Weaponizing Water: From Ṣiffīn to Gaza - Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi

Friday Juma KhutbaMay 2nd, 2025- Israel is using starvation as a weapon against Palestinians by blocking food, fuel, and medicine from entering Gaza for two months.- This act violates international humanitarian laws, which Israel has repeatedly breached without facing consequences.- France, Germany, and the UK condemned the blockade, calling it “intolerable” and rejecting the use of aid as political leverage against Hamas.- The World Food Programme reports over 116,000 tonnes of food—sufficient for one million people for four months—are blocked at access points.- A humanitarian aid ship was attacked by drones in international waters.- During Ramadhān majālis, Maulana discussed the endowments of Imam ‘Ali bin Abi Ṭālib (a), including water well projects.- Imam ‘Ali’s efforts in digging wells in Medina, between Medina and Mecca, and in Iraq continue through Shi‘a charities today.- In the Battle of Ṣiffin (36 AH), Mu‘āwiyah's 85,000 troops reached the river first and blocked access to water from Imam ‘Ali’s 90,000 troops.- Imam ‘Ali sent Ṣa‘ṣa‘ah bin Ṣawḥān to negotiate, warning against the cowardice of water denial and expressing readiness for battle if needed.- Mu‘āwiyah viewed water control as a strategic victory, supported by Umayyid advisors who justified the tactic by referencing ‘Uthmān's siege.- One advisor, ‘Abdullāh bin Abi Saraḥ, claimed water denial would force ‘Ali’s army to retreat, equating retreat with defeat.- Ṣa‘ṣa‘ah rebuked this logic, cursing the advisor and pointing out the hypocrisy and propaganda in blaming Imam ‘Ali for ‘Uthmān's situation.- Imam ‘Ali had, in fact, ordered his sons to deliver food and water to ‘Uthmān during his siege, contrary to the claims against him.- This same propaganda was used to justify denying water to Imam Husayn and his family.- ‘Amr bin ‘Āṣ, an advisor to Mu‘āwiyah, opposed the water blockade, arguing Imam ‘Ali would not have done the same.- Mu‘āwiyah still refused access, stating: “No, by God, let them die of thirst as ‘Uthmān died.”- Imam ‘Ali responded by sending troops to force access to water.- After Mu‘āwiyah’s defeat, ‘Amr bin ‘Āṣ questioned the morality of their actions; Mu‘āwiyah conceded Imam ‘Ali would not retaliate the same way.- This illustrates the moral contrast between the leadership styles of Imam ‘Ali and Mu‘āwiyah.- Despite this, many Muslims today still elevate Mu‘āwiyah’s status over Imam ‘Ali, as seen in a recent Saudi documentary portraying Mu‘āwiyah favorably during Ramadhān.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)