Eminent Saudi Scholar and Member of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Youssef Bin Muhammad Bin Saeed, delivered a powerful Arafat sermon at the Namirah Mosque, urging Muslims to hold steadfast to unity and reject discord. In these challenging times, he emphasized the importance of not succumbing to malicious campaigns and rumors that aim to divide the faithful.
Sheikh Bin Saeed highlighted that Islamic principles strictly forbid the spread of rumors and disinformation, as they only serve to fracture the unity of the Muslim community. He encouraged believers to remain vigilant and united, recognizing that differences in language, color, and ethnicity should never justify divisions and conflicts. Instead, they should be seen as signs from God, reminding us of the diverse beauty present in the universe.
The Sheikh reiterated the commandments of Islam, emphasizing unity, love, harmony, and the prohibition of disputes and differences. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified unity and cooperation among his followers, promoting a collective sense of purpose and unity of hearts.
Warning of the consequences of broken unity, Sheikh Bin Saeed stated that personal whims and animosities prevail, leading to conflict and the loss of precious lives. He stressed that Allah's support is with the collective body of Muslims, while those who separate themselves from the community align themselves with Satan.
The significance of unity becomes even more evident through the detrimental impact of division and differences on individuals, families, and societies. Islam, recognizing these dangers, has implemented preventative measures and defensive strategies to protect communities from disintegration and destabilization. It calls for adherence to the Holy Qur'an and the Prophet's Sunnah (Tradition) as guiding principles in times of dispute.
Sheikh Bin Saeed reminded the faithful that Islam encourages good conduct, compassion, and mercy towards one another. Strengthening social, familial, and spiritual bonds is essential for unifying the Muslim ummah. Islam highlights the importance of upholding ties of kinship, showing kindness to neighbors and the needy, and promoting reconciliation and rectification during conflicts.
Underscoring the need for unity, the Sheikh highlighted collective acts of obedience prescribed by God, such as the gathering of pilgrims on the plains of Arafat and congregational prayers on Fridays. He emphasized the role of social solidarity in Islam, which includes fulfilling Zakat obligations, charitable contributions, establishment of trusts, and giving voluntary alms.
Sheikh Bin Saeed's sermon encompassed the universal message of Islam, as emphasized by the Prophet during his farewell Hajj. The teachings of Islam reject any notion of superiority based on ethnicity or skin color, emphasizing that piety alone determines one's rank in the sight of God. The inviolability of blood, wealth, and honor among Muslims is an integral part of this message.
Let us heed the wise counsel of Sheikh Youssef Bin Muhammad Bin Saeed and embrace unity, rejecting discord and divisiveness. By upholding the principles of Islam and nurturing a spirit of compassion and solidarity, we can forge a stronger, more harmonious Muslim community.
