Declaration – 3 Jumada al-Thani 1439 (2018-02-20)

Declaration from His Holiness Haj Dr. Noor Ali Tabandeh, Majzoub Ali Shah
Following the Incidents of Monday, February 19 2018 Around His Residence

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I have lived my whole life under the guidance and principles of Islam, and I hope that when my time comes, God grants me the honor to remain steadfast in belief in Islam and faith, God willing. As for the matter of being Sunni or Shi‘i, I, just as our esteemed scholars have declared, believe there should be no enmity between Sunni and Shi‘i Muslims, and efforts must be made for unity between them. Of course, my personal belief is rooted in Shi‘ism—Twelver Shi‘ism—and I await the reappearance of the Twelfth Imam (AS). In any case, in the past few days, there appears to have been a confrontation—I do not know exactly between whom or how—but it seems that several individuals have lost their lives. I was deeply affected by this, and from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of myself and the “fuqara”, I extend condolences to their honorable families for their return to God. I have also heard that many “fuqara” are perhaps intending to travel to Tehran—whether to offer condolences or for other reasons—however, I have previously stated that coming to Tehran is not appropriate. This is because the number of people here will increase and it’s unclear whether they’ll be able to stay comfortably, and if they come and then have to leave, it will be a short trip, since during the Nowruz holidays people leave Tehran for their vacations. Therefore, it is better for them to stay home to prepare for hosting travelers during the holidays. And if they are worried about my health and want to come to Tehran for that reason, praise be to God, I am well, and there is no cause for concern. So, during this time, do not come to Tehran.

As for “Dervishhood”, this path is beloved and respected by all the people of Iran and indeed by Muslims throughout the world. Of course, people may not fully understand what “Dervishhood” actually is, but its principles are genuinely cherished, believed in, and trusted by the public. We say that God created human beings in pairs so that they would live together and build a social life—not to be in conflict with one another. I believe that all the statesmen of the country—and in fact, leaders across the world—should strive to eliminate hostility and look upon every human being with a favorable view, recognizing that each person is a creation of God and that God watches over His creation. Therefore, we too should look upon others with affection. Of course, because my path is “Dervishhood”, and since there is no political involvement in “Dervishhood”, I am merely expressing my personal opinion and hope that it will be accepted and acted upon. Fortunately, today the leadership of the country is in the hands of those who believe in God and His Messenger (PBUH), and it would be commendable for them to work toward removing the enmities that give rise to painful conflicts, concerns, and grief. They should endeavor to eliminate animosity from within the society and encourage people to look at one another with kindness. If this happens, those who lack affection—those who are unwilling to show love—will be naturally cast out by society itself without any need for government action. Praise be to God, the “fuqara”, through the teachings they have received in both formal “faqr” gatherings and sermons, are all ready to foster connection and friendship. Of course, at times, insecurity can lead to anxious thoughts, which may result in actions contrary to this path. Everyone should know that only those who genuinely adhere to both the Shari‘a and the mystical teachings are considered true “Dervishes”. Just as not everyone today follows the commands of the Prophet (PBUH)—and some are considered disbelievers despite having heard his explicit teachings—so too there are those who neglect religious duties such as prayer and fasting. The same applies to some who may claim to be “Dervishes”. But just as the Prophet (PBUH) desired for all people to be righteous and good—and the Holy Quran says to the Prophet (PBUH): لَعَلَّكَ باٰخِعٌ نَفْسَكَ الّاٰ يَكُونُوا مُؤمِنِينَ (“You would almost destroy yourself out of grief because they do not become believers”)—he was distressed by those who did not believe in him. We too desire for everyone to believe and act upon the teachings. Therefore, it is possible that there may be individuals within the path of “Dervishhood” who act against the instructions of “Dervish” and mystical teachings—those who, overwhelmed by emotions, lose control and may commit actions that are incorrect and unacceptable in “Dervishhood”. They must be prevented from losing control, but ultimately, they are human beings who need care so that they may recognize their errors. God willing, from now on in our society—and indeed in all societies—we hope that war and conflict will be eliminated, and all will live together with love and affection. Peace be upon you.