JEDDAH, 20 November 2004 — Sheikh Saleh Al-Taleb, one of the imams of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, yesterday called upon Muslims to strengthen their faith in God at these trying times and work together to improve their condition.
Delivering his Friday sermon, the imam advised the faithful to learn lessons from history which is replete with instances of the Prophet and his companions receiving God’s help when they were besieged by the enemy. He urged Muslims to remain steadfast until victory.
“Muslims are facing trials and tribulations all over the world today. They need to review their situation and strengthen their faith in God,” he told the hundreds of thousands of worshippers who packed the mosque.
He cited the Khandaq (trench) battle when the Jews of Madinah conspired with the Quraishi infidels of Makkah to attack the Prophet and his companions. Some 10,000 enemy troops surrounded the Muslims. The Prophet and his men dug a trench to the northwest of Madinah to defend the city.
“The siege of Madinah continued for a month. The faithful stood by the Prophet while the hypocrites faltered and withdrew their support. ... This is the condition of true Muslims at all times,” Sheikh Al-Taleb said, adding: “The trials and tribulations will only steel their resolve, their obedience to God and their commitment to His orders.”
“Victory is not just enjoying safety or worldly vanities but is to remain true to the principles one stands for and prevent the enemy from destroying the faith. At testing times the help of God came to the faithful from the heavens,” the imam said, and urged Muslims not to be depressed.
In Madinah, Sheikh Ali Abdul Rahman Al-Hudaify, the imam of the Prophet’s Mosque, commended Muslims for engaging in worship, charitable activities and other righteous deeds during Ramadan and urged them to continue the good work in other months.
“God must be feared and worshipped in all months, not only in Ramadan. ... Muslims must engage in good deeds and keep away from prohibited things always, not in a particular period alone,” the imam reminded the faithful.
