The Imam of Masjid al Nabawi, Sheikh Dr Salah al Budair has delivered twelve key pieces of advices during his first sermon delivered in the Maldives, urging the faithful to uphold the core values of Islam.
Sheikh Dr Salah al Budair is currently visiting the Maldives on an official visit on the invitation of Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed. The visit was organised under the recommendation of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu as part of his initiative to host prominent Islamic personalities in the country.
At the sermon delivered following Isha prayers at the Islamic Centre in Male’, Sheikh al Buraidi urged to adhere to Islamic Shari'ah, Islamic faith, Shari'ah, ethics, punishment and proper conduct. He stated that true happiness is found in holding firmly to these principles. A person must worry about his afterlife over worldly desires, and must not get distracted by these desires, he added. If one is consumed by worries about wealth and prosperity, those very things may be taken away from him, he said. However, if one focuses the Hereafter, Allah will grant him prosperity in this world, he said.
"The desires of this world are the greatest disease. The cure for them is to reject these desires. Hearts can be strengthened and refreshed by fearing Allah and obeying Him, and by holding on to good conduct and showing kindness to others,” the Imam said.
The Imam also encouraged to accept the divine Decree of Allah in all matters, and said this is an act of worship that alleviates the burden of calamities. The Imam also said that the suffering felt by others will be relieved if they believe in the Decree of Allah.
As his third piece of advise, Sheikh al Budair urged to be vigilant of prayers and take care of it. The imam said prayer is the sign that makes a Muslim or a believer distinct. Taking care of the prayers is the most important obligation upon any Muslim, and observing the prayers five times a day at its prescribed times with sincerity and without negligence is of utmost importance, he said.
"Allah has warned that those who pray in ignorance are doomed. If you forget to pray, the only expiation is to pray when you remember,” the Imam reminded.
The imam also gave other key pieces of advise, including urging the people to maintain peace among themselves, spreading knowledge and participating in gatherings that remember Allah. He also encouraged the people to adopt good manners, avoid jealousy, as well as protect their tongues and speaking using good words, and refraining from publicising ones’ sins.
The Imam further advised people to abstain from using obscenities and foul language, show compassion and distance themselves from those who deny Allah (SWT). His final advise was to associate oneself with righteous companions, noting that being with such characters nurture moral character and goodness.
The Imam of the Prophet's Mosque delivered the sermons on Arabic, with its Dhivehi translation delivered in real-time by Islamic Minister Mohamed Shaheem.