According to AhlulBayt News Agency _ ABNA _ in the wake of bloody events of International Quds Day in Zaria, Nigeria, which resulted in the martyrdom of more than 33 participants, including three sons of "Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky" (Leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria), Grand Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani contacted Sheikh Zakzaky via a phone call on Sunday 3 August 2014.
Through the phone conversation, "Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani", the great Shiah scholar and prominent lecturer at the Islamic Seminary of Qom, expressed his condolences on the martyrdom of Nigerian Shiites and the three sons of Sheikh.
Ayatollah Vahid then highlighted the fact that those who struggle to promote the right path shall face some difficulties in their way.
Reciting verses 156 and 157 of Surah al-Baqara, Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani said: “We read in the Holy Quran that when a calamity befalls a person and he says: (Inna Lillah wa Inna Ilayhi Raajioun: Surely we are Allah’s; and to Him we shall surely return) those are they on whom are salutations and mercy from their Lord, and those are the followers of the right course.”
“Thus, three high positions will be given to the people who endure calamities for the sake of Allah. The first position would be salutations from their Lord; that is, the same GOD who sends His salutations upon the Holy Prophet (Surah al-Ahzab, verse 56: Surely Allah and his angels send their salutations upon the prophet…) the same GOD sends blessings and salutations on such calamity-stricken person.
Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani continued: “The second blessing upon such people will be Allah’s Rahmat (Mercy), which is described in the Holy Quran as: ... and the Mercy of your Lord is better than what they amass (Surah al-Zukhruf: Verse 32)”.
Ayatollah Vahid then referred to the third high position to be bestowed upon the calamity-stricken believers as “divine guidance” (Hidayat). He said: “This guidance is guidance from Allah. Only those who are guided by Allah will be able to guide others; and basically such guided people can be leaders of other people.”
At the end of his conversation, Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani renewed his condolences to Sheikh Zakzaky and announced that he will spare no efforts to help the families of Quds Day’s victims in Zaria and asked Sheikh Zakzaky to convey his condolences to all families of the martyrs.
Sheikh Zakzaky, too, thanked Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani for his phone call and conveyed salams and highest regards of Nigerian Shites to this great scholar.
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