In his Friday sermon delivered from the Holy Mosque in Mecca, the Imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Bandar bin Abdul Aziz Balila, emphasized the pivotal importance of preaching and reminding in the life of a Muslim, pointing out that preaching is one of God’s supreme attributes by which He guides His servants, and it is an indispensable approach for the righteousness of the soul and its adherence to the straight path.
He explained that the human soul is by nature fickle, experiencing periods of both inclination and aversion, and constantly needs something to quench its spiritual thirst and keep it steadfast on the path of truth. He emphasized that the best remedy for these fluctuations lies in a sincere return to the Book of God and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), for in them lies the light that dispels darkness, the healing that cures hearts, and the path to success and salvation in this world and the Hereafter. He added that good counsel is the practice of the prophets and messengers and the way of the righteous and reformers throughout the ages; it is what softens hardened hearts and awakens heedless minds.
Historical context and importance of the pulpit of the Grand Mosque in Mecca
The Friday sermon from the Grand Mosque in Mecca holds special significance, not only because of its status as the holiest place on earth for Muslims, but also because of its long history of guidance and instruction. The pulpit of the Grand Mosque is an extension of the pulpit of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in his mosque in Medina, which was the first beacon of communication and guidance in Islam. From this pulpit, messages of faith, morality, and guidance are broadcast, touching the lives of millions of Muslims around the world who eagerly await hearing the word of truth from the heart of the Islamic world.
The global impact of the sermon at the Grand Mosque
In our time, the sermon at the Grand Mosque in Mecca is no longer confined to those present in the circumambulation area and the Sa'i area, but has become a global event thanks to modern technology. It is broadcast live and simultaneously translated into several languages, reaching Muslims across the globe. This makes it an effective tool for unifying the Muslim community, disseminating the tolerant values of Islam, embodied in moderation and balance, addressing contemporary issues from an Islamic perspective, and providing spiritual support to Muslims facing life's challenges. The emphasis on the fact that whoever does not heed the Book of God is "dead and lost in the darkness of arrogance," as Sheikh Balila stated, serves as a powerful reminder that severing ties with the divine source of guidance inevitably leads to spiritual and intellectual loss.
Sheikh Balila concluded his sermon by emphasizing that everyone, regardless of their status, needs guidance and reminders, citing the example of the most honorable of people after the prophets—the Companions of the Messenger of God (may God be pleased with them)—who were the first to receive and respond to admonition. This underscores that the need for divine guidance is a continuous and unwavering human necessity.
