Third meeting of rectors of Sunni seminaries in Sistan-Baluchistan has been held in the “Makhzan-ul-Uloom” seminary of Khash city on Wednesday, 17 April, 2013.
The chairman of the Coordination Council of Sunni Seminaries of Sistan-Baluchistan, Shaikh-ul-Islam Abdol-Hameed, presented a vital discourse in the meeting; the summery of his speech is as following:
Ulama must prefer people’s interests on their owns
Shaikh Abdol-Hameed Isma’eelzahi pointed out in the meeting of rectors and scholars in Khash, people put trust on scholars, Ulama, and they consider them their leaders. People think unless Ulama live among them, the Almighty will not grab them in any punishment as scholars are pioneers in worshipping; they specify some parts of nights for praying. So Ulama must work hard to act as people think about them. They should imitate the way and Sunnah of the Beloved Prophet, peace & blessings be upon him. As common people consider Ulama their guides and saviors, they must protect Muslim Ummah from the attacks of the visible and invisible Satans.
He further said young scholars are the successors of the prominent Ulama who have departed from this mortal world. So they should carry out their duties like them, or even better and stronger than their role. Now, the conditions of the society are quite different; people face new challenges and problems.
Allah Almighty has introduced prophets as reformists and mentors of the society; they used to purify people. Ulama, Muslim clerics, are followers and heirs of prophets; they should try to be like prophets in act, aim and thought. As they were striving to purify the society, Ulama must do the same as well. Scholars should carry out their responsibilities regardless to others’ objections warning people over the eternal life. They must give priority to people’s welfare and interests. They must give sacrifices for purification of people, Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah added more.
“Teaching” and “preaching” Islam; main reasons to repel divine calamities
Alluding to the recent massive earthquake in the region, he considered ‘teaching, preaching and occupying with religious affairs’ main reasons which repel calamities and divine punishments. Shaikh underlined we must give special thanks to Allah over His protection in the massive quake; although our province was the centre of the quake, but it remained safe, al-Hamdulillah. These Islamic circles and meetings saved us from His punishments, in fact.
The rector of Darululoom Zahedan went on to say more, “We must not think we are safe now; there is no any guarantee that the Sublime would not punish us in future. Instead, we must make constant efforts to reform and purify the society cleaning it up from sins. Allah says: «فَلَوْلا إِذْ جَاءهُمْ بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُواْ وَلَكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ» [انعام: 43], (When the suffering reached them from us, why then did they not learn humility? On the contrary their hearts became hardened, and Satan made their (sinful) acts seem alluring to them.) After such calamities, people take one of the two certain paths; either they repent and return to Allah or their hearts become more hardened. People must be vigilant; such quakes are the ‘angers of Allah’, the creator of everything not ‘universe’. Allah punishes both infidels and sinful Muslims on the Resurrection Day.”
Ulama must be independent
The eminent Islamic leader addressed scholars in another part of his speech saying they should be independent avoiding the fondness of wealth. He said some people look to be scholars; when they see money, they do not care of any thing. Such people are not foresighted. Money is a runty thing; Ulama must not get favor of anyone believing that Allah Almighty is the only Provider.
Iran’s Sunnis must be free in their rituals
Chairman of the Coordination Council of Sunni Seminaries of Sistan-Baluchistan indicated to the “ordinance for Sunni seminaries’ reformation” and some problems of seminaries which have accepted the regulations of the state-run organization. He said it is amazing that Shia scholars want us to ignore our religious interests while they are not ready to compromise on this issue in the case of Shia schools. It is contrary to the Constitution to interfere in the religious affairs of others; we do not allow anyone to interfere in the internal matters of our mosques and seminaries. We must be free to establish prayers across Iran where we want; our Salah, prayers, must not be under-the-counter. Why authorities interrogate us over offering Friday and Eid prayers? Why Sunnis are forced to establish prayers stealthily in some cities? Religious freedom is one of the indisputable rights of us that is more important than our lives and children for us.
Shaikh-ul-Islam asked scholars to save their unity as they have done it yet. He thanked Allah for the exemplary unification and fraternity of Sunni scholars inside the province. The rector of Darululoom Zahedan recommended the audience to follow up their problems and other affairs with the guidelines of eminent scholars and their consultations. Sunnis must ask for their rights; it is a legal demand not “extortion” as some fanatic elements blame. Sunnis only want their legal rights and justice throughout peaceful ways.