Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah in Zahedan, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed Ismaeelzahi, alluded to the birth anniversary of Holy Prophet PBUH and some features of him, urging his birth was the birth of faith, morals and guidance.
Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah began his Friday sermon of January 25 by reading the Qur’anic verse: «هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا مِن قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ» [جمعه:2], (He is the One who raised amidst the unlettered people a messenger from among themselves who recites to them His verses, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and the wisdom, while they were earlier in open error.)
He pointed nativity of Holy Prophet, peace & blessings be upon him, was not birth of a common person; rather it was nativity of a great man with excellent features. The birth of the imam of prophets and pious men was the birth of faith (Iman) and morals; in fact, it was a new birth for humanity. His birth can be put a great achievement for human beings. Mankind is valuable by correct deeds and tenets. People can get elevation only by carrying out their responsibilities; otherwise they only would be human beings in appearance! In reality they are like ‘animals’ then, as the Qur’an clarifies.
Mawlana Abdol-Hameed went on to say more on the topic, “The birth of Holy Prophet was the birth of light and glory. When he was born, the human beings were very backward in morals; admonitors lost hope to return them to good ethics. But the birth of Holy Prophet changed despairs to hope. Holy Prophet was born in a time when mankind was involved in the filth of Shirk, associating partners for Allah, innovations and corruption. People believed in false tenets; the inciting inner self was leading them in every aspect. In such circumstances the last messenger of Allah was dispatched to rescue humanity. Allah Almighty introduced him: «قَدْ جَاءكُم مِّنَ اللّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُّبِينٌ» [مائده: 15], (There has come to you, from Allah, a Light and a clear Book.)
Although Holy Prophet was a human being and son of Abdullah from Quraish tribe, but Allah Exalted called him the light of guidance and knowledge. His nativity was not any usual incident; it took place by the pre decision of the Almighty in order to lead mankind toward the straight path taking them away of darkness. By nativity of Holy Prophet all fire and idol temples went out and destroyed. He was born in Arab peninsula that was the centre of ignorance, disparity, idolatry, and shirk. But Holy Prophet made that region centre of knowledge, light and guidance for the entire humanity. Previous prophets were limited to their nations and towns; the last messenger, Holy Prophet Muhammad, was a prophet for all human beings guiding them to the right way until the last day of this world, he added more.
Declaring directions of Holy Prophet Muhammad ‘unique’, Khateeb of Sunnis further said, “The beloved prophet Muhammad, peace & blessings be upon him, brought very unique and peerless teachings; he was dispatched with a divine book that is the summery of all divine Books. The noble Qur’an certifies all previous divine books; in includes all goodness of them.”
Qur’an & Sunnah; proofs of Islam’s legitimacy
Positing the noble Qur’an ‘safe from distortion until the Resurrection Day’, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hameed said Allah Almighty has taken the responsibility of the Qur’an’s protection; it will retain the rank of miracle of Holy prophet and Islam’s rightfulness until the last day. If someone asks us for any evidence to prove Islam is the right religion, the noble Qur’an is before everyone. As the noble Qur’an challenged mankind to bring a verse or chapter like the book, we challenge all non-Muslims who are suspicious about the legitimacy of Islam to present an Arabic sentence approximates the noble Qur’an in eloquence and oratory taking the help of Arab literates.
He further said the glorious sayings of Holy Prophet and his Sunnah -which are practical examples of the Qur’an that have been noted and written by devotee companions of him- are the proofs for legitimacy of Islam. We ask followers of other religions who claim imitation of their prophets and spiritual leaders to present their comprehensive biographies. They can not do so; while Muslims can present the entire life of their prophet which has been registered by companions and wives of Holy prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
Putting customs of Holy Prophet ‘natural and on the track of humanity’, he pointed, “As we have narrations about the worships and deeds of Holy Prophet, peace & blessings be upon him, in the same way there are narrations that tell us what were the habits and customs of him. His dressing, eating, getting rest and other habits are available in black and white. Holy Prophet was beloved of Allah; his customs are also liked by Him. If we imitate his habits we will gain prosperity.”
The noble Qur’an is an immortal miracle of Holy Prophet until the Resurrection Day. It talks to us every day; it has not come to fight only with ignorance of the era of Holy Prophet, peace be upon him; it resists ignorance all the time. Qur’an is an eternal book that is fresh in all eras. So we must learn it and recite it with zeal and zest considering it has been revealed now. Reciting the Qur’an is obligatory as it has been counted one of the duties of Holy prophet. It is enough for the salvation of human beings, men and women, youths and olds, Shaikh Ismaeelzahi added more.
He emphasized saying Holy Prophet brought a kind of knowledge for human being that everyone needs it. The light of that knowledge covered the entire globe. Companions of Holy Prophet could rule on the world in a best way with correct politics just because of adopting the prophethood knowledge. Holy prophet was the head of all in his time, but he used to prefer others’ needs on his personal necessities. Sometimes he was foodless and sometimes full. He did not leave any property and money behind after his demise. It was the case with the Guided Caliphs, may Allah be pleased with all of them.
Unity can not be obtained by slogans & wishes
In the second part of his sermon, the outstanding Sunni scholar indicated to the Unity Week in Iran making it clear in that nations can get progress and efflorescence only through unity, urging solidarity can not be obtained by slogans and mere wishes.
Talking to tens of thousands in Zahedan, he mentioned the birth anniversary of Holy Prophet, peace & blessings be upon him, underlining unity among Muslims is a necessity; if Muslims do not get unification, their enemies will achieve their interests by creating disputes and clashes among Muslims. It is easier for them than military assault.
Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah added more, “It is obvious there are many races, sects and viewpoints among Muslim masses; these are factors which can be misused by shared enemies of Muslims to boost their conspiracies and sinister plans. But vigilant and wise nations do not go ahead as their enemies wish. Only backward people play in the ground for enemies; disparities should not be cause of sectarian conflicts.”
The development and efflorescence of countries depend on unity and solidarity. Even the states which create contentions among other nations urge on unity; they establish unions to get advancement. The European Union and NATO are examples; they founded these unions for their common interests. In the same way, Muslims should be unified for their dignity and elevation, he pointed.
The senior member of the International Union for Muslim Scholars underlined unity can not be achieved by slogans and wishes. Repetition of slogans for unity is useless until there is a down to earth plan behind the slogans. Unification inquires equal shares in all fields and removal of discriminative stands.
He added more, “It is the demand of the Sunni community of Iran from Iranian leaders, officials and Shiite scholars to have an impartial attitude. There must not be fore-judgment and discriminatory toward Sunni citizens; discrimination between Shias and Sunnis in employment must be over.”
The rector of the largest Sunni seminary in Iran further said all of us –with different views– want respect of our country. Stability of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the revolution depends on execution of justice. As our respectable guest Mr. Taskhiri pointed implementation of justice and listening the voice of people strengthen any regime even religious ones, we urge –as Sunni citizens– that we want national solidarity and peace. Stances and policies must be changed in favour of all citizens; our religious freedom should be realized as the constitution affirms.
He concluded his points by saying the Iranian nation can claim that it is a practical example for other Muslim nations when Shia and Sunni communities inside Iran achieve a real unity; this sort of unification can not be obtained but by execution of justice and impartiality.