State Officials Must Appreciate the Iranian Nation

On Friday, June 27th, 2025, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid, during the Friday prayer sermon in Zahedan, referred to the recent Israeli aggression against Iranian territory and stated:
“The Iranian nation’s condemnation of Israel’s attack — despite existing grievances — is a sign of the nation’s vigilance. Authorities must recognize the value of the Iranian people and consistently prioritize gaining public satisfaction.”

We Express Sympathy with the Families of the Martyrs of the Israeli Attack
According to the official website of the Office of the Sunni Friday Imam of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdolhamid, in part of his sermon, said:
“In Israel’s recent aggression against Iran, many of our dear fellow citizens were martyred or injured, and many lost their possessions. I extend my condolences to all Iranians who lost loved ones in this conflict.”
He added:
“This aggression also caused damage to the country’s national resources and infrastructure. Everything lost or damaged in this war is part of the Iranian nation’s wealth.”

The Entire Nation Condemned the Israeli Attack Despite Widespread Discontent — This Reflects the People’s Awareness
The Friday Imam of Zahedan further noted:
“What stood out in this incident was that, despite the widespread dissatisfaction that exists in the country, all Iranians condemned this attack, which was a foreign aggression on Iranian soil. This reflects the vigilance and awareness of the Iranian people. The authorities must acknowledge the worth of this noble and wise nation. The dignity and value of this nation are far greater than we often assume.”
He emphasized:
“The best policy in the world is for a government to seek both God’s pleasure and the people’s approval. This is the policy that Almighty God has taught us, as He addressed His Prophet:
‘O Prophet! Allah is sufficient for you and for the believers who follow you’ (Quran 8:64).
Thus, seeking the people’s approval and responding to their rightful demands is the best policy and the highest form of wisdom.”

The Concerns of Pilgrims’ Families Were Understandable; Praise Be to God, the Pilgrims Returned Safely
In another part of his sermon, referring to his recent Hajj pilgrimage, Mawlana Abdolhamid stated:
“We are deeply grateful to Almighty God for granting us the opportunity, after several years, to participate in the grand pilgrimage of the House of Allah. Given the regional insecurity that had arisen, the concerns and distress of pilgrims’ families were entirely understandable. Praise be to God, the pilgrims returned home safely and in good health.”
He continued:
“When the war broke out and flights to the country were suspended, it was announced that pilgrims could return via the borders of Iraq, Pakistan, or Afghanistan. Believing Afghanistan to be safer than the other two routes, we returned through Afghanistan.”

We Thank the Afghan Authorities for Their Hospitality Toward the Pilgrims / The Existing Security in Afghanistan Deeply Impressed Me
The Friday Imam of Zahedan then expressed his gratitude to the Afghan authorities and people, stating:
“I must sincerely thank the officials and my dear brothers in Afghanistan for their hospitality and honor shown to the pilgrims of the House of Allah. Although we tried to remain low-profile during our visit, some people who recognized us came to us with kind words and requests for prayers.”
He cited security as one of Afghanistan’s most striking features:
“The level of security in Afghanistan deeply impressed me. Insecurity and corruption have been eradicated to the extent that, as reported by local residents, no one dares commit theft, and a woman can travel safely and alone from one part of the country to another even at night. We pray that Almighty God preserves and strengthens this security in Afghanistan.”

Prayers Were Offered During Hajj for the People and Nation of Iran and All Muslim Countries
In conclusion, Mawlana Abdolhamid stated:
“During the Hajj pilgrimage, extensive prayers were offered for all Muslims and Islamic countries — especially for our dear nation and the people of Iran. May Almighty God accept all these supplications.”

“Hajj is a gathering of diverse cultures, dialects, and garments under a single dress and slogan.”
In the first part of his sermon during the Friday prayer in Zahedan (June 27th, 2025), Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid described Hajj as “a great and comprehensive act of worship” and the pilgrimage itself as “a convergence of various cultures, dialects, and clothing styles united in one dress and one slogan.” He elaborated on the many lessons of this profound pillar of Islam.

Islam is a complete, universal, and eternal religion
According to the official website of the Office of the Friday Imam of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdolhamid recited the verse:
“And proclaim the Hajj to the people; they will come to you on foot and on every lean camel; they will come from every distant pass.”
— [Qur’an, 22:27]
He said:
“Islam is a lasting religion until the Day of Judgment. Just as Allah made Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) the final prophet, the Qur’an the final divine book, and this Ummah the last nation, He also declared Islam as the final religion that will remain until the end of time. To ensure this, Allah took all the necessary measures and demonstrated that Islam is a comprehensive faith that addresses all aspects of human life and society.”

Equality is established among all during Hajj
He continued:
“In daily prayers, Friday prayer, and Hajj, Allah brings people together. During Hajj, people from all corners of the globe—of different colors, languages, clothing, and cultures—gather together. Despite their differences, they all declare the same thing: ‘O our Lord! We hear and obey You.’ Everyone proclaims submission to God, affirms His Oneness, and acknowledges that they are His servants. All goodness belongs to Him; He is the Absolute King, the Wisest of judges, and the true Sovereign.
No matter what continent or nationality a pilgrim comes from, their only slogan is the Talbiyah. Everyone wears the same uniform—the Ihram. Allah establishes equality among all. Whoever one may be, they must wear the Ihram, otherwise their Hajj is invalid.”
Mawlana Abdolhamid emphasized:
“Hajj is a great and all-encompassing act of worship with immense status. It includes both physical and financial sacrifice. It requires endurance, effort, and hardship. In this act, Allah gathers representatives of humanity on a single platform. All follow one Imam, bow and prostrate behind him, and on the Day of Arafah, they all gather in one field. It is truly a gathering of souls and wealth, a unification of all cultures, languages, and temperaments under a single slogan and garment.”

Hajj is a training course teaching that others must be safe from your hands and tongue
He further stated:
“What is remarkable is that during these specific months, every pilgrim exercises self-restraint—controlling their tongue, avoiding insults, arguments, and disputes. There is no need for police or security forces to maintain peace—Allah guarantees their security. He declares that anyone who enters the Haram is under divine protection. Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) also prayed: ‘O Lord, make this city [Makkah] a place of safety.’”
He added:
“Hajj is a model, a classroom, and a training workshop where God teaches us how to live: that others should be safe from our actions and words, and that we should cause no harm to anyone. This is what it means to be a true Muslim.”

Tawaf around the Ka‘bah is a symbolic orbit around God’s commands
The Friday Imam of Zahedan continued:
“One of the lessons of Hajj is humility, supplication, and the circumambulation (Tawaf) of the Ka‘bah. It is a declaration that, ‘O Allah, I am circling this house in obedience to You.’ This House is the center of divine mercy and special attention. Some people perform multiple Tawafs in a single day. This teaches us that throughout our lives, we should revolve around God’s commands, obeying and acting according to them.”

The Sa‘i between Safa and Marwah is a symbol of strength and struggle against enemies
Mawlana Abdolhamid added:
“Sometimes pilgrims move their shoulders with vigor, symbolizing the need to show strength and resist those who seek to destroy us and our faith. Jihad, in this context, means striving to repel evil, corruption, arrogance, and rebellion.”
He said:
“Pilgrims run between Safa and Marwah, just as Lady Hajar (peace be upon her) did. In obeying God, one must run. One must exert all efforts in submission to His command.”

“Ramy al-Jamarat” symbolizes the fight against Satan and the struggle against the self in obedience to God
The Friday preacher of Zahedan added:
“Ramy al-Jamarat (the stoning of the pillars) is one of the rituals of Hajj. In reality, this act symbolizes the fight against Satan and the inner struggle (jihad al-nafs) to obey God. As mentioned in Hadith, the true mujahid is the one who compels his own soul to obey Allah. By throwing stones at the symbolic representation of Satan, pilgrims declare: ‘Do not obey the devils; do not compromise with them. Fight against your ego and Satan until the end of your life, and force your soul to submit to Allah.’”

‘Arafah is a gathering between the Lord and His servants
Mawlana Abdolhamid said:
“The Day of ‘Arafah is a moment of direct connection between the servant and his Lord. On this day, Allah is closer to His servants than at any other time. Even those whose hearts are hardened break down in tears and cries at the Plain of ‘Arafah. It is another symbol of obedience—Allah draws near to His servants. He is close to the truthful, the trustworthy, the believers, the righteous, and the patient.”
He added:
“Hajj, from beginning to end, is a series of lessons and a summary of the whole religion. It offers countless teachings. Many who go for Hajj in their old age regret it and say, ‘If only we had gone in our youth.’ It is a majestic and unparalleled experience—nowhere else on earth can you find such grandeur and such a massive gathering.”

In Madinah, silence reigns—because it is a place of deep reverence
Mawlana Abdolhamid said:
“When the Hajj is over, everyone heads to the court of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). There, all fall silent—for it is a place of respect and reverence. It is the place where the Trustworthy Angel Jibreel (peace be upon him) sat humbly before the Prophet like a student, with knees folded.”
He continued:
“This is the place of a teacher who sat on the dust of the earth, who slept on rocks in the caves of Hira and Thawr, and who reflected on the greatness of God and the salvation of humanity. He was a mentor and guide who endured hunger so that others could be nourished. Through his devotion and sacrifice, he taught others to be selfless. Allah taught him to be humble with the people.”

All worshipers, scholars, and warriors feel humbled in the presence of the Prophet
Mawlana Abdolhamid concluded this part of his sermon by saying:
“The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the pride and leader of all prophets, never gathered wealth for himself—he built a better world for others. He even had to borrow money to buy food and clothing for his children. This is the life of the Greatest Messenger, whose life Allah swears by in the Qur’an. He lived humbly and taught the highest standards of faith, action, and character to the world.”
He added:
“In Madinah, when the righteous, the scholars, the warriors, and the worshippers stand before the Prophet—the greatest mujahid and the greatest servant of God—they all see their own deeds as small and insignificant.”