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 18, 1420 AH/ July 20, 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
Celebrating the Birth of Prophet (p.) and Imam Al-Sadiq (a.s.):
Renewal Through Islam
The seventeenth of Rabi’ al-Awwal (yesterday) marked the anniversary of the birth of the Messenger (p.) and of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a.s.). This intersection symbolizes the unity of the straight path which Muhammad (p.) conveyed, struggled and suffered for, with the lives of the Members of the Household who likewise dedicated every effort to spreading the message and establishing a just Islamic society that upholds the Shari’ah in all aspects of life.
Bearing the Responsibility of Islam
When we study the life of Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.), we find that he enriched the Islamic sciences with his contributions to such an extent that he addressed countless issues and left a vast legacy across numerous fields, renewing Islam in every domain.
On this occasion—the intersection of their anniversaries—we should renew our adherence to Islam and our commitment to its rulings in every aspect of our lives, so that Islam may continue to live through us as it lived through the generations before us.
Renewing Ourselves Through the Line of Ahl al‑Bayt
The anniversary of Imam al-Sadiq’s (a.s.) birth is an occasion to celebrate by renewing our adherence to the line of the Members of the Household in their presentation of Islam and in their struggle to correct deviations that arose in certain periods. We ought to understand that the line of Ahl al‑Bayt is not something separate from Islam; rather, it is the process of crystallizing the religion of Allah and firmly rooting it within the Islamic nation that holds fast to it.
Let Us Learn from the Imam (a.s.) How to Deal with Muslims
On this occasion, we wish to learn from some of the teachings the Imam (a.s.) recommended to his companions, in order to understand what it means to be a Shi’ah and how a Shi’i Muslim should interact with other Muslims and with people in general. When asked about this specifically, the Imam said: “You should follow the example of how your Imams deal with you. They visit those among you who fall sick, take part in your funerals, and uphold the commitments they have made to you. They treat you with an open heart and mind as fellow human beings. Therefore, never boycott others; be open to them and cooperate with them in enjoining good.”
These Are the Ja’fari Manners
In another narration, Abu Zayd al‑Shahham said that he heard the Imam (a.s.) instructing those who follow him—and we are certainly among them—to “fear Allah… be pious in your religion… be truthful in what you say… be trustworthy with what you are entrusted… be good to your neighbors… give everyone his due and return what has been entrusted to you, whether the person is pious or not. For this is what Muhammad (p.) came with. Be good to your relatives and to your people in general… attend their funerals and visit their sick…” He added: “If you do so, people will say, ‘These are Ja’faris,’ and that will make me happy.”
Be Silent Advocates for Us
The Imam (a.s.) further elaborated on this meaning by stressing that when the Shi’ah obey Allah’s commands, abstain from sin, and commit themselves to dealing with people truthfully and justly, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and always meeting people with goodness, “they will come to know your religion and consequently your manners, and they will hasten to follow it.”
The Second Sermon
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Be Pious in All Your Affairs
In these days, as we celebrate the birth of the Messenger (p.) and that of Imam al‑Sadiq (a.s.), we open our hearts to the entire Muslim world, feeling that its causes are our causes and its struggles are our struggles. Yet we must pause at our most vital issue: the struggle against the Zionist enemy.
The Occupation is the Central Issue
The debate over the “April Understanding” continues, but it risks obscuring the major and most vital issue: Occupation. Attempts are being made to shift the focus from one subject to another. While we affirm that this understanding will not be annulled—as it serves American‑Israeli interests by protecting Zionist settlers and keeping the issue away from the Security Council—we believe that Lebanese solidarity and steadfastness, on both popular and official levels, are the primary source of strength for Lebanon’s stance, alongside the determined will of the Resistance to continue its armed confrontation.
In this regard, the enemy has been taken aback by the firmness of Lebanese discourse and positions, because it is accustomed to hearing pleas that reflect a posture of self‑proclaimed weakness. We welcome this new, resolute language, whose strength supports the Resistance in its struggle to liberate the occupied lands.
America is Responsible for Lebanon’s Tragedy
America’s position—which claims that the Resistance and Iran are responsible for the escalation while ignoring the Zionist murder of Lebanese civilians and the fact that Lebanon is on the defensive—is rooted in a longstanding American policy that does not wish to see the Lebanese liberate their occupied lands by their own hands, nor witness an Israeli withdrawal without conditions.
On the contrary, America believes its interests in the region are best served by allowing the occupation to persist until the enemy can impose its terms on Lebanon and Syria.
The recent escalation is in no way a result of regional interference from one source or another. The real issue is the determination of the Lebanese people to liberate their occupied land.
If America claims to care about human rights, as it recently did to justify its war in the Balkans, why does it ignore the human rights of the Lebanese, which are being violated daily by the Zionists? How can its ambassador in Lebanon claim that the continuation of the Resistance gives the Zionist army a free hand in Lebanon—a situation America says it can do nothing to stop?
Dear Lebanese,
America is a partner of Israel in the destruction of the vital infrastructure that the Lebanese have made immense sacrifices to rebuild. It is America that gave the enemy the green light to expand its aggression.
Remember this well, for the sake of the generations to come.