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 28, 1430 AH/ April 24, 2009, 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
Intellectual and practical adherence to Islam
Islam: The Religion of Messages
Islam, which was brought by Muhammad (p.) through Allah's revelation, is the religion that encompasses all the contents of the prophets' messages. This is what Allah addressed Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.) with: "When his Lord said to him, 'Submit,' he said, 'I have submitted [in Islam] to the Lord of the worlds.'" Surat al-Baqarah (02:131).
Allah also said: "It is the religion of your father Abraham. It is He Who has named you Muslims." Surat al-Hajj (22:78).
Islam requires that man, as a whole, should be dedicated to Allah, and to feel that he is His servant, so he would not take any step but through believing in His unification on the level of the doctrine, for there is no god but Allah and He has no partner or equal, as in the following verse: "Worship Allah; you have no deity other than Him." Surat al-A'raf (07:59). He should also believe in the unification of Allah on the obedience level by obeying Him in what He has ordained and what He has forbidden, as in the following verse: "Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you.'" Surat Ali 'Imran (03:31).
Worshipping Someone Besides Allah
On this basis, Islam is not just a doctrine for man to hold and then feel free to belong to someone besides Allah, because ascribing partners to Allah is not only to worship others the way you worship Allah, but it is also to obey others and submit to them in what disobeys Allah's commands. Man could realize that he is secretly ascribing a partner to Allah by yielding to anyone besides Allah, whether he was a political or financial authority. We believe that when man fanaticizes for a certain person, then he is actually performing an act of ascription, as connoted in the supplication of Imam Zein al-Abideen (a.s.): "O God, I showed sincerity by cutting myself off from everything but Thee. I approached Thee with my whole self. I averted my face from everyone who needs Thy support. I ceased to ask from any who cannot do without Thy bounty. I saw that the needy who seeks from the needy is foolish in his opinion, and misguided in his intellect. How many people have I seen, my God, who sought exaltation through other than Thee and were abased, who wanted wealth from someone else and became poor, who tried to rise high and fell down low! Observing the likes of them corrects a prudent man; his taking heed gives him success; his choosing the best guides him to the right path. So Thou, my Master, art the object of my asking to the exclusion of all those who are asked and the patron of my need to the exclusion of all those from whom requests are made."
The Message of Unification
This is the line of unification that the Prophet (p.) and the Imams of Ahl al-Beit used to advocate. It is regretful, in this respect, that certain extremist Muslim schools of thought accuse the followers of Ahl al-Beit of ascribing partners to Allah. The fact is that we love Ahl al-Beit and their Imamate on the basis of being the servants of Allah. That is why we say in the second testimony: "I testify that Muhammad is Allah's servant and messenger". And we testify that all Imams are Allah's servants and that they were appointed as such by Allah, the Most Exalted.
Furthermore, when we ask for our needs, we do not ask for them from the Imams, because they themselves ask Allah. We read, for example, in the supplication of the Commander of the Faithful: "I seek Your intercession to Yourself". The Prophets and Imams became close to Allah only as a result of their faithfulness and worship of Him. The best text that we can cite in this context is found in the supplication of Thursday by Imam Zain al-Abideen (a.s.) that says: "And make my seeking his – the Prophet’s – mediation become profitable on the Day of Judgment".
Let us learn to say when we sit, stand, and move: "Oh, Allah", for the Prophets themselves used to ask their needs from Him. This is what Noah (a.s.) did: "And he called to his Lord, 'Indeed, I am overpowered, so help.'" Surat al-Qamar (54:10), and this is also what Musa (a.s.) did when he said: "Indeed, I am in need of whatever good You would send down to me." Surat al-Qasas (28:24).
Practical Unification
Islam means absolute unification in doctrine, worship, and obedience. Some narrations about those whom Allah will have mercy on on the Day of Judgment describe them as those who will not even move a step forward, unless it pleases Allah. There is also a narration about this world that says that there is an accountability for what is permissible, a punishment for what is prohibited and a blame for doing what the servant is not sure of its verdict. Thus, do not think about pleasing this or that person, for they will die and be held accountable just as you will die and be held accountable. Allah, the Most Exalted, has said: "Say, 'Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.'" Surat al-An'am (06:162). I do not live, die, pray or perform pilgrimage to please anybody, but I do all this for Allah. "No partner has He." Surat al-An'am (06:163).
That is why Allah talked about one's actions: "And say, 'Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so will] His Messenger and the believers.'" Surat al-Tawbah (09:105).
"Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do." Surat al-Nahl (16:97).
"But as for one who had repented, believed, and done righteousness, it is promised by Allah that he will be among the successful." Surat al-Qasas (28:67).
Imam Ali (a.s.) describes those who praise the good doers, yet they do not follow their example. He says: "Do not be of those who hope for the Hereafter without any deeds, and procrastinated seeking repentance because of prolonged hope. He enjoins good but does not practice it, claims to love the righteous, but does not act the way they do, and pretends to hate the sinners – but he might commit adultery and usurp others' properties – while he is one of them. He says: 'I do not act and suffer hard work, why should I not rest and hope?' So he hopes to be forgiven while he is engaged in disobedience (to Allah)."
Imam Zain al-Abideen (a.s.) says that Allah loves most among you the best in their deeds, for competition should not be on who is more wealthy or has a higher position, because these things perish while good work stays. He further explains that those are the ones who seek what Allah has the most. Some say: I am a Muslim or a Shiite, and the Shiites, regardless of what sins they commit, will not enter hellfire. But Allah says: "It is not [possible] for one to whom the Scripture has been given to believe except by command of Allah or that Allah guides the heart. And Allah is Knowing of all things." Surat al-Baqarah (02:255). There is no closeness between any of you and Allah. He who is close to Allah is the one who does good work. The Messenger (p.) said in his last days: "No one should hope and no one should claim. Nothing would save you except work with mercy. If I were to disobey I would have fallen."
The Significance of Work
In a saying, the Messenger (p.) divides friends into three categories: money that lets him enjoy what he has asked for; relatives who accompany him to the grave, but do not give him anything or go into the grave with him; "and one that says I will go with you wherever you go and I will not leave. This is his work, whether good and evil." He also says: "When man dies all his deeds are terminated except for three: a charity paid continuously in his remembrance – building a mosque or a hospital… etc. which is like a flowing river that everybody benefits from – a knowledge from which others would benefit – books and studies – and a good offspring that asks Allah to have mercy on him." We, in general, are concerned with the academic and practical future of our children which is what we should do, but we do not pay attention to the future of their faith.
Moreover, there are two kinds of work: one that man might benefit from, but leaves behind a burden of responsibility, and one that might make man tired, but its reward is saved. Imam Ali (a.s.) says: "There is a great difference between a work whose pleasures fade and its responsibility stays and a work whose tiredness ends and its reward stays."
Allah also says: "This, Our record, speaks about you in truth. Indeed, We were having transcribed whatever you used to do." Surat al-Jathiyah (45:29), and: "So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it." Surat al-Zalzalah (99:7-8).
He also says: "The Day every soul will find what it has done of good present [before it] and what it has done of evil, it will wish that between itself and that [evil] was a great distance. And Allah warns you of Himself, and Allah is Kind to [His] servants." Surat Ali 'Imran (03:30),
and: "And whoever does righteous deeds while he is a believer – he will have no fear of injustice or deprivation." Surat Ta-Ha (20:112).
Islam is the recognition by the heart, and the admission by the tongue, and the adherence to the pillars (of Islam), so let us be prepared for a day in which nothing will benefit except work, as mentioned in the following verse: "This Day every soul will be recompensed for what it earned. No injustice today! Indeed, Allah is swift in account." Surat Ghafir (40:17).
The Second Sermon
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
A New Round of Aggression in Jerusalem
In occupied Palestine, the enemy has embarked on a new round of dislocating and dispersing the Palestinians inside and outside Palestine. In addition to the ongoing campaign of demolition, dislocation, and deportation of the Jerusalemites, the colonization expansion operations, supported by the new rightist government, continue, and the separation wall continues to isolate and annex the Palestinian territories, amid the premeditated killings that the occupation forces commit against the demonstrators against the racist wall…
Actually, the new Zionist offensive against the Palestinian people tries to accommodate to the current stage, claiming that it conforms to the American movement initiated by Obama's Administration, and alleging that it will go down the path of the two-state settlement in occupied Palestine. But, it will meet the same fate of the slogan of the viable state that Bush talked about: although this slogan was affirmed in Annapolis, it got consumed by the developments and events.
The Arabs, some of whom are paying visits to the enemy to open a new page with it, others are sending distant messages which indicate that they are ready to befriend the extremist rightist government, and others are visiting the American President who demanded good-will initiatives that will make the Arab Initiative a card for negotiation, and force the Arabs to start new initiatives that take into consideration the new balances and the internal Israeli situation that suggests the withdrawal of the issue of the Jewish identity as a condition for negotiating, but confirms that the negotiations will only mark time, if the Arabs do not recognize this identity…the Arabs should realize that what the American Administration demands from them will not overstep the Israeli interests, and that what it will demand from them in the future will be to adjust their situations to the new facts inside the enemy's entity; but these new facts will continue to emerge, leading the Americans to renew the same demand over and over again.
It is really suspicious to see that the rockets, holding spying satellites – manufactured by Israel – are launched from the heart of the Indian continent, and that some states are establishing military and armament relations with the enemy who stands out as a need, even for China and Russia, and cooperates with big powers at the scientific and security levels, whereas, some Arab and Islamic countries carry out a political and media attack against Iran, describing it as a dangerous threat on the Arabs, at a time when some Arabs do not have anyone except Iran to defend their rights and address their concerns and worries against Israel, a fact that was well-revealed in the Conference Against Racism in Geneva.
Iran: Commitment to the Palestinian Cause
We can not but notice how the United States of America and the main European countries missed the Conference in fear that the Conference's resolutions might condemn Israel for its spiteful racist policy against the Arabs and Palestinians, and its aggressions that aim at killing the Palestinians, persecuting them, confiscating their lands, and dominating over their waters. We could not but also notice how the other European countries walked out during the speech of President Ahmadinejad, without any attempt by the Arab countries to set any initiative of compliment or follow up with this bold step of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which confirms that the Islamic stand towards Palestine, which Imam Khomeini instituted, still represents a consecrated commitment in Iran's policy towards the world as a whole.
The entire world should realize the magnitude of the racist crime practiced by Israel, and the Arabs and Muslims should expose its crimes and massacres in every international forum, and not turn their backs on the issues of their nation or focus their efforts on prosecuting those who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of helping the oppressed and trapped Palestinian people.
The Arab countries – if they are true to themselves and to their Islamic and national commitments – should reveal to the world that the biggest enemy against Semitism is Israel that persecutes the Arabs who are Semitic, and wins the support of the entire world, even when it has refused the investigation in Gaza's massacres and denied the right of the so-called "International Community" in even its formal attempts to reveal the perpetrator, benefiting from the coma of the United Nations whose Secretary General saw with his own eyes the Israeli massacres represented by the bombardment of the UNRWA sites in Gaza, yet he disapproved of the Iranian President's indication of the racism of this regime, ironically, contradicting with his tongue what his very eyes have witnessed.
The Spying Networks in Lebanon
In Lebanon, we notice that the huge number of spying networks that have been discovered, and that move freely on all the Lebanese land, are able to penetrate all places including the archives of the Lebanese state. This signifies that the Israeli Mossad has a lot of maneuver capabilities at the Lebanese security level and consequently, affecting the political developments in Lebanon making the country an open front to the developments in the region and the world and a source of danger on the lives of the Lebanese citizens and those residing in Lebanon, especially those who represent a challenge to the Israeli enemy and those who are ready to fight it, and confront the aggressions it is planning for. These plans were evident in the threats made by its top officials and military leaders who threatened that the Zionist army will wage a war on Lebanon to "destroy" not only the Resistance but also the Lebanese infrastructure. This war will be waged when the circumstances are ripened by the security and political excuses the enemy itself might fabricate.
This means that all the Lebanese should be alert and keep an eye over the movement of spies whom the enemy has deceived and tempted with money, especially in the regions which stayed for a long time under occupation. The Lebanese should also support the Lebanese Army, the security forces and the national Islamic resistance through the defense strategy that possesses various means of deterring the enemy, whenever it wages any aggression.
On another level, safeguarding the people's security in any region where thieves, criminals and murderers are active is the responsibility of the various security departments as well as all citizens, since there could be no political stability, if the security stability is not established. But it is very important that the government should address the needs of the deprived regions, especially the basic services and the developmental projects, for deprivation could tempt some of the people to violate the security and intimidate the people. Any security slacking and lack of justice could lead to negative consequences that affect the lives of all citizens.
Disturbing the National Balance
Meanwhile, Lebanon remains in the political whirlpool that those who are responsible for it have mastered the act of accusing others by national betrayal, robbery, planning for the return of hegemony, disturbing the national balance, increasing the taxes on low-income citizens, causing parliamentary sessions to lose the quorum so as to impede the passing of certain laws that would alleviate some of the tax burdens; passing amnesty laws in the parliament that would forgive the crimes made by the symbols of the civil war whose crimes have destroyed the country's infrastructure and distorted the mentality of coexistence… All this proves that they are not worthy to represent the people whom they have wrecked their lives. We should also add the electoral law that turns Lebanon into scattered confessional regions whose leaders seek to expand their personal and sectarian positions, while the Lebanese ought to adopt a law that secures relative representation, and considers Lebanon a single electoral district, for such a law would secure a sectarian balance and give each party what is due to it.
It is a political absurdity in which the people follow small pharaohs, thieves who steal projects and crooks who take money from regional and foreign and international powers to further their interests and leave Lebanon as a front for internal processions and external interferences.