Sheikh Ali Al-Hudhaifi, the preacher of Arafat Day: His scholarly and missionary career
His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Ali bin Abdul Rahman Al-Hudhaifi will ascend the pulpit of Namira Mosque in the sacred plain of Arafat, following the gracious approval of his appointment to deliver the Hajj sermon. The selection of Sheikh Ali Al-Hudhaifi as the preacher of Arafat Day for the year 1447 AH is a culmination of a distinguished career in Islamic scholarship and preaching. He is considered one of the most prominent religious figures in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic world, and his melodious voice is associated in the minds of Muslims with tranquility and reverence in the vicinity of the Two Holy Mosques.
The upbringing and academic background of Sheikh Ali Al-Hudhaifi, the preacher of the Day of Arafah
Sheikh Ali Al-Hudhaifi was born in 1366 AH in the village of Al-Qarn Al-Mustaqim, located south of the Makkah region. He grew up in a religious family, where his father played a prominent role in instilling in him a love for the Holy Quran and Islamic sciences from a young age. He memorized the Quran at an early age before beginning his formal education. He started his studies at the Salafiyyah School in Baljurashi, then enrolled in the Scientific Institute in the same province, continuing his academic excellence until he entered the College of Sharia at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh. Not content with this, he pursued further academic studies, earning both a master's degree and a doctorate from Al-Azhar University in Islamic Jurisprudence and Politics, which provided him with a profound foundation in Islamic law that combines tradition with contemporary understanding.
The pulpit of Namira Mosque: A historical legacy and an enduring message
Standing on the pulpit of the Namira Mosque carries profound historical and religious significance. It is the place where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) delivered his Farewell Sermon, establishing the foundations of Islam, the principles of monotheism, and human rights. Since then, this pulpit has become a symbol of the unity and guidance of the Muslim Ummah on the most important day of the year, the Day of Arafah. Delivering the Arafah sermon is not merely a passing obligation, but rather an extension of a great prophetic legacy that demands wisdom and extensive knowledge. This is clearly embodied in Sheikh Al-Hudhaifi, who possesses the ability to touch the hearts of millions with his eloquent words and sound guidance, reflecting the tolerance and moderation of Islam.
The regional and international impact of the Arafat sermon
The significance of this event transcends local boundaries, encompassing the entire world. Every year, the eyes and hearts of over 1.5 billion Muslims turn towards the plains of Arafat to listen to the sermon. With technological advancements and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' project to translate the Arafat sermon into multiple languages, the message of Sheikh Ali Al-Hudhaifi, the preacher of Arafat Day, will reach the farthest corners of the earth, enhancing the sermon's international impact. His familiar and beloved voice, beloved by Muslims across continents, will contribute to conveying messages of peace, tolerance, and Islamic unity, leaving a profound and positive impression on pilgrims and listeners worldwide.
A rich and fulfilling missionary career in service of the Two Holy Mosques
Throughout his career, Sheikh Al-Hudhaifi held several high-ranking religious positions. He served as the imam of Quba Mosque, the first mosque founded on piety, before being appointed imam and preacher of the Prophet's Mosque in 1399 AH. He also led prayers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca for a period before settling in the Prophet's Mosque for many decades. He became one of the most renowned reciters of the Holy Quran in the Islamic world, thanks to his mastery of the sciences of Tajweed and Quranic readings. In addition, he made significant contributions to academia through teaching Islamic jurisprudence and Hadith, and his active membership on the committees reviewing the Holy Quran at the King Fahd Complex for Printing the Holy Quran, making him a distinguished scholar worthy of this great honor.
