Today is Monday; 22nd of the Iranian month of Mordad 1397 solar hijri; corresponding to 1st of the Islamic month of Zil-Hijjah 1439 lunar hijri; and August 13, 2018, of the Christian Gregorian Calendar.
1437 lunar years ago, on this day in 2 AH, the blessed wedding of the noblest-ever couple, Hazrat Fatema Zahra and Imam Ali (peace upon them) took place in Medina, presided over by Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). It was a marriage-made-in-heaven, since no man was worthy of the hand of the Prophet's immaculate daughter, the noblest lady of all times. A famous hadith says: Fatema would have remained unmarried if there was no Ali. The Prophet used to politely turn down any proposal for marriage from wealthy and powerful suitors, saying God will decide who ought to be the groom for his noble daughter. Following their marriage, these two exemplary figures started a simple life filled with kindness and spirituality. The fruit of this blessed union that guaranteed continuation of the Prophet's progeny were two noble sons, Imam Hasan and Imam Husain, and two virtuous daughters, Hazrat Zainab and Hazrat Omm Kolsoum (peace upon them). The nuptials celebrated in the most modest manner with praises of God Almighty and without any extravagant dowry or bridal-money, serve as the all-time universal model for any Muslim couple anywhere in the world. Thus was planted the blessed tree of perpetual munificence, whose branches in the form of the Saadaat or honoured descendants of Imam Ali and Hazrat Fatema (peace upon them) have spread today all over the world. This "made-for-each-other” pair, are ancestors of the Infallible Imams, the last of whom is the awaited Redeemer of Mankind, Imam Mahdi (AS) – God hasten his reappearance to cleanse the world of corruption and oppression, by establishing the global government of peace, prosperity, and justice.
1436 solar years ago, on this day in 582 AD, Maurice became Emperor of Byzantine or the Eastern Roman Empire in the midst of war with Iran’s Sassanid Empire, shortly after his marriage to Constantina the daughter of Emperor Tiberius II Constantine, who died the following day. He brought to an end the intermittent wars between the Iranians and Romans. The opportunity came in 590 when Prince Khosrow after overthrowing his father, Emperor Hormuz IV, and ascending the throne of Ctesiphon as Khosrow II was defeated by the rebellious general Bahram Chobin, who now siezed the Iranian throne. Khosrow fled to the Byzantine court in Constantinople. Maurice helped him regain the Sassanid Empire in 591 when the combined Byzantine-Persian army under generals John Mystacon and Narses defeated Bahram Chobin's forces near Ganzak at the Battle of Blarathon. Khosrow II took the title of Pervez and rewarded Maurice by ceding western Armenia up to the lakes Van and Sevan, including the large cities of Martyropolis, Tigranokert, Manzikert, Ani, and Yerevan. Maurice and Khosrow II signed a treaty called ‘perpetual peace’ which meant that for the first time in two centuries the Romans were no longer obliged to pay the Iranians millions of pounds of gold annually as tribute. In 602 after a 20-year reign Maurice was overthrown by the general Phocas, who usurped the throne and murdered him. Before being beheaded he was forced to watch his six sons executed. His eldest son and designated heir, Theodosius, fled to the Sassanid court for aid, prompting Emperor Khosrow Pervez to renew the traditional wars between the two empires, and resulting in Iran’s capture of Syria, Egypt and all of modern day Turkey, right up to the gates of Constantinople. Though Phocas was killed and replaced by Heraclius, the 26-year long war proved cataclysmic for both the empires, which within the next five years were overrun by Arab Muslims, who completely changed the demography and history of the region.
1430 lunar years ago, on this day in 9 AH, shortly after Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) had dispatched to Mecca his companion Abu Bakr with the opening ayahs of Surah Towba to clarify the rules of the Hajj pilgrimage and to declare disavowal of disbelievers, Archangel Gabriel descended with the divine commandment, saying that either the Prophet should personally discharge this mission at the holy Ka'ba or depute the one who is nearest to him. The Prophet promptly sent his dear cousin and son-in-law, Imam Ali (AS), to overtake Abu Bakr and assume personal charge of the mission. Abu Bakr returned to Medina, while the Imam proceeded to Mecca, where without fear of the infidels, he clarified the rules of the Hajj through practical demonstration, while performing the pilgrimage. For three days the Imam continuously recited the opening ayahs of Surah Towba concerning bara'at min al-mushrikeen (disavowal of disbelievers), and made it clear that neither the polytheists are allowed anymore to enter the sacred precincts of the Ka'ba, nor should anyone follow the pagan practice of circumambulating the holy edifice naked, without clothes. Thus till this day, all Muslims are indebted to the Prophet and the Imam for reviving the pure Abrahamic rituals of the Hajj pilgrimage by God's command.
1313 lunar years ago, on this in 126 AH, Yazid ibn al-Waleed or Yazid III, the 12th self-styled caliph of the Omayyad usurper regime, died of a brain tumour, less than six months after seizing the caliphate through a coup against his immoral, drunkard and debauched cousin, Waleed Ibn Yazid or Waleed II, who was killed. The mother of Yazid III was an Iranian and he was known as "an-Naqqes” (the Diminisher) for his austerity measures in contrast to the profligacy and sinning habits of the Omayyads. It is worth noting that in 6 years from 126 to 132 AH, six Omayyad caliphs died one after another as this tyrannical dynasty came to its end.
935 lunar years ago, on this day 504 AH, the Iranian Shafei jurisprudent, Ali Ibn Mohammad Tabari al-Kiya-Harasi, passed away in Baghdad. He rejected the dubious views of his famous contemporary and compatriot, Abu Hamed Mohammad Ghazali, on the tyrant Yazid, and said it is permissible to curse the killer of the Prophet's grandson, Imam Husain (AS).
853 lunar years ago, on this day in 586 AH, renowned Mu’tazalite Sunni scholar and literary figure, Izz od-Din Abdul-Hamid ibn Hibbatollah, known as Ibn Abi’l-Hadeed, was born in Mada’en (Ctesiphon) in Iraq. Captured by the Mongols during the sack of Baghdad, he was released upon the mediation of prominent figures. His most important book is a voluminous commentary on the "Nahj al-Balaghah” – the collection of sermons, letters and maxims of Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS), the First Infallible Heir of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). His famous remarks on the Commander of the Faithful read: "The world cannot quote an example other than that of (Imam) Ali of a first class warrior and a marshal who is also a philosopher, a moralist and a great teacher of religious principles and theology. A study of his life shows that his sword was the only help that Islam received during its early days of struggle in its wars of self-defence. For Islam he was the first and the last line of defence… The other facet of his character is reflected in his sermons, orders, letters and sayings. What high values of morality they teach, what ethics’ they preach, what intricate problems of Unitarianism they elucidate, how rich they are in philosophy; how they imbibe the spirit of righteousness and teach rulers to become kind, good, benevolent and God-fearing rulers, and subjects to be faithful, sincere and law abiding, how they persuade men to be warriors who can fight only for God, truth and justice, and not mercenaries murdering and plundering for wealth and riches; and how they instruct teachers to teach nothing injurious and harmful to mankind. These are but indisputable proofs of his greatness and spiritual superiority. Has history ever produced a more splendid personality incorporating such variegated characteristics of mind and heart?”
721 solar years ago, on this day in 1297 AD, the powerful Mongol Muslim chieftain, Nawrouz, was executed for treason by Ghazaan Khan Mahmoud, the 7th ruler of the Iran-based Ilkhanate Empire. He played an important role in the politics of 13th century Iran. In 1289-1290, he revolted against the 4th Ilkhanate ruler, Arghun Khan who defeated him, and forced him to take refuge in Transoxonia. In 1295, Nawrouz helped Ghazaan Khan Mahmoud to seize power from Baydu and ascend the throne in Maragheh as the 7th Ilkhan. The two soon fell out with each other and Ghazaan eliminated the partisans of Nawrouz for treason in May 1297. He then marched against Nawrouz, then commander of the army of Khorasan, and vanquished him near Naishapur. Nawrouz took refuge at the court of the Malik Fakhr od-Din of Herat, who betrayed him and delivered him to the Ilkhan.
707 solar years ago, on this day in 1311 AD, Alfonso XI, the king of Castile, Leon and Galicia, who was notorious for his enmity towards Spanish Muslims, was born to Ferdinand IV of Castile and his wife Constance of Portugal. In 1313 he became an infant king on the death of his father, under a regency council. In 1325 he assumed power, made a bloody purge of all potential rivals to his throne, and immediately launched military attacks on the Muslim dynasties of Spain. For the next quarter century until his death in 1350 during the 5th unsuccessful Siege of Gibraltar because of the Great Plague (seen as divine affliction by Muslims), he used to terrorize Spanish Muslims. In 1344 he occupied the Muslim kingdom of Alegeciras. Four years earlier after a string of defeats at the hands of the joint army of Marinid Muslim Berbers of Morocco and the Emir Yusuf I of Granada, he had resorted to ruse, treachery and use of Christian mercenaries from all over Europe to win the Battle of Rio Salado. He was ruthless and bloodthirsty.
497 solar years ago, on this day in 1521 AD, Tenochtitlan – present day Mexico City – fell to the Spanish invaders led by Hernan Cortes, who unleashed a great slaughter of the native Mexicans and destroyed their palaces, temples, homes and hearths, in his greed for gold.
482 solar years ago, on this day in 1536 AD, Buddhist monks from Kyoto's Enryaku-ji temple set fire to 21 Nichiren temples throughout Japan in what is known as the Tenbun Hokke Disturbance. The Buddhists, despite their massive propaganda to be peaceful, have a violent history of mass massacres and destruction. In China, the Buddhist dynasties have a long history of internecine wars for power. The bloodthirsty Mongolian warlord, Chingiz Khan, who devastated large parts of Asia including the Muslim world, massacring millions of people, was a Buddhist. Today, Buddhist monks in Myanmar (Burma) are cruelly killing the Rohingya Muslims and destroying mosques, homes, and businesses.
187 solar years ago, on this day in 1831 AD, enslaved black African, Nat Turner, who was descended from highly civilized people of Ghana kidnapped by Europeans and sold in the Americas, saw a solar eclipse and interpreted it as a sign of God to launch an uprising against the Anglo-Saxon racists. Eight days later, after assembling the freedom-seeking black people enslaved in the US, he started his uprising in Southampton County, Virginia, by freeing many African people from slavery. The uprising was brutally crushed after a few days by the White racist government. Turner survived in hiding for over two months afterwards, but was hunted down and hanged. His corpse was flayed, beheaded and quartered by the white Americans who went on to massacre over 200 black people in the southern states, where state legislatures passed new laws prohibiting education of the so-called slaves as well as free black- people, in addition to restricting rights of assembly and other civil rights for them.
150 solar years ago, on this day in 1868 AD, a massive earthquake near Arica, Peru, caused an estimated 25,000 casualties, and the subsequent tsunami caused considerable damage as far away as Hawaii and New Zealand.
119 solar years ago, on this day in 1899 AD, the famous English filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock was born. His films were mainly horror movies, such as "North from Northwest”, "A Man Who Knew Too Much”, and "Vertigo”. He died in 1980.
108 solar years ago, on this day in 1910 AD, the famous English Nurse, Florence Nightingale, died at the age of 90. She established modern nursing practice. Her contributions to public health included developing methods of applying and displaying statistics to demonstrate the need for improvements. Her mission began from experience during the Crimean War as a nurse at a British hospital in the Ottoman Empire where she witnessed appalling conditions endured by the sick: overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of basic supplies, even malnutrition. Through her determination and influence, by the war's end in July 1856, she had greatly improved the comfort of the patients, increased efficiency and reduced the death toll. Throughout her life, she continued to advocate reform in the military medical system, supported by her compelling, novel graphical display of statistics and advice on hospital planning and organization.
100 solar years ago, on this day in 1918 AD, Noor Mohammad Hassan-Ali, the first Trinidadian of Indian origin to hold the office of President and the first Muslim head of state in the Americas, was born in San Fernando. After graduating from Canada and qualifying as a lawyer from Britain, he returned to his homeland Trinidad to practice law and after serving as a member of the Senate, rose to become the Chief Judge. He won the 1987 elections and served as president for two 5-year successive terms till 1997. As a Muslim, Hassan-Ali chose not to serve alcoholic beverages during functions at the President's House. He was married to Mrs. Zalayhar Mohammed and had two children, Khalid and Amena. He died on August 25, 2006.
81 solar years ago, on this day in 1937 AD, the Battle of Shanghai began as the first of the twenty-two major engagements between the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China and the Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. It was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the entire war, described as Stalingrad on the Yangtze. It lasted 3 months, 1 week and 6 days before ending on November 26, 1937, involving over a million troops and resulting in huge casualties. The Chinese suffered 200,000 killed and 83,500 injured or missing, while 91 of their planes were downed. The Japanese suffered 70,000 killed and 22,640 injured or missing, losing 85 planes and 51 ships. The battle can be divided into three stages. The first stage lasted from August 13 to August 22, during which the Chinese attempted to eradicate Japanese troop presence in downtown Shanghai. The second stage lasted from August 23 to October 26, during which the Japanese launched amphibious landings at Jiangsu coast and the two armies fought a Stalingrad-type house-to-house battle, with the Japanese attempting to gain control of the city and the surrounding regions. The last stage, ranging from October 27 to the end of November, involved the retreat of the Chinese army in the face of Japanese flanking maneuvers, and the ensuing combat on the road to China's capital, Nanjing.
65 solar years ago, on this day in 1953 AD, the British-installed and American-backed Pahlavi potentate of Iran, Mohammad Reza, secretly dismissed the popular Prime Minister, Dr. Mohammad Mosaddeq, and replaced him with Major General Fazlollah Zahedi, on the orders of his masters in London and Washington following the nationalization of Iran’s oil industry that was a loss for colonial powers. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in a bid to be safe from the consequences of the dismissal of Mosaddeq, traveled to northern Iran, and after the plot to dismiss Mosaddeq failed, he fled to Iraq and consequently to Italy. Six days after his humiliating escape from the country, a coup was plotted and implemented by the US and Britain on August 18, 1953, leading to the fall of Mosaddeq and restoration of the Pahlavi regime. Thereafter, the Shah continued his repressive and autocratic policies against the Iranian people, while the US and Britain continued to plunder Iran’s riches, especially its oil reserves, more than ever.
57 solar years ago, on this day in 1961 AD, construction work started in the divided German city of Berlin for the famous wall by the communist authorities of East Germany to prevent influx of American spies and capitalist ideas. The wall completely cut off (by land) West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin until the dismantling process started in November 1989.
40 solar years ago, on this day in 1978 AD, massive rallies were staged by the Iranian people against the Shah’s despotic regime in the central city of Isfahan, making the frightened Pahlavi regime impose martial law on this historical city.
8 solar years ago, on this day in 2010 AD, the Bosnia's war crimes court confirmed charges of genocide for 4 former Serb army soldiers over the brutal killing of at least 800 Bosnian Muslims from Srebrenica in July, 1995. Franc Kos, Stanko Kojic, Vlastimir Golijan and Zoran Goronja all served with the Serb army's 10th commando unit and were involved in the genocide of Bosnian Muslims, who were massacred in scores of thousands.
4 solar years ago, on this day in 2014 AD, at the International Congress of mathematicians in South Korea, Iranian mathematician Prof. Maryam Mirzakhani of Stanford University, US, became the first woman to be awarded the Fields Medal for her work in understanding the mathematical symmetry of curved surfaces and saddle-shaped spaces. Mirzakhani died on July 14 this year at the age of 42 following a breast-cancer surgery in the US, which did not allow her to go to Iran despite her longing to return to her homeland.
(Courtesy: IRIB English Radio – http://parstoday.com/en)