Hundreds of thousands attend Eid prayers at Grand Mosque, Makkah

Sharjah 24 SPA: At dawn on Sunday, hundreds of thousands of worshippers gathered at the Grand Mosque in Makkah to perform Eid Al Fitr prayers in a spiritually charged atmosphere. Sheikh Dr Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Aziz Al Sudais, the imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque, led the prayers, urging Muslims to fear God Almighty.

Eid joy and unity in the sermon

In his sermon, Sheikh Al Sudais emphasised the importance of joy and unity on Eid, advising Muslims to rejoice and celebrate the occasion. He reminded them that Eid is a time for happiness, not sorrow, and urged them to spread cheer, comfort, and respect among families and communities.

Prophet Muhammad’s example of joyful Eid celebrations

The Imam also cited examples from the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to reinforce the importance of celebrating Eid with happiness. He recalled the story of how the Prophet allowed two slave girls to sing and play tambourines on Eid, showing that joy and celebration are part of the tradition.

Eid as a day of generosity and brotherhood

The Imam encouraged worshippers to be generous, not just with their families, but also with their neighbors, and to purify their hearts from any ill feelings such as hatred, envy, or malice. He emphasised the importance of maintaining family ties and visiting one another on Eid, highlighting that the day should be one of connection, compassion, and forgiveness.

The significance of Zakat Al Fitr

Sheikh Al Sudais highlighted the importance of Zakat Al Fitr, explaining that it was prescribed to purify fasting Muslims and to provide for the poor. He explained that it is a means of gratitude for the blessings of Allah and encouraged everyone to give with good intentions.

The power of Eid greetings in strengthening bonds

The Imam also spoke about the significance of Eid greetings, which help strengthen affection and foster unity. He urged Muslims to greet each other with “May Allah accept from us and from you,” following the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Remaining committed to acts of obedience post-Ramadan

Sheikh Al Sudais advised Muslims to continue their acts of worship and obedience even after Ramadan, stressing that success and prosperity come through diligence, trust in Allah, and persistence. He encouraged them to maintain their commitment to worship, including fasting the six days of Shawwal after Ramadan, which is equivalent to fasting a whole year.

Encouragement for modesty and hijab for women

The Imam urged women to continue adhering to the values of modesty, including the practice of hijab, and to maintain chastity and righteousness. He highlighted the importance of women in supporting their families and raising children with strong faith and determination to face life’s challenges.

Prayers for security and safety

Finally, Sheikh Al Sudais prayed for the continued security, peace, and safety of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as for the well-being of all Muslims around the world. He expressed gratitude for the blessings of safety and security bestowed upon the land of the Two Holy Mosques and wished everyone a blessed and joyful Eid.