--- title: "[1] Shahada (Witness) - Where Is Your Brother? and The First Martyr Abel (Habil)" event: "Shahada (Witness) - Ashura 1448 (2026) Series" session_number: 1 published_at: "2026-06-15" canonical_url: "https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/1-shahada-witness-where-is-your-brother-and-the-first-martyr-abel-habil" event_url: "https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/shahada-witness-ashura-1448-2026-series" type: "event-session" scripture_reference: "Quran, Surah Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread), Chapter 5, Verse 27" --- # [1] Shahada (Witness) - Where Is Your Brother? and The First Martyr Abel (Habil) *Session 1 of [Shahada (Witness) - Ashura 1448 (2026) Series](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/shahada-witness-ashura-1448-2026-series) — 15 June 2026* What does it truly mean to be a witness? In this powerful opening night of Muharram 1448 (2026), Shaykh Shabbir Hassanally introduces the profound concept of "Shahada" (The Theology of Witness). Moving away from the passive notion of victimhood, this sermon reclaims the Islamic framework of martyrdom as an active, conscious testament to Truth. The historical narrative (Maqtal) takes us back to the very dawn of human existence, tracing the origin of spiritual resistance through the tragic story of Habil (Abel)—the world's first witness to fall at the hands of tyranny. We close with a heart-wrenching lamentation (Nohe) titled "Caravan of Husayn" and a poetic English recitation of Ziyarat Ashura, challenging us all with the ultimate question: "Where is your brother?" Whether you are looking for traditional Muharram poetry and Shia mourning (Azadari) in English, or you are a seeker exploring Islamic theology, ethics, and universal justice, this series offers deep spiritual food for thought. ## Scripture > ۞وَٱتۡلُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ نَبَأَ ٱبۡنَيۡ ءَادَمَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ إِذۡ قَرَّبَا قُرۡبَانٗا فَتُقُبِّلَ مِنۡ أَحَدِهِمَا وَلَمۡ يُتَقَبَّلۡ مِنَ ٱلۡأٓخَرِ قَالَ لَأَقۡتُلَنَّكَۖ قَالَ إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ > > And recite to them the story of Adam's two sons, in truth, when they both offered a sacrifice [to Allah], and it was accepted from one of them but was not accepted from the other. Said [the latter], "I will surely kill you." Said [the former], "Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him] — *Quran, Surah Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread), Chapter 5, Verse 27* ## Programme - [Watch the full session](https://youtu.be/zvjWLieOsrI) - [Trailer (Official Anthem for Ashura/Arbaeen 1448/2026)](https://youtu.be/IGE5CQlLvkA) - [Qur'an Recitation: Quranic Verses - Night 1](https://youtu.be/W59FE_T8-vo) - [Couplets: Poetic Couplets - Night 1](https://youtu.be/LP-p0cxD_zc) - [Sermon: Where Is Your Brother?](https://youtu.be/Su9rgy7v5nE) - [Maqtal: Where Is Your Brother?](https://youtu.be/7JYttDbowkg) - [Nohe/Nasheed: Caravan of Husayn](https://youtu.be/coZtA-0mvXI) - [Ziyarah: Ziyarat Ashura - A Poetic Translation](https://youtu.be/SxIXsJ_yMRI) - [Related Anthem: Where Is Your Brother?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro57iTCQrh0) ## Other sessions in this event - [Session 11 — Ashura Day 1448/2026 - Special Program](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/ashura-day-14482026-special-program) — 25 June 2026 - [Session 10 — [10] Shahada (Witness) - Husayn, Heir of Adam and Peace Upon You, O Aba Abdillah](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/10-shahada-witness-husayn-heir-of-adam-and-peace-upon-you-o-aba-abdillah) — 24 June 2026 - [Session 9 — [9] Shahada (Witness) - The False Shahada (Witness) and the Silent Witness](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/9-shahada-witness-the-false-shahada-witness-and-the-silent-witness) — 23 June 2026 - [Session 8 — [8] Shahada (Witness) - To Die Like Falling Cherry Petals and The Lamps that Would Not Flicker](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/8-shahada-witness-to-die-like-falling-cherry-petals-and-the-lamps-that-would-not) — 22 June 2026 - [Session 7 — [7] Shahada (Witness) - Nothing More Precious Than Independence and The Hands at the Euphrates](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/7-shahada-witness-nothing-more-precious-than-independence-and-the-hands-at-the-e) — 21 June 2026 - [Session 6 — [6] Shahada (Witness) - The Wretched and the Witness and Cherry Blossoms at Dawn](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/6-shahada-witness-the-wretched-and-the-witness-and-cherry-blossoms-at-dawn) — 20 June 2026 - [Session 5 — [5] Shahada (Witness) - The Cross and the Witness and Two Who Crossed Over](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/5-shahada-witness-the-cross-and-the-witness-and-two-who-crossed-over) — 19 June 2026 - [Session 4 — [4] Shahada (Witness) - Every Day is Ashura and The Ambassador](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/4-shahada-witness-every-day-is-ashura-and-the-ambassador) — 18 June 2026 - [Session 3 — [3] Shahada (Witness) - Five Kinds of Death and The Farewell of the Heart](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/3-shahada-witness-five-kinds-of-death-and-the-farewell-of-the-heart) — 17 June 2026 - [Session 2 — [2] Shahada (Witness) - The Oldest Covenant on Earth and The Inherited Tear](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/2-shahada-witness-the-oldest-covenant-on-earth-and-the-inherited-tear) — 16 June 2026 --- _Read this session on the web: https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/1-shahada-witness-where-is-your-brother-and-the-first-martyr-abel-habil_