The Virtues of Dhul Hijjah and the Essence of Hajj (Tawhid and Righteous Deeds)

Sheikh Maher al-Mu'aiqly emphasized the immense virtues of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, highlighting them as the most beloved days for righteous deeds to Allah, a period when Allah swore by their significance. He detailed the special merits of the Day of Arafah, where Allah descends to the lowest heaven and frees many from Hellfire, and the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm al-Nahr), the day of the Greater Hajj. The sermon underscored the expiatory power of fasting on Arafah for sins of two years and stressed that the greatest deed is a well-performed Hajj, whose reward is Paradise. Crucially, Sheikh Maher affirmed that the acceptance of Hajj hinges entirely on sincere monotheism (Tawhid) and adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as Hajj itself is an embodiment of Tawhid. He warned against the grave sin of shirk, stating it nullifies deeds and is unforgivable, citing Quranic verses and Hadith to illustrate the ultimate consequences of monotheism versus polytheism. The sermon also praised the efforts in serving pilgrims and urged adherence to Hajj regulations for the safety and well-being of all.