In the name of Allah, the most merciful, the most compassionate.

To the family, friends, and the nation that mourns the passing of our dear brother, James Earl Carter, Jr., known to us as President Jimmy Carter, peace be upon him. We gather today under the shadow of our shared humanity, to remember a man whose life was a testament to service, peace, and the pursuit of justice.

President Carter, like many of the righteous before him, was a man of faith and action. His journey began in the humble expanse of Plains, Georgia, where the seeds of his character were sown. From those fields, he rose to lead a great nation, guided by principles that echo the teachings of our beloved Ahl al-Bayt – compassion, honesty, and a relentless pursuit of peace.

He walked among his people not as a ruler but as a servant, much like our Imam Ali (peace be upon him), who taught us that the greatest among us is he who serves others. Carter’s presidency was marked by his efforts to bring peace to troubled lands, much like the peace our Imam Hassan (peace be upon him) sought through wisdom and diplomacy. His role in the Camp David Accords, bringing Egypt and Israel to peace, is a clear reflection of his commitment to the noble cause of reconciliation and harmony among nations.

His post-presidency life was no less remarkable. Like the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who worked tirelessly for his community, Carter dedicated himself to humanitarian work, building homes with his own hands through Habitat for Humanity, advocating for human rights, and working to eradicate diseases in the poorest corners of the world. His life was an example of how leadership extends beyond power – it is about setting an example, about humility, and about leaving this world better than one found it.

In his later years, as his health waned, he chose to share his remaining time with his family, in the spirit of our teachings that emphasize the sanctity of family and the value of every moment spent with loved ones. This decision speaks volumes about his character, his priorities, and his faith.

To the people of the United States, to his family, and to all who knew him or were touched by his legacy, I say, let us remember President Carter not just for the offices he held, but for the human he was. Let us learn from his life, from his dedication to peace, from his service to the downtrodden, and from his unwavering faith in humanity’s potential for good.

May his soul find peace in the eternal gardens of paradise, where the righteous are rewarded for their deeds. May Allah grant him high station among the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. May we all take from his life the lessons of patience, kindness, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

In closing, I recite, “Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return” (Quran, 2:156). Peace be upon you, President Carter, and upon all those who mourn your passing.

Ameen.