The eminent Sunni scholar, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hameed traveled to Khash district, 170 km of Zahedan, on Wednesday, December 26, 2012 to meet residents of the district and their scholars. In the trip, he visited some seminaries and grand mosques of the Sunni community.
Near Khash city, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed stayed for a short period in “Ismaeelabad” town. He visited the under-construction grand mosque of the town and talked to people in “Dar-ul-Hoda” seminary. The administration of the seminary had organized a public gathering where he was welcomed by residents and Shaikh Abdol-Majeed Moradzehi, an active Sunni scholar, and other elders of the area.
Speech of Shaikh in Ismaeelabad
Shaikh applauded the previous rectors of Dar-ul-Hoda seminary, late Mawlana Abd-ur-Rahim and Mawlana Abd-ul-Wahed Moradzehi, pointing that the seminary has been pioneer in holding ceremonies for the memorizers of the noble Qur’an in the province.
Expressing his views in the light of the Qur’anic verse: «وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِّمَّن دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ», (And who is better in speech than he who summoned unto Allah, and worked righteously, and said: verily I am one of the Muslims). He said Allah Almighty has bestowed Muslims a very noble and great blessing; despite having lots of material blessings and facilities, others are deprived of that. Allah has granted Muslims the blessing of Islam, the Qur’an and beloved prophet Muhammad, peace & blessings be upon him; these divine gifts ensure the prosperity of mankind in the both worlds.
Reasoning a Hadith, Khateeb of Sunni Muslims pointed, “When Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace & blessings be upon him, was returning from Hunayn battle, due to some rationales, he allocated spoils to some Sahabah more than others which caused objection of some Ansar. Holy Prophet came to know and addressed them saying: O Ansar! Are you not happy that others return home with trophies and wealth but you return with the prophet of Allah? They replied we are satisfied with that; Ansar were aware well that Islam and prophet guarantee their prosperity in the both worlds and spoil is temporal.”
Islam is a loyal blessing which accompanies mankind in all circumstances; while worldly wealth can be utilized only in this world. But Islam is with the man after death as well, in grave and on the Resurrection Day. Unfortunately, people neglect this great blessing; they consider Islam limited to some obligations. It is a wrong view; Islam is pertinent to all aspects of life of a Muslim. Islam has directions for any Muslim in his home, office, work place and other fields. It should be the priority of a Muslim, man and woman, to imitate Islamic regulations with zeal and zest, he underlined.
Alluding to a serious phenomenon spread in the society, he counted “drug addiction” a serious danger for the society and said addiction is the root cause of many social diseases and imbalances. All must strive to root up this dire phenomenon. Telling lie, bribery, usury, disloyalty and violating others’ rights have been common in societies. When a society gets involved in such phenomena, it faces perilous crises and dangers. On the other hand, the nations who hold strong relations with Allah and donate on His path would be undefeatable; they would gain the prosperity in this world and the Hereafter.
Addressing women and daughters, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed stated, “Women should choose women and daughters of Sahabah as their examples. They used to offer Tahajjud prayers and worship Allah in dawns. They requested Holy Prophet to allocate a day weekly for women. If you collect the faith of all Muslims of this era, it can not be equal with the faith of a single female companion.”
In another part of his speech, he put fratricide a divine punishment. He said Satan, that is enemy of mankind, wants to bring Allah’s punishment on us by such crimes. So all parts and classes of the society should repent and purify them selves by the noble Qur’an. Men and women, youth and old-aged, students and even herders must work hard to learn the noble Qur’an. Order your children to establish prayers and do not let your homes to be graveyard!
Shaikh in Khash city
After conclusion of the ceremony in Ismaeelabad, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed traveled to Khash city where he reached “Makhzan-ul-Uloom” seminary of the city on Wednesday after noon. Shaikh visited scholars and students of the seminary and some Islamic activists of the town. Then, he presented a discourse in Al-Khalil Grand Masjid of the city before hundreds of people after Maghrib prayers.
Shaikh urged, “The worst thing for any society is when people forget their own culture and particular style of life preferring others’ way of thinking and living. Muslims are supposed to maintain own traditions and culture; their Islamic identity should remain protected practically. Islam has given value to earthborn human being making them chiefs of others. It made Abu Bakr the truthful friend of Holy Prophet and Abu Jahl faced blatancy because of denying it. Imitation of the word of Tawhid made slaves “kings” and its denial made kings “slaves”. Now-a-days, despite presence of the teachings of Islam, Muslims are weak and powerless in the world just because of leaving their Islamic identity and negligence over this perfect religion.”
The chairman of the Coordination Council of Sunni Seminaries in Sistan-Baluchistan further said Muslims can not gain their lost position and honor but by honestly repentance and adopting Shania’s. The prescription of Sahabah is with Muslims today, the Qur’an is the same, and just Muslims have changed! If we want to achieve our lost previous rank, so we should bring positive changes in our lives and thinking. This is the only way of salvation. Tribal disputes can be removed by a collective intention of all sides. People should try to eliminate such blind clashes.
He asked the audience to have tolerance over all races and sects counting ethnical disputes harmful and blind. All groups which claim to be Muslims, including Shia and Sunni must tolerate each other; they should urge on their common points instead of differences.
Handing over the province to a particular race is a wrong policy
The outstanding Sunni leader urged on equality in distribution of posts and jobs, saying that Sunnis and Shias must enjoy same and equal rights; there must be equality in employment. It is a blunder to dismiss any Sunni just because of his sect; why Sunnis can not be governors? It is a wrong policy to hand over any province to a particular sect and race neglecting others, it needs reformation. Capable of all sects should be given chance to serve their people. Sunnis are brave; they wish to defend their motherland.
Fraternity and peace of the society are very vital and important; if the peace faces any damages, it would affect the entire nation. Today we see most of the rulers and people talking about fraternity and unity; the point which should be noted is that fraternity can be achieved by deeds and practical steps. Every Sunni wants his due rights. Both Shia and Sunni belong to Iran; neither this country belongs to Shia nor to Sunni community exclusively. Thus, there must not be any difference in their rights, Mawlana Ismaeelzahi added more.
Sunnis’ religious & educational freedom in metropolises; a rational demand
In another part of his important speech, he pointed Sunnis are not in favor of insecurity and suicide attacks. Sunnis want fraternity and peace but they can not neglect their religious freedom as well. We wish our brothers and sisters establish prayers in metropolises like Esfahan and other cities without any hesitation. They should freely educate their children as they wish; this is a rational demand. It is not avarice for Sunnis if they need a mosque to worship Allah according to their sect in any city. We believe people’s rights should be preserved; no one should be deprived due to his sect and tenets.
Political differences should not be compared with differences of Sahabah
Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah asked the authorities and political sides of Iran to take care of Sunnis’ sanctities, saying, “Recently one of statesmen has simulated political movement of 2009, Green Movement, to differences of the time of Ali bin Abi-Talib; he mentioned the names of Talha and Zubair, may Allah be pleased with all of them. It has made Sunnis anxious; we hope the rulers realize the importance of the issue preserving our sanctities. Sahabah, the Companions of Holy Prophet, are very important for us; we have warned the statesmen many times and once again we warn them to avoid from such comparisons.”
He added more, “We have not seen any one to be simultaneous to Hassan, Hussein and Ali; as no one can be here like Talha and Zubair, may Allah be pleased with them. The household and companions are equal; if a common person insults any of them we can file complaint to rulers, but when rulers themselves involved in such abhorrent things, then what we can do? As Sunnis should take care of Shias’ sanctities, Shias are requested to do so as well.”
Sermon of Shaikh in “Bilri”
Next day, on Thursday, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed left Khash city to “Bilri” village of Posht-e-Kuh town. He began his sermon before people of the town by reading the Qur’anic verse: «وَمَن يَرْغَبُ عَن مِّلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِلاَّ مَن سَفِهَ نَفْسَهُ وَلَقَدِ اصْطَفَيْنَاهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَإِنَّهُ فِي الآخِرَةِ لَمِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ» [بقره: 130], (And who turns away from the religion of Abraham but such as debase their souls with folly? Him We chose and rendered pure in this world: And he will be in the Hereafter in the ranks of the Righteous.)
He pointed the tenet of Tawhid, Islamic monotheism, is the pivot of Islamic beliefs. All human beings are unable before Allah’s power; those who turn away from the religion of Abraham and monotheism are silly and idiot as the noble Qur’an states. This verse includes even those who have lots of knowledge on worldly things and science.
The main aim of every person in life is worshipping only Allah. Prophet Abraham is one of the best examples of worshippers who surrendered completely with devotion in front of His Lord. He was ready to slaughter his son for the sake of Allah, but today’s Muslims are not ready to offer prayers!
Shaikh visits “Gurchan” village
In his trip to Khash, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed visited Gurchan village of Posht-e-Kuh as well. He expressed his happiness seeing himself among people of the village who belonged to different classes; scholars, students, tribal elders, youths and common residents.
Pointing out to blessings of Allah Almighty, Mawlana said our whole body with all useful parts is the blessing and reward of Allah. He has bestowed us this perfect body with soul and then nourished us as well. Whatever we need is available by the blessing of Allah. When He gives us and our beloved ones each and every thing, why we disobey Him and His commands? Sagacity is the blessing of Allah; it requires we should worship Him and obey His orders.
Khateeb of Sunnis encouraged the residents of Posht-e-Kuh town to carry out all obligatory commands of Allah especially five-time daily prayers, Zakah and fasting. He advised them to take care of others’ rights and serve their parents and relatives avoiding tribal bigotries.
