NEW SHIA MOSQUE: TO ATTEND OR NOT TO ATTEND - THAT IS THE QUESTION

Jumuah lecture by Mowlana Syed Aftab Haider on Friday 24 November 2017 (5 Rabiul Awwal 1439) at the Ahlul Bait (a.s) Islamic Centre, Ottery, Cape Town

Almighty Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran, in Surah Qaf, verses 16 – 18:

“It was We Who created man, and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein.”

“When the two receivers receive, sitting on the right and on the left.”

“Not a word does he utter but there is a sentinel by him, ready (to note it).”

Almighty Allah (SWT) is saying in these verses that He has created human beings with full knowledge of its creation, noting that He is nearer to him/her than their jugular vein! Allah (SWT) is well aware of our nature and how our desires misguide us and takes us astray from the path of truth.

These verses relay that when two people get together and converse, they think that nobody is watching them while they should know that there is control and accountability for what they are saying. This also applies in praising and condemning someone. Similarly, one should be cognizant of this in reporting some incidents or presenting a case.

THE TONGUE AND ITS IMPACT ON THE SOUL

Almighty Allah (SWT) addresses the tongue more than any other organ of the human body, because all the trouble comes from this small piece of flesh (tongue). This particular small piece of flesh in our mouth can easily break love and compassion and connections built over a long period of time (even across centuries).

This small piece of flesh can damage the image, reputation, integrity and dignity of a person or persons i.e. communities. This damage can occur within a fraction of a second after so much of toil over years and years has gone into building it.

Someone who takes care of himself and builds his character upon good deeds, honesty and integrity can be the unfortunate victim of someone’s verbal assault, thereby defaming his many years of hard work on his character simply through the improper use of the tongue!

Why is Gheebah (backbiting) regarded in verse 12 of Surah Hujraat (chapter 49 of the Holy Quran) as eating the flesh of your dead brother? Why is Gheebah (backbiting) regarded in Hadith of Rasulullah (SAWA) as more severe than committing adultery? The reason is because this tongue can be the source of major disasters when it is under the control of our emotions and desires.

Amir-al-Mu’mineen Imam Ali (a.s) beautifully asks how many times is one sentence more penetrating than a sharp arrow? The arrow can be removed from the body and the physical wound can heal. However, if the “arrow” is the tongue, it penetrates the soul and as a result, there is no surgery possible to remedy the wound on one’s soul! You can try to rectify the situation, but it is very difficult to remove the scars on one’s soul after it has been attacked.

THE TONGUE AND ITS EVERLASTING CONSEQUENCES

We are faced with this situation on a daily basis, when we use this tongue in an irresponsible manner, which results in us hurting people and damaging their reputation, thereby destroying their hard-earned dignity. This is on an individual level.

This same principle applies on a communal level, where you hate somebody or a group, or when you are jealous of someone’s progress. You then feel it is legitimate to say whatever you like, without giving due consideration to the impact of your utterances. True and false are not the criteria in this case!

In the process, you contradict yourself purely to satisfy your egotistical pursuits and innate, evil desires. We then forget the important warning in verse 18 of Surah Qaf noted above, that there is always a controller overseeing and recording our actions, for which we will be held accountable for all that we do.

May we be granted the wisdom to protect this most sensitive organ of our body i.e. the tongue. This tongue can propel us towards the Hell fire quicker than any other organ in our body! We should always be mindful, that we are responsible and accountable before Almighty Allah (SWT).

A FEW DAYS LEFT TO GRAND OPENING OF AHLUL BAIT (A.S) MASJID

Excitement is reaching its peak in our community in Cape Town and across the country, with less than 1 week remaining to the official opening of Ahlul Bait (a.s) Masjid in Cape Town. Friday 1 December 2017 will go down as an important date in our history, as it will signal the successful opening of this mosque, which is a landmark with its unique, mesmerizing artwork.

However, way beyond the beautiful artwork and building structure will be the beautiful content and brand of Islam on offer over here, in the form of most beautiful gatherings and communal empowerment, inspired from the teachings and messages from the purified Ahlul Bait (a.s). The beneficiaries of our programs over here are not only the followers of Ahlul Bait (a.s), but extend to all Muslims and all of humanity. This is our firm intent, as the rich treasure of the school of Ahlul Bait (a.s) has a great deal to offer the South African population at large.

STATEMENT BY MJC HIGHLIGHTS GRAVE INSECURITY

This achievement of establishing this landmark mosque of Ahlul Bait (a.s) in the southern tip of Africa has upset many people. I’ve been reluctant to respond to this. However, an official statement has now been issued by the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC), which compels me to respond.

The opening line of this statement reads: “The MJC (SA) acknowledges the religious freedom of every South African citizen.”

The second sentence reads as follows: “At the same time, we call on the Muslim community to refrain from attending the Shia Centre in Ottery.”

You be the judge on what type of religious freedom this is! The first sentence says you are free, but the second sentence says you are not free!!! And they are saying this because they are responsible “to defend and preserve the Aqidah (religious doctrine) of Ahl Al-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamaah”.

I do not understand how the Aqidah of Ahl Al-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamaah comes under threat or gets weakened if people come to the Ahlul Bait (a.s) Masjid. Is the Aqidah of Ahl Al-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamaah so vulnerable? I am sure it is not!

How can it not be safe for the Aqidah of Ahl Al-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamaah if people attend a Jumuah or a program at the Ahlul Bait (a.s) Masjid?

The MJC seem to give the impression of them living in a glass house, worried about every stone coming towards them, but we followers of Ahlul Bait (a.s) do not throw stones as we do not believe in throwing stones on others.

OUR RESPONSE TO THIS STATEMENT FROM THE MJC

They are our brothers, regardless of this statement. Our grand Maraji’ (spiritual leaders) have taught us from the Imams of Ahlul Bait (a.s), that we should maintain our dignity and preserve unity as our prime responsibility, regardless of the attitude of the people.

This weekly platform of Jumuah was used for circa 70 years to curse Imam Ali ibn abi Talib (a.s), as a compulsory component of the Khutbah (sermon). The position adopted by Imam Ali (a.s) and his followers was not to respond with cursing or cutting relations. Instead Imam Ali (a.s) established the key principle that human beings are of 2 types – they are either your brethren in faith or your brethren in humanity! This is the principle we believe and practice as followers of Ahlul Bait (a.s)!

Therefore, the unwavering position adopted by one of our highly revered spiritual leader, Ayatollah Sistani is most admirable, in that he said none of the barbaric actions undertaken against the followers of Ahlul Bait (a.s) justifies any form of hate towards our Sunni brothers. This is his decree amidst the followers of Ahlul Bait (a.s) being slaughtered in Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Nigeria, Afghanistan and numerous other places!

He is uncompromising in his quest for unity despite fatwas of Kufr being issued, and fatwas legitimizing the killing of the followers of Ahlul Bait (a.s). The position of Ayatollah Sistani remains clear when he emphasizes that we are one community of Rasulullah (SAWA).

Our doors are wide open if you would like to come to this Masjid and we still love and respect you if you don’t want to come here. We understand your position, but we do not promote hate and discrimination, especially against our Muslim brothers, with whom we share so much.

LET US PLACE THE STATEMENT OF THE MJC IN CONTEXT

Amazingly, the leadership of our Sunni brothers does not issue such distasteful statements towards churches, synagogues or temples. In fact, they do attend synagogues. They do also attend St George’s Cathedral and very proudly take pictures on its altar! However, under the dome where “La ilaha illallah” is written, they issue statements for people to refrain as it is a danger!

We respect this choice, but still openly welcome you if you want to come. Also, if you want to stay away then that is your choice.

Unfortunately, the picture across the whole world is like this. Alhamdu Lillah, there are those from both sides of the spectrum, Shia and Sunni, coming to the realization of where they should stand and who the real enemy is. Today, Alhamdu Lillah, we see the demonic ISIS has been dismantled completely after being created by the intelligence agencies of our enemies.

Those who conquered the lands of Iraq and Syria with fatwas (religious decrees) of kufr (declared outside the fold of Islam) and fatwas legitimizing the killing of innocent people from different faith denominations were resoundingly defeated with fatwas of unity, love and compassion instead! They have been defeated by a united front of the Iraqi nation, Sunni and Shia, standing together against the cursed ISIS.

BEWARE OF THE ZIONIST TRAP!

Alhamdu Lillah, the plans of Zionist Israel are failing one after the other. There is Lebanon, which is the new target. This proud land of resistance! We see that the prime minister of this country has been pushed to announce his resignation from a different country i.e. Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia. He says whatever he has been dictated to say, and now returns back home to Lebanon under heavy international pressure to announce his temporary suspension of his resignation on the request of the President of Lebanon!

What we see on the ground level in Cape Town is not happening by default. There is a sinister background to all of this. There are people playing a key role behind the scenes. But look at the defeat after defeat they have ensured, Alhamdu Lillah!

Over the past week we witnessed a truly proud moment - a United Front by the Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkey, standing together, Alhamdu Lillah! Where are those who supported ISIS and its clone in destroying Syria? Which part of the history are they now buried in?

Clear lines have been drawn of where this world is moving towards. Who is standing with the real resistance movements?

SUNNI ORGANIZATIONS ADDED TO LIST OF TERRORISTS BY THE ARAB BLOC

Why should we even be bothered by the statement issued by the MJC, when we see over the past week that four leading Muslim countries, including the godfather of all the conspiracies, Saudi Arabia, declaring Hamas a terrorist organization. Hamas is now added to their list of terrorist organizations along with Hezbollah.

It does not stop here though…the International Union of Muslim Scholars, which is headed by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, is now also listed as a terrorist organization! Our local clergy in Cape Town are formal and official members of this organization, holding seats on the executive board of this organization, which Saudi Arabia and its henchmen (UAE, Bahrain and Egypt) have declared as a terrorist organization!

This is the same organization which issued fatwas of kufr against us followers of Ahlul Bait (a.s) and incited sectarian strife between Sunnis and Shias in Iraq and Syria. This is also the same organization which supported ISIS and rebels in Syria. Today, even they are listed as terrorists!!!

EXTINGUISHING THE LIGHT OF TRUE ISLAM IS DESTINED TO FAIL

Fabricated video clips and a few messages on social media will never succeed in pulling back the mission of those who follow Imam Husain (a.s) and draw inspiration from Karbala. History bears witness to how these flimsy attempts have repeatedly failed when confronted with the children of Imam Husain (a.s) and Karbala!

These children of Imam Husain (a.s) and Karbala have changed the direction of history in the world, whether we like it or hate it! The worst enemy of Islam is saying that there is no more serious danger, than this danger of the message of Karbala! The trend of history will not change, as we plan and Allah (SWT) plans, and His plan is surely the best of plans!

They want to extinguish the Light of Almighty Allah (SWT), but they are mistaken, as He will protect this Light of Truth, not the light of sectarianism! The Light of Truth, which is the Islam of Unity and resistance against its enemies and Zionist occupiers, and the Islam of those who believe in the dignity of humanity and the Islam of those who believe in the message of Rasulullah (SAWA).