His Highness, the Amirul Mominin (may Allah Almighty protect him) participated in and delivered a speech at a large gathering in the assembly hall of Kandahar Province for the scholars of the districts of Kandahar.
The event was also attended by the Governor of Kandahar, the Director General of the Administrative Affairs Office, the President of the Red Crescent, the Military Deputy of the Supreme Court, the Director General of the Central Dar al-Ifta, the Judicial Deputy of the Supreme Court, and a number of other respected scholars and officials.
The session commenced with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, after which His Highness, the Amirul Mominin (may Allah Almighty protect him), delivered important advice, recommendations, and a speech to the participants.
His Highness (may Allah Almighty protect him) welcomed the respected scholars and stated that the scholars are the leaders and guides of the Ummah in religious matters. The entire Ummah and the rulers are obliged to adhere to the religious rulings of the scholars and to seek guidance and consultation from them in religious affairs.
He stated that religion, Islam, and Islamic rulings have been preserved by the scholars and will continue to be preserved by them.
Throughout history, attempts have been made to weaken religion and Islam and to distort Islamic teachings and religious rulings.
These efforts, he noted, continue in order to divert people from the true path. However, the scholars have prevented the distortion, alteration, and modification of Islamic rulings. Over time, they have authored books and treatises and have shaped people’s understanding.
The Holy Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him), himself confronted such challenges and defended Islam against the Jews.
His Highness (may Allah Almighty protect him) stated that Allah Almighty has placed a significant responsibility upon the scholars.
He remarked that if the respected scholars demonstrate strong determination and resolve, much wrongdoing will be eliminated from society.
If, from the pulpit and in such gatherings, the harmful consequences of immoral acts are explained to the people and Islamic rulings are presented to them, many individuals will be reformed. Since the people are believers and Muslims, it is the responsibility of the scholars to prevent wrongdoing. He further observed that the people of Afghanistan are devout and have endured martyrdom, injury, imprisonment, and various hardships in defense of Islam.
It is therefore the duty of the scholars to prevent discord, reform people’s thoughts and morals, and prevent corruption.
He further stated: I am very grateful to the people and scholars of Afghanistan for obeying and continuing to obey the Islamic Emirate.
His Highness (may Allah Almighty protect him) emphasized that the survival, success, and preservation of the Islamic Sharia law-based government depend upon religious knowledge, and that one of the most important responsibilities of such a government is to promote religious knowledge so that it may spread and people may be made aware of religion, Islam, and Sharia law. He therefore urged the respected scholars to convey religious knowledge to the people.
His Highness (may Allah Almighty protect him) also stated:Encourage people toward unity, obey one another, and consult among yourselves.
The system is strengthened or weakened by you; if you remain attentive, it will remain strong. Strive to eliminate the customs of ignorance, and do not be negligent. Officials must remain attentive to their responsibilities day and night and must not waste time on futile matters. Do not seek worldly rank or position.
Your benefit lies in obedience, and you should not regard obedience as a favor to others. Instill the spirit of obedience among the general public; through obedience, unity is achieved and the community becomes stronger.
At the conclusion of the gathering, the respected scholars renewed their pledge of allegiance and commitment to His Highness (may Allah Almighty protect him) and affirmed that they would remain steadfast supporters of his leadership and the Islamic Sharia law-based government.