By: Abdul Hadi Awang, PAS President
Many Iranian leaders have been involved in the Palestinian struggle against Israel from the very beginning, as well as the Bosnian War and in every crisis faced by the Muslim Ummah. At the same time, they also provided refuge to Afghan mujahidin leaders during the invasions by the Soviet Union, and later by the United States.
The relation between Islam and Persia, now known as Iran, has existed since the early period of Islam. In the past, its king rejected the letter sent by the Prophet Muhammad SAW. Yet two Companions of the Prophet also came from Iran: Salman al-Farisi RA, the well-known Companion who advised the defensive strategy during the Battle of Ahzab, and Bazan bin Sasan RA, who was appointed by the Prophet as the Kirst Wali (Governor) of Yemen.
In addition, many scholars in both religious and worldly sciences who contributed to the creation of the Islamic civilization were also from Iran. They represented all schools of thought within Islam and excelled in various branches of worldly knowledge.Islam has held full authority in Iran since the time of Caliph ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab RA until today.
Previously, the Shah of Iran, backed by major colonial powers, attempted to detach Iran from the Muslim world and collaborated with Zionist Israel. However, he ultimately failed and was overthrown through the Islamic Revolution in 1979, which subsequently declared the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran openly. Efforts by secular Arab nationalists to overturn it afterward through the Gulf War, supported by hostile superpowers, also ended in failure.
Even issues of sect and ethnicity, which had been manipulated, failed to sever the bonds of Islamic brotherhood that is akin to one single body. This is described in the hadith of the Prophet SAW:
مَثَلُ المُؤمِنينَ في تَوادِّهِمْ وَ تَعاطُفِهِمْ وَ تَراحُمِهِمْ مَثَلُ الجَسدِ؛ إذا اشتكى مِنهُ عُضوٌ تَداعى سائرُ الجَسَدِ بالسَّهَرِ و الحُمّى
“You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it.” [Narrated by Muslim, Sahih Muslim, Book of Virtue, Enjoining Good Manners, and Joining of the Ties of Kinship, no. 2586, from al-Nu‘man bin Bashir]
The people of Iran not only continue to perform the pilgrimage (Hajj) in Makkah enmasse, but they have also taken firm action against deviant teachings such as the Baha’i and others that attempted to infiltrate their society, to the extent that the Baha’i were compelled to relocate their administrative center to Haifa, Israel.
Many Iranian leaders have been involved in the Palestinian struggle against Israel from the very beginning, as well as the Bosnian War and in every crisis faced by the Muslim Ummah. At the same time, they also provided refuge to Afghan mujahidin leaders during the invasions by the Soviet Union, and later by the United States.
They have also made firm and bold stance in banning the Zionist state of Israel after the Islamic Revolution and in aligning themselves with the Palestinian cause, particularly supporting Islamic groups to lead the struggle.
This situation ought to bring shame to those who claim themselves as Arabs and Muslims, when Iran has been the boldest in confronting Zionist Israel and all major powers, to the extent of sacrificing their leaders, military commanders, and national wealth.
The Persian nation has been described as a fortress, defending Islam at times when the Arab nation experienced weakness, as explicitly indicated by the Prophet SAW when interpreting the words of Allah SWT:
هُوَ ٱلَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي ٱلۡأُمِّيِّـۧنَ رَسُولࣰا مِّنۡهُمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيهِمۡ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ لَفِي ضَلَٰلࣲ مُّبِينࣲ
وَءَاخَرِينَ مِنۡهُمۡ لَمَّا يَلۡحَقُواْ بِهِمۡۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ
He is the One Who raised for the illiterate (people) a messenger from among themselves—reciting to them His revelations, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, for indeed they had previously been clearly astray, (2) along with others of them who have not yet joined them (in faith).
For He is the Almighty, All-Wise. (3) This is the favour of Allah. He grants it to whoever He wills. And Allah is the Lord of inLinite bounty. (4)” [Surah al-Jumu‘ah: 2–4]
Abu Hurairah RA asked the Messenger of Allah SAW, repeating the question three times, “Who are those other people, O Messenger of Allah?”
At that moment, Salman al-Farisi RA was beside the Messenger of Allah. The Prophet then
responded while placing his hand on Salman’s body, saying:
لو کان الدیـن عند الثریا لذهب به رجل من فارس ـ او قال ـ مـن ابناء فارس حتى یتناوله
“If Faith were at (the place of) al-Thuraiya (Pleiades, the highest star), even then (some men or man from these people (i.e. Salman's folk) would attain it.” [Narrated by al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an, no. 4897, from Abu Hurairah].
This demonstrates the special favour granted by Allah to the Persian after they embraced Islam.
We are witnessing the truth of the Prophet’s SAW words at a time when the Muslim Ummah is in a state of profound weakness, so much so that Bayt al-Maqdis, one of the sacred lands of Islam, the Kirst Qiblah, and the site of the Isra’ and the beginning of the Mi‘raj (when the Messenger of Allah SAW was invited by Allah), is now under occupation by Zionist Jews who are committing aggression in that noble sanctuary. The Prophet SAW affirmed that a group would arise in that region who would never surrender, as stated in his hadith:
لا تزال عصابة من أمتي يقاتلون على أمر الله، قاهرين لعدوهم، لا يضرهم من خالفهم، حتى تأتي الساعة وهم على ذلك. قالو رسول الله و این هم؟ قال ببیت المقدس و اکناف بیت المقدس
“A group of my Ummah will remain on truth, they will vanquish their enemy and those who disagree with them will not be able to harm them until Allah commands.” The Companions asked, “Where are these people?” The Prophet SAW said, “In and around Bayt al-Maqdis.” [Narrated by Ahmad, Musnad Ahmad, Musnad al-Ansar, no. 22320, from Abu Umamah al-Bahili]
The Islamic Republic of Iran has come to the forefront, not disappointing the sacred city of the Muslims, and becoming the Kirst state to respond to the call of Allah SWT through His command:
وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَٰذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ الظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَاجْعَلْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ وَلِيًّا وَاجْعَلْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ نَصِيرًا
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ الطَّاغُوتِ فَقَاتِلُوا أَوْلِيَاءَ الشَّيْطَانِ ۖ إِنَّ كَيْدَ الشَّيْطَانِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا
“And what is it with you? You do not Light in the cause of Allah and for oppressed men, women, and children who cry out, ‘Our Lord! Deliver us from this land of oppressors! Appoint for us a saviour; appoint for us a helper—all by Your grace.’ (75) Believers Light for the cause of Allah, whereas disbelievers Light for the cause of the Devil. So Light against Satan’s (evil) forces. Indeed, Satan’s schemes are ever weak. (76)” [Surah al-Nisa’: 75–76]
The suffering the Palestinians endured has stirred the conscience of humanity across the world. Yet, some Muslim and Arab countries have been deeply disappointing, as their hearts have not been moved, even to the extent of showing sympathy for their fellow believers who are being brutally assaulted without any sense of humanity by Zionist Jews who have unleashed their hostility against the Muslim Ummah. This affirms the words of Allah SWT:
لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ النَّاسِ عَدَاوَةً لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُمْ مَوَدَّةً لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّا نَصَارَى ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًا وَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ﴿۸۲﴾
“You will surely Lind the most bitter towards the believers to be the Jews and polytheists and the most gracious to be those who call themselves Christian. That is because there are priests and monks among them and because they are not arrogant.” [Surah al-Ma’idah: 82]
Among the Christians around the world, there are those who express sympathy. Unfortunately, some of them who claim to be Muslims are thoroughly disappointing, as mentioned by the Messenger of Allah SAW. Where do they place the words of the Messenger of Allah SAW:
المسلم أخو المسلم لا يظلمه ولا يسلمه. من كان في حاجة أخيه كان الله في حاجته، ومن فرج عن مسلم كربة فرج الله عنه بها كربة من كرب يوم القيامة، ومن ستر مسلمًا ستره الله يوم القيامة
“A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor. Whoever fulfilled the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfil his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort, Allah will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever screened a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Resurrection.” [Hadis riwayat al-Bukhari, Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Oppressions, no. 2442 and Muslim, Sahih Muslim, Book of Virtue, Enjoining Good Manners, and Joining of the Ties of Kinship, no. 2580,
from ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar]
Such is the obligation of brotherhood in Islam.
The oppression committed by Zionist Jews against their Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine is beyond the bounds of humanity. Where is the sense of faith and humanity among those who have disappointed the Palestinian people?
We are facing an era in which the Muslim Ummah is large in number, yet had fallen victim to its enemies due to the weakness described by the Messenger of Allah SAW:
توشک أن تداعی علیکم الأمم من کل أفق کما تداعی الأکلة علی قصعتها. قال: قلنا یا رسولالله! أمن قلّة یومئذٍ؟ قال: انتم یومئذٍ کثیر، و لکن تکونون غثاء کغثاء السیل ینتزع المهابة من قلوب عدوکم و یجعل فی قلوبکم الوهن. قال: قلنا و ما الوهن؟ قال: حبّ الدنیا و کراهیة الموت
“The people will soon summon one another to attack you as people when eating invite others to share their dish. Someone asked, “Will that be because of our small numbers at that time?” He replied, “No, you will be numerous at that time, but you will be scum and rubbish like that carried down by a torrent, and Allah will take fear of you from the breasts of your enemy and last enervation into your hearts.” Someone asked, “What is Wahn (enervation)?” The Messenger of Allah SAW replied, “Love of the world and dislike of death.” [Narrated by Abu Dawud, Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Battles, no. 4297 and Ahmad, Musnad Ahmad, Musnad al-Ansar, no. 22397, from Thauban bin Bujdud]
We witness that countries richest in resources are the most cowardly and submissive to their enemies, to the extent of being subjugated and normalizing relations with the illegitimate state of Israel.
Scholars of all People of the Qiblah sects (Sunni, Shi‘a, Ibadi, and others) unanimously came to the consensus that it is obligatory upon every Muslim to engage in jihad, and that it becomes an individual obligation (fard ‘ayn) when the enemy invades any Muslim land.
Palestine has been plundered for so long, and Iran that stand alongside it, has become the target of attack by all major powers allied in an Ahzab-like confederation. The Muslims are being tested as they were during the time of the Messenger of Allah SAW, as mentioned in the Quran:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ جَاءَتْكُمْ جُنُودٌ فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ رِيحًا وَجُنُودًا لَمْ تَرَوْهَا وَكَانَ اللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرًا ﴿۹﴾
إِذْ جَاءُوكُمْ مِنْ فَوْقِكُمْ وَمِنْ أَسْفَلَ مِنْكُمْ وَإِذْ زَاغَتِ الْأَبْصَارُ وَبَلَغَتِ الْقُلُوبُ الْحَنَاجِرَ وَتَظُنُّونَ بِاللَّهِ الظُّنُونَا ﴿۱۰﴾ هُنَالِكَ ابْتُلِيَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَزُلْزِلُوا زِلْزَالًا شَدِيدًا ﴿۱۱﴾
وَإِذْ يَقُولُ الْمُنَافِقُونَ وَالَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ مَا وَعَدَنَا اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ إِلَّا غُرُورًا ﴿۱۲﴾
“O believers! Remember Allah’s favour upon you when (enemy) forces came to (besiege) you (in Medina), so We sent against them a (bitter) wind and forces you could not see. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do. (9) (Remember) when they came at you from east and west, when your eyes grew wild (in horror) and your hearts jumped into your throats, and you entertained (conflicting) thoughts about Allah. (10) Then and there the believers were put to the test, and were violently shaken. (11) And (remember) when the hypocrites and those with sickness in their hearts said, Allah and His Messenger have promised us nothing but delusion!’ (12)”
[Surah al-Ahzab: 9–12]
The Quran is the guidance of Allah that endures until the Day of Judgment. Herein lies the true
responsibility of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), not merely to speak among
themselves in forums or at the international level.
Muslim countries are obliged to make preparation and unite in fulfilling the command of Allah
SWT:
وَأَعِدُّواْ لَهُم مَّا ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُم مِّن قُوَّةࣲ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ ٱلۡخَيۡلِ تُرۡهِبُونَ بِهِۦ عَدُوَّ ٱللَّهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمۡ وَءَاخَرِينَ مِن دُونِهِمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ يَعۡلَمُهُمۡۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُواْ مِن شَيۡءࣲ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيۡكُمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ لَا تُظۡلَمُونَ
“Prepare against them what you (believers) can of (military) power and
cavalry to deter Allah’s enemies and your enemies as well as other enemies
unknown to you but known to Allah. Whatever you spend in the cause of Allah
will be paid to you in full and you will not be wronged.” [Surah al-Anfal: 60]
It is obligatory to make the necessary preparations in accordance with present circumstances and
time.
Note: This article was originally written in Malay and was published in Harakahdaily.
