‘Why have the so-called Islamic governments of region given their land and airspace to infidels and Jews?’

The full text of Ayatollah Lankarani’s statement condemning the unprincipled stance of Egypt’s Al-Azhar University in the brutal attack by the United States and the Israeli regime on Iran is as follows:

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

To all the Muslim community and Islamic scholars, especially the respected scholars of Al-Azhar University

Salaam Alaikum

I saw a very surprising and unexpected statement from Al-Azhar University. I really cannot accept that this institution, with its scientific and freedom records, would issue such a statement today.

We do not forget Al-Azhar’s precise and correct stances regarding Palestine and Gaza, but this statement has raised questions in the minds of all scholars:

• Doesn’t Al-Azhar wonder why the so-called Islamic states in the region have placed their land and airspace at the disposal of infidels and Jews?
• Does it not ask itself what is the purpose of America and Israel in their presence and dominance in this region?
• Does it not see how they seek to plunder the resources of Muslims and destroy their lives and property?
• Has Al-Azhar forgotten the numerous verses of the Quran in which God Almighty forbids accepting the domination of the infidels and Jews?
• Based on the noble verse, “And one who attacketh you, attack him in like manner as he attacked you,” does Islamic Iran, which has been brutally attacked by America and Israel through their bases in the region, not have the right to retaliate? [Al-Baqarah, 194]
• Based on the verse, “And if ye do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you out,” should Iran not retaliate? [An-Nahl, 126]
• Based on the noble verse, “To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged; and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid,” does Iran not have the right to reciprocate? [Al-Hajj, 39]
• Have they not read or forgotten the noble verse: “O ye who believe! Take not my enemies and yours as friends (or protectors), offering them (your) love”? [Al-Mumtahanah, 1]
• Do they not believe in the noble verse: “O ye who believe! Turn not (for friendship) to people on whom is the Wrath of Allah”? [Al-Mumtahanah, 13]
• Should they not make the noble verse, “Thou wilt not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who resist Allah and His Messenger” the yardstick for their actions and words? [Al-Mujadila, 22]
• Is this statement consistent with the hadith that has been repeated between the two sects, namely the hadith of Thaqalain, or is it completely the opposite of the goals of the Quran and the Ahlulbait?
• Has Al-Azhar forgotten the jurisprudential principles that are agreed upon by Muslims?
• Has it not been stated in the jurisprudential books that Muslims who help the infidels to succeed against another group of Muslims are themselves considered infidels, and if they are a shield for the infidels, they should be destroyed?
• If the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) were present in our time, would he have supported America, Israel, and the regional governments that have made the Muslim lands their military bases, or would he have definitely defended the Muslim nation of Iran, which has been oppressed and encroached upon by the enemy?
• Put aside the logic of the Quran and Sunnah. Ask the freedom-seeking people of the world what Iran should logically do after facing these attacks by the traitorous governments of the region. Shouldn’t it defend the lives, blood, and shelter of Muslims in this country?
• Didn’t you see how on the first day of the war these enemies attacked the Shajraye Tayyebeh school in Minab and martyred more than 160 innocent children?
• Based on which verse of the Quran, which hadith, or which rational and logical reason did you stand up for the regional governments and condemn Iran?
• Why didn’t you recite the noble verse “Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause” to rebuke the infidels and the governments of the Persian Gulf region? [Al-Isra, 33]
• Why did you, the scholars of Al-Azhar, not react after the unjust martyrdom of the leader of Muslims in Iran, who was a great herald of the Islam and Muslims and gave honor and dignity to all Muslims in the world?!
• Don’t you think that with this statement you are weakening the trust of Muslims around the world in this group?

I advise the scholars of the Islamic world, especially Al-Azhar, to observe the current conditions of the Islamic world correctly and accurately and act according to their religious and religious duty, not based on the pleasure of the leaders of infidelity and Arrogance and their agents in the region, so that they can be proud before God and the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muslims and the freedom-seeking people of the world, and so that they do not become examples of the noble verse, “Those who conceal Allah’s revelations in the Book, and purchase for them a miserable profit.” [Al-Baqarah, 174]

“Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and anything We may have done that transgressed our duty: Establish our feet firmly, and help us against those that resist Faith.” [Ai ‘Imran]

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