Ayatollah Alavi-Gorgani:

The world is astonished the presence of millions of pilgrims during Arba’in

Rasa – Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Mohammad-Ali Alavi-Gorgani has met with a group of police officers from throughout Iran. He discussed the straight path in Islam and the upcoming commemoration of Arba’in.

News ID: 1781

Date: 08 December 2014 - 20:44

RNA – Ayatollah Alavi-Gorgani referred to the Quran, wherein God has said: “...Thereby He leads many astray, and thereby He guides many; and He leads no one astray thereby except the transgressors.” [2:26] His Eminence stated that God does not allow his servants to be lead astray but He guides them to the straight path.

He added that the “straight path” is the path of salvation for the believers from the path of error and darkness. In the Quran, God warns that if a person chooses a path other than the true path, they will be lead astray.

The renowned teacher of the Holy Seminary of Qom stressed that human nature is pure and due to this, children are always on the right path. But, unfortunately after a while, due to their parents raising them incorrectly, they begin to lie and commit other sins.

“Consequently, the straight and true path ultimately leads to a [positive] goal but the consequences of the wrong path lead to a [negative] outcome which does not elevate one to a lofty level. The straight path contains virtues and the wrong path leads to vices which can twist the true path into a path of treachery,” Ayatollah Alavi-Gorgani stated.

His Eminence stated that the best time to learn about Islamic teachings and recognise God is during one’s youth as one can easily reform their actions with repentance. After one’s youth has passed,  it becomes more difficult to reform oneself and repent.

In another part of his lecture, Ayatollah Alavi-Gorgani offered his condolences on the upcoming commemoration of the Arba’in of Imam Husayn – the fortieth day after the tragedy of Ashura, when the Imam, his family and companions were brutally martyred on the plains of Karbala in 61 CE.

Regarding the “Supplication for the Day of Arba’in” – a supplication narrated from the sixth Imam, Ja’far al-Sadiq, which is highly recommended to recite on this sorrowful day – Ayatollah Alavi-Gorgani stated: “In this supplication, we recite: ‘Oh God... [Imam Husayn] sacrificed his soul for You to save Your servants from ignorance...’”

He added that this supplication shows that sometimes it is necessary to give one’s life in the way of God to protect Islam. “Throughout his life, Imam Husayn also guided people and gave his life for them,” he stated.

The source of emulation also explained the acceptance of one’s deeds are dependent on their acceptance of the guardianship of the Ahlul-Bayt, saying: “As long as the seal of Imam Husayn is not on the record of our deeds, we cannot reach the holy station of God.”

He pointed to the great flood of pilgrims from all over the world who travel to the Holy Shrine of Imam Husayn in Karbala. Even non-Muslim historians are surprised at the presence of millions of pilgrims, who despite the harsh conditions in Iraq, undertake this pilgrimage!

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