Declaration – 3 Sha‘ban 1418 (1997-12-04)

Declaration from Hazrat Agha Haj Dr. Noor Ali Tabandeh, Majzoub Ali Shah
Regarding the Sublime Status of Wilayah and the Birth of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him)

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Honorable brothers and dear sisters,

Peace be upon the one whose heart is assured with faith

I extend congratulations to all on the occasion of the Mab‘ath of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the birth of that noble one who declared: هَيْهَاتَ مِنَّا الذِلَّةِ (“Far be it from us to be humiliated.”), who sacrificed his life and family out of love for God, yet refused to abandon even a trace of his divine dignity and the honor of his noble forebears. Faith is a matter of the heart and individual conviction that brings the faithful close to one another and connects them in a chain of devotion and love for the Master:

Whoever departs from this circle becomes lost, bewildered, regretful, and remorseful. But God, as with all His creatures, preserves their soul in hopes they may find the chance for humility and contrition: أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْ تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ .

God, who accepts repentance even from the worst sinners, accepted the Islam of Wahshi by the Prophet (PBUH), and his son and successor accepted the repentance of Hur—who was the actual instigator of the events of Karbala—and elevated him from the depths of sin to the peak of martyrdom. We too should remain hopeful that our sins may be forgiven. Yet until that forgiveness and repentance are realized, we must treat sinners gently—without ever following their example. As Luqman said, when asked who taught him etiquette, he replied: “From the impolite.”

It is said: اَلنَّاسُ مِنْ خَوْفَ الذِلَّةِ فِي الذِلَّة (“People, out of fear of humiliation, fall into far greater disgrace”). In the court of ‘Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad (or perhaps Yazid), Zaynab (peace be upon her) responded to his indecent behavior by saying: Although power is in your hands, humiliation is yours. We are the embodiment of تُعِزُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ and you are the embodiment of تُذِلُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ .

You must strive to strengthen your inner faith and, in matters of Sharia, follow the rulings of your chosen marja‘ of taqlid. Try to be exemplary in your intentions—whose effects manifest through your limbs and actions—and in your good deeds. This is the true way to spread devotion to wilayah. Otherwise, no one holds the title of preacher. Continue holding gatherings on Friday and Monday nights consistently. I authorize Mr. Fathollah Sanaei, should he agree to the brethren’s request, to lead congregational prayers, and consider this a divine grace and a deed rewarded by God.