His Eminence, Grand Ayatollah al-Hakeem, receives the Swedish Ambassador to the OIC and Calls the International Community to Block the Sources of Terrorism and Extremism

His Eminence, Grand Ayatollah al-Hakeem, receives the Swedish Ambassador to the OIC and Calls the International Community to Block the Sources of Terrorism and Extremism
2019/04/27

His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Mohammed Saeed al-Hakeem received Mr. Joachim Bergstrom, the Swedish Ambassador to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on 27 April 2019.

During the meeting, His Eminence called the international community towards a serious attempt to blocking the sources of terrorism and extremism, in all its types and manners, and to eliminate this cancerous illness from its roots, and not to ignore it. It has created much misery and tragedy in different societies and is spreading its culture, as well as distorting the true image of Islam, which the Holy Quran and the Holy Infallibles (peace be upon them) deliver.

His Eminence indicated the importance of the international community giving due regard to noble ethical traits, which will lead to participating in forming good societies and families.

His Eminence also mentioned the role of Marji'iyya, which requires of its followers to follow the laws of the land, to be truthful, responsible, sincere and to abstain from creating hardships. The Marji'iyya emphasizes the peaceful coexistence and respect for others, whatever ethnicity or creed they may have.

Mr. Bergstrom thanked His Eminence, appreciated his warm welcome. He also expressed his appreciation of the role of Marji'iyya in bringing about peace and easing religious tension in the region.

Day Questions

If I have future expenses, do I need to deduct from my existing savings and pay a fifth of what remains as khums?

If the khums year ends and you have not actually incurred those expenses yet, you cannot deduct it from your savings for that year, and they are subject to khums.

Is it necessary to follow the most knowledgeable religious scholar?

Yes, it is obligatory to follow the most knowledgeable Mujtahid.

I am a professional photographer. Can I take photographs of women and men in wedding ceremonies where women wear traditional clothes (not proper Hijab) and there is mix gathering, but there is no chance of me falling into a sin and there is no alcohol served there? Would the income from this be lawful? Is photography of women by itself prohibited? Can I employ a woman who does the photography so that I do not have to go the mix gathering?

Taking photographs is a permissible profession. You can also take photographs in mixed gathering such as weddings where women are not observing Hijab, but it is prohibited to look at non-Mahram women with lust. Having said that, women must wear the Hijab in the presence of non-Mahram men even in wedding ceremonies. Observing Hijab is obligatory on the woman in any place in the presence of non-Mahram men, even at her own house. It is better to hire a woman to do the photography in such cases.

Is it permissible for me to give preference to practicing believers especially men having a beard and women observing hijab in giving alms, khums, zakat?

It is not permissible to pay such financial obligations to the consumer of wine and it is permissible to do so to sinners if they are needy. Based on compulsory precaution, it is not permissible to pay the committer of major sins which are worse than consuming wine, such as not performing the prayers.