Islamic seminaries and the responsibility of realizing the Unified Islamic Ummah

In his valuable and historic message on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the re-establishment of the Qom Seminary, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution outlined the functions of a progressive and exemplary seminary. One of the key indicators of a seminary’s effectiveness, according to His Eminence, is its capacity to design systems for governing society.

The Islamic seminary has been a cradle, origin, and source for nurturing influential, movement-building, and revolutionary scholars throughout contemporary history, each of whom has served as a refuge and guide for a nation. Imam Khomeini (may his soul rest in peace), one of the luminaries trained in these seminaries, truly understood the seminary’s role and effectively conveyed this profound understanding to both its scholarly and non-scholarly audiences.

The reality is that Shiite jurisprudence is inherently dynamic, and the principle of ijtihad (independent reasoning) enhances this dynamism based on temporal and spatial conditions. However, a narrow view of the seminary suggests that jurists should focus solely on individual rulings. If seminaries engage in addressing social, economic, and political challenges, some argue they deviate from their essence.

Thus, the first step in aligning with the Supreme Leader’s remarks is to reform our fundamental understanding of the seminaries and their functions. We are speaking of a pivotal institution capable of addressing global challenges and providing solutions. Seminaries cannot remain passive, as the dynamic nature of Shiite jurisprudence is fundamentally incompatible with passivity or stagnation.

When we recognize the lofty role and responsibility of seminaries in the individual, social, and intellectual life of humanity, it becomes clear that their function cannot be confined to personal or custodial matters. Designing societal systems goes far beyond personal affairs, outlining the intermediate and ultimate goals and the path for a society to achieve them.

Islamic seminaries are vibrant and alive. Thousands of scholars within this vast institution possess both an understanding of the demands of time, place, and societal needs, as well as the knowledge to address them. The publication of thousands of specialized and research-based articles by scholars from the Qom Seminary and other seminaries demonstrates their mastery of the “principles” and “instances” of society’s needs and their ability to develop a comprehensive roadmap to meet those needs.

We are speaking of a tremendous capacity that is “Ummah-building.” Centers for teaching religious and rational sciences only realize their true purpose when they operate within the framework of building the Islamic Ummah, with a forward-looking vision based on foresight and future studies. Furthermore, we must not forget that we live in the era of communication. Confining seminaries within intellectual or geographical boundaries is simply not feasible in today’s world.

Since the glorious victory of the Islamic Revolution, we have witnessed the training of thousands of seminarians from various countries, both within and outside Iran. These seminarians are immense assets, capable of carrying the message of the seminaries’ dynamism and Ummah-building vision to every corner of the world.

The “Unified Islamic Ummah” stems from the “practical unity of the Islamic society.” In our religious teachings, which are universal in scope, we frequently encounter the concept of “unity.” Both the Quran and the Sunnah repeatedly emphasize this principle. The consensus among Muslim scholars also underscores the importance of rapprochement and synergy among Islamic denominations. Reason, too, not only honors unity but considers it a necessary condition for the survival of a society or a religious and human system.

Islamic rapprochement is the foundation for forming the Unified Islamic Ummah. The Unified Islamic Ummah is the outcome of the theoretical and practical unity of Muslims in confronting common enemies on one hand and pursuing shared interests on the other. In the Holy Quran, the term “Ummah” is used to denote alignment in religion, conduct, behavior, time, and place. The word appears 65 times in the Quran—52 times in the singular and 13 times in the plural. Forming the Unified Islamic Ummah is a “goal,” not merely a “desirable state.” In other words, if Islamic unity does not lead to the formation of the Unified Islamic Ummah, it loses its core purpose.

Islamic unity is an inevitable necessity, and the Unified Islamic Ummah is its sweet fruit. However, it should not be assumed that Islamic unity automatically results in the formation of the Unified Islamic Ummah. Ummah-building is based on specific characteristics and principles that, if adhered to by Muslims, lead to the Unified Islamic Ummah. The first characteristic of the Quranic Ummah is belief in Almighty God, a principle that must be prioritized in all social domains.

The second characteristic is collective and genuine adherence to the teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny). The Unified Islamic Ummah consistently follows the Prophet of Islam and his conduct. The Prophetic tradition serves both as the foundation and the guarantor of the Ummah’s vitality.

The third characteristic is centering the Holy Quran in all aspects of Muslim life. The Quran must be implemented in every dimension of Muslim existence. Another crucial factor is “religious brotherhood.” While the Unified Islamic Ummah is theoretically and fundamentally built on monotheism, adherence to the Prophetic tradition, and Quran-centricity, it is the embodiment of the spirit of brotherhood in both individual and social dimensions of Muslim life that fully actualizes it.

These four factors—belief in God, following the Prophetic tradition, Quran-centricity, and religious brotherhood—must work in tandem to transition from “Islamic unity” to the “Unified Islamic Ummah.” However, a critical question arises: what are the strategies for aligning these four components and connecting them to form the system of the Unified Islamic Ummah?

The first strategy is “Jihad of Clarification” (Jihad-e Tabyin). This plays a pivotal role in shaping the discourse for the Unified Islamic Ummah. This clarification must occur at two levels: one for a specialized audience and the other for the general public. The specialized audience includes scholars, intellectuals, and influential figures in the Islamic world.

Some of these figures are aware of “Islamic unity” and its intrinsic value but have not grasped the importance of transforming it into the Unified Islamic Ummah. The necessity of forming the Unified Islamic Ummah must be clarified for these specialized audiences and, subsequently, for all Muslims. Clarification is an elite-driven endeavor, encompassing both a sense of responsibility and the creation of a transformative discourse.