“Islamic Rulings Must Never Be Sacrificed for Politics or the Preservation of Power”

Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid, in today’s Friday prayer ceremony (November 21st, 2025) in Zahedan, described the instrumental use of Islamic rulings to preserve political power as “completely wrong” and an “innovation away from the religion.” He stressed that politics is only one branch of Islam, and that Islamic rulings must not be sacrificed for politics or the maintenance of authority and government.

Using Religion as a Tool to Preserve Power Is a Deviation From Islam and the View of a Small Minority
According to the website of the Office of the Sunni Friday Imam of Zahedan, Mawlana Abdolhamid said:
“Recently, a member of parliament — who is also a cleric — claimed that the ‘Islamic government’ is the foundation, while all divine rulings are secondary and merely ‘tools,’ and that if the government deems it necessary, it may ‘suspend’ rulings such as prayer, fasting, or Hajj in order to preserve the government itself.”
Responding to this statement, the Friday Imam of Zahedan declared:
“Considering religion as an instrument for maintaining power is a completely erroneous view, a deviation from Islam, and the perspective of a mere minority. Religion is the main pillar, and politics — like prayer, fasting, Hajj, and zakat — is only one branch of religion. Such statements should not be made in the House of the Nation.”

Religion Is Not a Tool of Any Power; No One May Misuse Religion to Maintain Authority
He continued:
“Turning Islamic rulings into instruments for preserving political power is precisely the criticism directed at many of our officials today. No one has the right to misuse religion to maintain their authority. Religion is not a tool in the hands of any power or government — even if that government is ‘Islamic.’”
He emphasized:
“Instrumental use of religion for protecting authority contradicts reason, logic, clear religious texts, and prophetic narrations. The Noble Qur’an states:
‘Those who, if We establish them in the land, perform prayer, give zakat, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and to Allah belongs the outcome of all matters.’ [Qur’an 22:41]
This verse addresses rulers and political leaders: if God grants them authority, they must uphold prayer, distribute zakat, and command what is right and forbid what is wrong.”
Mawlana Abdolhamid added:
“Prayer, zakat, and enjoining good and forbidding wrong are not instruments of power; rather, politics must serve religion so that Islamic rulings can be implemented.”
He continued:
“In other verses, God addresses rulers and commands them to uphold justice:
‘O David, We have made you a vicegerent on earth, so judge between people with truth.’ [Qur’an 38:26]
One of the main purposes of divine caliphate on earth is the establishment of justice. Justice is not a tool for power; rather, power is the tool by which justice must be executed. If there is government but no justice, that government is not true caliphate.”

Politics in Islam Is Based on Honesty and Justice — No Ruler May Alter Divine Rulings
The Friday Imam of Zahedan described some essential features of Islamic politics and stated:
“Honest politics is emphasized in Islam, and no other form of politics is conceivable within the Islamic framework.”
He added:
“In Islamic politics, nothing is acceptable except honesty and the implementation of justice. Politics must operate within the boundaries set by God Almighty. No ruler, no party, and no group has the authority to ignore or alter divine rulings or change what God has declared lawful or unlawful.”

Serving the People Is a Central Pillar of Islamic Politics — Justice Earns Public Satisfaction and Preserves Stability
Mawlana Abdolhamid further emphasized that serving the people is one of the core principles of Islamic politics:
“One of the central pillars of Islamic politics is service to the people. A politics that stands with the people and serves them can strengthen Islam. But when Islamic rulings are sacrificed for political gain, such politics has no place in Islam.”
He added:
“A government is righteous only when justice and divine rulings are implemented correctly and the people are satisfied. The implementation of justice brings public contentment, establishes security, and ultimately strengthens the stability and continuity of the system.”

Conclusion and Announcement
Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid concluded by announcing that on Saturday, November 22nd, at 7:30 AM, the Salat Al-Istisqa (Prayer for Rain) would be held at the Friday prayer site in Zahedan.
He advised the public to fast and give charity on this day.


Islam Is the Religion of “Honesty” and “Fairness”
In the opening part of his sermon at the Zahedan Friday Prayer (November 21st, 2025), Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdolhamid identified honesty and fairness as central pillars of Islam, urging all people to embody honesty in belief, speech, character, conduct, and judgment.

Surah Tawbah Reveals the True Face of the Hypocrites
According to the official website of the Office of the Sunni Friday Imam of Zahedan, after reciting the verse “O believers! Be mindful of Allah and be with the truthful” [Tawbah: 119], Mawlana Abdolhamid stated:
“Allah Almighty, in Surah Tawbah, recounts the expedition of Tabuk, the greatest campaign confronting the enemy’s aggression during the blessed lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). This Surah exposes the true character of the hypocrites.”
He added:
“The Prophet (peace be upon him) was informed that Rome—one of the two great superpowers of that era—had assembled a massive army on its borders to attack the Muslims. The strategy of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was to stop the enemy at its own frontier before it could enter Medina. He announced the mobilization publicly, and the largest army of his blessed lifetime was gathered.
Except for the hypocrites—who withdrew with false excuses and deceitful oaths—all Muslims joined him, except for a few sincere believers who hesitated and thus lagged behind.”
Continuing his explanation of the Expedition of Tabuk, the Friday Imam of Zahedan said:
“Tabuk occurred in the harshest circumstances, under extreme heat. When the Muslims reached the Roman frontier, the Romans became fearful and did not prepare for battle. The Prophet and his Companions remained there for several days. Once the threat of battle faded, the Prophet (peace be upon him) returned.”
Mawlana Abdolhamid further stated:
“When the Prophet (peace be upon him) reached Medina, three sincere believers — who had stayed behind without any valid excuse — spoke truthfully and admitted their fault. They sought forgiveness. The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: ‘Wait until Allah decides concerning you.’
One of them even tied himself to a pillar of the mosque and declared that he would not untie himself unless the Prophet (peace be upon him) freed him. They remained in that state; their repentance had not yet been accepted from the heavens. They would look toward the Prophet, but he would not attend to them because they had not joined him on this journey.
After fifty days, their plea for forgiveness was accepted, and their repentance was affirmed. It was a moment of immense joy; all the Companions embraced them with love and compassion.”

Allah Commands Us to Be with the “Truthful”; the Emigrants and Helpers -the “Muhajirun” the early Muslim Emigrants from Mecca, and the “Ansar” the Medinan Helpers who supported the Prophet- Are the Finest Examples
Mawlana Abdolhamid continued:
“Allah Almighty accepted the repentance of these Companions, and the real reason for its acceptance was their honesty. They told the Prophet (peace be upon him) the truth: that they had remained in Medina without excuse—though they could easily have fabricated a lie that the Prophet (peace be upon him) might have accepted outwardly, but Allah Almighty would not have been pleased with them.”
He added:
“Allah commands us to be with the truthful, not with liars and hypocrites. The finest examples of the ‘truthful’ are the Muhajirun and Ansar, who followed the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) with unwavering devotion in the toughest circumstances. They were ready to sacrifice their lives rather than fall behind.”

Islam Is the Religion of “Honesty”; Falsehood Corrupts the Human Heart
The Friday Imam of Zahedan then addressed the importance of honesty in Islam, saying:
“Islam is the religion of truthfulness. Honesty is among the central and essential acts of worship, possessing immense value and significance. Falsehood is deviation; it breeds distortion and corruption in the human heart.”
He added:
“Besides sincere faith, no asset is greater than honesty. One’s belief, speech, and actions must be truthful and aligned with reality. Honest belief, words, and deeds are among the great foundations and central pillars of the faith.”

We Must Uphold “Fairness” in Judgments and Decisions
Concluding this part of his sermon, Mawlana Abdolhamid said:
“Islam brings honesty, trustworthiness, and fairness. Fairness is one of the essential pillars of the religion. Let us be fair toward our children, our families, and all people. In judgments and decisions, let us uphold justice and fairness. Always support the truth, give truthful testimony, and stand as defenders of reality, justice, fairness, and honesty.
Fairness is part of moral character and one of the major objectives of the faith. In life, let us wrong no one and never misuse anyone’s rights.”