Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid)

Meeting date: Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Official Report 868KB pdf

Time for Reflection

Good afternoon, colleagues. We begin business today with time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader is Imam Hashim Matin, Imam and Principal of Livingston Islamic Centre & Mosque.

Bismillah hir’rahmaan nir’raheem. In the name of Allah, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy.

Presiding Officer and members of the Scottish Parliament, thank you for the opportunity to address you this afternoon. This week is Scottish interfaith week, and the theme is “connecting”. A civilisation can progress only once it is connected and united. If there is any discord among us, we cannot advance. The greatest factor that causes disbandment is oppression. We need to unite against oppression and injustice in any form, whether it is physical, financial or psychological. As a Muslim, my faith prohibits me from any type of oppression. Allah tells us:

“I have forbidden injustice for Myself and I have made it forbidden among you, so do not wrong one another”.

The Prophet Muhammad—peace be upon him—gave a sermon at his final pilgrimage. It is a significant event for Muslims. Even today, we are reminded of its lessons. The meanings that are found in it are astounding and they highlight some of the most important human rights. I will present some quotations from the sermon. After praising and thanking Allah, the Prophet Muhammad—peace be upon him—said:

“Listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People regard the life and property of every person as a sacred trust.

Return the goods entrusted to you, to their rightful owners.

Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you.

Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds.

Allah has forbidden you to deal in interest.

O People, you have certain rights regarding your women, and they also have rights over you.

Treat your women well and be kind to them.

All of mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also, a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over a white except by piety and good action.”

Those are words from my leader, guide and prophet, a mercy to mankind. They were spoken over 1,400 years ago, yet they continue to give us inspiration, guidance and light. I conclude by hoping that those words are a means of us uniting against oppression and injustice. Thank you.