Saudi Arabia Directs Imams to Promote Marriage in Friday Sermons
Riyadh issued a new directive this week. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance wants all mosque preachers across Saudi Arabia to focus their next Friday sermon on marriage. They must urge people to facilitate marriages. They must also warn against calls that promote abstaining from it.
Key Themes for the Sermons
Sheikh Dr Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh, the minister of Islamic Affairs, issued the circular. It outlines several important themes for the Friday sermons.
- Preachers should emphasise that marriage is a sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
- They must describe it as a path to chastity and a means of preserving honour.
- Marriage serves as a pillar for achieving the objectives of Shariah. This includes the protection of lineage and morality.
The directive reminds worshippers of their roles. Fathers, mothers and guardians should facilitate the marriages of their sons and daughters. They must remove unnecessary obstacles. They should also discourage extravagant customs that go against Islamic principles.
Addressing Excessive Wedding Costs
One central concern for the ministry is excessive spending. High costs for weddings and dowries contradict Prophet Muhammad's guidance. They also cause significant debt and anxiety among young people.
The directive explicitly links extravagance to social reluctance toward marriage. It seeks to alleviate financial burdens that commonly deter unions. By tackling this issue, the government hopes to make marriage more accessible.
Countering Deviant Discourses
The ministry also calls on preachers to warn against deviant narratives. These circulate on social media and other platforms. Some narratives discourage marriage or portray it negatively.
The directive asserts that such calls exploit social media. They distort the image of marriage and repel people from it. They aim to corrupt sound instincts and destroy family values. They contradict the rulings and objectives of Shariah.
Aligning with Broader Efforts
This emphasis aligns with recent efforts by Saudi authorities. They have guided mosque sermons on other socially sensitive topics. Earlier directives asked imams to address the honour and protection Islam grants women. They also issued warnings against groups viewed as religiously deviant.
Context of Social Transformation
The focus on promoting marriage comes at a crucial time. Saudi Arabia is navigating major social transformation under its Vision 2030 framework. Structural reforms have expanded public roles for women. They have modernised aspects of civil life.
Yet authorities continue to emphasise traditional family structures. They see them as vital to social stability and moral wellbeing. Encouraging marriage fits within both religious orthodoxy and national policy goals.
By prescribing sermon content, the ministry reinforces the role of mosque preachers. They act not just as spiritual guides but as social educators. They must reinforce values the state considers foundational to a cohesive society.
Sermons as a Tool for Social Cohesion
The directive underscores how religious authority and state policy intersect in Saudi Arabia. The government uses the highly visible platform of the Friday khutbah. Thousands attend these sermons weekly.
This leverages centuries-old Islamic traditions to address modern challenges. These include rising wedding costs, youth hesitation toward marriage and online misinformation.
As the sermons unfold across mosques this Friday, observers will watch closely. They want to see how these themes resonate with worshippers. They will assess whether state-sanctioned religious messaging influences social attitudes. The focus remains on Saudi youth and families.
