Past eventMuharram · Shahada (Witness) - Ashura and Arbaeen 1448 (2026) Series · Session 9

[9] Shahada (Witness) - The False Shahada (Witness) and the Silent Witness

Tuesday, 23 June 2026

On this heavy eve of Ashura, we confront the ultimate historical distortion: "The False Shahada." Throughout history, the sublime status of the witness has been weaponised by extremist movements, ego-driven displays, and oppressive empires seeking to legitimize their violence. Shaykh Shabbir Hassanally holds these modern counterfeits up against the pristine reality of Karbala, showing how true witness exposes all state-sponsored or radical distortions. The profound tragedy of this night reaches its emotional peak in the Maqtal segment, "The Silent Witnesses." We sit with the devastating narrative of the 6-month-old infant Ali al-Asghar (peace and blessings be upon him) and his grief-stricken mother, Sayyedah Rabab—exposing the unmasked brutality of Yazid's army. Features the deeply somber Nohe "Peace Unto You, Sweet Husayn" and our poetic English recitation of Ziyarat Ashura. A solemn and definitive analysis tracking how authentic religious frameworks are protected from weaponisation and systemic political abuse.

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۞يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُونُواْ قَوَّـٰمِينَ بِٱلۡقِسۡطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوۡ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡ أَوِ ٱلۡوَٰلِدَيۡنِ وَٱلۡأَقۡرَبِينَۚ إِن يَكُنۡ غَنِيًّا أَوۡ فَقِيرٗا فَٱللَّهُ أَوۡلَىٰ بِهِمَاۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُواْ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْۚ وَإِن تَلۡوُۥٓاْ أَوۡ تُعۡرِضُواْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرٗا

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted

Quran, Surah An-Nisa (The Women), Chapter 4, Verse 135