AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): On Sunday evening, July 14, 2024, during the Tasua ceremony of Imam Hussain (a.s.) in the Amir al-Momenin (a.s.) Mosque in Hafez Abad neighborhood of Rasht, Ayatollah Reza Ramazani said, “Ashura was the scene of the battle of truth against falsehood, virtues against vices, reason against ignorance, and religiosity against irreligion.”
“Enmity with the Wilayah, religion, sanctity, and justice were the four goals of those who lined up against Imam Hussain (a.s.). The enemies of Islam and AhlulBayt (a.s.) did not want Islam to be included in the context of people’s lives. Divine prophets were sent to introduce religion and God to us. They were the link between the creature and the Creator,” added the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“The Quran and the Infallible Imams (a.s.) are sacred to us. But the enemies are looking for desecration. To save people from confusion, God sent religion to them to define the path of life and show them the destination. All divine prophets tried to show the path and destination for humans. For 23 years, the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) struggled to solve the dire situation of ignorance and crises among Arabs, including slavery, moral problems, etc.,” Ayatollah Ramazani said.
The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) confronted racism and ethnicism
The representative of the people of Gilan in the Assembly of Leadership Experts emphasized that the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) confronted racism and ethnicism. “He did not distinguish between black people, like Bilal Abyssinian, and Quraysh. At a time when some people had a hundred or a thousand slaves, the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “There is no difference between people, and no one should be a slave to anyone other than God Almighty.” The Prophet (p.b.u.h) tried to educate Arabs who were arrogant and self-conceited and believed in their supremacy over non-Arabs.”
Referring to the Ghadir Event, Ayatollah Ramazani emphasized, “According to God’s order, after the Prophet (p.b.u.h), the responsibility of implementing divine commands and decrees should have been entrusted to another person. In Ghadir, this important responsibility was delegated (to Imam Ali (a.s.)). Imam Ali (a.s.), the truth of Islam and a scholar of divine decrees, was introduced as the best successor of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) during Ghadir. But unfortunately, some people stood against God’s decree and after about 5 years of Imam Ali’s rule, they prevented Islam from being handed over to deserving and worthy people. Therefore, the Infallible Imams (a.s.) were secluded.”
The representative of the people of Gilan in the Assembly of Leadership Experts added, “Throughout history, they did not let Imams take over the government. In his regard, Imam Ali (a.s.) in Nahj al-Balagha said, “Religion was entrusted to the hands of the wicked”.”
By fighting with the Wilayah, the enemies of Imam Hussain (a.s.) prevented the rule of God’s saints and the revival of Islam in society
The Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly emphasized, “When Islam falls into the hands of the wicked, disaster happens. Such evil people use Islam as a tool to achieve power and political games. In such chaos, justice is sacrificed and sacred religious concepts are completely turned upside down. In the end, nothing remains of the true essence of religion.”
“By fighting with the Wilayah, the enemies of Imam Hussain (a.s.) prevented the rule of God’s saints and the revival of religion in society. This led to the emergence of modern ignorance during the time of Yazid and Muawiya and turned religion into a marginal issue in people’s lives. While the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) brought Islam for all human life spheres,” Ayatollah Ramazani noted.
In the following, he explained the oppression against the Immaculate Imams (a.s.) and the Ashura movement. “By enticing the companions of Imam Hassan (a.s.), Muawiya made Imam Hassan (a.s.) stay at home and prevented the continuation of the path of truth and justice,” he said, referring to the peace of Imam Hassan (a.s.).
Further, referring to the constant hostility of the enemies against Islam, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “Immaculate Imams (a.s.) always faced enmity and oppression of enemies. During the time of Imam Ali (a.s.), the enemies used propaganda to accuse him of disbelief, not praying, and theft!”
Muawiyah and Yazid used Islam to quench their thirst for power
Explaining the anti-religious nature of Muawiya and Yazid, the representative of the people of Gilan in the Assembly of Leadership Experts noted, “Muawiya and Yazid had no belief in Islam and truth, and they used these concepts only to quench their thirst for power.”
Regarding the crucial duty of Imam Hussain (a.s.) in his time, he said, “When Islam was in danger of being destroyed and Yazid, a wicked and cruel person, sat on the throne of the caliphate, Imam Hussain (a.s.) rose and sacrificed his life to revive the religion of God and save Islam from deviation.”
Referring to the new hostilities of the enemies against Islam in the present era, Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “Even today, the enemies of Islam are attacking God’s religion with new methods and are trying to mock and distort it. In some Western countries, they are looking for alternatives to obligatory acts of worship, such as prayer and fasting, and are trying to distort Islam. Also, in some countries, we see that female Friday prayer leaders, without Islamic Hijab, are appointed to the position! We see people with inappropriate appearances participating in congregational prayers. All these things indicate the enemy’s conspiracy to distort and deviate Islam.”
Mourning ceremony for Imam Hussain (a.s.) in the heart of Europe and America
In another part of his speech, he mentioned the enemies’ efforts to exclude Sharia from the modern world. “The enemies of Islam, by promoting secularism and promiscuity, seek to eliminate it from human life. A clear example of this cruelty was the 70-year reign of communism in some countries, where mosques were turned into warehouses; when people were deprived of worship and religious rituals, such as prayer and Hajj.”
Referring to the Ashura movement and its global effects, Ayatollah Ramazani noted, “The uprising of Ashura has been passed down from generation to generation, and today even in the heart of Europe and America we are witnessing mourning ceremonies for Imam Hussain (a.s.). So that, on the first ten days of Muharram, more than 200 mourning meetings and Ziyarat Ashura are held in London, and 5 to 6 mourning sessions are held simultaneously in some streets of the city. Today, in Europe, in the Ashura Day anniversary, 50 to 60 thousand people hold mourning flags of Imam Hussain (a.s.) in the main squares of the cities and mourn with sadness.”
The Islamic Revolution of Iran is an offspring of the Ashura culture
In the following, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly pointed out the lessons of Ashura for Muslims in the present age. “Ceremonies for Imam Hussain (a.s.) should be a place to teach and promote the transcendental teachings of Ashura, such as honor, courage, self-sacrifice, Islamism, and justice. In these ceremonies, we should talk about the bravery of the martyrs of Gaza and the oppression against them, the helpless women and children of Palestine, and the Mujahideen of this land, and thus keep the thought of Ashura alive in the young generation.”
Referring to the deep link between the Islamic Revolution and the Ashura movement, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “The Islamic Revolution of Iran is a beam of Ashura culture, and this revolution achieved victory with the blessing of Imam Hussain (a.s.). The peak of the revolutionary demonstrations (against the Shah’s regime) was during the month of Muharram. For sure, this revolution, which has gained victory thanks to the blood of martyrs and Imam Hussain (a.s.), will be connected to the world revolution of Imam Mahdi (a.s.), and he will lead this revolution with merit.”
At the end of his speech, he explained the role of the Islamic Revolution in introducing the pure Muhammadan (p.b.u.h) Islam to the world. “Thanks to the Islamic Revolution, today we are witnessing the spread of Islam and the thought of Ashura all over the world. The front that lined up against Imam Hussain (a.s.) on the Day of Ashura wanted to eliminate the concept of Imamate. But today, the Imamate of Imam Hussain (a.s.) has become widespread and universal, and thanks to the blood of the martyrs of Karbala, religion and religious sanctity have been preserved, and the discourse of justice has become widespread in human society. This religion requires committed and faithful companions that have always existed and will continue to exist throughout history.”
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