Hawzah News Agency- Speaking at a pre-session of the international conference titled “New Approaches to Religious Propagation,” Hojatoleslam Tabatabaei Ashkazari emphasized that effective religious communication today requires depth, clarity, and adaptation to the realities of the modern world.
The session, held under the theme “International Religious Outreach in the School of Zainabi Resistance,” was organized by the Jabal al-Sabr Institute in cooperation with international seminaries from Qom and Khorasan.
Religious Propagation: A Core Principle of Divine Faiths
Hojatoleslam Ashkazari noted that religious propagation is not unique to Islam but a shared foundation of all monotheistic religions.
“Throughout history, prophets, scholars, and religious leaders have been entrusted with the mission of calling people to divine guidance,” he said. “Conveying religious teachings to societies has always been inseparable from their sacred responsibility.”
He distinguished between simple message delivery and true religious propagation, stressing that the latter involves education, persuasion, and intellectual engagement.
“Religious outreach is not like the work of a postman who merely delivers a letter,” he explained. “True propagation means helping people understand, reflect, and internalize religious teachings. It is inseparable from explanation and intellectual impact.”
Quranic Foundations of Religious Outreach
Referring to the Holy Quran, Ashkazari highlighted the central role of outreach and invitation in Islamic teachings.
“The Quran uses two key concepts regarding religious propagation: tabligh (conveyance) and da‘wah (invitation),” he said, noting that these terms appear hundreds of times throughout the Quran, particularly in the Meccan chapters, underscoring their importance in shaping the religious community.
He outlined three Quranic principles governing religious outreach:
- Invitation through wisdom and rational argument
- Sincere advice and good counsel
- Constructive and respectful debate
Citing the intellectual debates of the Shiite Imams—especially those of Imam Reza (peace be upon him)—he described “good debate” as a means of clarifying truth rather than seeking domination or emotional confrontation.
Resistance as a Core Religious Concept
Hojatoleslam Ashkazari also elaborated on the concept of resistance, describing it as a central theme in Islamic thought and history.
“Resistance in the Quranic sense means conscious, confident perseverance,” he said. “It is not haste or recklessness, but steady and principled endurance.”
He explained that resistance applies not only to political struggle but also to belief systems: monotheism versus polytheism, faith versus disbelief, and divine leadership versus oppressive domination.
According to him, the Quran links divine victory to patience, unity, and obedience to God and legitimate leadership, warning that internal division undermines collective strength.
Islam’s Global Mission and the Role of Zainabi Resistance
Emphasizing Islam’s universal message, Ashkazari noted that while some prophets were sent to specific nations, Islam was revealed as a comprehensive faith for all humanity.
“As a global religion, Islam requires global outreach,” he said. “Religious propagation cannot remain confined within geographical or cultural boundaries.”
Highlighting the historical role of Hazrat Zainab al-Kubra (peace be upon her), he described her as one of the most influential figures in the history of religious communication.
“Although she was neither a prophet nor an imam, she carried out a mission at that level,” he said. “Through her words and steadfastness, she ensured that the message of Ashura and the Hussaini uprising reached the world.”
A Universal Figure Beyond Sectarian Boundaries
Hojatoleslam Ashkazari stressed that Hazrat Zainab’s influence transcends sectarian and religious lines.
“She is deeply respected not only among Shiites, but also among Sunnis, Christians, and non-Muslim intellectuals,” he said, pointing to numerous works by Muslim and Christian scholars that portray her as a symbol of courage, leadership, patience, and truth.
Her historic sermons in Kufa and Damascus, he added, represent exemplary cases of religious outreach under the most hostile conditions—particularly her address in the Umayyad court, which directly challenged the ideological foundations of tyranny.
A School of Awareness and Resistance
Hojatoleslam Ashkazari described Hazrat Zainab as a “school” rather than merely a historical figure.
“She represents a school of resistance, ethics, dignity, chastity, and awareness,” he said. “Her famous statement, ‘I saw nothing but beauty,’ offers one of the most profound interpretations of the tragedy of Ashura—an outlook rooted in monotheism and unwavering faith.”
He concluded by emphasizing that commemorations of Hazrat Zainab should go beyond ritual mourning.
“To attend the school of Zainab,” he said, “means learning how to live religiously, communicate globally, and stand firmly against falsehood and injustice—at all times and in all places.”
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