An open letter f r o m Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi to Abdul-Aziz Aal Sheikh, the head Mufti of Saudi Arabia

In his name, the most high
Dear Sheikh
In your recent statement, you have called Shia Muslims the “Zoroastrian Safavis” and the enemies of Muslims, in an offensive manner which is not proper for an Islamic scholar; you have called on other Muslims to keep away f r o m Shia. This is not the first time that we hear such irrational and offensive statements f r o m Wahhabi scholar, libels which sow the seeds of conflict among Muslims and delight the enemies.
Your blasphemous statement about his holiness, Imam Mahdi (‘a) and your insult to Shia Muslims only because of their belief to Imam Mahdi (‘a) is another obscene act which has not been unprecedented. It indicates that you Wahhabi Muftis escape f r o m logical discussions but always hide behind your insulting language and blasphemies.
However, I would like to remind you some points:
1- It was not expected f r o m you in such position to forget the teachings of the Holy Quran which recommend inviting to the way of God with wisdom and good instruction (1); but instead, you resort to insults, slanders and lies, which are abhorred things in Islam.
2- Unfortunately you do not have enough information about the history of Islam and even about your own Hadith books which have acknowledged that the name of Shia was chosen by the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) for the followers of Imam Ali (‘a) and f r o m that time they were known by this name. You would better have a look at the history of Islam, centuries before Safavi dynasty the followers of Imam Ali (‘a) who were called Shia lived in Mecca, Medina, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Iran and in the other parts of the world, they even established some governments there.
3- You, the Great Mufti of Wahhabis have forgotten this fact that without Shia Muslims in Iran and Lebanon, the entire Middle East would have been conquered by Israel and the United States, and it is not clear where your Muftis were at that time and what they were doing.
4- When Israel was massacring the Sunni Muslims of Gaza, Shia Muslims in Iran and other places supported them more than all, and if it had not been for their support, Israel would have continued its crimes.
5- I suggest Wahhabi scholars to study the history of Islamic sciences, to see that the origin of most Islamic sciences is f r o m the followers of Ahl-al-Bait (‘a), f r o m that time their scientific books and researches could be found in all known libraries of the world, except for your libraries!
6- Do not forget this fact that these baseless libels and false accusation of infidelity against Shia Muslims would be greatly in favor of Israel and the United States, because such actions lead to Shia’s hatred toward Wahhabism. And as the result, conflicts and sectarian wars will be fomented among Muslims, and this is what the enemy wants to loot the immense recourses of the region.
7- You should not forget that the verdict of Takfir (accusation of infidelity) has been issued various times by some Wahhabi Muftis, but this old trick does not work anymore, it has not weakened the Shiites at all, but every day they have more cultural growth and development in the Islamic world.
We have said many times, if there was a meeting between us, we would use your own books to show and prove your mistakes in this field, so you would not harm the unity of the Islamic community which only delights the enemies Islam.
Let’s leave the language of insult, libel and Takfir, we would better extend the hand of friendship to each other and think about the progress and dignity of Islam and Muslims.
 
(1) Quran, 16:125