Disavowal of Disbelievers
It was first organized in 1979 with a message from the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran Imam Khomeini (RA).
The Saudi government was opposed to this ceremony and in 1987, Saudi forces attacked those taking part in it, killing and injuring a large number of Iranian pilgrims.
Bira’at in Arabic means disavowing the Mushrikeen (disbelievers).
The ceremony of Bira’at min-al-mushrikeen is organized on the Day of Arafah at the office of the Representative of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Hajj and Pilgrimage Affairs in Arafat.
After recitation of verses from the Quran, the Iranian and non-Iranian pilgrims taking part in it chant slogans like ‘Death to Israel’, ‘Death to America’, ‘Ya Ayyuha al-Muslimoun Ittahidu Ittahidu (Oh Muslims! Unite, Unite”, and “Discord and disunity is following Satan”. Then the head of the Iranian Hajj delegation reads out the message from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Persian and Arabic.
At the end, a resolution is read out and after reading of each article of the resolution, the pilgrims affirm it with a Takbeer (Allahu Akbar).
Bira’at min-al-mushrikeen has roots in the teachings of the Quran and Fiqh. The first time, Imam Ali (AS) recited the verses of Bira’at at the order of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) after the Conquest of Mecca.
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Imam Khomeini (RA) considers the main basis of Bira’at min-al-mushrikeen to be the two teachings of Tawalli and Tabarri and developing its Quranic concept in Surah At-Tawbah, refers to the breaking of the idols of Kaaba at the order of the Prophet (PBUH) as a kind of Bira’at min-al-mushrikeen.
He believes that the main component of Bira’at min-al-mushrikeen is rejecting idolatry, disavowing polytheists and enemies of Islam, and condemning their plots and oppressive policies, stressing that Muslims must recognize new idols of today and destroy them.
Hence, Imam Khomeini does not limit Bira’at to a certain time or place but emphasizes holding the ceremony every year.
Another outcome of the development of the concept of Bira’at in his view is that every act of defending Muslims against the arrogant is considered a kind of Bira’at min-al-mushrikeen.
Imam Khomeini, with a look at the political aspects of Islam, in a message to Hajj pilgrims on the first Eid al-Adha after the victory of the Islamic Revolution underlined the necessity to confront Taghut and return to true Islam. In the following years, two, he stressed the new examples of enmity with Islam and the new enemies and said it was vital to recognize them and disavow them in Hajj in order to thwart their plots.
Bira’at min-al-mushrikeen has roots in the Quran’s emphasis on being enemy with God’s enemies and being friends with God’s friends. There are many verses talking about this issue, especially the verses of Bira’at revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) during the Hajj season in the 9th year after Hijrah.
