Salaam dear young friends, and let us celebrate the auspicious anniversaries of the days of glory; some of which occurred over the past few days and some of which will be marked in the next few days.
Almost all youngsters know what anniversaries we are referring to, since we are in the month of Sha’ban, on whose 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th, were born some of the immortal figures of Islam.
For instance, last Friday, we marked the birthday of the Martyr of Karbala, Imam Husain (AS), as the “Day of the Pasdar”, as tribute to the selfless endeavours of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, for treading the footsteps of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) to save Iran’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity, religious unity, social amity, and cultural affinity.
The following day, on the birthday of Hazrat Abbas (AS), the valiant standard-bearer of Karbala, who lost both his hands and then his life in the defence of faith and human dignity, we lauded the indomitable spirit of our disabled in various fields, such as sports, arts, defence, economy, agriculture, industry, medicine, computer, aeronautics, nuclear energy, etc.
On Sunday, the 3rd successive day of celebration, we paid homage to Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS), the Survivor of the Tragedy of Karbala, who through the power of piety, patience, prudence and prayer, braved imprisonment, to stand till this day as the supreme symbol of freedom and humanitarian values.
Yesterday, on the 7th of Sha’ban, we saluted the teenage Martyr of Karbala, Hazrat Qasem – son of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS) – on his birthday that teaches us to stand steadfast in the midst of severe adversities in order to overcome heavy odds, even if it means drinking the elixir of martyrdom, with such immortal words on lips: “Dignified death is sweeter than honey.”
As the youthful Iranian readers of our weekly column very well know, in the next few days, we would be celebrating more auspicious events.
On the 11th of Sha’ban (Saturday), we will be marking “Day of the Virtuous Youths” in honour of Imam Husain’s (AS) son, Hazrat Ali Akbar (AS), who despite bearing a striking resemblance to his great-grandfather Prophet Muhammad (SAWA), was cruelly martyred in the prime of youth in Karbala.
The icing to the birthday cakes of Sha’ban, as usual, is indeed the 15th of this glorious month on which in the year 255 AH, Imam Mahdi (AS), the Twelfth and Last Infallible Heir of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA), opened his eyes in the city of Samarra in Iraq.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, thus celebrates mid-Sha’ban as “Day of the Oppressed” with prayers and supplications throughout the night preceding it, for the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (AS) in order to fulfill God’s promise of ridding Planet Earth of all vestiges of oppression and corruption through establishment of the global government of peace, prosperity and justice – Amen.
Well dear friends, this was all for our weekly chat. Goodbye and God bless you all.