The Religious Authority H.E. Sayyed M. H. Fadlullah delivered the two Friday prayer sermons at the Imamain Al-Hassanain Mosque, 27th October 2006, several prominent religious scholars, dignitaries and thousands of believers attended the Jumu’a prayer.
The First Sermon
Speech what is best
God says in Glorious Book: Say to My servants that they should (only) say those things that are best .Islam's social ethical code wants man to be polite in what he says choosing the best words that do not hurt who hears them. Instead it tries to open his heart and capture his feelings. Words are the messenger between people. They express what is inside them and act as messages.
Thus they enable the speaker to win the friendship of the listener, and create the atmosphere that elevates the entire society.
Allah, the Most Exalted, is asking His Messenger(p.) in this Aya to guide the people to the need to use what is best in their speech especially to the public, since Satan would not find an opening to interfere and pump his poison of hatred that he could easily achieve if bad words are used.
In the moral side of Islam, there are certain things Allah wanted man not to practice, especially abusing others, whether as a result of a personal complex, a difference in ideas, ideology , religion or any other reason. In such cases Allah does not want us to abuse but to choose the best words that preserve the other's dignity and self-respect.
Kinds of Abuse
This type of abuse is of three kinds: Firstly there is the abuse among believers, as in the case abusing among the same household, or the abusing that results from family or partisan feuds.
Secondly: cursing a different sect of the same religion, or even in the same sect. while the third kind is abusing those of a different religion, for example when a believer curses the unbelievers or the People of the Book.
Consequences of abuse in Islamic texts
There are several Islamic traditions that talks about this issue. The Messenger (p.), quoted by Imam As-Sadiq (a.s) says
"To curse a believer is like facing death". The Prophet (P.) also said
Abusing a believer is sinful.
And fighting a believer is a sign of disbelief.
Backbiting a believer is disobedience of Allah.
A believer's property is as unlawful for the other person as his blood.
The one who is indifferent to Allah is ignored by Allah.
Imam Al-Baqir (a.s) reports that someone came to the Prophet to ask for advice. The Prophet told him among other things. Do not abuse People lest they will become your enemies".
This saying is not restricted to the believers. It is generalized to include all humans who would naturally not accept that their dignity would be offended.
Imam Musa Al-Kazim (a.s), when asked about two persons abusing one another said: "The one who started it will be more blamed, and he will carry the burden of his sin and of that of the other unless he apologizes".
Abu Hamza Alh-Tjimal: reports that Imam Jaa'far Al-Sadid said: If a man tells his believing brother you are my enemy, the one of them has disbelieved, Allah does not accept and (good) died from a believer if he intends to inflict harm to his bother.
These previous quotations refer to abuse among believers, an attitude they should fight against themselves so as not to resort to it, lest they will bring Allah's wrath.
As for the abuse that results from the differences in sect or affiliation, we find that Imam Ali has laid the rules on how to deal with this problem. When he was fought and denied his right as well as the opportunity to implement his reformist and guiding project, Hearing his people abusing the people of Sham (those who took part in the war against him lead by Mua'wiah, he stood up and addressed them saying: I dislike you starting to abuse them, but if you describe their deeds and recount their situations that would be a better mode of speaking and a more convincing way of arguing. Instead of abusing them you should say, "O' Allah! save our blood and their blood, produce reconciliation between us and them, and lead them out of their misguidance so that he who is ignorant of the truth may know it, and he who inclines towards rebellion and revolt may turn away from it."
The Imam refuses to accept the hegemony of a state of hatred against Muslims even if they were of an indifferent sect or political line. He also refuses to express this difference in a negative way. But rather asks the Muslims to return to God asking Him to save the Muslim blood and reconcile them.
The basis that governs internal Muslim relations is love and unity. This is what the Imam practiced, since he lived with God and for God and never for himself.
As for the third kind, that has to do with the relations of Muslims with unbelievers, God says: And do not abuse those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest exceeding the limits they should abuse Allah out of ignorance. Thus have We made fair seeming to every people their deeds; then to their Lord shall be their return, so He will inform them of what they did, (6:108) since every group feels that it is right. Therefore we have to avoid using negative means that incites negative reactions that target our sacred beliefs.
This is what Islamic ethics believes in and this is what we want to follow Islam and the teachings of the Messenger(p.) who said that: I was sent to perfect sublime morals.
The Second Sermon
Complicity with the Enemy's Policies
The Muslim world is facing an international offensive accompanied by a state of chaos and confusion in several countries. It is aggravated by US interference and manipulation of those who support it in these countries, by using such terms as extremism and moderation to create a negative state against those who oppose US policies.
We have, on the one hand, the Zionist enemy who continues to bomb and invade the Palestinian cities and villages inflicting daily causalities and dislocating the population. The Zionists have resorted to the pretext of smuggling new weapons to confront the enemy. Such a pretext made the Zionist government plan to reoccupy parts of Gaza, especially after it joined to its ranks the rightist party that adopts the displacement of the 1948 Palestinians.
The International community continues its complicity with these polices and remains silent vis-à-vis its massacres, and plans to expand its settlements.
The Arabs: Besieging the Palestinian Government
The Arabs too not only remain silent towards these expansionist policies, but they also receive Israeli official and establish commercial relations with Israel.
They even have taken part in the economic blockade, to punish the elected Palestinian Government, because they do not want to recognize Israel hegemony on Palestine, and do not recognize the unbalanced agreements with the Zionist entity.
It is regretful that the Palestinian Authority officials still reject the national unity government, because of the American and Israel's rejection to it. Since then, in addition to the Quartet Committee, do not want the government of Hamas to stay, but rather to create a stated of political and security chaos that might lead to a civil war. Therefore all those who have the Palestinian interest in heart appeal to the Palestinian officials and popular and militant organizations not to full prey to this vicious plan that aims at undermining the Palestinian ambitions in establishing their independent state whose capital is Al-Quds.
American Interference creates regional crisis
In Iraq, the American occupation in facing complicated problems as a result of the daily causalities, as well as its failed policies and its effect on the American mid-term elections.
The American Administration consumption slogans concerning the so-called war on terrorism did not do it any good, since it sank the Americans in the political and security quicksand. Meanwhile, Bush continues to send his envoys to Asia to solve the North Korean problem or that of the Middle East by accusing Syria and Iran of destabilising Iraq. This is because they did not approve of his expansionist and occupation plans in the region. He also continues to interfere publicly and secretly in Lebanon to promote Israeli interests.
At the same time, the UN forces are not allowed to stop the Israeli daily airspace violations in Lebanon.
It is striking in this respect that the UN did not reach the stage of a ceasefire and that it is still in the stage of ending hostilities.
This is due to the American pressure that tries in one a way or another to pass new resolutions to change the UNIFIL mission and turn it into a striking force that disarms the Resistance, as well as interfering in the Lebanese internal affairs in the aim of making it a part of American project in the region.
The Problem our Muslim and Arab region suffers from is a result of trying to establish a state of stability for the American and Zionist project in the region. This is what we notice in Iraq where the American Administration is trying to undermine the Iraqi government’s efforts to achieve national unity, as well as promoting security and political chaos and providing a security cover to the terrorism that kills innocent civilians.
Afghanistan too, is still living in a state of political and security chaos, as a result of the American lead projects leaving the Afghanis with no window of opportunity to achieve stability and live freely. The problem in both Afghanistan and Iraq will persist as long as America did not accomplish what it considers a victory that is represented by enforcing its political and economic hegemony.
We are also following the ongoing war in Somalia and the various problems in Sudan as a result of the arrogant interference that does not want the region to enjoy the stability that allows for providing for the poor a decent living.
We call on all Arab and Muslim people to plan their strategies on the basis of independence, increasing their strength and confronting the International arrogance with firm stands that are founded on freedom and dignity.
Lebanon: for a real policy of power sharing
Lebanon is standing on the verge of a political and economic collapse, since the situation in Lebanon has become victim of the influence of the dangerous regional developments, without any internal national movements to agree on building a free, sovereign and independent country that rejects any foreign tutelages, especially after the boost in their morale as a result of their great victory over the enemy, despite the heavy price they paid, a price that has to be paid in every battle for freedom.
All parties should join hands in finding a way to get out of the internal impasse on the basis of listening to the other, accepting his remarks and resorting to dialogue with him. Scoring points unless it is for the country's interests.
Therefore, we call for hurrying up in taking practical stops to solve the problem of the government and passing a new electoral law whose fairness can contribute to finding a solution. We want Lebanon to step out of the crisis the region lives in, thus moving a way from stepping into the unknown or the known which everybody is fearful of.
The Religious Authority H.E. Sayyed M. H. Fadlullah delivered the two Friday prayer sermons at the Imamain Al-Hassanain Mosque, 27th October 2006, several prominent religious scholars, dignitaries and thousands of believers attended the Jumu’a prayer.
The First Sermon
Speech what is best
God says in Glorious Book: Say to My servants that they should (only) say those things that are best .Islam's social ethical code wants man to be polite in what he says choosing the best words that do not hurt who hears them. Instead it tries to open his heart and capture his feelings. Words are the messenger between people. They express what is inside them and act as messages.
Thus they enable the speaker to win the friendship of the listener, and create the atmosphere that elevates the entire society.
Allah, the Most Exalted, is asking His Messenger(p.) in this Aya to guide the people to the need to use what is best in their speech especially to the public, since Satan would not find an opening to interfere and pump his poison of hatred that he could easily achieve if bad words are used.
In the moral side of Islam, there are certain things Allah wanted man not to practice, especially abusing others, whether as a result of a personal complex, a difference in ideas, ideology , religion or any other reason. In such cases Allah does not want us to abuse but to choose the best words that preserve the other's dignity and self-respect.
Kinds of Abuse
This type of abuse is of three kinds: Firstly there is the abuse among believers, as in the case abusing among the same household, or the abusing that results from family or partisan feuds.
Secondly: cursing a different sect of the same religion, or even in the same sect. while the third kind is abusing those of a different religion, for example when a believer curses the unbelievers or the People of the Book.
Consequences of abuse in Islamic texts
There are several Islamic traditions that talks about this issue. The Messenger (p.), quoted by Imam As-Sadiq (a.s) says
"To curse a believer is like facing death". The Prophet (P.) also said
Abusing a believer is sinful.
And fighting a believer is a sign of disbelief.
Backbiting a believer is disobedience of Allah.
A believer's property is as unlawful for the other person as his blood.
The one who is indifferent to Allah is ignored by Allah.
Imam Al-Baqir (a.s) reports that someone came to the Prophet to ask for advice. The Prophet told him among other things. Do not abuse People lest they will become your enemies".
This saying is not restricted to the believers. It is generalized to include all humans who would naturally not accept that their dignity would be offended.
Imam Musa Al-Kazim (a.s), when asked about two persons abusing one another said: "The one who started it will be more blamed, and he will carry the burden of his sin and of that of the other unless he apologizes".
Abu Hamza Alh-Tjimal: reports that Imam Jaa'far Al-Sadid said: If a man tells his believing brother you are my enemy, the one of them has disbelieved, Allah does not accept and (good) died from a believer if he intends to inflict harm to his bother.
These previous quotations refer to abuse among believers, an attitude they should fight against themselves so as not to resort to it, lest they will bring Allah's wrath.
As for the abuse that results from the differences in sect or affiliation, we find that Imam Ali has laid the rules on how to deal with this problem. When he was fought and denied his right as well as the opportunity to implement his reformist and guiding project, Hearing his people abusing the people of Sham (those who took part in the war against him lead by Mua'wiah, he stood up and addressed them saying: I dislike you starting to abuse them, but if you describe their deeds and recount their situations that would be a better mode of speaking and a more convincing way of arguing. Instead of abusing them you should say, "O' Allah! save our blood and their blood, produce reconciliation between us and them, and lead them out of their misguidance so that he who is ignorant of the truth may know it, and he who inclines towards rebellion and revolt may turn away from it."
The Imam refuses to accept the hegemony of a state of hatred against Muslims even if they were of an indifferent sect or political line. He also refuses to express this difference in a negative way. But rather asks the Muslims to return to God asking Him to save the Muslim blood and reconcile them.
The basis that governs internal Muslim relations is love and unity. This is what the Imam practiced, since he lived with God and for God and never for himself.
As for the third kind, that has to do with the relations of Muslims with unbelievers, God says: And do not abuse those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest exceeding the limits they should abuse Allah out of ignorance. Thus have We made fair seeming to every people their deeds; then to their Lord shall be their return, so He will inform them of what they did, (6:108) since every group feels that it is right. Therefore we have to avoid using negative means that incites negative reactions that target our sacred beliefs.
This is what Islamic ethics believes in and this is what we want to follow Islam and the teachings of the Messenger(p.) who said that: I was sent to perfect sublime morals.
The Second Sermon
Complicity with the Enemy's Policies
The Muslim world is facing an international offensive accompanied by a state of chaos and confusion in several countries. It is aggravated by US interference and manipulation of those who support it in these countries, by using such terms as extremism and moderation to create a negative state against those who oppose US policies.
We have, on the one hand, the Zionist enemy who continues to bomb and invade the Palestinian cities and villages inflicting daily causalities and dislocating the population. The Zionists have resorted to the pretext of smuggling new weapons to confront the enemy. Such a pretext made the Zionist government plan to reoccupy parts of Gaza, especially after it joined to its ranks the rightist party that adopts the displacement of the 1948 Palestinians.
The International community continues its complicity with these polices and remains silent vis-à-vis its massacres, and plans to expand its settlements.
The Arabs: Besieging the Palestinian Government
The Arabs too not only remain silent towards these expansionist policies, but they also receive Israeli official and establish commercial relations with Israel.
They even have taken part in the economic blockade, to punish the elected Palestinian Government, because they do not want to recognize Israel hegemony on Palestine, and do not recognize the unbalanced agreements with the Zionist entity.
It is regretful that the Palestinian Authority officials still reject the national unity government, because of the American and Israel's rejection to it. Since then, in addition to the Quartet Committee, do not want the government of Hamas to stay, but rather to create a stated of political and security chaos that might lead to a civil war. Therefore all those who have the Palestinian interest in heart appeal to the Palestinian officials and popular and militant organizations not to full prey to this vicious plan that aims at undermining the Palestinian ambitions in establishing their independent state whose capital is Al-Quds.
American Interference creates regional crisis
In Iraq, the American occupation in facing complicated problems as a result of the daily causalities, as well as its failed policies and its effect on the American mid-term elections.
The American Administration consumption slogans concerning the so-called war on terrorism did not do it any good, since it sank the Americans in the political and security quicksand. Meanwhile, Bush continues to send his envoys to Asia to solve the North Korean problem or that of the Middle East by accusing Syria and Iran of destabilising Iraq. This is because they did not approve of his expansionist and occupation plans in the region. He also continues to interfere publicly and secretly in Lebanon to promote Israeli interests.
At the same time, the UN forces are not allowed to stop the Israeli daily airspace violations in Lebanon.
It is striking in this respect that the UN did not reach the stage of a ceasefire and that it is still in the stage of ending hostilities.
This is due to the American pressure that tries in one a way or another to pass new resolutions to change the UNIFIL mission and turn it into a striking force that disarms the Resistance, as well as interfering in the Lebanese internal affairs in the aim of making it a part of American project in the region.
The Problem our Muslim and Arab region suffers from is a result of trying to establish a state of stability for the American and Zionist project in the region. This is what we notice in Iraq where the American Administration is trying to undermine the Iraqi government’s efforts to achieve national unity, as well as promoting security and political chaos and providing a security cover to the terrorism that kills innocent civilians.
Afghanistan too, is still living in a state of political and security chaos, as a result of the American lead projects leaving the Afghanis with no window of opportunity to achieve stability and live freely. The problem in both Afghanistan and Iraq will persist as long as America did not accomplish what it considers a victory that is represented by enforcing its political and economic hegemony.
We are also following the ongoing war in Somalia and the various problems in Sudan as a result of the arrogant interference that does not want the region to enjoy the stability that allows for providing for the poor a decent living.
We call on all Arab and Muslim people to plan their strategies on the basis of independence, increasing their strength and confronting the International arrogance with firm stands that are founded on freedom and dignity.
Lebanon: for a real policy of power sharing
Lebanon is standing on the verge of a political and economic collapse, since the situation in Lebanon has become victim of the influence of the dangerous regional developments, without any internal national movements to agree on building a free, sovereign and independent country that rejects any foreign tutelages, especially after the boost in their morale as a result of their great victory over the enemy, despite the heavy price they paid, a price that has to be paid in every battle for freedom.
All parties should join hands in finding a way to get out of the internal impasse on the basis of listening to the other, accepting his remarks and resorting to dialogue with him. Scoring points unless it is for the country's interests.
Therefore, we call for hurrying up in taking practical stops to solve the problem of the government and passing a new electoral law whose fairness can contribute to finding a solution. We want Lebanon to step out of the crisis the region lives in, thus moving a way from stepping into the unknown or the known which everybody is fearful of.