Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah in Zahedan, Iran, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hameed Ismaeelzahi, started his latest Friday sermon by recitation of holy verse: “فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِنَ الصَّالِحَاتِ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَا كُفْرَانَ لِسَعْيِهِ وَإِنَّا لَهُ كَاتِبُونَ”, (So, whoever does righteous deeds, while he is a believer, his effort will not be rejected, and We are to put it on record.) on Friday, 25th May, 2012 in the Grand Makki Masjid of Zahedan.
He addressed the audience saying, ‘It is the mere mercy of Allah Almighty that we are blessed by enormous gifts like Islam, Holy Qur’an, Sunnah and various paths through which we can reach to Allah Exalted; we have lots of ways to join the caravan of righteous people. It is only due to mercy of Him on us nothing else.’
Pointing out to glorious month of Rajab, seventh lunar month, Shaikh Ismaeelzahi said more that Rajab and next months, Sha’ban and Ramadan, are such months in which people can make plans to reform their inner sides. Indeed human soul is prone to evil and people must struggle to purify it by utilizing all resources and opportunities.
‘Human beings have many enemies; inner self, hidden, and visible evils and Satan are the most jeopardous hostiles of people. They strive to pick out mankind from good deeds and finally from the Paradise, as Satan it self is banished of Allah’s mercy and Paradise. Satan has sworn to misguide off-spring of Adam. So we all should be vigilant,’ the rector of Darululoom Zahedan emphasized.
Mawlana Abdol-Hameed further said that human soul is another clear enemy of mankind’s prosperity; Satan gets its efforts to mislead people and send them to the Hell.
Shaikh Ismaeelzahi termed adornments of the worldly life as other causes of mankind’s aberration which occupy hearts and make busy people; heart is the place for Allah’s love not mean things, and people should take times out to worship Allah.
The prominent Islamic scholar underlined saying, ‘Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala created mankind struggler and Mujahid; He addressed us: “وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ هُوَ اجْتَبَاكُمْ”, (Struggle for (seeking the pleasure of) Allah, a struggle that is owed to Him. He has chosen you). In another place it has come: “وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ”, (As for those who strive in Our way, We will certainly take them onto Our paths, and indeed Allah is with those who are good in deeds). The word Jihad has been derived from Juhd that means “struggle”. Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “والمجاهد من جاهد نفسه في طاعة الله”, the real combatant is the one who smites his/her inner self on the path of Allah’s obedience. A true holy fighter battles against the self and ego, who pulls out love of worldly life from heart replacing it by love of Allah, Sayyedena Muhammad, Islam and the love of righteous people.’
Shaikh Abdol-Hameed indicated towards fasting as the most influential factor in purification of soul saying that observing fast in Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, and fasting three days monthly as well as on Mondays and Thursdays has a great effect in reformation of inner self. Even it is the most influential worship which purifies human soul. Offering prayers by humility is another affective worship that reforms mankind.
Highlighting the importance of donation on the way of Allah, Khateeb of Sunnis pointed, ‘Donation is a good way to remove pessimism of avarice and greed; donation causes purification of inner side. All of these worships help us to get rid of bad characters and habits. We should not neglect our enemies; inner self that incites evil. Our enemy only wants to misguide us. Such enemies are the most dangerous rivals who target our Islam and faith.’
Shaikh further said that if somebody wants to be a pious person and close to Allah, s/he should eschew negligence praying to Allah humbly. This life is an opportunity to get more and more rewards, and to strive for gaining Allah’s pleasure. If someone wishes to be counted in the list of righteous men, he should donate on the path of Allah. It is understood from this holy verse: ” رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَى أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُنْ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ”, (My Lord, would you not give me respite to a near term, so that I should pay Sadaqah (alms) and become one of the righteous?).
Neither US is Afghanistan’s allay nor China, Russia friends of Iran
Shaikh-us-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hameed expressed his concerns over the recently approved Afghan-US strategic pact at the beginning of his Friday discourse in the Grand Makki Masjid of Zahedan, Iran.
He urged saying that accurate stances and policies are the corner stones for prosperity and stability of any regime. If any ruling regime enjoys appropriate policies, it would not be compelled to sign any sort of pact with proclaimed super-powers of the world.
Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah went on to say, ‘All big powers across the globe follow up their own interests; neither the US is friend of Afghanistan nor China and Russia are loyal allies of Iran. Basically every regime should prefer interests of its own people. The secret of success for gaining the pleasure of masses lies in dialogue and reconciliation. None of states can abide by utilizing weapons and force; even if any regime claims to be Islamic, religious or democratic and secular, force can not ensure its existence. As well as, Afghanistan is not an exceptional case; Afghan elders must make serious efforts to obtain people’s gaiety, provide them welfare and security instead of signing such agreements.’
The outstanding Islamic scholar further said that all nations had witnessed the fate of despot regimes in Egypt and Yemen; the situation in Syria and Bahrain is obvious as well. Tyrants are always afraid of their masses, as well as people feel anxiety in such countries. Nations should be free; power-holders should listen to them. Afghanistan can not be stabilized by support of the West or East. This country must pay attention to people and talk with armed sides that stood against occupying forces.
‘Neither Afghanistan belongs to the Western powers, or to Russia and China. People of Afghanistan have a domestic dispute; ruling elements and their opposites should sit together with open hearts to reach to national compromise. Afghan, Pakistani and Iranian nations are enough bold; they do not need any strategic pact if they are united and unanimous. Oppression, execution and torture can not be logic factors to get people’s pleasure; such acts generate hostility and aversion. Last Friday I underlined the same point that Pakistan and others should solve their disputes with people by dialogue and negotiation. Foreign forces have no right to interfere in affairs of Islamic countries,’ Shaikh Ismaeelzahi added more.
Face shaving of prisoners; an evil & anti Islam act
Shaikh Abdol-Hameed Ismaeelzahi, in another part of his Friday speech pointed out to some reports about forcedly shaving of prisoners in jails putting it an evil act that is contrary to Islamic Shari’ah.
Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah said, ‘We have been receiving reports from inside jails that jail authorities shave beard of prisoners or clip it by machines; this is a sinister act. It was the habitude of jailers in the era of previous Shah’s regime; as they shaved current Supreme Leader’s beard in Birjand’s jail.’
Shaikh Ismaeelzahi further stated that having beard is Sunnah Muakkadah, emphasized Sunnah, near to obligatory. Some Islamic scholars termed it Wajib, obligatory, to have beard. Despite it, how the personnel of Islamic Republic of Iran can shave Muslims’ beard in jails by force? While Ayatollah Khamenehi, Shia and Sunni scholars have beard, cutting off prisoners’ beard seems very marvelous.
The eminent Islamic scholar asked Iranian officials particularly chief of judiciary, Mr. Larijani, to forbid this anti-Islamic act. He urged that having beard is in accordance with Islamic Shari’ah, culture and life style of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace & blessings be upon him.