Assembly News
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Muslim Scholars Have a Global Impact/ Emphasis on Performing Prayer on Time and with Faith
According to the official information website of the AhlulBayt (a) World Assembly -On the afternoon of Saturday, December 28, 2024, a group of male and female Australian students visited the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly and met with Ayatollah Ramazani, the Secretary-General of the Assembly.
Welcoming the guests, Ayatollah Ramazani stressed the importance of learning religious sciences in addition to university studies. “Besides studying religion, we must also practice it, and our behavior should reflect our Muslim identity. In this regard, Imam Musa Sadr (r.a.) has a beautiful expression: Imam Ali (a.s.) can be known in two ways: one through historical accounts, and another through the behavior of his Shiite and followers throughout history”.”
Highlighting the importance of proper conduct and attracting others, Ayatollah Ramazani continued, “We have great leaders, such as Imam Ali (a.s.), who possessed a remarkable character and are recognized as perfect role models for humanity.”
Emphasizing the significance of recognizing Imam Mahdi (a.s.) and seeking his satisfaction, the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, stated, “One of our most important responsibilities today is to deepen our understanding of the Imam Mahdi (a.s.), show love for him, and obey him.”
Ayatollah Ramazani underscored the importance of self-improvement, helping others to grow, and reforming society. He also emphasized paving the way for the Reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), considering it a key duty of those awaiting the Imam (a.s.).
Describing the era of Imam Mahdi’s (a.s.) Reappearance, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “When he reappears, he will touch the heads of humanity and bless them, completing their intellects. After his Reappearance, security, and spirituality will encompass the entire society, and justice will prevail across the world. Islam is the religion of spirituality and justice. The spirituality of Islam is one of responsibility, whereas the West promotes a spirituality that evades and opposes responsibility, which contradicts our teachings.”
Advising the attendees to study Letter 31 of Nahj al-Balagha, which contains Imam Ali’s (a.s.) advice to his son, Imam Hasan (a.s.), he said, “Perform your prayers on time and with faith. Timely prayer is the most beautiful and best moment for a servant to connect with their Creator. Therefore, dedicate the best time to the best action. Perform your prayer with full devotion and feel God's presence in it.”
Encouraging the participants to recite the Holy Quran daily, along with its translation and interpretation, Ayatollah Ramazani remarked, “The late Imam Khomeini (r.a.) used to say that the Quran is like the letter of the Beloved. When a person receives a letter from someone he loves, he kisses it before reading it. Therefore, kiss the Quran first and then read it.”
The Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly continued, “Make use of your youth. When you grow older, you will regret not making the most of your life. Therefore, seize the opportunities. Study diligently so that you can become impactful Muslim scholars in the world and be included in the prayers of Imam Mahdi (a.s.).”
“A Muslim scholar has a significant impact wherever he is in the world. In the past, science and knowledge were in the hands of Muslims, and the Islamic world was the center of science. Today, we must strive to restore that glory. In the past, Iran ranked 57th in global science. Today, it has risen to 16th, and in some fields, we are among the best,” he added.
Concluding his remarks, Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “Always and continually ask the infallible Imams (a.s.) for steadfastness in faith so that you can preserve your religion and youth in these challenging times and remain on the path of faith.”
In a meeting with a group of Australian students, the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, emphasized, “Perform your prayers on time and with faith. Timely prayer is the most beautiful and best moment for a servant to connect with his or her Creator. Therefore, dedicate the best time to the best action. Perform your prayer with full devotion and feel God’s presence in it.”
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Photos: Birth anniversary of Jesus Christ celebrated at AhlulBayt International University
According to the official information website of the AhlulBayt (a) World Assembly : Birth anniversary of Jesus Christ (PBUH) celebrated at AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University in Tehran.
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How Did the Syrian Government Collapse in 11 Days? / Analysis of the Country’s Future
According to the official information website of the AhlulBayt (a) World Assembly - A gathering of clerics defending the holy shrines was held on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, in the conference hall of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly in Qom.
Reasons for the Assad Government’s Collapse
Hamidreza Mokhtas Abadi, the Cultural Advisor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Syria, referred to the history of relations between Iran and Syria during the gathering and stated, “As the Iranian nation, we must appreciate the support provided by Hafez al-Assad’s government during the Sacred Defense (8-year imposed Iraq-Ira war) and also the assistance Bashar al-Assad’s government offered to the Resistance Axis.”
He continued, “On the surface, we should have performed better in this phase than in 2011. In 2011, the Resistance Front did not exist, and it was after that year that various groups within the Resistance were formed. Therefore, it seemed that we should have acted more strongly than before. In 2011, there was a global consensus against Bashar al-Assad’s government. However, during this phase, such a consensus did not exist, and several states supported Assad’s government.”
The Iranian Cultural Advisor added, “Additionally, in 2011, Russia was not present in Syria. However, during this phase, Russian military aircraft were stationed in Syria, and from the very beginning of the recent war, they bombed the armed groups. Furthermore, before the latest offensive by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham against the Syrian army, no demonstrations had occurred in Syrian cities. Yet, despite these strengths, Bashar al-Assad’s government collapsed between November 28 and December 9 in just 11 days. Perhaps these strengths led to negligence.”
Analyzing the developments in Syria, Mokhtas Abadi stated, “The tactics of the armed groups were surprising this time. They utilized media power and new strategies, which clearly showed they had been trained by external forces. The approach of these armed groups was different from their previous methods. It was expected that the army, Ba’athists, and Alawites would defend Bashar al-Assad’s government, but no significant resistance was observed anywhere. The behavior of the Syrian army during the recent events was incomprehensible, even to its retired generals, who attributed it to political deals. This occurred despite Russia’s serious support for the Syrian army, with President Putin sending one of his prominent military commanders to Syria for this mission.”
“A soldier needs adequate financial support to defend. However, the economic and living conditions in Syria have deteriorated drastically. For instance, the salary of a director-general in Syria was less than $100. When the dignity of an army is trampled, what remains of it? If material factors are lacking for a soldier, spiritual motivation, such as faith in God and fearlessness of death – traits seen in Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon and Ansarullah in Yemen – becomes necessary. These qualities were absent in Syria’s Ba’ath Party, which could not inspire the Syrian army to defend the country. The younger generation in Syria did not incline the Ba’ath Party. The aforementioned factors, combined with the armed groups’ promises to Syrian military personnel that they would not harm them, eliminated the motivation of Syrian soldiers to defend their country. Furthermore, Assad’s government did not formally request Iran’s intervention to counter the armed groups’ advances,” he continued.
Predicting Syria’s Future
The Cultural Advisor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Syria, added, “The armed groups that have taken control in Syria are likely to face serious internal conflicts. Currently, clashes between the Kurds and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham are ongoing in Syria. Therefore, forming an authentic resistance movement in Syria cannot be ruled out. The energy crisis, especially the shortages of electricity and fuel, is a significant issue in Syria. Reconstructing the war-torn regions will require substantial funds, and any country investing in this reconstruction will undoubtedly expect financial returns and profits. Hence, it is unlikely that the new Syrian government will be able to improve the people’s livelihoods, and protests may arise over this issue. For this reason, I believe the new Syrian government faces significant challenges ahead.”
He further noted, “Working within the Ba’ath government in Syria was challenging due to its sensitivity towards any action. The previous Syrian government undermined the effectiveness of popular national defense forces by integrating them into the army, creating a state-society divide during that period. Even Ba’athists criticized the government.”
In another part of the session, Hojat al-Islam Valiollah Khademi, emphasized the necessity of vigilance against enemy plots, stating, “The enemy is not asleep, and the Supreme Leader has warned about the negligence. Clerics who stood beside fighters in defending the holy shrines must now engage in the Jihad of Explanation. We, as clerics defending the shrines, must preserve our identity in both the real world and the virtual space.”
He concluded, “The Supreme Leader stressed that some seek to please the people, and thus every gathering should end with hope and enthusiasm for divine victory. We must avoid aiding the enemy’s agenda and remain vigilant and loyal to the Supreme Leader.”
Referring to his analysis of Bashar al-Assad’s government’s collapse, the Cultural Advisor of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Syria stated, “The tactics of armed groups were surprising this time. They utilized media power and new methods, which were not their own and clearly indicated external training. The approach of these armed groups was different from their previous methods.”
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With a Faith-Based Perspective in Work, Our Lives Will Progress: Ayatollah Ramazani
According to the official information website of the AhlulBayt (a) World Assembly - On December 19, 2024, the “Official Ethics” session, delivered by Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, was held in the conference hall of the Assembly in Qom, attended by the organization’s managers and staff.
Explaining the principles of Islamic management, Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “Islamic management has four principles: practical, jurisprudential, ethical, and wilayat-based. From the Islamic perspective, wilayat (guardianship) is fundamental, and every type of leadership is accompanied by love and kindness. Additionally, the wilayat of the Prophet (p.b.u.h), the Infallible Imams (a.s.), and the Jurist are within the framework of Allah’s guardianship.”
Emphasizing the necessity of reforming perspectives, he added, “Some people work merely to earn an income and make efforts toward this goal. This approach aligns with materialistic and superficial views. However, in the Islamic system, work should be considered a form of worship.”
Elaborating on the types of worship, the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly explained, “In Islamic teachings and the AhlulBayt (a.s.) guidance, worship is not limited to prayers and fasting. Rather, all individual and social actions of a faithful person can be considered acts of worship. This depends on one’s perspective. If the perspective is comprehensive, and one intends worship, actions such as eating, drinking, listening, speaking, and all deeds can become worship. When a person’s actions become worship, they bring closeness to Allah and draw the person nearer to Him. Therefore, we can perform all our actions with the intention of seeking proximity to Allah, and this perspective is valuable.’
“Martyr Morteza Motahari, in his book on education, wrote, ‘If a person views work correctly, it becomes an act of worship and serves as a tool for education.’ Education has its elements, and working in a collective environment is a significant factor in human development because it teaches collective responsibility,” he continued.
Referring to the views of Ayatollah Khamenei in the book An Outline of Islamic Thought in the Quran, the senior scholar of the Qom Seminary (Dars Kharij Fiqh) noted, “In 1974, the Supreme Leader delivered 28 lectures at the Imam Hasan Mujtaba (a.s.) Mosque in Mashhad, explaining Islamic beliefs based on the Quran. He defines faith comprehensively and argues that faith brings responsibility. It imposes duties on individuals, and there is no faith without responsibility.”
“Faith offers the most comprehensive and sacred responsibility to people,” he continued. “The Supreme Leader states in An Outline of Islamic Thought in the Quran that wilayat has an active role. He also discusses prophethood extensively, noting that the Prophet (p.b.u.h) is a reminder, and the Quran is a remembrance.”
Emphasizing the necessity of a faith-based perspective in work, Ayatollah Ramazani added, “If we adopt a faith-based perspective in our work, our lives will progress. Therefore, we must reflect and examine how much of a faith-based view is present and active in our lives.”
“We must adopt a comprehensive perspective on religion,” he continued. “Some present religion in an isolated way, rather than an interconnected network. However, religion is an integrated and profound system. With his comprehensive perspective, the Supreme Leader believes that Islam provides a framework for life and offers us a plan.”
“The impact and interaction of faith must be evident and active in all our lives. Our faith-based lives are subject to critique because, while we claim to live faithfully, we cannot prove this in our actions as a whole. Only a small portion of our faith manifests in our lives. Hence, reforming our perspectives and approaches is necessary,” stressed the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
Regarding some strategies for living faithfully in the workplace, he remarked, “We should not give our own work a perfect score while undervaluing the work of others. Sometimes, this perspective arises from a lack of understanding. Consequently, we make unfaithful critiques, exaggerate our own contributions, and belittle those of others. However, Imam Reza (a.s.) stated, 'Regard others’ work highly and your own work humbly.' Scholars and great personalities did not only refrain from overestimating their own work, but they often considered themselves insignificant.”
The senior scholar of the Qom Seminary said, “Faithful living requires us to see our flaws while overlooking the faults of others. Some people, by faultfinding and highlighting others’ shortcomings, create a negative perception about them. However, Imam Ali (a.s.) advised Malik Ashtar, 'Do not rush to judgment because informants are often deceitful and lack sincerity’.”
Reiterating the importance of strengthening a faith-based perspective, he said, “We must view work as a tool for growth. With this perspective, we can grow in the workplace. True art is in being present in the field and evolving. Therefore, those who are absent from the field cannot make claims about themselves.”
“A true believer understands that faith in Allah and the Hereafter comes with certain requirements that must be fulfilled. Moreover, a faith-based perspective ensures that a person’s life becomes blessed,” Ayatollah Ramazani added.
In his concluding remarks, he stated, “The members and staff of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly should consider themselves servants of the AhlulBayt (a.s.). Such a perspective will elevate the quality of their work and instill it with unique characteristics.”
The Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly emphasized, “We live faithful lives but cannot demonstrate it comprehensively in our collective actions. In other words, only a small portion of faith is reflected in our lives. Therefore, it is necessary to reform our perspectives and approaches.”
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Photos: Sunni, Shia clerics get together in Zahedan
According to the official information website of the AhlulBayt (a) World Assembly- AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): An intimate meeting between Shiite and Sunni scholars of Sistan and Baluchestan was held in Zahedan, the capital of the southeastern province on Wednesday.
“Zekra” software
“Zikra” software has been prepared by the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly and includes books, articles and questions and answers about the Holy Quran, Nahj al-Balaghah and Sahifa al-Sajadiyya. The software is available in five languages: Arabic, English, Persian, Turkish and Urdu.