In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
The Religious Authority, Grand Ayatullah H.E. Sayyed M. H. Fadlullah delivered the two Friday prayer sermons at the Imamain Al-Hassanain Mosque on Rabi' al-Awwal 4, 1420 AH/ June 18, 1999, AD. Several prominent religious scholars, dignitaries, officials, and thousands of believers attended the Jumu’a prayer. (Edited version of the Sermons)
The First Sermon
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Preparing in the Days of Hope for the Day of Death:
Insights from Imam Ali (a.s.)
The discourse of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.), is one of thought and wisdom… When we listen to him, we are actually listening to pure truth. This is true, in particular, in his sermons whose spirituality is connected directly to Allah without any barriers.
Therefore, I have always been telling you—young and elderly alike—that you have to live with the Holy Quran, the Messenger (p.), and the Members of the Household, for they represent your way to the Truth, the good, and the guidance to the Right Path.
Therefore, let us listen to Ali (a.s.) as he teaches us how to live our lives as if we are going to die and meet Allah, the Most Exalted, on the following day. "So now, surely this world has turned its back, announced its departure while the next world has appeared forward and proclaimed its approach. Today is the day of preparation, while tomorrow is the day of race. The place to proceed to is Paradise, while the place of doom is Hell. Is there no one to offer repentance over his faults before his death? Or is there no one to perform virtuous acts before the day of trial?
Beware, surely you are in the days of hope, behind which stands death. Whoever acts during the days of his hope before the approach of his death, his actions would benefit him and his death would not harm him. But he who fails to act during the period of hope before the approach of death, his action is a loss and his death is a harm to him. Beware, and act during a period of attraction just as you act during a period of dread. Beware, surely I have not seen a coveter for Paradise asleep, nor a dreader from Hell to be asleep. Beware, he whom right does not benefit must suffer the harm of the wrong, and he whom guidance does not keep firm will be led away by misguidance towards destruction.
Beware, you have been ordered insistently to march and been guided how to provide for the Journey. Surely the most frightening thing which I am afraid of about you is to follow desires and to widen the hopes. Provide for yourself from this world what would save you tomorrow (on the Day of Judgement)."
As we have heard, the Imam (a.s.) is reminding us that we are all going to die and meet our Creator. Therefore, we should be prepared for this day by our good deeds.
We should not follow our passions and desires, for they will lead us to Hell.
Moreover, if we have been doing so, we should repent before it is too late. For Allah accepts honest and whole-hearted repentance.
The Second Sermon
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Worshippers of Allah…
Be pious and remember that Allah will ask every one of you about all your actions, stands, and sayings whether on the personal level, or the social and political one.
So let us look at the problems and challenges that face our world.
The War of the Poor and the American Interest
The war in the Balkans has calmed down but it is not over. For there are many implanted mines on the road. Moreover, certain developments indicate that there are similar plots that are being set up for other regions… The war of the poor between Eritrea and Ethiopia is destroying both countries. Similarly, the Muslims in Kashmir who are demanding the right of self-determination are being subjected to a brutal war that is waged by the Indian forces that might engage with Pakistan, as it is accused of being behind the Muslims of Kashmir. And the world does nothing except to watch passively.
The siege against Iraq continues and the world watches… Internal strife erupts sporadically in various places in Africa and the world watches… It does nothing, because America stands behind all these troubles… When will the Third and Muslim Worlds be relieved from the tyranny of this savage arrogant power?
Which Settlement Are They Looking For?
The Palestinians and the Arab world are following the news about the formation of Barak's government, as if he is going to bring about a magical solution the Americans have made them dream about…
A little bit of realism and self-respect would impel them to study Barak's platform and his three Nos, concerning Jerusalem, the settlements and the return of the refugees… Furthermore, we should not forget the impact of the coming American presidential elections and the influence of the Zionist lobby in Washington.
The Arabs and the Heavy Weight of the Ghost of Defeat
The Arabs are going to face an increasing amount of pressure that exploits the various weak points in their ranks.
Should they not think, if only once, that their unity of stand that is based on coordination, solidarity, and a profound sense of pride, is the only means to gain strength and achieve any results?
All their actions are merely reactions without taking any initiative whatsoever. It is as if they are forced to feel the heavy burden of defeat, even before the confrontation starts.
Internal Debate Distracts the People from Confronting the Occupation
Finally, the stage Lebanon is currently passing through does not leave room for internal debates that distract the Lebanese and prevent them from focusing all their efforts on fighting the enemy who continues to escalate his daily aggressions in the South and West Beqaa’. It also gives the enemy a window of opportunity to execute brutal massacres like the one that was committed lately in Sidon, which would in its turn destabilize the internal front or even undermine it.
We are all responsible for ensuring the unity and stability of the country, so as to rise to the level of forcing the enemy to withdraw and find the adequate and long overdue solutions to the grave economic problems.