Comprehensive Knowledge of Islam; A Shield Against Innovation and Superstition: Ayatollah Ramazani
Ayatollah Ramazani said, “The personality of Lady Zahra (a.s.) is worth studying from every aspect. She is not just a role model for women but for all humanity. Despite her short life, she lived a profoundly blessed existence.”
ABWA Official Website – Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, emphasized the importance of continuous learning and modernization in religious education to align with contemporary demands. He declared that graduation has no meaning for seminary students, as the pursuit of knowledge and study must never cease. “The Quran and AhlulBayt (a.s.) are like ever-flowing, pure springs; connecting with them leads to inner purity,” he noted.
On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, during a meeting between Ayatollah Ramazani and a delegation of scholars, religious preachers, and researchers from India at the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly in Qom, the Secretary General of the Assembly highlighted the need to revive India’s scholarly heritage.
Kawthar and Takathur: Two Major Concepts in the Quran
Welcoming the attendees and offering condolences on the martyrdom anniversary of Lady Fatimah Zahra (a.s.), Ayatollah Ramazani remarked, “The personality of Lady Zahra (a.s.) is worth studying from every aspect. She is not just a role model for women but for all humanity. Despite her short life, she lived a profoundly blessed existence. The Quran highlights two significant concepts: Kawthar, representing monotheism and symbolized by Lady Zahra (a.s.), and Takathur, representing polytheism and hypocrisy.”
He further compared Lady Fatimah Zahra (a.s.) to Lady Fatimah Masoumeh (a.s.), stating, “Lady Masoumeh (a.s.) also had a short yet blessed life, excelling in conveying hadith and contributing significantly to Islamic teachings.”
Ayatollah Ramazani underscored the necessity of raising the level of religious awareness among Indian Shiites, saying, “If seminary students and scholars in India adopt a profound, strategic approach to religious and non-religious matters, this perspective will extend to the broader community. Unfortunately, the decline in religious understanding among Muslims has provided an opportunity for enemies to introduce superstitions and innovations into the faith.”
Stressing the role of religious scholars in countering such deviations, he referred to a Hadith from the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h), and said, “In the End Times, only the name of Islam and the text of the Quran will remain. Imam Ali (a.s.) also predicted a reversal of values and anti-values. Such conditions arise from societal ignorance, which Imam Hussain (a.s.) sought to confront through his martyrdom.”
To combat ignorance, Ayatollah Ramazani advocated for deep knowledge, “The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, ‘Whoever gives a religious ruling (Fatwa) without knowledge causes more harm to the religion than good.’ Unfortunately, some modern intellectuals who offer concepts like Merciful Islam, are examples of this Hadith. Because, however, there is no doubt that the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) was the prophet of mercy and forgiveness and preached accordingly, according to the command of the Holy Quran, he was obligated to stand against the oppressors and tyrants and confront them severely.”
He emphasized the importance of presenting religion in a “comprehensive, precise, and profound” manner, stating, “Some religious scholars in the past considered the event of Ashura as a historical exception and believed that it could not serve as a model to be emulated; others regarded Yazid as a jurist who made a mistake, asserting that cursing him is not permissible. Therefore, focus on providing a comprehensive and accurate introduction to the events of Ashura and Karbala to the people of India.”
Islam Requires Thoughtful Believers
Ayatollah Ramazani concluded with a story about Allama Tabatabai, emphasizing the significance of intellect, reflection, and intercession (Tawassul) in Islam. “Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘Without intellect, there can be no religion.’ Islam wants Muslims to be thoughtful believers who combine faith with reason.”
Further in the meeting, expressing concern over the lack of prominent scholars in India, despite its history as a cradle of ijtihad, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “India once nurtured figures like Allama Mir Hamid Hussain, whose expertise in discussions about Imamate remains unmatched. Talented clergy must be identified, sent to Qom for advanced studies, and later return to serve their country (India).”
He reiterated the importance of continuously training and updating religious preachers to meet contemporary challenges. “Graduation is meaningless for seminarians, and they should never cease study and research. The Quran and the AhlulBayt (a.s.) are endless sources of knowledge, and staying connected with them brings spiritual purity,” he added.
It is worth mentioning that Hojat al-Islam Shakeri, former representative of Al-Mustafa (p.b.u.h) International University in India, and Hojat al-Islam Hosseini, the current representative, were present in the meeting and provided insights about the attendees and the sixth round of sending Indian clergy to Iran for religious studies.
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Ayatollah Ramazani said, “The personality of Lady Zahra (a.s.) is worth studying from every aspect. She is not just a role model for women but for all humanity. Despite her short life, she lived a profoundly blessed existence.”
ABWA Official Website – Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, emphasized the importance of continuous learning and modernization in religious education to align with contemporary demands. He declared that graduation has no meaning for seminary students, as the pursuit of knowledge and study must never cease. “The Quran and AhlulBayt (a.s.) are like ever-flowing, pure springs; connecting with them leads to inner purity,” he noted.
On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, during a meeting between Ayatollah Ramazani and a delegation of scholars, religious preachers, and researchers from India at the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly in Qom, the Secretary General of the Assembly highlighted the need to revive India’s scholarly heritage.
Kawthar and Takathur: Two Major Concepts in the Quran
Welcoming the attendees and offering condolences on the martyrdom anniversary of Lady Fatimah Zahra (a.s.), Ayatollah Ramazani remarked, “The personality of Lady Zahra (a.s.) is worth studying from every aspect. She is not just a role model for women but for all humanity. Despite her short life, she lived a profoundly blessed existence. The Quran highlights two significant concepts: Kawthar, representing monotheism and symbolized by Lady Zahra (a.s.), and Takathur, representing polytheism and hypocrisy.”
He further compared Lady Fatimah Zahra (a.s.) to Lady Fatimah Masoumeh (a.s.), stating, “Lady Masoumeh (a.s.) also had a short yet blessed life, excelling in conveying hadith and contributing significantly to Islamic teachings.”
Ayatollah Ramazani underscored the necessity of raising the level of religious awareness among Indian Shiites, saying, “If seminary students and scholars in India adopt a profound, strategic approach to religious and non-religious matters, this perspective will extend to the broader community. Unfortunately, the decline in religious understanding among Muslims has provided an opportunity for enemies to introduce superstitions and innovations into the faith.”
Stressing the role of religious scholars in countering such deviations, he referred to a Hadith from the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h), and said, “In the End Times, only the name of Islam and the text of the Quran will remain. Imam Ali (a.s.) also predicted a reversal of values and anti-values. Such conditions arise from societal ignorance, which Imam Hussain (a.s.) sought to confront through his martyrdom.”
To combat ignorance, Ayatollah Ramazani advocated for deep knowledge, “The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, ‘Whoever gives a religious ruling (Fatwa) without knowledge causes more harm to the religion than good.’ Unfortunately, some modern intellectuals who offer concepts like Merciful Islam, are examples of this Hadith. Because, however, there is no doubt that the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) was the prophet of mercy and forgiveness and preached accordingly, according to the command of the Holy Quran, he was obligated to stand against the oppressors and tyrants and confront them severely.”
He emphasized the importance of presenting religion in a “comprehensive, precise, and profound” manner, stating, “Some religious scholars in the past considered the event of Ashura as a historical exception and believed that it could not serve as a model to be emulated; others regarded Yazid as a jurist who made a mistake, asserting that cursing him is not permissible. Therefore, focus on providing a comprehensive and accurate introduction to the events of Ashura and Karbala to the people of India.”
Islam Requires Thoughtful Believers
Ayatollah Ramazani concluded with a story about Allama Tabatabai, emphasizing the significance of intellect, reflection, and intercession (Tawassul) in Islam. “Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘Without intellect, there can be no religion.’ Islam wants Muslims to be thoughtful believers who combine faith with reason.”
Further in the meeting, expressing concern over the lack of prominent scholars in India, despite its history as a cradle of ijtihad, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “India once nurtured figures like Allama Mir Hamid Hussain, whose expertise in discussions about Imamate remains unmatched. Talented clergy must be identified, sent to Qom for advanced studies, and later return to serve their country (India).”
He reiterated the importance of continuously training and updating religious preachers to meet contemporary challenges. “Graduation is meaningless for seminarians, and they should never cease study and research. The Quran and the AhlulBayt (a.s.) are endless sources of knowledge, and staying connected with them brings spiritual purity,” he added.
It is worth mentioning that Hojat al-Islam Shakeri, former representative of Al-Mustafa (p.b.u.h) International University in India, and Hojat al-Islam Hosseini, the current representative, were present in the meeting and provided insights about the attendees and the sixth round of sending Indian clergy to Iran for religious studies.
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