Grand Ayatollah Shirazi: Holy Prophet Was Charged with Unifying, While Commander of Faithful Was Charged with Distinguishing

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi: Holy Prophet Was Charged with Unifying, While Commander of Faithful Was Charged with Distinguishing
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In recent remarks during a daily scholarly session, Grand Ayatollah Shirazi referred to Verse 73 of Surah al-Tawbah: “O Prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be firm with them; their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the destination.” He elaborated on the meanings of the terms “gathering (jam‘)” and “distinction (nashr)” in relation to this noble verse.

His Eminence explained that “gathering” signifies bringing everyone together, whereas “nashr” denotes separation and distinction.

Continuing, the Supreme Marja stated that the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) addressed the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (peace be upon him), saying: “The jihad against the disbelievers is upon me, and the jihad against the hypocrites is upon you.”

Expounding on this point, Grand Ayatollah Shirazi said that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his pure family) was tasked with gathering all those who outwardly professed Islam—whether true believers or hypocrites—into the Islamic community, whereas the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) was entrusted with distinguishing and separating, and he undertook defensive jihad against the hypocrites.

He further noted that those hypocrites who fought against Imam Ali (peace be upon him) presented themselves outwardly as Muslims, but were disbelievers in reality.

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi also emphasized that in the Battles of Jamal, Nahrawan, and Siffin, the opposing side confronting the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) consisted of individuals who considered themselves Muslims, while in truth they were not.