The Meeting of his Eminence with the Delegation of Scholars from Al-Azhar

The Meeting of his Eminence with the Delegation of Scholars from Al-Azhar
2018/02/05

His Eminence, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid al-Hakim, receives a delegation from Al-Azhar, and calls all towards wisdom and cooperation, and the rejection of animosity and takfeer.

His Eminence, the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Mohammed Saeed al-Hakim (may Allah prolong his life) received in his office, on 29 January 2018 (11 Jamadi al-Ula 1439), a delegation of scholars of Al-Azhar University in Egypt, including teachers of Quranic sciences and the sciences of the holy Hadith.

His Eminence called, during this discussion with the delegation members, all sides towards adorning with wisdom and decency with one another, and the rejection of all manners of enmity and disrespect, which is harming the Muslims, especially in areas that have witnessed conflict, woes and destruction from all sides.

His Eminence warned all against involvement in the bloodshed of Muslims, whether it is through action or speech, emphasising on the acceptance of all sides of the reality that stands, and that each side acknowledges the other, and remains within the boundaries ordained by Allah Almighty in dealing with the other side, observing due respect and consideration, without nullifying them, as humans are most respected in the eyes of God Almighty above all things.

Day Questions

Is it permissible for me to shake hands with the opposite gender?

Handshaking that involves skin contact with a person of opposite sex is prohibited. One can do so with gloves to prevent skin contact. It is best to apologize for not doing such an action by stating that our religion does not allow it. Some people who do not understand the religion or do not believe in it might think that this law is disrespectful to women, but this false notion originates from being distanced from the environment of Muslims and not knowing the details of their religion, since the prohibition of hand-shaking is not limited to men but it also includes women as well as they are not permitted to shake men’s hands. It is purely a legislation that could mean – based on our understanding – placing borders between men and women to protect their chasteness and to help in preventing them from falling into prohibited acts.

Many people around the world believe in reincarnation. What is the view of Islam on reincarnation?

There is no doubt that reincarnation is an invalid concept. The entity of the human being does not change after death. Almighty Allah resurrects him after his death in his original form and identity and he will be judged for his actions. Allah almighty said: "And whoso doeth good an atom's weight will see it then, And whoso doeth ill an atom's weight will see it then." (Quran 99:7-8)