The Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly emphasized, “If the truth of religion, which is related to the truth of human life and Fitra, is introduced, humanity, today’s generation and the young generation of society will fall in love with religion and its truth.”
In the conference “Religion, Health, and Humanitarian Aid” which was held on Sunday, July 18, 2021, at the International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.), Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, while appreciating the organizers, called for the invitation of scientists in various fields, scientific discussions and called for the international dimension of the conference to be more highlighted.
While condoling the martyrdom of Imam Baqer (a.s.), the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly said, “Among the Imams (a.s.), the scholarly character of Imam Baqer (a.s.) provided the ground for a great university, in which he trained students and various enthusiasts in various fields. The first ten days of Dhuʻl-Hijjah are the stage of reaching the perfection of the conduct of the people of knowledge. These are the days when the man can reflect on his true self.”
“Health comes from perfection, which can be related to both the body and the soul. If we examine different areas related to humans, we will reach this relationship,” he said, referring to the theme of the conference “Religion, Health and Humanitarian Aid”, describing it as important.
“In recent centuries in the West, there has been a pessimistic approach to religion. Some have claimed that there is no connection between religion and truth and that religion is not real and, as Ayatollah Motahhari quoted from them, it is superstitious,” stated the representative of the people of Gilan in the Assembly of Leadership Experts.
“Herbert Spencer and Auguste Comte, and some other Western scholars, consider ignorance as to the cause of worship and inclination towards religion. The attitude of these people towards religion has nothing to do with spirituality, mysticism, and health. Even today, spirituality is propagated without revelatory religion and God. In this pessimistic view, religion has nothing to do with physical and mental health and is in conflict with it,” Ayatollah Ramazani continued.
“According to the late Ayatollah Motahhari, the prophets were sent to invite mankind to worship God. Worship is one of the inner and innate tendencies of human beings. The prophets were sent to call humanity to the true Deity, to distinguish the true Deity from the false Deity,” he said, pointing out that there is no era in human history when religion and God have not been mentioned.
“Concerning humans, there are three types of definitions: At first view, man is limited to sense and matter, the second view is the view of the rational man, and the third view is that of the intuitive human being. Some thinkers also believe that man has two realms of matter and the realm of meaning,” added Ayatollah Ramazani, pointing out that knowing about the man and his existential areas is one of the most important points that should be analyzed today.
“Man must be able to manage himself accurately with rational and revelatory management,” said the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“Religion has a duty to provide a program to regulate and balance the realms of matter and meaning. With this view on religion, each of these terms finds its own place. When we look at religion from this perspective, religion is responsible for modifying the health of the body as well as modifying the health of the human soul and mind,” he said, stating that the field of matter and the field of meaning should be examined.
“If the truth of religion, which is related to the truth of human life and Fitra, is introduced, humanity, today’s generation and the young generation of society will fall in love with religion and its truth, and this issue depends on what discourse and literature we use to introduce religion. There is definitely no violence in Islam, but this religion is full of mercy and love. Like weeds, Some people try to prevent the deepening of the truth of religion and we must stand against these people” Ayatollah Ramazani emphasized.
“In a classification, Imam Ali (a.s.) classified the sciences into four branches: ‘Jurisprudence is for religion, medicine, for the treatment of diseases of the body, grammar, for the protection of language from error, and astronomy for the knowledge of time.’ This classification shows the importance of health science and being aware of the sciences of the time,” said the representative of the people of Gilan in the Assembly of Leadership Experts.
“Today, many books and narrations have been written about the health of the body, for example, Imam Ali (a.s.) told Imam Hassan (a.s.), ‘Son! Shall I not teach you four tips to help you get rid of medicine?’ Imam Hassan replied, ‘Yes, Amir al-Mu'minin!’ Imam Ali said, ‘Do not sit at the table, except when you are hungry and do not get up from the table, except when you still want to eat; chew the food completely; and Go to the bathroom before going to bed. If you apply these four tips, you will not need medicine’,” he added.
“In the developed world, people have achieved many things in life welfare affairs and science. But anxiety, stress, depression and suffering from lack of identity are more prevalent in these countries than in developing countries,” said Ayatollah Ramazani, referring to research and statistics published in Western countries on physical and mental health.
“Man needs the peace that comes from within him and his nature. If peace comes from within human nature, it will be lasting,” he added.
“Today we need religious and health institutions. Religion and health should be scientifically defined and compiled in textbooks, at different levels. Religion and health should also be addressed in different ways in the arts,” said the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“If we consider the Quranic verses and the hadiths carefully, we will find that religion considers itself responsible for human health, and wants to guide human beings in a way that leads them to enjoy the health of body and soul,” Ayatollah Ramazani emphasized.
“In one of his fatwas, Imam Khomeini said, ‘It is Haram to consume anything that harms the human body.’ That is, religion deals directly and indirectly with health,” said the representative of the people of Gilan in the Assembly of Experts, stating that human beings are not allowed to harm their bodies, and maintaining health is obligatory.
“Religion should not be introduced to today’s society dogmatically and stereotypically. Today’s human society, especially in the international arena, if become acquainted with the moral, mystical, rational and other dimensions of religion, the winner of the field will surely be the one who offers the best thought,” said Ayatollah Ramazani in the end.