Friday Sermon: Makkah Imam Urges Muslims to Purify Their Hearts
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
Sheikh Dr Osama Khayyat, Imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, has urged Muslims to purify their hearts through sincere faith, love of Allah, repentance and strict adherence to His commandments.
Khayyat delivered the message during the Friday sermon at Masjid al-Haram on October 30, 2026, corresponding to 19 Jumada al-Awwal 1448 AH, highlighting the importance of a sound heart as the foundation of a believer’s righteousness and overall well-being.
He explained that the condition of the heart directly influences a person’s actions and conduct, drawing attention to the prophetic teaching that when the heart is sound, the entire body remains sound, but when it becomes corrupted, the body is affected.
The Imam also emphasised that true happiness and spiritual fulfilment come from knowing and loving Allah above everything else, warning against allowing worldly attachments to weaken one’s relationship with the Creator.
Friday Sermon: Makkah Imam Urges Muslims to Purify Their Hearts
He urged worshippers to maintain taqwa (consciousness of Allah), seek sincere repentance and guard their hearts against spiritual corruption.
Khayyat further stressed that genuine submission to Allah requires Muslims to observe His commandments, avoid His prohibitions and demonstrate their faith through their daily conduct.
The sermon carries particular relevance for Muslims preparing for Hajj and Umrah, as the spiritual significance of pilgrimage extends beyond the physical performance of religious rites to include sincerity, repentance and personal transformation.
For intending pilgrims, the message underscores the importance of preparing their hearts alongside completing the financial, medical and administrative requirements of their journeys.
While the rituals of Hajj and Umrah involve physical acts of worship, their spiritual purpose is closely connected to devotion to Allah, humility, obedience and the pursuit of forgiveness.
The sermon therefore serves as a reminder that the benefits of pilgrimage should extend beyond the period spent in the holy cities, reflecting in the character, conduct and relationship with Allah of those who undertake the journey.
