The Shia Ithna Asheri Madressa of Hujjat Jamaat, Stanmore (London) has a Farsi department that was founded in 2005, with the introduction of a syllabus prepared by Shaykh Abbas Jaffer after his return from Qum, Iran.
The class offered students 40 lessons covering basic Farsi grammar, which would lead them to a firm introduction and give the grounding to those who wanted to master the language. After the first year, the enthusiasm towards the language increased to such an extent that an advanced Farsi class was formed.
The advanced class aimed to expose the students to different areas of the Farsi language which included listening to Islamic lectures, watching Farsi television programmes, and also starting to read Islamic texts.
The class comprised ordinary working fathers and mothers, who, as a hobby and interest, took the time out to learn a new language. When students were asked in 2006 why they were learning Farsi there was some very interesting feedback:
“Inshallah, the aim is to translate a
book
from Farsi to English after 10 years.”
“At some point we would like to interact
with the marjas
in their own languages and with the help of Farsi,
we can undertake this and ask questions personally.”
“There is an ocean of Islamic
knowledge
which is available in Farsi books which is not there in
English
and accessibility to great authors such as
Ayatullah Mutahhari and Ayatullah Tabatabai.”
In 2008, some of the students took the GCSE exams in Farsi and all of them attained ‘A’ grades. With these aspirations the advanced Farsi has continued to thrive with the help of some very dedicated teachers.
In 2010 it was decided that as a trial the Farsi students would undertake a translation of a very short and concise book: “The Merits of Praying on Time.” The translation of this book was completed in 2011. In a chance meeting with one of The World Federation’s Executive Councillors, al-Hajj Shabbar bhai Dhalla, the idea was discussed to print the book under The World Federation.
After some market research and further brainstorming with Shaykh Abbas Ismail, it was decided to include some more areas of Salah in the book, and make it more comprehensive.
A young writer, and a member of the original Farsi class, sister Fatema Valji, was recruited by The World Federation to take on this task. By the grace of Allah, the final publication is now in your hands.
This brief background of this book demonstrates how small intentions and efforts can result in a collective effort that has produced a profound book such as this, that will inshallah inspire generations to come.
The advanced Farsi class still continues to this date and is currently reading the Shia hadith masterpiece “Al-Kafi” in the Farsi language. The intention is for the class to undertake another small translation which can benefit the community in the near future.
The class would like to record its appreciation to The World Federation for taking interest in their humble effort, and seeing it through to completion on such a grand scale. Without the help and support of The World Federation the book could have remained unpublished.
Shia Ithna Asheri Madressa Farsi Class
Stanmore, London
Muharram 1434; December 2012