Sayyed Ali Fadlullah: The Prophet’s immigration: The birth of the Islamic nation

Following is a summary:

The First Sermon

In the first sermon, Sayyed Ali Fadlullah talked about the new Hijri year, explaining that Muslims start their calendar with this date, since it marked one of the most significant events in the history of mankind, and not only Islam; the Prophet's immigration (Hijra). The Sayyed explained that the Hijra of the Prophet marked the beginning of the state of Islam, as well as the beginning of a new history for all mankind.

The Sayyed, then, detailed how the Prophet established unity between those who immigrated (Muhajireen) and those who received them (Ansar), making them a unified nation, every member of which is concerned with the wellbeing of the entire nation. He also explained that the Prophet (p.) secured the internal security of the new nation when he signed a treaty with the Jews who lived in Madina.

The Prophet executed all these steps with wisdom and careful planning, and its results were evident in his victories that were culminated by the conquest of Mecca. The Sayyed wondered if we are ready to conceive the true meaning of Hijra today and turn it into a changing reality.

He explained that we are a nation plagued with fanatical sectarianism, a nation of a weak economy, a nation in which feud has replaced cooperation and consolidation and a nation in which many excuse the others of being Kafirs (disbelievers), and thus, permitting their killing.

The Sayyed ended his speech by saying that the Prophet used to recite at the beginning of the Hijri year the following supplication:

"O Allah, You are everlasting, eternal, ever-living, generous, compassionate, liberal. This is a new year and You are the eternal Sovereign. I beseech You to protect me from Satan and deliver me from the fire and help me to control inordinate lust and occupy myself with that which brings me near to Your presence, O Lord of might and power, through Your mercy O the most merciful."

O Lord, let this year be a blessed year in which we obey Allah and follow the path of His Messenger and the Imams of his Household. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

The Second Sermon

In the second sermon, Sayyed Ali Fadlullah, hailed the steadfastness of the heroic Islamic Resistance in Gaza. He called on the Arab and Muslim peoples to unite their efforts and side with Gaza in a way that proves that their internal problems do not prevent them from confronting the Israeli projects.

He also welcomed the Egyptian supportive moves and called on Egypt to reassume the leading role it had played before the Camp David treaties.

On another level, the Sayyed reminded the Syrians that violence will only produce more violence and that there is no way out except through dialogue and communication.

In Bahrain, the Sayyed called for putting an end to the growing tension that has increased after the government had taken its repressive measures of revoking the citizenship of many Bahrainis and offending certain religious symbols. He also called for an objective calm dialogue and for understanding the other party's fears.

In Lebanon, the Sayyed hoped that country has surpassed the attempts to stir strife in Saida, hoping that the city would reestablish its coexistence, togetherness and Islamic unity, as it has always been.

The Sayyed called for putting an end to the tense political discourse and reminded all parties that the leaders should shoulder the responsibility of what they say. He also said that one should not only aim at mobilizing his own group, but he should also take into consideration how the other groups would react.

The Sayyed called on the Islamic and national leaderships in Lebanon to study the best ways to end any strife, whether in Saida or throughout the country. The measures that are to be taken in this respect should not be limited to the security level, as they should also include social and political solutions as well.

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