In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Islamic conscience and Quranic justice demand that Islamic centers and institutions, particularly Al-Azhar University, correctly understand the current conditions of the region and the Islamic world. They must place themselves on the right side of history—a side forged by the leadership of the Imams of the Islamic Revolution, the relentless struggle of Islamic scholars, and the collective awareness of the Muslim Ummah.
God Almighty states in the Holy Quran:
"قَدْ جَاءَكُم بَصَائِرُ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَنْ أَبْصَرَ فَلِنَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ عَمِيَ فَعَلَيْهَا وَمَا أَنَاْ عَلَيْكُم بِحَفِيظٍ"
"Indeed, there have come to you insights from your Lord. So whoever sees, it is for [the benefit of] his soul; and whoever is blind, it is against it. And I am not a guardian over you." (Al-An'am: 104)
Against this divine clarity, the justifications for silence in the face of global arrogance and militant unbelief, while simultaneously condemning the legitimate defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran—especially when the lines of aggression and defense are so clearly drawn—represent a feeble, baseless theory. It is an apparent innovation (bid'ah) in the presence of the Quran, the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT), and the awakened conscience of Muslims.
The pursuit of expediency, devoid of logic and Islamic foundations, such as calling for “peace” or invoking the “sanctity of Muslim blood” at the very moment when the aggressive enemy is being justly punished by the powerful hand of the Islamic Republic, will certainly not deceive awakened consciences. Such a stance is fundamentally at odds with the nature and will of Muslims worldwide, whose rights are trampled upon by the deceptive slogans of “development” pushed by Zionist and American hegemony.
Today, the unforgivable negligence of at least 70 years of complicit silence—in the face of the systematic violation of the legitimate rights of Palestinian Muslims, our Sunni brothers in Gaza, and the majority of Muslims in the region whose comprehensive development has been stifled by the misguided policies of regional regimes—is now laid bare for all to judge. This record of failure is inexcusable.
Amidst this landscape, several fundamental Quranic and legal contradictions arise. Leaving these questions unanswered challenges the very credibility of the positions taken by these institutions.
Firstly: On What Islamic Basis Do You Justify Your Silence?
On what Quranic and Islamic logic do you base your unforgivable past silence and your current, feeble statements against the alliance of militant unbelievers and Zionist-American arrogance targeting the Islamic Republic of Iran?
Consider the reality: the financial and military resources, the land, airspace, and military bases of certain Islamic countries have been deployed against Iran. How is this reconciled with the clear text of the Quran?
"الَّذِينَ يَتَّخِذُونَ الْكَافِرِينَ أَوْلِيَاءَ مِن دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ..."
"Who take the disbelievers as allies instead of the believers..." (An-Nisa: 139)
What rational or Islamic justification exists for providing years of air, land, and logistical support to enemies against your own religious and Islamic brothers—brothers who have always been on the front lines of defending the oppressed Sunni people of the region? Is this not a clear violation of these divine commandments?
Secondly: What Is Your Double Standard Regarding the Blood of Oppressed Muslims?
Your recent statement, citing the hadith "كُلُّ المُسلِمِ عَلَی المُسلِمِ حَرامٌ؛ دَمُهُ وَ مالُهُ وَ عِرضُهُ" ("Every Muslim is inviolable to another Muslim: his blood, his property, and his honor") is doctrinally correct. However, using it to manipulate public opinion is a different matter.
How can you invoke this sanctity now, while remaining silent when thousands of fasting Muslims in Iran were martyred in attacks enabled by the very military bases you have failed to condemn? How do you account for the 186 students of Minab and the 82 unarmed naval cadets, returning from a training exercise in the Indian Ocean in accordance with the Quranic command:
"وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُم مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ الْخَیْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ وَعَدُوَّکُمْ"
"And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy..." (Al-Anfal: 60)
These innocent civilians—children, elderly, scholars, Basij members, and armed forces personnel defending their Islamic homeland—were martyred. Why did you not issue a sermon or statement against the militant unbelievers then, based on the same hadith? What “expediency” guided your silence? Have you forgotten the divine decree?
"وَمَن یَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَاؤُهُ جَهَنَّمُ..."
"And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell..." (An-Nisa: 93)
What Islamic or Sharia logic can possibly justify your unforgivable and irresponsible silence in the face of all this innocent bloodshed?
Thirdly: Why Have You Suspended the Verses of Jihad in the Face of Aggression?
Why have the verses of jihad in legitimate defense, and the punishment and suppression of militant unbelief, been suspended by you now to align with the deceived rulers of the region? Why, at this moment when the time for retribution, just response, and punishing the aggressor has arrived, do you raise the call for peace and the protection of regional countries’ interests?
Conclusion
Islamic conscience and Quranic justice demand that Islamic centers and institutions, especially Al-Azhar University, develop a correct understanding of the current situation in the region and the Islamic world. They must stand on the right side of history—the side shaped by the leadership of the Imams of the Revolution, the continuous struggle of Islamic scholars, and the collective awareness of the Muslim public.
By: Hojatoleslam Saeed Omidian, Founder and Custodian of the Islamic Seminary of Noorabad Delfan
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