Sim Zahra
Permission ˹to fight back˺ is ˹hereby˺ granted to those being fought, for they have been wronged And Allah is truly Most Capable of helping them ˹prevail.˺ (Quran, 22:39).
Jihad is an obligatory act in Islam, mainly when one is subjected to life-threatening aggression by usurping forces. Jihad means to struggle, specifically in the way of God, and this struggle can come in many forms. We can see examples of this from the Prophet’s (saw) blessed progeny—the AhlulBayt (a). Imam Husayn (as), who took the path of physically defending the truth and martyrdom in Karbala, as well as Lady Zainab (sa), who took the path of defending the truth with her words in the court of Yazid.
Defending the truth is the way of the Holy Prophet (saw) and the way of Imam Husayn (as). Defending the truth is obligatory upon every Muslim—to fight for the sake of the truth and eradicate falsehood. When oppression and falsehood have taken over, when their designs are being imposed on the innocent, that is when a Muslim rises to defend the truth and their people—all for the sake of God.
There is no doubt that Gaza has forced the world to pay attention to the atrocities, slaughter, and oppression Palestinians have been facing for the past seventy-five years at the hands of the Zionist entity and the global imperialist cause that strengthens it. More importantly, though, despite the horrific genocidal actions of the Zionist entity, Gaza has shown the world how it resists and continues to resist due to its strong will, faith, and unwavering steadfastness in support of the truth. Hence, it is also without a doubt that the Palestinians of Gaza embody the logic of Husayn (as) and will be victorious in the end.
As per the world of Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei, “Throughout history anyone who has based their work on the logic of Husayn (as) has undoubtedly been successful. The logic of Husayn (as) means not being afraid of death, preferring truth over falsehood at any cost, not underestimating the support of truth, and not overestimating the supporters of falsehood no matter what their size and number may be. The logic of Husayn (as) means having unlimited hope, even at the moment when aspirations seem to have faded away.”
Those who are blinded fail to see how Imam Husayn (as) was successful in his stance against falsehood, the same way today people are blinded and fail to understand how Gaza has been successful against the oppressors of our time. The Zionist regime will not recover from its barbarism; the extent of its destructiveness is proof of that.
This genocidal war has been continuing for nearly two years, and it is due to the world’s inaction, the betrayal of the Arab and Muslim leaders, but above all, it is because the Zionist regime has not achieved its goals. They have not achieved their goals due to the armed resistance; the regime’s goal of eradicating the resistance has failed. The resistance has forced the Zionist enemy into a military failure, all the while the Zionist regime’s carefully constructed image, decades in the making, falls apart. This is because the resistance’s logic is rooted in truth and Islamic principles—not opportunism, treachery, or ignorance, as some of those mentioned earlier.
The resistance is alive and well; they will continue to prosper by following the logic of Husayn (as):
“Our fighting is a principled matter and indisputable right–a sacred religious and national duty. We have no choice but to fight with full strength, determination, and severe might, with the help and support of God. We will fight with the stones of the earth and with what we possess–willpower and believing men who, with little weaponry, perform astonishing miracles by God’s grace.” – Al-Qassan Brigades spokesperson, Abu Obeida.
“We are responsible for continuing the resistance and will not be part of legitimizing the occupation in Lebanon and the region. We will not accept normalization. Our choice is a Husseini choice, and we will continue and confront.” – Hezbollah Secretary General, Sheikh Naim Qassem.
“Yemen’s support for Palestine is rooted in faith, not political calculations. The slogan ‘Death to America, death to Israel’ reflects deep conviction, echoed not just in words but in missiles, drones and unwavering action.” – Ansarallah Commander, Sayyed Abdul Malik El-Din Al-Houthi.
“The Iraqi people will remain committed to supporting their brothers in Palestine will all available means–’so that truth may prevail and falsehood may perish, even if the criminals detest it.'” – Islamic Resistance in Iraq, Kataeb Hezbollah.
While certain regimes within the region capitulate to American-Israeli demands with almost no political resistance, the Palestinian fighters, together with their regional allies in the form of the Axis of Resistance, refuse to bow. It is this same rejection of tyranny that echoes throughout Islamic history, a rejection of tyranny made clear on the blood-stained plains of Karbala.
The resistance continues down the path of Imam Husayn (as); it embodies the logic of Imam Husayn (as). This path—the true path- is a path that guarantees success. A path of selflessness, dignity, and morals.
Sim Zahra is a student and writer based in Toronto. Her writing focuses on Islam and contemporary Islamic struggles.
