Urging on shunning from extravagance in weddings, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid termed heavy expenses in such parties a serious social problem on Friday 3rd April, 2015.
Presenting his weekly sermon before tens of thousands worshippers in Zahedan, Iran, Khateeb of Sunnis began his speech by the Noble Qur’anic verse: «وَأَنكِحُوا الأَيَامَى مِنْكُمْ وَالصَّالِحِينَ مِنْ عِبَادِكُمْ وَإِمَائِكُمْ إِنْ يَكُونُوا فُقَرَاءَ يُغْنِهِمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ», (Arrange marriages between the single men and women among your and between your slave men and slave women, who are righteous,, if they be indigent, Allah will provide means for them out of His bounty: Allah has boundless resources and He is All-Knowing.)
He said, “Marriage has been one of the main anxieties of today’s society. Parents, governments and all who feel they have responsibilities regarding the society are worried on this issue.”
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid counted “illegal traditions” and “heavy expenses” the causes of people’s concerns about marriage and said, “People are worried due to Islamically illegal traditions and heavy expenses in marriages. Many of such customs have been imported from metrololises and other cultures.”
Alluding to some other problems in marriages, the rector of Darululoom Zahedan said, “Necessity of getting dowry from in-laws of the bride, extravagance in expenses of weddings and taking golden jewelries from the groom are mares for people today. A part from these horrible expenses, today’s marriage parties have been burden on the shoulders of bridegrooms due to heavy expenses on Walimahs (marriage banquet). Many people cannot afford these expenses as they take usurious loans from banks.”
“Marriage must be a tool for purification of the couples, but the heavy expenses and illegal traditions have been forcing people towards illegal acts. The marriage banquets of the Companions were very simple; the beloved prophet, peace be upon him, held the marriage party of Zainab, may Allah be pleased with her, only with a sheep. The marriage of Safiyyah was arranged by dates and some Halva (sweet confections). It was the case with the rest of companions like Ali and Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with them.”
Islamic civilization is the best
Underlining on practicing of Shari’ah commands in marriage parties, the rector of Darululoom Zahedan stated, “The Islamic culture and civilization is the best culture in the world in all aspects of life, as Muslims do not need to imitate any other civilization. We must return to the pure directions of Islam leaving pomp and luxury behind. The nearer marriage party to Islam is the cheaper one.”
Welcoming mass weddings, the eminent Islamic scholar further said, “In some places like universities we witness collective weddings of hundreds and thousands of couples in one party; it is a very admirable and good method. It should be done in our region too. By merging many weddings in one party, we will see much better results.”
In a part of his sermon, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid pointed out to some directions and teachings of Islam about wedding and said, “Parents and caretakers cannot marry daughters without their permission and satisfaction. A suitor must convey his proposal to the father, or elder brother and other caretakers of a woman; he should not ask for the hand of any girl directly.”
“Also it is a Western and anti-Islamic tradition that some females choose their life partners and husbands directly. Islam has bestowed women honor and respect. It is the duty of parents and caretakers to find out any good husband for their daughters. But they cannot force their daughters to accept any one unless she herself agrees with that. Consultation is must in such cases.”
At the end of this part of his speech, Khateeb of Sunnis in Zahedan said, “There must be coordination between man and woman in marriage. Marriage of a modest and religious woman with a lecher man or inverse is incorrect. Islamic Shari’ah urges on such points in weddings too. Neglecting the congruence of couples in wealth, religion, culture and background breaks marriages and destroys the future of their children.”
Initial Nuclear Deal, a Big Achievement for Iranian Nation
In the second part of his speech, the outstanding Iranian Sunni leader termed the initial nuclear deal of Iran with the world powers a ‘very big achievement’ for the Iranian nation.
Talking to a mass gathering of Sunni worshipers in Zahedan, Iran, before Friday prayers, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid alluded to the nuclear deal of Iran and said, “The recent deal of Iran and the G5+1 made the nation happy. We think it is a great achievement for the Iranian nation.”
“The case of nuclear talks of Iran was one of the big international problems. Although, the final agreement has not been obtained yet, but this initial deal was enough for the satisfaction of people. They wanted the recognition of their nuclear rights by the Western powers; this goal has been achieved. Also we are going towards unsnarl of the international community over the nuclear issue,” Mawlana Abdol-Hamid further said.
The rector of Darululoom Zahedan mentioned ‘cancellation of all sanctions’ the other demand of the Iranian nation and said, “The cancellation of all sanctions is the demand of the nation and Supreme Leader. This goal is going to be achieved soon. It is good the international community has recognized our right of nuclear energy.”
Khateeb of Sunnis termed the deal ‘win-win’ and added more, “The deal between Iran P5+1 made the world powers as well as Iranians satisfied. It is a ‘win-win’ result of the long talks.”
He concluded his points by saying, “First of all, we thank the Almighty on this achievement and secondly the diplomatic team of our country deserves thanks. We also give thanks to the government of ‘discretion and hope’ and the Supreme Leader for giving guidelines to the negotiating team. We hope people will see the good outcome of the deal and economic pressures will decrease.”
Afghan president must resolve Hamun lake problem fundamentally
The Iranian Sunni scholar, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid, pointed out to the upcoming official trip of the Afghan president to Iran and said, “Hamun lake is a historical lake in the region; it was full of water before. Water plays a key role in the protection of environment, agriculture and ranching.”
He added more, “Unfortunately, Hamun Lake has been thirsty for years completely as the agriculture sector of Sistan region has been affected. We ask the Afghan president to resolve this case from roots as the water comes from Afghanistan.”