Saudi grand mufti warns against filming prayers, urges sincerity in Ramadan worship

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has called on imams and preachers to uphold sincerity in their worship and preaching during the holy month of Ramadan, warning against practices that may verge on self-promotion or hypocrisy.

In a religious edict (fatwa), Grand Mufti and Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh expressed concern over the increasing trend of filming and broadcasting prayers and sermons from mosques on social media platforms, stating that such practices could compromise the spiritual purity of worship.

“Sincerity is a condition for the acceptance of any act of worship,” he said, adding that public display of religious acts for praise or attention contradicts the essence of devotion.

Filming and sharing online

The Grand Mufti's comments came in response to a question regarding the recent decision by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance to prohibit the filming and sharing of Ramadan prayers and lectures online.

Al Sheikh supported the decision, describing the matter as a "serious issue" even prior to the ministry’s intervention, and emphasized that the ban aims to prevent potential violations and maintain the sanctity of worship.

“There are two conditions for any work to be accepted by God: sincerity and adherence to the teachings of the Qur’an and the Prophet’s Sunnah,” Al Sheikh said.

Hypocrisy

Quoting Islamic traditions, the Grand Mufti warned of "minor polytheism" — a term used by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to describe acts of ostentation in worship. He cited a saying of the Prophet: “The thing I fear most for you is minor polytheism… It is hypocrisy.”

While acknowledging that rulings on filming acts of worship may vary based on intent and context, Al Sheikh stressed the importance of examining motivations.

“Whoever listens, Allah will listen to him, and whoever shows off, Allah will show off with him,” he said, referencing another prophetic tradition.

The Grand Mufti concluded by urging Muslims to reflect deeply on their actions during the holy month and strive for sincere devotion, warning that acts performed without seeking God’s pleasure “will be returned to their doer” and carry no value in the hereafter.