MAKKAH – During the Hajj sermon at Masjid-e-Nimrah, the Imam of Masjid al-Haram, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah, made a heartfelt prayer for peace in Palestine, calling on Allah to grant victory over the oppressors and bring relief to the suffering.
Delivering the Khutbah-e-Hajj, Sheikh Saleh urged Muslims to fear Allah, uphold righteousness, and avoid sin, stating that piety is the mark of true believers. He emphasized that Satan is a clear enemy, warning the faithful to stay away from his influence. He reminded the congregation that doing good and avoiding evil are central teachings of Islam.
Quoting the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the Imam said, “Worship Allah as if you see Him, and if not, then know that He sees you.” He also encouraged Muslims to maintain family ties, seek forgiveness, and pray for salvation from Hell. He stressed the importance of prayer as a strong connection between humans and their Creator, and said believers should protect all their daily prayers, especially the middle one.
He warned against spiritual diseases, saying they hinder a person’s closeness to Allah. Fasting, especially in Ramadan, was described as a means to purify the soul and protect against such inner illnesses. He outlined the three levels of Islam: Islam, Iman (faith), and Ihsan (excellence in worship), with Ihsan being the highest.
In an emotional moment, the Imam offered a powerful dua (prayer) for the people of Palestine, asking Allah to relieve their hunger and suffering, protect their homes, grant them peace, and give them victory over their enemies. He also prayed for Muslim leaders to be guided toward righteousness and to act with wisdom and piety.
The Hajj sermon this year, like many before, served as both a spiritual reminder and a call for unity among Muslims, especially during times of global hardship and conflict.