'Separation of religion from politics, a naïve thinking'
A teacher in the Islamic Seminary of Qom said that the belief in the separation of religion from politics is naïve thinking and added, “All of the movements and activities of Imams were political and every effort they made were central to the role of politics in religion.”
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Speaking at a ceremony commemorating the martyrdom anniversary of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra on Wednesday night in Qom, Hujjat al-Islam Ali-Reza Panahian expressed regret that society today has misunderstood religion and Islam hasn’t been properly propagated and added, “Today, they have introduced an essentially non-political religion or placed politics on the periphery, while the axis of religion is politics,” Taqrib News Agency (TNA) quoted Rasa as saying.
The teacher in the Islamic Seminary of Qom said that the most important adverse effect of the introduction of religion as non-political can be seen in regard to spirituality, morality, prayers and poor hijab because no matter how much political sensitivity develops, it doesn’t have any effect on increased spirituality in society.
“Thinking which states that spiritually can increase without politics is naïve,” he said.
Hujjat al-Islam Panahian said that the idea of separation of religion is superficial thinking and is even considered as a mental illness and said, “The best interpretation is that it’s naïve that man imagines by spending a few nights at a mourning ceremony that he has visited the Imams and has reformed prayer, worship and society. Yes, these can help and these issues should be highlighted but they’re never enough and as long as the politicians don’t reform society, society will never become spiritual.”
He added if pilgrimage, supplicating and prayer was enough why did the Ahlul-Bayt engage in jihad? Why were the saints trying to build an Islamic state? Why did Imam Khomeini rise up? Was Lady Fatimah martyred by accident? Was the movement of Lady Fatimah and Imam Ali, who visited the homes of the Muhajirin and the Ansar, not political? Engagement in prayer, supplicating and pilgrimage isn’t sufficient.
The renowned scholar said that politics is the main base for the spiritual growth of society and said that politics is the most important path and the peak of nearness to God, just as repentance from political sin is more difficult and political mistakes are heavier than individual mistakes.
“If I ask you whether a good politician can create a society or a mystical scholar or a teacher of ethics? In the same manner, we say that that on the Day of Judgement, those closest to God are the people of justice,” he said.
In regard to Iran’s upcoming presidential elections, Hujjat al-Islam Panahian said that we must choose aa president who will serve society and will think of the people and at the same time, gives importance to spirituality. The president needs to work for the system so that a day doesn’t come where the wolves will dominate over the land.
