Grand Ayatollah Shirazi: Fear in Front of an Oppressive Government Is Rational, But Cowardice Is a Trait of Ignorance

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi: Fear in Front of an Oppressive Government Is Rational, But Cowardice Is a Trait of Ignorance
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The daily scholarly session of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq Hussaini Shirazi was held on Thursday, 30th of Rabi al-Thani, 1447 AH.

As in previous sessions, His Eminence responded to attendees’ questions regarding various jurisprudential issues.

Addressing the concept of fear (khawf), Grand Ayatollah Shirazi stated that fear felt by a person without power or weapons when facing an oppressive government is, in fact, an act of wisdom. He referenced Islamic traditions—particularly in Bihar al-Anwar—where this kind of fear is acknowledged and described positively.

He emphasized the difference between fear (khawf) and cowardice (jubn), noting that in the narrations, fear is considered among the “soldiers of intellect,” while cowardice is listed among the “soldiers of ignorance.” Thus, fear itself is not condemned; rather, cowardice is what is criticized.

The Supreme Marja further explained that referring to the second volume of Bihar al-Anwar shows this distinction clearly: fear belongs to the realm of intellect, while cowardice belongs to ignorance.

He noted that the fear exhibited by the Immaculate Imams is fear, not cowardice. Citing verse 21 of Surah Ash-Shu‘ara, he mentioned Prophet Musa’s words:
“So I fled from you when I feared you, but my Lord granted me judgment and made me one of the Messengers.”
Likewise, when Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance) knows that reappearing before the divinely appointed time would lead to his martyrdom, he is not obliged to put his life in harm’s way.

In response to a question about whether fear implies ignorance of what may happen, he clarified that fear can be based on certainty. If a person knows they will be killed in a certain place, they should not deliberately put themselves in danger—unless greater moral priorities (ahamm wa muhimm) apply, as seen in the sacrifices made by Imam Hasan, Imam Husayn, Imam al-Ridha, and the other Imams (peace be upon them).