Arafat Sermon of 1441 Hijri Hajj Arafat Sermon From Masjid al-Nimrah in Arafat During Covid-19 Dr Mozammel Haque The followings are the summarized Arafat Sermon – Khutbah delivered from the Masjid al-Nimrah, Arafah, on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah – Arafah Day. The Arafah Sermon was delivered by Sheikh Muhammad ibn Hassan Ali-Sheikh, Member of the Council of Senior Scholars and Head of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Complex for Hadiths. Summarized Khutbah at Arafah Only Worship Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. There is no one worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger. Our Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu wa Sallam said he is the seal of the Prophets. Rasullullah Sallallahu wa Sallam conveyed the message of Allah. He affirmed the message with other Prophets’ of God. Perfection of Deen On the Arafah Day Allah Subhanahu wa Taala made the announcement of the Perfection of your Deen and showed all His best favours on you. And this Perfection of Deen is to worship only Allah Subhanahu wa Taala and Allah only. This is the Deen of five pillars. The five pillars of Islam comprise: correct beliefs about Allah, His Angels, His Books and His Messengers and the Last Day as well as the correct belief about Allah’s preordainment, its results are perceived to be good or bad. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala said to mankind that We have sent among you a Messenger who is of your own. He read the Qur’an, reciting to you our evidences, purifying you and teaching you the Qur’an and the Sunnah and teaching you what you have no knowledge of. Therefore, make mention of Me, if you do so I will make mention of you; be grateful to Me and do not be ungrateful of My favours. Perseverance through hardships Therefore, O Believers, seek help from Allah Subhanahu wa Taala by way of patience, perseverance and prayers. Allah is certainly with those who patiently persevere. Thus, after that, Allah Subhanahu wa Taala mentioned the blessings of sending His Messenger. Allah instructed us to mention Him, be grateful to Him and persevere for Him. Another component of Taqwa is persevering through difficulties one faces which may cause him pain. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala said that those who remains patience, remains steadfast at the time of extreme poverty and illnesses, people who have these qualities they are the ones who have been true to Allah and they are the ones who observe Taqwa. Allah will test with fear, hunger My dear audience, life in this world does not free of difficulty. And this is why Allah Subhanahu wa Taala instructed us to persevere and We shall certainly test you with instances of fear and hunger as well as loss of wealth, lives and fruits. However, Messenger of Allah, you are to convey glad tidings to those who patiently persevere they are the people who, when afflicted with adversaries. “say, “We all most certainly belong to Allah alone and to Him alone we will all most certainly return.” They are the ones whom their Lord will commend and grant mercy, and they are the ones who are soundly guided. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala also said, as for those who persevere, we shall most certainly reward them according to the best deeds they had performed. Allah’s Preordainment and Decree How could a servant of Allah not persevere if he has sound belief about Allah’s preordainment and decree? He unwaveringly believes that anything which befell him would not have missed him; in that even if everyone throughout the entire Earth gather together to avert what Allah decreed to happen to him, they would remain unable. As it has been explained in the Qur’an that anything which happened on earth is predestined and is written and preserved in Tablet in the Book of Allah and that is very easy for Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. All these afflictions and crisis and pandemic we suffer, this only re-enforces our belief and trust in Allah, in the Creator, in the Sustainer of the world. Allah Subhanahu wa Taala said that don’t you see that Allah has put at your service all the things which are in Heaven and Earth. Don’t you see the whole Universe is serving the humanity on turns turning towards Allah Subhanahu wa Taala and all good or bad experiences if you have, they all makers return to Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. And whatever is afflicted on earth it is just to give us the taste of some results of some of our actions and one has to repent as Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says men and women, believers and non-believers - all are put through trials and tribulations for them to pay heed to and ponder on this situations around us. Only the Jannah the final abode on the Day of Judgement will be the place where there are no worries, no hardships, anything to worry and there not to be afraid as Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has written. As it is also informed this in the Qur’an Allah Subhanahu wa Taala said do try with good and bad times and it is re-enforced and reasserted in the Qur’an that after every hardship there is ease, indeed after every hardship there is ease. In another place also Allah said that after hardship there is ease. Allah wants to facilitate for you, make it easy for you, He does not want to put you under stress. Our Shariah has given enough guidance how to do on this earth in terms of economics, financial activities earning the livelihood, doing businesses and doing hard work to sustain life. And Allah has given all good guidance about fulfilling the promises; about fulfilling the covenants and settling dues and debts and everything which we agree upon in our day to day life, in our livelihood and business transactions. And in terms of expenditure and earnings, apart from earning, Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has also guided us the middle path in expenditures - Allah has warned us – don’t take each other’s properties illegitimate means. And all Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has ordered us to keep record of all the transactions and remake witnesses and fulfil your covenants and promises. Islam prescribed guidance/directives The blessed teachings of Islam have prescribed a number of guidance/directives to ease those outcomes; for instance, Allah has prescribed directives in dealing with adversaries of an economic and financial nature so as to bring a dignified livelihood for people at large. Islamic teachings encourage earnings for more productivity for work and support commerce. According to Islamic teachings trade is permissible – they only prohibit things such as usury, deception and dishonesty in transactions. Islamic teachings prescribe public and private property to protect it that agreements to be honoured and the stipulated terms to be fulfilled. Commercial Islamic teachings give order for commercial cooperation and exchange. They prescribe settling debts as well as documenting liabilities and obligations. They warned extravagant. They obligate giving charity to the needy and they encourage charity during times of adversity and stress. Allah, the Most Exalted, has said people of Iman you must fulfil all your obligations and responsibilities toward others. Trade Allah further said there is no extravagant and misery when you spend; rather they are moderate between these two extremes. Allah also said Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury. Allah the Most Exalted has further said people of Imaan you must not take property of others or you have no right to do so. However, you may take or use a property of others when there is trade between mutual consent. Allah further said about selling and buying. It is recommended to have witnesses so as to preclude possibility of any mischief or dispute happenings. Allah has also said you must be fair when buying or selling, by giving others the full measure and weight which they are entitled. In addition Allah has said about Jannah, it has been prepared for the people of Taqwa. Among their priorities, they care both during prosperity and hardships. Communities Islam has also prescribed directives for protecting communities as well as resolving social and psychological issues. Islam teachings prescribed upholding ties of kinship and raising children properly. They foster harmony, togetherness and social solidarity. They gave each spouse right; they must be fulfilled by the other and they protect the rights of any human being, was it man, woman, child, elderly, young able-bodied or one special needs. Islam teachings promote giving consideration to the feelings of others; supporting them during their time of hardships, observing same conduct and using wholesome words while speaking. . Parents Islam encourages the promotion of love, harmony and cooperation among people. Allah, the Most Exalted, said Allah Alone has commanded all of you to worship none besides Him and HE has commanded each of you to treat both of your parents well. If one with you or both of your parents reached old age, you must not let either of them hear slightest word – woh – which expresses irritation in any way and not treat either of them harshly; rather be gentleman speak to both of them kindly and honourably; remain humble out of your compassion towards both of them and say: Allah bring mercy to both of my parents, since they mercifully and patiently brought raising me when I was young and weak. Husband-Wife relationship Even husband and wife relationship has been ordered to be based on love, kindness and the fulfilment of their rights. Allah said: ensure that your life with your wife is based on kindness, love and fulfilment of their rights. If you dislike something about them for any mundane reason you must bear them patiently because it may well be that you may dislike something when in fact Allah brings about much goodness about it. Uphold Justice Allah also said indeed Allah commands all of you to uphold justice, worship with best way and deal with the services in the best manner and give relatives what are due to them. HE also forbids you from lousy senses and transgression. He admonishes you and reminds you of the consequences so that you would be mindful of HIS Directives. In addition, Allah said fulfil the rights of relatives by treating them well and upholding the ties of kinship, give to the needy and wayfarers and travellers. Do not spend your wealth extravagantly or use anything which is tantamount to disobeying Allah. Osama bin Sharif, may Allah be pleased on him, said: I witness The Messenger of Allah peace and blessings be upon him, giving sermon to the Farewell Hajj where he was saying give to your mother, to your father, to your sister, to your brother and then those who are next to nearness to you. Other issues for which Islam prescribed various directives include those pertaining to governance and security. Islam prescribed measures which ensure safety and stability of people and their lands and which enable people to perform all of their tasks and duties. Islam Prohibits Spreading Corruption anywhere Islam teachings protect people’s rights, preserve their life and safeguard their properties. They prohibit transgression against others who are sending arms to them. They also prohibit people instigating problem, supplying terrorism and spreading corruption anywhere in the world. They encourage staying clear any path leading to strife. Islam enjoins justice bringing about greatest overall good and achieving accord between people and tried for rectification. Allah the Most Exalted said adhere to the Qur’an and the Sunnah and you must not divide amongst yourselves. Allah also said those who have Iman and do not mix their Iman with the injustice or worshipping others besides Allah, they are the ones who are soundly guided. Allah also said indeed, Allah commanded you to fulfil all the trust, giving them to those who deserve them and to be fair with when you judge between people. Allah Hears all and Sees all. O People of Iman, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those on authority among you. If you have a dispute about something, refer back to Allah and the Messenger if you truly have iman in Allah and the Last Day. Seeking solution is better than disputing or acting based on other opinion and it will produce best outcome. Allah further said don’t be unjust towards others concerning their belongings and do not cause corruption upon the earth after it is set on order; abiding this order is best for you if you accept the Truth from Allah. You must not sit along every path threatening people, hindering people who believe in Allah; following His path and seeking to make Allah’s path appropriate. Reconcile fighting between two groups Allah further said if fighting ever takes place between two groups among the people of iman then you are to reconcile between those two groups. Allah also said people of iman are to be nothing besides brothers to each other. In addition, The Prophet peace be upon him said during his Farewell Hajj – blood, property and honour are certainly the most inviolable to one another, just as the inviolability of the days of yours, the month of yours and the lands of yours. After I have gone, you must not go back rejecting Islam once again striking next to each other. Obey the authority Islamic teachings instructed to obey the authority when he said to worship your Lord, pray your five daily prayers, fast in the month of Ramadan and obey the leaders when he gives you instructions. If you do those things you would be admitted to Jannah which Allah has prepared. In addition to the proceedings, there are directives of Islam prescribing measures. Islamic teachings seek to ensure peoples health and physical well being and that include directives to maintain cleanliness of oneself and to keep the environment clean. Protect communities against epidemic Islamic directives permit wholesome food and prohibit harmful ones. In addition, Islamic teachings prescribe measures to protect communities against spread of epidemics. Allah the Most Exalted said people of Iman when you want to perform prayers but you are in a state of impurity, you must perform wadu by washing your faces, washing your forearms up to and including elbows, passing your hands over your head and washing your feet up to and including your angles. If you are in a state of major impurity, you must first perform ghasl by washing your body entirety. Allah further said purify your garments. Allah also told Prophet Ibrahim has said when I am ill it is Allah who cures me. Allah described Prophet Muhammad saying he will permit wholesome things for them and prohibit them from all that is detestable. Furthermore, the Prophet, May Allah grant recommendations and protections, said, servants of Allah seek cure from illness, since there is no illness which are not curable. Furthermore, the Prophet, Sallallahu wa Sallam, also said: free from a person of leprosy as you are free from a lion as well as do not put one who is ill with one who is healthy. The Prophet Sallallahu wa Sallam further said: if there is a pandemic in any land, then if you are inside in don’t go out of it and if you are outside of it, then don’t go inside.” Based on this Hadith which prohibits travelling from one occasion to another during when there is highly contagious diseases spreading the decision was made by the King of Saudi Arabia to limit the number of people perform Hajj this year and only have it consists of individuals from nationality who are already within the nation’s borders. This allows Hajj still to perform was taking all necessary measures for protecting peoples health and maintaining social distancing. Precaution has been put in place to protect life against damage that the pandemic can cause and also safeguarding human life by Allah’s permission. Deep gratitude is also extended to all Muslims for their positive response to comply with the nation’s precaution regulation that is implemented in Makkah and Madinah to protect peoples from the potential effects of the current pandemic. We pray that Allah rewards the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman ibn Abdulaziz as well as his Crown Prince Mohamed ibn Salman and all the individuals of the nation’s leadership under their leadership and guidance, Allah continuing pardoning, continuing forgiving and the Almighty who overpowers all else. He decrees events of many types so that the righteous may be distinguished from the impious. He bestows much goodness and innumerable blessings upon His servants though there may be some occasions when difficulties occur based on Allah’s wisdom and in order to bring about major advantages to people. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah. HE is completely Unique. HE regulates all matters that occur throughout every night and day. I further testify that Muhammad is Allah’s worshipping servant and chosen Messenger. The Lord of all Creation described him as the Mercy for Mankind and indeed has come as a Messenger amongst yourselves. He is concerned about you and he is kind and merciful to the people of Iman, those who believe and perform rightful deeds. May Allah bestow His blessing to His Messenger as well as to His Messenger’s family, his righteous companions and his followers who set the greatest of precedents and extended goodness and spreading the truth. Dear Muslims I remind all of you as well as myself to observe Taqwa of Allah and fulfilment of His Commands and avoiding His Prohibitions. Observing Taqwa is the instruction that Allah has given to all former and later generations. Allah was perfect in every ways said We most certainly commanded to people of Scriptures prior to you as well as you yourselves. So observer Taqwa of Allah. Ackwledgement: [Courtesy: Manarat al-Haramain, Government of Saudi Arabia And Islam Channel UK]