Eid al-Adha sermon at the Grand Mosque: A prayer for the leadership and the well-being of the country
The Grand Mosque in Mecca, the holiest place on earth, witnessed the arrival of millions of worshippers to perform the Eid al-Adha prayer, in a magnificent display of faith reflecting the unity and solidarity of the Muslim Ummah. His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Bandar bin Abdulaziz Balila, Imam and Khateeb of the Grand Mosque, delivered the Eid sermon, which contained profound messages of faith and sincere prayers for the pilgrims and the wise leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Sheikh Balila began his sermon by praying for the pilgrims who had completed their Hajj rituals, asking God Almighty to accept their pilgrimage, forgive their sins, ease their affairs, and help them complete their rituals with ease and peace of mind. These prayers come within the context of the great role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Crown Prince, in serving the guests of God and providing them with every means of comfort and safety. This is a continuation of its historical role in caring for the Two Holy Mosques and serving their visitors.
His Eminence addressed the pilgrims from the pulpit of the Grand Mosque, urging them to perform their rituals in accordance with the teachings of their Lord's Book and the Sunnah of their Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. He also called upon them to thank God Almighty for the blessings of monotheism and the Sunnah, which He has bestowed upon the Muslim community, emphasizing the importance of brotherhood and love among Muslims, and that they should be loving and fraternal servants of God. This call for brotherhood and harmony reflects the essence of Islam, which calls for unity and rejects division, especially during these blessed days when Muslims gather from all corners of the earth.
Sheikh Balila emphasized that the best day of the year is the Day of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha), noting that while some scholars consider the Day of Arafah to be the best, the correct view is that it is the Day of Sacrifice due to the great acts of worship performed on it that are not performed on any other day. He mentioned among these acts the standing at Muzdalifah, the stoning of the Jamarat al-Aqaba alone, the sacrifice, the shaving of the head, and the Tawaf al-Ifadah (circumambulation of the Kaaba). These rituals represent the culmination of the Hajj pilgrimage and embody the meanings of sacrifice, devotion, and obedience to God's commands, reminding Muslims of the story of the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his son Ismail (peace be upon him).
At the conclusion of his sermon, Sheikh Dr. Bandar Balila raised his hands in supplication, praying for the Saudi leadership: “O God, support our Imam and leader, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, with truth, guidance, and success, and grant him a long life in good health and abundant blessings. O God, guide him and his Crown Prince to what is best for the country and its people.” This supplication reflects the close relationship between the leadership and the people of the Kingdom and highlights the pivotal role of the leadership in maintaining security and stability and providing a suitable environment for performing religious rites. He also prayed for the valiant security personnel and all those working in various fields who exert tremendous efforts to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims and Umrah performers, emphasizing that these efforts are an integral part of serving the Two Holy Mosques.
This sermon, delivered from the heart of the Islamic world, carries messages with local, regional, and international dimensions. Locally, it reinforces the values of loyalty and belonging and emphasizes the importance of unity between the leadership and the people. Regionally and internationally, it highlights the pioneering role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in serving Islam and Muslims, and underscores its commitment to spreading the message of peace and unity through organizing the world's largest annual gathering of people: the Hajj pilgrimage. Furthermore, the prayers offered for the leadership and security forces reflect appreciation for their efforts to ensure the stability of the region and the Islamic world, and affirm that security and prosperity are the foundation of development and progress.
