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 Sha'ban 20, 1429 AH/ August 22, 2008, 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
Foul Speech Closes the Gates of Paradise
Guarding the Tongue in Speech and Conduct
Allah, the Most Exalted, says in His Glorious Book: "And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy." Surat al-Isra (17:53).
He also says: "Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant." Surat al-A‘raf (7:199).
And: "And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace." Surat al-Furqan (25:63).
How do we talk to people? And how do we face the ignorant? Islam instructs man, when he speaks to people—be they family, relatives, friends, or even enemies—not to feel unrestrained in using agitated speech or foul words that violate their human dignity. He should be polite in his words and reactions when confronting an ignorant person who seeks to provoke a quarrel or initiate a fight.
Allah commands us to avoid the ignorant and act as though they have said nothing, so they feel that you disdain their words, since responding might be taken as a form of respect. That is why Allah said: "And turn away from the ignorant," and why He said that His righteous servants reply with "Peace" when addressed harshly by the ignorant. Thus, avoiding an ignorant provocateur and not engaging with their offensive words conveys a message of contempt for what they have said, rather than descending into a fight with them.
The Tongue of the Wise
Allah desires for man to be courteous and kind in his speech. This is what Allah said regarding the conduct of His Prophet: "And by the mercy of Allah, you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you." Surat Al ‘Imran (3:159).
The Prophet (p.) exemplified the highest degree of humanity in his speech, whether with his companions or his opponents. He was never heard uttering a foul or hurtful word.
Allah advised His Prophet to instruct His servants to speak what is best when addressing others and to consider their words before speaking.
This is what the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.), expressed in his saying:
"The tongue of the believer lies behind his heart, while the heart of the hypocrite lies behind his tongue."
This is because a believer reflects upon the word he intends to speak. If it is good, he proceeds; if it is bad, he refrains. In contrast, a hypocrite, whose heart follows his tongue, says whatever comes to mind without discerning whether it is good or evil. The Holy verse states: "And fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice." Surat al-Ahzab (33:70). Thus, Allah wants man to speak all that is good, just, and in accordance with the Shariah.
Do Not Use Abusive Language
When we examine the hadiths of our Prophet (p.) and the Imams of his Household (a.s.), we find that the Messenger warned that Allah, the Most Exalted, does not love those who use obscene language—meaning all foul and shameful speech. He even cautioned that using vile language is a grave sin with dangerous consequences. He says: "Allah has forbidden Paradise to every curser, reviler."
You may pray the night prayers, perform Hajj and ‘Umrah, but if you use abusive language with your family and those you deal with, you will not enter Paradise. Therefore, you must "clean" your tongue before departing to the next world.
The Messenger (p.) also said: "Obscenity does not embellish anything; it only disgraces it. And modesty does not adorn anything without beautifying it."
He also said: "Among the worst worshippers of Allah is one whose obscenity makes you hate to sit with him."
And: "If obscenity were a created being, it would be the most evil of creations; and if it were an example, it would be the foulest of examples."
The Commander of the Faithful (a.s.) said that obscenity has no place in Islam, for it contradicts Islamic morals. Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) said: "Say to people the best of what you like them to say to you. Verily, Allah hates the one who curses, abuses, and defames the believers. He detests the one who uses obscene language and insists on begging. He loves the one who is modest, forbearing, and chaste."
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: "Whoever people fear because of his tongue will enter Hell, for he is a hypocrite, not a believer."
Islam seeks to teach us how to be humane and courteous, and to open people's minds through what we say. Therefore, we must educate ourselves and our children to speak what is best, for this is what Allah loves. And we must distance ourselves from foul speech, for this is what Allah detests.
The Second Sermon
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Iran's Technological Advancement
The Zionist enemy's reaction to Iran's announcement of launching a satellite reveals the entity's true stance, particularly regarding Iran's peaceful nuclear program.
According to recent statements by Israeli officials, Iran represents the greatest threat to the enemy.
This is because Iran has achieved a significant scientific and technological leap that frightens all those who wish our people to remain mere consumers of their products. They are also fearful because Iran bases its positions on an independent and free stance, not subservient to any international axis. It also supports oppressed peoples and those demanding freedom—especially the Palestinians, whom the Arabs and nations of the world have abandoned to face their fate alone.
The technological and industrial progress attained by the Islamic Republic has left the enemy in a state of frustration. It describes Iran's industrial infrastructure as "strong," adding that Israel no longer monopolizes space—thus implicitly admitting that attacking Iran would cost the enemy dearly and fail to achieve its objectives, and that the Islamic Republic differs in mindset, positions, and actions from the states that were defeated by the enemy and yielded to American dictates and psychological and media threats.
Although Iran does not intend to aggress against any state and harbors no ill will toward any Arab or Muslim country, it will not allow any regional or international axis to attack it, especially as it possesses sufficient means to defend itself and the nation. Thus, we call on the Muslim and Arab peoples to benefit from Iran's offer of assistance in the fields of peaceful nuclear projects and space experiments. We believe that Israel's declaration that Iran is the "biggest threat" to its existence is a clear admission that whoever stands as Israel's primary enemy is the greatest friend of the Arabs and Muslims.
Mobile Crimes
On another level, we continue to observe the destructive chaos America is sowing in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the volatile situations in Somalia, Sudan, Palestine, and some African regions. American interference in all these areas aims to seize vast natural resources—especially oil—and control strategic zones of conflict, by keeping the Muslim world embroiled in perpetual internal and external barbaric warfare. We have seen how the U.S. has begun to discard its allies to adopt new policies that serve its interests and enable it to continue waging the so-called war on terrorism. This is clearly evident in Pakistan, a Muslim country suffering from security chaos and an economic crisis.
This is what the Muslim world should reflect upon, to realize that some states' alignment with American policies will not bring progress, justice, or prosperity. America will bring the temple down on the heads of all parties, including those who submitted to it—but only after sucking their blood, usurping their wealth, and when it no longer needs them—especially as it plans to incite sectarian and ethnic strife to fragment their countries and plunge their peoples into wars from which only American arrogance and its allies, including Israel and even EU states, will benefit.
We must also be aware of what is happening in Algeria, particularly the recent bombings that killed and wounded scores of people, to understand that this disregard for human life and this insistence on committing mobile crimes serve the arrogant powers that do not want our countries to stabilize. Rather, they seek to create chaos to fragment these nations and hinder their progress—whether those committing these crimes realize it or not.
We must also look at the devastating war in the Caucasus, where the political and military conflict between Russia and Georgia conceals a Western and NATO plan to besiege the Russian Federation. Nevertheless, Russia is attempting to regain its strength despite all intimidating Western pressures that might drag matters back to a stage resembling the Cold War.
However, we note that the major powers are keeping the conflict limited to avoid any nuclear threats. Thus, this power struggle will ultimately have to be resolved through realistic solutions, even if they depend on negotiations accompanied by intimidation and empty threats.
Escalating Political Tension in Lebanon
In Lebanon, we witness those who escalate political tension in a display of sectarian muscle-flexing, as each party seeks to prove it is the strongest within its sect or confession…
We call on all parties to rise to the national level, enabling them to address the pains and concerns of the Lebanese, which do not differentiate between one sect and another. They are all hungry and deprived, and they all want the government to solve their problems and the politicians to address the situation faithfully and consciously, so that Lebanon may return to being a country of goodness, justice, unity, and coexistence—not fragmented sectarian and partisan pieces.
A calm and reconciliatory Lebanon that engages in dialogue about its great future and enables it to play its distinguished role, based on cultural and human genius, is the homeland that embraces its children and radiates positively on the region, both politically and culturally.
Those who oppose any reconciliation among the Lebanese—which would end all strife, especially among Muslims—ought to fear Allah regarding their country and its citizens.
Finally, in the face of the catastrophe the people are suffering—deprived of basic services like water and electricity, and earning low salaries that do not meet the minimum standard of living—we are surprised by the indifference shown by officials and their attempts to shift responsibility onto others.
We warn that this stalling and delay will lead the people to escalate their protests in a way that further complicates the social and security conditions. We say to all parties: We are not against the start of your dialogue, which you continue to debate in terms of who should participate, but there are matters that cannot wait—especially the economic and social conditions, as we are about to welcome the month of Ramadan and begin a new academic year.
Beware of the wrath of the poor before it is too late.