Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

38 introduction
his sons and grandsons. We should also pay attention to and
encourage sincere Shia voices of reform. We should respect them,
appreciate them and support them in their attempts to correct the
course of their people, as as-Sayyid Husayn al-Moosawi has said in
his valuable book, Lillrihi thumma lit-Tareekh: Kashf al-Asrrir wa
Tabri'ah al-A'immah al-Athlir 13, and as represented in the academic
effort undertaken by as-Sayyid m a d al-Kitib in his book
Tatawwur al-Fikr as-Siycisi ash-Shi'i min ashShoora ila WiEyat al-
Faqeeh. We have to show support to every sincere lover of Ah1 al-
Bayt who follows the sound reports related from them and their way
of guiding people to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His
Prophet @). We should treat them with all due respect and hold their
hands until they reach the safe shore. We should encourage them to
use reason, liberate their minds from their bonds and remove the
heavy accumnlation of falsehood that has overwhelmed their
common sense, so that they will have the opportunity to reach the
truth, which shines brightly and cannot be hidden by the dark clouds.
The scholars of Ah1 as-Sunnah must adhere to the methods of
calm academic research when discussing innovation and innovators,
and they should be kind and gentle with them. Part of that kindness
may entail visiting them and helping them in matters in which there is
no dispute, or supporting them at times of calamity and hardship, or
when they are in a dispute with disbelievers or those who are
wronging them, in accordance with a proper understanding of Islamic
politics and on the basis of the pros and cons. But this principle of
cooperation, good relationship and quiet academic debate is not
always appropriate. In the case of those Rififidi Shia who engage in
extreme actions, when keeping quiet may have an impact on the
uneducated masses, we must denounce the extremists with regard to
their odd opinions. What are the guidelines for differentiating
between the two - the first group, with whom we should speak