Shaikh Abdol-Hamid, who has been to the Holy cities for Hajj this year, has urged in his Friday sermon ‘Hajj teaches all Muslims across the world to be united.
Khateeb of Sunnis in Zahedan began his Friday sermon of Oct. 25, 2013 by reciting two Noble Qur’anic verses: «يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاء لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ*قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُواْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ» [یونس: 57-58], (O men, there has come to you an advice from your Lord, and a cure for the ailments of your hearts, and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say, “With the grace of Allah and with His mercy (this book has been revealed). So they should rejoice in it. It is much better than that (wealth) which they accumulate.)
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid said, “The Almighty Allah has chosen mankind as the best of His creatures; He bestowed human kinds the best of His blessings which are obvious to all. All of the blessings are in accordance with the needs of mankind. He says: «وَآتَاكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعْمَتَ اللّهِ لاَ تُحْصُوهَا إِنَّ الإِنسَانَ لَظَلُومٌ كَفَّارٌ» [ابراهیم: 34], (And He gave you whatever you asked for. If you (try to) count the bounties of Allah, you cannot count them all. Indeed, man is highly unjust, very ungrateful.)”
Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah counted ‘Islam’ as the biggest blessing of the Lord to humankind, saying, “As Allah Almighty gives mankind outward blessings, He bestows them inward and spiritual blessings, too. His spiritual blessings are Islam, faith and piety. He says if you practice on the blessing of piety, you will gain more blessings and prosperity of the both worlds.”
Most of the people have chosen the wrong way to get prosperity; they look up for success and prosperity in the material tools. None of the positions, wealth and material advancement can make anyone prosperous; these all are earthborn. One day we will leave this world; our lives are transitory. Only good deeds and true faith can help us on the Judgment Day, he added more.
The eminent Islamic scholar further said good deeds and tenets were only loyal to any individual. Material tools and wealth do nothing on the Accountability Day unless we do not utilize them on the correct ways. In the grave only deeds accompany us not children, wealth and relatives.
Expressing the comprehension of Islam, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid underlined, “The religion of Islam is the last and chosen religion of the Sublime. It guides mankind in all angles of life ensuring the prosperity of everyone. Islam never can be compared to the material assets of the West and East. But Islam and the Noble Qur’an are not against development and technology; instead Islam encourages peaceful advancements. The chosen religion of Allah motivates its followers to be advanced in all aspects of life.”
The Hadith teacher at Darululoom Zahedan declared ‘advancement in faith and piety’ the biggest possible progress of mankind. He said, “It is the highest level of development of mankind to be advanced on the grounds of piety, purification and worshipping Allah. Without spiritual development, nobody can be called ‘progressed’.”
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid went on to describe the spiritual environment of the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, saying that people can easily feel the great spirituality of these bright cities. When you walk in Madinah, you may feel shy; where were those great saints and where is the status of us?! It is the proud of Asia as the Holy cities of Makkah and Madinah are located in this continent. It is a sort of honor for this piece of the world. These cities have great positions in the hearts of all Muslim men and women. All of them love to visit these blessing towns and cities before dying.
Shaikh Isma’eelzahi pointed out to the lessons Muslims can get them from Hajj and its ceremonies, saying, “You cannot understand the grandeur of Haramayn, Holy Cities, unless you enter them. Allah Almighty has granted Ka’bah and its rounding areas a very unique status; no one can pass over this town without the clothing of Ihram. In the Hajj ceremony all Muslims appear in one sort of the dress. In Hajj, people carry out same ceremonies regardless to their social and political posts.”
He said it was the mercy of the Almighty to call Muslims for Hajj once in a year within some particular days. He says: «وَأَذِّن فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجَالًا وَعَلَى كُلِّ ضَامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ» [حج: 27], (And announce among people about (the obligation of) Hajj, so that they should come to you on foot, and on every camel turned lean, traveling through every distant hilly pathway.) The scene of Hajj is the symbol of unity and solidarity of the Muslim nation. During Hajj it is not important for anyone who is next to him, what is his skin and language? It teaches Muslims to have such a unanimous attitude in other countries. They must not fight with each other for tiny things.
Iranian nation eagerly wants changes in domestic, foreign stances
In another part of his speech before thousands of worshippers in Zahedan, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid called on Muslims to avoid sectarian disputes and the new government to bring its slogans into action.
He said, “Unfortunately, we observe discords among Muslims more than any other time; some elements provoke such differences as they see their interests in clashes of Muslims with each other. They want to divide and rule.”
The member of the International Union for Muslim Scholars urged, “The current circumstances require the vigilance of Muslim scholars, activists and rulers around the world. They should play their role to annihilate the conspiracies of the common enemies. We all should focus on unanimity.”
Alluding to the stances of the new government in Iran, the top Sunni leader said that the Iranian nation has asked the officials to bring positive changes in the domestic and foreign stances. If Dr. Rouhani wants to carry out surprising acts, so he has the support of the majority of the nation. The international sides await changes in the foreign policies; it is very vital for the country to have peaceful mutual relations with the rest of the world.
Shaikh Abdol-Hamid concluded his points by saying, “I hope the new government will notice the fears and expectations of the nation regarding national and international affairs.”