهَقَ الْبَاطِلُ ۚ إِنَّ الْبَاطِلَ كَانَ زَهُوقًا
And say, “The truth has come, and falsehood has withered away; for falsehood is bound to wither away.”
- Quran, Surah al-Isra (the Chapter of the Night Journey also known as the Chapter of the Children of Israel) #17, Verse 81
And from Him alone is all ability and He has authority over all things,
To Sayyed Abu Hadi, after more than 40 days, the wound is still as fresh and painful, your voice resonates in every event, ever single thing, reminds us of your smile, our hearts are broken as they were broken for your grandfather, the Master of the Martyrs, but we promise, and so God is our witness, we will continue on this path, without ever faltering, until we meet together in the Garden.