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-Thani 23, 1425 AH/ June 11, 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
Shi'ism is Nothing but Islam
In their mission, Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) had an educational plan to spread Islamic awareness. They sought to build a group of Muslims who adhered to their Islamic school of thought, which is nothing but the true Message of Islam that the Messenger called for. Right from the very beginning, he was accompanied by Imam Ali (a.s.), who absorbed Islam from the Prophet's soul, morals, and contemplations that opened up to knowing Allah even before the Prophet was sent with the Message. Thus, Imam Ali (a.s.) was raised in his house, lived with him, and shared all his thoughts and contemplations. Then, when the Message came, he was the first to pray in the Prophet's mosque… He accompanied him like a baby camel accompanies his mother.
He then returned the Prophet's trusts and slept in his bed to cover his migration. He was the champion of his wars and was with him when the Prophet guided the people and educated them.
Thus, Imam Ali’s (a.s.) knowledge, mind, and actions were the same as those of the Prophet, and he was the only person qualified to be the leader of Muslims after the Prophet. He was, as Al-Khalil bin Ahmad Al-Farahidi said when asked why he gave Ali (a.s.) such a superior position: "The fact that he is needed by all and he does not need anyone proves that he is the Imam of all."
Some caliphs who preceded him said that there was no problem that could not be solved by the Imam. Moreover, everybody quotes 'Umar's saying: "Were it not for Ali, 'Umar would be doomed."
Shi'ism: True, Open Islam
This is how Shi'ism came to be. It was not founded to be a party other than Islam. Ali (a.s.) and the Imams (a.s.) did not have anything but Islam—the living and open Islam for whose leadership they would sacrifice their lives. Imam Ali (a.s.) told the people of Egypt that he was afraid that if he did not support Islam, the consequences would be much more tragic than not being a caliph.
He also said: "I will keep the peace as long as the affairs of Muslims are secure and the only injustice falls on me." Thus, there was a group of pious Muslims at the beginning of this genuine Islamic movement that included Salman, Abu Dharr, Al-Miqdad, Ammar, and his sons, Al-Hassan and Al-Hussein (a.s.). And they started their mission, dedicating their lives to Islam and refusing to claim that they did not follow Imam Ali (a.s.) when Mu'awiyah threatened to kill them if they did not. They knew that claiming not to follow Ali (a.s.) was the same as denouncing their Islam.
Therefore, Shi'ism was not founded to be independent of Islam or different from it in any way, no matter how trivial. It is the intellectual, spiritual, moral, legal, and practical depth of Islam.
That is why the Imams (a.s.) have stressed that Shi'ism is not a matter of naïve love. You cannot say you love Ali (a.s.) and then support those who fought him. Ali (a.s.) fought the unjust and the unbelievers. Loving Ali (a.s.) on the basis that someone has told you that it is a deed that will prevent any other harm is not real love. Those who told you so are wrong. Loving Ali (a.s.) obviously means following his lead in being a committed and practicing Muslim whose heart and mind are filled with Islam and whose actions reflect these feelings... He was the champion of Islam who was ready to sacrifice his life for it, and he never cared about any other worldly matter since he was filled with the love of Allah and His Messenger.
Let us listen to a saying of Imam al-Baqir (a.s.); you have heard it from me several times, but let us, once again, listen to it so that each of us can judge whether he is a Shiite or not. He says: "Is it enough for whoever claims to be a Shiite to say he loves us? By Allah… the Shiites are those who fear and obey Allah. They are known for being humble, trustworthy, remembering Allah often, being kind to their parents and neighbors, especially the poor, the needy, and the orphans. They are truthful, often recite the Quran, and only speak about the good qualities of others. Do not delude yourselves. It is not enough for a man to say, 'I love Ali and follow him,' if he does not reflect this in his actions. He could have said that he loves the Messenger, who is better than Ali…
…But if he loves the Messenger and does not follow his teachings, his love will do him no good. Therefore, be pious and know that we have no special relationship with Allah. Allah loves those of you who are pious and obedient most. We have no power to save you from the Fire! Whoever obeys Allah is one of our followers, and whoever disobeys Him is one of our enemies. Being one of our followers cannot be attained other than through hard work and piety."
We also notice in this saying that the Imam concentrated on the centrist position of Shi'ism. There are those who claim to love Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) and yet go as far as ascribing to them a status very near to that of Allah, thus distancing themselves from the true meaning of worshipping Allah.
There are even those who say: "Do not pray for anything from Allah. It is Ahl al-Bayt who answer your prayers." According to them, we cannot communicate with Allah, and we have to communicate with them, for Allah has made them the masters of this universe… This logic is rejected by Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.). It is true that they can intercede, but only for those whom Allah accepts intercession for. In the Holy Quran, Allah quotes the Prophet as saying: "Say, 'I hold not for myself [the power of] benefit or harm, except what Allah has willed. And if I knew the unseen, I could have acquired much wealth, and no harm would have touched me. I am not except a warner and a bringer of good tidings to a people who believe.'" Surat al-A'raf (7:188). And "And I do not tell you that I have the depositories [of provision and knowledge] of Allah or that I know the unseen, nor do I tell you that I am an angel, nor do I say of those upon whom your eyes look down that Allah will never grant them any good. Allah is most knowing of what is within their souls. Indeed, I would then be among the wrongdoers.'" Surat Hud (11:31).
It is Allah who gives, supports, and heals, and we only ask the prophets and the Imams (a.s.) to intercede because Allah has given them this attribute. That is why the Imam (a.s.) asks his followers to be balanced and moderate. He says: "O followers of Ahl al-Bayt! Be moderate so that both those who exaggerate and the ones who understate will follow you."
When asked who those who exaggerate are, he answered: "They are those who attribute things to us which we do not have…" In other words, they are those who give the Imams (a.s.) a higher position than Allah gave them. "Those people do not belong to us, and we do not belong to them. By Allah, we have no guarantee of salvation… We have no special relation with Allah that obliges Him to save us. Our only way to draw nearer to Allah is through obedience. Therefore, only those of you who obey Allah will benefit from being our followers. O people! Do not be deceived. Do not be deceived."
On another level, the Imam (a.s.) teaches us how the Shiites should deal with each other, considering that the rich among them who do not help the poor do not belong to the Shiite community. He adds in a letter to some of his followers: "The Shiites should be pious; their rich should help the poor, and their strong should support their weak. The living among them should attend the funerals of the dead. They should meet and exchange visits… We cannot do them any good if they do not practice good deeds. They cannot claim to be of our followers except by piety. Those who will be most remorseful on the Day of Judgment are those who know what is good and yet follow what is different."
Opening Up to People
Thus, Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) want their followers to become the spiritual, intellectual, social, and moral model of Muslims who live with people and open up to them. Therefore, all those who believe in Islamic brotherhood should not feel any hatred towards fellow Muslims just because they differ with them, whether for political, tribal, or similar reasons. They would be betraying Allah and His Messenger, who called to refer any differences to them. We should not forget our Lord, the Prophet, and the Imams (a.s.) throughout our differences. Those who do would become practically outside of Islam, no matter how much lip service they pay to it.
The Second Sermon
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Iraq’s Uncertain Future
Iraq still constitutes the biggest wound in the body of the nation, deepened by its quest for freedom, independence, sovereignty, and self-determination… But the problem is that America still holds control of security in Iraq in its role as leader of the multinational forces, which were an occupying force and turned into a "legitimate" force. This was provided for by the Security Council resolution on the basis of a treaty signed by an unelected Iraqi government that was appointed by the American Administration.
Not only does this government lack any national legitimacy, but it also does not have any military, security, or even administrative institutions, which leaves all these domains to be controlled by the US as a result of its hegemony over security and which will exploit its position to promote its own interests, whether in Iraq or in the region.
There are many provisions in the Security Council resolution that might be applauded by many parties, since it could be interpreted in diverse ways—which, by the way, was intended to appease the states that opposed the previous drafts so that President Bush could go to the elections with a unanimous resolution.
We look forward—along with all concerned with the cause of the Iraqi people—to the day Iraq becomes a free, secure, and independent country, but it has meanwhile to face the current circumstances with maximum awareness and vigilance.
But how should the Iraqis view this new experiment that might turn into a permanent one? What kind of sovereignty would the Iraqis have without an effective force of their own? Such questions are left for the future, which we hope will be filled with optimism and not constantly alternating between optimism and pessimism, as the other causes of the region are exhibiting. These issues, which include reform, development, freedoms, and human rights, are decided by those who dominate the entire Middle East through their dominance of the rulers of its states, although the latter might pretend to be their own masters.
This is what we notice in the G8 summit that talked about a partnership between us and them. They talked about many issues in a glamorous way, but one that actually intended to finish us off. They talked, for instance, about the Arab-Israeli struggle without moving any step forward towards implementing the Road Map, since the elections prevent the American President from taking any meaningful action… It is about time that we learn not to put our trust in those who have deceived us scores of times.
Palestine: New Deception Plans
As trying to find a solution for the Palestinian problem continues to rely upon Sharon's deliberately vague plan to withdraw from Gaza, and as the discussion continues to be limited to the Zionist government without any participation from the Palestinians, who are expected to accept the future the American-Israeli plan draws for them… the Arabs have begun to offer to guarantee Zionist security in Gaza following the withdrawal. Such solutions will reduce the Palestinian problem to a security one and not a political one that has to do with the right of a nation to freedom and self-determination. Meanwhile, the Zionists continue their brutal policies of assassinations, detentions, house demolitions, and the like.
In addition, Israel continues to build the racist wall that no one talks about anymore, while the Mujahideen are not allowed to fight back and defend themselves for fear that they will be accused of terrorism.
Lebanon: Debt and Endless Debates
In Lebanon, where national debt has reached catastrophic proportions and where many predict a very hot summer as a result of power shortages, and where political debate is endless but never resorts to any planning… the situation has become so grave, not only on the economic and political levels but also on the security level, with enemy violations and aggressions recently significantly increasing.
It has also escalated its threats, with the commander of the Israeli northern front threatening both Lebanon and Syria, while the Zionist finance minister, Netanyahu, threatened to destroy the Lebanese infrastructure… But the Resistance is there to talk to the enemy in the language of force that it understands and to maintain the balance of terror that prevents it from going too far in its aggressions and threats.