Twenty-Nine, going on Thirty: In Honor of the Islamic Revolution
Written by Madiha Zaidi
Thursday, 14 February 2008
"You stand up against those who seek to portray this Islamic Revolution
contrary to what it is. State your truth as it is and promote it until, God
willing, Truth is established in all Islamic lands and Falsehood by itself
disappear, God willing, from all Islamic, rather all the countries of the
world.” – Imam Khomeini
Contrary to popular belief, the Islamic Revolution was not just for Iranians.
Many of us heard this, but what does this mean to us? Does our nationalistic
pride, our ignorance of the goals and efforts, or our pure apathy stop us from
benefiting from the fruits of this world-changing movement?
It has been 29 years since the victory. 29 years since the moral and political
triumph over corruption and brainwashed mentality. Many Muslims continue to walk
around today, clueless as to what effect the efforts of Imam Khomeini and the
Iranian people left on Islam in modern times. Many Muslims are unwilling to read
about it, or even ask questions. Maybe it’s that "fear of the unknown" factor?
The Revolution was an uprising by the Iranian people. If you look at popular
modern critics of the Revolution and Islam, many portray the picture that Imam
Khomeini was a dictator who was power hungry and an "Islamic fundamentalist".
Imam Khomeini in a message one said, "Today I am convinced that it was not clear
whether the most powerful persons could have achieved more success than existing
individuals have achieved, considering those abundant conspiracies and the
animosities and warmongering that was waged in the world against the Islamic
Revolution." Why do so many ignore the pictures which show the people of Iran
emptying their homes by choice? How much longer will people continue to believe
the "womp womp womp" that comes from the ignorant and blind?
So what exactly was the aim and purpose of this uprising? Many Muslims feel
"excluded" and can't relate, but again, that's their choice. Imam Khomeini
stated, "Of course, had we had all means and equipment at our disposal, we would
have reached even higher goals in the war; but this does not mean we have been
defeated in reaching our main aim, which was repulsing aggression and proving
Islam's steadfastness."
And there we have it. This aim must be ours today as well. Where is there not
aggression? Where is there not a stereotype and misconception of Islam? Is it
not our duty to speak up for what Islam is? Just as the Shah portrayed a totally
backwards Islam, today our religion is being misconstrued, slandered, and
completely twisted. Is it not our job to continue the goals of the Islamic
Revolution to fight for the cause of Submission? How can we not salute those who
gave their lives to fight against corrupt people who were banning hijab, the
symbol of Islam? How can we not salute those who sacrificed their sons who stood
up against those who did not allow the commemoration of the Master of Martyrs,
Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) take place? Would we have been willing to leave
our homes? If it were not for these martyrs, would the institution of majaalis
still be thriving today? How can we not commemorate this great achievement?
For 29 years now, we have sat back and taken the lies, accepted the critiques,
the misinterpretations, the ignorance. Imam Khomeini was a figure who gave his
all to make people feel proud of their beliefs, making it unbearable to just sit
back.
“Through the war we showed the people of the world, in particular the people of
the region, that one can fight against all the powers and superpowers for
several years," he said. "Our war helped the materialization of triumph in
Afghanistan. Our war will lead to victory in Palestine. Our war caused all the
chiefs of corrupts systems to feel belittled before Islam. Our war led to
awareness in India and Pakistan. It was only through the war that our military
industries enjoyed such momentum of growth. Most important of all, the
continuation of the spirit of revolutionary Islam on materialized because of the
war."
We can no longer give excuses. When a people are fighting for the cause of
Islam, Muslims must feel obliged to join hands and show the world what it means
to believe in Tawhid. As Imam said, "When one sees God's religion in danger, he
must rise up for His sake." It is not for the sake of a country, for a social
class, or to make it in the headlines, it is for the honor and dignity of
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim, it is for the sake of La Ilaha Illallah. How dare
we sit back as our religion is defamed?
May Allah bless the soul of the leader of the Islamic Revolution and of those
who stood in the face of the enemies of Islam with unshakable faith, dedication,
and love of Imam Hussain.
29 going on 30, Insha'Allah.
Source: Islamic Insights
Comments (4)
1. Written by Ali on 15-02-2008 11:37
Beautiful Article!
May Allah protect the revolution!
salam
2. Written by yasir ali mirza on 15-02-2008 13:06
long live revolution long live khomeini-khamenei,ahmedinejad,nasrollah moqtada al hakim india
3. Written by Mohammad on 15-02-2008 18:03
It sickens me. How can this be allowed to continue? Will we have a blood bath when the world rejects the western Muslims? Will we be poison from within as our Prophet of death had predicted? Why must we have this animosity toward us? I see my children detesting our religion every day. I’m ready to move back to Iran.
4. Written by Muhib Ahlulbayt on 25-02-2008 10:05
We must never forget Imam Khomeini and his revolution against the shah. We must ensure to continue the struggle. May Allah give Iran the strength to fight the enemies of islam. May Allah give Hezbollah the strength to continue without the services of late Imad Mughniyah Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raajeon. Oh Allah hasten the reappearance of Imam Mahdi.
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