Thank you so much for this! As always, I find your writing and perspective amazing. From my own Ecofeminist perspective, I feel such solidarity with the legacy you speak of. Thanks too for the link to the Harvard lectures, I have just added my interest. I have learned so much from your essays, thank you. 💚
Another banger essay. Thank you for the pertinent reminder, the call justice, an affirmative action, and a push to do. I appreciate the distinction between ritual and making the intention to participate. In addition to the explicit injustice that exists in the world, I am simultaneously reminded of the more insidious ways we are complicit-- especially considering the constraints of living under capitalism. Thank you for writing! I am learning
Thank you so much for reading and for your sweet words! I’m so glad it could be helpful!! I feel these ideas need to be echoed now more than ever and we all need to be constantly reflecting on our role as parts of one collective body and spirit. Again appreciate your support! ❤️
i just learned a little about Shariati in the book i am reading about the history of Palestinian Islamic Jihad. very timely that i just encountered this essay. thank you for the further reading at the end as well. 🙏🏼❤️🔥
In first ten days of Moharram month I came to know more about Islam in general and now Hussain in particular. Thanks for sharing. After knowing full story of Hussain here on another account, I was thinking about those Muslim journalists who died reporting from Gaza that they were living Hussein’s message today and here you worded it rightly as Red Shi’ism where Hussain is not a martyr but a method.
I must suggest to not restrict yourself to it only as I quote “find it necessary to reiterate here, in case it was not made clear, especially for those unfamiliar, that ‘Red’ Shi’ism is just pure Shi'ism, its original and most authentic expression.”
As per my spiritual experiences I can say that only most authentic is Allah only. Everything that is converted to word even by the wordless himself becomes unauthentic because it depends upon the person how they interpret it.
Another valuable reason is that truth is present in every religion, in every mystic’s message and in this age of Internet it is easily available too, so we should not restrict ourselves to learn from others. Such statement helps mind to read them with prejudice and we loose opportunity to grow in inner wisdom.
Thank you so much for reading and for your thoughtful comment, I really appreciate you engaging with the piece.
Just to clarify, when I referred to Red Shi‘ism as the “authentic” form of Shi‘ism, I meant it within the framework of Shi‘i thought itself, not as a claim to universal or exclusive truth. As a Shi‘i myself, it’s how I understand and relate to my own tradition. That said, I absolutely agree with you that God is the one and only ultimate Truth, and that glimpses of that truth can be found in many places. The beauty of the human search for meaning is that sincere seekers and sages have emerged from all kinds of traditions, and I personally find it enriching to learn from them all.
Thank you again for sharing your insights, I appreciate when someone reads with care and offers reflection!
Appreciate your intent. I lived Red Shi’ism in my life. Even for small jobs I do not hesitated to put my life into danger. Sometimes I used to think later is my life so cheap? But it was my way of attaining totality as if Allah has given this responsibility to me. Learned a new way of describing from your post “Karbala is method not mourning”.
My home in my city was at such location that I have to pass through a road after a bridge on which one side there is Karbala maidan. It reminded me every time to know about it whenever I will get time. And now I came to know that I was living it. Thanks for posting.
What a great framework and application. Brilliantly done!
All credit to Shariati haha, thank you Hussain!!
Once again, an exceptional essay Zahra! I think Dr. Shariati would've really appreciated this.
I can only hope so 🥹 Allah bless his soul! Thank you so much for reading and for your kind words I’m ever grateful!
Thank you so much for this! As always, I find your writing and perspective amazing. From my own Ecofeminist perspective, I feel such solidarity with the legacy you speak of. Thanks too for the link to the Harvard lectures, I have just added my interest. I have learned so much from your essays, thank you. 💚
Thank you so much for your ever kind words, Eimear! I’m honored and humbled ☺️ So grateful for your time and support, it means so much!
Another banger essay. Thank you for the pertinent reminder, the call justice, an affirmative action, and a push to do. I appreciate the distinction between ritual and making the intention to participate. In addition to the explicit injustice that exists in the world, I am simultaneously reminded of the more insidious ways we are complicit-- especially considering the constraints of living under capitalism. Thank you for writing! I am learning
Thank you so much for reading and for your sweet words! I’m so glad it could be helpful!! I feel these ideas need to be echoed now more than ever and we all need to be constantly reflecting on our role as parts of one collective body and spirit. Again appreciate your support! ❤️
What a beautiful reminder for the lovers of Ahlulbayt. A call for action in the pursuit of justice!
i just learned a little about Shariati in the book i am reading about the history of Palestinian Islamic Jihad. very timely that i just encountered this essay. thank you for the further reading at the end as well. 🙏🏼❤️🔥
thank you for reading i’m glad if it could be helpful! :)
In first ten days of Moharram month I came to know more about Islam in general and now Hussain in particular. Thanks for sharing. After knowing full story of Hussain here on another account, I was thinking about those Muslim journalists who died reporting from Gaza that they were living Hussein’s message today and here you worded it rightly as Red Shi’ism where Hussain is not a martyr but a method.
I must suggest to not restrict yourself to it only as I quote “find it necessary to reiterate here, in case it was not made clear, especially for those unfamiliar, that ‘Red’ Shi’ism is just pure Shi'ism, its original and most authentic expression.”
As per my spiritual experiences I can say that only most authentic is Allah only. Everything that is converted to word even by the wordless himself becomes unauthentic because it depends upon the person how they interpret it.
Another valuable reason is that truth is present in every religion, in every mystic’s message and in this age of Internet it is easily available too, so we should not restrict ourselves to learn from others. Such statement helps mind to read them with prejudice and we loose opportunity to grow in inner wisdom.
Hope this will be of some help.
Hi Sandeep,
Thank you so much for reading and for your thoughtful comment, I really appreciate you engaging with the piece.
Just to clarify, when I referred to Red Shi‘ism as the “authentic” form of Shi‘ism, I meant it within the framework of Shi‘i thought itself, not as a claim to universal or exclusive truth. As a Shi‘i myself, it’s how I understand and relate to my own tradition. That said, I absolutely agree with you that God is the one and only ultimate Truth, and that glimpses of that truth can be found in many places. The beauty of the human search for meaning is that sincere seekers and sages have emerged from all kinds of traditions, and I personally find it enriching to learn from them all.
Thank you again for sharing your insights, I appreciate when someone reads with care and offers reflection!
Appreciate your intent. I lived Red Shi’ism in my life. Even for small jobs I do not hesitated to put my life into danger. Sometimes I used to think later is my life so cheap? But it was my way of attaining totality as if Allah has given this responsibility to me. Learned a new way of describing from your post “Karbala is method not mourning”.
My home in my city was at such location that I have to pass through a road after a bridge on which one side there is Karbala maidan. It reminded me every time to know about it whenever I will get time. And now I came to know that I was living it. Thanks for posting.