A Month of Patience — A Time of Shock
The month of Ramadan — a month of patience, love, and unity.
Yet heart-wrenching news shook the soul: the martyrdom of Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei. In a joint operation by the US and Israel, Iran was attacked, resulting in the massacre of nearly 200 innocent children.
This was followed by Iran’s retaliatory strike:
- US Naval Headquarters in Bahrain was hit
- Missiles struck Camp Arifjan in Kuwait
- Al Minhad Air Base in the UAE was targeted
- Explosions were heard in Riyadh, forcing activation of the Saudi Air Force
But perhaps the most shocking revelation was the alleged presence of Mossad. The Israeli intelligence agency reportedly breached the Ayatollah’s security perimeter, martyring him alongside his family. Mossad’s footprint was also mentioned in the Riyadh attack.
The news was soul-piercing.
The Sectarian Flood on Social Media
Yet what followed was even more disturbing.
Instead of unity, social media was flooded with statements like:
- “There is no need for sympathy with Iran.”
- “Did Iran not celebrate Saddam Hussein’s fall?”
- “Iran and Russia are behind bloodshed in Lebanon and Syria.”
- “Shias and Jews are the same.”
Citations began circulating:
- Imam Ibn Taymiyyah’s rulings on Shias
- Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s position
- Historical disputes regarding the Sahaba
- The tragedy of Karbala
Yesterday, during a program featuring myself, Mugheera, and Taha ibn Jalil, people refused to discuss feminism or any other topic. They had only one question:
“What should our stance be regarding the attack on Iran?”
Today, innocent children are being martyred — and we sit poisoning one another with sectarian hatred.
This is a moment of Tamhees (purification and testing).
Allah says:
“…that Allah may purge those who believe and rid them of hypocrisy.”
(Al-Imran: 141)
Historical Perspective: Accepting the Facts
History records the tragic disputes between the Umayyads and Alawites.
The stance of Sayyidna Ali and Sayyidna Hasan/Hussain was rooted in truth. The forces behind their martyrdom ultimately targeted the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and the presence of Ahl al-Bayt.
According to authentic Ahadith, enmity toward Sayyidna Ali is enmity toward Allah and His Messenger.
But once the path of destruction begins, no party remains entirely free of error.
Jihad eventually strips pride from all and pushes the Ummah toward unity.
Allah says:
“The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers.”
(Al-Hujurat: 10)
It does not say “Sunni brothers” or “Shia brothers.”
It says Believers — those who recite the Kalima and face the Qibla.
In Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do not revert to disbelief after me by striking the necks of one another.”
(Bukhari: 121)
This warning applies whenever we declare fellow Muslims as disbelievers based on sectarian differences.
Lessons from History: Salahuddin and the Fatimids
Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi faced resistance from the Fatimid government — a Shia dynasty.
If one compares that government to modern Iran, similarities emerge: passion, excellence, strength — and tension with Sunnis.
But the real question remains:
Who today stands firm against America?
Iran has:
- Maintained proxy strength equal to the US
- Invested billions in military infrastructure
- Sent satellites into space
- Fought ISIS in Iraq and Syria
- Supported Sunni Hamas
Its regional defeat would reshape global power balances, even affecting China.
Double Standards: A Mirror to Ourselves
Those who condemn Iran often ignore:
- Who backed Saddam Hussein’s war against Iran?
- Who led ISIS while massacring Shias and Sunnis?
- Who bombed Yemen into famine?
- Who supported the Iraq invasion?
- Who is involved in Sudan’s tragedy?
- Who funded regime shifts in Lebanon?
The allies of the US in Iraq were not only Arab — many Sunni states supported the invasion.
Children died. Chemical weapons were used. Yet cheers were heard.
Meanwhile, many openly use Western products, enjoy Western alliances, and speak of purity — while ignoring political realities.
Where Is the Sunni Concept of Jihad?
People quote Imam Ibn Taymiyyah — but who speaks of his resistance?
Sunni Islam today, many argue, lacks an operational concept of Jihad. Scholars are imprisoned. Movements like the Ikhwan (Muslim Brotherhood) were suppressed.
Morsi was a Sunni.
Who imprisoned him?
Who killed him?
If Iran is condemned for sectarian identity, what explains Muslim governments bombing other Muslim populations — Sunnis bombing Sunnis?
Despite its flaws, Iran’s political identity is tied to resistance.
The Path of Balance
Muslims must adopt balance:
- Preserve identity
- Avoid sectarian arrogance
- Recognize the common enemy
When innocent children die, sectarian hatred is a moral failure.
If alliances with Russia and China are acceptable, why is acknowledging Iran’s support for Palestine controversial?
The Quran commands:
“Go forth, whether light or heavy…”
Neutrality in the face of oppression is not always innocence.
The Quran criticizes those who remain neutral for worldly benefit.
Human psychology teaches that a person’s judgment in crisis becomes their test.
A Call to Reflection
Do we desire for Iranian Muslims what we desire for ourselves?
This is not a time for apathy.
A hypocrite is more dangerous than a sinner.
Nothing in geopolitics is entirely pure — but unity requires space, humility, and maturity.
Iran’s stance on Palestine today transcends sectarianism.
Where are the Sunnis?
Prayer to Allah
May Allah grant the Ummah unity.
May He remove sectarian disease from our hearts.
May He help the oppressed in Palestine, Kashmir, Sudan, and across the world.
May He grant mercy to all martyrs.
May He guide us to sincerity and justice.
Ameen, O Lord of the Worlds.
