Hawzah News Agency- Speaking at a grand celebration marking the 1,501st anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), held at Shia College in the city of Lucknow, Hakimollahi emphasized the importance of knowledge, trustworthiness, the status of teachers, and the need to bridge knowledge and practice. He called for Shia College to become a leading center in knowledge production, interfaith dialogue, Indian and Islamic studies, and the training of capable human resources.
Cultural and Religious Diversity: An Opportunity for Scientific Development
Referring to the scholarly and cultural heritage of Lucknow, he stated that the identity and standing of an academic institution in this historic city cannot be separated from its diverse religious, cultural, and social environment. The simultaneous presence of Shia and Sunni professors and students, as well as followers of other religions and traditions, is not a threat to an educational center — rather, if properly managed and guided, it can become a valuable scientific and human asset.
The Representative of the Supreme Leader in India stressed that interaction among followers of different religions and schools of thought can pave the way for mutual understanding, constructive dialogue, and the expansion of scientific and cultural horizons.
Scientific Legacy: From Pride in the Past to Responsibility for the Future
Pointing to the valuable scientific and intellectual heritage of Shia Islam, he noted that merely taking pride in the scholarly achievements of the past is not enough; rather, one must ask what share today's generation has in producing and advancing knowledge.
He said that civilization is not built solely on pride in the past — it remains alive and dynamic only when each generation can add to the scientific legacy of those before it and bring new achievements for generations to come.
Hakimollahi added that if an institution bears the title "Shia College," this title represents not only a religious identity but also a scientific and cultural responsibility. A student at this center must, alongside preserving their religious identity, acquire competence and expertise in fields such as philosophy, social sciences, natural sciences, technology, economics, law, literature, and other academic disciplines.
Citing the Quranic verse, "Indeed, God commands you to render trusts to whom they are due," he stated that trust is not limited to wealth and property; a building, a responsibility, a name and social reputation, and even the next generation can all be trusts.
Emphasizing that Shia College is also a trust, he said this institution is the result of the efforts and sacrifices of those who came before us to establish, preserve, and develop it — and now its responsibility rests with the present generation.
Addressing officials, professors, and students, he posed a fundamental question: We should not only ask what we have gained from this college; we must also ask in what condition we will deliver Shia College to the next generation.
He asked whether this institution will be passed on as it was entrusted to us, or whether it will be elevated in terms of scholarship, management, ethics, and educational facilities — handed to the next generation with a more organized structure, greater credibility, and more up-to-date resources.
Knowledge Alongside Ethics and Practice
Hojatoleslam Hakimollahi stressed the need to link knowledge, ethics, and practice, stating that the mission of an educational center is not merely the transfer of information and theoretical knowledge; training aware, responsible, ethical, and capable human beings is also among its most important duties.
He noted that both professor and student bear responsibility toward society and the future, and that knowledge is valuable when it serves human development, solves society's problems, and advances scientific and cultural progress.
Shia College: A Vision for a Scientific and Cultural Center
The Representative of the Supreme Leader in India stressed the need to strengthen the scientific and cultural standing of Shia College, saying it can, by relying on existing capacities, become a distinguished center in knowledge production, interfaith dialogue, Indian and Islamic studies, and the training of specialized human resources.
He emphasized that realizing this goal requires the cooperation and participation of all officials, professors, students, and well-wishers, so that this institution can preserve the scientific legacy of the past, move in step with today's needs, and serve as a valuable asset for future generations.
Ahl al-Bayt Teachings Must Be Reflected in Our Conduct
In another part of his remarks, Hakimollahi stressed the need to turn the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) into behavior and lifestyle, saying: We speak a great deal about justice, knowledge, dignity, humility, and other virtues of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT); but the fundamental question is how much these values have manifested in our lives and practical conduct.
He added that if we speak of the justice of Imam Ali (PBUH), we must also observe justice in our behavior and dealings with students and others. If we speak of the knowledge of Imam Jafar Sadiq (PBUH), we must take knowledge production, research, and inquiry seriously in our academic centers and strive to expand knowledge.
Hakimollahi continued that if we speak of the dignity of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT), we must also treat professors and students who hold different views and beliefs with respect, dignity, and open-mindedness.
He stressed that this is the point at which religion goes beyond slogans and words and becomes part of a person's character and behavior. The best way to introduce the school of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) is for someone who lives and interacts with us — even without hearing our words — to observe and feel justice, honesty, knowledge, dignity, and mercy in our conduct and actions.
The Ahl al-Bayt School in the Mirror of Our Behavior
Hojatoleslam Hakimollahi posed a thought-provoking question: All of us — whether administrators, officials, professors, or students — must ask ourselves each year: if a non-Muslim professor or student wanted to become acquainted with the school of Shia Islam solely through our behavior, what image of this school would form in their mind?
He asked whether our behavior reflects knowledge, ethics, justice, respect for humanity, dialogue, honesty, and human dignity — or something else.
The Representative of the Supreme Leader in India noted that the answer to this question can show the extent of our success in practicing the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT), because religious values are effective in society only when they manifest in the behavior, social relations, and daily performance of the followers of that school.
The Future Vision of Shia College
In conclusion, Hakimollahi expressed hope that Shia College in Lucknow will in the future become a recognized and influential center in knowledge and science, interfaith and inter-school dialogue, Indian and Islamic studies, and the training of capable and worthy human resources.
He stressed that realizing this vision requires the joint efforts of administrators, professors, students, and all those interested in the scientific and cultural development of this institution.
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