Ethics
The Philosophy of Religious Rulings: Reflections on the Narrations of Imam al-Rida in 'Ilal al-Shara'i'
I offer my condolences on these days of calamity and mourning for the Household of the Prophethood: the passing of the Noble Prophet of Islam (PBUH), the martyrdom of Imam al-Mujtaba (AS), and these nights, which are the nights of the martyrdom of our benefactor, Imam al-Rida (AS). Today, somewhere, a dear friend said from the pulpit that the great scholars have advised that during these days one should only recite elegies (rawdah), and that talking should be left for other times. It seems, however, that I have been invited by mistake! For if I were to act on that gentleman's principle, at most I could briefly trouble you with some seminary-style remarks and discussions of this kind. I apologise in advance to all the professors and the esteemed audience, and I hope that God Almighty will cause beneficial words to flow through my mind and tongue.