Khamenei promotes Shia-Sunni unity: Defamation of Hadhrat Aisha declared ‘haram’ حضرت عائشہ رضی اللہ عنہ کی شان میں گستاخی ‘حرام

By Syed Mansur Agha

The Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Al Azma Syed Ali Khamenei Al Hussaini issued a fatwa declaring defamatory remarks against Hadhrat Aisha (RA) and the holy companions of the holy Prophet (PBUH) 'haram' (anti-Islamic). The western media did not give much importance to the fatwa. However, some West-afflicted minds have expressed their reservations. But the Shia and Sunni scholars and intellectuals of the Islamic world have warmly welcomed the edict. The spiritual guide of the Islamic Republic of Iran issued the edict on the inquiry of the scholars and intellectuals of the city of Al Ahsa.

In the letter dated 4 Shawwal 1341 Hijri, his attention was drawn towards the fact that at a time when the Muslim community was going through a crisis thrust upon it and schism and differences had spread far and wide among the Muslims of the world harming the unity of the community, the attention was being diverted from the Islamic struggle to solve sensitive issues. In such delicate situation some people have adopted extremist attitude and have been deliberately insulting and defaming the symbols and sacred signs of Sunni community constantly. In this chain of events, some sattelite channels and websites are being used by people associated with learning and intellect who have been making unsavoury remarks against the holy Prophet's wife Hadhrat Aysha (RA) which is against the dignity of the holy wives of the holy Prophet, the holy mothers of the ummah.

The letter had expressed hope that the spiritual leader of Iran would take a clear stand on the issues which were a cause for emotional and psychological stress on the Muslims following the Ahl-e Bait alaihissalam. The letter further reminded him of the fact that some mischief mongers were trying to cause schism and animosity among the Muslims of the world.

The letter stated that the context of the inquiry was the recent incident in Kuwait where a former army officer Sheik Yassir Al Habib who calls himself a Shia scholar and preacher and is living in Britain in exile made some extemely derogatory and unsavoury remarks about Hadhrat Aysha (RA) in a sacred gathering in the month of Ramazan. The statements were widely publicised by some TV channels and websites. It resulted in political tensions in Kuwait which has 40 per cent of Shia population.

Subsequently, the cabinet revoked Al Habib’s citizenship. However, the step was not enough to quell the tensions.

Imam Syed Ali Khamenei's curt response to the inquiry was as follows:

‘Insults and sacrilege against the holy personalities and sacred symbols of our Sunni brethren especially putting blames on the holy wives of the holy Prophet (PBUH) is haram and this is also true in case of the wives of all the holy prophets.’

In a clarification on Shianet, it was said that the allegations which have been made against Hadhrat Aysha (RA) could not even be made against the wives of other prophets including the wives of Hadhrat Nuh and Hadhrat Luth as they are free of all blames according to Shia beliefs.

According to Ahle-e-Bait News Agency, the ulema and teachers of Houza Ilmia Qum have warmly seconded the fatwa by the Rahbar-e-Inquilab and have issued a joint statement saying: "Shia beliefs regard association of the holy wives of the holy Prophet (PBUH) with adultery as false and devoid of truth and Shia ulema with reference to incident of 'ifak' in Sura Noor have declared the wives of the holy Prophet (PBUH) totally free from the blame of adultery.

The spokesman of the Shia organisation of Lebanon, Jamat-e-Ulema-e-Muslimeen, Sheikh Amro has said that the disputes that were being created had nothing to do with Shia beliefs and religious principles. (They were political disputes). He said that the fatwa issued by the guide of the Islamic Revolution was a jurisprudencial and political edict and from that point of view all the members of the Shia community, were bound to follow it irrespective of whether they were the followers of Imam Khamenei or not.

The head of the Sunni Board of Lebanon has said that the fatwa issued by Ayatollah Al Azma is a reflection of his wisdom, knowledge and prudence as a leader of the Muslim ummah because the Imam of the Islamic ummah is one who establishes unity and harmony among the ummah.

The Chancellor of Jamia Al Azhar Dr Ahmad Al Tayyab issued a written statement declaring the fatwa auspicious and said that one thing that added importance to the fatwa was that the fatwa was issued by one of the greatest ulema of the Shia world and the supreme religious leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He said, "I undertake on the basis of my knowledge and the sharia based responsibility that I have on my shoulder that the efforts to establish unity among the ummah is mandatory and the person who creates animosity and schism among the Muslims is a sinner deserving the wrath of Allah. Therefore, people should keep away from him.”

Most important thing about the fatwa is that the government of Kuwait has greeted the fatwa. In the cabinet meeting presided by the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al Sabah, the fatwa of the supreme leader was hailed by all and participants expressed their gratitude and relief.

The report from Jerusalem says that the Imam of Baital Muqaddas, Sheikh Mehr Hamud termed the fatwa auspicious for the Muslim unity. The head of the Ikhwanul Muslimeen of Urden Hamam Sayeed termed it an important step towards fighting the 'evil'. Professor of Oriental Studies Madhat Hamad termed the fatwa a serious change in thinking and expressed hope that it will have a far reaching impact as the personality of Imam Khamenei was respected all over.

The fatwa has also been welcomed in India.  The Amir of Jamat-e-Islami Hind and eminent scholar Syed Jalaluddin Umri has said that the fatwa was very commendable and should be welcomed. It gives us hope that Shia-Sunni differeces will now take a downslide and will open new vistas for the unity among the ummah and that there was a need to widely publicise the fatwa.

The Secretary of the Jamit-e-Ulema Hind Abdul Hameed Nomani who is also a teacher at the Darul Uloom Deoband has termed it a very good sign and said that there was light and guidance for the two major schools of thought of the Muslims in it. He said that the fatwa should be heeded and followed. Renowned journalist Md Ahmad Kazmi said that the fatwa was not meant for a particular geograpical region and expressed hope that it would be welcomed in the Indian subcontinent.

This is a matter of great regret that a section publicised the political disputes of the first century for their own petty interests in a manner that showed as if it was a part of the belief and people in the time to come should follow it. The fact that the Quran has accorded the wives of the holy Prophet (PBUH) the status of the mothers of the ummah and forbade Muslims to marry them after the Holy Prophet's demise. On the basis of a coincidence of Ifak, some Muslims of Medina had launched a villification campaign against Hadhrat Aysha. The Quran has come down on them heavily and revealed ten verses (Surah Noor) in support of her.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was very fond of Hadhrat Aysha because of her piety, decent behaviour and knowledge of the matters of faith. Therefore, when the Prophet's (PBUH) time drew near, he, with the permission of his other wives, spent his last days in her room and breathed his last with his head resting on her lap. Her room has the honour of being the last resting place of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

If someone makes unsavoury remarks about such a great mother of the ummah and someone's ears derive pleasure listening to those remarks, he should correct his attitude in the light of the fatwa of the supreme Imam and rush to beg for Allah's pardon.

Source: Hindusthan Express, New Delhi

 URL: https://newageislam.com/urdu-section/khamenei-promotes-shia-sunni-unity/d/3544