On Sunday, November 14, 2021, Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly and Hojat al-Islam Dr. Saeed Jazari, President of the International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.) attended a commemoration ceremony for the birthday anniversary of Imam Hassan Askari (a.s.) at the Khuja’s Shiite Center in Paris.
In this ceremony, emphasizing the need to recognize the Velayat of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) and appeal to Imam Mahdi (a.s.), the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly considered self-improvement, educating others, and preparing society for the Reappearance as the Shiite duties in the era of Occultation.
While quoting wisdom sayings from great Shiite mystics and scholars, as well as figures such as late Ayatollah Bahjat (r.a.), he explained the importance of attention to, focusing on, and communicating with Imam Mahdi (a.s.).
“During the 250 years after the demise of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), the teachings of the Shiite Imams led to a change in Islamic thought,” said Ayatollah Ramazani, pointing to the importance of the role of Imam Hassan Askari (a.s.) in the Shiite world and the school of AhlulBayt (a.s.).
“The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) said, ‘The tradition and manners of Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is my tradition and manners.’ That is, just as the Prophet brought mercy to the world with his Be’that, Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will also reappear to spread God’s mercy in the world and to nurture humanity,” stated the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, discussing the Velayat of Imam Mahdi (a.s.).
“In Quran, God the Almighty says “وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِلْعَالَمِينَ” (We sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures) (Holy Quran 21: 107). The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) also said, “إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ مَکارِمَ الْأَخْلَاقِ” (Indeed, I have been sent (by God) to perfect moral virtues). This means that one of the prominent characteristics of the divine prophets is having good morals. As they are in other areas the divine prophets are role models for the people and society, they are role models in the field of good morality, both individual and social for the people. Therefore, Imam Mahdi (a.s.) will come for mercy, not for killing, drawing the sword, and destroying,” said Ayatollah Ramazani, referring to the Quranic verses about the Prophet’s Mission.
“According to Shiite hadiths, Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is the manifestation of the vast mercy of God. In some pilgrimage letters, Imam Mahdi (a.s.) is addressed as follows, “السلام علیک أیها الرحمة الواسعة”, (Peace be upon you, the infinite and vast divine mercy). It is also stated in a hadith from Imam Mahdi (a.s.), “Verily, the mercy of your Lord encompasses all things, and I am the infinite mercy of God”. Also, the Imam is described in the sayings of the Infallibles (a.s.) as, “Imam (a.s.) is more compassionate towards people than their fathers and mothers. Imam Mahdi (a.s.) shelters the people more than all of you, and his knowledge is greater than all of you, and his mercy and grace are most inclusive”,” he added.
“Our duties during the Occultation are the same duties during the presence of the Infallible Imam (a.s.). The sum of these duties can be summarized in one sentence: The greatest duty of the Shiites in the era of Occultation is to await for the Reappearance and emergence of the world government of Imam Mahdi (a.s.); A government that promotes justice, security, compassion, and brotherhood among all human beings,” Ayatollah Ramazani stated, referring to the duties of the Shiites during the Occultation of Imam Mahdi (a.s.).
“The practical expectation for Faraj (relief or Reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.)) is to follow all the commands of the Quran, the Sunnah of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and the AhlulBayt (a.s.), as well as to try to educate the generations according to the moral and transcendent commands of Islam,” he said in the end.
It should be said that Hojat al-Islam Dr. Saeed Jazari, the president of the International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.), accompanies the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly in this trip.