Why you can't rely on the New York Times. "Sheikh Muhammed Hussein Fadlallah, the spiritual leader of Hezbollah." This claims has been circulating for years, and it started in writing by Israeli "experts." Even in the 1980s, when it was a common claim, it was not true. I asked Fadlallah then about the charge, and he said, to the effect, "me, spiritual guide of Hizbullah? My role is well beyond Hizbullah, and all parties." (Yes, he is quite conceited). But in the 1990s, there was an intense conflict between Hizbullah and Fadlallah and there was even a war a flyers between the two sides. Relations between the two sides improved after Hariri's death, but he is nowhere to being a guide for Hizbullah. How could he when he now stands opposed to Wilayat Al-Faqih--a central doctrine for Hizbullah?