Hajj 2024: Sheikh Maher Al Muayqly to preach at Arafat

Sheikh Maher bin Hamad Al-Muaiqly, an imam at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, will deliver the Arafat sermon during this year’s Hajj, the presidency of the religious affairs of the two holy Mosques – the Grand Mosque (Makkah) and the Prophet’s Mosque (Madinah) has announced.

The announcement followed the royal approval of Al-Muayqali’s nomination, which Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, the president of the religious affairs of the two holy Mosques said “Embodies the wise leadership’s commitment to the Two Holy Mosques and their imams and preachers in promoting the message of moderation and the global and civilizational leadership of Saudi Arabia, and the religious significance of the pulpit of the Two Holy Mosques to Muslims worldwide.”

The Arafat sermon will be delivered from the Namira Mosque, built at the very spot where Prophet Muhammad (PHUB) delivered his sermon during his farewell pilgrimage in 10 AH (632 AD). 

The day of Arafat falls on 9th Dhu Al-Hijjah – the second day of Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah. It is described as the pinnacle of the Hajj.

Who is Al-Muaiqly?

Sheikh Dr Maher bin Hamad bin Mu’aqil Al-Muaiqly, studied at the Teachers College in Madinah, graduating as a math teacher. He worked in Makkah as a teacher and then as a student counsellor at Prince Abdul Majeed School in Makkah. He obtained a master’s degree in Fiqh from the College of Sharia at Umm Al-Qura University in 2004 and a PhD in Tafsir from the same university in 2010.

He also earned a PhD in Fiqh with excellent grades and first-class honours in 2012. He worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Judicial Studies at the College of Judicial Studies and Regulations at Umm Al-Qura University, and served as the college’s vice dean for postgraduate studies and scientific research.

He has served as the Imam and preacher at Al-Saadi Mosque in Al-Awali district in Makkah, and led prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque during Ramadan in 2005 and 2006. He later led the prayers of Taraweeh and Tahajjud at the Grand Mosque during Ramadan in 2007 and was appointed as an official imam of the Grand Mosque that year.

 He is one of the most famous reciters in the Islamic world, known for his beautiful and captivating voice.