Ghuluww and the Imams – Separating Truth from Exaggeration

The World Federation’s Islamic Education Department and the International Centre for Advanced Islamic Research (ICAIR) are honoured to invite members of the community to an upcoming lecture and interactive question and answer session on Saturday 25 July 2026 with Ayatollah Sayyid Muneer al-Khabbaz.

Titled Ghuluww and the Imams | Separating Truth from Exaggeration, the lecture will explore one of the most significant theological questions in the history of Islam: where does authentic devotion to the Ahl al-Bayt (ʿa) end, and where does religious exaggeration (ghuluww) begin?

Throughout the Islamic intellectual tradition, scholars have carefully distinguished between the lofty status accorded to the Imams by the Qurʾān and the teachings of the Prophet (ṣ) and the excesses that the Imams themselves unequivocally rejected. This distinction remains as relevant today as ever, particularly in an age where devotion is often shaped by cherrypicked narrations, popular discourse, and online media.

Drawing upon the Qurʾān, the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (ʿa), and the Islamic scholarly tradition, Sayyid Muneer al-Khabbaz will examine the principles by which authentic belief is distinguished from exaggeration, offering a nuanced framework for understanding this important subject.

The lecture will be followed by an interactive question and answer session, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the speaker. Please note that the event will not be live-streamed; however, a recording will be uploaded to our YouTube channel following the event.

The event forms part of the ongoing educational initiatives of The World Federation’s Islamic Education Department and ICAIR, which seek to promote thoughtful engagement with foundational questions in Islamic theology and scholarship.

Event Details

Topic: Ghuluww and the Imams | Separating Truth from Exaggeration

Speaker: Ayatollah Sayyid Muneer al-Khabbaz

Date: Saturday 25 July 2026

Time: 4:00 PM

Venue: WF House, Moorhall Road, Harefield, UB9 6NS

Register Here

Speaker’s Bio

Ayatollah Sayyid Muneer al-Khabbaz began his hawza studies in Najaf in 1978, at the age of 14. He later attended baḥth khārij lessons with leading scholars including Sayyid al-Khū’ī and Sayyid al-Sistānī, before continuing his studies in Qom under Shaykh Mirza Tabrizi, Shaykh Wahid Khurāsānī, and other marājiʿ, attaining the status of ijtihād.

He currently teaches advanced Islamic jurisprudence (baḥth khārij) in Najaf and has authored several significant works, including a commentary on Duʿāʾ al-Iftitāḥ, Religion Between Scientific Data and Atheistic Criticisms, and The Mahdi: Understanding the Awaited One.

We look forward to welcoming you to this important discussion.