• Activities
• 8 Muharam 1435

The representative of the leading Marja’iyah in Europe Allamah Sayyid Murtaza Kashmiri:
• Emphasizes on parents to talk the language of the Qu’ran with their children in order to preserve their religion and faith – in addition to the children learning other foreign languages.
• Emphasizes on parents to help their children memorize the Qur’an and teach them religious/ideology lessons and instill in them the love of the prophet (s.a.w.w.).
• Encourages parents, who are financially capable, to visit the holy sites and shrines with their children every year and to strengthen their faith personality.

On the evening of the eighth day of Muharram (night of ninth or Tassou’a) addressing Moukib Al-Imam Al-Mahdi (a.j.f) in Manheim – Germany, opening his speech with the following verse from the holy Qur’an:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَائِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَا يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ
O you who believe, save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones; over it are angels stern and strong, they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, and do as they are commanded (The Prohibition: 6). He explained the implications of this verse and the reason it was allocated to the believers; because of their importance and consideration is given to the theme of education here – differentiating between the broader meaning of Islam and meaning of faith which is particular.

He called on parents to be on a level of religious education and commitments to Shari’a commands so that “your children can follow you. He who appoints himself as a leader [in this case the parents] then let him commence by teaching himself first, before others, and to discipline the self before disciplining [others] with the tongue; for one who teaches and disciplines himself deserves more praise than the one who [just] teaches other people.”

He recommended speaking to the children in the Arabic language, the language of the Qur’an, the prophet of Islam (s.a.w.w.) and that of the people of paradise. Commitment to the [Arabic] language shall safeguard their religion and faith otherwise they will be snatched by the Murji'ites (those who believe they will not be held accountable for committing sin). “Take the initiative and speak to them before the Murji'ites beat you to it.” He set a program for the parents to follow in their host countries. Memorize some verses and sourahs from the Qur’an on a daily or weekly basis and explain their meanings, using Tafsirs like Tafsir Shubbar and Mubeen among others and emphasising on teaching them Usul and Foroo’ ud-Deen as well as the history of the immaculate Imams (a.s.) and other great figures of the school of Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.), highlighting their contributions [to humanity] throughout history.

Teach children the essential Masa’el of Islamic laws on Taqleed, purification and ‘ibadaat’ etc. This should be done at the same time as keeping an eye on them to perform their obligatory prayers at the right time, for prayer is the pillar of their religion. Emphasize upon them to keep their link with Allah (swt) because they are living in countries where not many people prostrate to God. Urge them to read the Duas of Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.) such as Dua Kumail on Thursday nights and Dua Sabah, Dua Nudba and the Duas available in Al-Sahifa Al-Sajjadiyah – especially the daily and weekly ones – and to recite the Ziyarates of the immaculate Imams (a.s.) to consolidate their faith and love for the prophet (s.a.w.w) and their allegiance to Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.). “Discipline your children on three things: teaching them the Qur’an, the love of the prophet and his family.”

He called on officials of the institutions and centres to organise religious and entertaining programs to encourage the youth to attend, like Qur’an, history and Aqa’ed quizzes and other competitions with valuable prizes.

He urged parents to keep a careful eye on their children from associating with bad friends, the internet, mobile phones and social networking sites. He encouraged parents, who are financially capable, to visit the holy sites and shrines with their children every year to strengthen their morale and faith personality. If this is not possible, then the children can be shown films on the Haj and Umrah seasons as well as those of the holy shrines during Ziyarate seasons.

He prayed for everyone to be firm in their beliefs and that they may be joined with the Immaculate Imams (a.s.) He is All Hearing and He Responds.