Letter – Dhu al-Qa‘dah 1392 (December 1972)

Letter from Hazrat Agha Haj Sultan Hussein Tabandeh, Reza Ali Shah
To Mr. Haj Mohammad Tabandeh Upon His Departure to London for Studies

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The following instructions were written for the dear Mohammad Tabandeh when he was preparing to leave for his studies in London in Dhu al-Qa‘dah 1392 (Dey 1351 / December 1972). I also reminded him to take a copy of the letter I had written in Rajab 1391 to his brother Ali Tabandeh before his own trip to Europe, and to read it carefully.

Instructions for my dear Mohammad:

1. Be fully mindful of religious etiquette and recite the Quran daily.
2. Carry with you the book Pand-e Saleh, a practical treatise (risalah-ye amaliyyah), and a Qibla compass, or the book Ma‘rifat al-Qiblah, or a compass.
3. Do not fall under the influence of the rhetoric of today’s youth, which is quite prevalent in that environment.
4. Occasionally visit the Shi‘a religious leaders there and ask about any religious matters you are uncertain about. Also, introduce yourself.
5. Be even more firmly committed to your faith than here. Do not let the seductions and whisperings of careless youth affect you.
6. Since the environment there is very corrupt, strive to keep yourself distant and pure.
7. Choose friends and companions who are known for their good character and religiousness.
8. If there are fuqara present there, meet them occasionally. If several are present, gather on Thursday and Monday nights to remember God and read religious texts together.
9. Do not in any way participate in political parties or groupings that conflict with religious and academic responsibilities. Do not attend their gatherings either. A student must focus on their studies, and if subversive ideas take hold, they will fall behind.
10. Also avoid attending any gatherings formed under the banner of political parties or opposition to state authorities. Do not tarnish your reputation. A student must stay true to his own path and not become diverted.
11. Do not associate with notorious individuals or those involved in harmful groupings, even if they present themselves as friends.
12. It is good to occasionally ask questions from leaders of other religions for knowledge about different faiths and denominations, and visiting various churches and Jewish synagogues is also beneficial.
13. During formal Islamic religious occasions such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, attend the mosques where Muslims gather and take part in the Eid prayers.
14. During your free time, it is good to visit historical, religious, and scientific sites.
15. Be very frugal with your spending and, like other ordinary students focused on their studies, avoid unnecessary recreational expenses which lead to moral and spiritual decline and academic setbacks.
16. Write to us at least once every ten days so we can stay informed of your well-being. Also, gradually send letters to other relatives to maintain family bonds and affection.
17. I absolutely do not approve of you thinking about marriage while there, as it does not align with our religious and family values. Do not be influenced by the ideas of other young people. Particularly, bear in mind that the moral character of most women there is not aligned with what we consider acceptable.