The commemoration ceremony of the late Ayatollah Sayed Azizullah Omrani Mortazavi, one of the Mujahid Ulama of Afghanistan, was held on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at the Imam Hassan Askari (a.s.) Mosque in Qom.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Supreme Leader’s Office, representatives of the offices of the grand Sources of Emulation, representatives of Afghan political parties, scientific and cultural figures, as well as various segments of Afghan refugees living in Qom.
The special speaker of the ceremony was Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, who in his speech addressed the characteristics of Ayatollah Omrani Mortazavi, as well as the position of Knowledge and the scholar in Islam.
In this ceremony, while referring to the characteristics of Ayatollah Omrani Mortazavi, Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “The services of this eminent Alem are known to all. Throughout his life, he trained students, wrote books, and provided social, cultural, and political services. In addition to his high position in jurisprudence, Ayatollah Omrani Mortazavi was also active in the world of politics.”
“Ayatollah Omrani Mortazavi started his education at the age of ten. To continue his education, he then emigrated to Qom and began his education in the seminary of Qom. In addition to education, he pursued self-purification,” he continued.
“If one respects a scholar, he has respected his Lord. The position of knowledge and scholar is very clear and high, and everyone knows the difference between scholar and non- scholar people. Knowledge is one of the things that reason accepts, and whoever steps on the path of knowledge, God will elevate his position. Scholars have a high position both in this world and in the Hereafter,” added the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“The position of real scholars is the position of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Such scholars are both teachers and mentors, just as the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) was a teacher and mentor. According to the hadiths, a religious scholar is also a Divine Messenger, and his role is to create an awakening movement in society. Because the awake society is a vigilant society. God said in the Holy Quran that He has sent a messenger to every nation. The role of the Prophet is to carry out his mission well, and to invite the society to the path of Tawhid (monotheism) and avoidance of any kind of Taghut (Tyranny). Because Taghut exploits society and prevents the worship of God,” said Ayatollah Ramazani, referring to the position of Ulama.
“Scholars have the role of a messenger in society, and they invite humanity to worship, and this leads to the development of religiosity. Some people doubt the divine commandments because they are arrogant towards God, and those who are arrogant towards the scholars do not honor the scholars,” he continued.
“If there was no Marjaiat (Sources of Emulation), nothing of religion would remain. Many seek to make heresy in religion, and the Ulama’s (religious scholars) role is eliminating the heresy. This is the covenant that God has taken from the Ulama. If the Ulama do not fulfill their mission, the belief of the people will be weakened, and the role of Ulama in strengthening beliefs is outstanding,” added the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“If there was no Marjaiat after the Occultation of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), nothing of religiosity would remain. It was the Sources of Emulation who preserved the Sharia. According to the hadiths, insulting a Alem (religious scholar) is considered insulting the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Ulama also have the role of the Prophet (p.b.u.h), with the difference that the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) was infallible,” stated Ayatollah Ramazani, referring to the role of the authority during the Occultation of Imam Mahdi (a.s.).
“The knowledge of jurisprudence is important because it deals with people’s life affairs. In the past, along with trade, marketers learned the Ahkam (Islamic rules or Sharia) of trade. The result of not learning the Ahkam is committing haram. The value of a society depends on its adherence to the Ahkam. If the divine commandments are not revived, values will not be revived,” he continued.
“The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) was both a bearer of good news and a warner. The role of the real Alem is prominent and he must play a warning role so that society does not go astray. According to Nahj al-Balaghah, “If the four groups of scholars, rich, ignorant and poor do their duty, there will be no more problems in society.” That is, the Alem must teach, the ignorant must receive knowledge, the rich must perform the task of eradicating poverty, and the poor must not leave the monotheistic system,” added the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“Ayatollah Omrani Mortazavi was an Alem who studied knowledge, education, Islamic propagation and self-improvement for many years. The intention of this prominent Alem was that human society should not distance itself from religion and religious beliefs,” he mentioned.
It should be mentioned that Ayatollah Sayed Azizullah Omrani Mortazavi, one of the Mujahid Ulama of Afghanistan, passed away on Sunday, October 31, 2021, due to Covid-19 in Amir Al-Mo’menin Hospital in Qom. The body of this prominent Alem was buried in the shrine of Lady Masoumeh (a.s.) after his funeral in Qom.