Before the Al-Aqsa Flood Flows: “The Story of Baraa, the Innocent Groom”
On Saturday, October 7, 2023, "The Al-Aqsa Flood" — The conflict between Palestine and Israel has been going on for decades. Unfortunately, many incidents are not reported by the media.
Muhammad Husein, a humanitarian activist from Indonesia who has been 12 years in Palestine and is also a YouTuber, in his vlog reported an incident several weeks before the Al-Aqsa Flood occurred.
Wednesday, 13 September 2023, a mine belonging to the Israeli Zionist army exploded on the eastern edge of Gaza. Killed 5 Palestinian civilians and injured 25 others.
One of those who died was Baraa Wael Al Zard (18), son of Dr. Wael Al Zard who is a well-known Ulama (Islamic scholar) in Palestine.
On the day of the incident, at 09.09 Sheikh Wael Al Zard posted a photo of his son Baraa Wael Al Zard on his Facebook with the caption, “Hadaal ‘Aris Al Baraa, masyaallah, he grew up and finished high school and entered university, and in a few moments he finished. Then he will get married and have son or daughter. Such is the world. May Allah Ta'ala grant him success and help, him and all his brothers and sisters. Please pray from all of you.”
‘Aris ( عَرِيْس ) in Arabic means groom. Muhammad Husein explained, 'aris in Arabic, especially Gaza, is a term used for growing children who have passed the period of being a teenager, or are approaching the period of becoming a groom.
Sheikh Wael Al Zard never posts photos of his children on social media. However, Baraa's mother said that in the last few months, the Sheikh seemed very concerned about Baraa. The Sheikh said to his wife, "For the sake of Allah, I love Baraa..." his tears fell following those words.
Knowing the post on Facebook, Baraa's mother said to Baraa, "Masyaallah, Ya Allah Baraa, your father, out of his 6 children, he chose your photo to post. If mom were in your position, mom would kiss your dad's feet when he came home. This is truly a surprise and a precious gift from your father, Son." Both of them were very happy with the Sheikh's post.
About 2 hours after having lunch with his family, Baraa went to the mosque for Asr prayers then to the border area with his friends. His friends said, "Baraa, your father just posted a photo of you on Facebook, he's a groom, guys..." they teased him.
Baraa replied, "No! What my father meant by the groom was Shaheed (martyrdom)."
What Bara said was true, he was able to understand his father's gut feelings.. The mine explosion married him to Shaheed. Baraa was hit by a mine explosion and died while in the ambulance.
Bara is a young man, who is just about to start his journey in the world, but must face another journey.
Mardani Ali Sera said, "It's like an ant being stepped on by an elephant, death is the second thing, the important thing is to bite first". The Palestinian people have long been a occupied people. They are oppressed people, poor people, because their right to live is difficulted by the Zionists. Their psychology is formed as warriors. Shaheed such a glory for them."
This story is one of thousands of stories about decades of oppression in Palestine carried out by Israeli Zionists, which not many people know. The stories were buried along with the cast. The stories of warriors who are not afraid of death.
Source:
youtube.com/Muhammad Husein Gaza
© 2025 Yanma Hidayah
