The First Sermon

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

In these days, we live with Imam Al-Hussein the events of Ashoura, an event we must remember all year long, since Imam Hussein has become a part of our mind, whether in his rational attitude that is reflected in his actions or sayings, or by the love we have for him. We love him whole heartedly, since we cannot but love him, for the love he enjoyed from Allah, The Most Exalted, and His Messenger (p.), and for the sacrifices he made for the nation he wanted to help become the best of rations, a nation that seeks the good and follows the straight path.

But our knowledge of the Imam has turned into a notion of him as a struggler for the cause of Allah, The Most Exalted… as a tragic sacrifice. But the Hussein (a.s.) who used to fill the people's minds with advice and wisdom is unknown to us.

Thus, dear loved ones; we have to learn from Imam Al-Hussein (a.s.) as he is an Imam we should obey who opened up on the knowledge of the Messenger (p.) and Imam Ali (a.s.). He thus had a very profound knowledge, but one that was overshadowed by the tragedy of Ashoura.

Therefore, I would like on this occasion, to highlight some of the legacy of Imam Hussein (a.s.) that will put us on the straight path and fill us with spiritual and moral values and elevate us to the level of worshipping Allah.

Some of the narrators have conveyed to us his categorization of these who worship Allah. He said some people have worshipped Allah for the purpose of gaining his gifts, to attain a place in Heaven or other blessing – this is the worship of merchants. Some worship Him for the purpose of avoiding his punishment. This is the worship of slaves – who are afraid of being punished. Some worship him out of gratitude to Him for His graces, since worshipping is a manifestation of gratitude. It is the worship of the free.

Thus, deer beloved, the Imam (a.s.) used to stress the need of being charitable to people in all their needs and affairs. He refused the saying that charity should only be given to those who would be grateful, but rather it is like rain that falls on all people the good and the ungrateful, for Allah sends rain on all people those who obey Him, and those who do not.

Thus, Imam Hussein (a.s.) educated the people on the need to be good to all people since it manifests the person's belief, feelings and morals.

It is to be given to those who deserve it and those who do not, since they might be attracted to obey Allah.

He also prohibited backbiting saying that it is the food of the dogs of Hell, and who wants to be with those dogs.

We read in his will, addressing his son Zein Al-Abideen (a.s.): "Avoid being cruel to anybody who does not have any helper except God."

What Imam Hussein (a.s.) meant is obviously that man should not be unjust to any other man, because Allah hates the wronging, but especially to the weak and those commit it are more cruel than others. You might be unjust to somebody, who might be able to defend himself and use force to defend his right. But there are those who are weak and cannot defend themselves. If you wrong such a person he will ask God to help him and Allah will create all the circumstances that would support him.

He (a.s.) also says: Beware of things for which you apologize. The true believer should not make mistakes and should not apologize. The hypocrite makes mistakes and apologizes everyday.

We also read in his sayings: whoever tries to do something that involves disobeying God he would not attain what he is looking for, and he will get what he is trying to avoid… If you want to solve your problems and reach your goals, your means should conform to your goals in that your means should be ones that Allah accepts and does not involve disobeying Him.

Imam Al-Hussein (a.s.) also says that who becomes generous becomes noble- because people will love him and who becomes stingy will be ignored and isolated… He adds:

The most generous person is the one who offers help to those who do not expect him to, and the best forgiveness is the one made when you have the power to punish... and the best socializing is the one with those who have boycotted you... The branches of trees depend on the strength of its roots to grow.

If you hasten to do your brother some good you will find it tomorrow. And if you seek God's (pleasure) by helping your brother, God will reward you in your time of need.

Dear loved ones; who among you know this side of Imam Hussein (a.s.)!? That is why I have always stressed that we should stress on in Ashoura as well as other season: to introduce the Imam as an Imam who calls for the Islam that maintains the lives of the people, that elevates them and make them adopt the spiritual and moral values.

Therefore, we ought to study the Imam (a.s.) as a whole, and not only one of the aspects of his life. The stands he took in Kabala are but a manifestation of His love for Allah and of the level of the spiritual and moral values he was distinguished with. We know that the Imam (a.s.) had lived in his childhood with the Messenger who said: "Hussein is a part of me and I am a part of Hussein".

He was also nursed from the spirituality of his mother and her morals. He also acquired his father's knowledge, courage and patience, and gained his brother generosity and devotion to God.

Dear loved ones: Let us put the Imam (a.s.) inside our minds and hearts. Let us live his imamate just as we live his martyrdom and tragedy. Peace be on him, his son Ali bin Al-Hussein, his children his supporters and his sister. May Allah grant you His peace forever so long as I live and so long as the day and night remain. May Allah make not this my last pledge of your visitation.

Bush's visit to the region has further complicated the regional crisis. He has tried to present Israel as a Jewish state as a prelude to bring the Jews of the world to the usurping state and refusing the refugees' return to their homes. On the other hand, he was not able to make any progress in the issue of the two states, as he had promised. Nor did he find any solution to the problem of settlements, in Gaza and the West Bank, talking only about some sporadic settlements.

In his welcome word, the Enemy's prime minister tried to portray the problem as that of the rockets launched by the Resistance and not one of occupation and the daily atrocities Israel practises in the name of self-defence and fighting terrorism, the magic word that shakes Bush's feelings as it represents his strategy in fragmenting the Muslim world.

Bush listened carefully to the Zionist President who linked finding a solution to the Palestinian question with putting an end to resistance and continuing incursions, assassinations economic besiege and humiliation on the crossings. Such an attitude means that there could be no settlement reached, since the Mujahideen will continue their resistance against the occupation of the country, their people, their present and future.

Israel exploited this exchange of sentiments with Bush to continue its shelling and incursions, sending to the Arabs a message that it is the one that holds all cards, and that no peace could be achieved with the Palestinians, except through yielding to the Israeli unattainable conditions.

On another level, President Bush and his conservative administration continue to intimidate Iran. He is threatening yet again to wage a war against Iran to accompany his economic besiege and the political isolation that he intends to convince his European allies and his Arab allies to tighten, which could have negative effects on the region, especially the Gulf states that Iran has extended its hands in friendship and cooperation to.

In this respect, we believe that the American President will make every effort to hinder the diplomatic opening up between Egypt and Iran. He is also trying to create a civil strife in Palestine, while offering empty and vague promises to the Palestinian Authority.

Thus the visit has focused on two gaols. The first is to continue to intimidate Iran, while Israel and America continue their efforts to besiege and target it. The second is to leave the Palestinian question in the Israeli hands, so as to continue their liquidation committing a genocide that the arrogant world is applauding.

The Palestinian people should study thoroughly the negative results of the international stands that support Israel's aggression and oppression that start with dislocation and does not end with killing. They should know that the charter of human rights stops at the borders of the Hebrew state.

Lebanon has lived the celebrating atmosphere of the Arab foreign ministers meeting to discuss its problem and the unanimous decision that was issued in a blurry manner that do not enjoy any clarity. Debate will be launched again by this party or that regarding numbers and stands. They will go back to the same old hanging problems that resulted from the lack of confidence and the regional and international meddling in the Lebanese affairs through the Lebanese themselves. The Lebanese crisis, as has become clear to all, is no longer Lebanese.

The Lebanese people continue to be bewildered by the political mazes and fiery statements, which have become his daily bread, while they are starving in the literary sense of the word.

The problem in Lebanon rests in the fact that its youth have lost hope in having a respectable life, and the religious authorities through their sermons and stands are following political positions that aim at sedating the people and bring them back into the labyrinths.

The international powers will continue to use the Lebanese crisis that is linked to the regional crisis until the US administration achieves its strategic interests at the expense of Lebanon's interests that most Lebanese politicians do not have in mind.