The preacher of the Grand Mosque: The implications of Surah Qaf and the proof of the Resurrection
In an atmosphere of faith filled with reverence and tranquility, the Grand Mosque witnessed the arrival of crowds of worshippers to perform Friday prayers, where the preacher of the Grand Mosque , His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Yasser bin Rashid Al-Dosari, delivered an eloquent sermon in which he addressed the purposes of Surah “Qaf”, stressing that it included the most sublime goals of Islam and its doctrinal pillars, and testified to the truthfulness of the prophets and messengers, and established the proof and evidence of the reality of resurrection and the Day of Judgment.
The meanings and great purposes of Surah Qaf
His Eminence began his sermon by pointing out that God Almighty opened this great chapter with one of the disjointed letters, which carries abundant miraculous and linguistic significance, and swore by the Glorious Quran. Dr. Al-Dossari explained that the opening of the chapter served as a deterrent and rebuke to the polytheists who denied the Resurrection and rejected the possibility of creation returning after death, clarifying that the chapter was revealed to establish the doctrine of Resurrection and Recompense, which is a fundamental pillar of faith.
His Eminence continued, explaining that the Quranic proofs are replete with evidence of God's power to resurrect the dead. God has placed in this vast universe dazzling signs which, if only the doubters would contemplate them with open hearts, would cause them to abandon their error and skepticism. In this chapter, God Almighty provides a tangible, sensory example of resurrection through the revival of the dead earth ; the descent of rain, the falling of the sun, and the emergence of fruits and plants from the barren land are observable proof of the Creator's power to restore life.
The Quranic analogy: From reviving the earth to resurrecting bodies
The preacher of the Grand Mosque affirmed that the revival of the earth after its death is both rational and scriptural proof of the possibility and inevitability of reviving humankind after death. He who revived the earth after its death is certainly capable of reviving the dead. Despite the clarity of these signs, the doubters disbelieved in God's signs and denied His blessings, thus incurring a manifest loss.
In the context of expanding the implications of the sermon, it is noted that Surah Qaf had a special place in the Prophetic guidance, as it was mentioned in the purified Sunnah that the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, used to frequently recite it in large gatherings such as Friday prayers and the two Eid prayers, because it contains reminders of the beginning and the end, and Paradise and Hell, which revive hearts and awaken heedlessness.
God's all-encompassing knowledge and self-monitoring
In his sermon, Sheikh Al-Dossari moved on to another doctrinal aspect related to God's all-encompassing knowledge, emphasizing the Creator's uniqueness in creation and His absolute knowledge of the human soul and its secrets. He cited the Almighty's words: "And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein." This divine statement calls upon humankind to be mindful of God's watchfulness in private and in public, and to realize that God is aware of their thoughts before their actions.
He added that God has appointed two noble angels to record every deed and word of every person, overlooking nothing, great or small. This necessitates that Muslims constantly examine their own actions and prepare for the Day of Judgment. He emphasized that death comes suddenly, and at that time, regret is of no use, and there is no way for a person to rectify their wrongdoing. This underscores the importance of seizing the opportunity of life in obedience to God.
The message of the pulpit and its global impact
The Friday sermon delivered at the Grand Mosque in Mecca holds immense significance that transcends local boundaries, as Muslims across the globe turn their attention towards the Holy Kaaba. These sermons serve as guiding and educational messages for the entire Muslim community, broadcast through various media outlets and with simultaneous translation into multiple languages. This reinforces the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leading role in serving Islam, promoting moderation and tolerance, and reminding Muslims of the fundamental principles of their faith amidst rapid changes.
