Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid, speaking today, December 12th, 2025, at the Friday prayer ceremony in Zahedan, described the economic and livelihood conditions of the people as “extremely critical” and addressed the country’s officials, saying: You cannot evade responsibility and claim that nothing can be done. Rather, you must be accountable to the needs of the people. If you are truly unable to act, then it would be better to step aside from your positions so that others who possess the necessary ability may assume responsibility.
🔹 In Divine Religions, Religious Rulings Have Changed According To Human Conditions And Needs
According to the Information Base of the Office of the Sunni Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdolhamid stated at the beginning of his remarks: All heavenly religions have shared three fundamental principles—Monotheism, Resurrection, and Prophethood—and no change has ever occurred in these three foundations. However, the rulings of each religion and divine law have differed in accordance with variations in time, circumstances, and the needs of people.
He added: This is a divine tradition. Almighty Allah has never insisted on a single method for all times and conditions; rather, He has always taken ease for His servants into consideration. Every era and every set of circumstances has its own specific needs. For this reason, throughout all heavenly religions, differences in rulings have emerged in response to changes in time, conditions, and human needs.
🔹 Heavenly Religions Were, In Their Own Times, The “Mercy Of The Lord”
The Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan emphasized: Almighty Allah is Merciful, and the previous heavenly religions were, in their respective times, manifestations of the Lord’s mercy. Allah has made religion easy. Divine rulings build and educate human beings, but Allah does not intend this education to occur through pressure and hardship.
He further noted: In heavenly religions, the manner of educating humanity has differed. For example, in Islam, despite the insistence of the people of Mecca, Almighty Allah did not reveal the Qur’an all at once; rather, the Qur’an was revealed gradually over a period of twenty-three years. Rulings, obligations, and even prohibitions were instituted gradually so that people would not be burdened and acting upon them would be easy. At the beginning of Islam, when people had newly embraced the faith and the conditions of Muslims were difficult, prayer consisted of only two units; later it became four units, while the prayer during travel remained two units. Fasting, zakat, and hajj were also made obligatory several years after the Hijrah.
🔹 Laws Must Change According To Conditions And In Favor Of The People And The Country
Mawlana Abdolhamid continued: Worldly laws will be intelligent and successful only when they take circumstances into account and follow this divine tradition. Laws must be changed in favor of the people. A law drafted fifty years ago cannot meet today’s conditions, and many of its provisions have failed, leaving the country entangled in difficulties.
He added: Today’s conditions are not those of fifty years ago. Many of the individuals of that era have passed away, and a new generation with new needs has emerged. When conditions and needs are new, laws too must be changed in favor of the people and the country. This is a necessity and an imperative, and it leads to public satisfaction.
🔹 No One Should Remain In Office Forever; The Capable And Energetic Young Generation Must Come To Power
The Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan further emphasized the employment of the younger generation in the management of the country, stating: Today, with the arrival of a new generation, at the very least, young people who possess the ability and the power to manage should come to office. Retirement laws—which are global in nature—exist for this reason: when a person’s age exceeds a certain limit, decline sets in, and physical and intellectual capacities weaken. The Qur’an states: “And whoever We grant long life, We reverse him in creation”—meaning that eyesight, physical strength, and intellectual power also diminish.
He added: No one should remain in a position of responsibility forever. When someone reaches retirement age, they should step aside so that the younger generation, or at least middle-aged individuals, may assume responsibility. Experience has shown that elderly individuals are resistant to change, whereas those who are relatively younger are more adaptable. It is in the best interest of the country that those who come to power possess initiative and innovation.
🔹 Freedom Of Expression Must Exist In Expressing Religious And Political Views
In another part of his remarks, Mawlana Abdolhamid emphasized freedom of expression and freedom in expressing beliefs, stating: A certain individual in Qom or elsewhere has expressed an opinion and has been subjected to attacks because of it. If someone expresses a view on religious matters, they must enjoy freedom of belief and freedom of expression, and they should not be attacked or insulted. Responding to an opinion is not a problem, but insults must not occur. Likewise, in expressing political views, freedom of expression must exist. Do not regard someone who expresses an opinion as an enemy. All are citizens, and Iranian citizens have the right to express their views.
He added: Strengthening religion lies in freedom of belief and expression. During the virtuous life of the Noble Prophet (PBUH), free expression prevailed; people enjoyed freedom, dialogue, consultation, and openness. Freedom of speech, the pen, and thought, the implementation of justice, and the avoidance of harshness and violence are all in the interest of the country and the world, and they lead to progress and advancement.
🔹 Love For Lady Fatimah And The Ahl Al-Bayt Is Part Of Sunni Belief
The Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan continued: Lady Fatimah and Imam Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) are figures accepted and respected by all Muslims. The Ahl al-Bayt of the Noble Prophet—those who met him and served him—hold very lofty ranks and positions, and all Muslims honor them. Sunnis unanimously regard the Ahl al-Bayt as among their sacred figures and consider love for them to be an integral part of their beliefs.
🔹 The Belief Of The Majority Of Sunnis Is That Lady Fatimah (May Allah Be Pleased With Her) Passed Away
🔹 Those Who Express The View Of “Passing Away” Within The Shiite Community Must Not Be Attacked
He went on to explain the Sunni belief regarding the passing of Lady Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), noting: The belief of the majority of Sunnis is that Lady Fatimah passed away, and they do not accept the account of her martyrdom as narrated by some. In the past, this same view also existed within the Shiite community, as reflected in the books of prominent Shiite scholars and even in the country’s calendars, where the term “passing away” was used. Nevertheless, the view of “martyrdom” is also a perspective; however, if individuals within the Shiite community put forward the view of “passing away,” they should not be subjected to attacks.
🔹 Every Narrated Event Must Be Weighed By Reason
Mawlana Abdolhamid emphasized: We must all reflect on the fact that Lady Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) was the beloved daughter of the Noble Messenger of Allah (PBUH); the soil of the Prophet’s blessed grave was still fresh, and the era was that of early Islam and the Companions—an era in which they wholeheartedly defended the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) in various circumstances. Under such conditions, how can reason accept that someone would martyr the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) in the presence of Imam Ali and the other Companions and Muslims, without any reaction being witnessed?
He stressed: Every narrated event and occurrence must also be examined by reason. Therefore, the occurrence of such an incident does not accord with reason. What I am stating represents the belief of the overwhelming majority of Muslims worldwide.
🔹 Executions In An Islamic Government Harm Religion
He concluded by saying: Our reason for opposing executions is that such executions, carried out in a government that operates in the name of religion, harm religion itself. Any problem or deficiency in an Islamic government is attributed to religion and thus damages it, just as any goodness and virtue within such a government ultimately benefits religion. Religion and the Greatest Prophet are manifestations of the Lord’s mercy; therefore, we too must act in a manner that does not make religion a source of hardship for the people.
🔹 Officials Must Not Evade Responsibility; Rather, They Must “Manage” The Situation And “Change” The Conditions
In the final part of his remarks, the Friday Prayer Leader of Zahedan referred to the economic and livelihood problems of the people and stated: The economic conditions of the people are extremely critical. Every day we witness rising inflation and soaring prices. Someone remarked that there was a time when my salary was 10 million tomans, which was equivalent to ten thousand dollars; but now, despite earning a higher salary, it does not even reach one thousand dollars. Today, a salary of 10 million tomans is not even equal to 100 dollars. If someone earns 50 million tomans—which very few people do—their income amounts to about four hundred dollars. Under these circumstances, how is a worker, a teacher, or an employee supposed to live? Today, 125 million tomans are equivalent to one thousand dollars. People lack the purchasing power to buy meat and other basic necessities, and they are under severe pressure. You must think about these people and how they are to survive.
He stressed: Officials must not say, “There is nothing we can do.” When you hold responsibility and claim that nothing can be done, then it is better to step aside from your position so that others who possess the ability can assume responsibility.
Addressing the officials, Mawlana Abdolhamid emphasized: You cannot evade responsibility and claim that nothing can be done; rather, you must be accountable to the needs of the people, because Allah and the law have made you responsible and answerable. You must manage the situation and change the conditions. The country has entered a new phase, and we are witnessing a new generation with new needs. Therefore, domestic and foreign policies must also change in accordance with these conditions and needs.
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