We need to get to know audience well, introduce pure Islam based on their literature: Ayatollah Ramazani

News News of Secretary General

Saturday, 11 December 2021

A group of German clerics from the seminary of Qom met with Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, the secretary general of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, in the meeting room of this Assembly in Qom.

On Thursday, December 9, 2021, a group of German clerics of the seminary of Qom met with Ayatollah Reza Ramazani, Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, in the meeting room of the Assembly in Qom.

We must learn from the life of Lady Zainab (a.s.)

In this meeting, while congratulating the birth anniversary of Lady Zainab (a.s.) and Nurse’s Day, Ayatollah Ramazani stated, “We must learn from the life of Lady Zainab (a.s.). In particular, her mission to propagate the Karbala Event, as an analyst of this important propagation movement was able to become a role model for women around the world.”

“Although the tragedy of Karbala was devastating, Lady Zainab (a.s.) saw all the hardships as beautiful and this should be a model for us,” he added, considering performing the duties as one of the characteristics of Lady Zainab (a.s.).

We need to get to know audience well, introduce pure Islam based on their literature

“There has never been a time like this to introduce pure Islam,” the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly continued, “We are at the best time to propagate the school of AhlulBayt (a.s.). But it is important to first get to know our audience better, and then introduce pure Islam based on their literature. To introduce Islam, it is necessary to know the language of the region and thank God you are fluent in German.”

“The German language is very important in the world and many new topics in the fields of theology, philosophy and humanities have been raised by the Germans. Also, after English, German books have the highest circulation,” he continued, considering German as one of the most important languages in the world.

The need for the presence of seminary graduates in German academic centers

“Unfortunately, there are few people who can attend academic centers. At one of the meetings, I told a German university official, “You invite people who do not have an accurate reading of the Shia. You should invite people from the (Islamic) seminary who have a maximum view of the religion”. Because the social rules of Islam are more than its individual rules,” said Ayatollah Ramazani, emphasizing the need for the presence of scholars and clerics in German universities and academic centers.

“You are a graduate of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) school, and you should show this in your behavior and actions. So that when we speak, others would say, “These are the educated of the school of Imam Sadeq (a.s.)”,” he said, addressing the German students living in Qom.

Referring to the importance of paying attention to rationality and jurisprudence, the professor of the highest levels of the seminary of Qom added, “It is necessary that these two principles appear in our individual and social behaviors such as patience, loyalty, tolerance, etc.”

Duties of German clerics after returning to their home country

Regarding the duties of German clerics after returning to their country, he said, “When you return to your country from Qom, your before and after should be different. As people would say, “These are trained, and their talking, walking, eating, drinking, etc. have been changed”. You should introduce people to God. Many people tried to erase the name of God, but you must lead them to the AhlulBayt (a.s.) and be trustworthy and honest. Religion is entrusted to us. In a meeting I had with the late Ayatollah Bahjat, he said, “I entrust God to you”. He meant that some people want to erase the name and remembrance of God, and we must revive it.”

“We have to implement the religion in ourselves so that others can benefit from it. We must first practice religion ourselves, be properly educated, and be “polite” about ourselves, others, and God. That is, we should have politeness with the soul, with the people, and with God,” said the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, referring to the individual and social duties of the missionaries.

“Some introduce Islam by removing the Sharia. In such a way that the Enjoining the Good, Hajj, Khums, Zakat, etc. is not in Islam! They are looking for an excuse to evade performing their religious duties. In Germany, a liberal mosque has been built with a female imam! They also express Islam individually and empirically!” he added, stating that today in the West, Islam is introduced upside down.

The need to highlight the spiritual, moral, and mystical dimensions of Islam

“The spirituality, morality and mysticism of Islam derive from the Sharia, and the Sharia that provides a program for the Muslim is very important,” Ayatollah Ramazani said, emphasizing the need to highlight the spiritual, moral, and mystical dimensions of Islam.

In propagating Islam, we should not be content with just saying sentences and go. Rather, we must bring the concepts and knowledge to the heart and soul of the audience. According to the Quran, we are in charge of “clarification”, and we must be influential in the hearts and souls of the people,” he further stated.

“Get in touch with young people, participate in their camps and answer their questions. Because in Europe, there are many questions and doubts for young people. We should also try to use the knowledge of religion and spirituality to purify our souls,” said the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly, addressing the German clerics living in Qom.

“It is important to know how to deal with the audience. The Quran describes how to deal with wisdom, preaching, and good argument. We must be adorned with the virtues of morality in order to be successful in teaching the virtues of morality. The virtues are determined in dealing with others, but the merits are related to the human being himself and the aspect of internal education,” he said, emphasizing that one must have scientific and spiritual grandeur.

“AhlulBayt (a.s.) International University is active in 16 fields of study, and students from 14 countries study at this university. Thaqalayn TV has 18 million viewers. ABNA News Agency is active in 25 languages. There are many preachers around the world affiliated to the Assembly, and we have published more than 2,000 books in 61 languages. Wiki Shia is also active in 12 languages and has many visitors from all over the world,” said the professor of the higher levels of the seminary of Qom in description of the activities of the Assembly, while advising the German clerics living in Qom to be in touch with the different sections of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.

Question and answer

In response to one of the audiences about how the clerics take a stand in the elections in Western countries, Ayatollah Ramazani said, “We are not against the civil laws of the countries, and you should emphasize this issue, and also be sensitive to the observance of the laws of each country.”

“Muslims living in the West must have an active presence in society. One of the areas of this presence is the participation in the elections. Some Muslims have now become mayors or members of parliament. Is it better if we have a few Muslim representatives in the German parliament or not at all? Obviously, it is better if we have a Muslim representative,” he added, emphasizing the importance of participating in the elections.

“Of course, if we cannot maintain our religion in a city and our religion is in danger, we should leave that city,” stated the Secretary-General of the AhlulBayt (a.s.) World Assembly.

“Muslim political participation in elections must be bold and effective in accordance with the rules and regulations. If we can do something by voting and the presence of Muslim representatives in the parliament and approving the ban on insulting the sanctities of Islam, we must do it, so that no one insults Muslims and their values. Sometimes the presence of Muslims causes great changes. For example, the presence of Muslim merchants and missionaries in Indonesia caused the country to become Muslim, and the movement of Muslim merchants played a major role in the conversion of Indonesia to Islam,” Ayatollah Ramazani emphasized.

“Today, according to Western laws, there is freedom of action, and Shiites and Muslims in the West can create a network of jurists to enforce the rights of Shiites and Muslims,” he said in the end.

To view pictures of this meeting click here.

AhlulBayt (a_s_) World Assembly Ayatollah Ramazani Islam literature