Hawzah News Agency- Hojatoleslam Sheikh Mohammad Hassan Jafari, Friday prayer leader of Skardu in Pakistan's Baltistan region, made the remarks during his Friday sermon at the city's central mosque.
He described the ninth of Rabi al-Awwal as a blessed occasion commemorating the beginning of Imam Mahdi's imamate, urging believers to honor the day with worship, remembrance, salutations, expressions of joy and a renewed covenant with the Imam.
True Awaiting Must Be Seen in Conduct
"A true awaiter of Imam Mahdi (AS) is one who adorns his life and conduct with piety, honesty, goodness, worship, service to the people and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt," Jafari said. "Awaiting the reappearance is not proven by words and claims alone; it must manifest itself in one's actions and behavior."
He also paid tribute to Imam Hassan Askari (AS) on the anniversary of his martyrdom, presenting the Imam's character as a valuable model for a faithful life.
"Imam Hassan Askari consistently emphasized piety, righteousness, honesty, trustworthiness, worship and good character," the cleric said. "A true believer is one who is honest and trustworthy in speech and conduct, fears God, attends congregational prayers, takes part in the funerals of fellow believers and visits the sick."
Rejecting Hypocrisy and Envy
Citing the moral teachings of Imam Hassan Askari, Jafari condemned double-faced behavior, saying: "The worst of people is one who has two faces and two tongues — praising others in their presence while speaking ill of them behind their backs."
He added that slander and envy toward the honor, success and status of others are incompatible with the school of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). "A follower of the Ahl al-Bayt must behave in a way that brings honor and pride to them, not shame and disgrace."
Repentance and Divine Mercy
The Pakistani cleric underscored the importance of repentance and returning to God, saying no one should ever despair of divine mercy.
"If a person commits a sin, he must not lose hope in God's mercy, but should return to Him without delay," Jafari said. "Remembrance of God, prayer, prostration, seeking forgiveness and sincere repentance free a person from the snares of Satan's temptations. A believer must never despair of God's vast mercy."
God's Sovereignty Is Eternal
Turning to the theme of monotheism, Jafari stressed that true sovereignty belongs to God alone.
"The true deity, the true owner and the true king is God Almighty alone. Man must not become arrogant due to his worldly power, position or status. All powers, governments and worldly kingdoms are perishable and temporary, but God's lordship and sovereignty are permanent and everlasting," he stated.
He added that constant remembrance of God serves as protection for the heart and mind against satanic temptations and intellectual turmoil, bringing tranquility and steadfastness.
The cleric concluded by praying that God grants believers the ability to follow the luminous path of Imam Hassan Askari, avoid sin, attain true repentance, remain protected from Satan's temptations and be counted among the sincere and truthful awaiters of Imam Mahdi.
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