Iran: A threatened theocracy

...also published in Daily Trust

Though the wave of protests that has recently hit Iran isn’t the first of its kind, the protesters’ demands this time around are unprecedented. Prompted by a sudden increase in fuel prices, the protesters have demanded not only far-reaching economic reforms to arrest the persistent economic deterioration in the country, but also the abolishment of the entire Welayatul-faqeeh theocratic dictatorship that has ruled the country since the Khomeini-led revolution in 1979.

A room like no other

…also published in Daily Trust  

On Monday the 12^th of the month of Rabi’ul-Awwal one thousand four hundred and thirty years ago; and at around mid-morning, the Last Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (SAW) departed this life at the age of 63 after he had delivered the Message and accomplished his mission on earth.

By the way, though his death was indeed on that day and date, Islam never sanctioned any commemorative event for it, as also none of his Sahaba including members of his revered Household ever commemorated it either. Therefore, inasmuch as commemorating his death is an unfounded act of worship i.e. bid’ah even though its day, date, month and year are known for sure, celebrating his birthday i.e. the so-called Maulud on the 12^th of Rabi’ul-Awwal or any other date for that matter is particularly unfounded, because  apart from the absence of any Qur’anic or Sunnatic reference to it, there is absolutely no single categorically reliable historical source about the exact month and date (not day) of his birth, in the first place. Equally, none of his Sahaba including members of his honourable Household ever celebrated it either.