Knowledge means for individual, social advancement, evolution: Ayatollah Ramazani
The professor of the higher levels of the Islamic seminary in Qom pointed out the importance and necessity of learning seminary sciences and considered true science as a light that must be granted to man by God.
ABWA Official Website – On Saturday morning November 4, 2023, the ethics class of Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly was held at the Higher Education Complex of Language, Literature, and Culture in Qom.
Regarding the importance of propagating Islam, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “Being a missionary is one of the positions of prophets and has a high status. In a hadith, the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “إنَّما بُعِثتُ مُعَلِّما” (I am sent (by God) as a teacher. In another hadith, he said “إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ مَکَارِمَ الْأَخْلَاقِ” (I am sent (by God) to perfect the virtues of morality. In these two hadiths, the importance of education, upbringing, and propagation is well emphasized.”
Regarding the requirements of education, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “A teacher needs knowledge for the development of himself and society. Therefore, as long as knowledge is not institutionalized in the human soul, excellence will not be realized. In praise of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h), the Holy Quran says: “هُوَ الَّذي بَعَثَ فِي الأُمِّيّينَ رَسولًا مِنهُم يَتلو عَلَيهِم آياتِهِ وَيُزَكّيهِم وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الكِتابَ وَالحِكمَةَ وَإِن كانوا مِن قَبلُ لَفي ضَلالٍ مُبينٍ” (It is He who sent to the unlettered [people] an apostle from among themselves, to recite to them His signs, to purify them, and to teach them the Book and wisdom, and earlier they had indeed been in manifest error.) (Holy Quran, Surah: Al-Jumu'ah, Verse: 2).”
Remembering the late Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli (r.a.), he said, “He believed that man should receive divine teachings from God. It is in this way that man attains the teacher status [like prophets], and otherwise, he does not attain such a status.”
The professor of the higher levels of the Islamic seminary in Qom pointed out the importance and necessity of learning seminary sciences and considered true science as a light that must be granted to man by God.
Referring to parts of the hadith Unwan al-Basri, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said to Unwan al-Basri: “أَلْعِلْمُ نُورٌ یقْذِفُهُ اللّه فِی قَلْبِ مَنْ یشآء”. It means that “Knowledge is a light that God shed into the heart of whoever He wants.” Therefore, knowledge does not enter anyone’s heart, unless the heart has gained and reached the capacity to receive it. Man should avoid egoism, but he should transcend himself so that divine knowledge enters his heart.”
About the purpose of learning knowledge he said, “Allameh Javadi Amoli believes that “knowledge becomes a burden in a material (non-spiritual) body Imam Khomeini (r.a.) also said that this burden becomes a curtain and an obstacle for the growth of someone who seeks knowledge, if the goal is only to seek knowledge itself. Therefore, knowledge is a means for excellence and evolution to create capabilities for humans. Because God’s subjective role in granting knowledge is absolute. But the object (here human) must be ready to receive light. For example, a blind person never benefits from light. Because everyone uses light according to their ability. This is also the case in the perception of the human heart and mind.”
“Ethics professors look at religious issues as opportunities and threats. If the preacher uses the Islamic teachings to reform himself and educate society, he will become an opportunity. On the other hand, if he does not follow this path, he becomes a threat and a burden to himself and society. In this regard, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “إذا فسد العالِم، فسد العالَم.” It means that “if the scholar is corrupted, the world will be corrupted.” Therefore, we should seek refuge in God throughout our lives. Because without success granted by God, we cannot move in the right path and direction,” Ayatollah Ramazani emphasized.
“Man must transcend himself in order to achieve the capability to receive knowledge. Therefore, a self-centered person does not become a God-centered person. In order for science to last, studying and seeking knowledge should only be for God’s pleasure. In this regard, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says: “مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ اَلْعِلْمَ وَ عَمِلَ بِهِ وَ عَلَّمَ لِلَّهِ دُعِيَ فِي مَلَكُوتِ اَلسَّمَاوَاتِ عَظِيماً” it means that “whoever learns knowledge for the pleasure of God, practices it, and teaches it to others, he will be honored in the high places of the heavens. Also, in this regard, Imam Ali (a.s.) said in the Sermon of the Pious: “عظم الخالق فی انفسهم فصغر ما دونه فی اعینهم”. It means that the pious are “the people whose Creator has magnified in their soul and mind. Therefore, everything other than God is small in their eyes”,” said the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
In denouncing arrogance and vanity, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “In a hadith, Imam Reza (a.s.) said: “لا يَتِمُّ عَقْلُ امْرِء مُسْلِم حَتّى تَكُونَ فيهِ عَشْرُ خِصال: أَلْخَيْرُ مِنْهُ مَأمُولٌ. وَ الشَّرُّ مِنْهُ مَأْمُونٌ. يَسْتَكْثِرُ قَليلَ الْخَيْرِ مِنْ غَيْرِهِ، وَ يَسْتَقِلُّ كَثيرَ الْخَيْرِ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ. لا يَسْأَمُ مِنْ طَلَبِ الْحَوائِجِ إِلَيْهِ، وَ لا يَمَلُّ مِنْ طَلَبِ الْعِلْمِ طُولَ دَهْرِهِ. أَلْفَقْرُ فِى اللّهِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الْغِنى. وَ الذُّلُّ فىِ اللّهِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الْعِزِّ فى عَدُوِّهِ. وَ الْخُمُولُ أَشْهى إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الشُّهْرَةِ. ثُمَّ قالَ عليه السلام: أَلْعاشِرَةُ وَ مَا الْعاشِرَةُ؟ قيلَ لَهُ: ما هِىَ؟ قالَ عليه السلام: لا يَرى أَحَدًا إِلاّ قالَ: هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنّى وَ أَتْقى”. The meaning of this hadith is: “The intellect of a Muslim person cannot be perfected unless he has these ten characteristics: People have good expectations from him; people be safe from his wickedness; counts the good deeds of others as a lot; count his much good deeds as little; no matter how much they ask him, he gets no bothered and gloomy; never gets tired of seeking knowledge during his life; considers poverty in the way of God more beloved than wealth; considers humility in the way of God more beloved than honor with His enemy; being eager to anonymity than fame.” The Imam said with emphasis on the tenth case: “He doesn’t look at anyone except to say to yourself: He is better and more pious than me.”
About the method of influence of the preacher in the society, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “In order for preaching and propagating to be effective, the preacher must know himself. Addressing the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h), God in the Quran says: “ما عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ” (The duty of the messenger is only to convey (the message)) (Holy Quran, Surah: Al-Ma'idah, Verse: 99). Here, the meaning of the word “بلاغ” (Bilagh) is not only to convey words and meanings. Rather, it means that the knowledge reaches the souls and hearts of the audience, and this can only be achieved through self-knowledge.”
“God has entrusted his greatest trust, religion, to the missionaries. Therefore, you must be prepared, and create the ability to receive this heavy burden. In this regard, in a hadith, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “إنّ اللّه َعزّ و جلّ أدّبَ نبيَّه فأحسنَ أدبَهُ، فلَمّا أكمَلَ لَهُ الأدبَ قالَ: إنّكَ لَعلَى خُلُقٍ عظيمٍ ثمّ فَوّضَ إليهِ أمرَ الدِّينِ و الاُمّة لِيَسُوسَ عِبادَهُ”. It means that God raised and trained His Prophet, and what a good way He raised him. When He perfected politeness in the Prophet, He said: “Indeed, you have a great character.” Then He entrusted the matter of religion and ummah to him to manage His servants”,” said the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, addressing the missionaries.
Referring to the hadith “لاميراثَ كَاْلاَدب” (There is no heritage higher than politeness) of Imam Ali (a.s.), he said, “Grand Ayatollah Javadi Amoli believes that there are three types of politeness: First, politeness with oneself, which is related to individual issues; second, politeness with others, which is related to social issues; and the third is politeness before God, which is the most important one, and related to the interaction of a person with God.”
Referring to his recent visit to Africa, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “In the meeting with of African clergy, I said that some were looking for a miracle to convert to Islam. But Bilal the Abyssinian was the only companion who did not ask the Prophet (p.b.u.h) for a miracle, and he considered the Prophet’s words to be miracles.”
In the end, referring to the ongoing events in Palestine and the crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly said, “Today is the day of the defeat of the dominant powers who were always trying to force humanity to submit to their domination. 50 years ago, there were only two East and West blocs that were colonizing the world. Today, however, it is only Islam that has been able to stand against global arrogance with its profound concepts. Therefore, the two proscribing principles of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, i.e., avoiding oppression, and avoiding submission to oppression, indicate the approach of Islam against the arrogant. In this regard, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “کونا للظّالم خصماً و للمظلوم عوناً”. It means that we are always fighting against oppressors, and we will always support the oppressed in the world.”
The professor of the higher levels of the Islamic seminary in Qom pointed out the importance and necessity of learning seminary sciences and considered true science as a light that must be granted to man by God.
ABWA Official Website – On Saturday morning November 4, 2023, the ethics class of Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly was held at the Higher Education Complex of Language, Literature, and Culture in Qom.
Regarding the importance of propagating Islam, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “Being a missionary is one of the positions of prophets and has a high status. In a hadith, the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “إنَّما بُعِثتُ مُعَلِّما” (I am sent (by God) as a teacher. In another hadith, he said “إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ مَکَارِمَ الْأَخْلَاقِ” (I am sent (by God) to perfect the virtues of morality. In these two hadiths, the importance of education, upbringing, and propagation is well emphasized.”
Regarding the requirements of education, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “A teacher needs knowledge for the development of himself and society. Therefore, as long as knowledge is not institutionalized in the human soul, excellence will not be realized. In praise of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h), the Holy Quran says: “هُوَ الَّذي بَعَثَ فِي الأُمِّيّينَ رَسولًا مِنهُم يَتلو عَلَيهِم آياتِهِ وَيُزَكّيهِم وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الكِتابَ وَالحِكمَةَ وَإِن كانوا مِن قَبلُ لَفي ضَلالٍ مُبينٍ” (It is He who sent to the unlettered [people] an apostle from among themselves, to recite to them His signs, to purify them, and to teach them the Book and wisdom, and earlier they had indeed been in manifest error.) (Holy Quran, Surah: Al-Jumu'ah, Verse: 2).”
Remembering the late Allameh Hassanzadeh Amoli (r.a.), he said, “He believed that man should receive divine teachings from God. It is in this way that man attains the teacher status [like prophets], and otherwise, he does not attain such a status.”
The professor of the higher levels of the Islamic seminary in Qom pointed out the importance and necessity of learning seminary sciences and considered true science as a light that must be granted to man by God.
Referring to parts of the hadith Unwan al-Basri, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said to Unwan al-Basri: “أَلْعِلْمُ نُورٌ یقْذِفُهُ اللّه فِی قَلْبِ مَنْ یشآء”. It means that “Knowledge is a light that God shed into the heart of whoever He wants.” Therefore, knowledge does not enter anyone’s heart, unless the heart has gained and reached the capacity to receive it. Man should avoid egoism, but he should transcend himself so that divine knowledge enters his heart.”
About the purpose of learning knowledge he said, “Allameh Javadi Amoli believes that “knowledge becomes a burden in a material (non-spiritual) body Imam Khomeini (r.a.) also said that this burden becomes a curtain and an obstacle for the growth of someone who seeks knowledge, if the goal is only to seek knowledge itself. Therefore, knowledge is a means for excellence and evolution to create capabilities for humans. Because God’s subjective role in granting knowledge is absolute. But the object (here human) must be ready to receive light. For example, a blind person never benefits from light. Because everyone uses light according to their ability. This is also the case in the perception of the human heart and mind.”
“Ethics professors look at religious issues as opportunities and threats. If the preacher uses the Islamic teachings to reform himself and educate society, he will become an opportunity. On the other hand, if he does not follow this path, he becomes a threat and a burden to himself and society. In this regard, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “إذا فسد العالِم، فسد العالَم.” It means that “if the scholar is corrupted, the world will be corrupted.” Therefore, we should seek refuge in God throughout our lives. Because without success granted by God, we cannot move in the right path and direction,” Ayatollah Ramazani emphasized.
“Man must transcend himself in order to achieve the capability to receive knowledge. Therefore, a self-centered person does not become a God-centered person. In order for science to last, studying and seeking knowledge should only be for God’s pleasure. In this regard, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says: “مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ اَلْعِلْمَ وَ عَمِلَ بِهِ وَ عَلَّمَ لِلَّهِ دُعِيَ فِي مَلَكُوتِ اَلسَّمَاوَاتِ عَظِيماً” it means that “whoever learns knowledge for the pleasure of God, practices it, and teaches it to others, he will be honored in the high places of the heavens. Also, in this regard, Imam Ali (a.s.) said in the Sermon of the Pious: “عظم الخالق فی انفسهم فصغر ما دونه فی اعینهم”. It means that the pious are “the people whose Creator has magnified in their soul and mind. Therefore, everything other than God is small in their eyes”,” said the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
In denouncing arrogance and vanity, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “In a hadith, Imam Reza (a.s.) said: “لا يَتِمُّ عَقْلُ امْرِء مُسْلِم حَتّى تَكُونَ فيهِ عَشْرُ خِصال: أَلْخَيْرُ مِنْهُ مَأمُولٌ. وَ الشَّرُّ مِنْهُ مَأْمُونٌ. يَسْتَكْثِرُ قَليلَ الْخَيْرِ مِنْ غَيْرِهِ، وَ يَسْتَقِلُّ كَثيرَ الْخَيْرِ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ. لا يَسْأَمُ مِنْ طَلَبِ الْحَوائِجِ إِلَيْهِ، وَ لا يَمَلُّ مِنْ طَلَبِ الْعِلْمِ طُولَ دَهْرِهِ. أَلْفَقْرُ فِى اللّهِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الْغِنى. وَ الذُّلُّ فىِ اللّهِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الْعِزِّ فى عَدُوِّهِ. وَ الْخُمُولُ أَشْهى إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الشُّهْرَةِ. ثُمَّ قالَ عليه السلام: أَلْعاشِرَةُ وَ مَا الْعاشِرَةُ؟ قيلَ لَهُ: ما هِىَ؟ قالَ عليه السلام: لا يَرى أَحَدًا إِلاّ قالَ: هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنّى وَ أَتْقى”. The meaning of this hadith is: “The intellect of a Muslim person cannot be perfected unless he has these ten characteristics: People have good expectations from him; people be safe from his wickedness; counts the good deeds of others as a lot; count his much good deeds as little; no matter how much they ask him, he gets no bothered and gloomy; never gets tired of seeking knowledge during his life; considers poverty in the way of God more beloved than wealth; considers humility in the way of God more beloved than honor with His enemy; being eager to anonymity than fame.” The Imam said with emphasis on the tenth case: “He doesn’t look at anyone except to say to yourself: He is better and more pious than me.”
About the method of influence of the preacher in the society, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “In order for preaching and propagating to be effective, the preacher must know himself. Addressing the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h), God in the Quran says: “ما عَلَى ٱلرَّسُولِ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ” (The duty of the messenger is only to convey (the message)) (Holy Quran, Surah: Al-Ma'idah, Verse: 99). Here, the meaning of the word “بلاغ” (Bilagh) is not only to convey words and meanings. Rather, it means that the knowledge reaches the souls and hearts of the audience, and this can only be achieved through self-knowledge.”
“God has entrusted his greatest trust, religion, to the missionaries. Therefore, you must be prepared, and create the ability to receive this heavy burden. In this regard, in a hadith, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said, “إنّ اللّه َعزّ و جلّ أدّبَ نبيَّه فأحسنَ أدبَهُ، فلَمّا أكمَلَ لَهُ الأدبَ قالَ: إنّكَ لَعلَى خُلُقٍ عظيمٍ ثمّ فَوّضَ إليهِ أمرَ الدِّينِ و الاُمّة لِيَسُوسَ عِبادَهُ”. It means that God raised and trained His Prophet, and what a good way He raised him. When He perfected politeness in the Prophet, He said: “Indeed, you have a great character.” Then He entrusted the matter of religion and ummah to him to manage His servants”,” said the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, addressing the missionaries.
Referring to the hadith “لاميراثَ كَاْلاَدب” (There is no heritage higher than politeness) of Imam Ali (a.s.), he said, “Grand Ayatollah Javadi Amoli believes that there are three types of politeness: First, politeness with oneself, which is related to individual issues; second, politeness with others, which is related to social issues; and the third is politeness before God, which is the most important one, and related to the interaction of a person with God.”
Referring to his recent visit to Africa, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “In the meeting with of African clergy, I said that some were looking for a miracle to convert to Islam. But Bilal the Abyssinian was the only companion who did not ask the Prophet (p.b.u.h) for a miracle, and he considered the Prophet’s words to be miracles.”
In the end, referring to the ongoing events in Palestine and the crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly said, “Today is the day of the defeat of the dominant powers who were always trying to force humanity to submit to their domination. 50 years ago, there were only two East and West blocs that were colonizing the world. Today, however, it is only Islam that has been able to stand against global arrogance with its profound concepts. Therefore, the two proscribing principles of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, i.e., avoiding oppression, and avoiding submission to oppression, indicate the approach of Islam against the arrogant. In this regard, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “کونا للظّالم خصماً و للمظلوم عوناً”. It means that we are always fighting against oppressors, and we will always support the oppressed in the world.”