Reflecting on Ashura Observances; Historical and Modern Parallels of Injustice - Maulana S M Rizvi

- The first ashara of Muḥarram was observed peacefully, except in Muscat, Oman, where extremists attacked Shi‘a mourners, killing and wounding some on the eve of Āshūrā’.
- In conflicts between right and wrong, truth is often the first casualty as the unjust party justifies its actions and demonizes victims.
- Imam Ḥusayn (a) foresaw the tyrant Yazid’s actions and, in a written statement, denied any ulterior motives, stating he rose not out of pride, insolence, or tyranny, but to seek reformation in his community.
- The pattern of tyrants blaming victims continues today, exemplified by the Israeli PM’s statements to the US Congress about the Gaza conflict, which Ruth Michaelson of the Guardian fact-checked:
- Netanyahu’s claim about aid trucks to Gaza was contradicted by UN data showing fewer trucks than he stated.
- Netanyahu’s assertion about civilian safeguarding measures was undermined by ongoing civilian casualties and displacements in Gaza, with the IDF's flyers and messages failing to prevent harm.
- Israel dropped 75,000 tonnes of explosives on Gaza, a figure surpassing the bombs dropped on London during 1940-1941.
- Historical cycles show that tyrants eventually face consequences, as promised in the Qur’an (Sūrah ash-Shu‘arā’, 26:227).
- Blaming the victim is not new, as seen in Karbala, with historical figures like Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn al-‘Arabi denying Yazid’s responsibility for Imam Ḥusayn’s death.
- Saudi Mufti Shk. ‘Abdul ‘Azīz Ãl ash-Shaykh stated that allegiance to Yazid was legitimate and criticized Imam Ḥusayn for withholding allegiance, though he asked for Allah’s forgiveness for Husain’s actions.

Friday Juma Khutba
Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi
July 26th, 2024

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