At AhlulBayt Intl. University, research level should be improved: Ayatollah Ramazani

News Conferences & Exhibitions News of Secretary General

Tuesday, 21 December 2021

The Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “To stand out, the AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University must raise the level of research, and its classrooms must be based on thought.”

On Monday, December 20, 2021, the first session of the series of “Mondays of Ethics” was held under the title “Applied Ethics Meeting” at the International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.).

At the beginning of the meeting, the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly congratulated the students, researchers, and professors of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University on Research Week.

Regarding the fields of activity of AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University, Ayatollah Reza Ramazani stated, “By the grace of God, this university must be in its dignity and position in terms of Ma’refat, science and knowledge. Those who attend university must be influential and managerial in their own countries. To achieve this important goal, hardware and software aspects must be examined and efforts made in these areas.”

“University management can be a source of wisdom, and the wisdom can adjust the university affairs for the necessary growth and think of a plan. University professors, with their expertise and teaching, are another pillar that can play crucial roles. The third pillar are students. All measures are taken so that students at different levels of education can study in their field of study, acquire specialization, and commit to the assigned tasks.”

Islam’s view on the necessity of teaching and learning

Regarding the necessity of teaching and learning from the Islamic point of view, the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “In defining a religious community, one of the important features is research. Therefore, it is emphasized in Islam that the society should be based on teaching and learning science. That is, some must be educated, and others must be educated. In the next step, those who are trained must teach. The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “إنَّما بُعِثتُ مُعَلِّما”, means “Indeed, I was sent to be the teacher of human beings”. Also, the second verse of the surah Al-Jumu'ah, “وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الكِتبَ وَالحِكَمة” (and to teach them the Book and wisdom), refers to the same issue. One of the obvious and worthy attributes of the Prophet is to be a teacher.”

“For a society to grow and prosper, it must consider all dimensions, and put thinking at the core. It is stated in the hadiths that “لَيْسَتِ اَلْعِبَادَةُ بكَثْرَة اَلصِّيَامِ وَ اَلصَّلاَةِ”, meaning that the worship is not much in prayer and fasting. The Holy Quran also emphasizes thinking. The hadith “تَفَکُّرُ ساعَةٍ خَیرٌ مِنْ عِبادَةِ سَبْعَیْنَ سَنَةً” means that thinking for an hour is better than 70 years of worship. When a person comes out of the class of knowledge, he must have become a thinker. The student should be taught to think and have reason in any field. Therefore, the professor himself must be up to date. The third form is being a lover of knowledge. Therefore, one must be either a scholar, or learner or lover of knowledge. A society will develop that has these three characteristics,” he continued.

Knowledge provides the basis for political and military power

Stating that knowledge can provide the basis for political and military power, the professor of higher levels of the seminary of Qom added, “Without knowledge, political and military power cannot be achieved. For this reason, it is stated in Islamic text that “العلم سلطان” means that the knowledge is the Sultan or the king. The knowledge we are talking about is not just word “science” in English, but it is knowledge in the general sense. That is, any knowledge can play a crucial role and bring man to the truth.”

“The research methods in different fields of study has its own definition. It is stated in the hadiths that “لا عمل کالتّحقیق” means that there is no action more important than research. Therefore, the role of research is very important. Research is everywhere supporting. If a professor does not have a new and up-to-date research, he will not make the necessary scientific growth,” stated the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, regarding the importance of research.

“To stand out, the AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University must raise the level of research, and its classrooms must be based on thought. For education to thrive, research must be at a high level. We need to be holistic about research areas. Also, for knowledge to find its place, it must be accompanied by morality and spirituality,” he added.

Research methods should be properly implemented in AhlulBayt (a.s.) University

“In the statement of the second phase of the revolution, the Supreme Leader had seven recommendations, the first of which is on the advancement of science and knowledge, ethics and spirituality. Knowledge and ethics are the Islamic lifestyle to achieve the ideal society,” said Ayatollah Ramazani, explaining the importance of morality and spirituality.

“At AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University, the number of fields of study will increase. We hope that research methods will be properly implemented in this university,” he stated.

“As human beings, each of us must know our own flaws. If one seeks for his or her own flaws, he or she will forget the faults of others,” said the professor of the higher levels of the seminary of Qom, expressing the moral advice to the director, professors and students of AhlulBayt (a.s.) University.

“We humans must find spiritual existence and understand the meaning of life. That is, we must know that our lives are not in vain but have meaning, and God is wise to have created this meaningful being. In the Quran, in 115^th verse of surah Al-Mu’minun, God says, “أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ” (Did you suppose that We created you aimlessly, and that you will not be brought back to Us?’). This verse refers to the meaning of human life. The whole universe is created based on truth. In this regard, God says, “مَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ” (We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them save with truth) (Holy Quran, Surah Al Aḥqāf, Verse: 46). He is the obvious truth, and the truth makes the truth. When it comes to the story of man, God invites man to infinite life, and that is what matters. “وَاللَّهُ يَدْعُو إِلَىٰ دَارِ السَّلَامِ” (Allah invites to the abode of peace) (Holy Quran, Surah Yunus, Verse 25). Based on this Quranic verse, man is called to infinite life. Therefore, the path to Marefat, both from inside and outside, is open to all human beings. We must benefit from this Marefat and cognition,” he continued.

AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University must have a think tank

“In this meeting, Hojat al-Islam Dr. Saeed Jazari, the president of AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University stated, “Having a research institute is essential for a university. Also, efforts for the University publications, are valuable.”

“Today, research in scientific centers is the first pillar of development for us and many other countries. Many developed countries of the world have made the education system research-based. The reason is that when all matters are research- based, the country’s academic field and scientific diplomacy grow,” he added.

“In the AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University, the courses for postgraduate and doctoral students are not text-based, they are based on research. Developed countries are moving toward the school-centered system. That is, after graduation, the priority is the “school”. The term “school” here refers to higher education centers where master’s and doctoral degrees are taught. In these schools, eligible bachelor graduates are awarded scholarships for master’s and doctoral. Therefore, we, as an academic center, are trying to promote the position of the International University of AhlulBayt (a.s.) with the help of its professors and students. At the beginning of next year, we will hold two meetings and conferences, which will be the first international conferences of the university,” continued Jazari, explaining that the concept of research-based education means leaving text-based education with respect to the text.

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• AhlulBayt (a_s_) International University
• AhlulBayt (a_s_) World Assembly
• Ayatollah Ramazani