On the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Adha, during his sermons delivered today, Monday ( June 17, 2024), Shaikh ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid issued a call to all people, urging them towards justice.
In his address, Mawlana Abdol Hamid specifically stated: “The Qur’an addresses both the people and the governments regarding justice. Justice is emphasized in all cultures, civilizations, and divinely revealed religions. It is an act pleasing to Allah (God). If justice is separated from religion, then nothing of religion remains. All nations and governments must make justice the foundation of their conduct and put it into practice.”
The Eid al-Adha prayer leader of the Sunni Muslims of Zahedan added: “It is incumbent upon governments to establish equality among their people. If justice and fairness are absent in a religious and Islamic government, how can such a government be Islamic?”
Emphasizing the paramount importance of justice, Shaikh ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid stated: “Justice and fairness are fundamental principles that must be upheld in governance. Equality should prevail among all ethnicities and religions, women and men, and all social classes, factions, and parties.”
Discrimination and Inequality are Manifestations of Injustice
Shaikh ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid listed discrimination and inequality as examples of injustice, stating: “Those who once spoke of justice and criticized others, why have they forgotten it now that they hold positions of power?”
The Imam of the Sunni Muslims of Zahedan asserted: “Even in non-Islamic countries, humanity dictates that justice be established. Islam, humanity, and reason all command us to uphold justice and fairness. International laws also unanimously affirm the necessity of justice for all individuals and nations. Individual, religious, political, and social freedoms, along with freedom of expression and the press, are Islamic commandments, and everyone must adhere to them. Interfering in how people pray is not our duty. Our duty is to ensure freedom for all people. Vilifying and desecrating places of worship, respected figures, scholars, and those revered by the public is anti-Islamic. Unfortunately, today many Muslims engage in un-Islamic acts and label them as Islamic.”
Islam Is Not Merely Confined to Prayers, Fasting, and Hajj Pilgrimage
Addressing the prevalence of inappropriate behavior in the cyberspace, Shaikh ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid stated: “The digital space should not be a platform for vengeance, sarcasm, or slander. It is baffling that someone who believes in God and the hereafter would engage in such acts. Islam extends beyond mere prayer, fasting, and Hajj pilgrimage; it encompasses upholding the rights of humanity, animals, and even plants and the environment. These are our Islamic and human obligations.”
Torture and Coerced Confessions are Prohibited in Islam
Shaikh ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid unequivocally condemned torture and the extraction of confessions under duress from individuals involved in drug cases or political arrests. He emphasized the Islamic prohibition of such practices, stating: “There is no authorization in the Quran or Sunnah for obtaining forced confessions. Anyone who orders the torture of prisoners will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment. Islam mandates treating captives with kindness and preserving their dignity. Violating the rights of men and women is unconditionally forbidden. No authority can override God’s prohibitions and sanction torture. No judge can issue a ruling authorizing torture to obtain confessions.”
He emphasized the absence of such practices during the era of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his righteous successors, reiterating their impermissibility in Islam: “Torture has no precedent in the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or the righteous caliphs, and it is religiously impermissible.”
Torturing Prisoners is Not Serving the Regime, It’s Betrayal
Addressing media reports of a prisoner’s death due to torture, Imam of the Sunni Muslims of Zahedan, Shaikh ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid, demanded accountability for those responsible, saying: “Those who perpetrated this act must be held accountable and brought to justice. Some mistakenly believe that such actions serve the nation, the Regime, and the government, but this is nothing short of betrayal.”
Do Not Pay Ransom to Kidnappers
Amidst the rising cases of kidnappings, Shaikh ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid urged the public to refrain from paying ransom to kidnappers as a means to combat this phenomenon. He vehemently condemned such acts, stating: “Where in any religion is kidnapping and extortion justified? What humanity do these individuals possess who kidnap others for money, binding their hands and feet? How can they wrongfully take someone hostage and demand money from their family? Such ill-gotten gains turn into a cancer, destroying the lives and families of those who engage in such acts and leading to eternal punishment in hellfire in the hereafter. Banditry, theft, extortion, and causing harm to others nullify all good deeds of a person.”
Public Demands Pursuit and Punishment of Kidnappers
Shaikh ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid highlighted the critical issue of security, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the province and added: “Security is not only the responsibility of the people and the trustees but also a paramount duty of the government. To date, no one has been apprehended for these crimes. The public demands the pursuit, arrest, and punishment of these perpetrators. Security is in the best interest of all.”
Tolerate Criticism
He advised officials and the people to be open to criticism, saying: “Recently, a Sunni Friday prayer leader in South Khorasan has been dismissed from his position as imam for his criticism.” Not a single Sunni governor has been appointed in the cities of South and Razavi Khorasan so far. Criticism must be heard and issues resolved through dialogue and discussion. People in cities with a Sunni majority in Khorasan believe they are being discriminated against and demand the appointment of Sunni district governors and governors. And if they criticize, officials should tolerate it because these people have problems and are right. Everyone should welcome constructive criticism. We hope that Mullah Parsa, one of the young and valuable scholars of the community, will be reinstated as imam.
The Majesty and Unity of Friday and Eid Prayers are Crucial
Referring to the enduring legacy of Mawlana Abdol Aziz in grandeur of holding Friday and Eid prayers, Shaikh ul Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid called for the unification of Friday and Eid prayers and to avoid holding multiple ceremonies of this kind in the city. He said: “Unifying Friday prayers leads to grandeur, unity, and solidarity in the ranks, which is vital and important, and brings the pleasure of God Almighty.”
In conclusion, he expressed his appreciation to the Municipality and City Council of Zahedan, the security forces of Makki Mosque, and all the departments that cooperated in holding the Eid prayer in the best possible way and maintaining peace and security.
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