Date: 1984
Location: Lahore
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the master of the first and the last, the Seal of the Prophets, Abul Qasim Muhammad (ﷺ), upon his purified progeny, his chosen companions, and upon all righteous servants of Allah.
To proceed: Allah the Almighty has said—
I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan:
“We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice.”
(Surah Al-Hadid, 57:25)
It is indeed a matter of great joy and gratitude that today we are witnessing the inauguration of a religious seminary, Jamia al-Mustafa. Esteemed scholars from across the country have graced this occasion, making it truly blessed. God willing, this institution will have a positive and far-reaching impact on our society.
Prior to my address, several distinguished scholars have already delivered insightful and beneficial speeches, so I will not take much of your time. However, keeping in view the current circumstances and the significance of this inauguration, I will speak briefly.
The Role of Seminaries and Societal Direction
A religious seminary is not merely a building of bricks and mortar. Rather, it is a fortress of Islam, a base of divine guidance, and a spiritual trench that protects the beliefs, identity, and values of the Muslim Ummah. From such centers emerge those who challenge the pharaohs of their time, and who confront falsehood armed not with swords, but with knowledge, character, and unwavering faith.
A seminary such as this is not just for educating individuals in ritual acts of worship. Rather, its purpose is to raise human beings who are aware of their responsibilities, who understand the challenges of their time, and who are capable of guiding society through them.
In our world today, ignorance is not the absence of information, but the absence of divine perspective — of truth illuminated by the light of revelation. In this age of deception and distortion, it is the duty of institutions like Jamia al-Mustafa to produce students who are both intellectually sharp and spiritually grounded — who can defend the truth of Islam and represent its values through knowledge, piety, and action.
A Seminary’s Responsibility: Reforming Society
The opening of a religious seminary is not a trivial matter. It is a declaration of intent — a message to the world that we will not surrender our society to ignorance, injustice, and moral decay.
It is in seminaries that minds are trained to recognize truth from falsehood, where hearts are polished with the remembrance of God, and where feet are prepared to stand firm against tyrants and oppressors. If seminaries play their role sincerely and correctly, then the Ummah will be revived, society will be reformed, and the future will be guided.
But if seminaries become limited to ceremonies, formalities, or internal rivalries, then instead of becoming fountains of guidance, they risk becoming monuments of negligence.
Our religious institutions must be alive. Alive with the Qur’an. Alive with the teachings of the Ahlul Bayt (a). Alive with the spirit of jihad — that struggle for justice and truth, in thought, in action, and in sacrifice.
The Role of Youth and the Expectations from Scholars
Today, our youth are searching — not just for knowledge, but for truth with purpose, and identity with responsibility. They are not satisfied with shallow slogans. They want real direction. They want to know:
- What is our place in the world?
- What is the path of Islam in the age of tyranny and injustice?
- What is our responsibility in upholding the legacy of Karbala?
Dear scholars and elders, our youth are a trust (amanah) in your hands. They look to you for guidance, sincerity, and vision. They want leadership that is rooted in knowledge, yet connected to the struggles of the Ummah.
If you distance yourself from them, or limit your role to traditional forms of teaching only, then others will fill that vacuum — and not all who do will lead them to truth. Some will lead them astray.
This is why I say: Every seminary must be connected to the people. It must be a source of knowledge, yes, but also of courage. A place of learning, yes, but also a platform for action.
Challenges of the Time: Political & Spiritual Responsibilities
Today, the Ummah is not merely facing a religious or academic crisis — it is confronting a global system of oppression, exploitation, and distortion. Colonialism may have changed its face, but its mission remains: to keep Muslims divided, confused, and disconnected from their true identity.
In such an environment, a seminary cannot remain neutral or silent. It must recognize that:
The battlefield is not only military — it is intellectual, ideological, and cultural.
The enemy is not just external — it is internal weakness, hypocrisy, and disunity.
The seminary must therefore play a dual role:
Spiritual refinement — to build the moral character of individuals who fear God and love truth.
Social engagement — to challenge injustice, defend the oppressed, and uplift the weak.
If a seminary fails to address the pain of the Ummah, if it fails to respond to the cries from Palestine, Kashmir, and every oppressed corner of the world — then it is not fulfilling its mission.
The Qur’an was not revealed for ceremonial recitation only. It was revealed to transform hearts and societies, to break the chains of oppression, and to uplift humanity toward divine justice.
The Vision Behind Jamia al-Mustafa
This seminary, Jamia al-Mustafa, is not being established to compete with other religious schools or to establish superiority over others. It is being founded with the intention of serving Islam, of producing students whose loyalty is not to personalities, but to truth — to the message of the Qur’an, the path of the Ahlul Bayt (a), and the mission of Imam al-Mahdi (aj).
This institution must give rise to scholars who are:
God-conscious, not status-seeking;
Committed to the unity of Muslims, not trapped in sectarian rivalry;
Courageous in the face of tyranny, not afraid to speak the truth;
Deeply rooted in Islamic knowledge, and yet aware of contemporary challenges.
We do not seek followers — we seek leaders of sincerity, builders of Ummah, and servants of truth.
A Message to the Scholars and Teachers
To our dear scholars, I remind you that teaching is not just a job — it is a trust from Allah.
Every word you say, every lesson you deliver, is shaping the future. Therefore:
Teach with sincerity.
Guide with humility.
Uplift with patience.
Do not look at your students as empty vessels. See them as seeds of a movement, flames of awakening, soldiers of Imam al-Zamana (aj).
If you train them well — not just with information, but with vision and courage — they will carry your legacy forward with strength and honor.
The Need for Unity and Brotherhood
One of the greatest tools of the enemies of Islam is division — ethnic division, sectarian division, linguistic division.
At Jamia al-Mustafa and in every religious institution, let it be known:
We reject division. We embrace unity.
Our banner is the Qur’an. Our leader is the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Our model is the Ahlul Bayt (a).
We are not Shia versus Sunni — we are Muslims, followers of the same book, facing the same qiblah, praying to the same Lord.
The seminary must be a center of Muslim unity, not fragmentation — a place where brotherhood is taught not just in words, but in action.
Closing Message: The Real Meaning of Martyrdom and Service
Lastly, let me remind you of something deeply important.
The greatest titles in Islam are not those of “Doctor,” “Maulana,” or “Sayyid.” The greatest title is “Shaheed” — Martyr.
And the path of martyrdom is not limited to the battlefield.
Anyone who dedicates their life, their wealth, their knowledge, their comfort, and their talents in the service of Islam — that person is walking the path of martyrdom.
You may not be called to die for Islam.
But you are certainly called to live for Islam.
So live with purpose. Study with sincerity. Serve with passion.
And let Jamia al-Mustafa be a lighthouse for this Ummah — not just in name, but in action.
Final Prayer
May Allah accept this humble beginning.
May He bless all who contributed to this effort — whether with their time, wealth, prayers, or presence.
May He raise from this seminary righteous scholars, courageous leaders, and sincere servants.
And may this institution continue to serve Islam until the reappearance of the Awaited Imam (aj).
Wa al-Salam ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
