To mark the last ten days of Ṣafar, mourning ceremonies for the demise of the Prophet of Mercy (peace be upon him and his family) and the martyrdom of Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba and Imam al-Ridā (peace be upon them) were held at the Islamic Centre of England.
The three-day programme took place on 21, 22, and 23 August 2025 in English, Persian, and Arabic.
In his Persian lecture, Ḥujjat al-Islām wal-Muslimīn Seyed Hashem Moosavi, Imam of the Islamic Centre of England, drew upon verses of the Holy Qur’an and emphasised that one of the most important duties of the Muslim ummah towards the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) is to seek his pleasure and contentment.
He explained that faith in God and steadfastness upon the covenant with the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) are among the main causes of attaining his pleasure. He highlighted three key reasons for the importance of bringing joy to the Prophet’s heart:
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According to numerous Qur’anic verses that place obedience to God alongside obedience to the Prophet, God’s pleasure is intrinsically linked to the Prophet’s pleasure.
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Seeking the Prophet’s pleasure is in effect gratitude for his tireless 23-year struggle in guiding mankind.
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Most importantly, it is an enactment of the Qur’anic verse of Mawaddah (love of the Prophet’s family).
He further distinguished between maḥabbah (love) and mawaddah (devotion). While maḥabbah refers to an inner affection that may remain unexpressed, mawaddah signifies love that is manifested and demonstrated outwardly.
Ḥujjat al-Islām wal-Muslimīn Moosavi stressed that the reason mawaddah was ordained as the reward for Prophethood is that it safeguards the health of the Muslim community and ensures the continuity of the Prophetic mission. He added:
“Devotion to the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) is not merely a feeling; it is a belief and a way of life, deeply connected to following them. Through mawaddah, the Prophet’s heart is assured against betrayal and deviation. This is the very reward he seeks from us.”
In the English session, Ḥujjat al-Islām wal-Muslimīn Subhani spoke on the virtues of Prophethood and Imamate, explaining that Imamate is the continuation of Prophethood, and that the enlightening role of Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba and Imam al-Ridā (peace be upon them) carried the same mission as that of the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his family).
In the Arabic session, Shaykh Abdul-Zahra al-Bandar emphasised the importance of guiding the Muslim community after the Prophet’s demise, describing the appointment of Imam ʿAlī (peace be upon him) as his successor as a sign of this importance. He also described Imam al-Hasan’s (peace be upon him) peace treaty with Muʿāwiyah as a wise and strategic move to preserve and protect Islam.
The programme concluded with elegies and recitations in mourning for the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).
