Sermon at the Grand Mosque: The virtue and impact of believing in divine decree and predestination

In his Friday sermon, the Imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Sheikh Dr. Yasser Al-Dosari, emphasized the importance of belief in divine decree and predestination, explaining that it is a fundamental pillar of Islamic faith and a means of salvation from Hellfire and the wrath of God Almighty. He further noted that when this profound belief is firmly established in people's hearts, God protects humanity and elevates them to the highest levels of perfection in all aspects of their lives, both in this world and the hereafter.

The status of the Friday sermon in the Holy Mosque of Mecca

The Friday sermon from the Grand Mosque in Mecca holds immense historical and Islamic significance, serving as a global platform whose message resonates throughout the world. Since the dawn of Islam, the Holy Mosque has been a center of spiritual and intellectual enlightenment, from which guiding messages emanate, addressing the realities of Muslims. These sermons are designed to meet the needs of the Muslim community, offering faith-based solutions derived from the Holy Quran and the purified Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This is why millions of Muslims worldwide eagerly anticipate them weekly, seeking spiritual nourishment and a renewal of their covenant with God.

The impact of belief in predestination and divine decree on the life of a Muslim

Dr. Al-Dossari added that destiny is God's secret in His creation, and that everything decreed by God Almighty occurs according to His perfect wisdom. For God, in His majesty, is the One who creates and destroys, impoverishes and enriches, leads astray and guides. He emphasized the necessity of absolute submission to God's decree: what God has revealed to us, we believe in and accept; and what His wisdom is hidden from us, we submit to and are content with.

He explained that whoever truly believes in God, and knows with certainty that everything is by the decree and predestination of the Most Merciful, and fulfills its requirements, God will strengthen his heart with contentment and tranquility. Whoever seeks God's help, relying on Him wholeheartedly, will be aided. And whoever bears burdens and hardships in His cause, He will ease them for him. His Eminence then asked rhetorically, with disapproval: How can one who knows that death is inevitable fear? And how can one who is certain that sustenance is apportioned fear poverty? If a servant truly believes this, God will ease his trials and grant him steadfastness in facing life's challenges.

Levels of belief in predestination and divine decree

To reinforce this doctrinal concept, the Imam of the Grand Mosque explained that belief in predestination has four basic levels that every Muslim must understand:

• The level of knowledge: It is the firm belief in God’s all-encompassing knowledge, and that He, Glory be to Him, knows what was and what will be.
• The order of writing: This means believing that God Almighty wrote the destinies of all creatures in the Preserved Tablet before the creation of the heavens and the earth.
• The level of will and decree: This includes the belief that everything that happens in this vast universe is by the effective will and all-encompassing decree of God.
• The level of creation: It is the absolute belief that God is the creator of everything, there is no creator other than Him and no lord other than Him.

The spiritual and social dimensions of the message of the Holy Mosque in Mecca

Emphasizing these faith-based values ​​at this time carries profound significance on local, regional, and international levels. Amidst the rapid changes and challenges facing the world today, the message from the Holy Mosque in Mecca serves as a psychological and spiritual safeguard for Muslims. Locally and regionally, these directives strengthen social cohesion and instill optimism and contentment among individuals. Internationally, they present a clear image of Islam's tolerance and its capacity to address human anxieties by connecting hearts to their Creator, thus contributing to inner peace and psychological well-being for millions of followers worldwide.