---
title: "[5] Shahada (Witness) - The Cross and the Witness and Two Who Crossed Over"
event: "Shahada (Witness) - Ashura 1448 (2026) Series"
session_number: 5
published_at: "2026-06-19"
canonical_url: "https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/5-shahada-witness-the-cross-and-the-witness-and-two-who-crossed-over"
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 77"
---

# [5] Shahada (Witness) - The Cross and the Witness and Two Who Crossed Over

*Session 5 of [Shahada (Witness) - Ashura 1448 (2026) Series](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/shahada-witness-ashura-1448-2026-series) — 19 June 2026*

Truth has no borders, and the impulse to die for justice crosses religious lines. 

On Night 5 of our series, we look through an ecumenical lens at "The Cross and the Witness." 

Shaykh Shabbir Hassanally explores the rich history of martyrdom in the Christian tradition, exploring our shared Abrahamic roots of resistance while maintaining clear, respectful theological boundaries without conflation. 

This universal truth comes alive in the Maqtal segment, "Two Who Crossed Over," telling the parallel, poignant stories of Hurr ibn Yazid (the general who left empire for truth) and Wahab al-Kalbi al-Nasrani (the young Christian bridegroom who fought alongside Imam Husayn). 

The evening concludes with the powerful Nohe "Freedom" and our poetic English recitation of Ziyarat Ashura. 

This video is an excellent resource for interfaith dialogue, comparative religion studies, and anyone seeking inspiring historical accounts of moral courage and redemption.

## Scripture

> قُلۡ يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ لَا تَغۡلُواْ فِي دِينِكُمۡ غَيۡرَ ٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوٓاْ أَهۡوَآءَ قَوۡمٖ قَدۡ ضَلُّواْ مِن قَبۡلُ وَأَضَلُّواْ كَثِيرٗا وَضَلُّواْ عَن سَوَآءِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ
>
> Say, "O People of the Scripture, do not exceed limits in your religion beyond the truth and do not follow the inclinations of a people who had gone astray before and misled many and have strayed from the soundness of the way

— *Quran, Surah Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread), Chapter 5, Verse 77*

## Programme

- [Watch the full session](https://youtu.be/HOTXxKNpVG8)
- [Trailer (Official Anthem for Ashura/Arbaeen 1448/2026)](https://youtu.be/IGE5CQlLvkA)
- [Qur'an Recitation: Quranic Verses - Night 5](https://youtu.be/g5S5kJDRS4Q)
- [Couplets: Poetic Couplets - Night 5](https://youtu.be/eV2bcK93Nq4)
- [Sermon: The Cross and the Witness](https://youtu.be/xWN3-psHsTw)
- [Maqtal: Two Who Crossed Over](https://youtu.be/d7mU_N68zL0)
- [Nohe/Nasheed: Freedom](https://youtu.be/QiRZIb0dq_c)
- [Ziyarah: Ziyarat Ashura - Poetic Translation](https://youtu.be/SxIXsJ_yMRI)

## 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 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
- [Session 1 — [1] Shahada (Witness) - Where Is Your Brother? and The First Martyr Abel (Habil)](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/1-shahada-witness-where-is-your-brother-and-the-first-martyr-abel-habil) — 15 June 2026

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_Read this session on the web: https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/5-shahada-witness-the-cross-and-the-witness-and-two-who-crossed-over_