His Eminence Sayyid al-Hakeem calls the Turkish Alawite community to establish brotherly ties with other communities, and to learn the teachings of Islam and abide by them

His Eminence Sayyid al-Hakeem calls the Turkish Alawite community to establish brotherly ties with other communities, and to learn the teachings of Islam and abide by them
2019/05/06

His Eminence, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Mohammed Saeed al-Hakeem advised the Turkish Alawite community to strengthen the ties of love and brotherhood between themselves and other nations, and to continue the visitations of the holy shrines of the Infallible Imams (peace be upon them), to follow their virtuous path and to extend the bridges of acquaintance and friendship with the brothers in faith. His Eminence gave this advice during a meeting with visitors from the Turkish Alawite community.

His Eminence also recommended that they familiarize themselves with the laws of Islam and they learn their religious duties, through liaison and communication with scholars and preachers, and by abiding by the guidance of the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them), and by performing their duties in their prescribed times.

His Eminence expressed his pleasure in meeting with them and having this dialogue, and reminded them of their religious principles which they are obligated to preserve, as well as their attachment to the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them), doing what is necessary to abide by the religious decrees.

His Eminence prayed for their success and for the acceptance of their good deeds, and asked them to convey his greetings to their relatives in Turkey.

Day Questions

Do I have to follow one Marja in a particular issue, or can I follow more than one in that issue, choosing one of their edicts?

If the edicts of the Marjas are different in any particular issue, one must follow the most knowledgeable. If his opinion is an obligatory precaution, one has a choice of following him by acting upon the precaution or referring to another Marja provided that the latter is more knowledge than the rest of the Marjas.

Is it permissible to eat horse meat?

It is permissible, but disliked (makrooh).

How is the prayer of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) offered?

It has been narrated that it is of four rak'as - divided into prayers of two rak'as each. In each unit, one should recite fifty times the chapter of Tawheed after the recitation of the Fatiha.

I am becoming more interested in our religion and wish to read more on it, not having much knowledge. What books do you suggest for me?

There are lots of religious book that include religious teachings, like Nahjul-Balaghah. Similarly, books of narrations are also available like Al-Kafi, which consist of collections of narrations from the Infallibles. We advise you to read what relates to the general aspects of the religious knowledge like ethics, biography of the Prophet and the Imams and the narrations on the superiority of the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them) and their high rank. The details of the practical religious laws as explained by the jurists – as they are the experts in this field – are available. You are advised to refer to the treaties of the practical Islamic laws of the jurist that you emulate in order to know the specific rulings.