of Nokoonam, may his sanctity be revered, Session (1874)
In an era in which more than a thousand years have elapsed since the Major Occultation of the Infallible Imam, peace be upon him, the world has become engulfed in spiritual and material darkness. The dark clouds of occultation have obscured the sky of the hearts of mortals, while the adversaries of truth, exploiting material means, lead humanity towards immersion in materiality and estrangement from spirituality. Amidst this, students of religious sciences, as the torchbearers of guidance, bear an immense responsibility to illuminate a path towards light in the face of the tumultuous seditions of the End Times. This treatise, through reflection on the Holy Quran and traditions, elucidates the educational system and spiritual conduct of students in the era of occultation, and, employing an exalted and scholarly language, offers practical solutions for a faithful life during this period.
The apocalyptic world resembles a turbulent sea whose waves of affliction and sedition engulf the souls and minds of humanity. Modern media pours forth distressing news and scattered information like a roaring flood upon the psyche of mankind, to the extent that hearts turn away from the recitation of the Divine Word and the establishment of sincere prayer. In such an atmosphere, students of religious sciences must, like stars in a dark night, illuminate the path of guidance.
In this era, social and spiritual afflictions have become so intertwined that a minor incident can plunge a region into chaos. Anxiety, confusion, and entanglement have become the daily nourishment of mankind, and hearts have been emptied of purity and radiance. Religious knowledge, which ought to be like a clear spring to quench thirsty souls, is at times caught under the veil of bigotry and eclecticism. Students of religious sciences must, with awareness of these challenges, discover ways to remain immune to harm and to guide society.
The clergy, as inheritors of the Divine Prophets, bear a heavy responsibility in preserving and disseminating religious knowledge. They must, like shepherds who protect their flock from wolves, keep society safe from seditions and harms. This mission requires an educational system that equips scholars with inner knowledge and effective jurisprudence, enabling them to withstand cultural and spiritual assaults.
Faithful living in the era of occultation is akin to walking on the edge of a razor, requiring vigilance, piety, and commitment to the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Infallibles, peace be upon them. Students of religious sciences must, through precise understanding of the challenges of this era and strengthening their educational system, pave the way as torchbearers of guidance for the salvation of humanity.
Connection to the preceding section: The first section examined the challenges of faithful living in the era of occultation. Now, we elucidate the status of students of religious sciences as migrants on the path of God, who migrate from their homeland towards seminaries in pursuit of divine knowledge.
فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ أَنِّي لَا أُضِيعُ عَمَلَ عَامِلٍ مِنْكُمْ مِنْ ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنْثَى، بَعْضُكُمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ، فَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا وَأُخْرِجُوا مِنْ دِيَارِهِمْ وَأُوذُوا فِي سَبِيلِي وَقَاتَلُوا وَقُتِلُوا لَأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنْهُمْ سَيِّئَاتِهِمْ، وَلَأُدْخِلَنَّهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ، ثَوَابًا مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ، وَاللَّهُ عِنْدَهُ حُسْنُ الثَّوَابِ
Then their Lord responded to them, saying: "Indeed, I do not let the deed of any worker among you, whether male or femaleeach of you is from the othergo to waste. So those who emigrated and were expelled from their homes and were harmed in My cause and fought and were killedI will surely erase their misdeeds and admit them into Gardens beneath which rivers flow, as a reward from God. And with God is the best reward."
(Al-Imran: 195)
This verse, like a radiant lamp, illuminates the path of students of religious sciences who migrate from their homelands towards seminaries. They endure hardships in estrangement, seeking divine knowledge, and if they sacrifice their lives in this path, they shall attain a great felicity. Continuous recitation of this verse encourages students to steadfastness on the path of spiritual conduct.
Students of religious sciences, as migrants on the path of God, take steps on the path of acquiring divine knowledge through migration and enduring hardships. This verse invites them to perseverance and steadfastness in the face of difficulties and promises a magnificent reward from God.
Connection to the preceding section: The previous section addressed the status of students as migrants on the path of God. This section clarifies the mission of religious scholars who have attained the rank of ijtihd (independent jurisprudential reasoning).
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاکَ إِلَّا مُبَشِّرًا وَنَذِيرًا
And We have not sent you except as a bringer of good tidings and a warner.
(Saba: 28)
This verse clearly delineates the mission of religious scholars who have reached the rank of ijtihd. They, like the Prophets, bear the duty of bringing glad tidings to the righteous and warning the sinners. The verse, through exclusive phrasing, confines their status to delivering good news and admonition, urging them to refrain from executive and judicial posts to preserve their guiding position.
Religious scholars, as the engineers of the Islamic system, must serve as a refuge for the people against hardships and despair. Interference in executive and judicial affairs undermines their spiritual stature and diminishes public trust. Scholars should dedicate themselves to training judges and legal experts and remain in the roles of guidance and supervision.
The mission of religious scholars in the era of occultation is to bring glad tidings and warnings, not to interfere in executive or judicial matters. They must preserve their spiritual status, acting as a refuge for the people and as mentors of the Islamic system to maintain public trust in the clergy.
Connection to the preceding section: The previous section elucidated the mission of religious jurisprudents. This section addresses the characteristics of compassionate scholars and their behavioural charter.
وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا. وَالَّذِينَ يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّدًا وَقِيَامًا. وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا. إِنَّهَا سَاءَتْ مُسْتَقَرًّا وَمُقَامًا. وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنْفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ قَوَامًا...
And the servants of the Merciful are those who walk upon the earth humbly, and when the ignorant address them, they say [words of] peace. And those who spend the night prostrating and standing before their Lord; And those who say, "Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell. Indeed, its punishment is ever adhering; Indeed, it is evil as a settlement and residence." And those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate...
(Al-Furqan: 63-75)
These verses constitute a luminous charter delineating the attributes of compassionate scholars. They respond with humility and gentleness even to the ignorant, spend nights in worship, and practise moderate spending. These verses guide the conduct of students of religious sciences, who must emulate these traits to attain the rank of the servants of the Merciful.
Compassionate scholars are like a mighty tree, rooted in piety, whose branches provide shade over people. Clad in the garment of divinity and with noble conduct, they attract hearts towards themselves and, by abstaining from violence and arrogance, act as a refuge for the misguided. These qualities guide students towards a compassionate and spiritual path.
The verses on the servants of the Merciful serve as a charter for the conduct of religious scholars, who must, with humility, gentleness, and moderation, attain the leadership of the pious. These traits steer students towards a noble life and societal guidance.
In this treatise, through contemplation of the Holy Quran and the conduct of devoted scholars, solutions have been proposed for the faithful life of students of religious sciences in the era of occultation. Students, as migrants on the path of God, journey to seminaries enduring hardships in pursuit of divine knowledge. Religious scholars, relying on the mission of glad tidings and warning, must avoid executive positions to preserve their guiding status. The verses on the servants of the Merciful provide a charter for compassionate conduct, inviting students towards humility, gentleness, and moderation. Seminaries, like fertile gardens, must, by nurturing devoted scholars and preserving their sanctity, pave the way for the guidance of society.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
