Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hamid, during the Friday prayer ceremony in Zahedan on May 15, 2026, cited the blessed Surah Al-Asr, identified faith, righteous deeds, exhortation to truth and patience as the four axes of success and salvation.
While emphasizing the duty of “enjoining good and forbidding evil,” he warned about the consequences and repercussions of “indifference toward the conditions of society.”
Surah Al-Asr is a Brief and Comprehensive Surah
According to the office of the Sunni Imam of Zahedan, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hamid, while reciting Surah Al-Asr, stated: In terms of words and verses, Surah Al-Asr is one of the shortest chapters of the Qur’an, but in terms of meaning and guidance, it is a very great surah. Some companions, when they met, would not part ways without reciting and discussing this surah. After the companions, some elders also tried to act in this manner and recited this surah in their gatherings.
He continued: Surah Al-Asr is a complete and comprehensive surah. There is sufficient guidance for humans in this surah. Imam Shafi’i (may Allah have mercy on him) used to say: If Allah Almighty had only revealed Surah Al-Asr and people had reflected upon it, it would have been enough for their guidance. But Allah showed favor to mankind and revealed the complete Qur’an, placing within it everything needed for human salvation.
Denial of Truth and Continuation of Oppression Bring Divine Punishment
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid stated: Allah Almighty has sworn by history in this surah; meaning He has taken history as a witness. Time and era are the greatest witnesses to who in the world achieved happiness and who failed. Many great and famous nations in the world failed and many succeeded. History can testify which nations failed and what was the reason for their failure.
He added: Every human should think about why these nations, with all this wealth and power, failed? Why did Pharaoh, who considered himself a god—God forbid—fail with all that government and power? Pharaoh did not accept the goodwill and advice of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), who called him to guidance and obedience to God and His Messenger and forbade him from torturing and punishing the Children of Israel. He fought against the people of truth and failed. If Pharaoh had not committed oppression, he would not have been caught in punishment. He not only refused to accept guidance and truth but also continued to oppress the Children of Israel, deprived them of their rights, and tortured and killed the magicians when they believed in Prophet Moses. Therefore, Allah Almighty drowned him in the sea.
He continued: Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) called his people to monotheism and obedience to God, but they did not understand his words. Prophet Abraham broke their idols to make them understand that these deities, who lack hearing, sight, and power, cannot ward off harm from them or bring benefit to them, and cannot be God. However, Nimrod and many people, including Azar, the father of Prophet Abraham, rose in opposition to him and denied divine monotheism.
The Friday Imam of Zahedan added: In the Holy Qur’an, the fate of the people of Aad, Thamud, Lot, and other nations is also mentioned, who did not accept the words of the prophets, did not believe, and were caught in divine punishment.
He expressed: Read history. Many nations and peoples of the world who practiced arrogance, pride, oppression, and disobedience were caught in punishment. The Qur’an does not belong only to Muslims, but to all humans so that they read it and reflect upon it. When humans study the Qur’an, they reach the same conclusion that all people in the world suffer loss; except those who believe, perform righteous deeds, and advise each other to truth and patience.
Faith and Righteous Deeds are the Greatest Happiness and Factors of Salvation
The Friday Imam of Zahedan stated: No action is as great, important, and influential as faith. The greatest happiness lies in the essence of faith that a person believes in Allah and His existence and unity. Faith is the root and foundation, but for salvation, having faith alone is not enough; righteous deeds are also required. Prayer, fasting, zakat, pilgrimage, and all good things are included in righteous deeds. Responding to a greeting (Salam) is a righteous deed. Removing a thorn or a stone from the path is a righteous deed. Showing someone the way is a righteous deed. Faith and righteous deeds are like two great wings for prosperity and soaring towards God, which are essential for human salvation.
Patience is Half of Faith
The president of Darululoom Zahedan stated: Besides faith and righteous deeds, we have two other duties: exhortation to truth and exhortation to patience. Allah Almighty has assigned all humans the duty to advise one another toward the right path and truth. Any advice that emphasizes good deeds is considered an exhortation to truth.
He added: Exhorting to truth and patience is, in fact, “Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil”. Today, Ulama and members of “Tablighi Jamaat” perform this task, but do not leave this work only for specific scholars or groups; if everyone does this, the world will be reformed. A pulpit or a gathering is not necessary for this; each of us should exhort to truth whenever we meet one another.
He said: Patience means self-control. When the carnal soul (Nafs) urges you toward sin or oppression, restrain it. At Fajr prayer time, the soul says “sleep,” but when you rise for prayer, you have restrained the soul. You must also be patient during calamities. When you do not consume the property of the mosque, school, treasury, or people that was in your hands despite needing it, you have controlled yourself, and this is patience. Allah Almighty loves for a person to show dignity and patience during hardships and, instead of tearing clothes or being ungrateful, to be satisfied with Allah’s decree and submit to Divine judgment. Patience is half of faith.
Do not be Indifferent; an Indifferent Society Suffers Loss / Enjoining Good is a Universal Duty
The Friday Imam of Zahedan continued: Do not be indifferent; an indifferent society declines and suffers loss. If we do not advise people to goodness and forbid them from sin, we will face loss. Scholars, women, men, and no group should remain indifferent toward sin, vice, oppression, and injustice in society. Allah has given responsibility to scholars, elders, influential figures, and all of us; our responsibility is heavy.
He noted: Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil is a universal duty. Invite people toward goodness with wisdom, compassion, and goodwill. Do not be indifferent; see what is happening in your home, family, relatives, and neighborhood—whether your children are praying. Some fathers say they have told their children but they do not listen; duty is not fulfilled with this alone. A father must advise as long as he is alive. If a child does not accept advice today, they will accept it one day. Do not get tired.
Knowledge and Science Lead to Progress and Dignity / It Enhances Capacity
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid, referring to the upcoming summer holidays for religious schools, public schools, and universities, said: The holidays for religious schools have shifted to summer, like public schools, so that students, scholars, and school staff can provide grounds for teaching your children and strengthening students in subjects where they have weaknesses.
He added: We all have a duty to encourage knowledge. The dignity and salvation of our society, and the goodness of our world and religion, lie in knowledge. Both modern and religious sciences are knowledge. We must lead society toward learning. Knowledge increases the capacity and ability of humans and society, leading them to dignity and perfection. Through knowledge, we can build both this world and the hereafter.
Educational Centers Must Teach Knowledge and Action
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid concluded this part of his speech, and said: Religious schools, Quranic centers, public schools, and universities are all sources of good. In these scientific centers, besides teaching sciences, there must also be action, sincerity, piety, and fear of God. Support the schools and mosques.
Political Executions Are Not in the Interest of the Country, the Rulers and the People
In the second part of his sermon, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hamid criticized the increase in executions in the country. Stating that political executions are detrimental to the country, the ruler, and the people, he called for an end to such executions.
He pointed out: The executions being carried out these days are harmful to the country and the nation of Iran. Of course, “Qisas” (retribution) is a right and is correct, and someone who commits murder is put to death, but political executions are not for the good of our country or in the interest of the ruler and common people.
There Were no Political Executions During the Time of the Prophet and the Rightly Guided Caliphs
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid said: These political executions did not exist during the time of the Prophet and the Rightly Guided Caliphs. The Holy Prophet (PBUH), the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and Sayyidana Ali (RA) are our role models and leaders, and all jurists and scholars of the Islamic Ummah owe everything they have to those great figures. The interpretations of jurists from any school of thought regarding the verse “Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger…” must be consistent with Sunnah and the life of the Prophet Mohammad; because he had the best and most profound understanding of the revelation.
He added: Another consequence of execution is that the world says Iranians are killing their own people, and this is something the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was worried about it; for this reason, he did not agree to the request to kill the hypocrites. Therefore, as before, I advise that execution is not the solution and that you should stop these executions.
Forced Confession is Contrary to Islamic Shari’ah, the Constitution, and International Regulations
The Friday Imam of Zahedan further condemned “forced confession”, and said: Forced confessions that occur in our country’s detention centers do not comply with Islamic Shari’ah, nor with our country’s Constitution and international laws and regulations. A forced confession cannot serve as evidence or documentation for issuing a sentence.
In conclusion, he noted: The words spoken from this platform are intended to defend Islamic Shari’ah and the interests of the people and are for the good and benefit of everyone. We consider ourselves committed to goodwill and social cohesion.
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