Spiritual Appeal Amidst Drought
RIYADH – The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and King of Saudi Arabia, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, along with the Kingdom’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan, have jointly issued a fervent appeal to the Saudi people to perform the Salat Al-Istisqa (Prayer for Rain). This call comes in response to a significant deficiency in rainfall across the Kingdom, representing a profound spiritual move to seek divine mercy and forgiveness.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the special prayer has been called for across the country on November 13. The appeal is not merely a request for rain but is primarily aimed at encouraging the nation to engage in repentance (Tawbah) and seek forgiveness (Istighfar), turning back to God.
Royal Mandate for Social Justice
King Salman’s statement went beyond religious rites, emphasizing the importance of social and ethical reform. He urged citizens to “return to Allah Almighty,” and specifically asked them to “show gentleness towards their employees” and to “give to charity and help the poor.” This royal emphasis on compassion and responsibility reflects the Islamic principles of justice and human empathy at the state level.
Concurrently, Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan instructed the public to attend the prayer on November 13 wearing ordinary attire (simplicity), stressing the humility required for this spiritual gathering.
