Pointing out to the exemplary justice and freedom during the era of the Last Messenger of Allah and his companions, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid termed their era “unexampled”.
Khateeb of Sunnis in Zahedan began his sermon of 5th May, 2017 by the recitation of the last verses of “Munafiqoun” chapter. He said: “Munafiq means the one who has two faces; the person whose outward is in contrary with his inward. Allah has called such people “ignorant” and “softheaded”; hypocrisy is the sign of ignorance and foolishness.”
Counting the types of hypocrisy, he said: “Hypocrisy has two kinds; the first one is doctrinal that the person denies accepting the Almighty and His prophet, Mohammad PBUH. The second type is practical which is related to acts and deeds. As the man believes in God but actually has the habits of hypocrites such as telling lie, dishonesty and abusing.”
“Practical hypocrisy is decried in Islam. Unfortunately, many people claim to be true believers and love Allah, His last messenger and the companions, but their acts deny it. It is a kind of hypocrisy,” the rector of Darululoom Zahedan urged.
Alluding to the reasons behind “hypocrisy”, he said: “Sometimes, people become hypocrites for personal interests and worldly positions. Sometimes children and wealth or protecting any status and post make the man ‘hypocrite’. It is not sagacity to destroy the faith and Hereafter just for material interests.”
Shaikh Abdol-Hamid called on the audience to be vigilant and remember the Almighty always. He said: “Children and wealth should not make Muslims heedless about their everlasting life. They should not be busy with earning money as much as they forget their creator. Always remember Allah.”
Khateeb of Sunnis in Zahedan pointed out to the moral attributes of Sahabah (the Companions of the prophet PBUH) and said: “In opposite to the hypocrites, Sahabah may Allah be pleased with all of them were sincere believers. They never neglected the Almighty. The companions of the prophet sacrificed their all assets to spread Islam around the world.”
“Maybe some people think that Islam has spread across the world by the force of sword, while the fact is against it; the nations of that time were impressed by their behavior and tenets and accepted Islam,” he added more.
The prominent Iranian Sunni leader said: “In the early years of Islam it was not the habit to talk about “justice” and act against it. The best freedom, justice and civilization were gifted to human beings in the era of the prophet and the Guided Caliphs. The prophet PBUH is the founder of Islamic civilization and the companions were the first students of that civilization.”
“The prophet, peace and prayers be upon him, never tried to get something for himself or his children and household, rather he used to meditate on the interests of common people,” Khateeb of Sunnis underlined.
Pointing out to the story of a Jew who stole the armor of Ali bin Abi-Talib, the fourth caliph, may Allah be pleased with him, Shaikh Isma’eelzahi said: “It is the Islamic justice and freedom of expression that the ruler should present in the court and even the decision goes against his wish.”
He concluded his points by saying: “The real civilization is the civilization of Islam. The prophet PBUH and his guided caliphs never lived a royal life; rather they had a poor life but gave the world freedom and the best civilization.”
Engagement of Sunnis in the management of country & religious freedom, the main demands of Iranian Sunnis
In another part of his speech, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid alluded to the upcoming presidential election in Iran and termed “engagement of Sunnis in the higher management of the country” and “ensuring the religious freedoms” the most important demands of the Iranian Sunni community from the new president.
The Friday imam of Sunnis urged among the Sunni worshipers of Zahedan: “The wish of all of us is to have a broad-minded president who thinks for the well of the country and Muslim world. We need a president who should be beneficial for the entire Iranian nation, especially the Sunni community that suffers more than others.”
Urging on ‘meritocracy’, he said more: “About 40 years have passed since the revolution and birth of Islamic Republic of Iran. Still the Sunni community has problems and anxieties. All Sunnis want the rule of meritocracy in the country to see capable and specialized members of different ethnic and religious communities engaged.”
“The Iranian Sunnis want their meritorious and competent to be engaged in different positions including ministries, vice-president, vice-ministers, embassies and provincial offices. There should not be any discrimination among the competent members of the sects; this is the right of the nation and in accordance with the national constitution,” the top Iranian Sunni leader further said.
He reminded the rulers: “The constitution urges on equality among the ethnic and religious sects except the post of presidency, but the Sunni community asks for revising and reformation of this article, too.”
Mawlana Abdol-Hamid urged on “implementation of justice” and said: “Religious and ethnic discriminations are against the law and justice. Equality is according to the interests of Islamic Republic of Iran and durable national unity and security. It enhances the respect of Shias. The world seeks for any example and we deserve more to be an example for Islamic movements and Muslim world.”
Pointing out to the second demand of the Sunni community, he said: “The Iranian Sunnis should have full religious liberties in all parts of the country and metropolises. If they want to offer prayers in congregation, some authorities like security police should not make troubles for them. Our prayers and religious ceremonies should not be an object of security.”
Urging on a “specialized, strong and colorful” city council for Zahedan, Mawlana Abdol-Hamid said: “Zahedan, the capital city of Sistan-Baluchistan, is a city with different sects such as Balochs, Sistanis and citizens with other backgrounds. We belong to different ethnic groups and this diversity is due to rationales from the Almighty.”
“A group has been working to present an alliance for the city council election which combines all sects to develop the city and boost harmony among the sects and communities,” the rector of Darululoom Zahedan underlined.
He said the new council should be a platform of intellectuals, strong and specialized men and women who would be capable to represent their city completely.
At the end of his speech, Shaikh Abdol-Hamid expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of Azadshahr coal mine. He asked the authorities to support the victims.