Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah in Zahedan, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed Ismaeelzahi, began his recent Friday sermon by reciting the chapter of Qadr of Holy Qur’an introducing people who sit inside mosques particularly in the last ten days for E’tikaf “prosperous”.
Talking to tens of thousands gathered in the Grand Makki Masjid, he pointed, ‘Allah Almighty had decided to examine mankind by giving them various sorts of opportunities. People can act upon Allah’s guidelines to be good, as they can commit sins and misdeeds. The self and Satan call on us to disobey Allah, while angels and the human nature invite us towards good deeds. People can easily resist the ego and Satan; Allah says: «وَهَدَيْنَاهُ النَّجْدَيْنِ», (and showed him the two ways [good & bad])’
The eminent Islamic scholar added more saying that Allah Exalted had provided the best opportunities, times and places, to His servants who seek Allah and His pleasure; first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, six days from Shawal, fasting on Ashura, three shining days each month (13th, 14th and 15th) and the entire Ramadan are very good times for blest people.
‘Muslims who get the benefits of these days are so lucky! Unblest people miss such events which bring the mercy of the Almighty. There is no excuse for committing sins despite these all opportunaties to get rid of the Fire,’ Shaikh Ismaeelzahi underlined.
Khateeb of Sunnis interpreted Sourat-ul-Qadr saying that Ramadan was a special month; the last ten days of Ramadan are more particular due to presence of the night of Qadr (power or destiny). It is a very special night; angels brought Holy Qur’an at that night from the Preserved Tablet to the sky of this world. It is a great night; those who worship Allah in this night would gain glory as well.
He urged saying that Holy Prophet used to remain awake all the nights of the last decade of Ramadan. He was awakening his family members to worship Allah at those nights as well.
Mawlana Abdol-Hameed went on to make it clear why the night of Qadr is unknown, saying, ‘Allah knows best why the exact date of the Night of Qadr is unclear; it should be searched in the last ten nights of Ramadan, particularly in 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th of Ramadan. Allah wants His servants to worship Him at the all nights. We should pray to Allah as much as we can. Only unlucky people miss Allah’s forgiveness and mercy in these blest days.’
Explaining the importance of E’tikaf –sitting in any mosque for a specific duration-¬, the rector of Darululoom Zahedan stated that E’tikaf was a very important worship. Prosperous people sit for E’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. It is the emphasized Sunnah of Holy Prophet, peace & blessings be upon him. The blest people who sit in mosques for E’tikaf should not waste their time in sleeping and useless talks; rather they must use their times in reciting Holy Qur’an, offering prayers and remembering Allah. The best places for E’tikaf are firstly Masjid-ul-Haram, then Masjid-un-Nab and the grand mosque of each city.
The new governor is welcome
In the second part of his discourse, Khateeb of the Grand Makki Masjid of Zahedan pointed out towards the appointment of Mr. Hatam Narui as the governor of Sistan-Baluchistan province. ‘We take it a good event; he belongs to our neighboring province (Kerman). He is aware of the multi-cultural society of our province where people from various ethnics and sects live side by side,’ he pointed.
The outstanding leader of Sunnis in Iran further said, ‘The biggest problem that has been teasing residents of this province is “discrimination”. We hope the new governor will make a balance in power in the province among the different ethnics. Balance in sharing power has a great impact on the maintain ace of unity; without this balance obtaining unity is a mere dream and mirage. There should not be any discrimination between Shais and Sunnis in posts and higher seats.
Ali; model of piety, act & truth
Indicating towards the martyrdom anniversary of the fourth caliph, Ali bin Abi-Taleb, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed said, ‘Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, has great virtues that none of Muslims can deny them. He was the exemplary of piety, act and truth.’
He added more saying that whenever the virtues and excellencies of Abu-Bakr, Omar and Othman are mentioned, the name of Ali is shining as well. There was not any enmity between Sahabah and Ahl-ul-Bait of Holy Prophet. Sunnis are proud of it. Sunni Muslims love the households of Holy Prophet. Today’s Muslims should be like Sahabah and the households.
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