Licensing Requirement for Processions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Imam Hussain (AS) Is Regrettable: Ayatollah Hafiz Riaz Najafi

Shiite News: President of Wifaq-ul-Madaris al-Shia Pakistan, Ayatollah Hafiz Syed Riaz Hussain Najafi, said that Rabi al-Awwal is a month of celebrations in which the birth anniversaries of the Leader of the Prophets, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS) are commemorated. He was addressing a gathering at Jamia Ali Mosque at Hawza Ilmiyya Jamia-tul-Muntazar.

He noted that the same month also marks the beginning of the Imamate of Imam Mahdi (AS) and the marriage of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to Hazrat Khadija al-Kubra (SA). He expressed regret that Muslims believe in one God, one Messenger, one Quran and one Qibla, yet due to a lack of tolerance, they become embroiled in disputes over minor differences, while their opponents remain united against them.

Referring to the Seerah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Ayatollah Riaz Najafi said that the Prophet (PBUH) brought different religious communities together through the Charter of Medina and came as a mercy to the entire universe.

Criticizing government policies, Hafiz Riaz Najafi said it was highly regrettable that licenses are required for processions marking Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) and the commemorations of Imam Hussain (AS), while other undesirable activities can reportedly take place without permission.

Reacting strongly to remarks by an official of the Ittehad Tanzeemat-e-Madaris who had declared books of the Shia school of thought unreliable, he said that references cited in the blasphemous book Rangila Rasul and Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses were taken from books included in the Sunni canonical collection known as the Sihah Sittah.

Addressing the cleric, he said, “Please do not take offense, but those from whom you derive your religious knowledge were born in 80 AH, whereas those from whom we received our religion were born in the Kaaba and remained with the Messenger of God (PBUH) throughout their lives.”

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Hafiz Riaz Najafi further stated that the personalities recognized by the Shia school are considered infallible. He also highlighted the historical role of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS), the sixth Imam, saying that Imam Abu Hanifa, the founder of the Hanafi school, studied at the great institution established by Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS) and was among his students.