FROM THE MIMBAR OF HOLY HARAM IN 

MAKKAH AND MADINA

(Friday, March 16, 2001) 

MUSLIMS URGED TO MAINTAIN STRONG TIES WITH KA'ABA, 

BE DEDICTED TO ALLAH IN WORSHIP


The Imams and Khateebs of the two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina urged Muslims to fear God, be pious and do good deeds.

IN MAKKAH


Sheikh Dr. Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Hemeid, Imam and Khateeb at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, in his Friday sermon this week (Friday, March 16, 2001) said that the Muslims adherence to good works and maintaining strong ties with the Ka'aba in Makkah should not be restricted to certain days or months. It should rather be an everlasting, never ending link. "A Muslim's association with the House of Allah is a lifelong relationship that is never limited to a certain season, for the Holy Ka'aba, (the House of Allah) is the Qibla of Muslims," he said.


Sheikh Bin Hemeid spoke about the importance of turning to the Holy Haram and performance of worship and good works and warned against negligence of such acts of devotion. He said many Muslims have been showing indifference toward such practices to the extent that prayers and worship have become more akin to habit rather than true and sincere devotion from heart.


A Muslim must perform worship rituals with the heart and all senses and not by mere intention and spiritual orientation, he said, noting that worship has its own manner of speech and action.


He said every act of worship has a movement and in every movement there is worship, and urged Muslims to maintain regular prayers in congregation.


IN MADINA 

In Madina Sheikh Abdul Bari Al-Thebeiti, Imam and Khateeb of the Prophet's Mosques, in his Friday sermon, advised the Muslims to remain close to God and maintain strong bonds of friendship, among themselves.


He said this country, which has been given the honor of serving the pilgrims coming to the Holy places, is making great effort to enable them carry out their religious obligations in ease. He prayed to God to bless the work of those who serve Muslims, with dedication, and to richly reward their actions.


Describing the dedication of the worthy ancestors in worship, he said as the night became dark they would stand on their feet, bow down and prostrate in prayers, and tearfully they beseeched Allah for reward and recompense.


Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alaihi wa sallam) whose heart was full of love for worship, always submitted his fate to Allah, and mentioned God's name on all occasions, and perpetually remembered Him and asked for His forgiveness, he said.


Sheikh Al-Thebeiti recalled events of the long history of Muslims and the hardship they are going through at present, and said the reason for what is afflicting them today is their deviation from the true understanding and application of worship with real dedication to God Almighty and their neglect in truly following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alaihi wa sallam).


The Holy Qur'an says: 

O ye who believe! let not some men among you laugh at others: it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: it may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting wickedness (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (Indeed) doing wrong. Surah Al-Hujurat, Ayat 11.


Commentary by A. Yusuf Ali : 

Mutual ridicule ceases to be fun when there is arrogance or selfishness or malice behind it. We may laugh with people, to share in the happiness of life: we must never laugh at people in contempt or ridicule. In many things they may be better than ourselves! 


Defamation may consist in speaking ill of others by the spoken or written word, or in acting in such a way as to suggest a charge against some person whom we are not in a position to judge. A cutting, biting remark or taunt of sarcasm is included in the word lamaza. An offensive nickname may amount to defamation, but in any case there is no point in using offensive nicknames, or names that suggest some real or fancied defect. They ill accord with the serious purpose which Muslims should have in life. For example, even if a man is lame, it is wrong to address him as "O lame one!" It causes him pain, and it is bad manners. So in the case of the rude remark, "the black man".


Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) sayings:(Hadith) 

Fiqh-as-Sunnah

It is related that the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alaihi wa sallam), said, "The atonement for backbiting [and slander] is to pray for forgiveness of the person who was slandered and to say, 'O Allah, forgive us and him'."

The preferable course in this regard is to pray for forgiveness of the person who was the target of the slander and to mention his good qualities. This will wipe off the effects of such backbiting, and it is not necessary to announce such a thing.


DU'A (Invocation) 

Invocation to Say if You Wake Up At Night

There is no god but Allah, the one, the victorious, lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the all-mighty, the all-forgiving. 


What to say if you wake up from a bad dream

I seek refuge in the perfect word of Allah from his punishment, from the evil of his slaves and from the taunts of devils and from their presence. 


What to do if you have a dream

Seek refuge in Allah from the devil and from the evil of what you have seen.


Supplication immediately following the witr prayer 

Glory is to the master, the holy 

Lord of the angels and the spirit. 


Invocation in times of sadness and despondency 

Oh Allah! I seek refuge in you from despondency and sadness, from weakness and from laziness, from miserliness and from cowardice, from perversion of faith and from the domination of others 


Invocations of grief

There is no god but Allah the mighty, the forbearing. There is no god but Allah, lord of the magnificent throne. There is no god but Allah, lord of the heavens and lord of the earth, and lord of the noble throne. 


Oh Allah! I hope for your mercy. Do not tire of me even for a moment. Place all of my affairs in order. There is no god but you.


Invocation for when you meet an adversary or a powerful ruler

Oh Allah! We ask you to restrain them by their necks and we ask refuge in you from their evil.


Allah is sufficient for us and the best of those on whom to depend. 




Invocation against an enemy

Oh Allah! Revealer of the book, swift to account, gatherer of the leagues. Oh Allah, gather them and cause them to quake. 


Invocation for if you are stricken by doubt.

I Seek refuge in Allah, {and desist from doing what you are in doubt about}.


Spread the Message of Allah 

 

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