AL-SYAHID HASSAN NASRALLAH WHOM I KNOW
AL-SYAHID HASSAN NASRALLAH WHOM I KNOW
I became acquainted with the Shia sect when I was studying at the Islamic University of Madinah Al-Munawwarah, from 1969 to 1973. One of the disciplines that I studied in detail was the various schools of thoughts and factions of Islam, as well as other foreign ideologies.
Under the Shia sect, there are a number of sub-schools of thoughts, some of which are considered part of Ahli Al-Qiblah, with scholars who hold the status of mujtahid mutlak, comparable to scholars of Ahli al-Sunnah and Ibadi. Among them are the companions of Rasulullah SAW, tabi’in, salaf and khalaf. They follow the Imamiyyah faction, most of whom are from Iran, the gulf countries, eastern Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and southern Lebanon.
The Zaidiyyah sub-faction has a strong following in Yemen, while the majority of the Nakhawilah faction live in Medina as traders in local markets. They differ only in minor issues, not in fundamental principles. Many authoritative books narrate ijtihad of their scholars, some of which are even cited by Ahli al-Sunnah scholars in their books. Their followers also perform hajj in Mecca.
There are many other sects and factions that we cannot hastily pass judgment, even if their ijtihad is incorrect. It is the job of the scholars to validate them, not the public.
Two of the largest Shia factions have books of reference, and opinions that are considered to be authoritative and mirror the opinions of some Ahli al-Sunnah sects. In fact, there are even cross-authored books like “Subul al-Salam”, a book taught at the Islamic University of Madinah, written by Imam al-San’ani RH from the Zaidiyyah faction of Shia. This book elaborates on the book of hadith “Bulugh al-Maram” by Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani, from the Syafi’i mazhab of Sunni.
Other examples include the book “Tathir al-I’tiqad” written by al-San’ani and taught in Masjid al-Nabawi, tafsir Fath al-Qadir and the hadith commentary “Nail al-Awtar” by Imam al-Shawkani RH, a Zaidiyyah mujtahid, which remains an authoritative reference.
Plenty of books written by Ayatollah Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr of the Imamiyyah faction are widely available in Mecca and Medina, especially the book “Iqtisaduna”, a comparative study of Islamic economics and man-made ideologies. This book includes a foreword by Prof Sheikh Muhammad al-Mubarak of Umm al-Qura University in Makkah, and is used as a reference in discussions and study groups.
The book “Maqalat al-Islamiyyin" by Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Asy’ari provides one of the clearest and most accurate explanation of various Islamic sects due to the fact that its author was in Iraq. At the time, Iraq was at the centre of government turmoil, leading to the birth of many theological, jurisprudential, and tasawuf schools of thoughts.
Subsequently, colonial powers successfully exploited sectarian differences to divide the Muslims. This occurred when the Muslims began to abandon the principles of ikhtilaf and succumbed to tribal chauvinism, which the Prophet Muhammad SAW warned against.
History records how Lawrence of Arabia aided the Wahabi faction in their struggle against Ibn Rashid, the Ottoman Empire representative, while Sharif Hussein was assisted by Sir Henry McMahon to overthrow the Ottomans. Many Arab countries celebrate the fall of the Ottoman Empire as their national day.
Therefore, efforts were made by reformist scholars like Sheikh Jamaluddin al-Afghani and Sheikh Muhammad ‘Abduh through al-Azhar University to bridge the gap across various school of thoughts. As a result, they successfully published an encyclopaedia of eight sects under Majma’ al-Buhuth al-Islamiyyah (the Islamic Research Academy).
During the rule of King Faisal, efforts were made to unite the ummah fragmented by colonial powers that caused the fall of the Ottoman Caliphate. Muslim land was divided among colonial powers, with numerous military bases established to protect the illegitimate state of Israel, as well as to prevent resurgence of the Muslim ummah.
During the Islamic resurgence, the Islamic Revolution in Iran succeeded in overthrowing the Shah in 1979. However, this success was not recognized by some Sunni groups in Arab countries, after Western leaders like Henry Kissinger, Madeleine Albright and others declared Shia a threat to Sunnis, leading these countries to willingly accept the assistance offered by the United States and its allies. One such instance is the attack on Iran by Iraq in the First Gulf War, and the subsequent attack on Iraq in the Second Gulf War, with official scholars supporting these colonial-backed governments.
Then, the “Arab Spring” and “Reformasi” slogans were launched in the Arab regions and Nusantara respectively, to overthrow governments and create disorder, while foreign entities and their agents stirred up the people. However, the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) withdrew, causing the movement in Malaysia to fade out.
Meanwhile, the government and the people were engulfed in proxy wars in Arab countries. Issues such as government weaknesses, corruption, sectarian, religious and racial differences, were manipulated to foster conflict, while encouraging the practice of takfiri.
Then, extremist groups were brought in as proxies for civil wars in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Libya and Sudan, with weapons and funds from Western countries and their allies. The ultimate goal of these efforts was to secure Israel’s safety and protect the interests of the West, while preventing any resurgence of the Muslim ummah.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, thus, reactivate the International Majma’ Taqrib Mazhab consisting of all authoritative sects that was first organized by Sheikh Jamaluddin al-Afghani and Sheikh Muhammad ‘Abduh in the early 19th century. The effort was then continued by Hasan al-Banna, Ayatollah Kashani, Ayatollah Khameini and Nawwab Safawi, followed by Sheikh Mahmud Shaltut and others. Then, Majma’ al-Buhuth al-Islamiyyah was established in Egypt and Rabitah al-‘Alam al-Islami in Mecca.
As a result of the conference of scholars through the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Mecca Jordan Declaration was issued, recognizing eight school of thoughts as Ahli al-Qiblah. Additionally, Ayatollah Khamenei issued a fatwa prohibiting from cursing the companions RA.
The aim was to bring back the unity and brotherhood that characterized the Muslim community in the early days of Islam before it was fractured by sectarian and racial divisions. This allows for the scholarly elimination of deviant factions within the ummah, and successful defeat of external enemies.
In the early days of Islam, scholars from all schools of thought united against oppressive caliphs with counts of misconduct with patience and wisdom to not cause harm to the nation nor the people. Among them was Imam Sa’id bin Jubair who was executed by the vicious Hajjaj bin Yusuf al-Thaqafi, for siding with Ahli al-Bait. Similarly, Imam Abu Hanifah was imprisoned until his last breath for defending Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, Imam Malik bin Anas was tortured for condemning the unjust killing of Muhammad al-Nafs al-Zakiyyah, one of the Imams of Ahli al-Bait, and Imam al-Syafi’i was shackled for defending Imam Zaid bin ‘Ali.
Despite the differences in sects, these scholars often studied with one another. For example, Imam Abu Hanifah and Imam Malik learned from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, while Imam al-Syafi’i learned from Imam Malik. Imam al-Hasan al-Syaibani was a student of Abu Hanifah, while Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal was a student of Imam Syafi’i, despite belonging to different schools of thought.
Previously, the International Union of Muslim Scholars (Ittihad al-‘Alami li Ulama’ al-Muslimin) had assigned me to lead a delegation to find a peaceful solution and hold a discussion in Yemen. Later, I was requested by Islamic movements to find solution to the crisis in Syria with friends from Turkey and Iran, but we came to a dead end due to the strong sense of tribalistic chauvinism.
In 1931, the late Mufti of Palestine, Muhammad Amin al-Husaini, organized an Islamic Congress in Bait al-Maqdis that was attended by scholars all around the world from all schools of thought, be it Sunni, Syiah or Ibadi.
In 1948, when the illegitimate state of Israel was declared, a mujahidin team was formed from all these sects to fight the Zionists. Many were martyred. Unfortunately, the jihad effort was disrupted by governments formed by Western countries after the fall of the Ottoman Caliphate.
As a result, all Arab nations and groups that sidelined Islam failed to fight Israel and were caught up in the machination of Western powers that continue to protect the Zionists. The so-called two-state solution is merely a theatrical gimmick, and it is rejected by the Zionist who aspires to establish the Greater Israel, spanning across Egypt to Iraq.
In the end, Islamic groups re-emerge, fulfilling the promise of Rasulullah SAW:
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"A group from my community will emerge, upholding the truth from Allah; they will be victorious over their enemies (cannot be eradicated by their enemies); and they will not be harmed by their opponents, though they will face pressure and struggle until Allah's decree comes (the Day of Judgment); and they will remain in that state."
Then, the companions asked Rasulullah SAW:
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“Where are they, O Messenger of Allah?”
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The Prophet Muhammad SAW replied:
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“In Bait al-Maqdis and its surrounding areas.” [Narrated by al-Bukhari, No. 3651, Ahmad, No. 22320 and others. The wording for Ahmad in his Musnad]
Later, Islamic movements emerged, such as Harakah al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyyah (Hamas) and Tanzim Jihad in Palestine from the Sunni sect, which is a coalition of Sunni Muslim groups. As for Islamic movements from the Shia sect, including Hezbollah, Jihad Islami and Ansarullah, they are supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran in form of financial and military aid. On the other hand, most Sunni countries remain under the influence of the West, becoming their pawns to protect Israel and oppose Islamic groups within their respective countries.
When Israel suffered defeat in the Al-Aqsa Typhoon operation by Hamas in Gaza, the entire military forces of the United States, Europe and their allies were deployed to rescue Israel.
Now, the event of Ahzab described in the Quran is unfolding:
???????????? ????????? ?????????? ?????????? ???????? ??????? ?????????? ???? ???????????? ??????? ????????????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ????? ?????????? ??????? ??????? ????? ??????????? ????????? ???? ?????????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ???????????? ?????????? ?????????? ???????????? ???????????? ????????? ?????????????? ????????? ????????? ?????????????? ????????????? ?????????? ?????????? ?????? ??????? ??????????????? ??????????? ??? ?????????? ??????? ???? ????????? ??????? ????????????? ?????? ??????????
"O you who have believed, remember the favor of Allah upon you when armies came to you, and We sent upon them a wind and armies you did not see. And Allah is Seeing of what you do. (9) When they came at you from above you and from below you, and when eyes shifted [in fear], and hearts reached the throats, and you assumed about Allah [various] assumptions. (10) There the believers were tested and shaken with a severe shaking. (11) And [remember] when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is disease said, 'Allah and His Messenger did not promise us except delusion.' (12)" [Surah al-Ahzab: 9-12]
Thus, Muslims are divided into the groups mentioned by Allah, repeating the events in Surah al-Ahzab.
Allah SWT says:
???????? ????? ?????????????? ???????????? ???????? ?????? ??? ????????? ??????? ???????????? ???????? ??????? ????????????? ????? ????????? ??????? ????????? ?????????????? ????? ?????????????? ??????? ????????? ??? ?????????? ??????? ????????? ????????? ???? ?????? ????????? ????????? ???? ?????????? ????? ?????????? ????????????
“When the believers saw the enemy alliance, they said, “This is what Allah and His Messenger had promised us. The promise of Allah and His Messenger has come true.” And this only increased them in faith and submission. Among the believers are men who have proven true to what they pledged to Allah. Some of them have fulfilled their pledge (with their lives), others are waiting (their turn). They have never changed (their commitment) in the least.” [Surah al-Ahzab: 22-23]
This group is mentioned by Allah SWT:
?????? ??????? ??????????????? ??????????? ??? ?????????? ??????? ???? ????????? ??????? ????????????? ?????? ??????????
“And (remember) when the hypocrites and those with sickness in their hearts said, ‘Allah and His Messenger have promised us nothing but delusion!’" [Surah al-Ahzab: 12]
Allah SWT says in the Quran:
????? ???????? ??????? ??????????????? ??????? ???????????????? ??????????????? ??????? ?????????? ????? ????????? ????????? ?????? ?????????? ????????? ??????????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ???????????? ?????????? ???????? ??????? ???????????? ????????? ???????? ???????? ???? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ?????????? ???????????? ??????? ????????? ????? ?????????? ???????????? ???? ??????????? ?????????? ??????? ?????????????? ??????? ??????? ????? ??????? ??????????
“Allah knows well those among you who discourage (others from fighting), saying (secretly) to their brothers, ‘Stay with us,’ and who themselves hardly take part in fighting. They are totally unwilling to assist you. When danger comes, you see them staring at you with their eyes rolling like someone in the throes of death. But once the danger is over, they slash you with razor-sharp tongues, ravenous for (worldly) gains. Such people have not (truly) believed, so Allah has rendered their deeds void. And that is easy for Allah.” [Surah al-Ahzab: 18-19]
The hypocrites and those who merely talk without engaging in jihad are found in nations that are loyal to the United States and Europe - the superpowers, with respective military bases to assist Israel at any time.
When I was invited to attend the Majma’ Taqrib Congress in Tehran, I was persuaded by Dr Abdul Rahman Bairam, a Kurdish Sunni leader in Iran, to participate in order to strengthen relations between Sunni and Shia. However, I received objections from the late Dr Yusuf al-Qaradawi RH, the Head of the International Union of Muslim Scholars.
I performed the istikhara prayer and received guidance by Allah to attend the congress. Then, I wrote a letter to resign from my position at the time as Vice President of the union. Ultimately, I was persuaded to withdraw my resignation but I decided to not resume my position after that.
A few days ago, Syeikh Dr Ahmad al-Raisouni, the former President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, made a similar statement to mine.
I had the opportunity to meet the late and martyred al-Syahid Hassan Nasrallah twice. The first time was when I was invited to join the al-Quds International Muassasah Congress in Beirut, accompanying the late Dr Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Dr Muhsin al-‘Awaji and a friend from Algeria. In that meeting, the issue of takfir towards Shia was raised.
Dr Yusuf al-Qaradawi mentioned that he was also accused of being infidels by extremists. In response, al-Syahid Hassan Nasrallah said:
“Let us first fight Israel, and then come and kill us, the Shia!”
After a few years, I met him for the second time when I was taken to meet him privately at his private shelter. He emphasized to me that a war would occur to liberate Bayt al-Maqdis and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Let us remember that Al-Syahid Hassan Nasrallah and his friends were also involved in the Bosnia War to defend the Sunni, not just the Shias. I pray that his sincere martyrdom is accepted and recognized as the most honourable death by Allah SWT. However, there are also opinions siding with the Ahzab forces.
For your information, I am not influenced by scholars who are backed by NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the Commonwealth.
ABDUL HADI AWANG
President of PAS, Malaysia
Dated: 29 Rabi‘ al-Awwal 1446 / 3rd October 2024
[No: 41 / 2024]? ?