The Price of Human Dignity and Honour

Part 1: Setting The Scene

It wasn’t a long trip. It was only a two-week trip back to Australia to visit the family and back. Iran and usa were involved in indirect negotiations via Oman, and slow but steady progress was being made. The booking was made days before travel, and surely in two weeks nothing major would occur. After all, they were meeting only once a week and it seems diplomacy was making some kind of slow but steady progress.

Come 13th June, and the oppressive occupying sly zionist regime gets approval from the pathetic low life trump to attack Iran. A day before their next meeting. As the WSJ reports, the lowlife trump was messaging how he wanted diplomacy to reign as the Israeli jets were flying to their destination in Iran to attack. The whole world had turned upside down in what should have otherwise been a standard boring fortnight.

Flights were cancelled, airports closed, and the decision had to be made as to what I was supposed to do? Should I stay put and wait it out, or should I make my way back to the family still in Iran? Should I play it safe? Or should I return to the camp of the Islamic Republic of Iran? And if and when I make it back, should I report to the consulate and find a way out for the family? All these questions and more were being asked, and had to be deliberated, in order to find a logical answer to the next step of what was supposed to be a simple, short family visit.

Unfortunately, or, lest you hate something and it is better for you, my youngest was very ill with a respiratory virus and so travelling for her and her siblings and mother would have been very difficult. That alone made decisions appear much easier to the others, where the decision for me was simple.

I had to make it back to Iran.

Part 2: The Supplications

The trip back was very exhausting. My concern for the family on both sides of the world, the martyrs, the country, and the next potential moves were heavily weighing on my mind. In that time, I had messaged and asked everyone I knew and trusted to pray that I make it back in to Iran and to my family.
It was a Divine Promise, that should we supplicate, the we would be answered. It was the only thing I was armed with.

The flight to Dubai was eventless. The booking from Dubai to Tehran was on a separate booking so the airlines were not aware of my final destination, which meant I boarded with out any issues. Having arrived in Dubai, and confirming no ongoing flights to Tehran were open, I decided to sleep the rest of that night in a hotel.

Exploring the limited options in the morning, it seemed getting back was going to be very difficult. Flights to Basra, the only airport still open in Iraq, were booked out for days. An istikhara to go (possibly via Kuwait) to Iraq was very bad, with significant loss, so that option was cancelled. I spoke to friends in Istanbul, Dubai, Melbourne, Baghdad, Hilla, Tehran, Qom and other places. They all offered their best options and wishes, with overwhelming support.

But it was their supplication that I needed most.

The best viable options seems to enter via the Turkey Iran border. A friend in Istanbul offered accommodation and I booked a ticket to Istanbul the next afternoon. Flights to Van, a city near the border, were all booked out. I managed to get a flight in four days, so I took it. I kept looking for more flights but they were all booked out.
Arriving in Istanbul, my friend picked me up and offered me everything they had. Their bedroom, their best food, the best views in Istanbul, and everything I could possibly have needed.

Early in the morning, miraculously, another ticket appeared from SAW to VAN. It was 5am, but I woke up my host and asked him to book it for me if he could. I was trying to log in on the mobile and laptop but could not, and had to reset the password. Valuable time lost. It was only a split second, and then it disappeared.

Yet somehow, I managed to pick it up. It was nothing short of a miracle that I clicked on it on the mobile and it stayed there while we were trying to access it again.

From there, the flight was cruisy, the taxi ride to the border was smooth and the sightseeing was amazing. The border crossing was smooth, the taxi to Tabriz even smoother arriving at 3.30pm, and the bus ride to Qom was long, starting at 4pm and arriving at 1am. But the destination was reached. And the snacks that my friend’s family gave me in Turkey, was like the food that was sent down from the heavens. Alhamdulillah.

Each of the sentences above could have been met with obstacles and delays. I know. Because I tasted some of them. The flight to Van appears out of no where. Then disappeared. How I managed to pick it up is beyond me. The border guards stopped me because of my passport. The taxi could have been late and I would have missed the bus, or even get there in time with no seats left.

By now, I have no empty pages on the passport. Any other way, any other border, I may have come across issues because of this.

But I felt the Hand of God push me through all of these unhindered. It was the supplications that my family and friends were making for me.

Thank you to all those who helped me through their supplication. The effect it had was simply a miracle.

وَقَالَ رَبُّكُمُ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ
And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.”

Part 3: The Questions

Now that I am home, with the family, under the sounds of enemy aircraft, anti-aircraft missiles being fired, and never-ending maniac like comments by the lowlife trump and his idiotic company; the questions started rolling in. What are your plans? What will you do? Can you leave? Have you contacted the embassy? What are the options by road? You have to do the smart thing! Think about the children!

Meanwhile, the recitation of Surah Al Fath and the reassuring advice from the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran brought to me an unusual peace of mind.

I must say, that on the way back, I mentioned to my wife that ever since crossing the border, I was not able to stop smiling. Seeing the ease and comfort of the people going about their daily lives and the Sakinah I their heart was contagious. I too felt that sense of contentment.

After 12 days and the ongoing threat of a potential restart of the war, and after todays reopening of Iranian airspace (being 4th July), the question that is being asked of me is – Have you thought about coming “back”? What are your plans? Have you registered with the Embassy?

The Embassy: It might be easier to start answering the questions backwards… firstly, the Embassy. The Embassy is not contactable, they have left. They are not in Iran. And any assistance from them is meagre… and in all honesty, I did not try and neither did any member of my family. For many reasons… primarily, because these people themselves, or at least work for a government, that are in support of the attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran, and in support of israel. Why would I seek support from the very people supporting the aggressor?

وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ
And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], “Worship Allah and avoid Taghut.” An Nahl 16:36

We are literally told to avoid the Taghut and those who support the Taghut yet I am being asked to seek their support?

As for The Plan:…

Part 4: The Plans For the Future

As for what my plans are… it should be fairly clear. And no one should have any problem with this answer should they believe in the true Islamic Principles, the true fight against tyranny and supporting those who walk the path of Imam Hussain a.s.

These are the nights of Muharram, and on a night similar to this centuries ago when Imam Hussain as. said to his loyal followers in the darkness of the night that they can now leave and that your promised paradise is guaranteed – who left?

Did they not stand by him and declare that should we be martyred and be brought back to life again that they would do this again and again a thousand times over – to stay in the camp of the truth and justice and to be with their leader and people?

Is this not a lesson for us to practice in today’s world? Or is Karbala just a social gathering where we pretend to cry just to get to the food at the end of the night? Showing off our latest chest beating ritual?

These are all important – yes – but with out practical application of the lessons of Karbala, we are nothing but an empty shell desiring the world and sacrificing our principles, sacrificing our honour and dignity.

No, I have no plans to leave this land that is the only country in the entire world that is, as a nation and a people and a government, and with a leader who practices Islamic Principles in every move and step and word, and even in silence, willing to shed their blood for Justice and for the Islamic World. That being in Iran itself, or Yemen, or Lebanon, or Palestine, or any other oppressed people. They have proven themselves many times over, why would I want to leave this nation that defends Islam and the oppressed with the call of Ya Hussain, with missiles called Fattah, Haj Qassem and Khaybar?

Am I so arrogant as to see myself better than another human? Let alone my own brothers and sisters in Islam? Am I better than the companions of Imam Hussain a.s? And even a simpler question, is this anywhere near what happened in Karbala for me to even think about leaving?

I do not think so.

Have you not heard on the mimbars of Imam Hussain a.s. the story of Abbas a.s. When he and his brothers were offered sanctuary and safe passage if they were to just walk away from Imam Hussain a.s? What did he say?

The reply was clear: “May your hands be amputated! What an evil security you have brought for us. O enemy of Allah! Do you desire that we should betray our brother and master Imam Husayn (a.s.) and obey the accursed sons of accursed fathers?”.

Indeed, where would I go? Where would I leave? What safety would I be looking for? The evil security of the camp of Yazid may he be cursed? Or perhaps the camp of the zionist west?

Never. Never to this humiliation. Never to seeking security and safety from the very governments seeking to destroy Islam, Karbala, Hussain, our Muslim brethren and their nations.

Some will argue – we love these (western) countries because they took us in when we were in need, and embraced us, and gave us all we have, and honoured us!

Yet it is these very governments that embraced you that are the reason why you had to flee and seek asylum. The very countries that have stripped you of your honour and dignity. The very countries that have deceived you and lulled you in to a false sense of identity. With false decorations, a mirage of wealth drenched in debt, and a feeling of self-worth at the price of your identity. Why? For the comforts of this lowly worldly life? There is no honour in that. There is no dignity in that.

Do you not read the Holy Quran? Do you not read who the hypocrites are? Do you not see that perhaps our actions and seeking of protection from these evil tyrants is hypocrisy?

The Holy Quran says:
بَشِّرِ الْمُنَافِقِينَ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًا
‏ الَّذِينَ يَتَّخِذُونَ الْكَافِرِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِن دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۚ أَيَبْتَغُونَ عِندَهُمُ الْعِزَّةَ فَإِنَّ الْعِزَّةَ لِلَّهِ جَمِيعًا
Give tidings to the hypocrites that there is for them a painful punishment – Those who take disbelievers as allies instead of the believers. Do they seek with them honor [through power]? But indeed, honor belongs to Allah entirely. Surah Nisa 138-139

Those who think they have now gained honour in the west, being embraced by the west, being loved by the west – they are either fooled, or ignorants, or hypocrites. If they are fooled and ignorant they need to wake up. If the are hypocrites… They have neither dignity nor honour and their destiny is prescribed and certain.

In Surah Al Munafiqun (which means the Hypocrites), the Holy Quran adds:

وَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَٰكِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
And to Allah belongs [all] honor, and to His Messenger, and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know. Surah Al Munafiqun 8.

You tell me know there is any honour and dignity in the west?

Honour and dignity is where you choose to be with the prophet under blockade in Shi’b Abi Taleb. To choose to be with Imam Ali a.s. under threats of sanctions and evictions. To be with Imam Hussain a.s. Even if the cost for true freedom is your soul.

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ رَءُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ
And of the people is he who sells himself, seeking means to the approval of Allah. And Allah is kind to [His] servants. Al Baqarah 207

That is honour. That is dignity.

Death under attack from the oppressive mad tyrannical low lives under the skies of the Islamic Republic of Iran and under the flag of Ya Hussain a.s. Is more worthy and beloved to me than safety and life in the west.

Narrations tell us that Imam Ali a.s. has said

والذي نفس ابن أبي طالب بيده، لألف ضربة بالسيف أهون علي من ميتة على الفراش في غير طاعة الله
By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Ibn Abi Talib, a thousand blows with the sword are easier for me than dying in bed disobeying God.

Imam Saddiq as.

الفقر معنا خير من الغنى مع غيرنا، والقتل معنا خير من الحياة مع عدونا
Poverty with us is better than wealth with others, and death with us is better than life with our enemy.

So if you are asking about my “plans” to leave the Islamic Republic of Iran during times of trials and tribulations to the “safer” zionist west, the answer should now be clear. We, who choose to stay, are not prepared to sell our honour and dignity for safety. We do not seek to live under the evil security of the zionist west and the enemies of Islam. We do not wish to betray our people.

Final Part: As for “coming back”?

I often get this question, before the 12 day war, and I am sure this will be asked multiple times again. Doing so is equivalent to leaving the camp of Imam Hussain a.s and moving to the camp of Yazid L.A.. Leaving the Nation of Islam and from the shadows of the flag of Ya Hussain a.s. – to the flag bearers of immorality and corruption, tyranny and oppression. It would be to sell your dignity and humility, for the price of the comforts of the worldly life and the “safety” being offered by Shimr and Yazid and their likes.

Brother, sister… It is YOU that has left your countries and migrated away from your countries and migrated to the west.

The question is not when I will be coming back!

No, the question is, when will YOU be coming back to your ancestors, to your land, to your nation, to your family, to your roots, to the land of your faith?

Those third and fourth generation families in the west should be asking themselves, how is it that we ended up here? And is the reason why we are here in the first place still there? Or has the cause been lifted and the doors for our return now opened up?

Some might say – but this is not relevant to Muslims who are actually from the west. Yes, in one sense that is true, but in another, nationality and borders are man made concepts and the real nationality is that of your faith. The brothers and sisters who are of a western origin have choices to make also. Either they should migrate to countries where they can serve their brothers and sisters in faith, or propagate the religion and look after those who are unable to migrate in those countries.

But back to the original question, there is no doubt in my mind that I have come back to my religious nation. I am back. And it is the questioner that should review their question and understanding of where we our roots are from. In my understanding, there is no doubt that this is a migration for the sake of Allah swt…

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أُولَئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
“But the believers, and those who emigrate and struggle in God’s way — those have hope of God’s compassion; and God is All-forgiving, All-compassionate.” – The Holy Quran 2:218

This statement of course begets many questions for those who then start to think about migrating and making the same move for the sake of the Most Merciful, for whom I would like to suggest you read this small booklet compiled while trying to sort out and understand my own obligation. Called “Migration: And the Choice Between a Permissible Difficulty And a Forbidden Ease”, it can be downloaded here:

In it, much of what is needed to understand your own obligation towards yourselves and families should be made clear, inshallah.

#The_Price_of_Human_Dignity_Honour

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