Ayatollah Makarem describes ISIS as 'the most brutal group in history'

Rasa – Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi explained that Western governments are supporting and strengthening ISIL, the most brutal group in history, as a means to achieve their evil goals.

News ID: 2900

Date: 07 July 2015 - 21:21

RNA – During the 19th part of his nightly Ramadan lecture series on the subject of Du’a Makarim al-Akhlaq (Imam as-Sajjad’s “Supplication on Noble Moral Traits”) being broadcast on Iranian television, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi said that in section sixteen of this supplication, Imam as-Sajjad (A) states that God seeks to inspire the believers to be pious.

His Eminence pointed to the branches of virtue, saying that one of these branches is in regards to political virtues. In this branch, there are good policies and evil policies. Sometimes due to the various effects of propaganda, the political arena is darkened and one does not know which way is right and what is wrong. In this case, divine inspiration should come to the people and to show them correct way to proceed.

Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi explained that evil policies are those policies which are not bound by any means. They use any means available in order to achieve their political will and goals.

He added that those politicians who implement evil policies would sacrifice their own children in order to achieve success. In the Holy Quran, we read that the Pharaoh sought to kill all boys who were born and keep all girls. This wasn’t due to his mercy, but rather to keep them as servants and to use them to serve their physical needs.

The revered source of emulation stated that currently, the West is using Takfiri terrorism as a means to achieve their evil policies in the region. “Westerners are strengthening ISIL, who have proven that they the most brutal group of individuals in history. The strengthening of ISIL is the West’s means to achieve their evil goals,” he explained.

Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi explained that during the eight-year long Imposed War [Iran-Iraq War], the West and the Europeans gave Saddam chemical weapons. Saddam destroyed the city of Halabja with these chemical weapons and also used them against Iran. “Evil politicians will never succeed in reaching any of their goals through such conditions,” he said.

His Eminence said during the Battle of Siffin, the Syrian troops under Mu’awiyah cut access to the Euphrates off to the army of Imam Ali (A). After an attack by troops who were led by Imam Husayn (A), access to the river was regained. Some among Imam Ali’s (A) troops asked permission from the Imam (A) to prevent the enemy from access to the Euphrates but Imam Ali (A) stressed that: “God made water allowable for everyone and I will not deny water to anyone, even my worst enemies.”

“This act shows the merciful policies of Islam,” Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi said.

The renowned scholar added: “If a man fights against his enemy, he should keep human ethics in mind. During the Battle of Khaybar, it was suggested to the Prophet Muhammad (S) that the fort’s drinking water be poisoned in order to enter the fort, but the Prophet was not willing to do such an evil act.”

“But today, we see the West has produced chemical weapons and even gave them to Saddam to use as he wished,” he said.

Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi, explaining the differences between merciful policies and evil policies, said that said politics must be accompanied by piety and everything should be done under the shadow of virtue. Imam Ali (A) said that without piety, we could [brutally] condemn all of our enemies, but due to piety we cannot condemn them with any method we want.

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