Guidance Through Memory: Islamic Reflections on This Week’s Commemorations

Introduction

In a world of shifting values and uncertain choices, remembering key Islamic events offers more than history; it provides timeless guidance. This week’s occasions remind us to understand and live our past, drawing lessons in faith, ethics, and leadership. As Muslim leaders in the West, it is our duty to bring these lessons into present-day relevance.

8 Mordad / 30 August – Commemoration of Shaykh Shihab al-Din Suhrawardi

Shaykh Suhrawardi (d. 587 AH / 1191 CE), known as “the Master of Illumination”, was a pioneer of Islamic philosophy who combined rational wisdom with spiritual insight. His work laid the foundation for the “Illuminationist” school, which emphasised the role of divine light in human understanding.

Suhrawardi reminds us that intellectual pursuit must not be divorced from spiritual depth. Islam encourages the integration of reason and spirituality, as reflected in the Qur’anic command:

“قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ”

“Say: Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” (Qur’an 39:9)

Message for Muslims in the West:

Encourage a model of education that nurtures both intellect and soul. In societies dominated by materialism, Islamic leaders can revive balanced thinking rooted in light and truth.

5 Safar – Martyrdom of Lady Ruqayyah (peace be upon her)

Lady Ruqayyah, the young daughter of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him), was martyred in the aftermath of Karbala, imprisoned in the court of Yazid in Damascus. Her suffering symbolises innocence crushed by tyranny.

Her story is a reminder that even the smallest voices of truth deserve to be heard. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

اِتَّقُوا دَعْوَةَ اَلْمَظْلُومِ فَإِنَّ دَعْوَةَ اَلْمَظْلُومِ تَصْعَدُ إِلَى اَلسَّمَاءِ (مکارم الاخلاق، ج ۱، ص ۲۷۶)

“Beware the supplication of the oppressed, for it ascends to Allah.”

Message for Muslims in the West:

Advocate for the rights of the oppressed, especially children and the vulnerable. Let Lady Ruqayyah’s voice echo in your defence of dignity and justice.

5 Safar – Passing of Ayatollah al-Uzma Mar’ashi Najafi (d. 1990 CE)

A leading scholar of the 20th century, Ayatollah Mar’ashi Najafi was known for his unmatched dedication to preserving Islamic manuscripts and serving the seminary in Qom.

He lived the Qur’anic command to seek knowledge and preserve it:

“وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا”

“And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Qur’an 20:114)

Message for Muslims in the West:

Support Islamic learning institutions and preserve Islamic heritage through libraries, translations, and public education.

7 Safar – Passing of Ayatollah al-Uzma Sayyid Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei (d. 1992 CE)

Ayatollah Khoei, one of the most respected maraji’ of his time, was known for his deep scholarly rigour, rational approach to jurisprudence, and global influence on Islamic seminaries.

His legacy reflects the hadith from Imam Sadeq (AS):

إِذَا مَاتَ اَلْعَالِمُ ثُلِمَ فِي اَلْإِسْلاَمِ ثُلْمَةٌ لاَ يَسُدُّهَا شَيْءٌ (بحارالانوار، ج ۲، ص ۴۳)

“When a scholar dies, a gap is created in Islam that nothing can fill.”

Message for Muslims in the West:

Invest in training the next generation of scholars and jurists to meet modern challenges with rooted wisdom.

8 Safar – Passing of Salman al-Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him)

Salman al-Farsi was a close companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and a symbol of the universality of Islam, crossing cultural and geographic boundaries to embrace the truth.

His life reflects the message of Holy Quran:

“إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ”

“Indeed, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Qur’an 49:13)

Message for Muslims in the West:

Embrace diversity within the Muslim community, and demonstrate that Islam transcends race, language, and ethnicity.

9 Safar – Battle of Nahrawan (38 AH / 658 CE)

The Battle of Nahrawan was fought between Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and the Khawarij, a group that emerged with extreme, wrong, and rigid interpretations of religion, despite outward piety.

The Prophet (PBUH) warned:

«إنَّ بَعدي مِن امَّتي أو سَيَكونُ بَعدي مِن امَّتي قَومٌ يَقرَؤونَ القُرآنَ لا يُجاوِزُ حَلاقيمَهُم، يَخرُجونَ مِنَ الدّينِ كَما يَخرُجُ السَّهمُ مِنَ الرَّمِيَّةِ، ثُمَّ لا يَعودونَ فيهِ. هُم شَرُّ الخَلقِ وَالخَليقَةِ».

“After me, there will be people from my nation who will recite the Qur’an, but it will not go beyond their throats. They will leave the religion as an arrow leaves the prey. They will never return to it. They are the worst of creation.”

Message for Muslims in the West:

Promote a balanced and thoughtful approach to Islam, guarding against extremism and superficial religiosity.