UAE Friday sermon: Relieve distress of those in need

The sermon this week mentions people struggling in Somalia, asking worshippers to relieve the distress of those facing adversity.

Worshippers will be asked on Friday to relieve the distress of those facing adversity and follow the example of Prophet Mohammed, sent from God to show compassion for the weak, poor and less fortunate.

The sermon mentions those struggling in Somalia, which is facing its third famine in 25 years.

“Our brotherly people of Somalia are currently experiencing a crisis that breaks the heart and makes the eye cry real tears,” the imam will say.

This is in reference to droughts that have weakened the country’s social structure. The sermon asks all to extend a helping hand to those in need, as has been done before and is a core of Islam.

In fact, even the Prophet’s companions followed his way of being compassionate to such an extent that Allah praised them as “merciful amongst themselves”. (Al Fath: 29)

“Show mercy to those who are on the Earth, and you will be shown mercy from Him Who is above the heavens,” the Prophet said.

“And spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.” (Al Hadeed: 7)

In this verse from the Quran, God promises believers that their acts of kindness will be compensated to them in multiples. The Most Generous says, “but whatever thing you spend [in His cause] – He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers”. (Sabaa: 39)

The Almighty further emphasised the great recompense of spending in His cause in this verse: “Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over?” (Al Baqara: 245)

The sermon calls for all believers to provide help in any way they can.

The Prophet said: “If anyone relieves a Muslim believer from one of the hardships of this worldly life, Allah will relieve him from one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection.”