Salamualaykum everyone I really hope we can all benefit from this small blog on controlling our nafs. I dedicate this post to imam Musa al Kadhim AS, The Suppressor of Anger.

In theory, it seems easy to control ones self, being a good muslim as well as maintaining our faith and spiritual connection with Allah SWT, is also being a good person. These things go hand in hand together. The Prophet Muhammed SAW said, “my religion is based on cleanliness,” now we know that in a literal sense, as momineen we must maintain a healthy level of hygiene, but in this hadith the prophet is referring to a different type of cleanliness. The purity of the soul. As momineen we strive for perfection, no, as humans we strive for perfection. I once was listening to a lecture where the sheikh was saying, the universe strives for ultimate perfection, anything that may go against that will be eliminated. When one struggles and stands up to the desires of this world, they begin the journey of gaining ultimate closeness to Allah SWT and therefore Allah will help him on this path. The Holy Quran says, “And [as for] those who struggle in Our cause, surely We guide them in Our ways.”  (29:69)

Sheikh Al Naraqi in his beautiful book Jami Al Sadaat explains the different powers of the soul very well. He explains it as four types, The Power of Intelligence, The Power of Desire, The Power of Anger and the Power of Imagination. We need all of these powers to create a harmony or balance within our soul. Naraqi goes on to explain, “The function and value of every one of these powers or forces of the soul is commonly well understood. If man did not have the power of reason, it would have been impossible for him to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, true and false.” I want to finish this part of the blog by reminding you all of this absolutely beautiful hadith from Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Amir Al Momineen AS, “Surely God has characterized the angels by intellect without sexual desire and anger, and the animals with anger and desire without reason. He exalted man by bestowing upon him all of these qualities. Accordingly, if man’s reason dominates his desire and ferocity, he rises to a station above that of the angels; because this station is attained by man in spite of the existence of hurdles which do not vex the angels.” Just think of the rank that we would rise to if we could successfully control our nafs. This is the greatest jihad as the prophet SAW says, the jihad against our own soul. I would like to take a moment to ask all the readers to recite salawat as when we think of perfection and successful jihad of the nafs, our minds naturally go to The Prophet SAW and his purified progeny.

Now, how can we battle these desires and these emotions we face. Anger, sadness, lust, desire, all of these feelings if not controlled can cause a human to become overwhelmed by this world and deviate from the straight path. Before discussing the answer, I feel it vital to understand what true happiness is. What is happiness to you? For some, it may be money, for others it may be love and relationships. But for the Momin, true happiness and felicity is to be the embodiment and manifestation of Divine attributes and characteristics. The soul of a man who is truly happy is developed with knowledge and love of God. When one reaches this level, nothing but light and beauty will emanate from him because, as we know, nothing but beauty can come from the beautiful. We must remember, we cannot attain this closeness and happiness unless we battle all the negative aspects of our soul, once this is done we can reach perfection. This point reminds me that everything we learn, we must apply to our daily lives and that is how we open the door to more knowledge. Sure, we can learn and have knowledge on all these things, but only once we begin to apply these teachings and principles into our lives do we begin to lift the veil that is between us and ultimate truth.

There are hundreds of vices that I could speak about when it comes to the soul. However, I will be speaking about how to battle two vices I feel we all struggle with on a day to day basis. If you want to seek more knowledge on this subject I strongly recommend jami al sadaat by sheikh al naraqi.

1. Backbiting (gheeba) – This vice is one of the worst and most condemned sin, we all know this and yet why do we still find ourselves falling into the trap of committing it? Sayed Mohammed Ridha Al Shirazi RH (Al Fatiha on his soul) spoke about this eloquently. He said in one of his lectures, “if you hear someone committing gheeba, you get up and leave, you tell them to stop. If you are worried you may hurt their feelings when you do so, well, why are you worried?” You would rather risk you committing this great sin than lose a friendship? The root of gheeba is Hatred. Why bring Hatred into a religion based on Love? Hatred, jealousy, wanting to be liked by others, wasting time in frivolities, self admiration, low self esteem, cowardice, pity for others or surprise and anger at their actions (conveyed wrongly), all these are examples of the roots of gheeba, all dangerous and all negative. The treatment for this? Just think about the consequences, think about what you are truly doing. When backbiting and spreading things about someone that they might not like, even if they are true, you are creating fitnah. As fallible humans we should wonder about our own faults and be completely occupied with them, not others. “See your own faults and judge yourselves before you are judged (by Allah SWT).” Why be so caught up with others when we have so many faults?

2. Love of the World – This may be one of the scariest realities. Having such deep love for this world is condemned many times. This hadith from the Prophet SAW has stuck with me for many years now and continues to inspire me, “One who wakes up with his whole attention directed towards the world is cut off from God, and God shall make four qualities to accompany him: endless sorrow, never ending occupation, a neediness which is never relieved, and a hope which is never achieved.” I find this hadith to tie perfectly into the idea of Yaqeen, a beautiful word meaning Certainty. What does it mean to have certainty in islam? It is the belief that whatever is planned by Allah SWT will be the best for us and having complete trust in Allah. This is the sign of a true believer. Certainty is the light in the darkness, it is the tranquility amidst chaos and it is the peace when the earth shakes beneath the feet of the people. Certainly is believing in this verse, “They have plans and Allah has Plans, and Allah is the best of Planners.” What a blessing, what a gift to us that Allah plans what is best for us. When we find ourselves becoming sad when we lose a worldly item or relationship, remember that the one thing we should say is “Allhamdulillah,” as every single thing is a blessing from Allah SWT. Amidst all of what happened in karbala, she watched her entire family, her brothers, her protector Abu Fadhl Al Abbas be killed, Sayeda Zaynab AS found the beauty in what happened and found solace and peace surrounded by patience. Imam Al Sajjad healed our hearts with sahif al Sajadiyyah, all of these examples are of people who had ultimate tawakuul and belief in Allah SWT.

As I wrap up this blog, I want to thank you all for taking time to read and I hope that we can all benefit from learning from each other, we are the shia of Ali ibn Abu Talib ASWS and we should do well to remember our imam and all the ayimmah AS in each aspect of our lives. Thank you to the AfterMaghrib team for making it possible to share my thoughts on this topic. Wa alaykum asalam wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatoh.

Allahuma Sale Ala Mohammed wa Ale Mohammed, Wa ajal liwaliyakal faraj.

“Jihad is a gateway to paradise, but not everyone can enter. Not everyone is elected to be a Mujahid, and not everyone is deserving of it. This entrance has only been opened for Allah swt’s selected friends. Jihad is one of the doors of Paradise, which Allah has opened for His chief friends. It is the dress of piety and the protective armour of Allah and His trustworthy shield. Whoever abandons it Allah covers him with the dress of disgrace and the clothes of distress. He is kicked with contempt and scorn, and his heart is veiled with screens (of neglect). Truth is taken away from him because of missing jihad. He has to suffer ignominy and justice is denied to him.”

We profess our devotion to Imam Ali and are constantly reciting his name. However, we cannot become a greater Shia by merely professing our beliefs; a true Shia must follow his footsteps. Since the early days of Islam, every Muslim prayed to Allah for it. As it is evident, from the supplications which have come down to us from the Imams.

“I would rather have a thousand sword strokes than die in bed,” the pious Imam Ali (as) commander once remarked. While traveling to Karbala, Imam Hussain (as) would recite specific passages of poetry. According to riwayah, his father also read these lyrics on occasion:

“Though, worldly things are fine and charming. The recompense of the hereafter is far better. If, all the possessions and wealth are to be left behind. Why should one be stingy about them? If our bodies are meant to die and decay, Is it not better that they are cut to pieces in the way of Allah?”

In the past year, we have witnessed countless acts of heroism from those who stood against oppression in ongoing conflicts. These brave individuals gave their lives to protect their people, their beliefs, and their values. They embodied the spirit of the Ansaar of Imam Hussain on the day of Ashura, sacrificing their lives selflessly for the greater good. Their courage and resilience serve as a reminder that the legacy of Karbala lives on in the hearts and actions of those who fight for justice and truth. Like Hazrat Muslim bin Awsajaa, who fought valiantly and asked Imam Hussain, “Mawla, how did I fight?”—to which Imam replied, “You fought like a true follower of Ali Murtaza”—these modern heroes have left us with examples of unwavering faith and devotion.

Ayatollah Khamenei states regarding the recent martyrs:

“Peace be upon this proud martyr, who in the most sensitive and crucial moments of his life, symbolised the victoriously obvious truth against declining falsehood.”

This entails that martyrdom is submission to God, martyrdom is recognition of the Imams. The concepts of martyrdom and Holy Struggle in the cause of Allah are interrelated. Both words have been frequently used in the Holy Qur’an.

Without a doubt, the children of these martyrs know how strong their parents were and will always feel proud. They know their parents were people of faith, dignity, devotion, and submission. These martyrs are an inspiration to all Muslims around the world.

Lastly, I would like to mention a quote that is stuck with me till today:

“I ask all my dear sisters and women of the ummat of the Holy Prophet to strengthen their hijab day by day. Do not let your hair cause a non-mahram be attracted to you. Do not let vanity attract others. Do not put your chador away, Always make your role model Lady Zahra and the ladies of Ahlulbayt. That time when Lady Ruqaiya talked to her father, she said, “Don’t worry baba; my chador is burnt but it’s still on my head.”

-Syeda Sarah Mehdi Rizvi

Naturally, multiple opinions have surfaced with relation to the reports that we have in our books about the signs of the reappearance. We have one group of individuals identifying events on the ground as being certain signs of the reappearance, while others are saying that we should not try and connect the events happening to the reports at all!

How do we find a balance in understanding the signs of the reappearance in accordance with the verse of the Qur’an where Allah (swt) calls us a nation that walks the middle path?

وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَاكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطًا لِّتَكُونُوا شُهَدَاءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَيَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيدًا

“We have appointed you a middle nation (ummatan wasatan), that you may be witnesses against mankind, and that the messenger may be a witness against you” (Qur’an 2:143)

1. The Prohibition of Tawqeet

The Imams explicitly warned against attempting to predict the exact timing of the reappearance. In many different narrations, it mentions waqqātūn (foretellers) who will try and give exact timings of when the reappearance will be and that they will be liars.

عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ) قَالَ: سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْقَائِمِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ)، فَقَالَ: كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ، إِنَّا أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ لَا نُوَقِّتُ

From Abi Basir, from Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him), he said: I asked him about the Qa’im (peace be upon him), and he said:
“The foretellers are liars. We, the Ahlulbayt, do not set a time (for his appearance).”

Muhammad b. Ya’qub Al-Kulayni, Al-Kafi, V. 1, P. 368

I’m sure everyone remembers when people were saying that the world was going to end on the 21^st December 2012 (well I hope everyone remembers, otherwise I might be showing my age a little!), and since then there have been many different predictions that have not come true – these are examples of Tawqeet that have been shown to be essentially silly predictions. Remember that the Imams really discourage that kind of culture, especially if we are talking about the reappearance!

2. The Importance of Knowing the Signs

Some of you who have watched Jumah Nights will remember my episode where I discussed the definite signs and the indefinite signs. These exist so that we can have an idea of events and be ready to act when necessary, in accordance with the signs. This very fact shows the importance of us knowing the signs prior to them happening, otherwise we won’t have any idea of being able to differentiate between false and real signs.

أخبرنا أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد، قال: حدثنا علي بن الحسن، عن العباس بن عامر بن رباح الثقفي، عن عبد الله بن بكير، عن زرارة بن أعين، قال:

“سمعت أبا عبد الله (عليه السلام) يقول: ينادي مناد من السماء: إن فلانا هو الأمير، وينادي مناد: إن عليا وشيعته هم الفائزون. قلت: فمن يقاتل المهدي بعد هذا؟ فقال: إن الشيطان ينادي: إن فلانا وشيعته هم الفائزون – لرجل من بني أمية -. قلت: فمن يعرف الصادق من الكاذب؟ قال: يعرفه الذين كانوا يروون حديثنا، ويقولون: إنه يكون قبل أن يكون، ويعلمون أنهم هم المحقون الصادقون.”

Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Sa’id narrated, saying: Ali ibn al-Hasan narrated to us, from al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Amir ibn Rabah al-Thaqafi, from ‘Abdullah ibn Bukayr, from Zurara ibn A’yun, who said:

“I heard Abu ‘Abdullah (peace be upon him) say: ‘A caller will call from the heavens: “Indeed, so-and-so is the commander,” and another will call: “Indeed, Ali and his followers are the successful ones.”’ I said: ‘Who will fight the Mahdi after this?’ He said: ‘Satan will call: “Indeed, so-and-so and his followers are the successful ones”—referring to a man from the Umayyads.’ I said: ‘How will the truthful be distinguished from the liar?’ He said: ‘It will be recognized by those who were narrating our traditions and saying that it would happen before it happens, and they will know they are the truthful and correct ones.’”
Ibn Abi Zaynab Al-Nu’mani, al-Ghaibah, P. 270-271

أخبرنا أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد، بهذا الإسناد، عن هشام بن سالم، قال: سمعت أبا عبد الله (عليه السلام) يقول: “هما صيحتان: صيحة في أول الليل، وصيحة في آخر الليلة الثانية.” قال: فقلت: كيف ذلك؟ قال: فقال: “واحدة من السماء، وواحدة من إبليس.” فقلت: وكيف تعرف هذه من هذه؟ فقال: “يعرفها من كان سمع بها قبل أن تكون.”

Narrated by Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Saʿīd, through this chain, from Hishām ibn Sālim, who said: I heard Abū ʿAbd Allāh (peace be upon him) say: “There will be two cries: one in the beginning of the night, and one at the end of the second night.” I asked: “How will that be?” He replied: “One will be from the heavens, and the other will be from Satan.” I asked: “How will one distinguish between them?” He said: “It will be recognized by those who have been familiar with it before it happens.”

Ibn Abi Zaynab Al-Nu’mani, al-Ghaibah, P. 271-272

3. Gaining a Balance through The Principle of Hopes & Aspirations

The narration from Ali b. Yaqtin presents a perfect balance in understanding the signs of Imam al-Mahdi’s reappearance. It beautifully illustrates the benefit of knowing and acting in accordance with the signs while warning against predicting the exact timing. At its heart, the narration emphasizes that the purpose of these signs is to keep hearts alive and spiritually engaged, preventing them from hardening due to prolonged waiting or despair.

قال علي بن يقطين: قال لي أبو الحسن عليه السلام: “يا علي، إن الشيعة تُربّى بالأماني منذ مائتي سنة”. وقال يقطين لابنه علي: ما بالنا قيل لنا فكان، وقيل لكم فلم يكن؟ فقال له علي: إن الذي قيل لكم ولنا من مخرج واحد، غير أن أمركم حضركم فأُعطيتم محضه، وكان كما قيل لكم، وإن أمرنا لم يحضر فُعلّلنا بالأماني، ولو قيل لنا: إن هذا الأمر لا يكون إلى مائتي سنة أو ثلاثمائة سنة، لقست القلوب، ولرجعت عامة الناس عن الإسلام، ولكن قالوا: ما أسرعه وما أقربه؟ تألّفًا لقلوب الناس وتقريبًا للفرج.”

ʿAlī ibn Yaʿqṭīn reported that Abū al-Ḥasan (peace be upon him) said to him: “O ʿAlī, the Shīʿa have been nurtured with aspirations for two hundred years.” Yaqtīn said to his son ʿAlī: “Why is it that what was told to us came to pass, but what was told to you did not?” ʿAlī replied: “What was told to both you and us came from the same source. However, your matter arrived, so you were given its reality, and it occurred as you were told. But our matter has not yet arrived, so we were consoled with aspirations. Had it been said to us that this matter would not occur for two hundred or three hundred years, hearts would have hardened, and most people would have turned away from Islam. But they said: ‘How near it is, how close it is,’ to bring comfort to people’s hearts and to make the relief seem near.”

Ibn Abi Zaynab Al-Nu’mani, al-Ghaibah, P. 305

Conclusion

The Imams (as) want us to remember three things about the reappearance as we’ve covered in this article:

1. Understand and Act on the Signs: Knowing the signs is essential. They are not there to satisfy curiosity but to guide believers toward meaningful action. Acting in accordance with the signs helps maintain a connection to the divine mission.
2. Avoid Making Predictions: While being aware of the signs, believers are reminded not to fall into Tawqeet. The signs are not there so that we can start making exact predictions about when events will happen!
3. Always Be Ready: The narrations and the signs are there to make us always feel like we are close to the reappearance and the relief, in accordance with the principle of Hopes & Aspirations.

إِنَّهُمْ يَرَوْنَهُ بَعِيدًا وَنَرَاهُ قَرِيبًا
“Indeed they see it as far, but We see it as near” (Qur’an 70:6)

Your brother, Mohamed Ali

As a Shia growing up in London, my journey has been one of both struggle and beauty, shaped by my faith, culture, and the environment around me. Living in a city that prides itself on diversity, you’d think being Shia would feel natural and accepted, but it hasn’t always been that simple.

One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced is balancing my religious identity with the culture around me. While London is multicultural, it’s still a city dominated by a more secular way of life. Interacting with friends who don’t share my beliefs has sometimes left me feeling out of place. For example, during Muharram, when we mourn the tragedy of Karbala, it’s a time when my heart is heavy with grief, yet my friends might not understand why I don’t join in on their plans or celebrations. It feels isolating at times, like I’m living in two worlds – one where my faith defines me and one where it feels foreign.
A crucial part of my journey has been my family, who have always been a guiding light. My parents have played an important role in shaping my understanding of our faith. I can vividly remember evenings spent together, listening to their stories about our religion, the importance of our beliefs, and the legacy of those who came before us. They’ve instilled in me the values of compassion, humility, and resilience. Whenever I face challenges in my faith or moments of doubt, they are my support, reminding me of the strength that comes from our faith. Their encouragement gives me the courage to embrace my identity, especially during times when it feels daunting or when I feel the weight of external expectations.
Watching my parents serve our community has left a profound impact on me. Whether it’s volunteering during Ramadan, organising events, or offering their time to support families in need, their dedication exemplifies the essence of our faith. I remember feeling a sense of pride as I joined them at the mosque, seeing the respect and love they received from others. Their selflessness inspires me to find ways to give back as well, and I strive to honour their example in my own actions. They’ve taught me that serving others isn’t an obligation; it’s a way to strengthen our community and connect with our roots.
A place that has always given me strength through these struggles is Rasool Al-Adham. It’s more than a mosque – it’s a home. Everyone there treats you like family, and the warmth of the community has been a constant source of comfort. Whether it’s during Ramadan or Muharram, the sense of unity and support is undeniable. Being around people who understand and share my experiences makes me feel seen and valued, especially in a city where I sometimes feel like an outsider.
At the same time, the After Maghrib podcast has played an important role in my life. It addresses the very real challenges that Shias face – navigating faith, identity, and the modern world. Listening to others talk about their struggles has reassured me that l’m not alone, and it’s given me practical advice on how to stay true to my beliefs while living in a society that often pushes me to compromise them. It’s a space where I can connect with people who understand my journey and help me grow in my faith.
Despite the struggles, there’s a profound beauty in growing up Shia. The story of Karbala has given me a deep sense of purpose and resilience. Imam Hussain (A.S.) and his stand for justice remind me that standing up for what’s right, no matter how difficult, is the essence of my faith. Growing up in London has tested my beliefs at times, but it’s also shown me the power of staying true to my values.
In a way, being Shia in London has taught me that I carry a piece of Karbala with me wherever I go. The challenges I face – whether it’s explaining my faith to others or balancing my cultural and religious identity mirror, in a small way, the struggle for justice and truth that defines Shia Islam. And I know that, just like Imam Hussain (A.S.), I am never alone. I have my community at Rasool Al-Adham, my family, and most importantly, my faith to guide me.
Being Shia in London may not always be easy, but it has given me a strength and pride in my identity that I wouldn’t trade for anything. The beauty of it all is knowing that I belong to a tradition that has stood the test of time and will continue to shape me as I grow.

“It was long ago destined for my eyes to well up and for me to fall asleep in that state, just as it was destined for the love of Hussain, son of Ali, to journey from my thoughts to my dreams — long before”

From the young age of 4 and half, the essences of spirituality were felt, always transcending the signals throughout my soul. Due to being scared of … anything, as i was a child … Imam (a) played his role there by the story of Karbala in my tough aspects leading me to get involved with my brain, with my heart, with my soul.

“THE TYRANT SHOT AN ARROW, AND IT PIERCED THROUGH THE BODY OF THE MASTER, ENTERING FROM ONE SIDE AND EXITING FROM THE OTHER.”

My father touching both sides of his neck, one after another, depicting the scenario of a moment in our eyes, moving us in a disturbing manner.

He himself got tears in his eyes and we slept while thinking about what has been told to us, what has been said.

Those little heads on muscled arms had Karbala inside, made us to remember and to

“Dream about Husyn (a)”

Firstly, it is our obligation as Muslims to engage with Islamic history and understand it. When we go to school, when we learn about a specific subject, we do not immediately receive education on the contemporary state of that subject. We often closely analyze the history of this subject, learning about its development through time, and through this process, we understand what it has become today.

Islam is no different. When people ask why we repeatedly mention Karbala, it is because, after analyzing and understanding Islamic history, we see the events of Karbala as significant, especially as they pertain to the state of our world today. Karbala gives us endless insight into the characteristics we must develop within ourselves and our communities to fight against injustice and oppression. Karbala teaches us to stand up for justice, to sacrifice for our principles, to have resilience in adversity, to have unity and brotherhood, to have moral courage, and to create a legacy of resistance based on the truth. These lessons are precisely why we view the oppressive state of the world today through the lens of Karbala.

Imam Al-Hussain (AS) suffered immeasurable consequences in Karbala due to his refusal to pledge allegiance to a tyrannical regime. This should be our example today; we need to understand that standing with the oppressed comes at a price. That price may be becoming oppressed ourselves, losing loved ones, facing economic sanctions, or suffering political consequences. While these are difficult things to endure, we must always stand with the oppressed and against the oppressors, no matter the worldly consequences. Karbala illustrates that having principles without sacrificing for them is empty and meaningless. Imam Al-Hussain (AS) and his followers sacrificed all that they had for the sake of truth and justice; they should be our role models today. They also highlight to us that amidst the adversities we endure in our lifetimes, we must stay steadfast in our faith.

In light of all that is transpiring in our countries today, and the oppressions we face, there is a reason and a purpose behind it all. Understanding this can significantly help us remain on the path of purity and truth. We must reflect deeply on the revelation of Islam, the teachings of the Quran, and the lives of the Prophet and his AhlulBayt (AS). These invaluable resources can illuminate our struggles today. This doesn’t mean we should suppress our feelings of sadness or sorrow over difficult situations; these emotions are part of being human. Rather, it means we should recognize that such feelings serve a purpose. They draw us closer to our forefathers and establish a spiritual connection to their struggles. They remind us that Karbala was not merely a historical event but a profound lesson for humanity.

We must derive “Baseera” from our ongoing challenges. The term “Baseera,” meaning “insight” or “wisdom,” appears multiple times in the Quran. It often conveys the idea of understanding and perception, particularly concerning faith and guidance. By reflecting on the tragedies of our forefathers and our own experiences, we can extract insight and wisdom. In this reflection, we will uncover a reason and purpose behind every struggle we face. Ultimately, we will feel honored and blessed to have been chosen to follow the righteous path of the Quran and the AhlulBayt (AS).

The path of purity is not for the weak; it is indeed for the strong. It is for those who are secure in their religion and convinced in their beliefs. This path is one of martyrdom, oppression, and confrontation. It is undeniably a path of immense struggle but infinite beauty. While acts of violence occur in our countries, the world watches with no objection. Yet Sayeda Zaynab (AS) oversees the situation from her holy shrine in Damascus, saying, “I see nothing except beauty,” as we continue to tread the path of her precious AhlulBayt (AS). Indeed, we must not forget the honor and dignity of the path we are taking. Despite the depth of the tribulations we may encounter, we must stay on the path of truth. We must embrace the truth and follow it until Allah (SWT) leads us to victory over the oppressors. For whomever stands with the oppressors is irrelevant, as Allah (SWT) is with the believers.

The enemies may possess superior weapons, technology, and seemingly limitless finances in this battle. However, the One who created them and endowed them with their resources is on our side. Surely, whoever the Creator is with will attain eternal victory. The Holy Prophet (S) said: “Surely, there exists in the hearts of the Mu’mineen, with respect to the martyrdom of Husayn (A.S.), a heat that never subsides.” Let us continue to ignite this heat within us, allowing it to lead us to victory over our oppressors in this world, and more importantly, in the afterlife.

Indeed, we vow to follow in the footsteps of our heroes; we vow not to live in humiliation; we vow to see nothing but beauty in our struggle and resistance. These are lessons deeply inherited within us, and they will never leave us until the Day of Judgment.

“Do not ever think that Allah is unaware of what the oppressors do. He only postpones them until a Day when the eyes will stare (in horror)” (Quran 14:42).