Hawzah News Agency- Ayatollah Mohammad Javad Fazel Lankarani, a member of the Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom, released a statement sharply rebuking what he described as an "astonishing and unacceptable" position taken by the prestigious Sunni institution.
The full text of Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani's statement condemning Al-Azhar's unprincipled stance is as follows:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
To the entire Muslim Ummah and the scholars of Islam, particularly the esteemed scholars of Al-Azhar University:
I have reviewed the highly astonishing and unexpected statement issued by Al-Azhar University. I truly cannot accept that this institution—with its distinguished scholarly history and legacy of intellectual freedom—would issue such a statement today.
We have not forgotten Al-Azhar's precise and correct positions regarding Palestine and Gaza. However, this statement raises serious questions in the minds of all scholars.
Does Al-Azhar not ask itself why the so-called Islamic governments of the region have placed their land and airspace at the disposal of the forces of disbelief and Zionism? Does it not ask itself what the true objective of America and Israel is in their presence and dominance over this region? Does it not reflect on how these powers seek to plunder the resources of Muslims and destroy their lives and property?
Has Al-Azhar forgotten the numerous verses of the Qur'an in which Almighty God forbids accepting the domination of disbelievers and Jews?
Does not Islamic Iran—which was subjected to brutal aggression by America and Israel launched from their bases in the region—have the right to respond based on the noble verse: "So whoever has assaulted you, then assault him in the same manner that he has assaulted you" (Qur'an 2:194)?
Based on the blessed verse: "And if you retaliate, retaliate with the same with which you were afflicted" (Qur'an 16:126), should Iran not respond in kind?
According to the noble verse: "Permission is granted to those who are fought because they have been wronged, and indeed Allah is able to grant them victory" (Qur'an 22:39), is Iran not permitted to defend itself?
Have they not read—or have they forgotten—the noble verse: "O you who have faith! Do not take My enemy and your enemy for allies, offering them affection" (Qur'an 60:1)?
Do they not believe in the noble verse: "O you who have faith! Do not take as allies a people with whom Allah is wrathful" (Qur'an 60:13)?
Should they not make the noble verse: "You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day who are affectionate toward those who oppose Allah and His Messenger" (Qur'an 58:22) the standard for their actions and words?
Does this statement align with the mutawatir (widely transmitted) hadith accepted by both Shia and Sunni schools—the Hadith of Thaqalayn—or does it stand in complete opposition to the objectives of the Qur'an and the Ahl al-Bayt?
Has Al-Azhar forgotten the jurisprudential principles agreed upon by Muslims? Has it not been recorded in books of jurisprudence that Muslims who assist disbelievers in achieving victory against another group of Muslims themselves assume the ruling of disbelievers? And if they serve as shields for the disbelievers, they must be eliminated?
If the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his progeny) were present in our time, would he support America, Israel, and the regional governments that have turned Muslim lands into military bases for them? Or would he certainly defend the Muslim nation of Iran, which has been subjected to oppression and transgression by the enemy?
Even setting aside the logic of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, tell the free people of the world: from the standpoint of reason, what should Iran do after facing these attacks launched from the territory of treacherous regional governments? Should it not defend the lives, blood, and borders of Muslims in this country?
Did you not witness how, on the first day of the war, these enemies attacked the Shajareh Tayyibeh school in Minab, martyring more than 160 innocent children?
On the basis of which verse of the Qur'an, which hadith, or which rational or logical argument did you rise to side with the regional governments and condemn Iran?
Why did you not invoke the noble verse: "Do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden except by right" (Qur'an 17:33) to hold the disbelievers and the Gulf states accountable?
Why did you scholars of Al-Azhar show no reaction after the oppressed martyrdom of the Leader of the Muslims in Iran—a man who was a great herald of the glory of Islam and Muslims, who restored dignity and honor to all Muslims across the world?
Do you not think that with this statement, you are weakening and undermining the trust of the world's Muslims in your institution?
I advise the scholars of the Islamic world, particularly Al-Azhar, to carefully and accurately observe the current circumstances of the Islamic world. They must act according to their religious and legal duty, not based on the whims of the leaders of disbelief and arrogance and their agents in the region. Only then can they hold their heads high before God, the Noble Messenger, the divine guardians, Muslims, and the free people of the world. Let them beware lest they become examples of the noble verse: "Indeed those who conceal what Allah has sent down of the Book and sell it for a paltry price" (Qur'an 2:174).
"Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our excesses in our affairs, make firm our steps, and grant us victory over the disbelieving people."
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