His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof Ahmad at-Tayeb, while addressing at the ceremony of Laylat al-Qadr (The Decree Night, Ramadan’s most sacred moments), expressed his sincere supplication for Allah, the Almighty, to relieve Muslim nations and the entire world of bloody wars, severe drought, widespread epidemics, and high costs of living. In addition, the Grand Imam invoked Allah to guide those in authority, scholars, and the wise to peace and safety and to cease bloodshed that Allah has forbidden from above the Seven Heavens.
In the presence of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the Grand Imam called for immediate cessation of bloodshed, citing Prophet Muhamad’s (PBUH) hadiths, “The loss of the whole world is less significant before Allah than killing a [Muslim] human being”, and, “The first thing for which a person shall be brought to account on the Day of Judgment shall be the Salah [performing obligatory prayers], and the first thing for which scores shall be settled among the people [on the Day of Judgment] shall be bloodshed”. In yet another hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) said, “If the inhabitants of the heaven and earth were to jointly responsible for [shedding] the blood of a human being, Allah would punish them in Hell”. He (PBUH) also said, “When two Muslims confront one another with their swords, both the killer and the slain shall be in Hell.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, (we understand about) the killer, but what is wrong with the one who is slain?” “He wanted to kill the other,’” he replied.
This comes three days after the outbreak of intense fighting and armed clashes in Sudan between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which resulted in scores of deaths, instability, and destruction of a big number of public and private properties. Following the escalating situation, a lot of national and international communities along with Egypt called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, resorting calm, prioritizing the voice of wisdom, peaceful dialogue, and upholding the supreme interests of the Sudanese people.