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 Zoul-Qi'dah 9, 1424 AH / January 02, 2004, 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
The Birth of Christ (p.): Unity in Faith and Humanity
The New Year: A Turning Point
Two occasions have passed this week: the first is the New Year, which is associated with the birth of Jesus Christ (p.), while the second is the birth of Imam Al-Rida (a.s.).
As for the first occasion, we believe that the beginning of a new year is a moment for contemplation, and not for fun and disturbing others with fireworks and live bullets, or by doing nonsensical acts and even drinking alcoholic drinks and taking drugs, as if to give their mind a day off and start their year in an irrational manner. If they say that it is their right to be happy, we must give this happiness a dose of rationalization and awareness; madness masked by joy is still madness.
The passing of a year means we have lived through it and are responsible for everything we did. Allah will hold us accountable for all our deeds in that year. Moreover, what we did will impact our present and future. Thus, we must sit down and think about our actions, and find out if we can diminish their negative aspects and increase their positive ones.
When you start a new year, you should ask yourself about your plans for the coming year… What you intend to do to please Allah, the Most Exalted… How to take care of your family… How to manage your work and social life. The end of one year and the beginning of another is a very important turning point, in which one should hold himself accountable and decide how to continue. All business firms do the same… They live in a state of emergency towards the year’s end, to assess gains or losses and prepare their budget for the coming year…
Yet money is not everything… It is more serious if you lose your future and your mind. The greatest loss is that of your relationship with your Lord and your place in the Hereafter.
Let us celebrate the New Year, whether the Christian New Year or the Hijri, for we believe in Jesus Christ (p.) as we believe in all prophets of Allah. But let us celebrate by thinking and contemplation. "Thinking for one hour is better than a year of worship."
Imam Al-Rida: A Summit in Knowledge and Morals
The second occasion is the birth of the eighth Imam, Ali bin Musa Al-Rida… This Imam lived in an Islamic age, engaged with its era, developed all fields of knowledge, and took part in all its activities… He also lived in an age of political instability, especially with the struggle for power among brothers, but this did not prevent him from enriching all spheres of life.
He succeeded his father, Imam Musa bin Jaafar, who gathered all his children and told them: "This is your brother, Ali bin Musa, the religious scholar of the House of Muhammad (p.). Ask him about your religion and learn what he tells you." For he represented the summit in knowledge as well as in his other virtues.
Contemporary Testimonies
All his contemporaries among the greatest intellectuals of that time, whether those who believed in his Imamate or not, unanimously considered him their teacher and reference.
Abdulsalam Al-Hirawi says: "I have never seen anyone more knowledgeable than Ali bin Musa Al-Rida… Every scholar who met him gave the same testimony, without exception." Al-Ma'mun made him confront all scholars of his time—whether experts in science and culture, religious scholars of various faiths, or the most prominent Muslim theologians—and he prevailed over all of them. I have heard him say: "I used to sit near the Prophet’s grave with religious scholars all around. They would send those whose questions they could not answer to me, and I would answer them." Medina at that time was the center for all religious scholars.
One of his contemporaries, Ibrahim bin Al-Abbas, says: "Al-Rida was never asked about anything he did not know, and I have never seen anyone more knowledgeable about history than him."
Furthermore, he used quotations from the Holy Quran in all his answers. This is the position he held and the status acknowledged by those of his age. That is why Al-Ma'mun chose him as his heir apparent. The Imam declined at first, but various pressures led him to agree. Al-Ma'mun told his relatives, who criticized his decision: "He possesses knowledge I have never seen matched by anyone."
As for his morals, Bin Al-Abbas adds: "I have never seen him use harsh words, or even interrupt anyone until they finished speaking… He never turned down someone who asked him for something if he could fulfill it… I have never seen him curse any of his slaves… I have never seen him laugh loudly; he would merely smile." He ate with his slaves and servants at the same table and said to those who protested: "We have the same Lord, the same father, the same mother, and we are rewarded according to our actions." He also said: "I have sworn not to consider myself better than anyone else simply because I descend from the Messenger unless my deeds are better." He believed that no one is superior due to social status; the only distinction between people is their work.
His Will
He followed the affairs of his followers and provided them with adequate advice. He sent a letter to Sayyed Abdulazim Al-Hasani, a descendant of Imam Al-Hassan and a well-known religious scholar, saying: "Give my regards to my followers and tell them not to let Satan find a way to their souls… Order them to be truthful in what they say and to return trusts. And tell them to keep silent and not to interfere in what is none of their business, and to visit one another… This is how they become close to me." He went on to explain that they should not be occupied in "ripping apart" one another. He also clarified that those who do such acts are not considered among his followers. What would we say to Imam Al-Rida as we incite persecution here and there due to our sectarian and partisan fanaticism?
This is Imam Al-Rida’s will to his followers—the man who lived for Islam as a whole and for justice in its entirety. As we live with Imam Al-Rida through his advice and guidance… with all his scientific and spiritual wealth, we ask all Muslims to read the Imam’s heritage with an open mind and try to benefit from it… Our relation with the Imams is a relation with pure Islam and with all that elevates the heart, the mind, and life as a whole… May Allah bless Al-Rida on the day he was born, the day he was martyred, and the day he will be brought back to life. May Allah bless his fathers and his children, especially Imam Al-Mahdi, whom we await to fill the earth with justice after it has been filled with oppression and injustice.
The Second Sermon
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
As we look at the Muslim and Arab world at the beginning of the New Year, we see international arrogance, especially the Americans, imposing its dominance over their politics, security, and economy, and trying to extend it even to the Islamic religion. On the other hand, there is no active or strong movement to confront this trend—if not by force, then by awareness and planning—which means the problems of the downtrodden will not be solved this year, since the counter-movement is still in a state of deep freeze.
Occupying Iraq: A Bridge to the Region
If we turn to details, we find that the occupation of Iraq represents a strategic move toward changing the face of the Middle East and international relations for many years to come… As for the claim about Iraq regaining its sovereignty according to a set schedule, it will not free the region from American hegemony… for American imperialism has not abandoned its project to change the region in a way that best serves American interests, even if it undermines the interests of all other powers, including the European and Russian Unions.
In this grand plan, Iraq, with the American military force in its backyard, constitutes the bridge the Americans will cross to tamper with the entire region, including their allies, who have begun to feel they are the next victims.
This is what we want the Iraqis, Arabs, and Muslims to be aware of… We do not want them to bury their heads in the sand, as certain states have begun offering concessions in the name of realism to save face before their peoples… For the issue is one of independent decision-making… We emphasize that American mistakes will isolate them from the peoples of the region in an act of rejection of their policies. The countdown will start sooner or later, but we must be prepared.
In the meantime, Iraq continues to suffer a miserable state with political and security instability, threats to its national unity, and innocent civilians falling every day…
But we have great confidence that the Iraqi people can build an independent and prosperous future based on unity, awareness, and civilizational experience.
Palestine: The Struggle Continues
Looking at occupied Palestine, we see the Nazi-Zionist government committing acts from which international stances distance themselves… We also see internal confusion, with some Israelis criticizing the immoral war and brutal violence against Palestinians and finding no way out, as they consider the problem one of security rather than politics. All this will extend the problem well into this century, unless unexpected circumstances pave the way for a solution. For the Palestinians will not forego their rights, and the Zionists will not be cured of their anti-human complex.
We believe this struggle will continue, as it is a struggle between justice and injustice… occupation and independence, and we have great confidence in the Palestinian people and the coming Arab and Muslim generations.
In this context, we notice that Sharon, the butcher, has benefited from the American green light to proceed with building the racist wall and confiscating additional territories… He is exerting pressure on the American president and his administration, especially in an election year…
We believe that, in the long run, this struggle constitutes an impasse for Israel and America, not for the Palestinians and Syria… Time is on our side, the side of justice, not on the side of injustice and hegemony.
America Backs Israeli Nukes
Syria submitted a draft resolution to the Security Council calling for making the Middle East a zone free of weapons of mass destruction, but America refused, as usual, claiming both its timing and stipulations were wrong. For Israeli nuclear weapons are part of the Zionist arsenal.
Thus, America would not allow any resolution calling for a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East to pass, ensuring Israel keeps its weapons. At the same time, it haunts all states of the world, threatening them with sanctions if they do not give up their weapons… For America and Israel are strategic allies who discuss behind closed doors what they do not say in public.
Sheikh Al-Azhar and the Veil
We were stunned by the statement Sheikh Al-Azhar made when he received the French Interior Minister. He gave the French the legitimate right to prevent Muslim women from wearing the veil, although he mentioned that wearing it is a religious duty. Nevertheless, he called on Muslim women to adhere to the proposed law on the basis of compulsion.
It is as if he is saying to all non-Muslim—or even Muslim—countries not committed to Islam to establish conditions that compel Muslims not to adhere to their religious duties. He is also saying to Muslims in France and the world: You have no right to object, even in a civilized and lawful way; you just have to comply, even if you are prevented from praying in mosques or fasting in Ramadan.
France is historically the country of freedom, and Muslims have the right to practice their freedom by engaging in objective discussions and peaceful objections.
The Sheikh has offended Islam and Muslims by giving the French authorities an Islamic basis to pass such a law. He should apologize to the Muslims and, in his stances, seek to protect Islam from every internal and external pressure.
Lebanon: The Unity of Heavenly Messages
Muslims and Christians in Lebanon are united by the values of justice, goodness, and love that all divine messages call for. Let these messages unite us so that we may drive out of the temple all those who crucify the country on the cross of their greed and corruption… When they appear united in the face of tragedies… we would like to ask them: Who is responsible for these tragedies, anyway?