Arafat: Cleric tasks Muslims on repentance, generosity

A leading Imam at the Prophet Muhammad Mosque in Madinah and a lecturer at the University of Madinah, Dr. Husayn bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh has urged Muslims worldwide to sincerely repent from their sins and also be generous to the needy to gain the favours of Allah. He gave the advice on Monday in the Arafat […]

A leading Imam at the Prophet Muhammad Mosque in Madinah and a lecturer at the University of Madinah, Dr. Husayn bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh has urged Muslims worldwide to sincerely repent from their sins and also be generous to the needy to gain the favours of Allah.

He gave the advice on Monday in the Arafat Khutbah (sermon) which was translated into English and some other languages.

The event at Mount Arafat which is the most important rite of the hajj pilgrimage features pilgrims’ supplication for Allah’s guidance and forgiveness.

It also involves staying at plain of Arafat from sunrise until sunset.

According to him, the rigours of hajj rites are beyond the physical activities, but solely for the worship of Allah.

"Believers should fear Allah. Having Tawhid (oneness of Allah), following Prophet Muhammad in acts of worships and that is everything we do as Muslims. Muslims should also lead the mankind to be of good character," Al-Sheikh said.

While stressing the importance of husbands and wives to love and be good to each other, he also urged mankind, especially Muslims, to fulfill their promises as Allah would fulfill promises.

He charged those in authority to be just, as Allah command justice and forbid injustice, and also charged the led to respect and follow those in authority.

Meanwhile, the leader of the 30-man Nigerian Guest of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prof. Taofeek Ibrahim, has expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the delegation being the guests of the King Salman to this year’s hajj pilgrimage.

While commending King Salman for the gesture, Prof Ibrahim who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Al-Hikma University, urged the pilgrims and other Nigerians to pray for Nigeria and its leadership.

Also, the National Coordinator of the Riyadh-based Committee of Dawah Program (CDP) in Nigeria, Imam Sufyan Abdallah Malumfashi, told Daily Trust that there are 23 other Nigerians as Guests of King Salman making a total of 53 Nigerians.

He said the 23 comprised of winners of the special competition and CDP officials.