AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): At the 24th commemoration ceremony of the 104 martyrs of the Haqqani Seminary, Qom, held on Wednesday evening, April 23, 2025, coinciding with the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Sadiq (a.s.), Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly delivered a speech.
“Imam Sadiq (a.s.) is a figure whom Islamic scholars and jurists take pride in,” Ramazani added, “May we, by God’s grace, attain a comprehensive understanding of the dimensions of Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq’s (a.s.) personality. Those who acquire this understanding must embody a reflection of Imam Sadiq’s (a.s.) character.”
Approaches to Religion in the World
In his remarks, he stated that historically, there have been two primary approaches to religion in the world. “One approach was the eradication of religion. Religion was described as ‘the opiate of the masses’. This effort to eliminate religion was evident in the former Soviet Union. In his letter to Gorbachev, Imam Khomeini (r.a.) emphasized that one cannot fight against religion, which is a matter of Fitrah.”
“The second approach involved redefining and restricting religion to a minimalistic role. According to this approach, humans should engage only in devotional acts and avoid political involvement. Unfortunately, this minimalist view penetrated certain religious seminaries as well. Some even criticized the late Ayatollah Kashani for his political engagement. However, the sayings of the Infallible Imams (a.s.) clearly reference political responsibility. For example, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said that God trained the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and then entrusted him with religious affairs so that he might rectify the affairs of God’s servants.”
Revival of the Teachings of AhlulBayt (a.s.) through Imam Sadiq’s (a.s.) Intellectual Movement
Stressing the necessity of adopting the school of Imam Sadiq (a.s.) as a model, Ayatollah Ramazani asserted that Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadiq (a.s.) trained students in his school who consistently triumphed in scholarly debates. “This Infallible Imam (a.s.) witnessed twelve caliphs during his lifetime, each with a distinct governing style. Throughout his life, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) focused on nurturing disciples and building a scholarly network.”
“He was deeply engaged in intellectual pursuits,” he added. “Among his actions was confronting the Ghulat -extremist groups with deviant beliefs. Imam Sadiq (a.s.) lived during a time when various theological schools emerged with distinct interpretations, including Determinism (Jabr) and absolute delegation (Tafwidh). These distorted readings and innovations in religion led to the rise of syncretic doctrines. A narration from this Infallible Imam (a.s.), in which he said, ‘لاَ جَبْرَ وَ لاَ تَفْوِیضَ، وَ لَکِنْ أَمْرٌ بَیْنَ أَمْرَیْنِ’ (There is neither compulsion nor complete delegation, but a matter between the two), provided a decisive response to these syncretic and misguided views.”
Describing the prevailing intellectual and political conditions during the time of Imam Sadiq (a.s.), Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “During his era, the Imam (a.s.) faced deviant and syncretic ideologies, religious innovations, and the tyranny of political rulers. He was tasked with managing these intellectual deviations.”
He added that uprisings occurred during Imam Sadiq’s (a.s.) lifetime. “This Infallible Imam (a.s.) endorsed certain movements, such as the uprising of Zayd, while he rejected others.”
During that period, some believed that due to the weakening of the Umayyad regime, the time was ripe for an insurrection. “As a result, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) faced reproach from individuals related to him who believed he lacked political insight. They accused him of being immersed in teaching and scholarship instead of taking action. Yet it was upon this Infallible Imam (a.s.) to wisely navigate and manage all these circumstances.”
Ayatollah Ramazani emphasized that Imam Sadiq’s (a.s.) scholarly movement led to the revival of the Prophetic tradition and the teachings of the AhlulBayt (a.s.).
The AhlulBayt (a.s.) School Seeks to Uphold Human Dignity
Ayatollah Ramazani emphasized, “The duty of the Islamic seminary is to provide precise clarification of religious matters. The seminary must remain vigilant against the emergence of syncretism. It should also be efficient in training capable individuals and cultivating international preachers who can convey religion to the world through the language of reason and Fitrah (innate human nature). The seminary must accurately articulate the concept of human dignity.”
He added, “Westerners, while claiming that animal rights should be respected, international organizations have done nothing in response to the massacre of over 50,000 people in Gaza by the Zionist Regime.”
Concluding his remarks, the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “The school of the AhlulBayt (a.s.), in the truest sense of the word, seeks to uphold human dignity. In Islam, there are two affirmative principles, dignity and justice, and two prohibitive principles, refraining from oppression and not submitting to oppression.”
He continued, “Today, religion is being explained in a new context and with a renewed approach by the two Imams of the Revolution. In order to deepen the influence of religion, effort must be made. It is the duty of seminary scholars to articulate religious teachings, answer misconceptions, and introduce the various dimensions of Islam.”
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