Follower of Prophet's Ahl al-Bayt stands against corruption and injustice / Religion without responsibility is opium of masses
Pars Today- A member of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution of Iran, pointing to the importance of self-criticism, self-evaluation and self-calculation, said, "An individual or a society which are not calculating themselves are doomed to failure."
Hassan Rahimpour Azghadi, member of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution of Iran and a university professor, delivered a speech in the closing ceremony of the participants in the project of political-cultural empowerment of students. According to Pars Today, he emphasized on the importance of knowing the past to make the future and said, "Without knowing the past one cannot make the future. Thus, before any measure, you should ponder to see whose heirs you are. The university activists of the generation before you would be either hit by shrapnel, insulted behind the fronts in defense of the truth or slaughtered by terrorists in Kordestan and Sistan-Baluchestan provinces."
Philosophy of creation and importance of proper knowing of Prophet's Ahl al-Bayt
Rahimpour Azghadi, criticizing some common mistakes in understanding religion and knowing the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace upon them), added, "As usual, as soon as hearing the names of the Imams, we have got accustomed to remember our needs; while in fact, the greatest need of human being is growth and sublimity and one shouldn't refer to religion and the Ahl al-Bayt only [as a means] to fulfill his needs." He reiterated that according to the religious teachings, this world is the place of suffering and problems; and the philosophy of creation and life is to pass through problems in the best way. He stressed, "Those who look for a world devoid of suffering and hardship, have no correct knowledge of religion and the Infallible Imams."
Self-criticism of religiosity in current world
This prominent university and seminary professor, stating that we human beings usually are content with religious rituals and our religiosity is superficial, made it clear, "According to the noble Prophet (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny), we accept God logically, but there is no trace of the belief in God in [our] practice and life because we do not consider ourselves in the presence of God. We seek forgiveness, but we tell lies, violate the rights of others. We see the dead, but do not believe in death. We seek profits, but without striving. This is while, according to the Islamic principles, there will be no paradise and good end without faith and righteous deed."
Fighter against corruption and injustice suffers like prophets
Rahimpour Azghadi, referring to the prices that the prophets and top servants of God spent in the way of religion [even] as precious as their lives, continued, "We are often engaged in a cultural and political activity only when our future is guaranteed, our needs are fulfilled and our problems are removed. However, if in this way, we do not disturb anyone, are not beaten, are not insulted and don't have any enemy, this means that we are useless and have not stood against falsehood, anti-value, corruption and injustice. Paradise is engulfed with sufferings, so if our course in life is smooth [with no ups and downs], we should know that we are not moving towards paradise, or in a better sense, servitude [of God].
Worship that does not change us has no value
Mentioning a hadith from Imam Reza (Peace upon him), he said, "He who seeks God's help, but does not perspire and does not risk or make effort, he has indeed ridiculed himself." This religious expert added, "Religion is not merely happiness and comfort, and without duty and responsibility, it is stupefying and opium of masses and very dangerous. If we go to Hajj, the holy shrines and Mashhad every year, but there is no change in our conduct and life, this has no use. Instead of so many times of pilgrimage, let us practice their [the Prophet's and the Ahl al-Bayt's] guidelines."
Importance of self-criticism
Azghadi then pointed to the importance of self-criticism, self-evaluation and self-calculation and concluded, "An individual or a society which are not calculating themselves are doomed to failure. He who does not mind the affairs of the poor (including those who are poor financially, culturally, socially and so on), does not think of servicing people, pretends to be religious, but does not take stance, believes neither in "death to" nor in "long live", he agrees with all or opposes all; in the best way, he is the lover of the Ahl al-Bayt rather than their Shia [follower]."
Key phrases: What is religion? How is Shia sect? religion in Iran, Who are the Prophet's Ahl al-Bayt?
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