Disregarding the Rights of God and the Rights of People Means Leaving the Path of Piety and Moderation

During the Friday prayers in Zahedan on July 17, 2026, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid highlighted the significance of piety and its broad meaning. He described respecting the rights of God and the rights of people as the essence of piety, warning about the worldly and spiritual consequences of ignoring piety and failing to reform society.

Piety and Righteousness Save Humanity from Challenges and Troubles
According to the official website of the Sunni Friday Imam of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdolhamid recited the Qur’anic verse, “O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims,” and stated that piety and righteousness are what save human beings from worldly and spiritual challenges. Piety means full obedience to God and respecting the rights of God and the rights of people. Regarding the rights of people, he noted that piety means ensuring no injustice or oppression is committed by us against others, and that love or hatred does not drive us toward unfairness. Neglecting the rights of God and the rights of people is essentially straying from the path of piety and moderation, which leads to divine accountability and punishment in the grave and on the Day of Judgment.
He added that as long as the rights of God and the rights of people are violated in society, that community will face challenges, hardships, famine, shortages in livelihood, and various earthly and heavenly disasters.

Society Must Move on the Correct Path
The Friday Imam of Zahedan emphasized the necessity of social reform, and said that society must move on the correct path. Members of society must stop wrongdoers, criminals, and oppressors. Anyone committing highway robbery, kidnapping, or violating rights must be stopped. If people do not strive to eliminate oppression and reform society to the best of their ability, they will be held accountable by God.

The Region Suffers Greatly from Kidnapping; Preventing This Great Injustice is a Collective Duty / No One Should Intercede for Kidnappers
Mawlana Abdolhamid expressed deep regret over the rise in theft and kidnapping incidents, stating that unfortunately, theft and kidnapping have increased in society these days, and the region is suffering deeply from the phenomenon of kidnapping. He noted that they do not know who provokes these kidnappers or what hidden hands are at work that prevent the dismantling of these kidnapping and extortion gangs. He advised all tribes and clans in Sistan and Baluchistan province not to allow criminals and rubbers, who disrupt social security, to find refuge among them.
He stressed that the duty of scholars, tribal elders, trusted figures, and parents is very heavy. The Friday Imam of Zahedan emphasized that everyone has a duty to stop the ugly phenomenon of kidnapping, which is a massive injustice, by any means possible. He advised elders and trusted figures not to make recommendations or intercede for those who engage in kidnapping, adding that oppression, kidnapping, and extortion must be stopped.

High Prices and Inflation Are the Biggest Worries of the People
In another part of his speech, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid expressed concern and regret over the continuation of the war between Iran and the United States and the lack of a clear future for it.
He urged officials to prioritize the people’s livelihood problems and the nation’s political and economic interests, stating that under current conditions, the biggest worry is that various segments of the population are struggling with high prices and inflation. Except for certain individuals connected to specific places who misappropriate resources, the rest of the population faces a shortage or complete lack of capital.
He added that the devaluation of the currency, combined with skyrocketing prices and stagnant markets, has broken the backs of the people. Many cannot afford basic household needs, school expenses for children in public or private schools, university costs, or even rent for their homes and shops.

There Is No Clear Future for Iran’s War / The People Were Hopeful About Negotiations; Officials Must Explain Who Violated the Agreement
The Zahedan Friday Imam noted that unfortunately, the war continues, and there is no clear or specific future for it. The people hoped that the initiated negotiations, which had led to a drop in the prices of the dollar and gold, would succeed and lead to an agreement, but they do not know who violated this understanding.
He added that officials must answer the question of who violated the agreement.
He criticized the domestic media, stating that despite being called national, it does not act as such and fails to inform the public about the actual events of the war.
Mawlana Abdolhamid said that these days, the southern ports and docks, which cost billions of dollars to build and serve as loading and unloading points for commercial goods and public businesses, are being targeted. Connecting bridges, roads in the south, and other infrastructure and national assets are being destroyed, representing immense losses for the country.

The People’s Patience Regarding Living Conditions Has Run Out; Stop the Extremists and Take Proper Measures
Emphasizing the need for foresight, the Zahedan Friday Imam asked why those who oppose the agreement lack foresight.
He remarked that some speak of revenge, but revenge has its own time and requires patience. In these conditions, where people lack bread to eat and face challenges just to survive, these issues cause the ruin and destruction of the nation.
He stated that if extremists are not restrained and proper measures are not taken, God knows what harsh fate awaits the country and the nation, but they know that the people’s patience regarding economic and living conditions has run out.

Ali, Hasan, and Husain Were Imams of Peace
In response to opponents of negotiations and agreements who cite Imam Husain’s refusal to make peace with Yazid, Mawlana Abdolhamid stated that some ask why they should make peace with the US when Imam Husain did not make peace with Yazid.
He reminded the congregation that Imam Hasan, who was the son of Ali and is considered infallible and free from error according to Shia beliefs, made peace with Muawiyah.
He noted that when Imam Husain learned of the betrayal by the people of Kufa, he addressed Yazid’s army, saying he had no intention of fighting them and asking to be allowed to return to Medina to speak with Yazid himself. However, Yazid’s army decided to take him captive. Consequently, Imam Husain uttered his famous phrase, Far is dignity from humiliation, refusing the humiliation of captivity and choosing to fight. This means Imam Husain chose between the humiliation of captivity and war, proving he was an Imam of peace. Ali was also an Imam of peace and made peace with his opponents on many issues.

Negotiation and Peace Are Qur’anic Commands
The Friday Imam of Zahedan described negotiation and peace as Qur’anic commands, quoting the verse: “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also]”. Therefore, negotiation, dialogue, and peace are commands of the Qur’an, and no one can act contrary to the Qur’an’s instructions. The Prophet Muhammad inked up peace agreement with the polytheists of Makkah, who had expelled him and the Muslims from the city.

Do Not Tie the Political and Economic Interests of the Iranian People to Other Countries
Mawlana Abdolhamid emphasized that Iran belongs to the Iranian people, and officials must think only of the interests of the Iranian country and nation.
He advised showing goodwill toward other countries but urged officials not to tie the security and political-economic interests of the Iranian people to the interests of other nations, calling this a religious and political duty for officials.

Some Local Officials Are Seeking Retaliation; These Pressures Stand Against Unity and Security
In another segment of his Friday sermon, Mawlana Abdolhamid pointed to the political pressures and retaliations directed at the Makki Mosque complex, he noted that while enemy fighter jets are bombing the country, some local officials are unfortunately busy settling scores and putting pressure on the Makki complex and Darululoom Zahedan.
He added that scholars and teachers of Darululoom Zahedan, who harmed no one and did not seek division, have been detained and deported. Workers at the mosque and those who collect charity boxes from around the city have also been detained under the pretext of foreign national regulations.
The president of Darululoom Zahedan stated that they know well this is not about foreign nationals, but rather political retaliation and pressure.

A Great Injustice Has Been Committed Against the Local Population Under the Pretext of Foreign Nationals
The Zahedan Friday Imam continued, stating that the scholars who were repeatedly summoned, pressured, and deported over minor issues were born in Iran and belonged to the local tribes and clans whose ancestors lived there.
He stated that unfortunately, under the name of foreign nationals, a massive injustice has been committed against the people of the region. Tens of thousands of people have been denied basic services, and except for a few instances, the reason behind all these actions has been political pressure.

Many Clauses and Conditions of the Bloody Friday Agreement Have Not Been Implemented
Mawlana Abdolhamid noted that after the event of Bloody Friday of Zahedan, most of the provincial management changed, but some individuals from that time remain in their positions.
Regarding the agreement reached after Bloody Friday, he mentioned that there are issues he has not yet disclosed but might speak about in the future.
He added that at that time, they begged the people to accept the agreement to prevent insecurity. The agreement was reached, and security was established in the region, but unfortunately, many conditions of this agreement have not been executed, and they know who opposed its implementation.

The Provincial Security Council Must Restrain Extremists
The Zahedan Friday Imam concluded by stating that they are the natives of the region and they are aware of the situation. The people of the region will not allow pressure to be exerted.
He called on the provincial management and the Provincial Security Council to investigate this matter and restrain extremists, as these actions and pressures oppose unity and do nothing to assist security, unity, or brotherhood.