A specific area of focus of His Eminence Sheikh al-Habib relates to the necessity to be vocal in this day and age about the oppression that occurred to the Prophet and his family (peace be upon them all). While specifically mentioning the named individuals who have carried out this oppression. The Sheikh calls for believers not to shy away from being transparent and vocal, even though this may offend some who disagree with the Shi’a narrative. If one is to pay attention, the Sheikh does not call for the intentional offence of others for the sake of offence but rather teaches that is it a natural product for others to become offended when views are not aligned. One can find a parable during the era of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) when he repeatedly proclaimed publically: “There is no deity worthy of worship other than Allah”; a short and powerful statement that shook the Arabian peninsula. But also, a short and powerful statement that caused significant offence to the pagans in that region, to a point where they attacked, tortured and killed Muslims. Yet the Prophet stood firm, because the truth is the truth, and distributing this truth is a duty upon us.

In essence, Sheikh al-Habib refuses for the killers of Prophet Muhammad, Lady Fatima, and other members of the Ahl-ul-Bayt (peace be upon them) to remain honoured, respected, and loved across the globe. Primarily from the angle that this honour and respect is in itself is disrespectful and hurtful towards these holy personalities and God Almighty himself. From another point of view, following these individuals, even if the majority who do so are not aware of the truth, leads to the bloodthirsty ISIS-like ideology continuing to exist, being reborn in every era under a new name and new banner. The Sheikh preaches that people are not to be forced to change their view under any circumstances, but what is upon the believers who are aware of these truths, is to take a bold and brave stance in vocalising these facts, and educate the masses with clarity and sincerity.

The Rafida methodology that His Eminence has revived in our modern era, as he has elaborated in detail in many of his research programs and lessons, is not a newly invented matter. 

But instead, derived from the teachings of the Ahl-ul-Bayt (peace be upon them), the Prophets of old, and from righteous companions. The term Rafida, literally translated to rejectors of falsehood, and in context can be applied explicitly to the rejection of the head culprits against Islam, such as Abu Bakr, Umar, and A’isha. It is a title that the Shi’a of the Prophet and his family (peace be upon them all) pridefully claim due to its divine appointment by Allah:

It is narrated in al-Mahasin, by Maḥāsin of Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad Barqī, who died in 888 CE, on the authority of Zaid al-Shaham, on the authority of Abu al-Jaroud who said:

A man came to Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq saying that someone had warned him against becoming a Rafida. Imam Ja’far replied: “By Allah, this name which Allah has granted you is excellent, as long as you follow our teaching and do not attribute lies to us.” Muhammad al-Baqir also mentioned an instance when he pointed at himself, stating “I am one of the Rafida.”

We also find Bihar Al-Anwar, by Allamah Al-Majlisi, v. 65, p. 97, no. 3, that on the authority of Abu Basir, who said:

“I said to my master, Abu Jafar Al-Baqir, i.e. Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (peace be upon him): “Master, they call us a name – a name by which those in power have made it lawful to shed our blood, usurp our wealth, and oppress us.” The Imam replied, “And what is that name?” I (i.e. the narrator) said, “They call us the Rafida.” So the Imam (peace be upon him) replies: “Seventy men from amongst the army of the Firawn (Pharaoh) rejected the Pharoah, and joined Prophet Moses (peace be upon him). And in the nation of Moses, there was not a group more knowledgeable, God-fearing and pious, who possessed more love towards Prophet Aaron (peace be upon him) than these seventy men. It was for this reason that the nation of Moses called themselves the Rafida, and Allah revealed to Moses saying: “Affirm this name in the Tawrat (Torah), for I (i.e. Allah) have chosen it for your nation.” The Imam (peace be upon him) goes on to say, “And this name, oh Abu Basir, has also been given for you (i.e. the Shi’a).”