🔷 “Islamic Rulings Must Never Be Sacrificed for Politics or the Preservation of Power”

Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid, in today’s Friday prayer ceremony (November 21st, 2025) in Zahedan, described the instrumental use of Islamic rulings to preserve political power as “completely wrong” and an “innovation away from the religion.” He stressed that politics is only one branch of Islam, and that Islamic rulings must not be sacrificed for politics or the maintenance of authority and government.

🔹 Using Religion as a Tool to Preserve Power Is a Deviation From Islam and the View of a Small Minority
According to the website of the Office of the Sunni Friday Imam of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdolhamid said:
“Recently, a member of parliament — who is also a cleric — claimed that the ‘Islamic government’ is the foundation, while all divine rulings are secondary and merely ‘tools,’ and that if the government deems it necessary, it may ‘suspend’ rulings such as prayer, fasting, or Hajj in order to preserve the government itself.”
Responding to this statement, the Friday Imam of Zahedan declared:
“Considering religion as an instrument for maintaining power is a completely erroneous view, a deviation from Islam, and the perspective of a mere minority. Religion is the main pillar, and politics — like prayer, fasting, Hajj, and zakat — is only one branch of religion. Such statements should not be made in the House of the Nation.”

🔹 Religion Is Not a Tool of Any Power; No One May Misuse Religion to Maintain Authority
He continued:
“Turning Islamic rulings into instruments for preserving political power is precisely the criticism directed at many of our officials today. No one has the right to misuse religion to maintain their authority. Religion is not a tool in the hands of any power or government — even if that government is ‘Islamic.’”
He emphasized:
“Instrumental use of religion for protecting authority contradicts reason, logic, clear religious texts, and prophetic narrations. The Noble Qur’an states:
‘Those who, if We establish them in the land, perform prayer, give zakat, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and to Allah belongs the outcome of all matters.’ [Qur’an 22:41]
This verse addresses rulers and political leaders: if God grants them authority, they must uphold prayer, distribute zakat, and command what is right and forbid what is wrong.”
Mawlana Abdolhamid added:
“Prayer, zakat, and enjoining good and forbidding wrong are not instruments of power; rather, politics must serve religion so that Islamic rulings can be implemented.”
He continued:
“In other verses, God addresses rulers and commands them to uphold justice:
‘O David, We have made you a vicegerent on earth, so judge between people with truth.’ [Qur’an 38:26]
One of the main purposes of divine caliphate on earth is the establishment of justice. Justice is not a tool for power; rather, power is the tool by which justice must be executed. If there is government but no justice, that government is not true caliphate.”

🔹 Politics in Islam Is Based on Honesty and Justice — No Ruler May Alter Divine Rulings
The Friday Imam of Zahedan described some essential features of Islamic politics and stated:
“Honest politics is emphasized in Islam, and no other form of politics is conceivable within the Islamic framework.”
He added:
“In Islamic politics, nothing is acceptable except honesty and the implementation of justice. Politics must operate within the boundaries set by God Almighty. No ruler, no party, and no group has the authority to ignore or alter divine rulings or change what God has declared lawful or unlawful.”

🔹 Serving the People Is a Central Pillar of Islamic Politics — Justice Earns Public Satisfaction and Preserves Stability
Mawlana Abdolhamid further emphasized that serving the people is one of the core principles of Islamic politics:
“One of the central pillars of Islamic politics is service to the people. A politics that stands with the people and serves them can strengthen Islam. But when Islamic rulings are sacrificed for political gain, such politics has no place in Islam.”
He added:
“A government is righteous only when justice and divine rulings are implemented correctly and the people are satisfied. The implementation of justice brings public contentment, establishes security, and ultimately strengthens the stability and continuity of the system.”

🔸 Conclusion and Announcement
Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid concluded by announcing that on Saturday, November 22nd, at 7:30 AM, the Salat Al-Istisqa (Prayer for Rain) would be held at the Friday prayer site in Zahedan.
He advised the public to fast and give charity on this day.