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 Safar 17, 1427 AH / March 17, 2006 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
Imam al-Rida (a.s.): A Model of Knowledge and Devotion
The Imam's Knowledge and Wisdom
Allah says in His Glorious Book: "Allah intends only to remove from you the impurity [of sin], O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification." Surat al-Ahzab (33:33).
On this day, the 17th of the month of Safar, as most historians agree, we are commemorating the passing of Imam Ali bin Musa Al-Rida (a.s.).
The Imam filled the era he lived in with his knowledge, wisdom and guidance. People used to visit him to learn the facts of life and Islam. He was such an outstanding and unique scholar that when other religious scholars could not answer a question, they would tell the people to go to the Imam and ask him, "for he knows what we do not." One of his contemporaries said: "I have not seen anyone more knowledgeable than Ali bin Musa Al-Rida." Any scholar who saw him came out with the same testimony.
Al-Ma'mun gathered a number of the best theologians and jurists to contest him, but he defeated all of them. His companions compiled the questions he answered, and they reached about 18 thousand answers. His father, Imam Musa bin Ja'far, used to tell his children: "This is your brother Ali bin Musa, the scholar of Muhammad's family. Ask him about your religion and learn what he tells you."
Imam Al-Rida was at the summit of the Muslim world to the extent that when Al-Ma'mun wanted to punish the Abbasids for choosing his brother, he chose to appoint Al-Rida as his successor, for he did not find anyone better than him in knowledge and morals. The Imam refused at first, for he did not want to take part in this struggle, but he then accepted to take advantage of this opportunity to teach the people the righteous and authentic Islam. Al-Ma'mun asked the poets of that time to praise Al-Rida, but Abu Nawas, the famous Arab poet, hesitated. When asked, he answered in a beautiful poem in which he said that he could not praise an Imam whom Gabriel was a servant to his father.
One of the companions of Imam Al-Rida described his social manners, saying: "I have never seen the Imam rude to anybody. He never interrupted anybody's talk. And he never refused to offer a favour he knew he was capable of doing… He never cursed any of his slaves… He never laughed in a high voice. His laughter was but smiling."
Real Kinship
As to his respect for the poor and especially for the servants and slaves, traditions have it that he used to sit with them at the same table, refusing to let them sit at a separate one, for "we have the same God, the same father and the same mother. And Allah rewards people for what they do"… we are all the children of Adam and Eve and the servants of Allah. The only difference between us is in what we do.
He also said to one of his companions, who wanted to stress the importance of being related to the Messenger: "I do not think that I am better than this (black slave) because I am related to the Messenger, except if I have done good deeds." This gives us a general rule in Islam that lineage, no matter how great, does not make an individual better than others. Imam Ali (a.s.) says: "Verily the lover of Muhammad is the person who loves Allah although he might be far from him in relationship. And verily the enemy of Muhammad is the person who disobeys Allah even if he is a close relative."
Imam Ali bin Al-Hussein was seen crying in his prayers despite the fact that his grandfathers were the Messenger (p.) and Imam Ali (a.s.), while his grandmother was Fatima (a.s.) and Al-Hussein (a.s.) was his father. He was told: "Allah created heaven for those who obey Him even if they were slaves, and He created hell for those who disobey Him even if they were from the nobility of Quraish (the most noble Arabian tribe)." This is the righteous Islamic line that Allah taught the Imams and then emphasized.
Following the Teachings of the Quran
Imam Al-Rida used to ask the people to read the Quran in a profound manner to understand its concepts and follow its commands. He described the Quran as "the words of God, which should not be surpassed, nor should you seek guidance anywhere else lest you will be deviated." He also quoted his father, citing Imam As-Sadiq as saying that the Quran was eternally new because Allah did not send it for one people or for a certain age. "It is valid in all times and for all people until the Day of Judgment."
Helping the Weak Is the Best Charity
This saying by Imam Rida was intended for those who believe that such an act is not a part of charity. He meant to explain to the people that charity is not only giving money to the poor, but also giving the weak any kind of strength. This is better than giving them money. Giving some money in charity might solve a limited problem, but providing strength is like giving a new spirit that will allow him to face his troubles.
He also wanted man to befriend his mind, since the mind is what distinguishes right from wrong. It is thus a grace that makes you accountable before Allah, and it is also an internal messenger.
He also told some people who entrusted their money with someone who then betrayed their trust: "The trustworthy did not betray you; it is you who chose a traitor." Choosing those who are worthy of trust is our responsibility, not only in money but also in all aspects of life, including choosing the political and religious leadership. In sum, you have to study the people before you entrust them with anything, because Allah will hold you responsible for your choices.
What Worship Is
Some people might think that worship is performing a lot of praying and fasting, but it is not so according to Imam Rida, who maintains that worship is "thinking about Allah." He also wanted the people to call for Islam. One of his companions relates the following story: "Imam Rida said once: 'May the Mercy of Allah be upon the servant who keeps alive our commandment.' I asked him how one could keep your commandment alive. He said: 'He (can) learn our sciences and teach them to people. In fact, if people knew (the merits) and goodness of our speech, surely they would follow us.'"
The Imam wanted the people to know the meaning of listening to others. He quoted the Messenger as saying: "Who listens to a spokesman would be worshipping him." Those who listen to a spokesman of Allah worship Allah, and those who listen to a spokesman of the devil will be worshipping the devil.
The greatness of Ahl al-Beit is that they knew Allah and the Messenger, and that they were unique in their knowledge, worship and love of people. That is why we have to abide by their teachings and follow their model with our hearts, souls and minds. May Allah bless the Imam the day he was born, the day he died and the day he will return to life.
The Second Sermon
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Palestine, the Perpetual Victim
In Palestine, the Zionists stormed a prison in Jericho where some Palestinian militants were detained, as well as barracks for Palestinian security forces, killing and wounding several people with the blessing and support of the British and the Americans. The stage in their view is one of Zionist elections that needs Palestinian victims, and the humiliation of Palestinians that perhaps could make Kadima win the elections.
This proves how much the Americans and the British, in their hatred, coordinate with the Zionists, to the extent that the excuses these two states made are but a joke…
Moreover, it is curious that most of the Arab officials remained silent and did not protest.
This attitude makes us conclude that the Arab regimes, especially the ones that made peace with the enemy either diplomatically or in actual practice, intersect with the International Community, including the Security Council, in keeping the Palestinians under the mercy of Zionist shelling and hatred.
Arab Defeatism
It is the age of shame and defeatism in which the Arabs and the Muslims stand at the edge, to be ordered by the Security Council and others to jump into the unknown, or to be forced by the American Secretary of State to succumb to Israeli demands, as in the call on Hamas to recognize Israel to guarantee the peace in the Middle East that could not be achieved even through the Quartet Committee, except according to the Israeli conditions that leave no room for a viable Palestinian state.
A Call for Iraqis to Be Cautious
It is also the age of suppression in which the nation is slaughtered in the name of sectarian slogans, while many parties in Iraq and elsewhere are warning against civil strife between the Shiites and the Sunnis, as a consequence of the massacres committed by the occupation and the takfiris (those who accuse others of unbelief) that consider the killing of Muslims who follow Ahl al-Beit as lawful, leading to bloody reactions in one way or another.
Moreover, the political differences in Iraq have prevented the establishment of a national unity government, leaving Iraq at the mercy of political and security anarchy, which provides an excuse for the occupier to stay, although they have stated on several occasions that they will not remain for long in Iraq, the milking cow, and the strategic location.
We urge the Iraqis to be aware of the arrogant games, and not be preoccupied in their partisan and sectarian differences, and call them to be cautious towards those who create the tragedy every day.
Iran and the West
The Iranian peaceful nuclear issue will be discussed by the Security Council, which contains America and its allies that gave the Zionist Enemy all the help it needed to make nuclear weapons and prevented anyone from punishing it, for they believe Israel is above any accountability.
Although the military option is being used as a threat, we believe that we are still in the phase of media pressure, since all parties know that a war against Iran will burn the entire region. The world will also face a lot of problems as a result of the economic war that will change several equations. Therefore, the states of the region should think about how to protect themselves from the American and European adventures that have already sunk in Iraq.
Is It Made in Lebanon?
As another round of the Lebanese dialogue, which gave the political leaders a chance to get to know one another, is about to start, we hope that it will achieve some positive and practical results. We would like those leaders to be serious and honest in proving that the dialogue is made in Lebanon, since some embassies are trying to exercise undue influence, especially concerning international resolutions that some, like Resolution 1559, were made in Israel, to call for disarming the resistance under the cover of establishing internal security, leaving Lebanon defenseless against Israeli attack.
Many Lebanese are making fun of the presidential elections. They feel that the role of the Lebanese is to listen to what is being told to them by Arab and international powers, and elect whom these powers agree on.
On the other hand, we call for a dialogue on the economic issue, starting with the budget, which lies under a big deficit that might lead to imposing additional taxes on the poor. Then there is the debt that consumes all the national products and people's savings. We ask both the majority and the minority: What plans do you have to solve this economic problem? And save the country from collapse?
Are you waiting for Beirut-1, which is surrounded by the entire internal crisis? Then why are you using this negative language towards the Arab brothers, treating Israel and America as members of the camp of friends while the Arabs as enemies? Do all the parties have the same image of a sovereign Lebanon? Or is it preserving the old Lebanon with some formal changes only?