Religious Events: Ruling on Narrating Unverified Accounts of Karbala Based on Inspiration

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Religious Events: Ruling on Narrating Unverified Accounts of Karbala Based on Inspiration

English:

Question #1436:

Some religious organizations hold ceremonies commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Ḥusayn. Some of the accounts they recite about how the Imam was martyred are not quoted from reliable sources or heard from any mujtahid. When the reciters are asked about the source, the reply is that the Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.) had taught us the same and that the account of the Battle of Karbala can be related by way of inspiration as well and not necessarily through quoting. My question is this: Can the historical events be related through inspiration? If it is not the case, what should be the position of the listeners of such accounts?

Answer #1436:

Recounting the events in such a way without any evidence of an authoritative account or quoting from a reliable ḥadith has no basis in Islamic law unless he says it is his perception of the story and there is no evidence against it. The audience has the duty of forbidding evil if otherwise and the conditions are available.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Religious Events