The Press Release on the Tragedy at the Entrance of the Holy Shrine

The Press Release on the Tragedy at the Entrance of the Holy Shrine
2019/09/14

Indeed we are of Allah and to Him we shall return

It is with great sadness and pain that the news of the tragedy at the entrance of the holy shrine of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) has reached us, which led to the loss of tens of lives, as they repeated the chant “Ya Husayn”, their hearts filled with the love and grief for the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them), during their participation of the Tuwairich Run on the afternoon of Ashura.
We, therefore, pay condolences to the Imam of our Time (may Allah hasten his reappearance) as well as to their grieving families, and to all the believers and lovers of the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them).
We call upon those responsible in the Iraqi government and the Custodianship of the Holy Shrines to establish sound plans and to take precautionary measures to ensure that such a tragedy does not occur again.
Similarly, we call upon all the respected visitors to the holy shrines – may Allah honour them – to act in coordination with the brothers who have been tasked with managing the millions of visitors in order to enable the illumination of godly teachings and guidance, and the expression of love and sorrow for the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them). Indeed, such service during this season is amongst the greatest of deeds in the eyes of Allah Almighty, and He is the greatest supporter and the Guardian of the believers.
In conclusion, we supplicate to Allah Almighty to bless those pure souls and to raise them in the highest ranks with the Master of Martyrs and his noble companions, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon them all. We pray that He inspires their loved ones who they leave behind with patience and solace, and that He blesses the injured with a quick recovery, for He is the Most Merciful.

11 Muharram 1441

Day Questions

I am a married woman, is there any form of birth control that I am permitted to use in order to prevent pregnancy?

There are two scenarios, Firstly: if childbirth will cause bodily harm, it is permissible to disable the reproductive system even if this is permanent in order to alleviate the harm. Secondly: it is permissible to temporarily disable the reproductive system, even if childbirth does not cause any bodily harm. However, if this involves prohibited exposing or touching of the body then it is not permissible except if there is a conventional necessity that requires this.

I want to start a business to sell motorcycles, I will offer the option for the customers to buy in installments over a set period of months, and the total sum received in installments will be more than the cash price. Will the extra amount be considered as usury? What is the case if I allow the deferment of the payment to a later time, similarly for a higher price than the immediate cash price?

If the contract is based on delaying the payment of the price, even if the total installments amount to more than the cash price, it is valid and it is not considered as usury or interest. In addition, it is permissible to receive the total payment at the end of a designated period.

Some people in our society have a faith that Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) is superior to Prophet Muhammad (Peace upon him and his holy progeny). What is the truth?

This is a big fabrication and cannot be accepted. There is no doubt in the narrations of the Ahlulbait that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) is better than all mankind and the superiority of the Ahlulbait over mankind is based on their relation to him and being the closest ever to him in their action and faith. It is enough to refer to this narration that Al-Kulayni reported to clear this fallacy: “A man asked Imam Ali (peace be upon him): Since when has your Lord existed? Imam replied: "When was He ever absent so one could ask: since when did He exist?". The man then asked the Imam: “O Commander of the Believers, are you a prophet?” Imam replied by saying: "Woe to you, I am only one of Mohammad’s slaves."

If someone intentionally does not fast, does he have to pay Kaffara as well as making up for the fast later?

If they broke their fast knowing that they were obligated to fast then they must pay the Kaffara and make up the lapsed days. In addition to that, if they did not make up the missed days until the next Ramadan, then they must pay 900 grams of dates, wheat, floor, rice, lentils and the like to the needy people for every day that has not been made up.

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