During his sermon, Sheikh Al-Hudhaifi emphasised that Hajj is a fundamental pillar of Islam rooted in absolute monotheism and submission to Allah.
He highlighted that the pilgrimage serves as a vital platform for mutual acquaintance, harmony, cooperation, and unity among Muslims from all nationalities and backgrounds.
The sermon also discussed the primary pillars of Islam, the importance of fearing Allah (taqwa), and the “universal laws of divine support for believers,” according to the report. Sheikh Al-Hudhaifi stated that a proper pilgrimage necessitates excellent conduct, truthful speech, and the avoidance of sins, disputes, and partisan or political slogans.
The sermon emphasised that true honour lies in piety, sincerity, and the oneness of Allah (Tawhid), warning Muslims against associating partners with Him (Shirk). Sheikh Al-Hudhaifi urged Muslims to abandon division, falsehood, gossip, and hatred, encouraging them to instead strengthen brotherhood, patience, and righteousness, as reported by state-run APP.
From dawn, thousands of white-robed worshippers recited Quranic verses on the 70-meter rocky hill near Makkah, where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) delivered his last sermon. The Hajj follows the path of the Prophet’s (PBUH) final pilgrimage, which took place approximately 1,400 years ago.
The Saudi General Authority for Statistics announced that the total number of pilgrims for Hajj 2026 reached 1.7 million. According to the SPA, 1.5 million pilgrims from abroad arrived in Saudi Arabia through various routes, while the number of domestic pilgrims, including citizens and residents, was 160,646.
The authority reported that the total number of pilgrims from inside and outside the country was 893,396 men and 813,905 women. Of those arriving from abroad, 1,485,729 entered by air, 54,429 by land, and 6,497 by sea.
