The First Sermon
In the first sermon, His Eminence, Sayyed Ali Fadlullah, talked about the differences in opinion, considering it a natural phenomenon that Islam recognizes. In this context, it calls for dialogue between all people, regardless of their faith, especially between the People of the Book, let alone between the followers of Islam.
The Sayyed then turned to the reality of the Muslim nation nowadays in which hostility and division prevail, without showing any mercy or tolerance. He maintained that there is an evil desire to destroy the other by means of accusing him of disbelief or misguidance to say the least.
This is not what our religion calls for, since it is a religion of tolerance, mercy and unity among Muslims. The Quran considers dialogue as a duty aimed at reaching the truth and not scoring points. It is a means which does not make us doubt our ideas. Rather, there is a huge difference, as we are taught by Imam As-Sadiq, between engaging in a dialogue and forsaking one’s ideas and principles. The Imam used to engage in dialogue with all people, even with the atheists. His methodology was that of the Quran, as he adopted the calm and sober dialogue that is backed by proofs and sublime manners.
He did not have any taboos and he never aimed to score points. All he wanted was to attain the truth. Faced by the atheists who wanted to abolish religion and show that there is no god, his aim was to make them return to the straight path of Islam and truth, and he used to be calm, patient and extremely tolerant; thus, teaching us how to deal with the others, regardless of who he is or what he believes in.
On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Imam As-Sadiq, we have to apply the lessons he taught us in reality and live the atmosphere of dialogue without any fear, so that we could reunite our nation and establish its firm hold on the straight path of Allah.
The second sermon
In the second sermon, His Eminence, Sayyed Ali Fadlullah, commented on the Israeli raid on Syria. He said that the enemy is exploiting the ongoing events in the country, in addition to the Arab division towards Syria, to hit the positions of force in the Arab world. This calls for a decisive stance from the Arab countries, and not merely issuing statements of condemnation, since remaining silent when an Arab capital is hit would encourage the enemy to strike other capitals. The Sayyed added that this calls also for internal solidarity and resorting to dialogue. In this respect, the Sayyed welcomed the calls of some opposition factions for dialogue, having felt the size of the international conspiracy against Syria.
In Egypt, the Sayyed called the Muslim factions to present the real image of Islam represented by consultation, sharing and openness on the other. He also called for an open dialogue between the government and the opposition having in mind only the aim of protecting the country and preserving its leading role in the Arab world and the strong and essential base it ought to play in the course of confronting Israel.
The Sayyed then warned against the regional and international interferences in Iraq. He praised the efforts of the Iraqi government and the political and religious powers, and called on all factions not to be driven into the whirl of strife, for it has been experienced in Lebanon and other countries, and it only produced destruction and failure.
The Sayyed hoped that the government’s call for dialogue in Bahrain is truthful, and he appealed to the opposition to seize this opportunity.
The Sayyed commented on the ongoing dispute in Lebanon over the electoral law, considering that some only aim to incite sectarian fanaticism and others want to reach any law whatsoever, claiming that we ran out of time. He also said that the law all the Lebanese are looking for is one that protects the youth and the Lebanese diversity; a law that gives the Lebanese women their role and rights inside the parliament and outside it.
As for the civil marriage, the Sayyed called for conducting a calm and scientific discussion that takes the religious laws into consideration and does not destroy the families and the entire society.
