Part One


Praise be to Allah alone. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, Who


has no partners, and I bear witness that our prophet and master, Muhammad, is his servant


and messenger. O Allah! Bestow Your peace, prayers, and blessings upon him, his family,


and his Companions.


O Muslims!


The best thing to urge one another to do is to fear Allah, Majesty and Glory be to


Him, and obey Him. It is only when we do this that Allah will guide us to find a way out


of every hardship and will relieve our distress and afflictions.


Servants of Allah!


At a time that is fraught with calamities and crises, and amidst the upheavals and


terrible ordeals that the Muslim ummah is going through, the need grows even more urgent


for the ummah to adhere to whatever binds it to deep understanding of religion and to the


approach derived from the light of the Divine Revelation and from the sound Prophetic


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guidance. Without this shining Divine guidance, we will stumble and fall, our


understanding of things will go astray, our views will be misguided, and our legal opinions


(fatwas) will miss the right course and the straight path. Allah, Majesty and Glory be to


Him, says:


... then whoever follows My Guidance he shall neither go astray, nor


shall be distressed. (Ta-Ha: 123)


Our Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When Allah wills good for


a person, He causes him to understand the religion.”


Brothers in Islam!


There are a number of landmarks which, with Allah’s leave, are bound to safeguard


the ummah from misery and hardship and lead it to security and safety. The first of these


landmarks is that all of us must work shoulder to shoulder to call to the correction of the


corrupt approaches which oppose true monotheism (tawhid, belief in the Oneness of Allah


and worshipping none but him) and contradict the pure Muslim creed. All of us without


exception, rulers and ruled, scholars and callers to Islam, should join forces to correct our


course in accordance with the creed of true monotheism indicated in the verse in which


Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, says:


Say (O Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)): “Verily, my


Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the


Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists). He has no


partner, and of this I have been commanded ...’ (Al-An‘am: 162-163)


Once we completely submit to Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, and adhere to


Islam as a set of beliefs and a way of life, as a source of legislation and a basis for


arbitration, and as guide for our actions and deeds, the ummah will certainly achieve full


peace and attain security in all its forms. Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, says:


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It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none


but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e. by


worshipping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security


and they are the guided. (Al- An‘am: 82)


Our Lord, Majesty and Glory be to Him, also says:


Truly, Allah defends those who believe ... (Al-Hajj: 38)


Allah, Might be to Him, also says:


Verily, We will indeed make victorious Our Messengers and those


who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) in this


world’s life and on the Day when the witnesses will stand forth (i.e.


Day of Resurrection). (Ghafir: 51)


This is further confirmed by the principle which the Messenger of Allah, peace and


blessings be upon him, laid down to safeguard the ummah, when he said to Abdullah ibn


Abbas, “Be watchful of Allah, and He will protect you.”


The second landmark is that members of the ummah must realise that the increase


of disobedience to Allah and the spread of immoralities and abominable deeds are among


the reasons behind misery in its various forms. Our Lord, Majesty and Glory be to Him,


says:


And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your


hands have earned. And He pardons much. (Ash-Shura: 30)


Indeed, the only way for Muslim societies to achieve prosperity and well-being is to remain


straight in obedience to Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, and to adhere to the Sunnah


of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.


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Fearing Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, showing obedience to Him, and


adhering to His commands, as well as following the guidance of His Messenger, peace and


blessings be upon him, constitute the greatest fortress in times of crises and the best resort


when afflictions strike, and indeed at all times and on all occasions.


And if the people of towns had believed and had the Taqwa (Piety),


certainly, We should have opened for them blessings from the heaven


and the earth, but they denied (the Messengers). So We took them


(with punishment) for what they used to earn (polytheism and their


crimes). (Al-A‘raf: 96).


Therefore, at a time when Muslims are undergoing afflictions, they ought to bring


themselves to account, mend their hearts, and lead a life geared in all its aspects towards


the good pleasure of Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him. They ought to turn to Allah in


sincere repentance of their sins. It is only to Allah that we should turn and resort and it is


only in Him that we should seek refuge; otherwise, we will be surrounded by trials from


all sides.


Brothers in Islam!


Another landmark is that members of the Muslim ummah, irrespective of their


status, must fear Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, with respect to their ummah. They


must ensure to strengthen the bonds of unity and harmony and abandon disputes,


dissension, and controversy, for disputes and dissension over this transient life will lead to


nothing but to weakness and humiliation and will give rise to evils and aggression, only to


be followed by the worst of all evils, namely disobedience to Allah, the Most Beneficent.


Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, says:


... and do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and


your strength departs ... (Al-Anfal: 46)


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All of us should keep away from our evil desires, self-centredness, and excessive


selfishness. We should steer clear of finding faults with others and denying their favours,


as well as other acts which only lead to disunity and discord among the members of the


ummah of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.


Fellow Muslims!


One of the landmarks is that Muslim scholars, callers to Islam, and preachers should


direct the ummah to all that agrees with wisdom and serves to prevent trials. They should


consider the possible consequences and eventual outcomes in all matters and their starting


point should always be the rules stated in the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their


prophet, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. They ought to know that


considering the eventual outcomes in all matters is regarded as a fundamental legal maxim


by Muslim scholars, past and present.


Everyone, especially in times of trials, should avoid individual legal reasoning and


one-sided legal opinions regarding the unfavourable events that afflict the Muslim ummah,


as this has always led to confounding trials and various afflictions which neither serve the


cause of the religion nor establish a good life. History teaches us the most useful lessons in


this respect.


We should give precedence to wisdom and forbearance and exhibit good judgement


and prudence, for emotions and enthusiastic love will be to no avail if they are not adapted


to the general perspective of the goals of shari‘ah and the principles that are generally


observed in such situations. The more emotions flare up and passions are ignited, the more


urgent the need becomes for sound judgement and right statements. May Allah bless the


souls of those discriminating scholars of this ummah who referred all the rulings of Islam


to one fundamental maxim, namely that of bringing benefits and interests and warding off


evils and harms.


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Brothers in Islam!


In times of trials, the need becomes all the more urgent to refer to our leaders from


among Muslim rulers and to devout, reliable, well-versed scholars. If we deviate from this


course of action, we will suffer serious consequences and we will be opposing our Lord’s


statement contained in the verse:


When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or


fear, they make it known (among the people); if only they had referred


it to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) or to those


charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would


have understood it from them (directly). ... (An-Nisa’: 83)


Servants of Allah!


Another landmark is that, in the midst of the accelerating trials and tribulations,


members of the ummah of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, must be wary of


anything that can cause hostility and discord among them or set them against one another,


for Satan is anxious to sow the seeds of dissension among Muslims, especially in the


Arabian Peninsula. Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, says:


And say to My slaves (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism)


that they should (only) say those words that are the best. (Because)


Shaitan (Satan) verily, sows a state of conflict and disagreements


among them. ... (Al-Isra: 53)


Therefore, we must all be wary of the rumours spread by biased media and the lies


disseminated by social communication networks, which can lead to serious evils that


threaten the pillars of society and undermine the nation’s foundation. A Muslim is required


to adhere to the religious principle laid down by the prophet of mercy, goodness, justice,


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and reform, who said, “A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands the Muslims


are safe” (Agreed upon).


Among the landmarks, dear brothers, is to know that one of the worst trials which


have afflicted Muslims throughout history and made them suffer wide-spread evils is that


of takfir, i.e. accusing those who announce their Islam of being disbelievers and hastening


to declare them as such without any evidence whatsoever, but only on the basis of


unfounded claims that are as illusory as a mirage in the desert.


Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,


warned his ummah, saying, “Any person who says to his brother, ‘O disbeliever!’ has


made a claim that must apply to one of them. If the man is as he said [then the claim


of disbelief is confirmed against him]; otherwise the claim will return to him [i.e. the


accuser himself].” It is also reported in Sahih Al-Bukhari that the Prophet, peace and


blessings be upon him, said, “Accusing a believer of disbelief is like killing him.” The


sanctity of Muslims’ religion, honour, property, and minds is totally protected by the


shari‘ah of Islam. Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said, “We


are required to avoid accusing others of disbelief as far as possible.” He further said, “The


mistake of failing to judge a thousand disbelievers in this life as disbelievers is far less


serious than that of shedding the blood of one single Muslim.”


The great reformer Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab, may Allah have mercy


on his soul, said, “In sum, anyone who intends good for himself should avoid discussing


this issue without sufficient knowledge or evidence from Allah. He should be wary of


accusing a person of disbelief based merely on his own understanding and personal


judgement, since judging a person as a disbeliever or as a Muslim is one of the most serious


matters in religion. In fact, Satan has tempted the majority of people to be involved in


discussing this critical issue.”


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May Allah protect us and protect all Muslims from severe evils and trials and from


causes of corruption and tribulations.


I have said this, and I ask forgiveness of Allah for myself, for you, and for all


Muslims, for any sin we have committed. Ask Allah for forgiveness. He is the Most


Forgiving, the Most Merciful.


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Part Two


I praise my Lord and thank Him. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone,


Who has no partners, and I bear witness that our master and prophet, Muhammad, is his


servant and messenger. O Allah! Bestow Your peace, prayers, and blessings upon him, his


family, and his Companions.


O Muslims!


In this blessed land of ours, the land of the two Holy Mosques, we have been


granted numerous favours, the greatest of which are the creed of pure monotheism and the


implementation of shari‘ah, which have brought about positive effects represented by


safety, security, prosperity, and progress in a world that is fraught with fear and trepidation.


Therefore, the people of this country must thank Allah, Majesty and Glory be to


Him, hasten to attain His good pleasure, and follow His orders. They must be keen on


helping and supporting one another to do all that is pleasing to Allah, Majesty and Glory


be to Him, and to do all that serves to maintain safety and security, achieve stability, and


lead to righteousness and reform according to the principles of love that is based on faith,


brotherhood among Muslims, and protection of the rights of the ruler and the ruled, in the


light of the verse in which Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, says:


... Help one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness


and piety) but do not help one another in sin and transgression... (Al-


Ma’idah: 2)


This duty must be fulfilled by all citizens in all Muslim countries. They must fear


Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, and adhere to a just word that pleases Allah, Majesty


and Glory be to Him, and that agrees with the Book of Allah, Glorified be He, and complies


with the practice of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him. In so doing, Muslims


will attain success, righteousness, and happiness both in this world and in the hereafter.


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Allah, Majesty and Glory be to Him, has commanded us to do a glorious deed,


namely to invoke His peace and blessings upon the Noble Prophet.


O Allah! Bestow Your peace, prayers, and blessings upon our master and beloved


prophet, Muhammad. O Allah! Be pleased with the Rightly-Guided Caliphs and Imams,


Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, along with all Your Prophet’s family, Companions,


and those who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment.


O Allah! Bestow Your kindness upon Muslims. O Allah! Bestow Your kindness


upon Muslims. O Allah! Bestow Your kindness upon Muslims everywhere. O Allah!


Shield them with Your Protection. O Allah! Shield them with Your Protection. O Allah!


Keep them safe with Your care and compassion. O Allah! Keep them away from evils and


trials. O Allah! Keep them away from evils and trials. O Allah! Grant them safety and


security. O Allah! Grant them safety and security, O Owner of Majesty and Honour!


O Allah! Make this country and all Muslim countries safe and secure.


O Allah! Guide our ruler to do what You love and accept. O Allah! Guide him and


the Crown Prince to whatever You love and accept. O Allah! Grant them long lives, full of


obedience to You, Majesty and Glory be to You.


O Allah! O Ever-Living! O Self-Subsisting! Make the best among Muslims the


ones who rule them. O Allah! Make the best among Muslims the ones who rule them.


Gather them around the word of truth. O Allah! Gather them around the word of truth. O


Allah! Gather them around the word of truth.


O Allah! Relieve the distress of Muslims in Syria. O Allah! Relieve the distress of


Muslims in Syria. O Allah! Relieve the distress of Muslims in Syria, Palestine, Libya,


Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia, and all other Muslim countries, O Owner of Majesty and Honour!


O Allah! Bestow upon them a mercy from You that makes them free of all wants


and needs but to You. O Allah! Grant them a mercy that sets right their affairs, unites their


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rows, unites them upon one word, and fills their hearts with light that guides them to truth


and faith, O Owner of Majesty and Honour!


O Allah! Forgive the sins of all Muslims, men and women, and the sins of all


believers, men and women, dead and alive.


O Allah! Bestow Your forgiveness upon us. O Allah! Save us from Hellfire. O


Allah! Give us that which is good in this world and that which is good in the hereafter, and


save us from the torment of Hellfire! O Allah! Give us that which is good in this world and


that which is good in the hereafter, and save us from the torment of Hellfire!


O Allah! Send down rain upon us. O Allah! Send down rain upon us. O Allah! Send


down rain upon us. O Allah! Send down water upon our homeland and upon all Muslim


homelands. O Allah! Send down water upon our homeland and upon all Muslim


homelands. O Allah! Send down water upon our homeland and upon all Muslim


homelands. O Allah! Bless us with whatever favours You have sent down to us. O Allah!


Bless us with whatever favours You have sent down to us, You are the Rich (Free of all


wants and needs), the All-Praiseworthy.


Servants of Allah!


Remember Allah much and glorify Him morning and evening.


The last of our call is “All praises be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds”.