Friday sermon from the Grand Mosque: A call to welcome Ramadan with piety and sincerity
In his Friday sermon preceding the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan, the Imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Maher bin Hamad Al-Muaiqly, emphasized that Ramadan is a great season for good deeds, stressing that the acceptance of these deeds depends on attaining piety towards God Almighty. He urged Muslims to fear God, describing it as the path to salvation and safety, and the way to success and honor in this life and the hereafter. He added that whoever fears God, He will make a way out of every hardship for him and ease his affairs.
The spiritual context and importance of the sermon at the Grand Mosque
Friday sermons from the Grand Mosque in Mecca hold immense significance for Muslims worldwide. Broadcast live and disseminated through various media outlets, these sermons convey messages of faith and religious guidance. This particular sermon, delivered as the Muslim community prepares for the holy month of Ramadan, serves as a guiding light, stabilizing the Muslim's spiritual compass and reminding them of the ultimate purpose of worship. The emphasis on the concept of piety (taqwa) from the pulpit of the Kaaba lends weight and credibility to the message, renewing the resolve to make the most of this blessed month in a way that pleases God.
Piety: the greatest provision and essence of worship
Sheikh Al-Muaiqly explained that God Almighty has distinguished between His creation in terms of their destinies and stations, just as He has distinguished between times, creating hours, days, months, and years, and bestowing upon some of them greater favor than others. The blessed month of Ramadan comes at the pinnacle of these virtuous times, a precious opportunity that must be seized. He defined piety as “acting in obedience to God, guided by His light, hoping for His mercy, and refraining from disobeying God, guided by His light, fearing His punishment.” He affirmed that piety is the greatest provision for the believer and is God’s commandment to all who came before and all who will come after. He emphasized that the acceptance of deeds is contingent upon piety, citing the verse: “Indeed, God only accepts from the righteous,” indicating that the pious are the victorious on the Day of Resurrection.
The virtues of fasting and its effect on purifying the soul
His Eminence addressed the virtues and profound meanings of fasting, explaining that it fosters sincerity towards God Almighty, being a secret between the servant and his Lord. It is also a school of patience, and God has promised the patient that they will be rewarded without measure. Whoever abandons their worldly desires and pleasures for the sake of God, God will compensate them with something better in Paradise. Among the greatest virtues of fasting is that God has designated a gate in Paradise called "Al-Rayyan" for those who fast, through which none but they will enter. Furthermore, Ramadan is a month of forgiveness of sins and expiation of transgressions, an opportunity for deliverance from Hellfire, making it an annual opportunity to renew faith and purify the soul.
The impact of the message and the call to give
This message's impact extends beyond the worshippers at the Grand Mosque, reaching millions of Muslims worldwide, uniting their feelings and guiding their actions towards good. In concluding his sermon, Sheikh Al-Muaiqly urged Muslims to increase their recitation and contemplation of the Quran during Ramadan, the month of the Quran. He also called for remembering the poor and needy and extending a helping hand to them, for Ramadan embodies the most beautiful aspects of social solidarity. It is a month of blessings and spiritual gifts, an opportunity to purify hearts and wealth through charity and spending in the way of God.
