Quds belongs to the Muslims and must be returned to them The Importance QUDS from the Viewpoint of Imam Khomeini (R.A.) | ||||
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“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 as 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.” We witness that thousands of Muslims stage protest against foes of peace, particularly the US and Zionist regime on the last Friday from the holy month of Ramadan. They display their sovereignty against the worldly material powers through the unity of their expressions. This is the day when the Muslims put aside all their national and sectarian differences and strongly condemn Zionism and its supporters. We see it necessary to remind the readers the point that the origin of this day can be traced in Imam Khomeini’s thoughts. From his very early youth days, Imam used to warn the public and masses of the dangers posed by Zionism. The Imam hit hard the exploiting and arrogant powers by declaring this crucial day as solidarity with the Palestinians. We are witnessing how the Zionist regime has imposed security barriers and restrictions on the people’s movement in Jerusalem (al-Quds) city and other occupied lands over the past months. It is the essential point that the Imam by declaring the last Friday from the holy month of Ramadan as the ‘Quds Day’ had even far-sighted beyond the Palestinian issue. Thus, he wanted to unite all forces and potentials of the Muslim World to form a united front against the Zionists, World-exploiting powers, and their allies. Imam Khomeini (ra) and the Palestine Cause Struggle against Zionism forms one of the crucial pillars of Imam Khomeini’s thoughts. His first official stance against Israel came in 1968 when he demanded the then regime of Shah to ban the export of oil to Israel and cut all diplomatic ties with the Zionist regime as other Islamic and Arab countries had done so. Imam said that, “One of the issues that have placed us against the Pahlavi regime is its assistance to Israel. I have always warned that Shah has been assisting to Israel since it came to power. Moreover, when the intensive war between the Muslims and Israel was at its peak he used to provide the Zionists with oil revenues. Imam said that it was an important factor that contributed to my opposition to the Pahlavi regime.” Imam set his opposition to the Pahlavi regime’s oppression as the pillar of his fundamental domestic policy and made the Palestine issue a top priority of his foreign policy. He measured the struggle against Israel as a religious duty. In order to support his views in this regard, he based his efforts on a jurisprudential ruling that non-believers have no supremacy over the Muslims. For that reason, he always emphasized there should be patronage for the welfare of the Palestinian warriors and defended the Quds cause in its all prospects. Imam made the best use of all potentials against Israel and he not only raised awareness among the nations but also issued recommendations and pieces of advice for the governments in this regard as well. “I advise the Palestinian authorities to give up frequent travels to external powers and instead extend the helping hands to the Palestinians. By relying on God, the Almighty, they can undertake an armed struggle against Israel until the demise of this regime. Since these types of travels discourage the people from the struggle against this brutal regime. I assure you that neither the West nor the East will promote the Palestine cause, but reliance on God, the Almighty, and armed struggle against Israel can defeat this regime.” Imam Khomeini (s) and Initiative of ‘Quds Day’ With a deep analysis of Imam’s speeches regarding the ‘Quds Day’, we can easily come to the conclusion that Imam’s views on this issue are massive and of global significance. He has highlighted the points, which are common among all Islamic sects and groups. He underlined the Palestine issue beyond sectarianism or nationalism, as this method itself will guarantee unity among the whole Muslim community. According to Imam’s views, nobody is allowed to convert this issue into a local or make it limited to a specific community. Another worth mentioning point is that Imam was so farsighted in choosing the timing of the issue. It may be explained in this way. A month of fasting and spirituality brings forth its results in form of piety and piousness, which means the Muslims are now best prepared to listen to the words of the Imam. Obviously, these words will have more influence on their hearts on the last Friday from the holy month of Ramadan. The last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan is Quds Day and in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan, which in all probability coincides with the ‘Night of Qadr’. It is a night the commemoration of which is a practice sanctioned by God. Its value and status are superior to a thousand months under the hypocrites for it is on that night that the destiny of mankind is determined. It is necessary that Quds Day, which falls in close contiguity to the Night of Power, be commemorated by the Muslims, that it serves as the origin of their awakening and vigilance and delivers them from the indifference they have exhibited throughout history, particularly in the last few decades, so that this day of vigilance and awakening will be more valuable than decades under the superpowers and the hypocrites of the world, and the Muslims of the world will take their destinies into their own powerful hands and determine their own fate themselves. By staying awake through the night on the Night of Power and praying, the Muslims will free themselves from the shackles which bind them to anything other than God - which means demons whether in jinn or human form - and they will come to worship only God. On Quds Day, which falls in the last days of ‘the great month of God’ (Ramadan), it would be fitting for all the Muslims of the world to free themselves from the shackles of slavery and servitude to the Great Satan and superpowers, to join the eternal power of God, sever the hands of the criminals of history from the oppressed, deprived countries and break off any covetous ties these criminals may have created. However, the best way to raise awareness about the significance of this day is to review some of Imam’s sayings in this regard: “The Quds Day” is a global day and it is not only limited to only Palestine issue but also a means for oppressed ones to fight against arrogant powers. It is a resistance day for those nations who have suffered oppression at the hands of the United States and other powers. However, they have now understood to stand against the superpowers. This is the day when oppressed ones should be equipped against the arrogant powers and knock them to the ground. This day will differentiate between the hypocrites and committed faithful people. The committed ones acknowledge this as the day of Palestine’s cause and will perform whatever is needed. However, hypocrites, who have maintained a secret friendship with arrogant powers, will remain impartial or will not allow the public to hold demonstrations. This day is decisive as the fate of the oppressed nations is determined on this day because they declare their existence against exploiters. The others nations should rise as Iran stood and knocked them to the ground and continues to do so. All nations should undertake uprising in a bid to throw these tumors and germs into the Garbage cane.” On the night of Qadr, when the destinies and fates are determined, the Muslims make themselves relieved from Satan’s traps by reciting supplications and staying awake throughout the night and finally become obedient servants of God. In addition, it is expected that on this day the world Muslims free themselves from the chains of slavery of Satan and superpowers. They must join the everlasting love of God, the Almighty, and cut off the hands of historical criminals from reaching to the oppressed nations and slash their greed. Impact of ‘Quds Day’ on Palestine Issue 1 -Displaying massive opposition of the Muslim World to Israel’s existence This everlasting initiative not only shows the widespread opposition of the Muslim nations to the existence of the Zionist regime but also makes the Muslims’ hearts yield the integration process among the Muslim World. In this fashion, the first step toward Muslim unity has been taken that will make it possible to achieve a united Ummah beyond racial and sectarian differences. 2 - The means of pressure against the Zionist regime Among those pressure tools that can be used against this regime is to undermine its legitimacy. The echo of this issue will automatically attract the attention of the Muslims to thoughts of Imam and will get this cause to be deeply rooted in the hearts of faithful people. 3 - Keeping out the national or Arab aspects of Palestine and converting it into an Islamic and global Issue Zionist regime has gone a long way to convert this issue into a racial and national conflict between Arabs and Israel. However, by declaring its stance as a great religious authority, Imam Khomeini breathed a new spirit into an almost forgotten issue. This led the Palestinian movement to think only about the option of the sole Islamic resistance instead of nationalism and communalism. 4 - Spiritual influence on Muslims and their massive participation in the issue In fact, the massive influence of Imam’s thoughts can be seen among the Muslim world. In addition to accessible piousness in the month of Ramadan, the Quds cause has also created a spirit of collective determination and coordination among the Muslims. This day provides a role model for the Muslims and gives them self-confidence that Quds can be retaken back with a combination of courage and unity. | ||||
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