http://www.world-federation.org/Secretariat/Articles/Details_WF_Presidents_meeting_Ayatullah_al_Uzma_Syed_Sistani_other_Maraje.htm

Updated 15 September 2009

On 29 Sha’ban 1430 AH (21 August 2009), the President of The World Federation was granted a personal audience by his Eminence Ayatullah al-Uzma Syed Sistani. The President was accompanied by Shaykh Safder Jaffer.

General discussions

Agha greeted the delegation warmly and appealed for prayers for the people of Najaf and Iraq, about which he is very concerned.

He once again mentioned that he offers special prayers for the Khoja Community, quoting a Prophetic hadith on the importance of ‘Loving and Hating for the sake of Allah’. He stated that his love for the Khoja Community is for the sake of Allah and that it was one of his duties to love and care for our community.

Islamic Institute for Postgraduate Studies (IIPS) – Damascus

Dr Hassam briefed Agha on the latest developments at IIPS. Agha acknowledged the project and prayed for its success, while stating that the ideal location for the Institute is Najaf al-Ashraf. He advised The World Federation to consider this option once the security situation improves to an acceptable level.

Specific Questions

The delegation took the opportunity to ask some of the pertinent questions that are affecting the community:

1. Moon-sighting

• Agha confirmed that it is permissible to follow the sighting of the moon that occurs before sunset for purposes of the confirmation of the new month. This sighting must be unaided by optical aid and is valid from after Zohr:
  
  
  Question: 1. To confirm the start of the new month can a sighting of the moon before sunset be sufficient as the new crescent?
  
  
  Question 2. If so, then how many minutes before sunset can such a sighting be considered as valid? 15 minutes before sunset? 30 minutes before sunset? Or more? Or less?
  
  
  Answer: 1. If it is sighted without the use of an optical aid then it is sufficient.
  
  
  Answer 2: Any time after Zohr; it is not restricted to a particular time period.

Click here to view the original Farsi.

2. Irfan (Islamic Mysticism)

Agha was briefed on the growing trend of our community students who travel to the Hawza and focus their studies towards Irfan. Upon their return they seem to possess some distinct appearances, behaviours and attitudes. The community at large is not used to this and feel concerned about the development of these students.

• Agha devoted a significant amount of time to this question and it was an area he was clearly concerned about.
  
   
• Agha confirmed that he was aware of the variety of trends and practices that exist in Qum. He knew that Mysticism is sometimes studied over and above the traditional Hawza subjects. Agha stated that he was not against the study of supplementary subjects in the Hawza, including Mysticism, but stressed the importance of learning the numerous critiques of mystical approaches as well, as this would give a balanced view of the realities of Islam.
  
   
• Agha summarised three approaches to the presentation of the education in Qum:

• The rational approach which does not delve into mystical principles, for example the approach of Ayatullah Ja’far Subhani
• The approach where a number of disciplines, for example Fiqh, Philosophy, Mysticism, Hadith, Tafsir etc. are fused together, for example the approach of Ayatullah Jawadi Amoli
• The Mystical approach where the ‘hidden’ (Batin) elements are over-emphasised

Agha concluded that the first two approaches are acceptable in his view. The third approach however was where Agha advised caution and described them as ‘deviated’. He mentioned his observations of some Sufi orders that eventually deviated from the core fundamentals of Islam. He warned that an over-emphasis on mystical principles may lead to multiple pathways and incorrect interpretations within Islam and such a result is not in line with the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (as).

• Agha urged a closer connection with his offices and trustworthy Ulama in Qum so that the students of our community do not become misguided with questionable teachers and practices.
  
   
• Agha concluded that aspects of spirituality, as taught by the Ahl al-Bayt (as), are adequate for the refinement of the soul and he felt there is no need to introduce Mysticism as a separate subject to other Islamic disciplines.
  
   
• Agha also mentioned that Khums should not be utilised for support of any extreme or deviant Mystical practices.

Completion of Term and Elections

Dr Hassam mentioned that his term as President is drawing to a close and that new elections would soon be held to elect a new president for The World Federation. Agha was fully aware of this. Dr Hassam thanked Agha for his support throughout his term and for the support of his offices in Qum, Najaf and Damascus.

Agha acknowledged the work of Dr Hassam and prayed for his success and for the success of the community.

Meeting with Syed Mohammed Ridha Sistani

Dr Hassam and Shaykh Safder then had a meeting with Agha’s son: Syed Mohammed Ridha.

Syed Mohammed Ridha was pleased with the relationship that had been built over the years with Dr Hassam and The World Federation and requested Dr Hassam to continue to visit them even after his Presidency is over. He communicated two key messages for the community (reflecting the views of his father):

1. The Khojas have an edge over other Shia communities because we have maintained our heritage and language; he emphasised the importance of continuing this. He mentioned his concern at the loss of the cultural identity of some Shia communities and that one important way this can be preserved is by maintaining traditional values such as the giving of good names to the children and by speaking the mother tongue.
   
    
2. He was delighted with the progress of the Muballigheen Training Programme and emphasised the need for Tableegh in all matters of life. He was pleased the Khoja community has always considered Tableegh as a top priority and this must continue. He longed and prayed for the day he could see the graduate scholars from IIPS propagate the message of the Ahl al-Bayt (as) and guide the community.

Syed Mohammed Ridha appreciated the invitation from Dr Hassam to attend the next triennial conference in Toronto but apologised for being unable to leave his father’s side.

Syed Mohammed Ridha reiterated his commitment to answering important issues that are channelled through The World Federation.

Meeting with Ayatullah Ishaq Fayyaz

A delegation comprising Dr Ahmed Hassam, Hon. Treasurer Ahmed bhai Daya, Shaykh Safder Jaffer and Altaf Daya met with Ayatullah Ishaq Fayyaz in Najaf al-Ashraf. The discussions included an update on the plight of Shias in Afghanistan. Ahmed bhai Daya offered the assistance of The World Federation through the Ramadhan Relief project and offered to channel this through the office of Ayatullah Fayyaz in Qum.

Ayatullah Fayyaz then gave an overview of the progress of the Najaf Hawza and how things were gradually improving since the fall of Saddam. He mentioned that the Maraje of Najaf al-Ashraf meet on a regular basis to discuss matters of mutual interest as well as how to revive the Hawza on a collective basis.

The subject of the study of Mysticism was also discussed. Ayatullah Fayyaz stated that he was not in favour of Mysticism being taught in the mainstream Hawza curriculum, feeling that this may lead students towards incorrect Sufi-type tendencies. He concluded by mentioning that the Prophet’s (saw) biggest challenge in Medina was against baseless Mystical practices.

Meeting with Ayatullah Hafiz Bashir Najafi

The delegation then met Ayatullah Bashir Najafi. Ayatullah Bashir enquired with interest about the programme of IIPS in Damascus and suggested that the criteria of students being married be re-evaluated. He drew on his own experience and observations that showed that unmarried students tended to advance their studies easier and better than married couples. He quoted Shahid al-Thani on this issue in the famous book, ‘Munyat al-Murid’.

On the subject of studying Mysticism, he stated that it is a necessity for the student to have mastered the other Islamic sciences, especially Fiqh, before entering into such areas. He explained that there were several avenues in achieving the recognition (ma’rifa) of Allah; one is through the mastery of Ilm al-Kalam (Aqaid). The other is through being an expert in Fiqh. Ayatullah Bashir concluded that it is only when one masters all Islamic sciences that he can dwell into understanding the science of Mysticism.

He specifically highlighted the example of Imam Khumayni: he was a Faqih and a scholar in all Islamic sciences and only then delved into the subject of Mysticism. He warned that students who study Mysticism at early stages of their Hawza studies are likely to be lost and to deviate. He was hence against the teaching of Mysticism in the mainstream Hawza curriculum, particularly for students whose basics were not strong enough.

For further information email islamiceducation@world-federation.org