Martyrdom Anniversary of Shaheed Murtaza Motahhari

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Every year the great Iranian Islamic thinker Morteza Motahhari is commemorated. This is done to appreciate his scientific and ideological efforts and it also expresses the Islamic world’s need to thinkers like him.

Martyr Motahhari was a perfect model for all Muslim thinkers. He was a wise man, pious philosopher, God seeking gnostic and a great writer. These good characteristics were quite clear in his works. The books of martyr Motahhari open the gates of knowledge, philosophy and various sciences for the seekers of knowledge.

Motahhari enjoyed two major characteristics; namely a deep and all-out cognizance of Islam and endeavor to express religion according to the requirements of time. He says: “Since I remember my spiritual developments, I was sort of concerned at the age of 13 and I was strangely sensitive towards the issues related to God and religion.”

In different works of professor Motahhari, his attention to man’s eternal bliss and an accurate cognizance of religion is noticeably visible. Through research, preaching and rational books, he has tried to introduce Islam as the loftiest copy of human living to the world. The Holy Quran always stresses in its cahpters and verses that religion brings a real life for mankind. Verse 24 of Surah Anfal says:

“O you who believe! Answer (the call of) Allah and His Apostle when he calls you to that which gives you life;”

Therefore positive response to the call of God and His Messengers is the source of life. Certainly whatever is the source of life will be ever- lasting and immortal.

According to professor Motahhari religion never dies; from his viewpoint the revival of religion requires its presence in human life. This presence is materialized by activating religion in man’s life and revitalizing its role in human deeds and thoughts.

Social phenomena should be in compliance with human needs so that they may continue to exist. Human needs consist of the natural and unnatural ones. Natural needs stem from the natural characteristics of mankind. For example human being is interested in scientific research or he likes beauty. His unnatural needs are a series of tendencies spring from habits. For instance majority of people are accustomed to have tea or to smoke. Since these are not natural, human being can give them up.

In the path of human progress, we have witnessed that as conditions alter many things change. For example once Thomas Edison invented electricity, candle and lamp were ceased to be used. For, electricity could well meet the human need for light.

But some things can never change. Religion is one of them.

According to Martyr Motahhari, religion is in accordance with human inherent and emotional needs. In terms of securing human needs, nothing can replace religion. The Holy Quran in verse 30 of Surah Rum expresses the inherent nature of religion saying:

“Then set your face upright for religion in the right state-the nature made by Allah in which He has made men; there is no altering of Allah’s creation; that is the right religion, but most people do not know”

Throughout centuries many things have been put forth about the causes behind the emergence of religion. Some believe that religion has its roots in human fear and ignorance, while some others are of the opinion that the reason for human tendency towards religion is his interest in order and justice. The maintainers of these theories believe that if knowledge develops, religion will gradually disappear. Nevertheless, despite the speedy progress of science, religion has not lost its role, but mankind has found out that religion is imperishable. German psychologist Karl Yung acknowledges the fact that religion is part of the things which exist in human nature and subconscious. American psychologist William James in his book entitled “Religion and Spirit” says it is true that the sources of many of our internal tendencies are natural and material affairs but most of them spring from Metaphysics. He adds: I always see a specific dignity and sincerity in religious matters. Human religious conditions enjoy certain characteristics which are not comparable with any state of mankind.

Elsewhere, professor Motahhari responds to the question as how can religion meet human needs. He says mankind is in need of religion both personally and socially. Therefore when the Russian author Lev Tolstoy was asked what belief is, he said belief is the very thing with which mankind lives. Faith is the asset of human life.

Martyr Motahhari also believes that religion is the stronghold of morality and law. He says today it has become clear that morality without religion has no firm basis.

All sacred values of the human society like justice, equality, humanity, altruism and sympathy could not be materialized without belief in religion. Alexis Carl referring to this fact says: “Brains have now made progress but unfortunately hearts are still weak. It is only the faith that can strengthen hearts.”

In addition to raising natural emotions within human beings, Islam is also coordinated with the real nature of mankind in terms of laws, regulations and teachings. With such an understanding of religion, the American writer Will Durant says in his book “The Lessons of History” that religion has one hundred lives. If everything dies once, it will die for ever but if religion dies one hundred times it will revive again. In this relation, professor Motahhari considers religion as a sun which always shines but what makes it stagnate and recess is that on one hand under the name of religion, superstitions, and illogical concepts enter people’s minds and on the other people’s reasonable needs are countered. Martyr Motahhari believes that if the truth of religion is revealed to people, then as the Holy Quran says people would enter God’s religion in groups.

A.Haider

Martyr Motahhari; the Great Thinker

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Every year the great Iranian thinker Morteza Motahhari is commemorated. This is done to appreciate his scientific and ideological efforts and it also expresses the Islamic world’s need to thinkers like him.

Martyr Motahhari was a perfect model for all Muslim thinkers. He was a wise man, pious philosopher, God seeking gnostic and a great writer. These good characteristics were quite clear in his works. The books of martyr Motahhari open the gates of knowledge, philosophy and various sciences for the seekers of knowledge.

Motahhari enjoyed two major characteristics; namely a deep and all-out cognizance of Islam and endeavor to express religion according to the requirements of time. He says: “Since I remember my spiritual developments, I was sort of concerned at the age of 13 and I was strangely sensitive towards the issues related to God and religion.”

In different works of professor Motahhari, his attention to man’s eternal bliss and an accurate cognizance of religion is noticeably visible. Through research, preaching and rational books, he has tried to introduce Islam as the loftiest copy of human living to the world. The Holy Quran always stresses in its cahpters and verses that religion brings a real life for mankind. Verse 24 of Surah Anfal says:

“O you who believe! Answer (the call of) Allah and His Apostle when he calls you to that which gives you life;”

Therefore positive response to the call of God and His Messengers is the source of life. Certainly whatever is the source of life will be ever- lasting and immortal.

According to professor Motahhari religion never dies; from his viewpoint the revival of religion requires its presence in human life. This presence is materialized by activating religion in man’s life and revitalizing its role in human deeds and thoughts.

Social phenomena should be in compliance with human needs so that they may continue to exist. Human needs consist of the natural and unnatural ones. Natural needs stem from the natural characteristics of mankind. For example human being is interested in scientific research or he likes beauty. His unnatural needs are a series of tendencies spring from habits. For instance majority of people are accustomed to have tea or to smoke. Since these are not natural, human being can give them up.

In the path of human progress, we have witnessed that as conditions alter many things change. For example once Thomas Edison invented electricity, candle and lamp were ceased to be used. For, electricity could well meet the human need for light.

But some things can never change. Religion is one of them.

According to Martyr Motahhari, religion is in accordance with human inherent and emotional needs. In terms of securing human needs, nothing can replace religion. The Holy Quran in verse 30 of Surah Rum expresses the inherent nature of religion saying:

“Then set your face upright for religion in the right state-the nature made by Allah in which He has made men; there is no altering of Allah’s creation; that is the right religion, but most people do not know”

Throughout centuries many things have been put forth about the causes behind the emergence of religion. Some believe that religion has its roots in human fear and ignorance, while some others are of the opinion that the reason for human tendency towards religion is his interest in order and justice. The maintainers of these theories believe that if knowledge develops, religion will gradually disappear. Nevertheless, despite the speedy progress of science, religion has not lost its role, but mankind has found out that religion is imperishable. German psychologist Karl Yung acknowledges the fact that religion is part of the things which exist in human nature and subconscious. American psychologist William James in his book entitled “Religion and Spirit” says it is true that the sources of many of our internal tendencies are natural and material affairs but most of them spring from Metaphysics. He adds: I always see a specific dignity and sincerity in religious matters. Human religious conditions enjoy certain characteristics which are not comparable with any state of mankind.

Elsewhere, professor Motahhari responds to the question as how can religion meet human needs. He says mankind is in need of religion both personally and socially. Therefore when the Russian author Lev Tolstoy was asked what belief is, he said belief is the very thing with which mankind lives. Faith is the asset of human life.

Martyr Motahhari also believes that religion is the stronghold of morality and law. He says today it has become clear that morality without religion has no firm basis.

All sacred values of the human society like justice, equality, humanity, altruism and sympathy could not be materialized without belief in religion. Alexis Carl referring to this fact says: “Brains have now made progress but unfortunately hearts are still weak. It is only the faith that can strengthen hearts.”

In addition to raising natural emotions within human beings, Islam is also coordinated with the real nature of mankind in terms of laws, regulations and teachings. With such an understanding of religion, the American writer Will Durant says in his book “The Lessons of History” that religion has one hundred lives. If everything dies once, it will die for ever but if religion dies one hundred times it will revive again. In this relation, professor Motahhari considers religion as a sun which always shines but what makes it stagnate and recess is that on one hand under the name of religion, superstitions, and illogical concepts enter people’s minds and on the other people’s reasonable needs are countered. Martyr Motahhari believes that if the truth of religion is revealed to people, then as the Holy Quran says people would enter God’s religion in groups.

Iran set to limit ties with UAE

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With Tehran still reeling from recent Emirati claims on three Persian Gulf islands, Iranian lawmakers move to reduce ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Last week, Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan raised hackles in Tehran when he likened Iran’s ownership of the three Persian Gulf islands to Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territory.

He outraged Iranian officials even further when he repeated the claims on Sunday and urged Tehran to, once and for all, end the “occupation” of the three islands of the Greater Tunb, the Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa.

In the wake of these controversial remarks, the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) has instituted measures to lower the level of relations between Iran and the tiny Arab sheikhdom.

Zohreh Elahian, a member of the Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said Monday that the country’s “quick and severe” response to Sheikh Abdullah is probably not enough to teach UAE officials a lesson.

“Tehran’s reaction to the outrageous claims was appropriate and well-suited, but it does not change the fact that some serious…rethinking needs to be done…to prevent such provocative behavior [recurring] in the future,” she continued.

Elahian said the Parliament will convene later this week to hand down a final decision on limiting ties with the UAE.

“Iran is the UAE’s number one trade partner in the region and persistence on baseless claims by Emirati officials will come at their own expense,” she noted.

The three Persian Gulf islands in question have long been owned by Iran, proof of which can be found and corroborated independently of each other in countless historical, legal and geographical documents in Tehran and other parts of the world.

The islands temporarily fell under British control in the 1800s, but were nevertheless returned to Iran on November 30th 1971 through legal procedures long before the statehood of the United Arab Emirates was declared and the Al-Nahyan clan assumed leadership.

New movement of Husseini Speakers created in Pakistan

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Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA.ir), ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The creation of a nation-wide organization namely Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Wila-o-Aza and Azmat-e-Sadaat (Movement for Protection of Wila, Aza and Dignity of Progeny of Holy prophet) has been announced in All Pakistan Azadari Convention organized by Bazm-i-Waezeen-o-Zakireen. A communiqué was also issued in this connection on the conclusion of the representative gathering of waezeen and zakireen who had come to Shah Allah-Ditta Islamabad from across the country.

While presenting communiqué, Allama Nasir Abbas said that defence of Pakistan’s ideological borders, unity of Muslims of Pakistan, protection of true beliefs and ideology of Shiayan-e-Pakistan, raise voice against injustices being committed against Millat-i-Jafariya being a recognized school of thought and practical struggle for national targets and religious rights under the leadership of Quaid-i-Millat Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi were among the objectives of the Movement. He said the Convention has also decided to organize Mukhtar Force national level.

The Convention unanimously nominated renowned religious scholar Allama Agha Naseem Abbas Rizvi as the Chief Patron. Other office-bearers are: Syed Nazakat Hussain Naqvi (Chief Organizer), Agha Syed Ali Hussain Najafi (Patron), Makhdom Syed Zargham Abbas Bokhari (Chairman), Maulana Khadim Hussain Ghagri (Senior Vice-Chairman), Syed Ilyas Raza Rizvi (Vice-Chairman), Syed Madah Hussain Shah Daera Dinpanah (Central President), Haji Nasir Abbas Notak (Senior Vice-President), Malik Jafar Tayyar (Vice-President), Allama Nasir Abbas (General Secretary), Syed Aqeel Mohsin Naqvi (Additional General Secretary), Ch. Ghazanfar Abbas Gondal (Joint Secretary), Syed Sajjad Hussain Shumari (Coordination Secretary), Syed Iqbal Hussain Shah Bajar (Deputy Coordination Secretary), Allama Syed Matloob Hussain Taqi (Office Secretary), Syed Mushtaq Hussain Shah (Finance Secretary), Aala Haider Syed (Secretary Information), Syed Muazzam Rizvi (Legal Adviser). The Provincial Presidents are: Allama Mazhar Hussain Kalo (Punjab), Allama Abdul Hakim Bu Turabi (Sindh), Allama Muhammad Mohsin (Hazara-Balochistan), Allama Syed Abul Hassan Khomeini (Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa), Allama Syed Riaz Hussain Kazmi (Azad Kashmir), and Maulana Akhund Ghulam Muhammad Ammoni (Gilgit-Baltistan).

Allama Agha Nasim Abbas Rizvi, Allama Agha Ali Hussain Najafi, Zakir Syed Zargham Abbas Bokhari, and other office-bearers in their address reiterated their resolve to offer all types of sacrifice for the objectives of the Tehreek.

A resolution adopted on the occasion strongly condemned the incidents of terrorism in the country and demanded from the government to initiate impartial enquiry into all incidents of terrorism including Ashoora and Arbaeen incidents in Karachi. The resolution demanded effective implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Act and to restrict banned groups from working with new names. The resolution appealed the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to take suo moto notice of the continued incidents of terrorism in the country and set up Enquiry Board comprising High Court judges on Provincial level so as to get the country rid of the menace of terrorism. Another resolution reiterated resolve to continue struggle for the achievement of pious targets of ‘Wila’ and ‘Aza’ and for the protection of dignity of Sadaat with sincerity of purpose while they will not hesitate in offering any sacrifice on the call of Quaid-i-Millat Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi for this purpose.

A large number of ulema, zakireen and organizers of Majalis participated in the Azadari Convention. Special security arrangements were made by the Mukhtar Force and the Islamabad District Administration on this occasion.

A Seminar on Awareness on Muslim Personal Laws Held in Bangalore

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This was the first of its kind meet where people of different schools of thoughts came on a common platform to discuss Muslim personal law.

Yusuf Hakim Muchala, senior advocate of the Supreme Court deliberated on the necessity of a body like AIMPLB to work for the protection of the personal law for the Muslims. He also dwelt on the jurisprudential bases on the Islamic law pertaining to matters of inheritance and matrimonial issues and emphasized the need to establish Darul Qaza in every state.

Hazrath Moulana Khalid Saifulla Rahmani, member AIMPLB said, “Media was showing Shariat in negative light. There is a communication gap when it comes to Shariat.” Participants also signed a memorandum to be submitted to the President, Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India urging them to take measures to safeguard personal law of the Muslims and to take remedial measures to prohibit courts from interpreting Muslim Personal Law according to its own notion.