The preacher of the Grand Mosque: Preaching is life for the hearts, and holding fast to the Quran is salvation

The Imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Bandar bin Abdul Aziz Balila, affirmed during his Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque that the human soul has varying states of coming and going, stressing that the effective treatment for the soul’s fluctuations lies in adhering to the Book of God and the Sunnah of His Noble Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, for in them is righteousness in this world and success in the Hereafter.

In his sermon, which was attended by large crowds of worshippers and pilgrims, His Eminence explained that preaching is not merely words spoken, but rather a characteristic of God Almighty by which He guides His servants to the straight path. God Almighty commanded His Prophet to preach to his people and offer them sincere advice to illuminate their paths, stressing that good preaching is the tradition of the ancients and the practice of the righteous, past and present.

The pulpit of the Grand Mosque: A universal message and spiritual influence

The Friday sermon delivered from the pulpit of the Grand Mosque in Mecca holds exceptional significance that transcends geographical boundaries. The Grand Mosque is the direction of prayer (qibla) for Muslims and the focus of their hearts, and its pulpit serves as the most prominent platform for communication and guidance in the Islamic world. These sermons reinforce sound Islamic principles and remind Muslims across the globe of the foundations of their faith, thus strengthening Islamic unity and connecting hearts to their Creator amidst the rapid changes the world is witnessing.

The preachers of the Two Holy Mosques are always keen to choose topics that touch the reality of people and their spiritual needs, drawing their guidance from the Holy Qur’an and the purified Sunnah of the Prophet, so that this noble pulpit may have its active role in guidance, instruction and correcting the course, which reflects the pioneering role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in serving Islam and Muslims and taking care of the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors.

Adherence to the Book of God is the lifeline

In discussing the importance of the Holy Quran, Dr. Balila emphasized that whoever does not heed the teachings of God's Book and its verses is as good as dead, lost in the darkness of arrogance and whims, describing their condition as that of someone walking in dark paths, unable to find the way to righteousness. The Quran is the light that dispels the darkness of confusion, and it is the firm rope that protects from error.

His Eminence concluded the sermon by emphasizing that preaching and reminding are a pressing human need that no one can do without, regardless of their status or knowledge. He cited as evidence that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) specifically addressed his admonitions to the most honorable of people after the prophets—his noble companions (may God be pleased with them)—who were the most eager for good and the quickest to respond to the truth. This demonstrates that reminders benefit believers and renew faith in their hearts.