The closing ceremony of the “International Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)” was held on Thursday evening, March 11, 2021, at the Imam Khomeini School in Qom. On this day, after three years of activity, this important scientific and cultural event ends its work in a three-day conference, by presenting dozens of books and articles, translating dozens of valuable works, and holding 42 scientific pre-sessions, several art events, and cultural festivals, and holding sessions for five specialized committees.
The main speaker at the closing ceremony of the conference, which was held at the Imam Khomeini Higher Education Complex in Qom, was Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly. In his speech, in addition to referring to the Prophet’s Be’that, he explained the effects of holding the conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.).
Be’that of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) and the revelatory view of man
Regarding the blessings of the Be’that, the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly said, “One of the blessings and results of the Prophet’s Be’that was to bring people from material life to rational life and to introduce man based on revelation. It also caused God to become man’s teacher and man to learn from God’s teachings.”
“Be’that is for the liberation of human beings from the shackles that they have created for themselves. The most important result of the Be’that is for the humanity to be on the path of honor and for them to put themselves on the path of honor by striving and increasing their faith and righteous deeds,” he emphasized.
“God Almighty has introduced himself as “Akram” (the most munificent or benevolent) in the Quran. Angels also have the status of, and the Book of God (the Quran) also has the status of “Keramat” (munificence). His prophet is also a Karim (munificent) prophet. Therefore, certainly, if human beings benefit from the teachings of “Akram” (the most munificent or benevolent) God, they will achieve relative munificence with the Quran,” added Ayatollah Ramazani.
“The difference between the virtues and the dignity is that dignity is realized in dealing with others. But virtues depend on how a person’s soul is trained. If a person’s spirit becomes virtuous, his soul also develops. That is, the human soul expands,” continued the Islamic thinker.
Several years of effort for the conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)
“The idea of holding the Aboutaleb International Conference was presented in March 2017. Then meetings and related activities began. The conference was scheduled to be held in person in February and March 2020. But it did not happen due to the outbreak of Covid-19,” said Ayatollah Reza Ramazani in the closing ceremony of the “the International Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.); Supporter of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h)”, appreciating the authors of the articles and books, the Deputy of Cultural Affairs of the Assembly, the organizers of the conference and the special care of the Sources of the Emulation to the conference.
“Despite some problems, it was decided to hold this international conference this year, both in-person and online, and no further delay was appropriate,” Ayatollah Ramazani continued.
“In this regard, glorious works were produced by the authors. Also, a large number of scientific pre-conferences were held and good discussions were held in them. The meetings of the specialized committees were also active in the past few days and their results will be used in the future,” he stated, appreciating Hojat al-Islam Sabahi Kashani, the head of the research institute of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.).
Objectives of the conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)
Regarding the objectives of the International Conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, said, “One of the aims of the Assembly is to introduce figures such as Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.). Therefore, one of the objectives of holding a conference about Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) was to perform as such, it means introducing the figures of the Islamic world, and redefining and reviewing these important figures.”
“When we study the history of Islam, we see that Abu Talib (a.s.) played the most prominent role in the Be’that of the Prophet (p.b.u.h). Of course, people like Hazrat Khadija (a.s.), the first martyrs of Islam, namely Yasir, Lady Somayeh, and others have all been influential. But Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) has had the most prominent impact on the success of the Be’that,” Ayatollah Ramazani continued.
“People should know that Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) was one of the honors of Islam, and he should be known comprehensively,” added the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, emphasizing that Muslims should know the great figures of their religion.
“Abu Talib (a.s.) is one of the oppressed figures of the beginning of Islam, and he must be known accurately. There is no one more oppressed than him at the time of Prophet’s Be’that,” he continued.
“When we met Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, he suggested making a film about Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.). This important proposal must be pursued,” added the chairman of the conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), considering the “answering doubts” as one of the other objectives of holding this conference.
“Also, Grand Ayatollahs Safi Golpayegani and Nouri Hamedani had positive views of the conference and provided guidance. We are also scheduled to meet with other Sources of Emulation after the conference and provide them with a report on the conference,” he continued.
Characteristics of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)
Regarding the characteristics of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) according to hadiths sources and historical facts, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “Hazrat Abu Talib was “Monotheist (Mowahed)”, “Muslim”, “Believer”, “Has the highest degree of faith”, “His prayer was answered (by God)”, “Friend of God”, “Guided by God”, “Intercessor of sinners on the Day of Judgment”, “Pure”, “from the generation of prophets and divine successors”, “enemy of idolatry”, “generous”, “announcer of future events”, “wise”, “brave”, “acceptable among the Arabs”, “supporter of the weak”, “Extremely benevolent”, “Patient”, “Trustworthy”, “Wise and possessor of wisdom”, “With a lot of knowledge”, “With positions of sovereignty and wisdom (as everyone accepted him)”, “Sayed al-Bat’ha”, “Sheikh al-Abatah”, and “the head of Mecca”.”
“It seems that Abd al-Muttalib (Prophet’s grandfather), Abu Talib (Prophet’s paternal uncle), and Khadija had a mission from God to save the life of the Prophet (p.b.u.h). Abu Talib (a.s.) was literally “educator”, and he also considered himself “trustworthy” to this great trust,” he also said.
During the hard times of the Sh’eb (valley) of Abi Talib, and the social and economic siege of the Quraysh against Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) and his followers, the Kuffar (infidels) of Mecca demanded that Abu Talib (a.s.) hand over the Prophet (p.b.u.h) to them. (But refusing to do so) Abu Talib wrote his famous Lamia Ode and expressed his beliefs. If we look at this poem, we realize the peak of his faith. Abu Talib says in one of the verses of the poem, “Let everyone know that we do not deny Muhammad, and we do not accept the words of false people”,” said the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, regarding the support of Hazrat Abu Talib for the Prophet (p.b.u.h).
“The importance of this ode is so great that Imam Sadegh (a.s.) says about it, “Learn the ode of Lamia and teach it to your children”. These poems show that Abu Talib had a lot of knowledge, defended the oppressed, and followed the right,” Ayatollah Ramazani added.
Abu Talib (a.s.); a clear example of perseverance and exhort to endurance
“Abu Talib (a.s.) stood against the expectation and authoritarian people and did not meet their demands,” continued the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
“Abu Talib (a.s.) defended the right beliefs and in this way, endured and resisted. He is a clear example of perseverance and exhorting to endurance. Relying on the right path, Abu Talib (a.s.) withstood the oppressors, and became a shining star in the sky of guidance,” he stated, referring to the words of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution on the anniversary of the Be’that of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) about “exhorting to truth and the endurance”.
Even the seminary community does not know Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)!
“Despite those inspiring descriptions and those unique influences, even our seminary community does not have an accurate and comprehensive knowledge of Abu Talib, let alone the Muslim public! Therefore, some Sources of Emulation said that we made a deliberate mistake in this matter - and not inadvertently,” Ayatollah said Ramazani, regarding the oppression of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.).
“From the age eight of the Prophet (p.b.u.h), when Abd al-Muttalib (a.s.) (his grandfather) passed away until his age of fifty, Abu Talib (a.s.) was a companion and the main supporter of the Holy Prophet for 42 years. However, it’s a sign of his oppression that some still have doubts about his faith,” he said, explaining Abu Talib’s oppression.
“It is great oppression that a person who has a special family, social and political status, and has been a divine guardian, a friend of God, and has a position of faith, be accused of Kufr (infidelity). Abu Talib (a.s.) is the one who did not withhold the support of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) for 42 years, and dedicated himself and his family to the Prophet (p.b.u.h),” he continued.
Approximate view between Islamic schools of Thought in the conference of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.)
“One of the objectives of the conference of Abu Talib (a.s.) was to revive the history of Islam. Therefore, in it, we did not have an ethnic or denominational point of view. This conference provided a platform for us to get to know Abu Talib (a.s.) as one of the greatest figures of the Islamic world as a whole, not only the Shia,” stated Ayatollah Ramazani, emphasizing the approach of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly in its activities for the proximity of the Islamic schools of thought.
“The essence of this conference is the proximity and unity of the Islamic Ummah. Therefore, we see Islamic scholars, both Sunni and Shiite - in their various sects- have cooperated in the conference. Because Hazrat Abu Talib is one of the figures who is generally accepted among all Muslims, and fair scholars from all denominations praise him well and honor him,” continued the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.
Abu Talib (a.s.) and today’s society
“We must learn from the lessons of Abu Talib (a.s.) for today’s society and the Islamic Revolution,” added the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, stating that in the early days of Islam, there were no more influential figures than Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.).
“For example, just as he spent his reputation for the Be’that and Mission of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) and his guiding movement, we must spend our reputation for the purposes of the Islamic Revolution (of Iran),” he emphasized.
“Abu Talib (a.s.) resisted for 42 years until the movement of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) came to fruition. We should not retreat in the face of arrogant powers, and we must resist in the way of Islam,” said Ayatollah Ramazani, considering the “Resistance” as one of the important lessons of Abu Talib (a.s.) for the life of Muslims today.
It should be mentioned that by the initiation of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, and support and cooperation of the similar institutions, including, “Imam Hossein (a.s.) Holy Shrine”, “Hazrat Aboutaleb Research and Publishing Institute”, “The World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought”, “Islamic Sciences and Culture Academy of Islamic Propagation Office”, “Al-Mustafa International University”, “Hawza Language teaching center”, “International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.)”, “Mirath-e Nabowat Cultural Institute”, “Jamiat al-Zahra Seminary University”, “Zorria al-Nabawia Research Center”, “Qasem ibn al-Hassan (a.s.) Religious-Cultural Institute”, and “Abna al-Rasoul Cultural and Artistic Institute”; international conference “Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.), Supporter of the Great Prophet (p.b.u.h)” was held on Rajab 25, 26 and 27, 1442 (March 9, 10 and 11, 2021) on the anniversary of the demise of Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.).
Click here to see the website of the conference.
