Statement Re Concerning the offensive film which slanders the Holy Prophet

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Statement Issued by the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars in North America: Concerning the offensive film which slanders the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad son of Abdullah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family)     In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful "And We have not sent you but as a mercy to the worlds." [Holy Quran 21:107]               To all respected leaders and decision-makers in governments, religions, or foundations and organizations which carry the responsibility and honor of serving humanity as well as global peace and security...               With hearts filled with pain and sorrow, and eyes filled with tears, Muslims as well as all free spirited individuals in this world unite to express their honorable position in the face of the offensive video clips being propagated these days. These clips are from a movie which is supposedly to be released, and have been broadcast through various media outlets worldwide. The clips contain unforgivable insults to the greatest Islamic personality of all time, the leader of one of the world's major faith traditions, and one of the most important icons worldwide. He is a man who enjoys the respect and appreciation of billions of human beings - at the very least, among those who have even the slightest proper knowledge, awareness and information regarding him and his message.               The Council of Shia Muslim Scholars in North America, including its religious scholars, preachers, spiritual leaders, and Islamic center and organization leaders, serving the American and Canadian communities, senses the threat of an intentionally devised scheme, filled with hate, behind the insults and offenses against such a holy figure. Attacking the personality of one who is so significant to a community of over 1.5 billion human beings can incite conflict which threatens worldwide security and stability. These billions of human beings view this figure with such high regard, love, allegiance, and loyalty, and are spread out across the globe. The resulting strife may eventually lead to wars and bloodshed, let alone destroy the coexistence and harmony which Muslims and non-Muslims have become accustomed to as members of a single community and nation.               The Council of Shia Muslim Scholars in North America severely condemns and strongly denounces this heinous act. Moreover, the Council cautions and demands that all those with a sense of responsibility take the following into account: Officials and governmental authorities should exercise extensive efforts to prevent the propagation of causes for spreading hate which can endanger security and stability. Among such causes is this offensive and inappropriate film. This must be done in order to protect the lives and property of people from the rage of those taken by emotions and who may lose control, whether Muslims or non-Muslims. International media outlets, at all levels, should exercise their responsibilities ethically and professionally, by deleting these repulsive clips, which incite hatred and violence, from their websites and other mediums. Indeed, freedom of expression does not at all mean giving the opportunity to insult the beliefs and sacred icons of communities, disrespecting them and disregarding their emotions. Rather, such acts may eventually lead to legal prosecution. We call upon all artists, writers and media personnel who truly wish to benefit from the experiences of humanity, its religions and peoples, to refer to the experts and proper sources to learn about any particular religion or community. Yes, we would like to confirm that some books of Muslims, which claim to be attributed to them and to the heritage of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family), do contain false reports that offend Islam and the personality of the Prophet. However, that is not to be considered an excuse for those of greed and conspiracies to take advantage. That is because such reports or books are known to represent only an extremist mob which has been abandoned by history and humanity, let alone being abandoned by Muslims and free spirited individuals. The Council urges all believers, who revolted and rebelled out of a sense of protectiveness and loyalty to the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family), to exercise utmost caution and wariness regarding the entities or individuals that wish ill for Muslims. They await for a slip here or an act there to make it into an excuse to drag the Muslims, especially the members of safe societies and nations, into artificial wars which serve the enemies of humanity as a whole. It is not hidden that those who aim for such provocations are surely neither among those who believe in God, nor among those who belong to a faith tradition, and they merely aim to achieve their narrow-minded interests.   In conclusion, we confirm the need to avoid any step which may promote this despicable film's popularity and viewership. We call upon all believers and free spirited individuals, who are revolting against this despicable act to express their protectiveness, love, allegiance, and loyalty to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), to abide by wise and peaceful means within the legal and religious guidelines. We also urge them to appeal to decision-makers and people of influence, in all countries across the globe, to limit and prevent these slanderous lies. Perhaps, one of the most important things which can be done is to sponsor an international seminar gathering experts in the history and heritage of various religions and peoples, as well as experts in the art and media of various cultures, in order to discuss the inherited information which is spread throughout libraries worldwide about this unique personality. Then the seminar can come out with a final, official document, which sheds light on the historical truth as it is, brilliantly clear. This would serve humanity, knowledge and civilization, would prevent the causes of sedition, and shut the doors of the greedy, the opportunists, and those who live on turmoil and planting the seeds of hate for fellow human beings. "Surely (as for) those who speak evil things of Allah and His Messenger, Allah has cursed them in this world and the hereafter, and He has prepared for them a chastisement bringing disgrace." [Holy Quran 33:57]   "They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths but Allah will perfect His light, though the unbelievers may be averse." [Holy Quran 61:8]   May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.   The Office of Media Relations for the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars in North America

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Hadees -The Commander of the Faithful Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him)

Imam Alis(as) said:

The man of knowledge is the one who recognizes that what is known is very little compared to what is not known, and as a result he considers himself ignorant, and accordingly he increases his efforts to know more by going out in search of knowledge.

HADEES OF IMAM REZA (A.S.)

One day Imam Reza (A.S.) mentioned Quran, so he described the magnanimity and glory of its authority and its miracles saying,

 "That is the firm cable of Allah, firmest handhold the ideal and model path, it guides leads toward paradise and is the savior from the fire (of Hell). It does not corrode or wear out by the passage and flow of time. More over, its continuous repetition and recitation through the tongue does not devalue and depreciate it, since, it is not made to exist for a certain age or period apart from other ages and periods. Instead, it has been made a proof, logic for all human beings. Falsehood does neither find passage in the front or afore of it nor from it's back side.

It has been descended (revealed) by Allah, the all wise, all praise worthy.

(Bihar Ul Anwar Vol 92, P 14)

Imam Ali (as) said:

In reply to some one who posed Imam Ali (as) a difficult question, Imam Ali (as) said:

'Ask in order to understand, and do not ask in order to find fault, for surely the ignorant man who wants to learn resembles a man of knowledge, and surely a man of knowledge who wants to be difficult resembles an ignorant man who wants to find fault. '

Hazrat Fatimah Masoumah (A.S): The Mirror of God’s Favor

Hazrat Fatimah Masoumah (A.S): The Mirror of God’s Favor

Superiority in Knowledge and Virtue

On the first of Dhi al-Qa’dah in 173 AH, the city of Madinah was enlightened by the birth of Hadrat Fatimah Ma’soomah (A.S.). She was born to Imam Musa ibn Ja’far (A.S.) and her mother, Najmah.

Hadrat Fatimah Masumah (A.S.) was the second and last child of Najmah, after her older brother, Imam Ali ibn Moosa al-Reza (A.S.). As a matter of fact, after Imam Reza (A.S.), she has the highest status and position amongst the children of Imam Moosa al-Kadhim (A.S.).

One year after Imam Reza (A.S.) was forcibly taken to Khurasan (in year 201 AH) by the orders of Ma’moon, Hadrat Masumah (A.S.), along with her brothers and some of her relatives, left Madinah for Marw in order to visit her brother, Imam Reza (A.S.). On their way, when they reached the city of Saweh, they were attacked by the enemies of Ahl al-Bait. After a serious struggle, many of her relatives were martyred, and she was poisoned by a woman in Saweh

Grief over the loss of her relatives and the effects of the poison put Hadrat Masumah (A.S.) into a severe illness. She asked her companions to take her to the city of Qum, for she had heard her father say, "Qum is the center of our Shiites."

When she arrived in Qum, the people of the city welcomed her. Moosa ibn Khazraj, who was amongst the great people of Qum, respectfully invited her to his house. 17 days later, on the 10th of Rabi’ al-Thani of the year 201 AH, after 28 years of sufferance and difficulty, Hadrat Ma’soomah (A.S.) no longer could endure her sickness and the effects of the poison. She left this world with a broken heart, while she had not been able to see her brother. She was buried in Qum and her shrine became the beauty of this city since then.

From amongst the narrators, we come across to narrators who happen to be women. One of these virtuous women is Hadrat Ma’soomah (A.S.), who has narrated many Hadiths from Lady Fatimah (A.S.) and the other Infallibles (PBUT). As a matter of fact, because of her prominence, both Shia and Sunni narrators have considered the Hadith narrated by her as authentic.

The Hadiths narrated about Hadrat Ma’soomah (A.S.) reveal her superiority in knowledge and virtue. From the point of view of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT), Hadrat Ma’soomah possesses a high status.

In regards to her particular status, Imam Reza (A.S.) has said:

"One who visits the shrine of Ma’soomah (A.S.) in Qum is like one who has visited my shrine."
As this Hadith illustrates, not only the Ziayrat of Hazrat Ma’soomah is stated to be similar to doing the Ziayrat of an Infallible Imam, but also she has been given the title of a Ma’soomah (infallible woman) by an Imam. Considering the fact that an infallible does not exaggerate, one can come to this conclusion that Hazrat Ma’soomah owns some sort of infallibility.

Also in regards to her particular status, Imam Sadiq (A.S.) has said:

"... A lady from my children, named Fatimah daughter of Musa, will pass away there (Qum), which all our Shiites will enter paradise with her intercession".

One of her virtues is that she has a special script for Ziayrat dictated by an Infallible Imam. She is the only women after Lady Fatimah (A.S.) - who is the most superior lady in the two worlds - to have a script for Ziayrat dictated by an Infallible Imam.

Holy Lady Fatemah Ma'soomah and her her birth and childhood 0n Her Wiladat

 Holy Lady Fatemah Ma'soomah her birth and childhood

In the holy city of Medina, the holy household was awaiting the arrival of a new born.

In the house of Imam Kadhim (A.S.), Najma, the wife of the honorable Imam was eagerly looking forward to the arrival of the child; she was counting days and nights for that day. The Imam"s house was overwhelmed with happiness.

Finally, the day arrived, on the 1st of Dhil-Qa’dah 173 (A.H.) when Allah blessed the 7th Imam Musa Kadhim (A.S.) with a daughter. The child’s appearance was brilliant and cheerful and she opened her pure bright eyes to this world in the house of Imam.

All the members of the Holy Household were in utter happiness for the newborn and after the Imam, may be there was not anybody as happy as his wife Najma.

This was because this was the second child that was granted by the grace of Allah to Najma after 25 years. 25years ago, in the same month of Dhil-Qa’dah, Najma had given birth to a baby boy who after his father was to become the Imam and was to shoulder the responsibility of Imamate and guiding the Muslims.

Yes! That was 148 (A.H.), when the eight Imam, Ali (A.S.) was born and who was given the title of Ridha. Najma got immense pleasure in her first child and after years God blessed her and her husband Musa Kadhim (A.S.) with a daughter and a sister to Imam Ridha (A.S.).

Imam Musa Kadhim (A.S.) named his daughter Fatimah, for the sake of love and special attachment he had with his grandmother Fatima Zahra (S.A.). Fatimah’s purity, modesty, and piety were such that after sometime she was referred as "Ma’soomah" (the infallible). This was because like her honorable Father, she used to keep away from all evils and sins.

Fatemah, was a name that was remembered among the Ahlul bayt who had hundreds of sad and sweet memories of the life of Bibi Fatimah (sa).

If anybody chose the name Fatimah for their daughters, they used to give the same respect as the prophet (S.A.W.) used to give his daughter. She was never neglected. Imam Musa Kadhim (A.S.) also followed this tradition and used to love the new girl very much and never failed to show and express his kindness to and love for her.

Fatimah Ma’soomah was growing under the shelter of her father and dear mother and was day by day learning new things from both of them.

If the father of Fatemah was the Imam of the Muslims and was matchless in his piety and chastity, then her mother was also pious and faithful who had accomplished her essential studies of Islam in the school of the wife of Imam Jafar Sadiq (A.S.). In those days she was the most intelligent amongst all women and it was for reason that the mother of Imam Kadhim (Hamideh) asked him to propose and marry her.

Hazrat Fatimah Ma’soomah took advantage of studying in the presence of her father, brother and pious mother. All her young life was full of Islamic education. Every Friday Muslims would come to Medina with their religious questions.

After getting their questions answered by Imam Kadhim (A.S.), they would return to their town. Incidentally, once Imam Kadhim was away and Imam Ridha (A.S.) was also not around. The Muslims without getting their question answered were returning home very sad.

Fatimah Ma’soomah noticed the sadness and took the papers from them and answered their questions. The Muslims became happy and left. On the outskirts of Medina they met Imam Kadhim (A.S.) and they informed him of all that had transpired in his house. The Imam asked to read his daughter’s answers and after reading expressed his happiness, praised her and in a short sentence said, "May her father be sacrificed for her."