Apologising is a sign of courage that nobody should be above showing, today's sermon says.
Even the prophets would show remorse and seek forgiveness.
"Apologising does not reduce a person's status, but raises it - even if it were from a father to his son, a teacher to his student or a manager to his employee."
The sermon refers to apologising to Allah for mistakes and sins. The Quran says: "And those who, when they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins - who forgiveth sins save Allah only?"
The sermon includes several examples from the Quran of prophets apologising. It cites Adam and his wife Eve who repented for eating from the forbidden tree: "They said, Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost!"
Another example is of Noah, who said: "My Lord! In thee do I seek refuge [from the sin] that I should ask of thee that whereof I have no knowledge. Unless thou forgive me and have mercy on me I shall be among the lost."
The sermon adds that apologising is a sign of civilisation. "It indicates that the person respects himself, so no sane person should be too proud to do it."
Omar ibn Al Kattab, the second caliphate, said the sanest people were those who apologised most.
