SACRIFICE IS THE KEY ELEMENT TO SUSTAINING ANY IDEOLOGY

Majlis in memory and reflection on the sacrificial martyrdom of Muhammad Abbas Essop

on Thursday night 2 August 2018 (20^th night of Dhul Qa’ada 1439)

by Mowlana Syed Aftab Haider

at the Ahlul Bait (a.s) Masjid, Ottery, Cape Town

As we have announced, tonight we have dedicated our program of Dua and recitation of Surah Yaseen (chapter 36 of the Holy Quran) to the Esaal-e-Sawaab (conveying rewards to the deceased) of our dear brother Shaheed Abbas Essop (r.a).

We are very privileged to have his respected parents with us tonight, namely Uncle Muhammad Ali Panjbhai and Aunty Farida. On behalf of our community, we welcome them and once again extend our heartfelt condolences on the sad, but at the same time very courageous and very admirable martyrdom of their son and our son Muhammad Abbas.

First of all, different conditions are required for any community to survive and sustain itself. Shaheed Ayatollah Sayed Muhammad Baqir Sadr (r.a) use to say that the following ingredients are required for a community or nation to succeed and flourish:

1. An idea and philosophy

2. Belief and faith in that idea

3. Deep, thorough and proper understanding of that idea

This is what he referred to as the criteria for the awakening of an Ummah (Muslim nation). However, there is also the one primary condition for the success and victory of a community, which the Quran explains, and is witnessed in history, and was emphasised by the Holy Prophets (a.s) and the Imams of Ahlul Bait (a.s). This essential condition is that the community must have the SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE.

THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE ILLUSTRATED BY THE ANSAR

When the very first Islamic society was established in Madina, we see that the Holy Quran defined the qualities of that society. The Quran speaks about the conditions of the people at that time in Madina. Also, the Quran speaks about that society in reference to 2 groups of people, who were the 2 main components of that society.

The first group were the Ansar ie. the residents of Madina, and the second group were the Muhajireen ie. the people who migrated from Mecca along with our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and joined the Ansar in Madina. These 2 groups of people created the society of Madina.

The Quran speaks about this society of Madina and especially that the people of Madina held a better position in society, namely financially, socially, and politically. This is because it was their city, and they had established their businesses and homes in the very city of Madina. Similarly, their tribes and families were there. So, their financial and social infrastructure was in place.

The Quran speaks about this group of people in the society of Madina, known as the Ansar. One such reference is in verse 9 of Surah Hashr (chapter 59 of the Holy Quran):

“And those who made their abode in the city and in the faith before them love those who have fled to them, and do not find in their hearts a need of what they are given, and prefer (them) before themselves though poverty may afflict them.”

This verse very beautifully explains 3 characteristics of these people (Ansar):

1. They were the ones who prepared the ground for the arrival of Islam, physically, materially and also spiritually;

2. While they expressed their love towards those people who were coming to join them;

3. They do not find any need in what they have. They do not keep an eye over their belongings. They were not expecting anything from the people who are coming from Mecca.

This verse further explains that these people sacrifice, by preferring the others over them. They prioritize the others even if it causes them difficulty.

PROGRESS IS ONLY ACHIEVED THROUGH SACRIFICE

The reason I am highlighting this verse is because the Holy Quran explains that the spirit of sacrifice was a hallmark of those who were in a better position, in establishing the very first Islamic society in Madina. Now, this spirit of sacrifice starts from something basic, but reaches its climax when it attains the status of martyrdom.

As I said, “Eethar” in Arabic refers to when you prefer someone else over yourself. Our religious scholars have explained that we have the principle of equality, which means you and me have an equal share. However, sacrifice means that I am giving my share to others ie. preferring others over myself! This is is “Eethar”.

Islam established this spirit as a culture, meaning that this spirit of sacrifice is required if a society wants to survive and sustain itself. This is the only way for a society to keep going and prosper, where people need to reach that point where they are ready to prefer others over themselves.

When this culture of sacrifice is established and transcends, it reaches to the point where someone is ready to give the best which he/she has for others. This spirit of sacrifice reaches its pinnacle with giving one’s life for the sake of others. This is martyrdom, which is the climax of “Eethar”.

Someone very beautifully explained that sacrifice is the climax of HUMANITY, and the climax of sacrifice is MARTYRDOM!

The intellectual giant Shaheed Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari very beautifully explains that the logic of a martyr is not the logic of normal people. Their logic is not the same as 2 + 2 = 4! Their logic is completely different!

SELFLESS SACRIFICE FROM THE AHLUL BAIT (A.S)

Referring to verse 9 of Surah Hashr cited earlier, there is an interesting story narrated in history which illustrates the spirit of sacrifice. One day, somebody came to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) in Madina saying that he is extremely hungry and has not eaten for a long time. Rasulullah (SAWA) sent someone to his house to bring some food for this poor man, but then returned with the news that there is no food in the house of Rasulullah (SAWA) as well.

Then, Rasulullah (SAWA) requested from someone to take this poor man to the house of someone else he knew, in order for this poor man to be fed. There was also very little food at this other person’s house, when they arrived only at night time.

This other person had a wife and family to feed, so was down to bare bones himself. However, he asked his wife to make the kids fall asleep without eating. Eventually they fell asleep after she tried on some excuse to get them to sleep. Thereafter, the man of the house switched off the lamp and brought the food in the pitch darkness to this hungry man who had not eaten for a long time.

They then sat to eat together, but the man of the house was not eating. He was simply acting as if he was eating with him in the dark, so that the other person does not feel awkward or shy. So, when the poor man was done eating, he thought that they both enjoyed a meal together, not knowing that the man of the house was not eating. Remember they were eating in pitch darkness.

So the poor man thought that nobody was hungry! The next morning, Rasulullah (SAWA) visited this family and read this verse 9 of Surah Hashr noted above! Who was this family? It was none other than the family of Ali, Fatima, Hassan and Hussain (a.s)!

MARTYRDOM IS THE PEAK OF SACRIFICE

This is where the spirit of sacrifice starts, but reaches to the point where you do not think about yourself. This is the point where you free yourself from the shackles of being obsessed with yourself, as explained in the definition of sacrifice and martyrdom according to Shaheed Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari.

Therefore, we understand how the Holy Quran celebrates this esteemed status of martyrdom, when someone reaches this climax of sacrifice. Verse 169 of Surah Aal-e-Imraan (chapter 3 of the Holy Quran) refers, where Almighty Allah (SWT) says that He is sustaining those who are martyred:

“Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord.”

Generally, we tend to emphasise the sustenance of martyrs in this verse. However, one of the great religious scholars beautifully says that the most important part of this verse is that the martyr has reached the highest station, namely in the presence of their Lord “inda rabbihim”. They are not simply receiving sustenance. They are receiving sustenance in the PRESENCE OF THEIR LORD!

The renowned, great commentator of the Holy Quran, Allama Tabataba’i shares an amazing insight upon reflecting on this verse. He says that when we live in this world, limited with our concern for material issues, there are many things concealed from us, and we have no access to the hidden secrets.

However, when the martyr crosses the border and attains this esteemed status, all these veils are lifted where he/she is exposed to the secrets of this world!

MARTYRDOM IS OUR PRIDE AND SOURCE OF SUSTENANCE

Martyrdom (Shahadat) is not an easy status to attain. Our 6^th Imam of Ahlul Bait (a.s), Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s) explained that the best way of dying is like a martyr. It is an esteemed status that not everybody can achieve. It is a supreme status, and indeed, in the history of the Ahlul Bait (a.s), we see that this culture and tradition of martyrdom is very deep-rooted.

Martyrdom has brought us up and is the source of our survival, and the reason for our victory and keeps us going. This is very important to be cognisant of. There is nothing more phenomenal for us Shia, than Muharram and remembering the supreme sacrifice of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (a.s) in Karbala. This is our shelter and source of inspiration.

Therefore, the martyr, through giving his life, always brings goodness, blessings and renewed life to the community. That renowned thinker, Dr Ali Shariati, beautifully compares a martyr to a candle which enlightens while it melts. This is what a martyr does - he/she enlightens the whole society through giving his/her life!

Tonight, we are paying our respect to a young man who showed us this path of Shahadat (martyrdom), through his bravery and courageous defence against the evil terrorists who attacked the house of Allah (SWT) and the name of Imam Husain (a.s), when the deplorable attack on the Imam Husain (a.s) Mosque in Durban occurred on 10 May 2018.

Everyone knows how this young man resisted and offered his life. We know from the subsequent details which have emerged that it was perhaps possible for Abbas to run away or avoid the terrible attack. However, he opted to resist and defend the name and dignity of whom he was named after, ie. Abul Fadl al-Abbas, the flagbearer and hero of Karbala.

I would like to indeed express condolences to the family and parents, but at the same time really want to express congratulations that they have a son like this! You are a family that has achieved Shahadat (martyrdom). May Almighty Allah (SWT) elevate the status of Abbas Essop and count him amongst the Shuhada of Karbala, amongst the servants of Imam Husain (a.s).

HOW DO WE TAKE THE LEGACY OF ABBAS ESSOP FORWARD?

We all know very well what the blood of this martyr has achieved in our country. We have seen how it has shaken this country and brought us all together.

The last point I would like to make is that martyrdom is a great honour in Islam. Abbas Essop achieved this status and departed this world. He showed us the path and departed. However, this is not the end! In fact, it is another starting point! Martyrdom comes with responsibility! He gave his blood and life. So then, what about those who are left behind?

Again, Dr Ali Shariati use to say that those who have departed have done the job of Imam Husain (a.s), but those who remain behind should follow the footsteps of Lady Zainab (s.a). The question is, are we???

This is the challenging question for the community of the Ahlul Bait (a.s) in Durban and across the country. The responsibility is now on the family, lovers and community of Shaheed Abbas, to keep this path of sacrifice alive. This great responsibility extends to all of us around the country.

Indeed, we all reflect very proudly of Abbas Essop having attained martyrdom, and now we can walk with our heads up in this country, as his blood really put the school of Ahlul Bait (a.s) on the map of South Africa, featuring on the headlines! That was his job.

Now, what is our responsibility? We need to reflect on how we are going to take this mission further and build on his proud legacy, in a united manner to keep this community and all its activities to be flourishing in a dynamic manner ie. much more than before.

This is the path forward, and this is our message to the beloved parents of Abbas and his siblings and the community of Durban, to advance the progress of Islam and the school of Ahlul Bait (a.s). This will be the blessings and goodness from the blood of this martyr Shaheed Abbas Essop, to the broader community of Ahlul Bait (a.s) in South Africa and around the world.

We once again thank the parents Aunty Farida and Uncle Muhammad Ali Panjbhai for visiting us and for their grooming of a son like Abbas. May Almighty Allah (SWT) reward you and may your great perseverance be rewarded with the Shafa’a of Imam Husain (a.s).