IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST MERCIFUL, THE MOST COMPASSIONATE
BEING THE SECOND KHUTBAH FOR THE MONTH OF SHAWWAL – 13/10/1446 AH (11/04/2025 CE)
TOPIC: CAUSES OF DECREASE AND INCREASE IN FAITH
THE FIRST KHUTBAH (SERMON)
All praise is due to Allah, we praise Him, seek His help, seek His forgiveness, and repent to Him. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our souls and from our bad deeds. Whomever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whomever He leads astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone without any partners. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, His chosen one and beloved, the trustee of His revelation and the conveyer of His Shari’ah. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions, and all who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment.
To proceed:
O servants of Allah! I advise you and myself to fear Allah, for whoever fears Allah, He will protect him and guide him to the best of his religious and worldly affairs.
Know—may Allah have mercy on you—that the most important thing a servant should be concerned about in this life is faith (iman). It is the greatest asset the soul can acquire, the noblest treasure the heart can hold, and the means by which a person attains elevation in this world and the hereafter. In fact, all good in both this life and the next depends on sound faith. It is the highest of aspirations, the most honorable of purposes, and the noblest of goals.
With faith, O servants of Allah, a person lives a good life in both worlds, is saved from evil, harm, and hardship, and receives immense bounties and abundant favors.
With faith, one earns the reward of the Hereafter and enters a Paradise whose width is like that of the heavens and the earth, filled with everlasting bliss and immense grace, the likes of which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has imagined.
With faith, one is saved from a Hell whose torment is severe, depth is vast, and heat is excruciating.
With faith, a person attains the pleasure of his Lord, never to earn His wrath, and will enjoy gazing upon His Noble Face on the Day of Judgment, without any harm or misguiding trial.
With faith, the heart is at peace, the soul is tranquil, and the spirit is delighted, as Allah says:
الْذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطمَئِنُ قُلُوبُهُمْ بِذِكْرِ اللهِ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللهِ تَطْمَئِنُ القُلُوبُ
“Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” [Ar-Ra’d: 28]
O servants of Allah! Know that faith is both speech and action, and it increases and decreases. This is unanimously agreed upon by Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah. Allah the Exalted says:
هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ السَّكِينَةَ فِي قُلُوْبِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لِيَزْدَادُوا إِيمَانًا مٞعَ إِيمَانِهُمْ
“It is He who sent down tranquility into the hearts of the believers that they would increase in faith along with their [present] faith.” [Al-Fath: 4]
And He says:
وَيَزِيدُ اللهُ الَّذِينَ اهٟتَدَوا هُدًى وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ مَرَدًا
“And Allah increases those who were guided, in guidance. And the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for recourse.” [Maryam: 76]
It was narrated from Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Faith wears out in your hearts just as clothes wear out. So ask Allah to renew faith in your hearts.”
Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say to his companions:
“Come, let us increase our faith.”
It was narrated from Abu al-Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him):
“From the understanding of a servant is to know whether he is increasing or decreasing in faith. And from his understanding is to know the ways in which Satan comes to him.”
Umair ibn Habib al-Khatmi (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“Faith increases and decreases.”
He was asked, “What is the increase and decrease of faith?” He replied:
“When we remember Allah, praise Him, and glorify Him — that is its increase. When we are heedless, negligent, and forget — that is its decrease.”
O Servants of Allah, the decline of faith is a disease that afflicts believing hearts. It is one of the most dangerous illnesses of the heart because it leads to sins, neglect of obligations, hardness of the heart, constriction of the chest, mood swings, lack of reflection during Qur’an recitation, and heedlessness in the remembrance of Allah the Almighty — among many other consequences.
When the causes are known, it becomes easier to diagnose the illness and prescribe its cure. There are many reasons for the weakening of faith, and we will mention the most important among them:
1. Distancing oneself from faith-filled environments
Such as attending circles of remembrance, praying in congregation, and keeping the company of the righteous. Al-Hasan al-Basri said:
“Our brothers are dearer to us than our own families; our families remind us of the world, but our brothers remind us of the Hereafter.”
2. Lack of righteous role models
When the Prophet ﷺ passed away and was buried, the Companions said:
“We no longer recognized our hearts.” (Narrated by Al-Bazzar; the narrators are trustworthy as in Sahih collections)
3. Mixing with people of immorality and corruption
This is one of the greatest causes of the hardening of the heart.
4. Excessive preoccupation with worldly affairs
The Prophet ﷺ condemned such a condition and considered it servitude to the world. He said:
“Wretched is the slave of the dinar, the dirham, the fine cloth, and the velvet cloak; if he is given, he is pleased, but if not, he is displeased.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhari)
5. Long hopes and aspirations
Allah Almighty says:
﴿ ذَرْهُمْ يَأْكُلُوا وَيَتَمَتَّعُوا وَيُلْهِهِمُ الْأَمَلُ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴾
“Let them eat and enjoy themselves and be diverted by [false] hope, for they are going to know.”
(Qur’an 15:3)
‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“The thing I fear most for you is following desires and having long hopes. As for following desires—it diverts from the truth, and as for long hopes—it makes one forget the Hereafter.”
6. Excess in permissible matters
Such as food, drink, sleep, talking, and laughter. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do not laugh too much, for too much laughter kills the heart.”
(Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and authenticated by al-Albani)
O Servants of Allah,
If the weakening of faith is a disease that affects the heart, then every disease has a cure. Among the remedies that help strengthen and increase faith are:
First: Reflecting on the Noble Qur’an
The Qur’an was revealed by Allah as a clarification for all things and a light by which He guides whomever He wills. Undoubtedly, it contains a powerful healing and effective remedy. Allah the Exalted says:
﴿ وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ القُرْآنِ مَا هُوَ شِفَاءٌ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴾
“And We send down of the Qur’an that which is healing and mercy for the believers.”
(Qur’an 17:82)
Second: Developing a sense of awe of Allah
Understanding and contemplating His Names and Attributes, and grasping their meanings, leads to greater awareness and deeper faith.
Third: Attending gatherings of remembrance
These gatherings increase one’s faith. In Sahih Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“No group of people sit together remembering Allah but that the angels surround them, mercy covers them, tranquility descends upon them, and Allah mentions them to those with Him.”
Fourth: Engaging Frequently in Righteous Deeds and Utilizing Time Well
This is among the greatest remedies and has a powerful impact on strengthening faith. Filling one’s time with acts of obedience nurtures the heart and increases iman (faith).
Fifth: Diversifying Acts of Worship
Out of Allah’s mercy and wisdom, He has diversified the acts of worship. Some involve the body, like prayer; others involve wealth, like zakat; some combine both, like Hajj; and some are performed with the tongue, like dhikr (remembrance) and du’a (supplication).
Sixth: Fear of an Evil End (Soo’ al-Khatimah)
This fear pushes a Muslim towards obedience and renews faith in the heart, making the individual more careful about their deeds and sincerity.
Seventh: Loyalty and Disassociation (Al-Wala’ wal-Bara’)
Loyalty to the believers and disassociation from disbelievers. When the heart becomes attached to the enemies of Allah, faith weakens.
Eighth: Self-Accountability
Allah the Almighty says:
﴿ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ ﴾
“O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow.”
(Qur’an 59:18)
Ninth: Learning Allah’s Beautiful Names (Asma’ Allah al-Husna)
Study the Names of Allah found in the Qur’an and Sunnah, reflect on their meanings, and worship Him through them. Also, learning about the Prophet ﷺ—his noble character and lofty attributes—strengthens love for him and emulation of his path.
Tenth: Reflecting on the Universe
Pondering the creation of the heavens and the earth, the various creatures within them, and examining the human self and its attributes—all of this brings awe and faith into the heart.
Eleventh: Calling Others to Allah and His Religion
This includes advising others with truth and patience, increasing in voluntary deeds after obligatory ones, preferring what Allah loves over personal desires, seeking seclusion with Allah during the night to privately speak to Him, recite His words, and stand in humility. One should also end this with sincere istighfar (seeking forgiveness) and tawbah (repentance).
Also beneficial is the companionship of sincere, knowledgeable scholars, to glean from their wisdom just as one selects the ripest fruits from a garden.
Among the Greatest Means: Seeking Islamic Knowledge
Knowledge precedes action. Without knowledge, deeds are misguided. Through it, the believer learns about his Lord, corrects his creed, refines his soul, and understands how to worship properly.
Another Key to Renewing Faith: Limiting Worldly Expectations
Shortening hopes is essential in renewing faith and bringing focus back to the Hereafter.
O Servants of Allah,
There are also actions of the heart that are vital in reviving and increasing faith—such as loving Allah, fearing Him, hoping in Him, having good expectations of Him, trusting Him, being pleased with His decree, thanking Him, being truthful with Him, having certainty, and repenting to Him—along with many other internal acts of worship.
And Finally
Among the strongest means a believer must consistently rely upon is supplication (du‘a). The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, faith wears out in the heart of one of you just as a garment wears out. So ask Allah to renew faith in your hearts.” (Narrated by al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak)
I say this and seek forgiveness from Allah for myself and for you.
THE SECOND KHUTBAH (SERMON)
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, who commands us to support the oppressed and to reject all forms of injustice. We bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and we bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger.
O servants of Allah, first and foremost, we remind you of the virtue of fasting six days of the month of Shawwal, and the immense reward for it before the opportunity passes. The Prophet ﷺ said:
«مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ، كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ»
“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it will be as if he fasted for a lifetime.” (Narrated by Muslim)
Secondly, the free people of the world continue to watch with heavy hearts the ongoing aggression against our brothers and sisters in Gaza. The genocide perpetrated by the occupying regime, with weapons and support from the United States, has led to the martyrdom of more than 50,000 souls, and the suffering continues. This obligates us all to stand united in condemning this brutality and in supporting the oppressed and persecuted.
The International Union of Muslim Scholars has issued a clear fatwa on this matter, affirming the obligation to support our brothers in Gaza. The fatwa states that it is an individual duty (fard ‘ayn) upon every capable Muslim to support their brethren in Gaza by all possible means—be it through military intervention, economic assistance, or political pressure on governments to stand for justice and take proper action.
The fatwa also states:
“It is obligatory to wage jihad against the Zionist entity and everyone who cooperates with them on occupied land in the genocide of our people in Gaza, including mercenaries and soldiers from any country. This includes military intervention, supplying the mujahideen with weapons, military expertise, and intelligence.”
O servants of Allah, the Qur’an reminds us of the importance of unity and cooperation. The Muslim Ummah must stand as one united body in the face of this aggression, putting aside differences and working toward a common goal.
The Union has called upon Arab and Muslim governments to take immediate action to stop the aggression on Gaza and urged Muslim leaders to adopt a unified stance against the occupation and to support the rights of the Palestinian people—may they act upon it.
O Muslims, history will never forget—and will not show mercy to—those who stood in support of Gaza, whether they were governments, organizations, or individuals. Therefore, it is incumbent upon every one of you to fulfill your duty, for Allah will ask us what we did to support the oppressed who cry out:
﴿ رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ الظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَاجْعَلْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنكَ وَلِيًّا وَاجْعَلْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنكَ نَصِيرًا ﴾
“Our Lord, remove us from this city of oppressive people, and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper.”
(Qur’an 4:75)
So who among you will be that protector? And who among you will be that helper?
﴿ وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ اللَّهَ غَافِلًا عَمَّا يَعْمَلُ الظَّالِمُونَ إِنَّمَا يُؤَخِّرُهُمْ لِيَوْمٍ تَشْخَصُ فِيهِ الْأَبْصَارُ ﴾
“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].”
(Qur’an 14:42)
O Allah, grant them the victory You promised Your weak servants everywhere.
O Allah, support our oppressed brothers and sisters in Palestine and the people of Gaza with Your divine help.
O Allah, supply them with Your aid that never ceases.
O Allah, they are oppressed, so grant them victory, a mighty and honorable victory.
﴿ رَبَّنَا آَتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآَخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ ﴾
“Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” (Qur’an 2:201)