The Imam says that prayers are answered in this hour.

The Imam says that prayers are answered in this hour.[^2] The hour when the preacher calls the attention of people towards God and the audience is listening attentively. Enjoinment of Piety in the Friday sermon All religious jurisprudents agree as regards Friday sermon and its manner that one of its conditions is to recommend piety; that is observance of God’s commands and the accountability of people on the Day of Judgment.

The speaker should explain to people that they never make anyone an equal of God. You may say: Muslims are not polytheists, but what about hidden polytheism? Every Muslim who obeys the orders and inclinations of his selfish desires against divine rules is falling in polytheism. It is not piety. Do not serve your own lust, desire and passion. Observe God’s commands.

Piety both in friendship and enmity One of the boundaries of piety, which most Muslims have disregarded and due to which they go backward despite a forward march in every age, is maintaining piety both while having affinity and while entertaining dislike of each other. Our God, our Lord, our Master, our Sustainer, our Nourisher has told us that the relation between you is your religion.

﴿إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ﴾ “The believers are but brethren, therefore make peace between your brethren… (49:10)” Everyone who says: “There is no god except Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah’, of course with confirmation of Guardianship of Ahle Bait and Hereafter, be he in the east or west, both of you are brothers of one another. Be sympathetic to one another.

Be friendly and loving for one another both in the affairs of this world and the Hereafter. A believer with regard to a believer is like a building. Have you observed a building? How every part of the mansion supports another whereby the whole structure is protected soundly. It is essential that Muslims must be united and their hearts harmonious from religious aspect and angel of faith.

As regards enmity or ill feeling, do not consider anyone your enemy except the one who is an enemy of God and His Prophet. ﴿لا تَتَّخِذُوا عَدُوِّي وَعَدُوَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَاءَ﴾ “Do not take My enemy and your enemy for friends.” [^3] Consider such fellow your enemy. This is the order of God, His Qur’an and common sense, but Muslims today are behaving in total contradiction to it. My friend is he who is liked by me, who acts, as I like.

He is my friend who deals with me, who gives me profit or benefit.

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