--- title: "[9] Shahada (Witness) - The False Shahada (Witness) and the Silent Witness" event: "Shahada (Witness) - Ashura 1448 (2026) Series" session_number: 9 published_at: "2026-06-23" canonical_url: "https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/9-shahada-witness-the-false-shahada-witness-and-the-silent-witness" event_url: "https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/shahada-witness-ashura-1448-2026-series" type: "event-session" scripture_reference: "Quran, Surah An-Nisa (The Women), Chapter 4, Verse 135" --- # [9] Shahada (Witness) - The False Shahada (Witness) and the Silent Witness *Session 9 of [Shahada (Witness) - Ashura 1448 (2026) Series](https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/shahada-witness-ashura-1448-2026-series) — 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. ## Scripture > ۞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* ## Programme - [Watch the full session](https://youtu.be/0xZ4kIv9ydM) - [Trailer (Official Anthem for Ashura/Arbaeen 1448/2026)](https://youtu.be/IGE5CQlLvkA) - [Qur'an Recitation: Quranic Verses - Night 9](https://youtu.be/mblfusUlqYw) - [Couplets: Poetic Couplet - Night 9](https://youtu.be/gR4zf0x0roA) - [Sermon: The False Shahada (Witness)](https://youtu.be/hQ08wEfaMyc) - [Maqtal: The Silent Witness](https://youtu.be/Vz7xQ4gDeCE) - [Nohe/Nasheed: Peace Unto You Sweet Husayn](https://youtu.be/ZjBeoHEr7vg) - [Ziyarah: Ziyarat Ashura - A 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 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 - [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 --- _Read this session on the web: https://www.truthpromoters.com/events/9-shahada-witness-the-false-shahada-witness-and-the-silent-witness_