The preacher of the Grand Mosque: Man is weak and his need for God is inevitable
During his Friday sermon, the Imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Sheikh Dr. Faisal bin Jamil Ghazawi, affirmed that weakness is the dominant characteristic of humankind, the very nature with which humanity was created and formed, citing the Almighty's words: "Allah is the One Who created you from weakness." He further emphasized that this weakness is not a flaw to be hidden, but rather a reality that necessitates constant reliance on the Creator, may He be glorified and exalted.
Sheikh Ghazawi explained that no matter how much strength, knowledge, or skill a person possesses, they remain incapable of overcoming their desires or abstaining from temptations except through God's protection and guidance. He warned against relying on oneself or being deceived by one's own abilities, emphasizing that neglecting to seek God's help is the first step towards failure and misguidance. Demonstrating weakness and dependence on God is the essence of strength, from which one draws support and guidance, and from which one finds inspiration and wisdom in all aspects of life.
The dangers of self-admiration and its destructive effects
In discussing spiritual ailments, the preacher of the Grand Mosque strongly warned against the disease of "self-admiration," describing it as one of the ugliest and most insidious forms of arrogance, and one of the most destructive to a person's faith. He explained that whenever a person becomes conceited and sees inherent merit in themselves, the care of the Most Merciful abandons them, and they are surrounded by abandonment from all sides.
His Eminence cited historical and Quranic examples to illustrate the consequences of arrogance, referring to the story of Iblis, whom God expelled from His mercy and Paradise because of his self-admiration and pride. He also touched upon a profound lesson from the Prophet's biography on the Day of Hunayn, when some Muslims were deluded by their large numbers, which ultimately proved insufficient, and the earth, vast as it was, felt constricted to them, until God, in His mercy and with His victory, came to their aid when they sincerely returned to relying on Him.
The pulpit of the Grand Mosque in Mecca: A global message of guidance
Friday sermons delivered from the pulpit of the Grand Mosque in Mecca hold exceptional significance that transcends geographical boundaries, as the eyes and hearts of Muslims across the globe turn towards this sacred place. The message of the sermon is not limited to those present at the ancient House of God; rather, it represents spiritual and educational guidance for the entire Muslim community. These sermons play a pivotal role in correcting misconceptions, purifying souls, and reminding people of the true nature of this world and the hereafter, drawing their power from the sanctity of the place and the grandeur of the time.
These divine directives come at a time when contemporary societies are in dire need of returning to sound religious principles to regulate the fast pace of materialistic life. Reminding ourselves of human weakness and dependence on God strengthens psychological well-being and eliminates the arrogance and pride that can arise from material abundance or scientific advancement, thus restoring spiritual balance to both the individual and society.
Sheikh Faisal Ghazawi concluded his sermon by emphasizing that true success and prosperity depend on sincere reliance on God, and that whoever is certain of the necessity of relying on his Creator and disavows his own power and strength, has taken the path to salvation in this world and the hereafter.
