Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah in Zahedan, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdul Hameed began his Friday sermon by recitation of holy Qur’anic verse: «وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُم فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ» [النور:55] and talked about the virtues of great companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him); particularly, the excellences of the second and third Caliphs, Omar and Othman (may Allah be pleased with them).
Indicating towards the some important incidents, in the history of Islam, which took place in the last month of Higri year, Dhil-Hijja, he said that “Hajjat-ul-Widaa”, the last pilgrimage of Holy prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was performed in this great month.
Shaikh Abdul Hameed added more saying, ‘On 17th or 18th of Dhul Hijja, third Caliph, Othman bin Affan was martyred. As, second Caliph, Omar bin Khattab was assassinated in the adytum of Prophet Muhammad on 27th Dhul-Hijja; he departed this mortal world three days later.’
Enlightening some virtues of Sahabah, he pointed that if we meditate accurately, we would come to know that prophets are the best and most pious over the world; the last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is Imam of prophets and a mercy for all in the world. After the prophets, no one was or will be better than the Companions of Prophet Muhammad. Sahabah were brought up by Imam-ul-Anbiya, Muhammad (Alaihissalam).
The rector of Darululoom Zahedan further said that beloved prophet Muhammad is the best mentor and trainer over the world; his students and companions are, definitely, the signs of his well training. Sahabah accompanied him day and night, in all circumstances and plights.
Mawlana Abdul Hameed emphasized saying that worshipping Allah Almighty, piety, Jihad, obedience and the best ethic of Sahaba made them the most excellent. Sahabah are the examples for Muslims in all eras. None of Muslims can achieve their highest status by any sorts of worships.
Explaining some virtues of Omar bin Khattab, he said that the second Caliph of Muslims used to wear callous cloths, despite being the Caliph of entire Muslim world. He vanquished his time’s two super powers, Iran and Rome, delivering their people from shirk and yoke of tyrant rulers.
‘Omar (radhi-Allahu anhu) never tried to collect money for his personal affaires; rather he was vigilant over the situation of his peasantry. He allocated significant salary for each citizen; he, always, was taking care of people and showed kindness to all of them. Omar gave freedom of speech to his subordinates, as common people were able and allowed to criticize him and they did!’ Khateeb of Sunnis pointed.
Shaikh briefly pointed out to some virtues of the third Caliph Othman and said that Othman married two daughters of the Prophet consecutively. He endowed his whole life for Islam and the progress of humanity. Some of the territories in northern Africa which practiced ‘Arab spring’ and Balochistan were conquered by Othman bin Affan (may Allah be pleased with him).
Ultra-bigoted Elements in the Province Insult Sunni scholars
The eminent Sunni leader, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdul Hameed reprehended on Friday, Nov. 25, in the second part of his speech, a newly-born ultra-bigoted journal and some websites over unjust efforts to vilify the Sunni community of Iran.
Talking to tens of thousands worshippers in the Grand Makki mosque of Zahedan, he urged that some active websites and a newly-published weekly journal in Sistan-Balochistan have been striving to defame Sunnis; in fact, they are spokesmen of some ultra-bigoted elements.
‘They have religious and ethnic passion; they just want to calumniate sober Sunni scholars of the province who want to strengthen peace and fraternity. The bigot elements have been targeting them by insignificant blemishes,’ Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunna stressed.
He further said that these websites and journals never stepped towards enhancing convergence and solidarity in the blemished province, Sistan-Balochistan. Shaikh pointed that these elements assert to be the only owners of the Revolution; others are opponents! ‘The 1979’s Revolution belongs to various aspects and groups of Iran,’ he stated.
Pointing to another insidious aim of obsequious regional websites, the reputed Sunni leader said that servile elements want to strangle voice of deprived Sunnis; they are afraid of Sunnis’ efforts to attain their due rights in Iran. Defaming Sunnis’ scholars with baseless claims and mendacity is the nefarious method of ultra-bigoted elements to silence them.
‘They seem to be tools of some hidden powers; but they should know that Sunnis are not as weak as they consider. We are not as powerless that they could silence us and put their feet on our neck; if we remain silent, that is because we await the authorities’ reaction, our silence is due to our gentility and equanimity,’ Shaikh urged.
‘The rulers must know that whisting people would jeopardize the future of the country. Both Sunni and Shia communities of Iran were affected by biased men; now, the above-mentioned journals and websites want to aggravate the situation,’ Mawlana Abdul Hameed emphasized.
Continuing his points, he reproached the provincial authorities, including intelligence and judicial departments, as they have not taken any action against the vilifier journals. He criticized the authorities of Culture & Guidance Ministry for permitting such sinister elements to publish absurd books and journals even in universities.
‘We are sure about the main supporters of bigoted media sources, they launch a counter-Sunni cause and cheer them up; the disruptive elements go on their guidelines,’ he added more.
Responding to a baseless blame of them, Shaikh-ul-Islam stated that banned Sunni scholars from Hajj, Mufti M. Qasem Qasemi and Molawi Ahmad Narui were not guests of Saudi Arabia; rather they were the guest of Allah Almighty and His last prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
In another part of his speech, Shaikh Abdul Hameed declared Baseej and Police publican forces, originally, and asked the Iranian Police to protect the lives of people. He said that the personnel of Police must be well-trained; in many incidents, police opened fire on common citizens without any legal reasons.