(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - His Eminence, Sayyed Ali Fadlullah, delivered the two Friday prayer sermons at the Imamain Al-Hassanain Mosque, Rabi I 3rd 1435 H. – January, 3rd 2014. Several prominent religious scholars, dignitaries and thousands of believers attended the Jumu’a prayer.
Following is a summary:
The First Sermon
In view of the current situation in Lebanon and the region, the Sayyed chose to touch upon the issue of strife in the religious sermon this week. He explained that it is the work of Satan, arguing that if it remains at the individual level, it will be a kind of trial, but once it reaches the level of a nation or a people, it results in war, terrorist acts and killings.
In an unhealthy environment of sedition, Satan finds much room to induce and fuel fanaticism and all what is associated with it. If each party claims to be the representative of the right, the result will be the loss of the truth…
Islam’s stand against strife is crystal clear. It has always stood against it since the advent of the call, with the Prophet (p.) warning against the return to the age of Jahiliyya and assuring that whoever is fanatic is not a true Muslim. Moreover, we read in the famous Hadith by Imam Ali (a.s.) that he will remain peaceful, as long as the interests of the Muslims are secured.
Then, the Sayyed discussed how to shoulder the responsibility towards ourselves, our nation and God when strife surfaces. He said that the first step is to be vigilant and look for those who benefit from strife and the tools that ignite it. He asserted that the people behind strife try at first to manipulate the minds of people by spreading lies and rumors, which has become very easy nowadays. The Sayyed concluded that facing the terrifying nightmare that the rumors and lies might carry is an essential task to end strife in its cradle. He also called for softening the political rhetoric and avoiding cursing back those who curse us.
The Sayyed went on to deduce that any society that does not preserve its stability and security will in fact be opening its doors to the winds of destruction, for once civil strife erupts, its fire will burn everybody, including the innocent. And now as strife knocks on our doors, there are no solutions, except internal ones.
We ought to tear the web of sectarianism and embrace the wide horizons of Islam that are based on love and tolerance. Speeches and conferences are no longer sufficient. We have to work on the ground to find the best solutions that destroy the sectarian walls and put off fires.
This is the time where all scholars have to declare, along with all the faithful, that there is no place for sedition or strife among us. May Allah protect the Muslims from their enemies and from themselves.
The second sermon
In the second sermon, His Eminence, Sayyed Ali Fadlullah, began by condemning the hideous criminal act in the southern suburb, Ad-Dahiya. He explained that this crime is part of the climax that the region is witnessing and that does not belong to our religion that calls for love, mercy, tolerance and coexistence. It is a culture that does not accept any difference in opinion and finds resorting to killing easy, although Islam has prohibited the blood, money and honor of Muslims on other Muslims. This culture would not have grown, had it not found a nurturing environment of sectarian rhetoric. Such a state of affairs benefits many parties, but mostly the Zionist enemy that wants our country to fall into a state of chaos.
In the light of all the horrific scenes the Lebanese have witnessed throughout the country, we call on them to unite and demand the politicians in one voice to sit together and find all the possible means to protect the country from the lurking evil and to end any favorable environment for terrorism in any region in Lebanon. Issuing communiqués is no longer enough. The country needs real fire extinguishers. And although we might not be able to put off the fire completely, we certainly can besiege it and prevent it from spreading. We call for forming an all-inclusive government… a government that is able to make achievements and not one that fails at the first instance of difference in opinions… a government that would secure the election of a new president.
This is not time for scoring points, but for denouncing the crimes and uniting against blood-shedding. Moreover, we find it unbelievable that some people rejoice when the others are hurt.
Thus, at a time we appreciate the efforts of the Lebanese security agencies, we call on them for additional coordination. We also appreciate any effort and gift to strengthen the Army against internal terrorism, as well as the terrorism of the Zionist enemy, and stress that the strength of this country is maintained by supporting its unity and creating the climate that would enable its institutions to run.
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