Hajj 2025 Sermon Emphasizes Mercy for Palestinians, Unity Among Muslims
The Hajj 2025 sermon delivered on Thursday by the Imam of Masjid al-Haram, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, carried a powerful message of faith, unity, and compassion. Addressing millions of pilgrims gathered at the Plain of Arafat near Mount Arafat, the Imam called on Muslims to adopt Taqwa (God-consciousness), remain united, and extend mercy to those facing oppression, especially the Palestinians suffering under continuous Israeli aggression in Gaza.
The Imam, a senior member of the Saudi Council of Senior Scholars, delivered the Hajj 2025 sermon from the revered Masjid al-Namirah. He broke down in tears as he offered heartfelt prayers for the people of Gaza, asking Allah to have mercy on all Muslims enduring hardship and injustice. “O Almighty Allah, have mercy on Muslims who are facing oppression anywhere,” he said emotionally.
During the Hajj 2025 sermon, Sheikh Saleh urged believers to be steadfast in their faith, pray regularly, and support the needy through zakat. He highlighted that Shaytan (Satan) remains the eternal enemy of the faithful and must be resisted through sincere worship and moral integrity.
“Islam is a religion of peace, mercy, and unity,” the Imam emphasized. He said Allah has chosen Islam for the benefit of all humanity and that Muslims should work toward harmony, not division. “Forgiveness is a sign of true faith,” he stated. “When a believer forgives his enemy, Allah makes him His friend.”
The Imam also reminded the faithful of essential Islamic values such as modesty, fulfilling promises, and avoiding prohibited (haram) acts. He stressed the importance of respecting parents, caring for neighbors, orphans, widows, and the poor—core tenets of Islamic character that should guide Muslim lives daily.
As part of the Hajj 2025 sermon, worshippers were urged to stay true to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), perform acts of worship sincerely, and avoid associating partners with Allah. The Imam called on pilgrims to remain focused on the purpose of Hajj and Umrah—worshipping Allah alone.
The Imam stated, “Every hardship can be removed by Allah. Good and evil can never be equal. Remain connected with your Lord, feed the needy, establish prayer, and give zakat.”
Pilgrims performed one of the main rites of Hajj at Arafat, praying atop Mount Arafat from dawn till sunset before moving toward Muzdalifah. There, they collected pebbles for the symbolic “stoning of the devil” ritual.
One of the 1.5 million pilgrims, Ali from Pakistan, expressed his emotions at witnessing the sacred day in person after years of trying. “I’ve been watching this on TV for years. I feel so blessed to be here for Hajj 2025,” he said.
In light of extreme heat, Saudi officials advised pilgrims to stay inside their tents between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Temperatures have already surpassed 40°C (104°F), and authorities have taken extensive measures to mitigate heat-related risks during Hajj 2025. Following last year’s tragic loss of 1,301 lives due to extreme heat, the government has ramped up safety protocols, including:
- Expanding shaded areas by 50,000 square meters
- Deploying 400+ cooling units
- Increasing the number of medics on standby
- Mobilizing 250,000 officials across 40 agencies
The majority of fatalities in 2024 involved unregistered pilgrims who lacked access to official facilities like air-conditioned tents. This year, Saudi authorities have implemented stricter regulations to prevent unregistered individuals from entering Makkah. Surveillance drones, security raids, and public alerts are being used to control illegal entries.
While Hajj 2025 permits are distributed via quotas and lotteries, the steep cost of participation continues to push some toward attempting the pilgrimage without proper documentation, despite risks of arrest and deportation.
The sermon also referenced past tragedies, including the 2015 Mina stampede that claimed over 2,300 lives. Officials are striving to avoid similar incidents through crowd control and enhanced infrastructure.
The Hajj 2025 sermon reminded Muslims that arrogance and pride are disliked by Allah and that believers must fulfill promises, speak truthfully, and resist Satan’s efforts to divide them. “Iblis is your enemy. Avoid following him and keep praying to Allah,” Sheikh Saleh reiterated.
As the sacred pilgrimage continues, the message of the Hajj 2025 sermon serves as a guiding light for Muslims: stay humble, stay united, show mercy, and remain devoted to Allah.
