Ayatollah Ostadi:

“The problems of society are rooted in indifference to religion”

Rasa – Ayatollah Ostadi has described the problems of modern society as rooted in the neglect of religion, said that many social problems in society are due to corruption and neglecting the performance of religious duties and disregard of religion.

News ID: 1541

Date: 03 November 2014 - 16:54

RNA – In a lecture marking the Tasu’a (the ninth night of Muharram), Ayatollah Reza Ostadi, a member of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom, stated that some people think that movement of Imam Husayn (A) and his subsequent martyrdom can be understood by crying, seeking intercession and supplicating for a few nights during Muharram. He stated that these actions are indeed emphasized in the traditions, but that the movement of Imam Husayn (A) was so great that it cannot only be summed up in a few brief words and actions.

The movement and uprising of Imam Husayn (A) has many aspects and we can understand all of these aspects by referring to the traditions and the words of the Infallible Imams (A). For Imam Husayn (A), his family (A) and righteous companions (RA), their fight and sacrifice on the day of Ashura was to defend the noble religion of Islam from the oppressors and evil-doers and to prevent its destruction.

Ayatollah Ostadi stated that the late Imam Khomeini (RA) differentiated between what he called “American Islam” and pure Muhammadan Islam, giving the example of Hadhrat Abbas (A) who was willing to die to save Islam, as an example of true Muhammadan Islam in contrast to the Islam of the Ummayad dynasty, who sought to gain only worldly pleasures.

The Prophet Muhammad (S) foresaw this and stated “a time will come when  people see their religion as a detriment to them and will only think about their worldly desires.” Ayatollah Ostadi stated that all the roots of all the problems in society, such as corruption and divorce, are due to people neglecting their religious duties and disregarding religion as a whole.

Ayatollah Ostadi emphasized on the importance of attending the mourning ceremonies for Imam Husayn (A) because they are nights which revive and protect Islam. “These ceremonies are the cause for the reduction of sins and corruption in society,” he stated, according to Rasa News Agency.

He added that all institutions and administrators have a duty to protect the spirituality of our youth. “Youth should not wait for others to provide for their spirituality but rather, the first person to provide a decisive role in one’s spiritual development should be the youth themselves.”

The renowned scholar stated that self-esteem is one of the most important areas for the spiritual development of the youth and stated that the late Imam Khomeini (RA) always advised young people to have self-esteem. “If the Iranian youth of today had the same spirit and determination as the people during the [Iran-Iraq] war, they would be as successful as the last generation was... Today’s religious youth are the hope of this nation.”

Ayatollah Ostadi also added that a young person accustomed to sinning has the power to decide whether to cleanse himself or not. One of the merits of the religion of Islam is that it explains good actions and bad actions and allows the believer to freely choose his or her own path in life.

He also added that as long as long as someone is living well and does not need anything from this world, he talks about religion. However, in reality, true religious people are few because most flee from religion when they are tested.

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