• Activities
• 5 Muharram 1441

The representative of the High Authority of Shi’ah in Europe said:
Reviving the teachings of the Ahlul Bait (as) is not limited to performing certain Husseini rituals, but also learning and revealing their knowledge, wisdom and teaching it for others.

His talk was during the sixth night of first month (Muharram al-Haram) in Diwan al-Kafil, at the British capital, London. He has mentioned the hadith narrated from Imam Sadiq (as), namely: ‘I love these commemoration meetings! I want to see you reviving our path! Anyone who participates in these commemorations, where our path is being revived, his heart will remain alive and will never die: unlike others’, whose hearts are dead.’

His Eminence said: The reviving of the teachings of the Ahlul Bait (as) is not limited to performing certain Husseini rituals, but also encompasses learning their knowledge, and teachings of various sciences and wisdoms that many of us have overlooked! This has gone so far that even some of the Shi’ahs had been thinking that the teachings of the Imams of the Ahlul Bait (as) are limited to the Shari’ah and Islamic studies. They don’t realise that they (as) have referred to many principles of experimental sciences that are currently taught, where those references have become curriculum in some International and Islamic universities; such as medicine, physics, chemistry, engineering, mathematics amongst other sciences yet to be revealed to Western and Eastern scholars. If global thinkers are informed about this, they would certainly follow Ahlul Bait (as). This is exactly what Imam al-Ridha (as) has pointed out: "If people knew the merits of our sayings, they would follow us."

Therefore, we must revive the path and intensify the image of Ahlul Bait (as) and their teachings amongst others in the Muslim [ummah] nation. Other Muslims of different denominations must be informed about their teachings. One has no doubt that this has a great impact in attracting people to the line of truth and to the path of Ahlul Bait (as). All of these should be done in the most appropriate way: ‘Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction,...’ (Holy Qur’an, C. 16: V. 126)
One of the narrators of Hadith, ‘Mudrak al-Hazhaz, said: Imam al-Sadiq (as) said to me, "Convey my greetings and my prayers for our friends’ peace, God's (swt) Mercy and Blessings," and say to them, "May God (swt) bless a man who has made others become affectionate and in love with us, so that he told them what they would accept and left what they deny." This indication means that our words must attract people to be in love with this noble family! Thus it is incorrect that one speaks to others with matters, which they would reject or react to them negatively. One must talk to them, get them to learn as much as they can, and as much as they may digest.

Therefore one should not speak with others referring to what they deny, but only tell them what they wouldn’t consider strange or hard to believe! If one wants to teach them a crucial point, which is new for them, one has to increase their level [by explaining certain principles] first, so that they learn to accept and understand the crucial point based on those principles. As such, the speakers, in those meetings, should be aware that the listeners to these words could be in need to learn those premises in advance! As such what is necessary is that the speeches must be as perfect as possible!

Our path is to be presented as reasonable, logical and understandable as possible to others; otherwise one is offending the Ahlul Bait (as), if one talks about something that cannot be absorbed and accepted by others.

In a marvellous account from Jaber al-Ju’afi, (Peace rest with his soul), when he said: ‘I entered the meeting place with Abi Ja’afar –while I was still a young man- and he asked me, "Who are you?" I replied I’m a man from Al-Kufah, and have joined you here to learn from you!’ Then he delivered a book to me and said: If you were to reveal the contents of this book, during the reign of the dynasty of Ummayd, then you are cursed with extreme cursing of the Ahlul Bait (as), however if their reign is over, then you should never keep anything of it as secrets, otherwise, you will be cursed with the extreme cursing of Ahlul Bait (as)!’
This means that one must consider the appropriate circumstances for what to say about Ahlul Bait (as), and what they have spoken about! Despite the fact that the Imam (as) –himself- had delivered him that book, he said to him: The current circumstances are not appropriate for spreading these hadiths! Therefore, the wise speaker and orator must take into consideration the relevant information to be said within the most appropriated circumstances, the perfect crowd, and the right time and place. Indeed it’s a widely narrated and well-known account that has been narrated from the Prophet (sawas), i.e. ‘We -the prophets (as)- have been instructed to speak to people as much as they can grasp and digest’.

The religious discourse of the followers of the School of Ahlul Bait (as) -especially in these days, due to the fact that there are huge masses that are present- should take into consideration these aspects, in order to convey the pure message of Islam for all Muslims! It is extremely unfortunate that many Muslims have hardly received anything from the teachings of Ahlul Bait (as)! Otherwise where are their literatures, modern books as well the needed curriculum? The famous well known book: ‘The Path of Eloquence’ [Nahj ul-Balaghah] should have reached each and every Muslim, as well as the ‘Psalms of Islam’ [al-Sahifah al-Sajjadiyah]! This is extremely important due to the spiritual, intellectual and knowledge information that are included in these books! As such, the biographies and historical records of Ahlul Bait (as) should be clarified -to each and every Muslim- through these enlightening sources.

The followers of the Ahlul Bait (as) are collectively responsible –while organising these commemoration meetings- to convey the message of Ahlul- Bait (as). The Shi’as -throughout history- have sacrificed the precious things, i.e. their souls and their lives! Indeed they have sacrificed their blood along with their money, in order to preserve and safeguard the legacy of the Ahlul Bait (as), and pass it on to the next generations! We are entrusted to safeguard this heritage and great treasure. We shouldn’t keep this great treasure unknown, rather we are entrusted -with great responsibility- to manifest and reproduce them for others. Indeed they [Ahlul Bait (as)] have said: ‘If people knew [the wisdom or merit] behind our words and sayings, they would have definitely followed our path!’
The population of the world today is more cultivated and more aware of profound knowledge, which enables them to grasp and accommodate the fundamental humane values, peaceful concepts and principles that are consistent with human nature. It is indeed the most appropriate opportunity and suitable time to present their biographies and wise sayings.

Many are talking about Human Rights. In the biography of the Ahlul Bait (as) there are great and wonderful documents on human rights, such as the ‘Message of Rights’ that is ascribed to Imam Zain al-Abidin (as) as well as the written letter with detailed instructions by Imam Ali bin Abi Talib, the Commander of the faithful (as) to his appointed governor Malik al-Ashtar.

There is an example of a Christian writer, George Jardaq, -about nearly thirty-five years ago- who wrote an Arabic book about one of the Imams (as) of the Ahlul- Bait (as), Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as). This book is entitled: "Ali, the Voice of humane Justice". Any reader finds -while reading this book- that only limited aspects from the Imam's (as) biography -and not all the crucial records and stories of his biography or wise sayings- were revealed in this book. If the words and wise sayings- of the Ahlul Bait (as) and the great stories of their biographies that are related to Human Rights- were clarified for the world and smartly presented worldwide to all thirsty individuals, then the whole World could have realized who are Ahlul Bait (as), and discovered their spiritual elevated value.

As the whole world today speaks about freedom and democracy, one may read within the teachings of the school of the Ahlul Bait (as) some excellent examples of the finest relevant concepts! One may uncover some great guidelines and practices as how to respect freedom and appreciate it.

Current human beings talk about preserving the environment and having an ideal milieu! One can read –in great detail- within the teachings of the School of the Ahlul-Bait (as) literatures as to how to protect from this polluted environment.

In general, one can find –in their words- any current issues that are under discussion within the intellectual milieu. No topic, which is considered a topic of extreme interests of the modern time, except that one shall see that it has been discussed amongst the scholars of the Ahlul-Bait (as).

So the revival of the order of the call for the Ahlul-Bait (as) is not limited to crying, not slapping on the chest, resonant poems, nor wonderful words! It is rather, additionally, to explain the covered knowledge and unknown wisdom that the Ahlul-Bait (as) have had, unknown to most people: “And We sent not before you, [O Muhammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message], so ask the people of the message if you do not know”. (Holy Qur’an, C. 21: V. 7)
In conclusion, we hope that the orators and Husseini preachers will refrain from engaging in Shi’ahs’ differences, whether in the field of religious thoughts or rituals. The reason is obvious as delving into these differences would result in some individuals becoming biased, and choosing one group over another, creating schism and social chaos or fuelling the already existing division amongst the believers! There’s no doubt that -while this [minbar] school of preaching for Imam Hussain’s (as) teachings- using the pulpit is a banner for unity and a symbol of the Husseini's lantern that provided the Divine light! As such it should unite the hearts of the Shi’ahs and the supporter of the Master of all Martyrs (sawas) to one path and active cooperation.

Peace be upon Imam Al-Hussain, Ali bin Al-Hussain, Al Hussein's family members and Imam Hussain's (as) companions.