Marriage is Half of Dīn, Not Isrāf: What we learn from the wedlock of ‘Ali (‘a) and Fatimah (s) By: Agha Shabbir Abbas As the marriage of Fatimah (s), the most-beloved daughter of Muhammad (s), to ‘Ali b. Abi Talib (‘a) took place on the first of Dhū al-Ḥijjah, it is imperative to derive someContinue reading “Marriage is Half of Dīn, Not Isrāf: What we learn from the wedlock of ‘Ali (‘a) and Fatimah (s)”
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Knowledge is Power; Muslims Powerless?
Knowledge is Power; Muslims Powerless? By Agha Shabbir Abbas Nearly 400 years ago, the English philosopher Francis Bacon proclaimed ‘Knowledge is Power’ (scientia potentia est); the veracity of this maxim is unquestionable as the nations wielding the most power today too are home to the best of universities, the foci of global learning. It isContinue reading “Knowledge is Power; Muslims Powerless?”
Ramadan Reflection, Abu Hamzah al-Thumali
Ramadan Reflection, Abu Hamzah al-Thumali Some of the great companions of the Prophet (s) as well as the companions of the Imams (‘a) were people whom if alive today we would point fingers at and condemn. One such historical figure is Abu Hamzah al-Thumali, whose Ramadan supplication many of us are reciting (Du’a of AbuContinue reading “Ramadan Reflection, Abu Hamzah al-Thumali”
The Nakbah: Israel’s Extermination of Indigenous Palestinian Shi’ism
The Nakbah: Israel’s Extermination of Indigenous Palestinian Shi’ism By: Agha Shabbir Abbas When the tense history of Israel and the Shi’i world is discussed, either the brutal Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon (1985-2000) is mentioned and the resulting rise of the Hezbollah militia, or the bitter regional rivalry between the Islamic Republic of Iran andContinue reading “The Nakbah: Israel’s Extermination of Indigenous Palestinian Shi’ism”
“Stand Up for the Sake of Allah…” (34:46)
Stand Up for the Sake of Allah By: Agha Imam al-Khomeini during his exile in Najaf al-Ashraf would advise his students (including my own teacher who similarly advised me) to reflect upon the following verse of the Qur’an and to apply it to their lives: قُلۡ إِنَّمَآ أَعِظُكُم بِوَٲحِدَةٍۖ أَن تَقُومُواْ لِلَّهِ مَثۡنَىٰ وَفُرَٲدَىٰ ثُمَّContinue reading ““Stand Up for the Sake of Allah…” (34:46)”
Young Muslims Need to be Radical, Capitalism is Jāhilīyyah
Young Muslims Need to be Radical, Capitalism is Jāhilīyyah By Agha In the study of the Prophetic life, not much emphasis is given to Muḥammad (s) in his youth. This may derive from the fallacy that his prophethood only began after the age of 40, for that is the advent of revelation. In fact theContinue reading “Young Muslims Need to be Radical, Capitalism is Jāhilīyyah”
Eve an Equal to Adam: Not Created by the Rib
Eve an Equal to Adam: Not Created by the Rib By: Agha Shabbir Abbas According to the United Nations nearly 35% of females worldwide are subjected to sex-based violence during their lifetime, this statistic is not only saddening but also quite shocking. How is it that every third female is a victim, yet we rarelyContinue reading “Eve an Equal to Adam: Not Created by the Rib”
Grand Ayatullah Sistani Condemns the Trump Administration’s Decision on Jerusalem
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful Commenting on the United State’s decision to recognize the city of Jerusalem (al-Quds) as the capital of the Israeli entity, an official source from the Office of Sayyid Sistani in the Holy City of Najaf announced the following: ان هذا القرار مدانContinue reading “Grand Ayatullah Sistani Condemns the Trump Administration’s Decision on Jerusalem”
The Lonely Grave of Zayd al-Shahid (‘a), the Grandson of al-Husayn (‘a)
The Lonely Grave of Zayd al-Shahid (‘a), the Grandson of al-Husayn (‘a) By: Shabbir Agha As the month of Safar has begun, it is important to remember and reflect upon the many events that took place in this month especially pertaining to the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a). One particular event that took place on the firstContinue reading “The Lonely Grave of Zayd al-Shahid (‘a), the Grandson of al-Husayn (‘a)”
Recalibrating ‘Azā
Recalibrating ‘Azā By: Agha Shabbir Abbas As we are in the days of mourning, Ayyām ‘Azā, it is important for us to reflect on the purpose of ‘Azā and to recalibrate it if necessary. The supreme sacrifice of Imam Husayn (‘a), his family, and companions, is such that the world has never seen before andContinue reading “Recalibrating ‘Azā”