The Press Release on the Martydom of Shaikh Tawakkuli

The Press Release on the Martydom of Shaikh Tawakkuli
2018/06/23

“And reckon not those who are killed in the way of Allah as dead; rather, they are alive; they are provided substance from their Lord.” (3:169)

The terrorists attacked last night Allama Shaikh Mohammed Ja’far Tawakkuli, the head of the office of His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Al-Hakim (may God prolong his life) in the Afghani city of Herat, after having lead the congregational prayers in the mosque. This heinous attack led to his martyrdom. Through his active his efforts – for many years – he aided the application of His Eminence’s programs in supporting and helping those injured in acts of terrorism, as well as orphans and needy families, and in implementing his programs in the propagation of the message of Islam on a wide scale across Afghanistan.

We condemn this act of terrorism in the strongest terms, and we urge the government of Afghanistan to strive seriously to uncover the criminals, to punish them and to protect the lives of the scholars, the students of the religious seminary and the innocent civilians there. We pray to the Almighty Creator to cover the felicitous deceased with His vast mercy, and to raise him amongst the righteous martyrs, and to bestow patience and solace upon those he left behind.

And there is no power, nor might, save that of Allah, the Most High, the Supreme.

Office of His Eminence Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Al-Hakim (may God prolong his life)

9th of Shawwal, 1439

Day Questions

Is the narrator, Mufaddal ibn Umar, companion of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) reliable?

The scholars of the study of the narrators (Ilm al-Rijal) have different opinions regarding Mufaddal bin Umar. His Eminence is inclined to believe that he is reliable and his narrations are accepted.

What is the term "rizq" that is mentioned in the Quran means? Is it just wealth, food, or what?

It means all good things that almighty Allah has blessed the human being with.

If the court grants divorce to a couple, will this be acceptable as religious divorce?

If the divorce did not take place according to the Sharia, then in order for it to be valid it must be undertaken in the way prescribed by the Sharia, including pronouncing the formula of divorce. A written document is not sufficient.

Some people say that our Imams (peace be upon them) know when they are going to die, but the Holy Quran states that “No soul knows what it will earn to-morrow, and no soul knows in what land it will die” (34:31). Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) knew that he was going to die in Karbala, how is this?

The meaning of the verse is that a human being by his nature does not know the time of his death. This does not mean that all people are like that. Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) came to know this from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) and the latter was informed of this by revelation and contact with the unseen world.