๐ฆ๐ต๐ฒ๐ถ๐ธ๐ต ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐น-๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฑ๐ถ recalls that during his first prayer in Masjid Al Nabawi, he almost fainted from the intensity of fear.
He says while he was at the Mihrab, he was so afraid that he completed Surah Al-Fatiha by force, and felt that he did not recite it correctly. He thought that he would not complete the prayer.
After the prayer, Sheikh Saad Al Ghamdi asked Sheikh Ali Al-Hudhaify about this fear, to which he replied: โO Saad, I have been an Imam of the Prophetโs Mosque for more than thirty years. I have never stood in the mihrab once, except as if it was the first time I got up in it, and I was afraid of a very strong fear. Is it due to the presence of the Messengerโs tomb near to the Masjid, or because the revelation was revealed in this place (upon him)?โ. Sheikh Ali Hudhaify turned to Sheikh Hussein Aal ash-Shaykh and he said the same thing.
He also added that Sheikh Ali Al-Hudhaify said that leading Salat in Masjid Al Nabawi had greater prestige / influence for him than leading in Masjid Al Haram, Makkah (for the reason above regarding the revelation upon the Prophet peace be upon him).
Regarding the reason why he declined the offer of the Makkah Governor, the late Prince Abdul Majeed (May Allah have mercy upon him), Sheikh Saad Al Ghamdi explained that he thought he was not worthy of the position, and it is for people like Sheikh Sudais, Sheikh Shuraim and the remaining Imams. He said that his parents had a wish for him to stay close to them and he fulfilled their wish.
Allahu Akbar