Beirut Friday Prayer: To be honorable is to obey Allah

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The First Sermon

In the first sermon, His Eminence, Sayyed Ali Fadlullah, talked about man's social status that is attained either by his wealth, the position he holds or his relations with those who hold power… etc. and that is regarded as honor.

He explained that these criteria might be significant to many people who would adopt them as a means to evaluate others. Nevertheless, these criteria do not have any value in the eyes of Allah. Rather, they are a means of trial that could lead to problems and ultimately to Hellfire, if one does not know how to deal with them, especially when they become a goal per se. Wealth, power and social status might become idols that are worshipped, and even more dangerous when they are pursued under pretenses such as sustenance and pursuit of interests and development.

Allah has explained clearly where honor lies: “All honor is for Allah,” and added that whoever seeks honor in this world has to obey Him and only Him. He also has to be truthful and not to harm people. He has to be humble if Allah bestows upon him wealth or power.

Honor cannot be attained by wealth or power. It is the inner strength one enjoys that makes him resist any whim that might drive him to be unjust with those he deals with, and any fanaticism that might prevent him from listening to any opinion that differs with his. It also frees him from any greed that might make him justify usurping what is not his. One can be honorable, even if he were in jail, as Prophet Youssef (a.s.), and as Imam Al-Hussein (a.s.) who fought for the cause of Allah with only few supporters against a vast army.

The Sayyed ended the sermon by taking about the social phenomenon we are living nowadays, where people seek to appear rich and "honorable" even if they end up in jail, as a result of financial or other problems. Some politicians who give lectures on dignity and honor are ready to sell their peoples in return of a few dollars or for a position or a rank.

Honor, the Sayyed concluded, is what makes life worth living. It is not an option; it is a religious duty, for Allah has given the believer the right to run all his affairs, but He did not give him the right to be humiliated.

The Second Sermon

In the second sermon, the Sayyed began by asserting that the ongoing aggressions on Palestine demand a responsible Arab and Islamic stand, especially in the face of the international collusion when it comes to anything that has to do with the Palestinian cause.

The Sayyed called on all the Syrian parties and those who support them to denounce violence and initiate an objective and calm political dialogue that would respond to the people's inspirations and enable the country to resume its leading national role. He called on both the opposition and the regime to benefit from the current opportunity to start this dialogue.

As for Bahrain, the Sayyed noted that the government continues to resort to cracking-down, while the people maintain their peaceful movement. He called on the regime to engage in a dialogue with the people, for this is the only way for preventing the country from turning into an arena for the clashes of the various axes.

In Egypt, the Sayyed warned against a scheme aimed at dragging the country into factional differences; thus, enabling the old regime to return. He added that the only winner will be the Zionist enemy that wants the country to remain plunged in a state of chaos and instability.

Moreover, he called on the Iraqis to preserve their unity and to oppose all arrogant projects of division and discord.

In Lebanon, the Sayyed said, in commemoration of the anniversary of the horrible civil war, that the Lebanese, who have experienced how bitter it was, do not want to be the victims of such a war again. The Lebanese officials and politicians should resort to dialogue and not be satisfied with living in a fragile truce. They should preserve civil peace by promoting internal unity and forsaking the tense discourse that incites sectarian strife.

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