Shaykh �Abdur-Rahmaan As-Sudays
29, Rajab 1424 (26, September 2003)
All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger, his household and companions.
Fellow Muslims! Fear Allaah, for that is the source of all blessings, the light in the darkness, the source of increase in the ranks and the way to security and forgiveness. Allaah says,
�O you who believe (in Moosaa (Moses) (i.e. Jews) and 'Eesaa (Jesus) (i.e. Christians))! Fear Allaah, and believe in His Messenger (Muhammad (peace be upon him)) He will give you a double portion of His Mercy, and He will give you a light by which you shall walk (straight), and He will forgive you. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.�
(Al-Hadeed 57:28)
Dear Muslims! The source of perpetuation and glory of every nation lies in its fundamental values. A critical study of the elements of crises and upheavals faced by many nations will reveal that these are generally caused by acts of negligence regarding those fundamental values.
Allaah, the Al-Mighty, has blessed us Muslims with this true religion and chosen this peninsula �Arabian Peninsula� as the base from which this religion was to be spread to all over the world.
Fellow Muslims! The world has witnessed many civilizations and these civilizations have experienced numerous crises. But the most important thing in the history of individuals and nations is their values and the policies.
It is a manifestation of Allaah�s mercy on this Ummah that He saved it from the calamity of a complete eradication and He decreed that a victorious group would continue to exist among the Muslims of all generations until the Dayof Judgment so that the banner of Tawheed would never fall and the power of Islaam would never wane. Allaah says,
�He it is Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad (peace be upon him)) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islaamic Monotheism) to make it victorious over all (other) religions even though the Mushrik�n (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah and in His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) hate (it).�
(As-Saff 61:9)
The Prophet said, �A group of my followers will remain predominant (victorious) on the truth till Allaah�s Order (the Hour) comes upon them while they are still predominant (victorious).� (Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)
Still, Allaah in His infinite mercy made it easy for this country to establish the Islaamic creed of Monotheism and made it easy for us to implement His law in spite of the weaknesses and challenges that confront Islaam and the Muslims.
Brethren in faith! When one takes a keen look at the history of this nation in its different stages, one will realise that its power and light were never exterminated since the Messenger of Allaah, blessings and peace be upon him established the first structure of Islaamic civilisation. Yes, there were, and still are, many attempts to exterminate the light of Islaam and deprive the Muslims of their material and moral potentialities, and to deprive them their rights in many aspects. But Allaah insists that His Light should be perfected even if the disbelievers hate that.
Dear brethren! Allaah selected this peninsula as the starting point for the everlasting message of Islaam, the place for the revelation of His Book, the direction of His worshippers and the place for the performance of their Hajj rites. Its security is therefore, the security of the entire world. It is the place of refuge for every religiously persecuted Muslim and one of the fortresses of guidance. It is the strong rock in front of which the enemies� strength declines. It is the light of Islaam, the abode of faith, the centre of Islaamic civilisation and the final fortress of defence for this Ummah. It is, in relation to the Muslim Ummah, as the heart is to the body. Allaah protects it from the colonialists and irresponsible elements. It tolerates no terrorist and provides no place for destructive activities.
The pure belief of Islaamic monotheism that this country enjoys is a source of joy for every Muslim who comes here to perform Hajj or �Umrah in total comfort and peace of mind.
Fellow Muslims! The Arabian Peninsula had undergone difficult times when injustice, armed robbery, ignorance, murder and anarchy were order of the day. The peninsula was in this sorry state when Allaah appointed scholars who called the Muslims back to the true belief of Islaamic Monotheism andto the implementation of Allaah�s injunctions. Sincere political rulers supported these scholars. And Allaah brought back blessings in religious and worldly matters to this peninsula through the combined efforts of these scholars and the rulers. The banner of Tawheed was raised high; and superstitions, innovations and ignorance were eradicated. The light of knowledge was spread far and wide and the security was firmly established.
Fellow Muslims! Allaah blessed this peninsula with a pure belief of Islaamic Monotheism at a time when the whole world was full of perverted beliefs, ideologies and superstitions, when many Muslims had turned away from their faith and fallen into the abyss of injustice and darkness. It was then that the renowned reformer emerged. He awakened the Muslims from their deep slumber. He united all parts of this country in an unprecedented form after they had been warring factions. The result of that unification is the security enjoyed by all, with many thanks to Allaah.