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 Dhul-Hijjah 3, 1427 AH/ November 24, 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
Honesty and Trustworthiness
are Fundamental Characteristics of the Muslim Society
In conveying their messages, the Messengers have focused on educating man on the sense or responsibility in his private and public life, and specifically to enjoy two moral virtues: honesty and trustworthiness.
Allah wants man to be truthful in what he says, that is not to alter the truth but be quite accurate in telling it. In this aspect, we have to adhere to the honesty of intention; not to promise something and intend to do another. Then, there is the honesty in your position which is manifested by sticking to what promotes the interests of the people.
The issue of trustworthiness is similar; Allah wants us to be trustworthy in preserving the peoples’ blood, property and honour. One should also be trustworthy regarding his responsibilities as well as the duties Allah has commissioned him with, so that he will not betray Allah, His Messenger or his fellow men.
Allah describes the Prophet (p.) as:
"And the one who has brought the truth and [they who] believed in it – those are the righteous." Surah Az-Zumar (39:33) He also says:
"O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true." Surah At-Tawbah (09:119)
Thus, if you want to stand within any leadership you have to make sure if it is a truthful one, whether in its platform, position, goals or means.
In talking about trusts, Allah says:
"Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due..." Surah An-Nisa (04:58) But Allah did not limit the trust to its traditional meaning. He also characterized responsibility as a trust:
"Indeed, We offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man undertook it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant." Surah Al-Ahzab (33:72)
This is a metaphor used to show how big a burden is that the mountains refused to accept it. Allah also says:
"O you who have believed, do not betray Allah and the Messenger or betray your trusts while you know [the consequence]." Surah Al-Anfal (08:27)
Thus Allah wants the believer to be truthful and honest when he makes a commitment or when he says anything, to the extent that we have a tradition that says: "A liar does not lie while he is a believer" meaning that lying will dissociate the liar from truth and thus, put him outside the sphere of belief. The same thing is true with respect to trust and the undertaking of responsibility.
If you are a civil servant or an employee in a private institution, you have to be trustworthy in performing your job. You should never betray the trust and take, for example, some of the money that runs in your hands. You should also be faithful towards your family: both the husband and wife have to be committed to secure the rights of the other spouse, since marriage is Allah's trust that he has commissioned both parties with. This is what leads to the stability of the society, since if all its members are honest, truthful and trustworthy, and each one feels that he can trust the other, then the entire society will be stable. But if they deal with one another with lying and betrayal, they will live in a state of worrying. This is why Islam considered truthfulness in what you say and commit to as the basis of justice. In this respect, one of our traditions states that a just person is one who treats people fairly, does not lie to them, and does not break promises.
This is what Islam teaches, and this was the defining characteristic the Prophet (p.) was known for even before his prophet hood. He was called the Truthful and the Trustworthy (Al-Sadiq Al-Amin), a nickname that became more popular than his actual name. Moreover, when Ali (a.s.) talks about his relationship with the Messenger, he says that the Prophet never found him to be lying or not truthful. Some traditions have asserted that Allah did not send any Prophet except with truthfulness and returning trust to the good and the unworthy alike.
One of the Imams (a.s.) even said that if Ali's killer entrusted me with the sword that he killed Ali with and I accepted, I would keep his trust. In another saying, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) talks about the criteria that distinguish the Muslim. He refutes the idea that such a criteria could be the prayers, the fast, the pilgrimage and the like, and asserts that a Muslim is judged by his actions: He says:
“Do not be fooled by their prayers or fasting—instead, test them in two matters: their truthfulness and how they fulfill trusts. Observe their conduct at home, at work, and in society at large."
In emphasizing the importance of being truthful, the Imams (a.s.) would instruct those who sought to memorize their sayings: "First learn truthfulness, then memorize and narrate our words." Imam Jaa’far al-Sadiq (a.s.) advised one of his followers to learn what granted Ali (a.s.) that supreme position in the Prophet’s eyes and adopt it. For "
Ali did not reach the position he did, except by being truthful and fulfilling trusts to their owners." Muhammad (p.) loved Ali (a.s.) all that love and made him that close to him because he was truthful and trustworthy. If you want me to love you and make you as close to me as Ali (a.s.) was to Muhammad (p.) you have to be truthful and trustworthy.
Imam Al-Baqir (a.s.) also emphasized that telling the truth is very important, because Allah will see your actions, and because you yourself will know that you are truthful when you tell the truth. Imam As-Sadiq also says:
"The first to believe the truthful is Allah, and himself”. He also advises the religious scholars, the callers and all Muslims:
"Call people to Allah through your deeds, not just your words, so that they witness your truthfulness, piety, and integrity." It is not enough to preach in your sermons. You ought to be a role model in your devotedness to worship, your truthfulness, your piety and your refraining from what Allah has prohibited.
This is what the Messenger (p.) and the Imams have told us, and this is the line of the Holy Quran. We have to abide by it to become a truthful, trustworthy and honest society, and end up with the honest believers.
The Second Sermon
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Israel is continuing its strategy of taking control of Palestine
In Palestine, several European states have launched peace initiatives that are based on holding peace conference. But Israel has refused all this, because it does not want any other state, including those of the EU, to take any part, so that the US remains the only state that interferes in this conflict.
Since it was established, Israel has been planning to enjoy unrestricted freedom in carrying on its aggression against the Palestinians; killing them and destroying their houses, farms and infrastructure, as well as appropriating their land and closing their borders to tighten the economic blockade. Some Zionist officials have even said that the Palestinians are fleas that ought to be sprayed and their swamps ought to be dried.
Meanwhile, the American Administration coordinates with the Jewish entity to carry out its strategy of taking control of all of Palestine, by stalling and gaining time, as well as sending envoys, in an effort to destabilize the Hamas lead government, and encourage Arab governments to besiege it.
The Intifada is a reaction against the Israeli aggression
That is why the interference of the UN, the EU and Russia might put certain restrictions on the Israeli barbaric behavior against the Palestinians, under the pretext of retaliating against the Hamas rockets, although all parties know that the rocket launching is a reaction. And that putting an end to the Zionist aggressions coupled by an Israeli withdrawal from the occupied lands will stop these militant attacks. The US also continues to play the game of considering the Israeli war against the unarmed Palestinian civilians a case of self-defense, which does not apply to the Palestinians because they are "terrorists" while Israel is the "victim".
We appeal to the Palestinians to end the fruitless debate about the national unity government, for the Palestinian entity itself is threatened. We also call on the Arab states to respect their pan-Arabism and stand with the Palestinians. They ought to help him instead of conspiring against him behind closed doors, in compliance with the American instructions. We ask the Arab and Muslim people to remain with the sacred symbol of Jerusalem, and with Palestine, the bride of Arabism and Islam.
The fall of Palestine means the fall of the both the present and the future.
The Failure of the American Administration in Iraq
In Iraq – the American Administration is still confused and unable to define its policies, especially after the former secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, a man who acts as an advisor for the Administration and who is known for his Jewish fanaticism, has asserted that the war in Iraq cannot be won.
Thus, the diverging views are being raised inside the Administration with the consulting committee calling for real politics through conducting a dialogue with Syria and Iran, for they are the two states that contribute in finding a solution but on the other hand they have a lot of resources to lead the region to freedom, and increasing the nation's hatred to this arrogant state.
It is prohibited for Muslims to kill one another
Iraq continues to suffer from the consequences of the American-British intervention as a result of it aggressive practices and the negative conditions that engulfed this country as a result of the American plans that are executed by the American ambassador in Baghdad, especially the talks about dividing Iraq which many American officials have suggested as a solution to the American impasse in Iraq.
On the other hand, Iraq suffers too from the sectarian game of actions and reactions. This game of assassinations, bombing, kidnapping displacement and starvation is creating hatred among the people who need love and mercy. We appeal to our people in Iraq of all sects, races and parties to have mercy on the people who face daily killings that reached last month only about 3700, deaths and a greater number of wounded, knowing that since the occupation of Iraq those who have fallen among the American soldiers did not exceed three thousands.
We say to those who justify killing of Iraqis because they are with are with the occupation and that they are apostates, that this justification is not Islamic.
The Messenger (p.) said: "All things belonging to a Muslim are unlawful to another Muslim; his blood, his property and his honor." A resistance that respects itself and its people will not kill women, children, workers and the elderly in bakeries, markets and mosques.
We reassert, based on our religious capacity, that it is impermissible for a Sunni to kill a Shiite and a Shiite to kill a Sunni. Allah says: "And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right." Surah Al-Isra (17:33)
All leaders, clerics and people of the Islamic world should voice their condemnation of these primitive barbaric and aggressive practices that only the occupier benefits from.
Lebanon facing a complicated and worrying situation
Lebanon has been moving from one catastrophe to another and from one murder to another, especially of those who play a political role, which increases the incitation of sectarian feelings, and aggravates the political feud with each party making accusations without providing evidence.
We are facing a complicated and worrying situation that is not founded on any basis. Even the extended dialogue did not reach any positive and conclusive results. The latest assassination have increased the complications and turned things upside down.
Holding those in charge of security responsible
We have noticed that all parties have not taken any step towards the middle grounds. Each of them has remained in his place making accusations and raising slogans that could further incite the people. We say to the Lebanese that you who have an interest in the country's welfare, security economic and political stability: Why do not you hold those who are in charge of security responsible for not establishing a cohesive and strong security that will make all, the seniors and the ordinary people, feel safe? And why do not you ask all of them to face the historical and complicated problems of waste, patronage and sectarian incitation.
All parties should stop threatening the stability of the country by making fiery statements and taking violent positions, because the temple will fall on the heads of all Lebanese and Lebanon will not gain anything.
The Lebanese are worried about their present and future. Who will give them a sense of safety?
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 Dhul-Hijjah 3, 1427 AH/ November 24, 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
Honesty and Trustworthiness
are Fundamental Characteristics of the Muslim Society
In conveying their messages, the Messengers have focused on educating man on the sense or responsibility in his private and public life, and specifically to enjoy two moral virtues: honesty and trustworthiness.
Allah wants man to be truthful in what he says, that is not to alter the truth but be quite accurate in telling it. In this aspect, we have to adhere to the honesty of intention; not to promise something and intend to do another. Then, there is the honesty in your position which is manifested by sticking to what promotes the interests of the people.
The issue of trustworthiness is similar; Allah wants us to be trustworthy in preserving the peoples’ blood, property and honour. One should also be trustworthy regarding his responsibilities as well as the duties Allah has commissioned him with, so that he will not betray Allah, His Messenger or his fellow men.
Allah describes the Prophet (p.) as:
"And the one who has brought the truth and [they who] believed in it – those are the righteous." Surah Az-Zumar (39:33) He also says:
"O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true." Surah At-Tawbah (09:119)
Thus, if you want to stand within any leadership you have to make sure if it is a truthful one, whether in its platform, position, goals or means.
In talking about trusts, Allah says:
"Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due..." Surah An-Nisa (04:58) But Allah did not limit the trust to its traditional meaning. He also characterized responsibility as a trust:
"Indeed, We offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man undertook it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant." Surah Al-Ahzab (33:72)
This is a metaphor used to show how big a burden is that the mountains refused to accept it. Allah also says:
"O you who have believed, do not betray Allah and the Messenger or betray your trusts while you know [the consequence]." Surah Al-Anfal (08:27)
Thus Allah wants the believer to be truthful and honest when he makes a commitment or when he says anything, to the extent that we have a tradition that says: "A liar does not lie while he is a believer" meaning that lying will dissociate the liar from truth and thus, put him outside the sphere of belief. The same thing is true with respect to trust and the undertaking of responsibility.
If you are a civil servant or an employee in a private institution, you have to be trustworthy in performing your job. You should never betray the trust and take, for example, some of the money that runs in your hands. You should also be faithful towards your family: both the husband and wife have to be committed to secure the rights of the other spouse, since marriage is Allah's trust that he has commissioned both parties with. This is what leads to the stability of the society, since if all its members are honest, truthful and trustworthy, and each one feels that he can trust the other, then the entire society will be stable. But if they deal with one another with lying and betrayal, they will live in a state of worrying. This is why Islam considered truthfulness in what you say and commit to as the basis of justice. In this respect, one of our traditions states that a just person is one who treats people fairly, does not lie to them, and does not break promises.
This is what Islam teaches, and this was the defining characteristic the Prophet (p.) was known for even before his prophet hood. He was called the Truthful and the Trustworthy (Al-Sadiq Al-Amin), a nickname that became more popular than his actual name. Moreover, when Ali (a.s.) talks about his relationship with the Messenger, he says that the Prophet never found him to be lying or not truthful. Some traditions have asserted that Allah did not send any Prophet except with truthfulness and returning trust to the good and the unworthy alike.
One of the Imams (a.s.) even said that if Ali's killer entrusted me with the sword that he killed Ali with and I accepted, I would keep his trust. In another saying, Imam Sadiq (a.s.) talks about the criteria that distinguish the Muslim. He refutes the idea that such a criteria could be the prayers, the fast, the pilgrimage and the like, and asserts that a Muslim is judged by his actions: He says:
“Do not be fooled by their prayers or fasting—instead, test them in two matters: their truthfulness and how they fulfill trusts. Observe their conduct at home, at work, and in society at large."
In emphasizing the importance of being truthful, the Imams (a.s.) would instruct those who sought to memorize their sayings: "First learn truthfulness, then memorize and narrate our words." Imam Jaa’far al-Sadiq (a.s.) advised one of his followers to learn what granted Ali (a.s.) that supreme position in the Prophet’s eyes and adopt it. For "
Ali did not reach the position he did, except by being truthful and fulfilling trusts to their owners." Muhammad (p.) loved Ali (a.s.) all that love and made him that close to him because he was truthful and trustworthy. If you want me to love you and make you as close to me as Ali (a.s.) was to Muhammad (p.) you have to be truthful and trustworthy.
Imam Al-Baqir (a.s.) also emphasized that telling the truth is very important, because Allah will see your actions, and because you yourself will know that you are truthful when you tell the truth. Imam As-Sadiq also says:
"The first to believe the truthful is Allah, and himself”. He also advises the religious scholars, the callers and all Muslims:
"Call people to Allah through your deeds, not just your words, so that they witness your truthfulness, piety, and integrity." It is not enough to preach in your sermons. You ought to be a role model in your devotedness to worship, your truthfulness, your piety and your refraining from what Allah has prohibited.
This is what the Messenger (p.) and the Imams have told us, and this is the line of the Holy Quran. We have to abide by it to become a truthful, trustworthy and honest society, and end up with the honest believers.
The Second Sermon
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Israel is continuing its strategy of taking control of Palestine
In Palestine, several European states have launched peace initiatives that are based on holding peace conference. But Israel has refused all this, because it does not want any other state, including those of the EU, to take any part, so that the US remains the only state that interferes in this conflict.
Since it was established, Israel has been planning to enjoy unrestricted freedom in carrying on its aggression against the Palestinians; killing them and destroying their houses, farms and infrastructure, as well as appropriating their land and closing their borders to tighten the economic blockade. Some Zionist officials have even said that the Palestinians are fleas that ought to be sprayed and their swamps ought to be dried.
Meanwhile, the American Administration coordinates with the Jewish entity to carry out its strategy of taking control of all of Palestine, by stalling and gaining time, as well as sending envoys, in an effort to destabilize the Hamas lead government, and encourage Arab governments to besiege it.
The Intifada is a reaction against the Israeli aggression
That is why the interference of the UN, the EU and Russia might put certain restrictions on the Israeli barbaric behavior against the Palestinians, under the pretext of retaliating against the Hamas rockets, although all parties know that the rocket launching is a reaction. And that putting an end to the Zionist aggressions coupled by an Israeli withdrawal from the occupied lands will stop these militant attacks. The US also continues to play the game of considering the Israeli war against the unarmed Palestinian civilians a case of self-defense, which does not apply to the Palestinians because they are "terrorists" while Israel is the "victim".
We appeal to the Palestinians to end the fruitless debate about the national unity government, for the Palestinian entity itself is threatened. We also call on the Arab states to respect their pan-Arabism and stand with the Palestinians. They ought to help him instead of conspiring against him behind closed doors, in compliance with the American instructions. We ask the Arab and Muslim people to remain with the sacred symbol of Jerusalem, and with Palestine, the bride of Arabism and Islam.
The fall of Palestine means the fall of the both the present and the future.
The Failure of the American Administration in Iraq
In Iraq – the American Administration is still confused and unable to define its policies, especially after the former secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, a man who acts as an advisor for the Administration and who is known for his Jewish fanaticism, has asserted that the war in Iraq cannot be won.
Thus, the diverging views are being raised inside the Administration with the consulting committee calling for real politics through conducting a dialogue with Syria and Iran, for they are the two states that contribute in finding a solution but on the other hand they have a lot of resources to lead the region to freedom, and increasing the nation's hatred to this arrogant state.
It is prohibited for Muslims to kill one another
Iraq continues to suffer from the consequences of the American-British intervention as a result of it aggressive practices and the negative conditions that engulfed this country as a result of the American plans that are executed by the American ambassador in Baghdad, especially the talks about dividing Iraq which many American officials have suggested as a solution to the American impasse in Iraq.
On the other hand, Iraq suffers too from the sectarian game of actions and reactions. This game of assassinations, bombing, kidnapping displacement and starvation is creating hatred among the people who need love and mercy. We appeal to our people in Iraq of all sects, races and parties to have mercy on the people who face daily killings that reached last month only about 3700, deaths and a greater number of wounded, knowing that since the occupation of Iraq those who have fallen among the American soldiers did not exceed three thousands.
We say to those who justify killing of Iraqis because they are with are with the occupation and that they are apostates, that this justification is not Islamic.
The Messenger (p.) said: "All things belonging to a Muslim are unlawful to another Muslim; his blood, his property and his honor." A resistance that respects itself and its people will not kill women, children, workers and the elderly in bakeries, markets and mosques.
We reassert, based on our religious capacity, that it is impermissible for a Sunni to kill a Shiite and a Shiite to kill a Sunni. Allah says: "And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right." Surah Al-Isra (17:33)
All leaders, clerics and people of the Islamic world should voice their condemnation of these primitive barbaric and aggressive practices that only the occupier benefits from.
Lebanon facing a complicated and worrying situation
Lebanon has been moving from one catastrophe to another and from one murder to another, especially of those who play a political role, which increases the incitation of sectarian feelings, and aggravates the political feud with each party making accusations without providing evidence.
We are facing a complicated and worrying situation that is not founded on any basis. Even the extended dialogue did not reach any positive and conclusive results. The latest assassination have increased the complications and turned things upside down.
Holding those in charge of security responsible
We have noticed that all parties have not taken any step towards the middle grounds. Each of them has remained in his place making accusations and raising slogans that could further incite the people. We say to the Lebanese that you who have an interest in the country's welfare, security economic and political stability: Why do not you hold those who are in charge of security responsible for not establishing a cohesive and strong security that will make all, the seniors and the ordinary people, feel safe? And why do not you ask all of them to face the historical and complicated problems of waste, patronage and sectarian incitation.
All parties should stop threatening the stability of the country by making fiery statements and taking violent positions, because the temple will fall on the heads of all Lebanese and Lebanon will not gain anything.
The Lebanese are worried about their present and future. Who will give them a sense of safety?