After a careful and meticulous examination of its contents, his eminence's English book of "Practical Laws of Islam" (Tauḍiḥ al-Masāil) has been released and is now available to his followers.
Imam al-Rida ('a) played an integral role in guiding the intellectual progress of the Muslim Ummah and defending the Islamic beliefs against the encroachment of un-Islamic ideological currents. As the Muslim Ummah’s borders expanded, it came in to contact with the ideas and beliefs of many various nations and religions.
These were hearts and minds which had been locked by the darkness of deviation and straying and it was the Prophet (s) who helped open them to guidance and salvation.
The Lady Zaynab is narrated to have said to Imam al-Sajjad (a): In this land in the future, a flag will be raised over the tomb of your father, Imam al-Husayn (ʿa), which will never become old or faded. With the passing of time, it will not be damaged and no matter how much the leaders of disbelief strive towards effacing it, it will only grow in grandeur and greatness day by day.
Through his perseverance, resistance, lack of submission, and delivery of fiery sermons in Kufah and Damascus, Imam al-Sajjad (ʿa) was able to turn the public opinion against Yazīd and turn a formerly safe environment in to an unsafe one for the Umayyads.
There is hope that in the world of today, the oppressed nations will take lesson from the story of Karbala and rise up, crushing their oppressors once and for all.
We must be careful never to become like those who sell their religion, neither for much worldly wealth, nor for little. In this issue, we must follow one who was faced with the greatest of tests but never sold his religion irregardless of its personal cost.
One of the main problems facing humanity during our time period is that of the oppressive superpowers and their destructive goals and policies. The aim of Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) was nothing but fighting against these oppressive and tyrannical powers.
Indeed, the ceremonies held on Arbaʿīn are one of the noblest traditions of the religion of Islam. These ceremonies have deep roots within the religion itself and they were handed down to us from the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (ʿa) themselves. In spite of all the years which have passed since the great uprising of Karbala, perhaps it is still too soon for us to truly understand the profound reality of Imam al-Husayn (ʿa)’s sacrifice.
There is no doubt that Imam al-Hasan (ʿa) possessed so many positive and noble characteristics that he was truly befitting of his name ‘Hasan’. We hope that we can also follow in his footsteps and become more like him as well.
Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) performed his prayers in congregation even on the day of Ashura. This shows us that the prayers must be performed even in the most extreme and difficult of condition. Thus, in order to highlight this lesson and show its importance, it is very important that we offer the Noon Prayer of the day of Ashura in congregation.
Reviving the name and memory of these great men is something which gives inspiration and it furthermore gives human beings a spirit of self-sacrifice.
The mourning ceremonies must be held in a way where all the people are made aware of the goals of Imam al-Husayn(ʿa). The methods which are used in these ceremonies must be in line with the guidelines of Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) and the rest of the Infallibles (ʿa), as well as the common practice of the wise members of the Muslim community.
We must not be deceived by the propaganda of the West regarding the western civilization and democracy. They have never been loyal to anyone and they have never honored their commitments. They do not even have any regard for the very human rights that they so fervently pretend to support. Despite all this, there are still some people who, unfortunately, still persist in their inclination towards the west.
Various moments in the history of Karbala have shown us how we should live an honorable life and how we should die an honorable death. These are the same lessons which Imam al-Husayn(ʿa) taught the world at the Battlefield of Karbala on the Day of Ashura.
They have witnessed with their own eyes that no matter how much pressure they exert to pass the event of Ashura in to oblivion, people become more interested and attracted to the mourning ceremonies held for Imam al- Hussayn (ʿa). This year’s mourning ceremonies, in which more than 6 million people took part, were almost unprecedented.
The combination of the proper affections for Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) alongside the necessary knowledge and understanding of the purposes behind Imam al-Husayn (ʿa)’s uprising are two necessary aspects of the establishment of proper mourning. The mourning ceremonies must be held with ever increasing levels of grandeur and perfection every year and we must be careful not to engage in any actions which will tarnish the grandeur of these ceremonies.
The martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) was so intertwined with various lofty values that it will never become old, nor will its values ever become outdated. Not only that, but Karbala and the sacrifice of Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) grows in value and relevance every single day.
One can only claim that they love Imam al-Husayn (ʿa) and are among his true followers when they have reflected upon the various corruption and problems which exist during their own time period and they have done their best towards reforming these issues. Without any doubt, if the mourners of Imam al-Ḥusayn (ʿa) make a logical and calculated decision together towards fighting the corruption which exists in their society, they will be successful in reforming it.
I am proud of the wise stances taken by the great Shia authorities like you during the occultation of Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his glad advent). I also pray to Allah the Almighty to bless you with a long life so that you can be a guardian over all Shias around the world.
Following the message of Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi to Pope Francis, in which he had thanked the leader of the Catholic Church, the Vatican also sent an official and respectful letter to the office of Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi in which Pope Francis has appreciated him for his message.
The office of Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi hereby announces the official opening of the French section of the website of the office of Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi.
The enemies are trying to infiltrate these religious ceremonies in order to transform them in to superstitious activities. One of the issues that they are counting on to help them achieve this goal is the issue of Tatbir.
The evil Saudi regime is using its oil revenues for the destruction of Muslim countries. If only this money had been used for the development and prosperity of the Muslim world, God only knows how advanced and prosperous the Muslim world would have been.
The Sunni scholars in Chechnya have explicitly denounced Wahhabism and stated that it is not a Sunni school. We also hereby repudiate Wahhabism and state that it has nothing to do with Shia school either therefore there is a consensus that these Wahhabis are not considered as Muslims. Thank God, there are signs indicating the imminent downfall of this fabricated school. The world is now awakened to the fact that the Wahhabis are dangerous people.
Certainly, this tragedy was such a disgrace and shame for the Saudis, who are responsible for protecting the lives of the Hajj pilgrims, that they can never get rid of it.
According to the directions we find in the Quran, all Muslims must have a role in the management of the Hajj, whether those who inhabit the two holy cities or those who arrive there for the Hajj pilgrimage from other countries.
The office of Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi hereby announces that his eminence has sent no one to establish his Bithah for this year"s Hajj pilgrimage from Iraq and any such news is completely false. Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi will have not have any representatives, whether from Iraq or Iran, to establish his Bi‘thah during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
