IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
THE FOURTH SERMON FOR JUMADA AL-ULA, 27/5/1446 AH (29/11/2024 CE)
TOPIC: COOPERATION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PIETY– ITS FIELDS AND METHODS
THE FIRST SERMON:
All praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help, and seek His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Him from the evils of our souls. Whomever Allah guides, none can misguide; and whomever He leaves astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and his companions in abundance until the Day of Judgment.
To proceed:O people, I enjoin you and myself to have Taqwa (consciousness and fear of Allah) in private and in public. For indeed, it is the ultimate purpose of all acts of obedience and the commands and prohibitions ordained by Allah. He, the Most High, said:
“يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ”
“O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous.”(Surah Al-Baqarah: 2:21)
Servants of Allah, our topic today focuses on a highly important matter: cooperation in righteousness and piety – its fields and methods. Cooperation among Muslims is a divine command and an act of faith. Allah has instructed this in His Book, saying:
“وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ”
“And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah: 5:2)
Cooperation among Muslims in fulfilling their needs and assisting one another is essential. No one can face the challenges and difficulties of life alone; they need the help of their brothers and the sincerity of their friends in the spirit of cooperation.
THE VIRTUES AND BENEFITS OF COOPERATION:
This cooperation has tremendous virtues and numerous benefits. Among its virtues is that it fosters unity, brings hearts together, and eliminates division. Allah, the Most High, said:
“وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعاً وَلا تَفَرَّقُوا وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَاناً”
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you—when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers.” (Surah Aal-e-Imran: 3:103)
Through cooperation, a society achieves both its religious and worldly interests.
Another benefit of cooperation is that it serves as a path to achieving goals without undue hardship or struggle. This is evident when Allah tasked His Prophet Musa (Moses), peace be upon him, with delivering His message to Pharaoh. Musa said:
“قَالَ رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِنْ لِسَانِي* يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي* وَاجْعَلْ لِي وَزِيراً مِنْ أَهْلِي* هَارُونَ أَخِي* اشْدُدْ بِهِ أَزْرِي* وَأَشْرِكْهُ فِي أَمْرِي”**
“He said: ‘My Lord, expand for me my chest. And ease for me my task. And untie the knot from my tongue, that they may understand my speech. And appoint for me a minister from my family—Harun (Aaron), my brother. Increase through him my strength. And let him share my task.’” (Surah Ta-Ha: 20:25-32)
And Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his son Ismail cooperated in constructing the Kaaba. Allah, the Most High, says:
“وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَنْ طَهِّرَا بَيْتِي لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ”
“And We charged Ibrahim and Ismail to purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [for worship] and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer].” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 2:127)
Allah also says:
“وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنْ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ”
“And [mention] when Ibrahim was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ismail, [saying], ‘Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 2:127)
Allah also tells us in His Book about Dhul-Qarnayn, whom He empowered on earth and provided him with means for everything. When asked by a people to build a barrier between them and Gog and Magog, he said:
“قَالَ مَا مَكَّنَنِي فِيهِ رَبِّي خَيْرٌ فَأَعِينُونِي بِقُوَّةٍ أَجْعَلْ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ رَدْماً”
“He said, ‘That in which my Lord has established me is better [than what you offer], but assist me with strength; I will make between you and them a dam.” (Surah Al-Kahf: 18:95)
The Virtues of Cooperation
- A Source of Strength for Believers:
The unity and cooperation of believers strengthen their position and instill fear in the hearts of their enemies. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts reinforce each other.”
- A Means of Allah’s Support:
Allah rewards those who help others. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim: he does not oppress him nor abandon him. Whoever fulfills the need of his brother, Allah will fulfill his need. Whoever removes a hardship of a Muslim, Allah will remove one of the hardships of the Day of Judgment for him. And whoever conceals [the faults of] a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Judgment.”
- Helping Both the Oppressor and the Oppressed:
Helping an oppressor involves stopping him from his oppression and warning him about its severe consequences. Allah, the Most High, says:
“وَلا تَحْسَبَنَّ اللَّهَ غَافِلاً عَمَّا يَعْمَلُ الظَّالِمُونَ إِنَّمَا يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ لِيَوْمٍ تَشْخَصُ فِيهِ الأَبْصَارُ”
“And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror].” (Surah Ibrahim: 14:42)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Support your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed.”
When asked how to support an oppressor, he replied: “By preventing him from oppression, that is your support for him.”
- Sharing in Great Rewards:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever equips a fighter in the cause of Allah has [indeed] fought, and whoever looks after the family of a fighter in the cause of Allah has [indeed] fought.”
- A Daily Act of Charity:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also said:
“Each morning, charity is due on every joint of one of you. Every Tasbih (saying ‘SubhanAllah’) is charity, every Tahmid (saying ‘Alhamdulillah’) is charity, every Tahlil (saying ‘La ilaha illa Allah’) is charity, and every Takbir (saying ‘Allahu Akbar’) is charity. Enjoining good is charity, and forbidding evil is charity. And two units of prayer in the forenoon suffice as charity.”
Fields of Cooperation in a Muslim’s Life
The scope of cooperation is vast in a Muslim’s life. Among its most significant aspects:
- Congregational Worship:
Allah has guided us to proclaim the greatness of Islam through the call to prayer, establishing congregational prayers five times a day, and attending the Friday and Eid prayers. These acts reflect the unity, strength, and cohesion of the Muslim community, fostering mutual love and inspiring awe in the hearts of their adversaries.
Congregational prayers and Eid gatherings are a source of pride and a testament to the strength and unity of the Ummah, serving to bring hearts together and consolidate their collective voice.
Further Examples of Cooperation in Islam
- Promoting the Obligation of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil
Enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong are defining characteristics of the Muslim Ummah. Allah, the Most High, says:
“كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ”
“You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran: 3:110)
And He also says:
“وَلْتَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ”
“And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong.”
(Surah Aal-e-Imran: 3:104)
Cooperation in commanding good and forbidding evil includes addressing injustices and preventing the spread of corruption. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned:
“By Allah, you must enjoin good and forbid evil, and hold the hand of the oppressor and prevent him from oppression, and force him to adhere to the truth, or else Allah will strike your hearts against each other and curse you as He cursed them.”
He further mentioned about those from Bani Israel who were cursed because:
“كَانُوا لا يَتَنَاهَوْنَ عَنْ مُنكَرٍ فَعَلُوهُ”
“They used not to prevent one another from wrongdoing that they did. How wretched was that which they were doing.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah: 5:79)
The Importance of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil
- It serves as a protective shield for society, preventing widespread corruption and destruction.
- If neglected, evil will flourish, inviting Allah’s punishment. Allah warns:
“أَفَأَمِنَ أَهْلُ الْقُرَى أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُمْ بَأْسُنَا بَيَاتاً وَهُمْ نَائِمُونَ”
“Then, did the people of the cities feel secure from Our punishment coming to them at night while they were asleep?” (Surah Al-A’raf: 7:96-98)
- Calling to Allah (Da’wah)
Cooperation in calling people to Allah and guiding them to righteousness is one of the greatest forms of good. It includes advising others, reminding them of Allah, and warning them against deviation from the straight path. This is done with wisdom, good words, and gentleness.
“ادْعُ إِلَى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ”
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction.”
(Surah An-Nahl: 16:125)
Muslims should strive to present Islam in the best way through both word and deed, using their good character to attract others to the faith.
- Cooperation in Beneficial Knowledge
Teaching beneficial knowledge, especially the Quran, is another form of cooperation that brings immense rewards. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.”
Teaching the Quran fosters understanding of Allah’s commands and builds a strong foundation for a society rooted in faith and righteousness.
Examples of Required Cooperation
- Helping to Settle Debts for Those in Need
Cooperation among people includes assisting those burdened by debts or facing financial hardship. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever eases the burden of a debtor in difficulty, Allah will ease his burden in this world and the Hereafter.”
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“وَإِنْ كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَى مَيْسَرَةٍ وَأَنْ تَصَدَّقُوا خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ”
“And if someone is in hardship, then let there be postponement until a time of ease. But if you give [the debt as] charity, it is better for you if you only knew.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 2:280)
- Good Intercession
Another form of cooperation is advocating on behalf of others through good intercession. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Intercede, and you will be rewarded, and Allah will decree what He wills through the words of His Prophet.”
- Supporting Leaders in Their Duties
Cooperation with those in authority in fulfilling their responsibilities is crucial. Leaders must be supported with fairness, advice, and the prevention of wrongdoing. When citizens collaborate with their leaders in justice and guidance, it leads to much goodness. Cooperation with leaders involves sincere advice, directing them towards good, and ensuring the well-being of their subjects. - Assisting Security Forces in Combating Crime
Cooperation also includes aiding security forces in uncovering the secrets of criminals and corrupters, confronting their harmful actions, and exposing their evil plans. Muslims are allies to all that is good. When criminals and wrongdoers are confronted by a society that rejects their evil deeds and attitudes, and works together to uncover their secrets, it becomes a collective good and a noble act. - Stopping False Campaigns and Harmful Rumors
Cooperation also involves stopping harmful campaigns, lies, and baseless rumors. This entails refraining from believing in, spreading, or promoting them because they lead to corruption, evil, and calamity.
I say this, and I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, for myself and for you and for all Muslims from every sin. So seek His forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
THE SECOND SERMON
All praise is due to Allah, with abundant, pure, and blessed praise, as our Lord loves and is pleased with. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, alone without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May Allah send blessings and peace upon him, his family, and his companions in abundance until the Day of Judgment.
To proceed:
O people, as previously mentioned, cooperation in righteousness and piety is encouraged. However, there is also a prohibition against cooperation in sin and transgression.
How Does Cooperation in Transgression Occur?
- Aiding in the Shedding of Innocent Blood
Cooperation in transgression includes aiding in the shedding of innocent blood by killing without justification. This is a heinous crime and a grave disaster. Shedding innocent blood is among the forbidden acts. Allah says:
“فَجَزَاؤُهُ جَهَنَّمُ خَالِداً فِيهَا وَغَضِبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَعَنَهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُ عَذَاباً عَظِيماً”
“But whoever kills a believer intentionally—his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally. Allah is angry with him, has cursed him, and has prepared for him a tremendous punishment.” (Surah An-Nisa: 4:93)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever aids in killing a Muslim, even with half a word, will meet Allah with it written between his eyes: Despairing of Allah’s mercy.”
- Protecting and Defending Criminals
Cooperation in transgression includes protecting criminals, concealing their actions, defending them, or standing up for them when they are known as corrupters, evildoers, and sources of calamity. - Unlawfully Consuming Wealth
This includes cooperation in consuming others’ wealth unjustly, regardless of the means. It may occur through manipulating shares, exploiting commercial goods, or agreeing to raise prices without legitimate reasons. All of this is cooperation in consuming people’s wealth unjustly. - Misappropriating Public Funds
Another form of transgression is consuming public funds without right, obstructing state projects, disrupting public services, and engaging in bribery to manipulate transactions. Such acts harm the nation and are clear examples of transgression. - Promoting Drugs and Intoxicants
Cooperating in importing, distributing, and spreading drugs and intoxicants among the youth is also a grave sin. Such acts lead to evil and harm, involving unlawful earnings and consequences. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cursed intoxicants, stating:
“Allah has cursed intoxicants, their consumer, the one who presses it, the one who serves it, the one who carries it, the one to whom it is carried, its seller, its buyer—all of them are cursed.”
- Opposing Leaders and National Security
Cooperation against leaders, state projects, and national security—whether by aiding enemies within or outside—is a serious form of transgression. - Undermining Islamic Teachings
Cooperation in transgression also includes using harmful media to spread doubts and falsehoods about Islam and its teachings, thereby undermining the implementation of Allah’s laws.
May Allah protect us from cooperation in sin and transgression and guide us to righteousness and piety.
This concludes, and may Allah send His blessings and peace upon His Messenger, Muhammad. I say this and seek forgiveness from Allah for myself and for you.
Supplication:
O Allah, send blessings, peace, and grace upon Your servant and Messenger Muhammad. Be pleased, O Allah, with his rightly guided caliphs, the leaders who were guided—Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali—and all the companions of Your Prophet collectively. Be pleased with the followers and those who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment. Include us among them by Your grace, generosity, and benevolence, O Most Merciful of the merciful.
O Allah, grant honor to Islam and the Muslims. Humiliate shirk and the polytheists. Destroy the enemies of the religion. Support Your monotheistic servants.
O Allah, make this country secure and peaceful, along with all Muslim lands, O Lord of the worlds. O Allah, grant us security in our homelands and guide our leaders to what pleases You.
O Allah, guide our leader, the leader of the Muslims, Salman, to all that is good. Grant him health and well-being. Strengthen his hearing, vision, and intellect. Protect him from all harm and aid him in every good. Verily, You are capable of all things.