Recommendations of the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly to the clergy
Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “In addition to jurisprudence, a clergy must also specialize in another field. For example, he needs to become an expert in theology, ethics, philosophy, Tafsir (of Quran), or hadith. By studying methodically, clergy can acquire these specialties. Today, this situation is available. Of course, provided that the study is methodical.”
ABWA Official Website – On Monday morning, September 18, 2023, in the first session of the Kharij Fiqh class of the academic year 1403-1402 (2023-2024) of the Qom Seminary, while pointing out the need to seize opportunities, Ayatollah Reza Ramazani stated, “Time is limited, and given the knowledge we need to acquire, there is no time to learn all science fields. Therefore, one should choose the best scientific fields that have the best benefits. In this regard, clergy should benefit from counseling. There were people who studied for ten to fifteen years in seminary. But they were confused. Because they did not benefit from scientific advice.”
“Nowadays, benefiting from scientific and ethical advice is one of the necessities of education. There have been clergy who said that they did not know what to do after ten to fifteen years of studying in the seminary. There have also been people who, when they came to the seminary, pursued certain scientific fields, that were not conventional, and learning them is not the duty of every clergy. We must know what our duty is in serving Islam,” he continued.
“You should be serious in pre-reading the topics of the discussions, otherwise, it will be a waste of time. There is not enough time to read the same book twice. Anyone who goes to a book like Lum’eh should read it properly and meticulously. He needs pre-reading, post-reading, and (mutual) discussion. He should read that book in such a way that he prepares himself for teaching,” added the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
Referring to the need for depth in the education of the clergy, Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “A person who wants to study in the seminary for fifteen years, must at least achieve personal ijtihad in jurisprudence, and stop emulation (from a source of emulation). After spending so much time, it is not appropriate for the clergy to remain emulator. If clergy studies methodically, he will definitely reach ijtihad. Of course, Marjaiat is a high position that is achieved by divine grace. It is not appropriate for one to pursue becoming a Marja. Marjaiat is a sacred position that is somehow bestowed by God, and God himself favors people so that they can be Marja for people.”
“In addition to jurisprudence, a clergy must also specialize in another field. For example, he needs to become an expert in theology, ethics, philosophy, Tafsir (of Quran), or hadith. By studying methodically, clergy can acquire these specialties. Today, this situation is available. Of course, provided that the study is methodical,” he continued.
“One of the things that the seminary needs to consider is the training of clergy in accordance with the needs of the society. Today we need Friday imams in society, and we need to train some clergy for this position. Sometimes people are appointed as Friday imams who do not have the ability to manage. Friday imam is in charge of the religious and cultural management of a city or province. Therefore, he needs to participate in some courses. Anyone who studies at the seminary is not necessarily capable of becoming a Friday imam and succeeding in this position, and such a thing rarely happens. Courses should be held for Farida Imams congregational. There should be a plan for the training of child, adolescent, and youth teachers, and clergy should be trained for this,” added the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
While pointing out the need to pay attention to the new generation in religious planning, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “There must be kindergartens in mosques, where the best educators can train the new generation, that is children.”
“We need to train Ma’aref professors to work successfully in universities. This is the duty of the seminary. Clerics who go to the armed forces to teach religious issues must be trained and take courses. It should be the same in other sectors. The dialogue technique is very important. We need to train people for the interfaith dialogue. We need people who are experts in explaining Sharia orders, who can educate the people about the issues needed by society in an attractive way and with artistic expression. We need people to teach religious and theological matters with proper expression to the people,” he continued.
“We once had a discussion at the Sorbonne Catholic Institute, which is mentioned in a published book. They said that their training is different for each sector. Their educational programs differed for training priests, for the home church, chapel, cathedral, or sending cardinals to foreign countries. Priests who are trained to be sent to other countries know at least three to four foreign languages,” added the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“Today, the mission of the seminary is different from what it was in the past. Different forces should be trained and educated at different levels. We must also follow this path correctly. The seminary should try to strengthen and explain the relationship and connection with the Quran as the main source of religion. Quran is the book of life. That is why enemies fear it. Of course, the enemies seek to desecrate everything so that there is nothing sacred. They want to insult every sacred matter, including the Sharia law, divine prophets, and the Holy Quran,” Ayatollah Ramazani stated.
“We need a serious program for the Quran in the seminary, not just to study the Quran as extracurricular courses. It is not very appropriate to consider the Quran as an extracurricular activity. Quran and theological discussions are important. Clergy must master the discussions of beliefs. It is not appropriate that they study the textbooks and participate in the exams themselves, but they must participate in the classes of wise professors. These professors also must have a correct explanation of the beliefs, raise correct questions in this regard, and answer the doubts. At one time, our ulama were ahead of the doubts that were raised. This is one of the important points,” he continued.
“More serious work should be done regarding the Quran, Nahj al-Balagha, al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya. Early in his seminary studies, a clergyman needs to read these books at least once with a brief commentary,” emphasized the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
Pointing out the significance of Qom Seminary Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “This seminary is one of the most important seminaries in the Shiite world. Others have expectations from Qom Seminary. For example, it should be able to respond to the needs related to religious education in a general sense and train and educate the staff needed in this regard. Today, Fiqh (jurisprudence) and law alone are not enough. Fiqh is important and it is in the context of life. But on the other hand, ethics and beliefs are also important. Therefore, specialist staff and educators should be trained in different sectors, who can be present at different levels, make mosques and Friday prayers prosperous, and create religious and cultural movements among the people.”
“We should value the education we spend time on. We should take the time to review the topics and write a summary of them. We should raise the questions that come to our mind, and even, if necessary, discuss them with a classmate. All in all, we should use the time that we have allocated efficiently,” he said at the end of his speech.
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Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “In addition to jurisprudence, a clergy must also specialize in another field. For example, he needs to become an expert in theology, ethics, philosophy, Tafsir (of Quran), or hadith. By studying methodically, clergy can acquire these specialties. Today, this situation is available. Of course, provided that the study is methodical.”
ABWA Official Website – On Monday morning, September 18, 2023, in the first session of the Kharij Fiqh class of the academic year 1403-1402 (2023-2024) of the Qom Seminary, while pointing out the need to seize opportunities, Ayatollah Reza Ramazani stated, “Time is limited, and given the knowledge we need to acquire, there is no time to learn all science fields. Therefore, one should choose the best scientific fields that have the best benefits. In this regard, clergy should benefit from counseling. There were people who studied for ten to fifteen years in seminary. But they were confused. Because they did not benefit from scientific advice.”
“Nowadays, benefiting from scientific and ethical advice is one of the necessities of education. There have been clergy who said that they did not know what to do after ten to fifteen years of studying in the seminary. There have also been people who, when they came to the seminary, pursued certain scientific fields, that were not conventional, and learning them is not the duty of every clergy. We must know what our duty is in serving Islam,” he continued.
“You should be serious in pre-reading the topics of the discussions, otherwise, it will be a waste of time. There is not enough time to read the same book twice. Anyone who goes to a book like Lum’eh should read it properly and meticulously. He needs pre-reading, post-reading, and (mutual) discussion. He should read that book in such a way that he prepares himself for teaching,” added the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
Referring to the need for depth in the education of the clergy, Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “A person who wants to study in the seminary for fifteen years, must at least achieve personal ijtihad in jurisprudence, and stop emulation (from a source of emulation). After spending so much time, it is not appropriate for the clergy to remain emulator. If clergy studies methodically, he will definitely reach ijtihad. Of course, Marjaiat is a high position that is achieved by divine grace. It is not appropriate for one to pursue becoming a Marja. Marjaiat is a sacred position that is somehow bestowed by God, and God himself favors people so that they can be Marja for people.”
“In addition to jurisprudence, a clergy must also specialize in another field. For example, he needs to become an expert in theology, ethics, philosophy, Tafsir (of Quran), or hadith. By studying methodically, clergy can acquire these specialties. Today, this situation is available. Of course, provided that the study is methodical,” he continued.
“One of the things that the seminary needs to consider is the training of clergy in accordance with the needs of the society. Today we need Friday imams in society, and we need to train some clergy for this position. Sometimes people are appointed as Friday imams who do not have the ability to manage. Friday imam is in charge of the religious and cultural management of a city or province. Therefore, he needs to participate in some courses. Anyone who studies at the seminary is not necessarily capable of becoming a Friday imam and succeeding in this position, and such a thing rarely happens. Courses should be held for Farida Imams congregational. There should be a plan for the training of child, adolescent, and youth teachers, and clergy should be trained for this,” added the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
While pointing out the need to pay attention to the new generation in religious planning, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “There must be kindergartens in mosques, where the best educators can train the new generation, that is children.”
“We need to train Ma’aref professors to work successfully in universities. This is the duty of the seminary. Clerics who go to the armed forces to teach religious issues must be trained and take courses. It should be the same in other sectors. The dialogue technique is very important. We need to train people for the interfaith dialogue. We need people who are experts in explaining Sharia orders, who can educate the people about the issues needed by society in an attractive way and with artistic expression. We need people to teach religious and theological matters with proper expression to the people,” he continued.
“We once had a discussion at the Sorbonne Catholic Institute, which is mentioned in a published book. They said that their training is different for each sector. Their educational programs differed for training priests, for the home church, chapel, cathedral, or sending cardinals to foreign countries. Priests who are trained to be sent to other countries know at least three to four foreign languages,” added the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“Today, the mission of the seminary is different from what it was in the past. Different forces should be trained and educated at different levels. We must also follow this path correctly. The seminary should try to strengthen and explain the relationship and connection with the Quran as the main source of religion. Quran is the book of life. That is why enemies fear it. Of course, the enemies seek to desecrate everything so that there is nothing sacred. They want to insult every sacred matter, including the Sharia law, divine prophets, and the Holy Quran,” Ayatollah Ramazani stated.
“We need a serious program for the Quran in the seminary, not just to study the Quran as extracurricular courses. It is not very appropriate to consider the Quran as an extracurricular activity. Quran and theological discussions are important. Clergy must master the discussions of beliefs. It is not appropriate that they study the textbooks and participate in the exams themselves, but they must participate in the classes of wise professors. These professors also must have a correct explanation of the beliefs, raise correct questions in this regard, and answer the doubts. At one time, our ulama were ahead of the doubts that were raised. This is one of the important points,” he continued.
“More serious work should be done regarding the Quran, Nahj al-Balagha, al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya. Early in his seminary studies, a clergyman needs to read these books at least once with a brief commentary,” emphasized the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
Pointing out the significance of Qom Seminary Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “This seminary is one of the most important seminaries in the Shiite world. Others have expectations from Qom Seminary. For example, it should be able to respond to the needs related to religious education in a general sense and train and educate the staff needed in this regard. Today, Fiqh (jurisprudence) and law alone are not enough. Fiqh is important and it is in the context of life. But on the other hand, ethics and beliefs are also important. Therefore, specialist staff and educators should be trained in different sectors, who can be present at different levels, make mosques and Friday prayers prosperous, and create religious and cultural movements among the people.”
“We should value the education we spend time on. We should take the time to review the topics and write a summary of them. We should raise the questions that come to our mind, and even, if necessary, discuss them with a classmate. All in all, we should use the time that we have allocated efficiently,” he said at the end of his speech.
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