Sheikh al-Sudais urges Muslims to concentrate more on their children's education

Sheikh Al-Sudais urges Muslims to concentrate

more on their children's education

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Head Imam and Khateeb of Masjid al-Haram, Makkah led the Jumah Prayer at the Regents Park London Central Mosque, on Friday, 30th July 2010. Sheikh Sudais encouraged Muslims to follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) being nice, polite and careful to their wives as Allah the Almighty said in Sura al-Nisa – “Deal with your wife honourably”. And the Prophet (peace be upon him) in his last Farewell Sermon on the Mount of Arafat, said three times, “I advised you to treat woman nicely.”

Sheikh al-Sudais also indicated clearly that Islam forbids any form of domestic violence and it is an un-Islamic attitude and behaviour.

Sheikh al-Sudais instructed Muslims to be merciful, tolerant and just and to take care of others’ rights. Sheikh al-Sudais said the first right to be respected is the right of Allah the Almighty – to worship Him and obey Him. The second right to be respected is the right of the Prophet (peace be upon him) – to love, obey and follow him and then the rights of Muslims among each other and also the rights of all Mankind including non-Muslims.

His eminence Sheikh al-Sudais advised Muslims to follow the teachings of Islam and to represent this religion in the best form in their worship, character and relation with others.

The biggest part of the Khutbah is about family and its importance at the centre of the society. Sheikh al-Sudais said it is a shame to see family breakdown within the Muslim community and this is due to lack of following the Prophet’s teachings and also not knowing each other’s rights (husbands and wives).

The Imam of Masjid al-Haram said there are clear rights for husbands and clear rights for wives as well and also their responsibilities.

Sheikh al-Sudais encouraged Muslims to follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) being nice, polite and careful to their wives as Allah the Almighty said in Sura al-Nisa – “Deal with your wife honourably”. And the Prophet Peace be upon him said in his last Farewell Sermon on the Mount of Arafat, said three times, “I advised you to treat women nicely.”

He concluded his first part of the Khutbah by advising parents to look after their children and to make sure that they are well-educated and be the greatest example and model for their children.

In the second part of his Khutbah, Sheikh al-Sudais spoke about the virtues of the month of Shabaan. He said the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast most of this very month. He mentioned Sayeeda Ayesha said in an authentic Hadith, “The Prophet (peace be upon him) never completed a full month of fasting other than the month of Ramadan and I have never seen him fasting most of the month except Shabaan.” Sayeeda Ayesha also said that the Prophet used to fast all through the month of Shabaan except few days.

Sheikh al-Sudais said this is part of the preparation for the great month of Ramadan. He also said this month is the chance to repent to Allah the Almighty or to pray Him and to compete in doing good deeds.

Al-Sudais led the Friday congregation at
the Regents Park Central London Mosque
A week earlier, on Friday, the Imam and Khateeb of the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah led the Jumah Prayer (Friday Congregation) at the Regents Park London Central Mosque, on Friday, the 23rd of July, 2010.

In his Friday Sermon, Sheikh Al-Sudais said one of the main principles of Muslim beliefs is to belief in Tauheed, the Oneness of God. “It is the main aim of our life, i.e. to have Imaan in Allah alone. This is the most important thing in our life. This is the right of Allah upon us,” said Sheikh Al-Sudais.

Sheikh Al-Sudais also said it is also important to have Imaan or belief in His Angels that Allah created, to belief in the Books that He revealed and the Messengers that He sent.

The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah said Islam is the religion of peace, tolerance, and forgiving. It calls for peace and tolerance. Our Prophet (peace be upon him) was the best example and model for us in tolerance. He was tolerant with Muslims and non-Muslims. The Qur'an mentions: “And by the Mercy of Allah, you deal with them gently, and had you (Muhammad) been severe, harsh-hearted, they would certainly have broken away from around you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah’s) Forgiveness or them'. [3:159].

Dr. al-Sudais also called upon non-Muslims not to fear from Islam; “for Islam will protect you and will not harm you,” al-Sudais said.

Sheikh al-Sudais also mentioned that Islam condemns divisions and differences among Muslims and calls for unity. The Qur'an says, 'And hold fast, all of you together, by the Rope of Allah (this Qur’an), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's Favour on you; for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together in love, so that by His Grace, you became brethren...' 3:103]

The Imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah also called upon Muslims to treat non-Muslims kindly, justly and fairly. The Qur'an mentions, 'Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with regard to those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes: for Allah loves those who are just. [60:8]

Sheikh al-Sudais urged Muslims to respect the values of the country in which they live. He called them not to cheat, or tell lies or commit crimes. He recommended Muslims to know the rights of non-Muslims.

Dr. Al-Sudais also urged Muslims to know the rights of husbands and rights of wife and look after their family.

After the Jumah Prayer, the Imam of the Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah met with Prince Muhammad bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom and Ireland and Dr. Ahmed al-Dubayan, the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre at his office. He also met with some eminent leaders of the Muslim community as well as the staff of the Islamic Cultural Centre.

Meeting with Imams and leaders of
Mosques and Islamic centres
The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram Makkah also prayed the Maghreb (evening) prayer at the Regents Park London Central Mosque and after the prayer he met with the Imams of different Mosques and leaders of the Islamic centres at the Islamic Cultural Centre building.

Sheikh Al-Sudais emphasised on the unity of the Muslim community. He said it is very important for the future of the community.

Sheikh Al-Sudais also called upon the Muslims to concentrate more on the education of their children. He said it is important to educate the young Muslims to make them able to understand their religion very well.

Sheikh al-Sudas also talked about good relations between Muslims and non-Muslims and the wider community while living in the Western countries.

Dr. al-Sudais also talked about better relations among Muslim organisations to work together to pray together and to serve the community together, which they are supposed to take care of.

Emphasizing on the issue of unity of the Muslim community, Sheikh al-Sudais mentioned about the beginning of Ramadan and the issue of the time table for prayers, as for example. Sheikh al-Sudais also talked about the issue of the Shari’ah Council.

On the issue of Shari’ah Council, Dr. Al-Dubayan made his comments on the role of the Islamic Cultural Centre on this subject. He said the Islamic Cultural centre is trying to create one Board of Shari’ah Council in the UK in order to have one standard, one criteria and to be more professional and more acceptability.

The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram Makkah, Sheikh al-Sudais conveyed the Salams from the Custodians of the Two Holy Mosques both in the meeting and in his Friday Sermon (Khutbah).

Sheikh al-Sudais asked the Muslims to do their best in serving the society in which they live, exchanging visits among themselves.

Interview with Dr. Dubayan
After the meeting, I interviewed Dr. Ahmed al-Dubayan, the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre about the visit of the Sheikh.

Mentioning about the importance of his visit, Dr. al-Dubayan said, this visit of mosques, Islamic centres and organisations etc. by the Imam of the Masjid al-Haram Makkah is very important. “It builds more bridges among Muslim themselves, give them more chance to listen to his khutbah, instructions and follow teachings of Islam,” said Dr. al-Dubayan.

Dr. Al-Dubayan also mentioned that the Sheikh himself talked about the young people in his speech in the Khutbah. Sheikh al-Sudais mentioned in his Khutbah about the young people.

“Sheikh al-Sudais asked the youth to be the good ambassadors of their religion, nation and country and become the examples and models for Islam in this country. This message, I believe, is very important,” said Dr. al-Dubayan and added, “This is to build more bridges and to give more chances for good relations and tolerance among the Muslim communities in this country.”

Dr. al-Dubayan also mentioned, “Any Muslim is happy to receive his eminence at the Islamic cultural centre. It is also a good chance for the staff members of the Islamic cultural centre to come and to say Salam to his eminence and to his royal highness.”

Earlier, the Imam of the Grand Mosque of Makkah opened the largest and biggest Mosque in Yorkshire, the Masjid al-Tauheedul Islam in Blackburn, led the Jumah prayer and delivered a speech after the evening prayer.