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 Rajab 3, 1430 AH/ June 26, 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
Imam al-Baqir (as): The Pioneer of the Knowledge Renaissance
The Imam of Knowledge and Dialogue
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)
Imam Muhammad bin Ali al-Baqir (a.s.) is one of the Imams of this Household. This Imam, whose birth we celebrate this month of Rajab, established a vast school of Islamic culture and sciences that covered all fields of doctrine, theology, jurisprudence, Quranic exegesis, morals, and more. This school produced for the nation cultural and intellectual leaders and scholars.
It was this school that nurtured his son, Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s.), who filled the Muslim world with science, wisdom, and philosophy. He was the Imam of dialogue, who did not hesitate to engage in dialogue with anyone, regardless of their beliefs or deviations. He represented the line of Islam which the Prophet (p.) brought to lead people from the darkness of evil and ignorance into the light of knowledge.
Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) taught his students and companions to question him. When explaining any Islamic concept, he encouraged them to ask about its source, its basis, and how the Quran addressed it. In doing so, he taught them two important principles:
First: They must ask about everything they do not know. Therefore, religious scholars should not be annoyed by any question about Islam, Islamic law, or any life issue on which Allah has guided people. They should answer every question and discuss all matters.
Second: He wanted his students, companions, and all people to read and understand the Quran, so it would be their guide and teacher in all aspects of life and at all times.
Testimonies of Contemporary Scholars
When we study the opinions of scholars contemporary to the Imam, we find they held him in high esteem for his knowledge and piety. Ibn Sa'ad says in his book "At-Tabaqat": Imam al-Baqir "was a pious scholar who enjoyed the trust of all Muslims," including those who did not believe in his Imamate.
He was also quoted by Abu Hanifa and other Imams of Muslim sects and scholars. 'Ata', a notable scholar among the Tabi'een, spoke of the admiration, reverence, and humility scholars felt towards Imam al-Baqir (a.s.). He said: "I have never seen scholars feel inferior before anyone else. (However, I have seen them feel inferior) before Abi Ja'far (al-Baqir), for they behaved humbly and modestly before him. They knew his status and knowledge and learned from him. Although Al-Hakam bin 'Uyayna was a great and senior scholar, when I saw him with al-Baqir, he was like a boy before a teacher; he was like a helpless bird." Muhiy ad-Din an-Nawawi says: "Muhammad bin Ali bin al-Hussein, the Hashemite Qurayshite, is known as al-Baqir [the one who delves deep] because he delved into knowledge and derived judgment. He is a venerable man of the second Muslim generation. He is a knowledgeable Imam unanimously agreed upon to be a man of dignity. He is considered one of the religious authorities (fuqaha') and the Imams of al-Madinah."
The Guiding Role of the Imams
Thus, we see that the Imams (a.s.) were admired and appreciated by all Muslims. They believed the Imams had attained the highest level of knowledge and would refer to them, seeking their guidance and knowledge. When we study the works of Imam al-Baqir (a.s.), we find there is no religious question—whether in theology, doctrine, jurisprudence, hadith, Quranic exegesis, etc.—that he did not address. He would sit with those who visited him and leave no one without guidance, for the Imam believed the knowledge he possessed was a trust Allah had entrusted to him.
Thus, people would ask him and he would answer. If they did not ask, he would elaborate on a subject, even without a specific question, for Allah has held all religious scholars responsible for educating people. When people come to them, they must teach them what brings them closer to Allah. It has been reported that Allah did not ask the ignorant to learn until after He asked the scholars to teach, especially when innovations and heresies spread among the people. Therefore, religious scholars must teach Muslims and ensure they are well-versed in Islamic culture, for Allah wants Muslims to learn their religion as well as all fields of knowledge: "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Surat az-Zumar (39:09)
Morals and Worship
Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) considered the moral aspect an integral part of worship. He said: "The best of worship is the chastity of the belly and the private parts" – meaning those who do not consume what is prohibited and who avoid fornication and homosexuality are performing among the best acts of worship – "And there is nothing Allah loves more than to be asked" – Allah wants His servants, if they are in need or afflicted by a tragedy, to ask Him. He loves those who supplicate to Him and has told them to seek His help: "And your Lord says, 'Call upon Me; I will respond to you.'" Surat Ghafir (40:60) – "And nothing averts what is destined except supplication" – Allah may prevent something destined to affect His servants according to natural laws by answering the supplication of the servant who calls upon Him – "and charity is the good deed whose reward is hastened the most, while aggression is the evil deed whose punishment is hastened the most. Among the greatest faults is to see the faults of others that one does not see in himself, to command people to do what one does not do, and to forbid people from what one cannot refrain from." You cannot ask people to be honest and trustworthy if you are not pious, honest, or trustworthy yourself.
Al-Asma'i reports that he heard the Imam say to his son: "My son! Do not be lazy" – in doing good and elevating your status in this world and the hereafter. Be constantly active in pursuing the great goals you are committed to – "and do not become weary" – of reading, learning, and working – "for they are the key to all evil: if you are lazy, you will not strive adequately for the right" – since laziness leads to negligence – "and if you are weary, you will not be patient enough to attain the right."
Who Are the Shi'a?
Describing the traits of the Shi'a, the Imam is reported to have said: "The Shi'a of Ali are those who support, love, and visit one another; those who, when angry, do not become unjust" – they remain balanced and do not wrong the one with whom they are angry – "and those who, when pleased, do not act excessively" – they should be balanced people who give everyone their due – "and those who are a blessing to their neighbors and peaceful to those with whom they interact."
'Ubaidallah bin al-Walid recalls that the Imam (a.s.) once asked them: "Does any of you put his hand in his brother's pocket and take whatever he wants?" When they said "no," he said: "Then you are not our brothers as you claim." He (a.s.) also said: "Perfection is attaining thorough knowledge of the religion" – to acquire a comprehensive Islamic culture and be a Muslim who lives Islam in his mind, heart, and all aspects of his life and relations – "being patient and enduring tragedies" – Allah has given glad tidings of His peace and mercy to those who are patient – "and managing one's livelihood well" – organizing one's affairs so as not to be in need of others. In his interpretation of the verse: "And speak to people good [words]." Surat al-Baqarah (2:83), he said: "Say to others the best of what you would like them to say to you."
Our Imams have taught us authentic Islam and wanted us to be the vanguard that opens up to Islam, lives its values, and calls the entire world to embrace it. If people read from the Quran, the Prophetic Sunnah, and the heritage of Ahl al-Bayt, they would appreciate and embrace it. Therefore, we must be concerned with and interested in the wonderful, civilized heritage the Members of the Household have left us.
Peace be upon Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) on the day he was born, the day he passed away to his Lord, and the day he will be resurrected.
The Second Sermon
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
The Deceiving Peace
Some Arab officials have stated openly that the current phase is the most appropriate time to achieve what they call "peace" with the enemy entity, having reached a state of defeatism that makes their regimes view the enemy's extremist right-wing government as a lifeline. Meanwhile, the enemy's Prime Minister was very careful in describing the features of the Palestinian "state" he intends to present to the Arab regimes, as a token of gratitude for their submission and surrender. This state has already been described by a Zionist writer as merely an "industrial zone."
Therefore, the regimes' view of the so-called "peace process" is gradually becoming clearer, as Israel is currently carrying out the widest Judaization operation in Jerusalem. It should be noted it has already called for bids to sell properties belonging to Palestinian refugees from the 1948 territories… Moreover, settlement activities are accelerating to entirely change and alter the landscape of Jerusalem and the West Bank… It must be noted that the enemy's Minister of War flew from Egypt to Palestine to issue permits for building 300 new colonial housing units. Despite this, the Arab regimes are looking forward to a peace that ends the Palestinian cause and through which the enemy expands its colonial grip on the lands occupied in 1967, realizing its dream of a Jewish state about which Herzl told the Jews: "If you will it, it is no dream."
We hear the enemy's Minister of War talking from an Arab capital about working to achieve "a comprehensive regional peace settlement that paves the way for talks with the Palestinians, as well as with Syria and Lebanon." We also hear the Israeli media talking about ten points that settle differences between the Hamas Movement and the Palestinian Authority, according to which Palestinian elections would be held, followed by the opening of crossing points into Gaza. Hearing all this, we must realize they are not concerned with improving the Palestinians' situation, which has hit rock bottom, but rather with exploiting their difficult circumstances and making them part of the weary and exhausted Arab condition. This condition was evident in the statement of the Arab Foreign Ministers in their last meeting, where they confirmed they are ready to do all that is necessary to support the American movement in the region. Consequently, the Israeli-American settlement will emerge in its new form. Refugees will be dispersed worldwide, others will be naturalized in neighboring Arab countries, Israel will penetrate pivotal Islamic and Arab positions, and the collaborating world will applaud this "historic accomplishment" that fulfills the dreams of Herzl and the expectations of Ben-Gurion, while Arabs receive more medals and Nobel Prizes at the expense of the martyred Palestinian people.
The American Trap
We warn that all that is happening behind the scenes, along with the shuttle movements of American envoys in the region, aims to definitively end the Palestinian cause, deceive the naïve people of the Arab and Islamic world, legitimize the occupation, and provide it with all kinds of facilities—all under the title of "peace." Moreover, these aims include besieging the resistance factions, ending liberation movements, and putting a disastrous end to the purest cause and the most evident oppression, whose tragedies the world has witnessed for over a century, since Herzl declared in Basel, Switzerland: "At Basel I founded the Jewish State. In five years, perhaps, and certainly in fifty, everyone will realize it."
The Arab Peoples and Unity
We call upon the Arab and Muslim peoples, who are besieged by wars of strife, worn out by occupation and security chaos, and plagued by civil wars extending from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Sudan to Iraq… We call upon them—although we realize the enormity of the pressures exerted on them—to take a decisive, unified stand and restore their internal solidarity by embracing their central cause, in which Palestine and Jerusalem are major elements. They must strive on all levels to prevent the unjust, arrogant world from dominating the entire region, once it is granted Arab and Islamic permission to hand over historic Palestine, the Arab and Islamic Palestine, to the Jewish occupiers.
It brings sorrow and sadness that the arrogant attack against the nation and Palestine has reached this horrifying level, at a time when the machine of self-destruction in Somalia continues to sink the country further into a sea of blood, which may lead to a new stage of arrogant intervention in its internal affairs… Simultaneously, the spiteful Takfiri machine continues to operate in Iraq, extending its crimes to a peaceful Turkmen village in Kirkuk Province with a truck loaded with explosives, resulting in the death and injury of 300 poor, downtrodden people who lost their beloved children, women, elderly, and youth. Moreover, this operation represents a genocide whose brutality and atrocity resemble those committed by the Israeli enemy against the people in occupied Palestine and the Gaza Strip, and by the Americans against farmers and the downtrodden in Afghanistan.
Sectarian Spite in Iraq
Although this spite has been demonstrated in several locations in Iraq, especially in Sadr City—where the last explosion took the lives of dozens of its citizens—the aim behind the crime in Kirkuk was to incite racial fanaticism on one hand and sectarian fanaticism on the other. Moreover, the crime aimed to further weaken the Iraqi internal front for the benefit of the American occupiers, who exploit such crimes to ensure new fertile ground for keeping their forces in Iraqi cities.
While we realize how beneficial these crimes are to the occupier, we wonder why Muslim religious scholars have not yet issued statements of denunciation and condemnation, especially from unifying positions concerned with Muslim unity. What happened represents the most hideous act of genocide and annihilation of children and civilians—the kind for which Islam has promised retribution against the perpetrators.
Iran Passes the Test
On another level, Iran has emerged from an internal test imposed by tense electoral competition and the freedom of movement provided by the Islamic system, which led to some internal instability. Consequently, Iran became, in some of the images captured by Western media and a few Arab media outlets from inside Iranian streets and continuously broadcast and circulated, an object of analysis and debate and a "tragedy" over which Westerners shed tears. They express concern over the ongoing developments and the popular democratic experience in the Iranian street, although they actually support the most oppressive dictatorships in the region. They did not even bother to utter a single word of condemnation against the massacres perpetrated by the enemy in Gaza, or against the major operation conducted by Western media, through its major institutions and agencies, to cover up the Palestinian holocaust executed by Israeli hands in Gaza.
We want the Iranian people, who have learned from this experience how eager the arrogant world is to destroy their revolution and undermine their state… We want them to strive to reunite their popular and political parties and begin healing wounds by feeling the severity of the external attack against them. The Israeli President provided the best expression of how severe this attack is when he said: "It is hard to know what will end first in Iran; the enriched uranium or the miserable regime. We hope it is the regime that ends."
In response, the Iranian people should say: "What will end is the evil, and what will continue is the good and the truth. Israel is the evil represented in its most hideous forms, while Iran is the good and the truth represented in its living and scientific experiments, as well as its stand against the arrogant and in support of resistance and liberation factions. So, Iran will remain, and Allah willing, the enemy will cease to exist."
International Division of Lebanon
As for Lebanon, which overlooks the region through its "miraculous" democracy—as evident in its latest elections, which reinvigorated sectarian and partisan fanaticism—it is once again a victim of the game of regional and international division of shares, disguised internally under national pretexts. Nevertheless, they are the product of regional and international influences, as well as those of the Arab "moderate" and "opposition" fronts. Thus, the Lebanese situation is exceptional in that it was a victim of internal, Arab, Muslim, and international differences, but it will again pay the price for Arab and Muslim reconciliations or understandings supervised by international powers that want Lebanon to form its parliament or cabinet in harmony with the general outline being drawn for the region by these powers.
I would like to "congratulate" the Lebanese on their electoral experiment and on the debates whose intensity rises or subsides as a result of regional and international advice. I would also like to "congratulate" them on all these understandings whose details are drawn externally but declared within the country. We hope the Arabs and Muslims may eventually help relieve them of the burden of 50 billion dollars in debt, provided the Arabs still have some money to pay after being struck by the international economic crisis and having spent vast sums on arms deals not expected to be used for liberating land and people.
Prohibited Shooting
Once again, we face the phenomenon of backwardness, which has turned into a crime that kills people and disturbs their security and peace of mind through the hysteria and madness that shake the streets and invade homes when people start firing guns on every occasion—be it the election of an official or a speech by a political or sectarian leader.
We have previously warned that this phenomenon of backwardness is not only religiously prohibited (Haram) but also represents cold-blooded murder. This requires swift action from the state, officials, and everyone capable of preventing these people from proceeding further in their crimes—killing people, terrifying children, and disturbing civil and social peace, as well as public order. In any case, we must not remain silent on this issue, nor accept its repetition or cover up its repercussions. Rather, we must punish the perpetrators of these crimes and do everything possible at the political, popular, and legal levels to ensure they are not repeated in the future.