GRAND MUFTI: HELL FINAL ABODE OF THOSE SPILLING BLOOD OF INNOCENTS
Caravan Report
MOUNT ARAFAT, Oct 13
Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims thronged Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia on Monday for the high point of the annual Haj, praying for an end to disputes and bloodshed.
Delivering the Haj Sermon, from Masjid-e-Nimra at Mount Arafat Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz said Islam is a religion of peace and condemns terrorist attacks taking place globally.
“Hell is the final abode for those who spill the blood of an innocent human”, said Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of the Ka’aba.
“Islam does not allow terrorism at any cost. Islam condemns all violence and terrorism plaguing the world today. Muslims should demonstrate a love for peace and unity,” he said.
Officials said around 1.5 million pilgrims descended on the site, where they offered prayers and listen to the annual sermon from the Saudi top cleric.
The top cleric said Muslims throughout the world were going through a difficult time, and stressed that the global economic crisis could be controlled if the Islamic economic system was adopted. “Muslims should support the community by investing in their businesses,” he urged.
According to the Grand Mufti, Muslims were facing problems because they had forgotten the teachings of the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him. He said the life of the Last Prophet offers solution for all problems of mankind. He called upon the Muslims to remain steadfast and united saying the success of the Muslim Ummah lies in unity. He stressed on putting an end to sectarianism.
The grand mufti said “the Holy Quran is the ultimate guidance for the entire humanity which should be implemented and acted upon.”
“Oh Muslims be God-fearing, adopt the taqwa (fear of Allah), shun from earning money through un-Islamic means, hold fast the rope of Allah and don’t be divided into diverse schools of thoughts, get united against injustice,” the chief mufti urged hundreds of thousands of Hajis.
Regarding prevailing economic crisis of the world‚ he said Islam has given a comprehensive system of economy. He urged to strictly follow the Islamic economic system to resolve the crisis.
He said leaders of Muslim world should play their duties efficiently in line with Islamic teachings and spend all the resources on the welfare of their nations. He urged the Muslim states to strengthen their military institutions.
Arafat is the most important part of the Haj. It is a reminder of the Day of Judgment, where Muslims believe mankind will stand on a similar plain, in scorching heat, waiting for final judgment.
The pilgrims will spend Monday night in Muzdalifa, before moving on in the morning to Mina where they would sacrifice animals in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and start the ritual of symbolically stoning the devil.
The Haj, which officially ends on Friday, is one of the five pillars of Islam that every capable Muslim must perform at least once.
