The Past Is Not Past: Five Lessons for a World at a Crossroads

Introduction

A meaningful engagement with history does more than preserve the memory of remarkable people and events; it helps us respond wisely to the challenges of our own time. This week’s commemorations invite us to reflect on moral leadership, the pursuit of knowledge, accountability for our choices, spiritual integrity and the dignity of care. Viewed through the lens of Islam, they offer valuable lessons for imams, teachers and Muslim communities seeking to nurture more ethical, compassionate and responsible societies.

18 Jumada al-Awwal: The Commemoration of the Birth of Dhul-Qarnayn

Dhul-Qarnayn is a figure mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah al-Kahf (18: 83-98), where he is portrayed as a powerful ruler who travelled to different regions and used his authority to uphold justice and protect vulnerable communities. Some later Islamic commemorative calendars associate 18 Jumada al-Awwal with his birth. The Qur’anic account presents leadership as a trust that must be exercised with justice, humility and responsibility, reminding those who hold authority today that power is valuable only when it serves the common good.

Message for today: Use knowledge, influence and available resources to establish justice, protect the vulnerable and serve humanity rather than pursue personal glory.

20 Jumada al-Awwal: The Birth Anniversary of Fakhr al-Muhaqqiqin al-Hilli

The son of the renowned scholar al-Allama al-Hilli, Fakhr al-Muhaqqiqin, Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Hilli became an influential Shi’a jurist and theologian, producing important works in Islamic jurisprudence and training students, including scholars who contributed to subsequent generations of Islamic learning. His life illustrates the Islamic commitment to the pursuit of beneficial knowledge, rigorous reasoning and the transmission of learning across generations. In an age of misinformation and rapid technological change, his legacy reminds religious educators that scholarship requires both intellectual discipline and ethical responsibility.

Message for today: Pursue knowledge with sincerity, examine claims critically and pass on religious learning in ways that strengthen understanding, wisdom and responsible action.

22 Jumada al-Awwal : The Battle of Ayn al-Warda and the Tawwabin Movement

In 65 AH (684–685 CE), the Tawwabin, or “Penitents”, led by Sulayman ibn Surad al-Khuza’i, rose in protest and remorse over their failure to support Imam Husayn ibn Ali (pbuh) at Karbala in 61 AH (680 CE). They confronted Umayyad forces associated with Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad at Ayn al-Warda, in northern Mesopotamia, where most of their leading figures were martyred. The Tawwabin movement highlights the relationship between repentance, moral accountability and action: sincere remorse should lead not merely to expressions of regret but to a willingness to confront injustice and correct one’s conduct. The Qur’an teaches:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ و َيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

“Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.” (The Qur’an, 2:222)

Message for today: A Mutatahhir is someone who is continually purifying themselves, striving each time to attain a higher degree of purity. Allah loves those who purify themselves. Let us strive to be among the Mutatahhirin.

22 Jumada al-Awwal: The Passing of Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Taqi Bahjat

Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Taqi Bahjat Foumani (1916-2009) was a prominent Shi’a jurist and spiritual teacher. Born in Fouman, northern Iran, he pursued advanced religious studies in Karbala and Najaf before settling in Qom, where he taught jurisprudence, theology and spiritual ethics. He passed away on 17 May 2009, corresponding to 22 Jumada al-Awwal 1430 AH. Ayatollah Bahjat is remembered for emphasising the connection between religious knowledge, spiritual discipline, sincerity and moral conduct. His legacy conveys an important message to the contemporary world: a person’s credibility depends on the extent to which they adhere to God-consciousness and ethical principles.

Message for today: Let worship and religious learning transform everyday behaviour, making honesty, humility, self-discipline and compassion visible in our lives.

29 October: International Day of Care and Support

The International Day of Care and Support highlights the importance of paid and unpaid care, the contribution of care workers and the need for inclusive, sustainable support systems that respect the rights and dignity of people who provide and receive care. Care and support are closely aligned with Islamic teachings on mercy, family responsibilities, social solidarity and the protection of human dignity. In a world facing ageing populations, unequal access to care and the often-unrecognised burden of unpaid caring responsibilities, Islam calls on individuals, communities and institutions to ensure that care is both compassionate and fair.

The Qur’an states:

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ

“And cooperate in righteousness and piety.” (The Qur’an, 5:2)

Message for today: Treat older people, children, disabled people, the ill and those in need of support with dignity and compassion.