The Referendum Committee of Grand Ayatollah Shirazi’s Office Clarifies the Religious Ruling on Tawalli and Tabarri

The Referendum Committee of Grand Ayatollah Shirazi’s Office Clarifies the Religious Ruling on Tawalli and Tabarri

The Referendum Committee affiliated with the office of the Supreme Religious Authority, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq al-Husseini al-Shirazi, issued a religious verdict in response to an inquiry regarding allegiance to the friends of Allah (Tawalli) and disassociation from their enemies (Tabarri), affirming their obligatory nature both in speech and action, except in cases of Taqiyya (dissimulation).

In its response, the committee clarified that “Tawalli involves expressing love and loyalty, whereas Tabarri involves expressing enmity and disavowal, both of which are obligatory in speech and action alike, except where Taqiyya applies.” The committee noted that some narrations suggest that cursing the enemies of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) is preferable, as Tawalli cannot be realized without Tabarri.

The committee explained that love for the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and allegiance to them are intrinsically linked with disassociation from their enemies, and that both are expressions of faith. It highlighted that some Quranic verses imply that loyalty to the friends of Allah cannot coexist with love for His enemies.

The committee added that “Islam is founded on allegiance to the friends of Allah and disassociation from the enemies of Allah,” thus affirming the interconnectedness of these two principles within the framework of faith and belief.

This response is based on the jurisprudential decrees of the Supreme Religious Authority, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq al-Husseini al-Shirazi, who emphasizes in his directives and lectures the importance of allegiance to Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and disassociation from their enemies, and the necessity of reviving these principles within legitimate frameworks and means.

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi places special importance on instilling the culture of loyalty to Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and introducing their status and path, considering Tawalli and Tabarri as fundamental principles that embody the true connection with the friends of Allah and following their example.