Khateeb of Sunnis in Zahedan termed the month of Ramadan ‘one of the best opportunities’ for Muslims, calling on them to do their best for obtaining more and more benefits of it.
He began his sermon by the Noble verse of the Qur’an: «يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ», (O you who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as they were enjoined upon those before you, so that you may be God-fearing); [2: 183]
Talking to tens of thousands in the capital of Sistan-Baluchistan province, Zahedan, on Friday, June 27, 2014, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid said, “Ramadan is a divine guest and we should receive it warmly. It is a good time to purify the inner self and prepare for the everlasting life.”
“Ramadan is the season of repentance and worship. The Noble Qur’an was revealed in this blessing month. It is from the Almighty to make us free of the Fire and punishment. By fasting, human beings can overcome their inner selves and bad tempers. Ramadan is for nourishing mankind as He is the best for His creators,” Mawlana Abdol-Hamid added more.
The rector of Darululoom Zahedan termed fasting a source for inward revival of humankind and said, “Human beings have two different parts; outward and inward or animal and angelical. Neglecting the angelical angle makes the person a criminal and more dangerous and savage than animals. But balance between the two angles makes people sober enhancing their spiritual part.”
He called on the audience to recite the Qur’an, worship Allah at nights, support needy and poor people as well as to give breakfast at sunsets during the blessing month of Ramadan.
Shia & Sunni Ulama must avoid ‘disputable’ Fatwas
In another part of his speech, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid alluded to the critical situation of Muslims. He called the religious figures of the Shia and Sunni communities to avoid fatwas ‘add fuel’ to fire.
He said, “The enemies of Islam have plans to eliminate Muslims by dividing them more. They provoke different groups and parties against each other. Security of Israel is the first priority of Muslims’ enemies. Thus they focus on the states around the sinister regime of Israel.”
Addressing the rulers of the Muslim states, the prominent Sunni leader said, “Muslim leaders should play their role to stop clashes gathering the rival sides on the table of dialogue and mutual understanding. It is the way to end misuse of the conflicts by international powers, extremists and opponents. The rulers in Iraq must constitute a unity government.
Shaikh Abdol-Hamid asked Muslim scholars, both Shia and Sunni, to avoid from issuing Fatwas (verdicts) which intensify sectarian conflicts. They should advise rival groups to save security of Iraq and its geographical borders. We do not favor division of Iraq and clashes in this country.
Judiciary should employ Sunni citizens
Khateeb of Sunnis in Zahedan alluded to the Week of Judiciary in Iran and presence of the general prosecutor of Zahedan, Muhammad Marziyeh, in the gathering of Sunnis for Friday prayers.
He urged on the role of people in ensuring peace and said, “The best security and peace can be obtained by the help of people. Although criminals must be punished, but only punishment and use of force cannot ensure peace for any region. Therefore, people should be engaged in the process of maintaining peace.”
At the end of his speech, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid conveyed the public demand, employment of Sunnis in the Iranian judiciary, to the general and revolutionary prosecutor asking his to convey the message to the heads of the entity. He also criticized the option of sect in the files of judiciary for culprits.