Chairman of the Coordination Council of Sunni Seminaries of Sistan-Baluchistan, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed Ismaeelzahi, along with a group of Islamic scholars and social elders of Zahedan traveled to costal city of Chabahar on Friday, 30th Nov. 2012.
The delegation of Shaikh-ul-Islam met hundreds of common Muslims and their religious and social leaders in different cities and towns in a six-day-long journey in southern areas of the Iranian Baluchistan.
At the first stay, Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah participated the provincial gathering of Sunni seminaries’ rectors; about 150 rectors and envoys took part in the meeting of Chabahar on Saturday, 1st December 2012 inside “Haramain Sharifain” Seminary. Apart of Darululoom Zahedan’s rector, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed, some other prominent Sunni scholars were present in the meeting. Shaikh-ul-Hadith Mawlana Muhammad Yousuf Hussein-pour, head of A’ in-ul-Uloom Gosht, Mawlana Muhammad Gul, rector of Makhzan-ul-Uloom Khash, Mawlana Muhammad Othman, principal of Madinat-ul-Uloom Khash, and other intellectuals boosted the spiritual atmosphere of the meeting.
Rectors of Sunni seminaries discussed some articles of the Coordination Council’s regulations. In the beginning, the inspector of the CCSS presented his annual report on the general conditions of the member seminaries. Then they debated few parts of the regulations and students’ curriculum.
The Secretary of the Coordination Council of Sunni Seminaries of Sistan-Baluchistan, Shaikh Muhammad Yousuf Hussein-pour, talked to the audience in the meeting. He thanked the participant scholars and said such meetings are being held to create positive changes among the principals of seminaries and their students. The Council intends to enhance the great Islamic aims in the field of education.
The host of Sunni scholars’ meeting, Shaikh Abd-or-Rahman Mullazahi, counted reflective solidarity of Sistan-Baluchistan’s scholars a divine blessing. He pointed partiality and disagreements among intellectuals have jeopardized the Muslim society. Fortunately, Ulama in Sistan-Baluchistan enjoy a good mutual understanding. As a result, our teachers and students have been advancing in Islamic studies day by day.
At the end of this important meeting, the chairman of the Coordination Council of Sunni Seminaries delivered the concluding speech. He declared “Chabahar” a considerable city with excellent potentials in the fields of culture, economy and tourism. Therefore, Islamic scholars should be more responsive and vigilant.
After listening to report of educational manager of female students’ schools, he urged it is very necessary for sisters to get education with caring Hijab.
Meeting with teachers & students of Jamiat-ul-Haramain
Mawlana Abdol-Hameed addressed a gathering of teachers and students of the leading seminary of Chabahar, Jamia Haramain Sharifain, after Asr prayers of Saturday, 1st December.
In the light of the Qur’anic verse: «یوتی الحکمة من یشاء و من یوت الحکمة فقد أوتی خیرا کثیرا و ما یذّکر إلاّ أولوالالباب», he said, “Knowledge has a great status for Allah Almighty; in the same way, scholars of Islam are important and worth able. On the other side, Ulama have a huge responsibility on guiding people toward the right path.”
Shaikh-ul-Hadith of Darululoom Zahedan added more scholars must seek knowledge until the last breath. It should be their prayer all the time: «ربّ زدنی علما».
When we say “scholars are heirs of prophets”; it is not only pertinent to virtue but it includes responsibility. They are successors to forward the mission of prophets. Ulama must revive the brilliant teachings of Islam; when people commit sins and endure drought, earth quake and flood, it means scholars do not carry out their responsibility correctly. They have more knowledge than common people about spiritual affairs and Islam; so they should be more alert and responsive. When Prophet Moses returned to his nation, he found them involved in Shirk and big sins; in the first reaction he blamed his brother prophet Aaron, peace be upon them, because he was a more knowledgeable person among them, Shaikh further said.
Pointing out to another serious issue, he urged the aim of students of seminaries must not be limited; they should not think by getting Islamic education they would be only a teacher or imam. Rather students are supposed to plan for a better future; they should meditate how to rescue people from the hell of sins and misdeeds. Holy prophet, peace & blessings be upon him, used to contemplate for salvation of mankind.
The rector of Darululoom Zahedan underlined according to the noble Qur’an, the only way of salvation is to seek knowledge (‘Elm) and purify the soul. Scholars are caretakers of the prophets’ message; they should not sell it for the scant world. Such dishonest scholars would bear irretrievable losses.
At the termination of this sermon, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed advised the audience to beautify their inward and outward by the dress of piety, to dress the cloth of Ulama and take care of the religion’s dignity and respect.
Shaikh Abdol-Hameed talks a public gathering in Chabahar
After Maghreb prayers of the 1st December, Khateeb of Sunnis reached to a public gathering of citizens inside the Grand Masjid of the city. He was welcomed warmly by hundreds of honest Muslims. The mosque was full of zealot people and scholars of different areas of the province almost.
Shaikh began his discourse by reciting the Qur’anic verse: «و ما هذه الحیوة الدنیا إلاّ لهو و لعب و إن الدار الاخرة لهي الحیوان», and few couplets of Molavi expressing the main purpose of human beings’ creation. Molavi, a famous spiritual poet, urges mankind has been created to get acquaintance of Allah and to worship Him. In this way, people would gain Allah’s pleasure.
He emphasized saying the Exalted created each and every thing for the comfort of mankind. Most of people have made earning more and reaping money their object of life; such people will meet troubles on the Resurrection Day. A trouble-free day is the end of Allah’s devotees who do not neglect the remembrance of Allah. None should test committing sins; examining a mistake itself is a mistake!
Mawlana Abdol-Hameed put “intensity of misdeeds” and “indolence in offering prayers and paying Zakah” the causes which ended up with rejection of prays. Piety is the real force of an Islamic society not advanced weapons! Islamic commands ensure the prosperity of the both worlds.
In addition, he addressed wise citizens of Chabahar saying, “Knowledge is the requisite of mankind. Encourage your children to get education, create a suitable environment for their education and edification.”
Partiality, ethnic, sectarian contrast national interests
In another part of his public speech, Shaikh Ismaeelzahi urged Iran suffers from serious crises, it has been proved partiality, ethnic, and giving chance to a particular sect are useless policies to administrate the country.
Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah underlined, “We will follow up the case of [Iranian] Sunni Muslims’ rights via peaceful channels; I and other Sunni scholars condemned Chabahar suicide attacks. But it does not mean we would withdraw to ask for our legal rights. We believe the case of deprived Sunnis should be followed in a peaceful way. Iran is a multi-race country with different parties and sects; any particular party or sect can not be the indisputable ruler of the country. Severe situation of Iran requires national unity and solidarity which can be obtained only by broad-mindness and foresight.”
The Sunni community of Iran is an excellent opportunity for the regime; we are citizens of this country. It is a test for rulers; the authorities should not marginalize their Sunni compatriots. Sunni intellectuals have showed their honesty in career, the outstanding Sunni leader further said.
He added more, “Iranian Sunnis are patriots; they love Islam and want their nation’s prosperity and due respect. The Iranian Sunni community thinks both Shias and Sunnis should respect each others’ rights; they must live together fraternally. Justice must be executed. We do not allow anyone –as much as we can– to destabilize the region and bring about insecurity.”
Palestine gets a new birth
In another part of his historical speech before people of Chabahar, the member of the International Union for Muslim scholars pointed out to the recent achievement of Palestine saying, “In a meeting with the leading man of Hamas, Mr. Khalid Mesh’al, I reminded him however the brave Palestinian nation is parable in resistance; but the only path of salvation is repentance to Allah and offering prayers with congregation in mosques, parks and roads and other places.”
Mawlana Abdol-Hameed went on saying Palestine has been approved a non-member observer state at the UN; it is a great achievement for Palestinian nation and we can call it a new birth for Palestine.
Addressing people of Chabahar, the leader of Sunni Muslims said, “O people of Chabahar! Now-a-days awakening movement has included many parts of the world specially the Middle East and Muslim states. We hope the justice-seeking and Islamic movements would get their aims. It is a glad news that now women anchor persons can appear in TV shows with scarf and Hijab in Egypt. While the main source of their new constitution is Islamic laws and Shari’ah. If any state implements Islamic regulations correctly, it will be very advantageous for its citizens. Islamic laws ensure democracy and full freedom.”
At the end of his fruitful discourse among Chabahari citizens from different backgrounds, chairman of the Coordination Council of Sunni Seminaries in Sistan-Baluchistan urged that it was the Exalted Allah who ousted tyrant rulers like Hosni Mubarak, Kaddafi and others; their admonitive end was out of their imagination.
Meeting cultural activists & university students
The prominent leader of Sunni Muslims met and exchanged views with some cultural activists and students after Isha prayers of the 1st December 2012.
Alluding to a saying of the Second Caliph, Omar bin Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, «تعلّموا قبل أن تسودوا» Shaikh Abdol-Hameed said intellectuals and intelligentsias of any society run their country; so students who will be the future leaders and rulers should get enough proficiency. Learn before you are selected to rule on.
“We are proud of our students; their community is one of the best communities in society. We hope they will give importance to Islam and its directions,” he added more.
Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah in “Kahir”
After conclusion of the meeting of seminaries’ rectors in Chabahar, Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah and his compeers traveled to different towns of southern Baluchistan.
In this journey, grand Mufti o Darululoom Zahedan, Mufti Muhammad Qasem Qasemi, a famous preacher, Hafedh Muhammad Karim Saleh and some other eminent dignitaries were accompanying Shaikh Abdol-Hameed.
In the first stay, they visited “Kahir” town, 70 km of Chabahar, where Shaikh met people directly and talked to them. About 700 families live in Kahir. It has two big Masjids; one of them is a grand Masjid. There is a seminary next to the grand Masjid. About 100 students get education in “Tawhidiya” seminary. The entire population of the town and 50 other villages located around Kahir constitute Sunni Balochs.
The delegation of Ulama was received very warmly by hundreds of residents outside of the town. In an opening speech, Shaikh Nawab Hout, Khateeb of Kahir and rector of Tawhidiya seminary welcomed the guests particularly Shaikh Abdol-Hameed. He said although there is a huge distance between Zahedan and Kahir, but our hearts are close to Grand Makki Masjid and people of Zahedan.
The grand Mufti of Darululoom Zahedan addressed attendants of Shaikh Ismaeelzahi’s public meeting. He asked the audience to avoid bad characters and misdeeds. He pointed everybody must be pious in the both situations; in poverty as well as ampleness.
Mufti Qasemi further said the best prescription for avoiding sins is to live with truthful people and to not sit with heedless people.
Shaikh Ismaeelzahi’s discourse in Kahir
The eminent Sunni scholar called on Muslims gathered in the Al-Aqsa Grand Masjid of Kahir to worshipping only Allah. He said, “Salah (Namaz) is the principle of Islam; if someone does not offer prayers, s/he has invited the divine punishment.
The Muslim nation is the heir of beloved prophet Muhammad and his companions. Muslims need to imitate their path and maintain it. Islam is a great wealth; non-Muslims are unfortunate as they are deprived of it. Muslims must preserve their religious duties. People are neglectful over others’ rights. If we want to be perfect Muslims, we should take care of parents and all family members, Mawlana Ismaeelzahi added more.
The rector of Darululoom Zahedan emphasized saying the Noble Qur’an is the most important certificate of Allah Almighty, it must be recited always. Young men should strive to be close with Islam from now; they must be real Muslims. A true Muslim surrenders completely before Allah.
At the end of his discourse, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hameed thanked scholars, tribal chiefs, trustees and hospitable residents of Kahir town over their warm welcome and presence in the gathering. He recommended them to expend money for educating their children and sending them to good universities.
To be continued…
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