Saudi Gazette report

ARAFAT — Sheikh Saad Bin Nasser Al-Shithri, member of the Council of Senior Scholars and advisor at the Royal Court, called on the pilgrims to shun all forms of sectarianism and division among the members of the Islamic Ummah.

In his Arafat sermon at Nimrah Mosque, he urged pilgrims to set aside politics during Haj, saying “This is no place for partisan slogans or sectarian movements which have resulted in great massacres and the displacement of millions.”

Sheikh Al-Shithri denounced terrorism and violence against civilians. “The Muslim condemns aggression on unarmed civilians, including Muslims and others in various countries and slams such aggression and terror groups.”

“The Shariah came to preserve the security and stability in all realms, and it safeguards the ideological, intellectual, political and moral security. The Shariah came to safeguard the security of nations and it cultivates benevolence in (people’s) hearts,” he said, referring to the Islamic legal and moral code derived from the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the Tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Al-Shithri pointed out that the religion of Islam emphasizes the principles of security and stability in society as they are instrumental in helping the society flourish by registering growth in trade and assuring peace in the minds of people so that people would be able to worship Almighty Allah.

“Security is a bounty from God,” he said while emphasizing that “A Muslim must be a contributor to security everywhere and that he should not be an aggressor,” he added while referring to verses from the Qur’an in this regard.

He cited several virtues of the religion of Islam. It encourages harmonious life in a cohesive society away from immoralities; it urges the faithful to be virtuous and good; it governs family affairs in a way ensuring happiness of the couple and goodness of the children so as to make them build a good society; it regulates financial transactions to satisfy the needs of people and to grow trade and flourish the economy based on mutual trust of the people, and forbids cheating, usury, gambling and such other unlawful practices

Al-Shithri urged the pilgrims to be pious and fear God in all walks of life. “Hold fast to the rope of Allah and stay away from what He has forbidden, and this is essential for winning the pleasure and love of God and thus achieving success in the life in this world and the Hereafter.”

He also underscored the need to honor the dignity of all human beings.