Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah in Zahedan, Shaikh Abdul Hameed talked about Hajj and the virtues of first ten days of the Islamic month “Dhul Hijja” and its related particular worships in his latest Friday sermon on 28th October in the Grand Makki mosque of Zahedan, Iran.
He began his speech by recitation of holy verses: « إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبَارَكًا وَهُدًى لِّلْعَالَمِينَ*فِيهِ آيَاتٌ بَيِّنَاتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَمَن دَخَلَهُ كَانَ آمِنًا وَلِلّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ الله غَنِيٌّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ» [آل عمران: 96-97] and the initial verses of Sourah Al-Fajr. He said that performing Hajj and presence in the two holy places is a great blessing from Exalted Allah.
Shaikh pointed, ‘Allah Almighty has gifted people an appropriate environment with all sorts of facilities to ease His worship for them. We must utilize opportunities to gain Allah’s adhesion and worship Him through transitory life.’
He added more that now performing Hajj comparatively is much easier than past. Muslim pilgrims used to travel on foot or by camels and other animals towards holy cities of Makkah and Madinah in early past. But now, airplanes facilitated traveling. Hajj is a great opportunity for pilgrims to get rewards. The more pilgrims bear difficulties, the more they earn oblations.
Sands of Arafat wet with tears of Allah’s special slaves
Mawlana Abdul Hameed indicated to the recited verse at the beginning of sermon and said that Ka’bah is the very first home which was built for Allah Almighty in the world. Ka’bah was established by Adam (Alaihissalam) initially, and then Prophet Abraham rebuilt it. This is the place where Allah’s mercies arrive.
Talking about holy place, Arafat, near Masjid al-Haram, he pointed, ‘In Arafat Allah accepts His slaves’ repentance. Here, special slaves of Allah and holy men used to make du’a for all, sands of Arafat are mixed with their tears.’
The eminent Sunni scholar emphasized that being in “Mina” and “Mozdalifah” is also a valuable bliss. Hujjaj should be happy for that great virtue. These are the places prophets (peace be upon them) visited them and worshiped Allah over there.
He asked pilgrims of Haramayn to not waste their precious time in roaming around markets; rather they should be away from what relates to the world, remember Allah and gaze to Ka’bah. Looking at Ka’bah is worship. A unit of prayer in Masjid al-Haram is equal to one hundred thousand and fifty thousands in Masjid-un-Nabi.
It is notable that Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah, Shaikh Abdul Hameed was one of the pilgrims of this year, but due to confiscation of his passport by Iranian authorities, he could not travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.
Fasting first ten days of Dhul Hijja
Khateeb of Sunnis in Zahedan continued his points saying that it is so regrettable that the related authorities did not allow him to perform Hajj.
‘Those who have not gained the virtue of Hajj, they should not miss the first ten days of the last Islamic month, Dhul Hijja. Observing fast, Sawm, a day of these ten days is equal to observing fast one year. As worships at these nights peer to worshiping Lailat-ul-Qadr,’ he concluded.
Pilgrims must pray for the Muslim world’s matters
Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdul Hameed talked about the current issues of the Muslim world and advised pilgrims to not neglect oppressed Muslims in their sincere prayers.
He pointed that Muslims are in an important examination. People in Syria and Yemen are under fire of their dictator rulers. The opinionated rulers massacre their publics on roads by tanks and heavy guns day and night. Pilgrims are requested to pray for all Muslims particularly for Syrians and Yemenis.