Listening to the People and Lifting Sanctions Is a National Necessity

Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid, in today’s Friday sermon (September 19, 2025) in Zahedan, recalling the events of 2022 and the deaths of a number of protesters, urged the authorities to “hear the people’s voice” and, through “prudence” and “negotiation,” prevent “new sanctions” and a “possible war” against Iran.

Sympathy with Bereaved Families and Emphasis on People’s Demands
According to the official website of the Sunni Friday Imam of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdolhamid began his sermon by referring to the incidents of 2022, saying:
“During those days, many Iranians lost their lives because of certain demands. We extend our sympathies to all the families who lost their loved ones.”
He stressed: “The demands raised by the people — including justice, the elimination of discrimination, legal and legitimate freedoms, especially freedom of the press and expression, religious freedom, and freedom of thought and belief, as well as the removal of pressures — were rightful and legitimate demands.”
He further stated: “Addressing people’s demands is in the interest of the country and national unity. It would have been to everyone’s benefit if the people’s voice had been heard. Listening to the people would have served the country, national unity, and security, and would have been for the good of Iran and its people. We hope that Allah Almighty brings a good future for the country.”

Warning About Intensified Sanctions and the Risk of War
The Sunni Friday Imam of Zahedan, expressing concern over mounting sanctions, said:
“Calamities are targeting our country from every direction; severe, widespread, and comprehensive sanctions are approaching, and they are drawing nearer day by day. The nation cannot bear further sanctions.”
He identified the solution as “prudence and negotiation,” and added:
“This situation requires foresight and wisdom on the part of the authorities to prevent these sanctions. They must stop further sanctions through dialogue and negotiation so that no new sanctions are imposed, nor another war forced upon the country. War only brings loss and damage to the country. Sanctions are another form of war, and all such wars require strong management to prevent the country from being exposed to war and to relieve further pressure on the nation.”

Serving the People; the Condition for Any System’s Success
Mawlana Abdolhamid described “attention to the people” as the best method of governance, saying:
“The highest wisdom is for any government in the world to listen to its people. The best system in the world is the one that enjoys the support of its nation, practices people-orientation, stands alongside its people, addresses their pains, and resolves their problems. The foremost concern of the authorities of any country should be solving the people’s problems. A truly popular government is one that cares for its people and attends to their suffering.”

Store Up from the Blessings God Has Granted You for the Hereafter
Strive and Spend for the “Education” and “Proper Upbringing” of Your Children
Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid, in the opening part of his Friday sermon on September 19, 2025 (28 Shahrivar 1404), emphasized the importance of utilizing worldly blessings in building one’s Hereafter. He described children as one of the “greatest treasures” and stressed the significance of charitable spending and investing in the education and upbringing of children.
According to the official website of the Office of the Sunni Friday Imam of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdolhamid, after reciting the Qur’anic verse:
“Whatever you possess will perish, but what is with Allah will remain. And We will surely reward those who were patient according to the best of what they used to do” [al-Nahl: 96],
stated: “Allah Almighty has bestowed upon us countless and diverse blessings and has granted us numerous financial and non-financial opportunities. The blessings we consume solely for personal benefit will perish, but those used and spent in the way of Allah will endure.”
He added: “From the wealth and property that Allah Almighty has given us, whatever we spend on shoes, clothing, food, housing, or personal needs will eventually vanish. But the wealth we devote to building mosques, supporting students, orphans, the poor, the needy, the sick, and prisoners will remain, being stored as provision for the Hereafter. Indeed, part of its reward is witnessed in this world, while the full and immense reward will be granted in the Hereafter.”

Take Care of Your Children So They Are NOT Led Astray / A Child Who Worships God and Benefits Humanity IS a Parent’s “Lasting Deed”
The Friday Imam of Zahedan further noted: “Children are also treasures. Sending them to public schools and religious institutions, nurturing them to become righteous, upright, and socially responsible, is among the deeds whose reward remains for the parents.”
He continued: “When you depart from this world, a righteous child remains as a lasting deed for you. A child who worships Allah and brings benefit to His creation is counted among the enduring good works of the parents, and its reward continues to reach them in the grave and the Hereafter.”
The Director of Darululoom Zahedan advised: “Guard your children so they are not led into misguidance; ensure they remain safe and are not consumed by crime, addiction, or moral corruption, but live a sound and wholesome life. Whatever children achieve is largely due to the care and attention of parents, particularly mothers. A mother’s compassion for her children has a profound effect.”

The Best Wealth Is That Which Is Spent On the Education and Upbringing of Children
Mawlana Abdolhamid stated: “The best wealth is that which is spent on one’s children. Whatever is invested in their learning and upbringing carries the ruling of charity, with reward and recompense from Allah Almighty. If we make the intention that providing for our children is a religious duty, seeking lawful sustenance for ourselves and feeding our children lawful provision, while applying God’s commands with His wealth, Allah Almighty will grant us reward and recompense.”

The Initiative of Some Philanthropists in Establishing Schools, Universities, and Medical Centers is “A Highly Commendable Phenomenon”
Mawlana Abdolhamid, while expressing satisfaction with the efforts of certain benefactors in the country, stated:
“Some Iranian philanthropists are engaged in constructing schools, universities, and dormitories for students, as well as establishing health clinics and medical centers in remote regions of the country. This is a very commendable development.”
He added:
“Sometimes patients from distant areas of the province travel to Zahedan for treatment but lack the means to afford accommodation. They have no relatives here, and thus they end up sleeping in parks—men and women left without shelter. How immense is the reward for those who rent houses for such individuals so they may find refuge!”
He continued:
“A woman has come from Germany with the intention of founding a cancer prevention center here, with the hope that it will eventually grow into a comprehensive treatment facility. Similarly, many compassionate men and women of the nation travel to rural and remote areas to identify what charitable works they can undertake for the people, such as providing school bags, notebooks, and pens for students. How beloved to Allah it is when His servants care for one another.”
The Friday preacher of Zahedan remarked:
“Unfortunately, some individuals whom Allah Almighty has blessed with wealth think only of their personal interests and neglect the well-being of the people. Yet, this wealth should be invested as provision for the Hereafter. Spend in the way of Allah and be assured that charity never diminishes wealth; rather, Allah grants you its return and places blessings within your property. Therefore, do not be miserly—miserliness harms a person. Give charity yourselves in the way of Allah, and teach your children to do the same.”

Among the Iranian People, a Spirit of “Awareness and Compassion” Has Emerged
Mawlana Abdolhamid further stated:
“One of the very good and blessed developments is that, following recent events, a spirit of solidarity, compassion, and awareness has spread among the people of Iran. Citizens from central regions of the country have become more familiar with the remote and border areas, and they extend assistance to those in need. They find joy in this service, without seeking fame, recognition, or material benefit. These are God-pleasing and humanitarian acts. This is true humanity, and genuine Islam is nothing other than human compassion.”

Be Compassionate Toward the People And Attentive to Their Needs
He went on to say:
“True Islam is to always be mindful of others. Wherever in the world there are the oppressed or the hungry, we must be concerned for them, strive to attend to their needs, and if we cannot act directly, then at the very least we should pray for them.”

Safeguard Your Children From Errors; Send Them In Pursuit of Knowledge
In another part of his sermon, the Friday Imam of Zahedan underscored the importance of “educating and protecting children,” saying:
“I emphasize that you must send your children to seek knowledge and not neglect them. Whether sons or daughters, they lack experience and may fall into mistakes. You, as parents, must fulfill your duty of fatherhood and motherhood—be present with them, care for them, and guide them.”
He also warned of the challenges of cyberspace:
“Today, mobile phones are in the hands of all, and if we are not vigilant, our children may fall into mistakes and errors that are irreparable.”

My Advice to the Youth: Seek Knowledge, Pursue Honest Work, Avoid Corruption, and Accompany the Righteous
Advising the youth to follow the right path, Mawlana Abdolhamid said:
“I urge all young people to pursue knowledge and lawful, honest work. Dear youth! There is no blessing greater than faith. Live your lives with God, perform your prayers on time and in the mosques, attend Friday prayers, and refrain from sin and wrongdoing.”
He also warned against the spread of social ills:
“Unfortunately, sin is widespread today. In cities, narcotics are being distributed, alcohol and other destructive vices are abundant—do not fall into these. Do not accompany those who have lost their moral integrity—wrongdoers, kidnappers, bandits, murderers, and those who harm others.”
The Sunni Friday Imam of Zahedan presented the solution as “keeping company with the righteous,” and said to the youth:
“Keep company with the righteous, join missionary groups, participate in Qur’an lessons, and attend schools, universities, and vocational training centers to acquire knowledge and skills. There are many respectable professions available. By attending training workshops, you can learn honorable trades, earn a lawful livelihood, and live with dignity.”

“Traps have been set for you, young people; be cautious lest you fall into them.”
Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid, expressing concern over the condition of the youth, stated:
“Some young people gather in parks and deserted places, thereby ruining their future. Traps have been set for you, and many seek to mislead you and exploit you. You must remain vigilant so that you do not become prey to the enemy or fall captive to carnal desires.”
He emphasized that the solution lies in returning to the path of the Qur’an, adding:
“The true and upright way is the way of the Qur’an and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). No path better than this can be found.”

“Officials, scholars, and elders must ‘fear God’ and ‘care for the people.’”
In conclusion, Mawlana Abdolhamid addressed officials and the public, remarking:
“My advice to officials, scholars, elders, and to all people is that we fear God, observe piety, care for the people, feel their pain, live for the sake of Allah, remain steadfast in prayer, and give the zakat of our wealth, so that both our worldly life and Hereafter may be prosperous.”