It is every citizen’s duty to feel grateful and preserve their homeland, Muslim worshippers will hear on Friday.
“Loving one’s homeland is an instinct inherent in man, and it is deeply seated in heart,” Friday’s sermon says. “We grow to love our country and bear always affection and admiration for it.
“This beautiful feeling we have towards our own country is a motivation for us to serve it well and be keen to attend to its interests.”
People, therefore, should work and pray towards the well-being of their nations.
As the Prophet Ibrahim was quoted in the Quran saying, “My Lord, make this a secure city and provide its people with fruits”.
The sermon continues: “Devotion to one’s country is widely highlighted by many scholars. They associated it with one’s honesty and stated that it is an obligation.”
The UAE enjoys a stable society, wise leadership and plentiful resources.
“It is our duty, therefore, to be grateful to the Almighty for such wholesome blessings. Indeed, showing gratitude is a protection to the existing gifts from Allah and a cause to bring in more.”
As a Quran verse says: “And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour].”
“To thank our Lord further for the blessings He grants us in this country, it is our obligation to defend it and safeguard its integrity,” the sermon concludes.
“When the nation summons its sons and daughters, they shall answer the call of duty with determination.”
A hadith by the Prophet Mohammed says: “There are two eyes that shall not be touched by the Fire: an eye that wept from the fear of Allah, and an eye that spent the night standing on guard in the cause of Allah.”
hdajani@thenational.ae
