Contrary to the common perception that views the Ahl al-Bayt merely as spiritually isolated figures, historical evidence shows that they formed a coherent, intelligent, multi-layered network aimed at preserving authentic Islam and resisting Umayyad and Abbasid distortions—often without constant armed uprising.

Key Dimensions of This Network

A) Strategic Division of Roles among the Imams

Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin (AS): Reconstructing Shi‘a identity through supplication, ethics, and emotional education

Imam al-Baqir & Imam al-Sadiq (AS): Systematic production of knowledge and training of intellectual cadres (over 4,000 students)

Imam Musa al-Kazim (AS): Managing the wakala (representative) network under extreme repression and imprisonment

Imam al-Rida (AS): Strategic engagement within the official power structure while preserving doctrinal boundaries

B) Indirect Tools of Resistance

Supplications (e.g., al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya) → a secure medium of communication

Hadith transmission → discourse production

Family members and students → generational continuity

Taqiyya → survival and long-term sustainability of the movement

? This perspective reveals that the Ahl al-Bayt pursued a long-term civilizational project, not short-term emotional or reactive responses.

Suggested Sources:

Shaykh al-Mufid, Al-Irshad

Rasul Ja‘fariyan, The Intellectual and Political Life of the Shi‘a Imams

Murtada Mutahhari, Imamate and Leadership

Muhammad Reza Hakimi, The Imam in the Objective Reality of Society

Al-Kulaynī, Al-Kāfī (especially chapters on knowledge, taqiyya, and wakala)

One of the fundamental questions for a believer is why the Qur’an, the traditions of the Infallibles, and Nahj al-Balagha always remain fresh and alive, never losing their vitality with the passage of time, while many human works—even profound and valuable ones—gradually fade. The answer lies in the source and origin of these teachings.

The source of the Qur’an and the words of the Infallibles is divine knowledge. God’s knowledge is neither limited by time nor subject to decay or change. The Qur’an states:

“Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the All-Aware?” (Qur’an 67:14)

Knowledge that issues from such a source can never have an expiration.

From the perspective of Islamic philosophy and mysticism, God is al-Ḥayy (the Ever-Living)—a being whose essence is life itself, pure awareness, and absolute actuality, not a life that arises or perishes. The Qur’an declares:

“Allah—there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of all.” (Qur’an 2:255)

When the Divine Essence is life itself, His knowledge is living, and the word that flows from this knowledge is likewise a living word—one that addresses every age and every reader anew.

For this reason, Imam ʿAli (peace be upon him) says regarding the Qur’an:

“Its wonders never cease, and its marvels never come to an end.”

Its perpetual freshness is not due to changing words, but to the living reality behind them.

Nahj al-Balagha and the sayings of the other Infallibles share this same quality, for the Infallibles, in the language of mysticism, are manifestations of the Divine Names and Attributes. They are mirrors in which the Name al-Ḥayy is reflected. Thus, their words are not merely personal insights or historical expressions; rather, they are the flow of divine life clothed in human language.

According to Transcendent Theosophy, the speech of the Infallible is temporally originated yet connected to a transhistorical truth. Every time one reads the Qur’an or opens Nahj al-Balagha, one encounters a living reality that discloses meaning in proportion to the reader’s spiritual capacity. This is why a single verse or sermon can reveal new meanings in every age without diminishing its earlier ones.

Therefore, the secret of the Qur’an’s and the hadith’s eternal freshness is this: the Word of God is the word of the Living God, and the speech of the Infallibles is the speech of those united with divine life. The stronger the connection to Absolute Life, the more living, flowing, and everlasting the word becomes

Performing prayers at the earliest time is highly recommended, especially in Masjid al-Haram. However, if due to severe crowding, physical exhaustion, or health-related reasons, praying at the earliest time is not possible, delaying the prayer is permissible and the prayer remains valid. In Shi‘a jurisprudence, religious duties are assigned according to a person’s ability, and preserving one’s well-being is important.

While in ihram, women are not permitted to cover their faces directly. However, when facing non-mahram men, they may lower a veil or part of their garment in a way that does not touch the face. Shi‘a scholars consider this permissible, as it preserves both the rules of ihram and the obligation of modesty.

If a prohibited act is done due to forgetfulness or lack of knowledge, there is no sin, and the Hajj or ‘Umrah is not invalidated. However, in some cases, once the person remembers or becomes aware, they must immediately stop the act, and a kaffarah (expiation) may still be required depending on the specific prohibition. This is the well-known opinion of Shi‘a jurists such as Imam Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamenei.

The pro-Palestinian hacker group Handala says it has infiltrated the personal cellular device of former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, accessing sensitive documents and personal communications.

In a Wednesday statement, the Handala group, whose name is borrowed from a symbol of Palestinian rejectionism of the Zionist regime’s existence, said they managed to gain remote access to Bennett’s cellphone and hack into his iPhone 13 device.

The digital infiltration was dubbed “Operation Octopus,” apparently in reference to Bennett’s past remarks about Iran being the “head of the octopus” and spearheading the anti-Israel coalition in West Asia.

“You once prided yourself on being a leading light of cybersecurity and displayed your expertise to the world,” Handala said in its statement, mocking Bennett’s previous career as a cybersecurity company executive.

“And even so, how ironic that your iPhone 13 fell so easily into the hands of Handala,” the group added.

“Despite all of your pride and boasting, your digital fortress is nothing more than a paper wall waiting to be broken.”

Alongside its statement, the group published a series of files said to have been extracted from the phone, including a contact list with names of senior Israeli officials, internal communications, sensitive documents, and personal photographs.

Among the documents exposed in the leak are drafts of memos and letters, some dated July 2025. Additionally, political communications were released, including internal criticism of so-called security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The leak also included documents with the names of senior Israeli officials, including far-right minister of settlements and national missions Orit Strock, and foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar.

In its statement, Handala underlined that the breach represented not just a technological accomplishment but also an element of psychological warfare, describing the information security of senior Israeli officials as “fragile.”

The group urged journalists to reach out to them on the social media platform X for further resources.

Press TV’s website

The senior spokesman for the Iranian Armed Forces says the enemy's extensive espionage network was dealt a severe blow during the 12-day Israeli-US aggression in June and largely dismantled, describing it as a major intelligence achievement.

Addressing an event in Tehran on Wednesday, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi highlighted the US-Israeli miscalculations during the war, saying they relied on their espionage networks and direct US command, and believed the Iranian system of governance would collapse under the initial strikes.

However, he said the reality on the ground proved the national will of Iranians to be unshakable.

The spokesman said that during the war, NATO’s full military capacity and its most advanced equipment were deployed as part of an all‑out hybrid warfare strategy against Iran. 

"The enemy entered the field with a wrong assessment," Shekarchi stated.

"Despite the martyrdom of commanders and initial damages, the command vacuum was quickly filled. Within hours of defense, Iran's continuous offensive began, increasing in operational power day by day and leaving the enemy in absolute confusion," he added. 

According to the general, the enemy's inability to achieve its strategic goals, including regime change and the disintegration of Iran, led them to a point where they "begged" for an end to the war, ultimately resulting in a unilateral ceasefire declaration.

Geography and Location

Location: Northeast Africa

Borders: Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the Red Sea

Area: About 1.88 million square kilometers (one of the largest countries in Africa)

Climate:

Mostly desert and semi-desert in the north

Savanna and more fertile areas in the south

Major River: The Nile River (White Nile and Blue Nile), which is central to life and agriculture

---

? Population and Culture

Population: Around 45 million

Ethnic diversity: Very high (Arab, Nubian, Beja, Fur, Zaghawa, and many other groups)

Official language: Arabic

Lifestyle:

Family-oriented

Strong tradition of hospitality

Music and poetry play an important cultural role

Traditional clothing: Jalabiya (men), Thobe/Toob (women)

---

☪️ Religion

About 90% Muslim (mostly Sunni)

Christian minorities and indigenous beliefs, mainly in southern and border regions

Religion plays a major role in law, culture, and daily life

---

⚠️ Current Situation (Political and Economic)

Since April 2023, Sudan has been experiencing a severe internal conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces

Consequences include:

A large-scale humanitarian crisis

Millions of displaced people

Shortages of food, medicine, and healthcare services

Economy:

Weak and unstable

Based mainly on agriculture (cotton, sesame, livestock) and partly on gold

Living conditions: Very difficult, with widespread poverty and high inflation

---

? Summary

Sudan is a country with an ancient history, rich cultural diversity, and significant natural resources, but decades of political instability and armed conflict have prevented development. The country is currently facing one of the most difficult periods in its history.

Yes, their activities have not stopped, but almost all sea attempts have been blocked or suppressed, and the form of activism has changed.

---

1. The sea movement still exists, but with great difficulty

In recent years (especially 2024–2025), coalitions such as the Global Sumud Flotilla — involving international activists from Europe, Latin America, and the Arab world — attempted to sail toward Gaza with dozens of boats. Their goals were:

Breaking the naval blockade of Gaza

Delivering humanitarian aid

Drawing global public attention

However, nearly all of these vessels were intercepted by the Israeli navy before reaching Gaza.

---

2. Why do we hear less about them now?

There are several main reasons:

Israel exercises full military and intelligence control over the eastern Mediterranean

Most boats are intercepted in international waters or near the coast

Foreign activists are detained, interrogated, and then deported

The financial cost and personal risk of these missions have increased dramatically

As a result, continuing sea missions has become extremely difficult, not because activists gave up, but because the route is effectively blocked.

---

3. What is the current situation of the activists?

Many well-known activists (including European and environmental figures) were detained and later returned to their home countries

Some activists remain engaged in legal cases, international lawsuits, and media advocacy

In certain cases, activists have carried out hunger strikes or legal protests

---

4. Have the activities completely stopped?

No — the strategy has shifted:

Greater focus on international legal pressure

Media work and public awareness campaigns

Lobbying parliaments and human rights organizations

Attempts to deliver aid through land routes or official humanitarian channels

In other words, the sea flotilla is no longer the main tactic, but it remains a powerful symbol of civil resistance.

---

Final Summary

❌ The sea route to Gaza is practically closed

✅ Activists have not disappeared or surrendered

? Activism has shifted from direct sea action to legal and media pressure

? The Gaza blockade remains a major focus of global activism

Benjamin Netanyahu has toured the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East al-Quds in a provocative move to celebrate the Jewish Hanukkah holiday, drawing strong condemnation from the Palestinians. 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Al-Quds Governorate denounced the presence of the Israeli prime minister at the al-Buraq Wall, also known as the Western or Wailing Wall, describing it as a “new provocation” at one of Islam’s holiest sites. 

It said the wall is an integral part of the compound, warning that such actions risk further inflaming tensions at the flashpoint site. 

Netanyahu’s office released photographs showing him at the compound alongside several official figures, including US Ambassador Mike Huckabee.

The eight-day Hanukkah holiday runs from December 14 to 22.

According to Palestinian authorities, at least 210 illegal Israeli settlers have entered the al-Aqsa Mosque complex under heavy Israeli police protection to mark the holiday since Monday.

Palestinian and Muslim officials have repeatedly rejected “growing incursions and attempts” to alter the historic and legal status of the site.

Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam, has been a longstanding focal point of Israeli-Palestinian tension. 

Non-Muslim worship at the holy compound is prohibited under an agreement signed between Israel and the Jordanian government in the wake of the regime's occupation of al-Quds in 1967. However, the ban is a mere phrase and, in action, circumstances have been against Muslims.

Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over war crimes in the Gaza Strip. 

East al-Quds, where the al-Aqsa Mosque is located, was occupied by Israel during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and unilaterally annexed in 1980, a move not recognized by the international community. 

Under international law, East al-Quds is considered occupied territory, and Israeli settlement activity and official actions in the area are deemed illegal.

Press TV’s website