Imam of Makkah’s Grand Mosque Urges Muslims to Seek Salvation from Hellfire Through Good Deeds

In a deeply moving Friday sermon delivered at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on March 27, 2026, the Imam and Khateeb Sheikh Dr. Maher Al-Muaiqly reminded the Muslim world that true success lies not in worldly achievements, but in being saved from Hellfire and entering Paradise.

The Ultimate Goal

Opening his sermon, Sheikh Al-Muaiqly drew attention to a verse from the Quran that frames the purpose of human life in strikingly simple terms. Whoever is spared from Hell and admitted into Paradise has truly succeeded. Everything else, he said, is nothing more than the illusion of worldly life.

He noted that the Arabic word used in the verse, meaning “to be pulled away” from the fire, itself suggests that escaping Hell requires real struggle, patience, and perseverance. This is because, as a hadith in Sunan Abi Dawud describes, Hellfire is surrounded by desires and temptations that naturally attract the soul.

Acts That Shield Believers from the Fire

The Sheikh went on to outline several deeds that Islamic tradition identifies as means of protection from punishment:

• Sincere belief in the oneness of Allah Citing a hadith in Bukhari and Muslim, he reminded the congregation that Allah has forbidden Hellfire for those who sincerely declare faith with a pure heart.
• Guarding the five daily prayers Particularly Fajr and Asr. A hadith in Sahih Muslim states that whoever consistently prays before sunrise and before sunset will not enter Hell.
• Fasting Described as a shield and fortress. With Ramadan now over, the Sheikh encouraged worshippers to continue with voluntary fasts, including the six days of Shawwal, Mondays and Thursdays, and the three middle days of each month.
• Good character and gentle conduct Citing a hadith from Ibn Masud recorded by Al-Tirmidhi, the Sheikh said that Hellfire is forbidden for the person who is close to others, easy-going, and approachable.
• Caring for daughters and sisters He shared two hadiths from Musnad Imam Ahmad stating that a man who raises and shows kindness to two or three daughters or sisters, with patience and consciousness of Allah, is guaranteed Paradise.
• Frequent supplication A hadith in Sunan Al-Tirmidhi notes that whoever sincerely asks Allah for Paradise three times, Paradise itself intercedes for them, and whoever seeks refuge from Hell three times, Hellfire itself intercedes on their behalf.

The Dangers of the Tongue

In the second half of the sermon, Sheikh Al-Muaiqly shifted to a stark warning: the most common reason people are thrown face-first into Hell is what comes out of their mouths. Backbiting, slander, and careless speech, especially in the age of social media, destroy relationships, spread hatred, and tear communities apart.

He stressed that defending the reputation of a fellow Muslim in their absence is so highly valued that Allah has made it a means of freeing that person’s defender from Hell, a reward described in Musnad Imam Ahmad.

Tears and Vigilance

The Sheikh also highlighted two acts that shield a person’s eyes, and by extension their entire being, from the fire: weeping out of fear and reverence for Allah, and keeping night watch in defense of one’s homeland. He gave particular mention to the guards and security forces protecting Saudi Arabia and the Two Holy Mosques, praying for their safety and steadfastness.

Closing Prayers

Sheikh Al-Muaiqly concluded with heartfelt supplications for the Muslim world, praying for security, peace, and justice for the people of Palestine, for the stability of Saudi Arabia, and for the guidance of its leadership. He asked Allah to protect the nation’s faith, security, and people, and to spare all Muslims from the humiliation of this world and the punishment of the next.