Itikaf is the best time for pondering and prayer: Ayatollah Ramazani

News News of Secretary General

Monday, 06 February 2023

The Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “Worldly requests and being adorned with virtues are one of the human desires in prayer. However, the prayer itself is desirable.”

ABWA Official Website – On Saturday, February 4, 2023, in his speech at the Itikaf gathering in the Jamkaran Mosque, the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly stated, “Divine success is the best means in the path of worshiping God.”

Presenting a suggestion to the participants of the Itikaf, Ayatollah Reza Ramazani stated, “It is very desirable to form Maarifa (divine knowledge) circles during Itifkaf days. When I was in Hamburg, we had four Maarifa circles. In these circles, young people asked their questions, and the questions were answered.”

About the duties of Shiites towards the Imams (a.s.) he said, “Our knowledge and understanding about Imams (a.s.) should be high. Therefore, we should ask God for knowledge on a daily basis. The Ziyarat Jamia Kabira has correctly introduced the real and legal position of the Imams to us.”

“Then, the love for AhlulBayt (a.s.) should be increased. If Maarifa is increased, love will also be increased. The love of AhlulBayt (a.s.) leads us to the love of God. Because God is beloved by nature, and the love of AhlulBayt (a.s.) is the best way to get God’s love. The more we love AhlulBayt (a.s.), the closer we will be to God,” added the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.

Regarding the other duty of Shiites towards Imams (a.s.), he said, “The third duty of Shiites is to obey the Imams (a.s.). If a person is devoted to the Infallibles (a.s.), he must obey them, and today, this obedience is defined in following Wilayat and Marjaiat.”

“According to a hadith, the person who loves Ali (a.s.) is blessed, and anyone who loves that imam will be blessed,” the professor of the higher levels of the seminary said on the virtues of Imam Ali, adding, “Imam Musa Sadr believed that Imam Ali (a.s.) can be known in several ways: First, the (Quranic) verses about him; second, historical books that have written a lot about the virtues of that Imam; third, Imam Ali (a.s.) can be recognized through the behavior of Shiites. Therefore, we Shiites should follow the example of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) and be their behavioral representatives.”

“Addressing his Shiites, Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “Be pious, diligent, and seek chastity, and be steadfast in the path you have chosen.” Therefore, today we should introduce the AhlulBayt (a.s.) with our behavior. In a hadith, Imam Sadeq (a.s.) said, “We want our followers to be wise, understanding, knowledgeable, patient, loyal, and tolerant,” he added.

“Itikaf is the best time for pondering and prayer,” in another part of his speech, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “Worship is to reach God’s service. Therefore, selfishness and godliness cannot be added together. With Itikaf, we should know our faults. Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “A person’s awareness of his faults makes him forget about the faults of others.” Such gatherings and circles are for asking God to be people of virtues and wisdom and to follow the truth. God loves the truth from his servant and therefore, we must follow the truth so that God considers us as his servants.”

Regarding the types of human requests in prayer, he said, “Worldly requests and being adorned with virtues are one of the human desires in prayer. However, the prayer itself is desirable. We should be grateful that we were worthy to talk to God. The prayer itself is desirable even if we do not ask God for anything. Sometimes people forget to ask God for something. But God says, “I have not forgotten, I will give you abundantly.”

“In the Catholic Church, people confess their sins to a priest. But it does not exist in Islam. God says, “وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ” (When My servants ask you about Me, [tell them that] I am indeed nearmost. I answer the supplicant’s call when he calls Me.” (Holy Quran, Surah: Al-Baqarah, Verse: 186).  Some ulama believe that this verse is one of the gentlest verses in the Quran. In this verse, God speaks of Himself seven times and has removed mediation,” added the Secretary General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly. /345/

AhlulBayt (a_s_) World Assembly Ayatollah Ramazani Itikaf