Ayatollah Ramezani: The Characteristics of Faith-Oriented Spirituality in the Life of Hazrat Zahra (S)

The Secretary General of Ahlul Bayt World Assembly said: “God wants us to return the heart that has been entrusted to us safe and sound, because this heart must be faithful and spiritual. Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (S) is also at the peak of faith-oriented spirituality. Having a higher level of spirituality than this is unimaginable for us.”

According to the public affairs department of Ahlul Bayt International University, the ceremony to celebrate the birth of Hazrat Zahra (S) was held on Monday, January 1^st.

Ayatollah Reza Ramezani; The General Secretary of Ahlul Bayt World Assembly gave a speech in this ceremony, which is as follows:

What came to my mind to talk about is the three related topics about the life of Hazrat Zahra (S), including spirituality, selflessness and following Wilayat. The meaning of spirituality is to pay attention to meanings, which do not have the characteristics of matter, and makes a person aware of a transcendental, divine truth, holy tendencies and natural affairs. Undoubtedly, the human is a semantic being, although sometimes this semanticism is obscured, but not only the human, but the entire universe was created with truth and nothing was created based on falsehood. Several verses have also pointed to the significance of human creation, including in verse 4 of Surah Tin: “that we create human beings in the best form (in terms of existence)”

The position of human beings in the Qur’an

It is also emphasized in the Qur’an that a person should live a good life, and in this regard, it is stated: “Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.” (Al Nahl/97). It is mentioned that a person can become very well loved. In this context, it is stated in the Holy Qur’an: “Indeed, those who believed in God and became righteous, the Merciful God will make them beloved (in terms of creation and truth)” regarding the human, both in Surah An-Insan and other verses, it is emphasized that the human was created in a wise system and basically God is absolute and nothing is issued from him in vain. It is stated in the Holy Qur’an, do you think that you were created in vain and will not return to us? Therefore, according to the Holy Quran, the human is meaningful and seeks meaning.

There are many topics in the field of spirituality that we need to examine. Sometimes spirituality is based on faith and sometimes based on something other than faith. Faith oriented spirituality is based on faith in God, the hereafter, holy books, divine prophets and revelation. God established faith so that the holy tendency that exists in the human can be realized, but sometimes spirituality is not based on faith, and especially today in the Western world and liberalism and secularism, spirituality is not presented in this sense, but spirituality is presented in an absolute form and There is no need for this spirituality to be based on faith in God, and sometimes they even propose it based on denying God. The problem is that Westerners also accept the spiritual tendency in humans. In Europe and America, even mysticisms without God have been proposed.

The necessity of studying possible ways for students to reach spirituality

But that spirituality that is compatible with the human being’s structure is the faith-oriented spirituality which makes the human responsible. Of course, when a person has such spirituality, they reach a kind of peace, because peace is the missing thing of today’s mankind, and some people are looking for it with painkillers, but this peace will not be realized unless a person gets in touch with the beloved God. It is also stated in the Holy Qur’an: “those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort (Ra’d: 28)”. If we remember God well and correctly, He will also remember us, as stated in the Holy Quran. Whoever remembers me, I will be with him.

Students can discuss and explore the ways to achieve peace to a great extent. Basically, the literature of a spiritual person of faith is a special literature that appears in their actions, behavior and speech. Sometimes people without faith become anxious and sometimes depressed and lose their identity through the smallest incident, but faith-oriented spirituality reveals people’s true identity. God has invited all humanity to this spirituality. God wants us to return the heart that has been entrusted to us safe and sound, because this heart must be faithful and spiritual. Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (S) is also at the peak of faith-oriented spirituality, and having a higher level of spirituality than this is unimaginable for us.

Faith oriented spirituality in the life of Hazrat Zahra (S)

The height of this spirituality is clearly visible to us in the relationship that Hazrat Zahra (S) has with the Almighty God. The highest point of spirituality is responsibility, and the highest point of responsibility is sacrifice and selflessness. In this situation, a person provides even what he needs to the needy. There is the peak of selflessness in Hazrat Zahra (S). To reach that position, we must reach the secrets of worship. The rules of worship have three stages, one is knowing the rules, the second is knowing the manners of these rules, and finally the secrets of worship.

Hazrat Zahra (S) says that if you want to serve, there should be purity in your service, because in this case, God Almighty will grant you the highest virtues. Hazrat Zahra (S) says that God established faith so that we would not be polytheists and not place another person next to God Almighty and that worship should only be in the direction of God’s closeness. This is the spirituality of faith. In another interpretation, it is stated that a person should not be arrogant, therefore, the more their knowledge increase, the more their humility will increase and they only pay attention to the attributes of God. Things like zakat and fasting are also placed for self-cultivation.

Hazrat Zahra (S) says that the more sincere a person is, the higher their rank will be. They say that Jihad brings honor to Muslims and humiliation to disbelievers. In summary, it can be said that the spirituality of Hazrat Zahra (S) is based on faith and this spirituality is at its peak, which brings peace and security to humans. Hazrat Zahra (S) was concerned about guiding others, poverty alleviation, slavery, housing, religious knowledge of people etc. She has said many times; “Ali Jan, I will not leave you alone for a moment.” We see this very well in her life. Hazrat Imam Khomeini (R) and Haj Qasim Soleimani also had these three characteristics, including faith-oriented spirituality, selflessness, and following Wilayat. Haj Qasim sacrificed himself and gave his pure blood so that the human society can enjoy peace and security, that’s why the size of the funeral process of Haj Qasim’s is unique throughout history. Therefore, we are proud of these characters.