Imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque, His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Bandar Baleela, urged Muslims to fear Allah and to know that steadfastness in the religion of Allah is the believer's capital in this life, and the path to salvation after death, and that the foot of Islam is not firmly planted except on the bridge of submission and surrender.

In his sermon delivered today at the Grand Mosque, he said: "With the succession of years, and the widening gap from the light of the lamp of the best of mankind, afflictions have followed one after another, trials have become widespread, doubts have diversified, desires have multiplied, distractions have increased, and pastimes have followed one another. According to Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: 'There will come a time upon you when what comes after will be worse than what came before, until you meet your Lord.' Reported by Al-Bukhari."

Trial is the greatest calamity. He explained that the greatest calamities that befall a believer are not in the loss of wealth or sustenance, but the great calamity and the immense trial are the trial in religion and the shaking of certainty. For this reason, our Prophet frequently prayed with the words: "Do not make our calamity in our religion."

Related news

His Eminence stressed that every Muslim who cares about the integrity of his religion and hopes to meet his Lord must hold fast to what preserves his faith and cling to what protects his monotheism. The basis, origin, and foremost of that is supplication to Allah, the Most High, for no one can remain steadfast unless their Lord makes them steadfast. His Eminence explained that among the most important causes of steadfastness in the religion of Allah are: frequent recitation of the Holy Quran, pondering over its verses, gaining deep understanding of its meanings, and acting upon what it contains; and then recalling the stories of the righteous, from the early predecessors and the previous generations, including the prophets and messengers and those who followed them in goodness over the years.

Avoiding places of desires and refraining from amusement. He added that holding fast to His Book, adhering to the community, renouncing discord and division, staying away from areas of doubt and desires, and avoiding gatherings of amusement and temptations, safeguard a servant's religion and purify his conscience. He concluded the sermon by saying: "So fear Allah in adhering to the Book and the Sunnah according to the methodology of the Salaf of this nation, and staying away from people of deviation and innovation. Then be patient, for the one who endures patiently in the time of trials is like one who holds onto a burning ember."