Sheikh
Ekrima Sabri: No Despair with Faith – Reviving Al-Aqsa is the Duty of the Ummah
in Times of Hardship
Sheikh Dr. Ekrima
Sabri, preacher of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and member of the Board of
Trustees of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, emphasized in his
Friday sermon delivered in the town of Umm al-Fahm in occupied Palestine, the
importance of steadfastness in the face of trials and tribulations facing the
Islamic Ummah. He stressed that true faith is manifested in patience and
perseverance, not in despair or defeatism.
His Eminence stated
that the challenges taking place in reality should serve as a motivation to
return to God, not a cause for frustration or hopelessness. He drew inspiration
from the slogan of the Prophetic Hijrah: “Indeed, Allah is with us”, which grants
the Ummah a spirit of optimism and hope and reinforces the resilience promised
by God to His believing servants.
Sheikh Sabri added
that Islam is a religion full of glad tidings, and this is one of the prominent
characteristics of the Islamic Ummah. He pointed out that no matter how great
the tribulations are, they do not justify retreat or surrender. Rather, they call
for reflection on the biography of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who faced the severest
trials with confidence and certainty—citing the story of Suraqah ibn Malik, who
was promised the bracelets of the Persian emperor while the Prophet ﷺ was being pursued during the Hijrah.
His Eminence called
for adhering to the instructions of the Prophet ﷺ, foremost among them
traveling to the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque. He emphasized the importance of
utilizing children’s school holidays to instill Islamic principles in their
hearts and connect them to Jerusalem and its sacred mosque. He encouraged
maintaining spiritual presence (ribat) in the mosque and visiting it despite
all obstacles and restrictions.
He concluded his
sermon by reminding the audience of a legal (Sharia) ruling which states that
whoever is prevented from reaching Al-Aqsa but prays in its direction will
receive the reward of the prayer and the reward of the attempt. He affirmed
that reviving and maintaining Al-Aqsa Mosque is a religious duty upon all
members of the Ummah and represents the least of faith in this critical stage.
(Source: The Union)
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* للاطلاع على الترجمة الكاملة للخبر
باللغة العربية، اضغط (هنا).
