Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hamid, in his Friday sermon in Zahedan today (April 19th, 2024), described the Middle East as the “lifeline of the world, especially in the spheres of trade and energy,” and warned of the consequences of any war, conflict, or tension in the region.
The World Should Help End Tensions
According to the website of the Zahedan Sunni Friday Imam’s Office, referring to recent events and tensions between Iran and Israel, he said: “The fact is that Iran has shown great restraint in this matter. Iranian commanders were targeted in Syria and Lebanon, and Iranian officials showed restraint to prevent war. The latest incident that prompted a response from the Iranian government and military was the attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria, in which several senior commanders were killed.”
He added: “Consulates are considered important diplomatic centers for each country. Of course, there is a difference of opinion about whether a country’s consulate is considered part of its territory, but the whole world agrees that consulates are representations of countries and are respected by each country and should not be attacked. In any case, Iran responded to Israel’s attack on its consulate in Syria and announced that this response was deterrent and was aimed at preventing Israel from carrying out such attacks again.”
The Zahedan Friday Imam said: “The Middle East is a very special and unique region that is different from many other parts of the world. The Middle East is the lifeline of the world and one of the most important centers of the world, especially in the spheres of trade and energy. All countries, without exception, have interests in the Middle East. If the Middle East is engulfed in the flames of war, the whole world will suffer in various spheres. Therefore, the Middle East must be kept away from tension and conflict.”
He emphasized: “If Israel responds to Iran’s attacks, it has made a mistake. Our belief is that how long will war and conflict continue?! The whole world must unite and help end tensions and conflicts.”
“The Palestinian Issue” is the Main Source of Disagreements and Tensions; All Countries Should Focus on Resolving This Issue
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid said: “The main source of disagreements and tensions is the Palestinian issue. Otherwise, Iran, Israel, and other countries have no disagreements with each other, and all conflicts revolve around the Palestinian issue, which Israelis and Palestinians have not been able to resolve despite decades of conflict. In the latest incident, the Gaza War, more than 35,000 people have been killed on both sides, with most of the casualties being Palestinians, and lives have been destroyed.”
The Zahedan Friday Imam said: “Everyone should focus on resolving the Palestinian issue. Iran’s help in this regard is influential. Israel must also cooperate. Europe, America, and all countries that have interests in the Palestinian issue must cooperate to resolve this dispute. If there is no stubbornness and obstinacy in the Palestinian issue, it can be resolved. The occupied territories must be returned to the Palestinians and an independent Palestinian state must be established, as has been approved by the United Nations.”
He added: “Resolving the Palestinian issue is in the interests of the whole world, the Palestinians, and Israel. Neither side can destroy the other, and it is not in the interests of either. Therefore, everyone should pursue a just settlement in a way that does not violate the rights of anyone. If the Palestinian issue were left to the people, it would be easy to resolve, but politicians and the powerful have taken the matter into their own hands.”
War is Detrimental to All
The World and the Middle East Cannot Tolerate another War
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid stated: “We advise all the people of the region who are somehow involved in the issue and all parties and groups that war and conflict are useless. The war in Gaza must be stopped, an immediate ceasefire must be established, and the hostages must be released. The world must persuade Israel to an immediate ceasefire.”
He added: “In the current situation, not only the Middle East but the whole world cannot tolerate another war. War is detrimental to everyone, and everyone should avoid war and tension and pay attention to respecting each other’s rights, fair and just settlement, and mutual respect.”
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid on Guidance Patrols (morality police) and Women’s Issues
Guidance Patrols (morality police) must fulfill their duty of ‘guidance’.
In another part of his Friday sermon in Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid addressed the issue of “guidance patrols” in the country and said: “The issue that is very painful and worrying for all of us these days is the issue of ‘guidance patrols’ and clashes with women. The issue of ‘chastity’ and ‘hijab’ is a religious matter, and covering the head is also obligatory from the Sunni point of view, and this is a religious ruling. However, dragging this issue into violence is not right.”
He added: “We believe that the guidance patrols should fulfill their duty of ‘guidance’. In Iran, some of the pillars of religion have been abandoned; prayer, zakat, and fasting are among the pillars of religion and are more important than covering the head. But why is there so much sensitivity to the issue of hijab – to the extent that men even get involved and push girls, say inappropriate things, grab women’s hands and feet, and throw them into cars – which sharia law does it match?! The same sharia law that makes hijab obligatory does not allow an unrelated man to take a woman’s hand and drag her.”
“Root Cause of Some Women’s Opposition to Wearing Hijab Should Be Analyzed”
“Women Believe Their Honor Has Not Been Protected and They Have Been Discriminated Against in the Islamic Regime”
The Zahedan Friday Imam said: “Why is the opinion of scholars and academics not sought on this issue? The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to consult with his companions, young men, and women on matters. Islam is not just about ruling; the government of Muslims was not just about issuing orders and decrees; it was a people’s government where people were consulted.”
He continued: “These same Iranian women used to wear hijab in the past. All Iranian women and men used to pray and fast in the past. But we need to examine and analyze why some women have taken off their hijab. The enemy has been there before, but you see what else has happened besides the enemy. We need to sit down with these women and listen to their concerns; these women believe that they have not reached their rightful place in the Islamic system and have been discriminated against. We also believe that women have been wronged; not even one president or minister has been elected from among women and minorities in all these years. Sit down with women and listen to their concerns and convince them, or consider their rights. Minorities and religions also have their own words and problems; hold meetings with them and listen to their concerns.”
“Preserving the Honor of Women is Respecting the Whole Society”
The Zahedan Friday Imam added: “The honor of women must be preserved. These women are the honor of the people. Preserving the honor of women is respecting the whole society. Why do men arrest, detain, or interrogate women? If these actions are in accordance with sharia law and we are wrong, convince us. What has happened to women in detention centers? There are good men among men, but not all men are good, and some of them commit great offenses.”
He stated: “These matters must be thought about. If there is no prudence and wisdom, there will be problems. Islam is a religion of wisdom, prudence, consultation, and sound thinking. Observe wisdom so that the enemies do not take advantage and laugh at us. We must act in a way that does not make people even more averse to religion.”
“The Country’s Economic Situation is ‘Very Critical'”
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid also referred to the country’s economic problems, saying: “One of the most important current problems in the country is economic problems. The economic situation is very critical.”
He mentioned: “Economic problems cannot be solved by economic managers alone; the economy is intertwined with domestic and foreign policies and interactions.”
The Zahedan Friday Imam added: “Unfortunately, national interests, which belong to the whole nation, have been left to their own devices, and there is nothing the officials can do. Solving these problems requires consultation. Officials should sit down with experts and consult. The country’s system is a ‘republican’ and ‘Islamic’ system, both of which emphasize consultation and people’s opinion.”
He said: “Islam, especially our interpretation of Islam, has a lot in common with democracy. If you look at the events of early Islam and the life of Imam Ali, you see that everything is based on choice, consultation, and listening to the people.”
During the recent rains, the waters were not properly managed and maintained
In another part of his Friday sermon in Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid referred to the recent rains in the province of Sistan-Balochistan and said: “Thank God, there were good rains in the province this week. Although there was some flooding, it was not as severe as the previous rains and affected other parts of the southern regions of the province.”
He added: “In this rainfall, in areas such as Zarabad and Dashtyari, there was no damage because the dams were partially emptied before the rain. However, in areas such as Kaher and Konarak, where the dams were not emptied, there was damage. Unfortunately, some officials do not have the power of management and did not heed the advice to empty the dams. In our opinion, these types of officials should be held accountable. Any official who harms the people by neglecting their duties should be held accountable.”
He said: “Unfortunately, in this rainfall, the rainwater was not controlled and flowed into the sea or out of the country. If this water had been managed and stored, it would have been enough for years. Storing water does not require a lot of money, but rather requires sound planning. Of course, we are not saying that the water rights of the people on the other side of the border should not be given, but it should be managed in a way that both we and our neighbors get our rightful share.”
Scholars, Statesmen, and the General Public Should Be “men of action”
In the first part of his Friday sermon in Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid emphasized the need for “pragmatism” and said: “Allah Almighty says: ‘O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do?’ All segments and classes of society, including scholars, statesmen, rulers, and the general public, are addressed by this verse. What is important is ‘action’. We should all be pragmatic. Allah Almighty says: Do what you say and claim. If scholars speak from the pulpit about piety but do not observe piety themselves, it will both displease God and make their words ineffective. The key to the success of the prophets, as well as the Companions, the Ahlul Bayt, and the Muslims of early Islam, was that they acted on what they said.”
He continued: “If we look at the character of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who is a model and example for all people of the world, especially for Muslims, we see that he (PBUH) acted even better than he said, and this was the reason for his (PBUH) success and his influence in society, and the number of his devotees and self-sacrificing followers increased every day. Prophet Ibrahim (AS), without looking at his own benefit or harm, fulfilled the orders of Allah Almighty. The Muslims of early Islam were men of action, moral teachers, and committed to morality and action. The faith, morality, and actions of the Companions and the Muslims of early Islam were exemplary.”
Nothing is as effective as Honesty and Truthfulness
The Zahedan Friday Imam said: “Unfortunately, Muslims today are afflicted with weakness in action. There is no weakness in the Quran, Sunnah, and teachings of religion, which is the way of life for us Muslims, but the weakness lies in us Muslims. Today there is a lack of action in society. Those who advise others to repent themselves repent less. Those who advise others to piety, if these advices are not for the sake of warming up gatherings and deceiving others, why do they not observe piety themselves?! When we invite others to fear God, we must also fear God ourselves.”
He emphasized: “All Muslims, especially scholars and officials, must act on their words to the letter in order to have an impact on the people. Nothing is as effective as honesty and truthfulness. The effect of words without honesty is temporary. Honesty, religiosity, trustworthiness, piety, pragmatism, and realism are very vital and important and can bring about change in the world and influence others.”
We must be honest with God and God’s people
“Hypocrisy” causes scandal, and “honesty” increases honor and popularity
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid, in the concluding part of his Friday sermon in Zahedan, emphasized the importance of honesty and education. He said: “We must all review our lives and make real changes in our lives. It is not enough to just be a scholar; a scholar must also act, be God-fearing, and never lie or be hypocritical in his life. It is the requirement of faith that we submit to God and avoid hypocrisy and deceit. We must know that God is always present and watching over our actions, and we cannot hide anything from God’s sight. If a person commits a transgression or betrays someone behind the scenes, God Almighty sees it and reveals that betrayal and disgraces him. If a person fears God in secret and solitude and does a good deed, God Almighty will also reveal those good deeds to others.”
He emphasized: “We must be honest with God and God’s people. Hypocrisy and deceit are abhorrent acts to God and His servants and lead to disgrace in this world and the hereafter. But honesty increases one’s honor in this world and the hereafter.”
Knowledge is the Source of Growth and Progress for Nations; Plan for the Religious and University Education of Your Children
In the final part of his speech, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid advised the general public to acquire knowledge and said: “Knowledge and education are the source of growth and progress for nations. My advice to all the people of Iran, especially the people of the province, is to pay attention to education. Families should not only engage their children in worldly affairs, but should also strive for them to pursue knowledge and education.”
He added: “During the summer holidays when students are on vacation, hold remedial classes for your children so that they can succeed in the entrance exams. Let the holidays be a time of reinforcement. You should also plan for your children to learn the Quran during these holidays. The best family is the one that pays attention to the education and knowledge of its children. After faith, there is no better and greater capital than children.”
Comments