The historical background to attacks on Saudi Arab...

Summary

• I often recall the scene in which Abdullah ibn Abbas tries desperately to prevent Hussain ibn Ali from leaving Madinah and travelling to Kufa.
• In an emotional appeal, Ibn Abbas reportedly said that if he could, he would seize Hussain by his beard with one hand and the long hair on his forehead with the other, throw him to the ground and prevent him from going to Kufa.
• The imagined scene of Ibn Abbas speaking to Hussain ibn Ali is filled with anguish, affection and profound concern.

AI Generated Summary

The Dervish told his family how wonderful it would have been if they had travelled to Europe on Saudi Airlines and performed Umrah on their way back. However, the situation between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Shia Houthi movement has been deteriorating by the day. Now, people are saying that if they had chosen their preferred airline, their return journey in November could have become considerably more complicated. Attacks have now begun targeting Saudi airports and aircraft as well. This is indeed a deeply regrettable situation.

I have had concerns about such a scenario since 1979. I clearly remember the day when, shortly after the Iranian Revolution overthrew the Shah, Imam Khomeini declared that Iran would export its Islamic Revolution to other Muslim countries. My thoughts immediately turned towards Saudi Arabia, because I believed it was the real target in the background. This was despite the fact that, on the instructions of the Saudi leadership, the Imam of the Holy Kaaba had personally travelled to Tehran to offer congratulations. Yet, Iranian media were already making many derogatory remarks about the Saudis.

Khomeini’s statement brought to mind the early history of Islam. I recalled how Maula Ali and, later, Imam Hussain had to leave the sacred cities of Makkah and Madinah and head towards Kufa. One cannot help wishing that circumstances had been different. For Maula Ali, leaving the two holy cities conquered by his Prophet, cousin and father-in-law must have been extremely painful. For Imam Hussain, leaving the cities associated with his maternal grandfather must have been equally heartbreaking. One can imagine the sorrow with which they departed from this sacred land and set out towards Kufa.

The early history of Islam has never faded from my memory. I often recall the scene in which Abdullah ibn Abbas tries desperately to prevent Hussain ibn Ali from leaving Madinah and travelling to Kufa. Ibn Abbas was among the most astute, experienced and far-sighted leaders of Banu Hashim at the time.

His importance can be understood through the historical significance of three descendants of Abdul Muttalib. Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, was the son of Abdullah ibn Abdul Muttalib. Ali was the son of Abu Talib ibn Abdul Muttalib, while Abdullah ibn Abbas was the son of Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib. The status of these three distinguished figures in the new faith brought by our beloved Prophet, along with their mutual affection and respect, is well established in history.