His Eminence, the Religious Authority Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Taqi al-Modarresi (may his shadow endure), emphasized the importance of tolerance as a fundamental value in the lives of scholars and mission-driven leaders, noting its active role in bringing society together and fostering unity, free from discord and conflict.
His Eminence stated: “Society, by its very nature, witnesses differences in opinions and stances. Unless these differences are managed with wisdom, they inevitably transform into conflicts that threaten societal stability and lead to the fragmentation of its collective strength.”
Speaking during his weekly ethical lecture, His Eminence added that the role of knowledge and learning is not confined merely to theoretical instruction; rather, it extends to encompass the role of scholars in reforming and unifying society. He clarified that scholars bear the primary responsibility for disseminating the values of tolerance and actively implementing them within the community. He further pointed out that broad-mindedness—the capacity to absorb and contain crises—is one of the most prominent characteristics of mission-driven leaders. He noted that the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and early scholars have left behind numerous examples demonstrating the profound impact of broad-mindedness in resolving crises.
In concluding his address, His Eminence underscored that “without broad-mindedness, we cannot live peacefully within society.” He added that tolerance does not signify weakness or a passive acceptance of injustice; rather, it denotes the capacity to contain differences through a spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding.
The Office of His Eminence, Grand Ayatollah al-Modarresi (may his shadow endure)
Holy Karbala – The Exalted Month of Sha’ban – 1446 AH