Friday Sermons of the Imam of Masjid al-Haram Makkah at Regents Park London Central Mosque

Khutba of Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais

At the Regents Park London Central Mosque

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Head of the Presidency of the Haramain came to the United Kingdom and visited The Islamic Cultural Centre & The Regents Park London Central Mosque, in the first week of June 2015. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, Head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques & the Imam of the Masjid Al-Haram Makkah was received by Dr Ahmad Al Dubayan, Director General of The Islamic Cultural Centre & The London Central Mosque Trust on Friday 5th June 2015.

Friday Sermons on 5^th of June 2015

against Violence and Radicalisation

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais led two Friday Jumah prayers and delivered Sermons (Khutba) on 5^th of June and 12^th of June 2015 respectively. While delivering his sermons to the congregation on 5^th of June 2015, the Imam of the Masjid al-Haram stressed the urgent need to address important current issues for the Muslim Community in the UK. .These included the need to keep good relations with each other no matter what race, creed or culture. He also said as a community we should be supporting, cooperating and holding hands together to face challenges of the present time.

His Eminence confirmed the fact that Muslim's should not follow any form of violence, radicalisation or takfir (declaring someone a non-Muslim or an apostate) because of which Islam is today misunderstood everywhere and also misinterpreted.

Sheikh Al-Sudais quoted verses from the Quran:

"And We have not sent you, [Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds." Al-Qur’an, 21:10 and “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good advice.” Al-Qur’an, 16:125

In his speech Sheikh Al-Sudais explained how 'blood' in Islam is protected, which means killing anybody Muslim or Non-Muslim is one of the biggest sins in the sight of Islam.

He asked Muslims to leave judgement regarding people's faith for Allah (God) & their actions for this life in the hands of the law and authorities.

The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram Makkah urged Muslim Communities in the UK & everywhere to follow regulations and law of the societies in which they live. He asked everybody to be a messenger of peace anywhere they go or wherever they are.

Sheikh Al-Sudais also said that one should lead by example, good behaviour and commitment to being righteous in your dealings is the best way to show the real image of Islam through the Qur’an and the Sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the best way to defending your faith against those who misunderstand or those who try to deface Islam. It is also the best way to bring up your children on the right Islamic path.

Khutba of Sheikh Al-Sudais on 12^th June 2015

On the blessing month of Ramadan

In his sermons on Friday, 12^th of June 2015 at the London Central Mosque, The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram Makkah Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais said, Allah the Almighty has blessed humanity with many special occasions one of which is the Holy month of Ramadan. We should reflect on the following points in this time to help Muslims reflect and to overcome trials and tribulations they are going through.

The most important point is that Ramadan is the month of fasting and this is not only for this Ummah but for previous nations before us. The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram Makkah quoted verse from the Holy Qur’an: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” Al-Qur’an, 2: 183.

 

Sheikh Al-Sudais said, Ramadan brings the spiritual opportunity that enables individuals and community at large to attain taqwa: i.e. be mindful of the consequences of our actions

The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) reminded his companions whenever Ramadan came that the gates of paradise are open and the gates of hellfire are closed and the temptations are brought to a minimal, he said and added,  Ramadan is a time to highlight the spiritual dimension so that it is the opening for us to make ourselves better and to live better lives, we must welcome and embrace this month as a time for seeking forgiveness for our sins major and small and worshipping Allah the Almighty sincerely.

Speaking about Tawbah in his sermons to the congregation, Head of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques explained, Tawbah through forgiveness can only be if it fulfils the following conditions

1 – Giving up the sin immediately.

2 – Regretting what has happened in the past.

3 – Resolving not to go back to it.

4 – Making amends to those whom you have wronged, or asking for their forgiveness. Including returning whatever you may have disowned of a person

Sheikh Al-Sudais mentioned the Hadith (Tradition of the Prophet peace be upon him):

Do you know who the bankrupt person is? It is not the one who has got no money but a person who will lose all his good deeds on the day of judgement because of the infringements of other people’s rights in this world committing him to hellfire.

The Imam of the Grand Mosque of Makkah also mentioned, Ramadan can only be sanctioned by sighting the moon and the Muslim community should show unity in embracing Ramadan as it is meant to be to consolidate Muslim unity as a result he commends to heed the advice of scholars of known integrity and to follow the guidance of Masjid Al Haram, Makkah and thanked the Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC) for its role in uniting and serving the community irrespective of their background.

He reminds them that Ramadan is meant to strengthen unity and also to discard all elements of disunity and misunderstanding

Sheikh Al-Sudais also said, Ramadan is meant to serve as a shield that protects humanity and mankind from all sorts of evil, small and big.

He also reminds, Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an so we need to follow the legacy of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and treat the Qur’an the same way as he did.

 

Reciting: Pondering and reflecting as was the case of the Prophet (peace be upon him) with Angel Gabriel

Reflecting: More you reflect you act on it and stay closer to God

Generosity: Ramadan is the month of generosity, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to be as generous as:

"Allah`s Messenger, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, was the most generous of people in charity, but he was generous to the utmost in the month of Ramadhaan. Jibreel (Gabriel) would meet him every year during the month of Ramadhaan until it ended, and Allaah's Messenger, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, would review the Quran with him; and when Jibreel met him, Allaah's Messenger, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, was more generous in giving charity than a blowing wind". (Al-Bukhaari and Muslim)

Taraweh, praying and committing time to worship Allah

Dua is one of the most important acts of worship as it reflects our true servitude to the Creator .

All as a means of seeking forgiveness.

Sheikh Al-Sudais also said, It is imperative upon us to spread and demonstrate  the peaceful  message of Islam, moderation, respect, toleration, fairness, justice and equality  so that others can look at Islam and admire its true teachings.

He said, we should also reflect on our families and children on all aspects of life.

We should carry our responsibility of bringing up our children as God fearing as this is a responsibility that Allah has put on us.

The Imam of the Masjid al-Haram Makkah also reminds, Muslims should be aware of the Challenges facing this Ummah and work towards keeping the Ummah united as a result we should not allow anyone to divide the unity of this.

The Challenges of the Ummah:

We should not allow anyone to divide the unity of this Ummah

He said, we should strive to contribute to peace and stability within the moderate teaching of Islam

Imam of the Masjid al-Haram Makkah also reminded, Islam has never promoted evil terrorism or extremism. Evil has no nationality or colour so it is not characteristic of Islam.