Enjoining Good and Forbidding Wrong – Al-Shia

Enjoining Good and Forbidding Wrong – Al-Shia The al-Shia Scientific, Cultural, and Doctrinal Website Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:21:41 +0000 en-US Enjoining Good and Forbidding Wrong – Al-Shia 32 32 The International Quds Day and its Significance to a Muslim Introduction Quds Day (officially called International Quds Day‎) stands as a pivotal occasion in the collective consciousness of the Muslim world, symbolizing unwavering solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine [1]. It is observed annually on the last Friday of Ramadan as a day of resistance against injustice and a reaffirmation of the sanctity of Al-Quds (Jerusalem). For Muslims, the significance of this day extends beyond political advocacy; it embodies a religious, historical, and moral duty to defend one of Islam’s most revered sites. The day serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against oppression and the need for unity among Muslims in confronting global injustices. Through demonstrations, prayers, and scholarly discussions, Quds Day continues to be a platform for raising awareness about the Palestinian cause and reinforcing the principles of justice and liberation enshrined in Islamic teachings. Its Background Since the occupation of Palestine by the Zionists began in 1948, most religious scholars have been demanding justice for the Palestinian people. The Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Imam Khomeini had stated from the beginning of the Islamic Revolution, that one of his goals was the liberation of Palestine from its usurped occupant. Therefore, after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, all official ties with Israel were broken and Israel’s embassy in Iran was granted to the Palestinians. On August 7, 1979, the founder of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Imam Khomeini declared the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan every year as Quds Day. It is a day set aside for Muslims worldwide to show solidarity with the Palestinians against Israel (The Zionist regime) and unite for the liberation of the Quds Mosque (in Jerusalem). In an address by Imam Khomeini, he said: In the name of Allah the All-Compassionate, the Most Merciful. For many years, I have been notifying the Muslims of the danger posed by the usurper Israel which today has intensified its savage attacks against the Palestinian brothers and sisters, and which, in the south of Lebanon in particular, is continually bombing Palestinian homes in the hope of crushing the Palestinian struggle. I ask all the Muslims of the world and the Muslim governments to join together to sever the hand of this usurper and its supporters. I call on all the Muslims of the world to select Al-Quds Day the last Friday in the holy month of Ramadan—which is itself a determining period and can also be the determiner of the Palestinian people’s fate—and through a ceremony demonstrating the solidarity of Muslims worldwide, announce their support for the legitimate rights of the Muslim people. I ask God Almighty for the victory of the Muslims over the infidels [2]. Since its introduction in 1979, Quds Day has been marked internationally as the day to support the oppressed against the oppressors. On al-Quds Day, demonstrations are held around the world in over 80 Islamic and non-Islamic countries including the United States of America, Canada, Norway, and England. In January 1988, during the First Intifada, the Jerusalem Committee of the Organization of the Islamic Conference decided that Quds Day should be commemorated in public events throughout the Arab world. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, Quds Day is marked with a demonstration by the masses, and lectures are given by the Supreme Leader, the Friday prayer’s Imams, and the top Iranian leaders. However, Western news agencies generally attempt to play down the events of ‘Al-Quds day’, as they either remain silent or use vague expressions such as ‘thousands’ to show that the number of protesters is not significant. Its Goals The following are the main goals of the International Quds Day celebration: It is the day the oppressed stand up against their oppressors; It is the day the oppressed Palestinians feel supported by other nations; It is the day to stop the omission of the name of Palestine from geographical maps; It is the day to pump fresh blood into the veins of Muslim nations; It is the day Muslim nations speak their words directly – not through their government officials Quds Day in Imam Khomeini’s Speeches The following are sections of the speeches of the founder of the Islamic Revolution in Iran on International Quds Day: Al-Quds Day is an international day and is not exclusive to Quds. It is the day of confronting the oppressed with the arrogant; it is the day of encountering the nations oppressed by America or else; it is a day for the oppressed to be prepared against the arrogant to defeat them [3]. Al-Quds Day is not only for Quds; it is the day for Islam; it is the day for the Islamic government. It is the day on which the flag of the Islamic government must be raised. It is the day on which, superpowers need to be taught that they can no longer advance in Islamic countries. I know al-Quds Day as the day of Islam and the day of the Prophet (PBUHH); the day on which we need to fully prepare ourselves and relieve Muslims from the isolation they are brought in so that they can stand against their enemies with all their power [4]. Al-Quds Day is when we must warn all superpowers that Islam will no longer be controlled by you through your evil agents; Al-Quds Day is the day of Islam’s life [5]. Al-Quds Day is an Islamic day and is an Islamic public mobilization. I hope it would be a prelude to [formation of] a party of the oppressed all over the world [6]. If the Islamic ummah is not woken up to their duties, if Islamic scholars do not feel responsible and do not rise, if the true Islam which is the cause of unity and movement of all Islamic schools against the enemies and the guarantee of honour and independence of Muslim nations and Islamic countries is burned under the black screens of imperialism by the hands of the agents of the enemies, miserable days will be ahead of Islamic nations and destruction threatens Islam and rulings of the Qur’an [7]. It is strongly recommended and even obligatory that some religious alms such as zakat and other types of charity be allocated to these fighters who fight for God in sufficient amounts and helping them with all forces and facilities is obligatory [8]. Quds Day in Imam Khamenei’s Speeches The following are sections of the speeches of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei on the International Quds Day: What is important is that the world of Islam should not forget about the issue of Palestine… America, the arrogant powers and constant supporters of Zionists have forced Muslims to forget the issue of Palestine but the Islamic Ummah and the Iranians should not allow the issue of Palestine to be forgotten. This holy flame should be ignited inside Palestine as well more and more every day. Those youth, those men and women, and those who sacrifice themselves and fight the usurper regime inside Palestine must know that the main point is what they press. That is where their enemy would be defeated. That organizations outside Palestinian borders sit at the table of negotiations or show off in different tribunes in the name of Palestine would not solve any problem. General support of the Islamic world from the ou