13th of Aban: The Eternal Cry of “No” Against Arrogance

Throughout history, there are days that transcend time—days that become symbols of resistance and meaning. 13th of Aban is one such day: the distilled essence of the struggle of the oppressed against the arrogant. From the martyrdom of students resisting colonial indoctrination, to the shutdown of espionage plots at the U.S. embassy, and the fiery exile of Muslim students who had learned the lesson of “La Tasbil” (no domination) from the Qur’an—these three events form a chain of defiance that struck at the heart of global arrogance, silencing the voice of the Great Satan with the cry: “Indeed, all power belongs to Allah.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:165)
13th of Aban is the living embodiment of the verse: “And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire touch you.” (Surah Hud, 11:113)
It is the day the Iranian nation buried submission to tyranny in the ashes of history.
This day is not just symbolic—it is a living discourse. It teaches us that resisting arrogance is not a temporary political choice, but a religious obligation and existential necessity for the survival of the Islamic Ummah. The Qur’an commands the Prophet: “Say: I advise you to do one thing only: stand up for Allah, in pairs or singly.” (Surah Saba, 34:46)
The uprising of 13th of Aban was the realization of this verse—a stand for God, by God, and in the name of God.
The student of 13th of Aban was a disciple of monotheism. He embraced martyrdom having internalized the lesson of “La ilaha illallah” not just in books, but in his soul. He understood that the greatest form of arrogance is polytheism, and that as long as shirk exists in word and deed, global arrogance will persist. His martyrdom was a bloody answer to the question: Can one stand against the machinery of colonial oppression? And he wrote on the wall of history with his blood: “Yes.”
The takeover of the U.S. embassy was the logical continuation of that path. If the student symbolized the rejection of arrogance in thought, the university student embodied its rejection in action. The seizure of the “Den of Spies” was not merely a political move—it was a monotheistic uprising to affirm the Qur’anic truth: “To Him alone belongs the call of truth.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:14) No voice or power stands legitimate before the truth. This act was a cleansing of the environment from the impurity of arrogance, as the Qur’an commands: “And shun the filth.” (Surah Al-Muddathir, 74:5)
Today, arrogance wears many faces—from crippling sanctions, which are a form of economic terrorism, to psychological warfare and cultural invasions aimed at misleading the youth. Yet the spirit of 13th of Aban remains alive. It reminds us never to remain silent in the face of these manifestations. As another verse teaches: “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:11)
13th of Aban was that inner transformation that led to profound external change.
Unity of word is the eternal weapon against arrogance. The Qur’an defines the foundation of resistance as: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together.” (Surah Al-Imran, 3:103)
The nationwide rallies on 13th of Aban—from Sanandaj to Tehran—are the modern embodiment of this verse. It is this unity that empowers leadership to stand firmly against global bullies and dictate the will of the people.
In closing: 13th of Aban reminds us that the enemy is always lurking, but so too is the divine promise: “Indeed, We will support Our messengers and those who believe in this worldly life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand.” (Surah Ghafir, 40:51)
13th of Aban is the symbol of that divine support. Our duty today is to keep this spirit alive, pass on this legacy to the next generation, and prepare for new chapters in the struggle against arrogance—so that the banner of “La lil-Istikbar” (No to arrogance) may forever fly high.
By: Javad Abdollahzadeh / Reporter