Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hamid alluded to the title of “Islamic Republic” of Iran and termed “equality” and promotion of “tolerance” in accordance with being Islamic and republic.
Talking to tens of thousands Sunni citizens on Eid al-Fitr day (June 26, 2017) in Zahedan, he said: “Islam enjoys a big capacity, and it is clear how much the divine religion of Islam is tolerated with the tolerance and foresight of Allah.”
“In the Islamic Republic of Iran, both the Islamism and republicanism require high tolerance and foresightedness. The officials, Shia and Sunni scholars, especially the supporters of the state should extend their sights,” Khateeb of Sunnis in Zahedan pointed out.
He underlined: “In Islam there is no any place for sectarian and ethnic eyes and there should not any sectarian policy in Iran. Instead, people should be behaved with the Islamic view, which includes all sects and ethnic communities. The rights of all people, regardless of their sect and ethnicity, should be recognized and implemented.”
“Sectarian and ethnic views cannot be an Islamic view. Equality is so necessary for the national security of us inside the country. Limited views and inequality are dangerous for the Islamic Republic of Iran, damaging unity and national security. The people and their demands should be focused on,” Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said.
He further said: “The Sunni and Shia communities are opportunities for each other. All Iranians should be engaged in employments and distribution of posts. Equality can maintain our unity and resolve the possible upcoming challenges before the country.”
Sunni Ulama should not be limited for travelling
In another part of his speech before thousands of worshipers gathered for Eid prayers, the rector of Darululoom Zahedan criticized making limitations for some Sunni Ulama and clergymen to travel inside the country.
He said: “Most of the Shia and Sunni scholars support the Islamic Republic, and it is expected when Ulama travel anywhere, there should not suspicion about them, and they should not be questioned where they want to go.”
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid urged: “We have complaints from the officials of Mashhad; we see more narrowness on the presence of Sunni scholars in this city. As Mashhad is one of the hubs for tourism, universities and business and people need to make trips to this city, the officials should protect it from narrowness.”
“Sunni Ulama are Iranians and like any Iranian citizen they have right to travel to different cities of their country freely. They should not have any anxiety about their trips,” he added more.
Jihad is legitimate only by fatwa of proficient pious Ulama
Khateeb of Sunnis and their most influential scholar in Iran condemned the efforts of some extremists to carry out suicide attack inside the holy sites of Makkah and said: “Some people wanted to carry out suicide attacks inside the holy site of Makkah and Haram. It is a place where killing an insect or pick tree leaf is forbidden. The people who want to explode themselves and make the Haram unsafe, which religion they follow?”
He urged: “Killing people is a big crime, and it has been common to kill innocents in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and other parts of the world. Only proficient and pious Ulama can issue fatwa for Jihad when it is necessary.”
“Some extremists even explode themselves inside mosques and funeral ceremonies. In many of such attacks, first people hear the cry of Allah-o-Akbar and then the explosion. It is extremism and Islam does not allow such acts. They are angry people, and we ask them sympathetically to think of their endless life and stop such attacks,” the eminent Hadith and Tafseer teacher made it clear.
Maintain achievements of Ramadan
In the first part of his speech, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid counted some achievements of the holy month of Ramadan and called on the audience to maintain them after this month, too.
He said: “Connecting with mosques was one of the achievements of Ramadan. Keep going to mosques and offering prayers in congregation. Connection with mosque is a sign of faith.”
“Getting up at dawn for prayers was another achievement of Ramadan, and after it, we should continue offering night prayers. It carries not only spiritual benefits, but also benefits for body,” Shaikh added more.
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid termed “fasting”, “leaving sins” and “reciting the Noble Qur’an” the other achievements of Ramadan which should be maintained in the rest eleven months.
He concluded: “Today is the day of Eid which is the day of celebration and happiness, but celebration in Islam is by worshiping and remembering the Almighty. Never make the Almighty upset, and be careful about the hidden and obvious enemies who provoke you to commit sins.”