Between Creed and Conduct: A Scholarly Reading of the 2025 Arafah Discourse
By: Issifu Alidu Laa-Bandow
Each year, the Day of Arafah signifies more than just a spiritual climax of the Hajj pilgrimage; it represents a critical moment of moral recalibration for the global Muslim Ummah. The 2025 Arafah Sermon, delivered at Masjid Namirah on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH, offered a deeply resonant reflection on Islam and Faith (Iman). Far beyond a ceremonial oration, the sermon served as a rich intellectual, theological, and ethical discourse—addressing the foundational tenets of Islam while underscoring the relevance of faith in both individual and societal well-being.
Piety as the Cornerstone of a Flourishing Life
To begin with, the sermon opened by underscoring that piety (taqwa) remains the axis upon which both temporal and eternal welfare revolves. This assertion, while spiritually significant, also holds sociological and philosophical implications. As the Qur’an declares:
“Indeed, the righteous will be among gardens and rivers, in a seat of honor near a Sovereign, Perfect in Ability.”
Thus, piety, far from being merely personal or esoteric, becomes a vital ethical compass that directs both private conduct and public responsibility. Moreover, the divine assurance—“Whoever obeys Allah and fears Him – He will remove from him his misdeeds and make great his reward”—reiterates that moral consciousness yields redemptive and transformative outcomes.
The Tranquility of Tawheed and Submitting to the Divine Order
Admittedly, in a world saturated with ideologies that champion hyper-individualism and moral relativism, the sermon’s reminder that clinging to the religion of Allah brings peace to hearts and lives bears timely relevance. It reconnects the believer to the idea that spiritual coherence lies in submission—not in chaos. This is encapsulated in the divine pronouncement:
“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion.”
Consequently, Islam emerges not merely as a doctrinal set of beliefs but as an integrated way of life that brings psychological stability, social harmony, and cosmic balance.
The Tripartite Structure of the Faith: Islam, Iman, Ihsan
Critically, the sermon revisited the well-known prophetic classification of the faith into three ascending ranks—Islam, Iman, and Ihsan—each distinct yet interdependent. This tripartite model offers a structured framework for spiritual development and civic virtue:
- Islam, expressed through the five pillars, manifests the outward dimension of submission.
- Iman, rooted in the heart, encompasses inner conviction and ethical behavior.
- Ihsan, the spiritual zenith, demands that one “worship Allah as if you see Him, and even if you do not see Him, He sees you.”
Hence, these ranks function as spiritual coordinates guiding believers from formal compliance to conscious excellence. Meanwhile, the hierarchy affirms that faith is not a static identity but a transformative journey of refinement and transcendence.
Faith: Fluid, Layered, and Actionable
Moreover, the sermon emphasized that faith (Iman) is both dynamic and multifaceted. It “includes speech of the tongue, belief of the heart, and actions of the limbs.” This tripartite formulation refutes simplistic understandings of belief as passive or theoretical. On the contrary, Iman is animated—it grows with acts of obedience and wanes with moral neglect. Therefore, the believer is constantly summoned to introspection and renewal.
Additionally, faith is not confined to creedal affirmations but is demonstrable in conduct. It is visible in everyday interactions: honoring one’s parents, keeping promises, speaking the truth, guarding modesty, restraining anger, avoiding gossip, and extending kindness to neighbors and orphans. This moral map is captured in the hadith:
“The most complete of believers in faith is the best of them in character.”
Here, we observe the inseparable relationship between piety and ethics—between what one believes and how one behaves.
The Pillars of Belief: Foundations of Resilience and Hope
The sermon’s enumeration of the six pillars of Iman—belief in Allah, His angels, scriptures, messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree—offered more than a theological checklist. Rather, it reoriented the audience toward a cosmology that provides meaning in uncertainty and stability amid flux.
For instance, belief in divine decree, both the good and the bad of it, cultivates patience in hardship and gratitude in prosperity. It tempers despair and curtails arrogance. Similarly, belief in the Last Day fosters moral accountability, ensuring that actions—whether private or public—are ultimately answerable. Consequently, these pillars serve as both intellectual anchors and emotional refuges.
“Indeed, those who have said, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remained steadfast – the angels will descend upon them [saying], ‘Do not fear and do not grieve but receive good tidings of Paradise.’”
Islam as a Total Way of Life
The sermon rightfully reminded us that Islam is a comprehensive paradigm, governing not only ritual worship but all aspects of human existence. The Prophet ﷺ summarized this integrative vision:
“Islam is to testify there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, give zakat, fast in Ramadan, and perform pilgrimage if able.”
In this framework, acts of devotion are not isolated from social justice, economic ethics, or political responsibility. Islam, therefore, becomes a civilizational project—one that fuses spirituality with structure, intention with action.
Leadership, Gratitude, and Institutional Trust
Commendably, the sermon also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their continued efforts in safeguarding the sanctity and logistical efficiency of the Hajj. In a time when public institutions worldwide face growing skepticism, the recognition of effective custodianship—embodied by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince—reminds us of the Qur’anic principle that those entrusted with authority must protect, not exploit.
Discipline, Order, and Collective Responsibility
Furthermore, the call for pilgrims to adhere to rules, show cooperation, and exercise discipline cannot be reduced to mere administrative concerns. It reflects a broader ethic of communal responsibility. Hajj, in this context, becomes a microcosm of society—an ecosystem where individual restraint ensures collective success. Thus, the lessons from Hajj are translatable to wider societal governance, interpersonal relations, and institutional integrity.
The Final Appeal: Sincerity and Supplication
The sermon concluded with a deeply introspective call: “Every pilgrim should sincerely repent to Allah and remember that He is All-Knowing of what is in the hearts.” This reminder strikes at the core of spiritual authenticity. Outward conformity must be matched by inward sincerity. As the Qur’an warns:
“Say: What would my Lord care for you if not for your supplication?”
This verse challenges the believer to recognize that the true worth of human life lies not in status or possessions, but in the humility of calling upon one’s Lord.
Conclusion: The Sermon as a Timeless Ethical Manifesto
In sum, the 2025 Arafah Sermon was a profound synthesis of creed, ethics, and purpose. It called on believers to not only affirm their faith but to embody it—to live Islam with beauty (ihsan), with conviction (iman), and with consistency (Islam). Meanwhile, its lessons extend far beyond the plains of Arafah, serving as a moral and spiritual roadmap for Muslims navigating the complexities of modern life.
More than a sermon, it was a manifesto—one that invites each of us to reclaim the higher ground of faith, character, and community. And in doing so, to strive for a world that reflects the peace, justice, and mercy at the heart of Islam.
