Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi in first lesson of new semester:

This year's Hajj pilgrimage should stress Islamic unity

Rasa – Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi has emphasized the pilgrimage this year will be different to previous years and stressed that this years’ Hajj must focus on Islamic unity and those issues which cause conflict between Muslims should be avoided

News ID: 3296

Date: 06 September 2015 - 18:03

RNA – Speaking during his first advanced jurisprudence class of the new semester at Qom’s Masjid al-A’dham (Grand Mosque), Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi stated that there has never been a time in Islamic history like today where Islam, the Prophet Muhammad and his pure family have been under such severe attacks by its enemies.

“Today, Islam stands against their intrusive and illegitimate goals and for this reason they have begun their attacks on all [Muslims].”

His Eminence stressed that the clergy are the defenders of the sanctity of Islam, adding that the clergy should be ready to defend and understand the strength and power of Islamic culture in order to stand against the enemies’ attacks and to prevail over them because the advancement of Islam in the world is the reason for these attacks.

Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi said that the clergy with the strongest will and determination must be the scholars of their time.

“Scholars and clergymen should be aware of their time and place, study well and consider their daily needs until they are prepared,” he said.

He emphasized that the Islamic seminaries’ tradition of group discussion should not be forgotten and added that seminarians should not only attend their classes and take notes but they must learn their lessons well and sincerely, and advised: “Their intentions must be sincere as God helps those with sincere intentions. If one attends their classes in ablution, their sincerity will be greater and they will be more successful at learning their lessons.”

In another part of his lecture, the renowned source of emulation referred to the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah, saying the pilgrimage this year will be different to previous years and stressed that this years’ Hajj must focus on Islamic unity and those issues which cause conflict between Muslims should be avoided because of the growth of the Takfiri phenomenon and their stance against all Muslims.

Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi added that there is no difference between Sunnis, Shi’as, Christians or Zoroastrians for Takfiris. Regretfully, the West has aided Takfiris greatly. “Some, like the Zionist regime, have explicitly stated that they have no reason to crush ISIL because they consider Muslims as their enemies,” he said.

The professor in the Islamic Seminary of Qom pointed out that other countries such as the United States and Turkey have given practical support to the Takfiri terrorists, adding: “With such hostility and dangerous support of these terrorists, it is necessarily that Muslims be more united than ever before and realize that these enemies will not have mercy on anyone.”

He added that all issues that cause division, fear, hostility and hatred should be avoided, saying: “All Muslims should try to take steps towards unity and God-willing, we can stand up against the enemies of Islam.”

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