Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid, during today\u2019s (January 17, 2025) Friday prayers in Zahedan, referred to \u201cnew developments and conditions in the Middle East\u201d and recommended that the officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran adopt \u201cnew policies to lift sanctions and threats\u201d and to \u201cengage with the entire world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Gaza Ceasefire Brought Joy to People Around the World<\/strong> Both Parties Must Adhere to the Ceasefire<\/strong> Officials Should Enter the New Middle East Conditions with New Policies<\/strong> Officials Should NOT Rely Solely on a Single Faction that HIDES the TRUTH The Iranian Nation Desires \u201cEngagement With the Entire World\u201d<\/strong> Officials MUST NOT Sign \u201cStrategic Agreements\u201d with Any Country; the Nation\u2019s Independence Must Be Preserved<\/strong> In the Case of \u201cZahedan\u2019s Bloody Friday,\u201d We Seek Justice From Our Perspective, the Bloody Friday Case Requires \u201cRetribution\u201d; Those Who Ordered the Incident Must Be Tried<\/strong> Regarding the Issuance of a New Decree, Discussions Have Been Held with the Provincial Chief Justice to Ensure Justice<\/strong> The Iranian Nation Is Concerned and Upset About the Rise in Executions<\/strong> Political Executions, Especially Women\u2019s, Are \u201cDangerous\u201d<\/strong> Mawlana Abdol Hamid in Zahedan Friday Sermon: \u201cThe Almighty warns sincere believers, saying, \u2018O believers! Let not your wealth and children divert you from God\u2019s remembrance.\u2019 Wealth and children are blessings and mercies from God and are necessary for humans, but they must not become dearer than God.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He added, referring to the opening verses of Surah Al-Munafiqun: “The hypocrites during the early days of Islam chose hypocrisy and duplicity to safeguard their material interests, avoiding harm to their wealth and trade. Outwardly, they testified to the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and prayed behind him, even asserting the legitimacy of Islam and his Prophethood to Muslims. Yet, inwardly, they lacked true faith and called themselves \u2018Muslims\u2019 solely to protect their material gains and their children.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n No Love Should Equal Love for God Neglecting God\u2019s Remembrance Is Neglecting Worldly and Eternal Benefits<\/strong> Seek Lawful Sustenance and Practice Contentment<\/strong> He added, \u201cPursue lawful sustenance, work hard, and practice contentment. Use modest capital to earn an honest livelihood. Today, people want huge profits and luxury. It isn\u2019t necessary to own expensive cars or houses. Having shelter and avoiding debt is enough. The Prophet Muhammad sought refuge from overwhelming debt, as a debtor often breaks promises, lies, and commits errors.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Charity Is a Cure for Greed and Stinginess<\/strong> He concluded: “Those who give charity are the righteous servants of God. One of the signs of a righteous servant is generosity. Do not reserve all your wealth for yourself and your family. Set aside a portion of your wealth for the poor, families of prisoners, schools, mosques, and charitable causes.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid, during today\u2019s (January 17, 2025) Friday prayers in Zahedan, <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":14465,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
According to the official website of the Office of the Sunni Friday Imam of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol Hamid initially referred to the Gaza ceasefire agreement and said:
\u201cThe ceasefire between Israel and Gaza, which many large and small governments worked to achieve, is a major development and a cause for joy. It would have been better if the ceasefire had occurred in the early days, preventing the deaths of nearly 50,000 Palestinians\u2014most of whom were women and children\u2014and avoiding this level of destruction and widespread devastation.\u201d
He added:
\u201cNonetheless, it is still a matter of relief that the ceasefire was established and further human and financial losses were avoided. This ceasefire brought joy to the people of Gaza and the entire world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Friday Imam of Zahedan further advised the parties to \u201cadhere to the ceasefire agreement\u201d and stated:
\u201cOur recommendation to both sides is to remain committed to the ceasefire and to implement all the terms of the agreement to prevent further issues from arising.\u201d
He emphasized:
\u201cWe hope for permanent and sustainable peace in the future, allowing the oppressed people of Palestine to achieve their rightful demands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mawlana Abdol Hamid continued by speaking about the \u201crecent developments in the Middle East\u201d and said:
\u201cConsidering the recent events in the Middle East, specific and unique conditions have arisen in this region, and new developments are unfolding.\u201d
He added:
\u201cMany countries are adapting themselves to these new conditions and developments. It is appropriate for the officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran to also consider these new circumstances in their policies to prevent new challenges for the country.\u201d
He stated:
\u201cIran faces many enemies and opponents, necessitating that officials adopt new policies and mechanisms to avoid war and additional sanctions. Today, the people are besieged by economic problems; the currency has lost its value, and inflation and rising prices, combined with drought, have created severe pressure on the populace. The people of Iran can no longer bear more hardships, and the existing challenges must be alleviated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat Harm is there in Holding a \u2018Referendum\u2019 to Solve Certain Issues?<\/strong>
The Friday Imam of Zahedan stated:
\u201cEven prophets needed consultation; Almighty Allah, in the verse \u2018And consult them in matters\u2019 (Quran 3:159), instructed the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to consult with his companions. Officials and decision-makers should not consult only a particular group that conceals problems and the truth but should instead seek the advice of those who provide candid opinions.\u201d
He added:
\u201cApart from ministry officials, department heads, and parliament members, there are knowledgeable individuals among academics, seminarians, businesspeople, and other segments of society who can offer good advice and recommendations.\u201d
The Friday Imam emphasized:
\u201cWhat harm is there in holding a \u2018referendum\u2019 to solve certain issues and problems when decision-making proves challenging? Many countries around the world do this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mawlana Abdol Hamid emphasized:
\u201cOur recommendation is that officials engage and dialogue with the East, West, Islamic, and non-Islamic countries\u2014with the entire world. The Iranian nation desires engagement with the world. Channels of negotiation and dialogue must be opened.\u201d
He asserted:
\u201cSerious measures must be taken to prevent sanctions and other plans and conspiracies because this concerns the survival of the country. The best policy is to yield to the people\u2019s demands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Referring to the president\u2019s visit to Russia, Mawlana Abdol Hamid said:
\u201cOur recommendation to the officials is not to sign strategic agreements with any country, especially defense agreements, as they are detrimental and harmful to the country. Of course, there is no problem with signing ordinary agreements or agreements that serve the economic interests of the people and the nation.\u201d
He continued:
\u201c\u2018Preserving independence\u2019 is among the most significant and vital interests of the country. Engage with the East, the West, China, Russia, the U.S., Europe, and other nations of the world; our country\u2019s interest lies in such engagement, but do not let the nation become dependent on any country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Public Should Not Worry; The Bloody Friday Case is Under Investigation<\/strong>
Mawlana Abdol Hamid addressed the latest court ruling on Zahedan\u2019s Bloody Friday case, stating:
\u201cRecently, news titled as a court ruling regarding Bloody Friday has been published in cyberspace, which has caused concern and surprise. Many have wondered why we have not commented on the matter thus far.\u201d
He noted:
\u201cWhat has been published online, according to the statement of the Chief Justice of Sistan and Baluchistan Province, is a response to a question posed to him. He simply stated the ruling that has been issued, and all parties are supposed to sit together in the presence of scholars and experts to ensure no one\u2019s rights are infringed upon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mawlana Abdol Hamid continued:
\u201cThe initial ruling issued by the court on the Bloody Friday case was challenged by the lawyers of the martyrs\u2019 families based on constitutional law. At that time, we also voiced our concerns during sermons, emphasizing that this case, in our view, entails \u2018retribution.\u2019 Of course, our primary emphasis is on ensuring that \u2018justice\u2019 is upheld. When judgments are made justly, everyone will accept them.\u201d
The Friday Imam added:
\u201cAfter the initial ruling, we proposed that scholars from both sects, including judges, lawyers, and experts, sit together and deliberate. If you convince us that retribution is not applicable, we will convince the public, explaining why it is not applicable. Alternatively, if we persuade you of the necessity of retribution, it should be carried out. This meeting was supposed to take place, and we pursued it, but the officials of that time refused to participate, leaving the matter unresolved.\u201d
He further emphasized:
\u201cA previously mentioned point that remains the public\u2019s demand is that those who ordered this incident must also be brought to trial, and no one should be shown leniency.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mawlana Abdol Hamid stated:
\u201cNow that the Bloody Friday case has resurfaced in cyberspace, we have conveyed our perspective and opinion in writing to the officials. Furthermore, discussions have been held with Hojjat al-Islam Mowhadi-Rad, the respected Chief Justice of the province, who is well-versed in both jurisprudence and constitutional law, as well as with other officials. A meeting is to be convened with the presence of all parties, including the Chief Justice, judges, lawyers, and experts, to address the case in a manner that ensures no one\u2019s rights are violated.\u201d
He reiterated:
\u201cTo summarize, there is no cause for concern; the case is still under investigation, and the critical point is that the rights of the victims\u2019 families and the wounded must be fully observed and their satisfaction achieved.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the final part of his speech, the Friday Imam of Zahedan reacted to new \u201cexecution\u201d rulings and said:
\u201cRecently, the death sentence for several individuals, including some women, has been issued. Our well-meaning advice is that the previous policies, especially regarding executions, should cease in favor of a shift toward the nation.\u201d
He added:
\u201cThe Iranian nation, as well as other nations worldwide, are troubled and concerned about these executions. Officials must refrain from actions that wound the sentiments of the Iranian people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mawlana Abdol Hamid emphasized:
\u201cPolitical executions, particularly those of women, and executions related to drug offenses are dangerous. Executions for \u2018retribution\u2019 are justified, but other executions that are not divinely mandated and were not practiced during the early Islamic era\u2014rather based on certain interpretations and jurisprudential views\u2014should be stopped. These interpretations face widespread opposition, and halting such executions would alleviate the concerns of both the Iranian nation and the international community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Your Wealth and Children Should Not Distract You from the Remembrance of God and Obedience to His Commandments”<\/strong>
Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol Hamid, in the opening part of his speech during the Friday prayer sermon in Zahedan (January 17, 2025), warned about “intense affection for ‘wealth’ and ‘children'” and the “neglect of God\u2019s remembrance due to children and material gains.”
According to the official website of the Office of the Sunni Friday Prayer Imam of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol Hamid, after reciting the verses:
“O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that – then those are the losers. And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, ‘My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.'” [Surah Al-Munafiqun: 9-10], remarked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\/Anyone Who Neglects Prayers or Fails to Pay ZAKAT on their Wealth is Lying in their Claim of Love for the Almighty<\/strong>
“The Friday prayer leader emphasized that someone who doesn\u2019t give zakat demonstrates their preference for wealth over God because they are willing to displease God rather than lose their money. Such a person\u2019s claim to love God the most is false. Similarly, if someone doesn\u2019t close their shop for prayers and delays them for monetary gains, they also prioritize wealth over God. No love for anything should rival the love for God. No one, no interests, and no pleasure should take precedence over God.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Mawlana Abdol Hamid stressed the importance of always having God in our lives. He mentioned, \u2018God belongs to those who remember Him. Remember God in your shop, workshop, factory, home, and wherever you are. Whoever forgets God, in fact, forgets their worldly and eternal benefits. Allah is the entity we should never forget but always remember.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The Friday prayer leader urged earning lawful income, stating, \u2018Do not let your children cause neglect such that you gather unlawful and ill-gotten wealth for them. Some people resort to theft, misuse public funds, extortion, kidnapping, bribery, or engage in usury, drug distribution, and other forbidden acts just to provide for their families. What kind of wealth is this?\u2019”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Mawlana Abdol Hamid remarked, \u2018Give charity from your wealth according to your ability. There\u2019s no need to go overboard in spending for charity\u2014God hasn\u2019t commanded you to do so. By donating from your wealth, you combat excessive love for money, greed, stinginess, and hypocrisy. Before death comes and you lose the opportunity, regret, and plead for more time to give charity, spend in the path of God.\u2019”<\/p>\n\n\n\n