IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
THE THIRD KHUTBAH FOR THE MONTH OF DHUL-HIJJAH
DATE: 17/12/1446 AH (13 MAY 2025 CE)
TITLE: THE SUNNAH AND ITS STATUS IN ISLAMIC LEGISLATION
The First Sermon
All praise is due to Allah, who revealed the Criterion (the Qur’an) to His servant and messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him), and revealed alongside it its like, so that he may be a warner to the worlds. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, alone without partner, and I bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, his companions, and those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment.
To proceed:
O servants of Allah, fear Allah the Exalted and know that taqwa (God-consciousness) is not merely fasting during the day and praying at night, while mixing both with sins. Rather, taqwa is the fear of Allah, fulfilling His commands, and avoiding His prohibitions.
Allah the Most High says:
{وَمَن يُطِعِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَيَخْشَ ٱللَّهَ وَيَتَّقْهِ فَأُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْفَآئِزُونَ}
“And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger and fears Allah and is mindful of Him – it is they who will be the successful.” (Surat An-Nur, 24:52)
Dear Muslim brothers, among the people are those who belittle the status of the Sunnah in the hearts of Muslims. Some even cast doubts about it. We witness repeated transgressions against our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his blessed Sunnah — and this is a serious matter that demands attention and warning.
The Prophetic Sunnah is a foundational source of Islamic legislation. Every Muslim must listen and obey authentic Sunnah just as he listens and obeys the Book of Allah.
Allah the Almighty said: {مَّن يُطِعِ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ ٱللَّهَ}
“Whoever obeys the Messenger has truly obeyed Allah.” (Surat An-Nisa’, 4:80)
For this reason, we have titled today’s khutbah: “The Sunnah and Its Status in Islamic Legislation”
O noble servants of Allah, the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ holds a lofty position in Islamic law. It is the second source of legislation after the Noble Qur’an, and it is the practical implementation of the Qur’an’s teachings. The Sunnah clarifies what is ambiguous, explains meanings, and interprets the terms and structures of the Qur’an.
If the Qur’an lays down general principles and foundations for rulings, then the Sunnah details and elaborates upon them. The religion cannot be complete, nor the Shariah perfected, without taking the Sunnah alongside the Qur’an.
In this sense, the Sunnah is divine revelation from Allah to His noble Prophet. Allah the Exalted said:
{وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلْهَوَىٰ * إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىٰ}
“Nor does he speak from [his own] desire. It is but a revelation revealed.” (Surat An-Najm, 53:3–4)
And Allah the Most High says:
{ وَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ }
“And Allah has revealed to you the Book and wisdom.” (Surat An-Nisa’, 4:113)
Ibn Kathir said: “What He revealed to him of the Book is the Qur’an, and the wisdom is the Sunnah.”
The Prophet ﷺ said: (( أَلَا إِنِّي أُوتِيتُ الْكِتَابَ وَمِثْلَهُ، أَلَا إِنِّي أُوتِيتُ الْقُرْآنَ وَمِثْلَهُ)) (رواه أبو داود وأحمد)
“Indeed, I have been given the Book and something similar to it. Indeed, I have been given the Qur’an and something similar to it.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood and Ahmad)
The meaning of the Sunnah is:
That which has been authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ — whether a saying, action, approval, physical characteristic, moral trait, or biography — whether before or after prophethood.
Indeed, Allah has commanded us in the Noble Qur’an to follow the Sunnah of His Prophet ﷺ. He has commanded us to honor it, revere it, submit to it, and act upon it. He also commanded us to follow the Prophet ﷺ in what he commands and forbids.
Allah says:
{ وَمَا آتَاكُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَٱنتَهُوا۟ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ }
“Whatever the Messenger gives you – take it; and whatever he forbids you – refrain from it. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is severe in punishment.” (Surat Al-Hashr, 59:7)
Allah the Almighty paired obedience to the Messenger ﷺ with obedience to Himself:
{ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ }
“And obey Allah and the Messenger so that you may receive mercy.” (Surat Aal Imran, 3:132)
He also commanded us to respond to the call of the Prophet ﷺ:
{ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ }
“O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.” (Surat Al-Anfal, 8:24)
And the Qur’an clearly states that obedience to the Messenger ﷺ is in fact obedience to Allah:
{ مَّن يُطِعِ ٱلرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ ٱللَّهَ }
“Whoever obeys the Messenger has truly obeyed Allah.” (Surat An-Nisa’, 4:80)
One of the signs of true love for Allah is following the Messenger ﷺ. Allah says:
{ قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ ٱللَّهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى يُحْبِبْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْۚ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ }
“Say, [O Muhammad], ‘If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Surat Aal Imran, 3:31)
The Qur’an warns us against opposing the commands of the Messenger ﷺ:
{ فَلْيَحْذَرِ ٱلَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ }
“So let those beware who oppose his command, lest a trial strike them or a painful punishment befall them.” (Surat An-Nur, 24:63)
The Qur’an also does not permit any believer to oppose a judgment made by the Prophet ﷺ. Allah says:
{ وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ ٱلْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْۗ وَمَن يَعْصِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلًا مُّبِينًا }
“It is not for a believing man or woman—when Allah and His Messenger decree a matter—to have any other choice in that matter. Indeed, whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has clearly gone far astray.” (Surat Al-Ahzab, 33:36)
The Purified Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ holds great importance, O noble servants of Allah. One of its key roles is that it contains rulings and legislations not explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an.
The Prophet ﷺ said: (( أَلَا إِنِّي أُوتِيتُ الْكِتَابَ وَمِثْلَهُ، أَلَا إِنِّي أُوتِيتُ الْقُرْآنَ وَمِثْلَهُ )) (رواه أبو داود)
“Indeed, I have been given the Book and something similar to it. Indeed, I have been given the Qur’an and something similar to it.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood)
Among the examples of rulings found in the Sunnah but not in the Qur’an are: the prohibition of consuming the meat of domesticated donkeys, the prohibition of beasts with fangs and birds with talons, and the prohibition of using gold and silver utensils for both men and women—among other rulings.
O Muslims, the Prophet ﷺ clearly explained that he was given revelation other than the Qur’an, and that the laws and rulings he clarified and legislated were by the command of Allah. Acting upon the Sunnah is acting upon the Qur’an, and obedience to him is obedience to Allah, while disobedience to him is disobedience to Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ warned about those who reject the Sunnah and rely solely on the Qur’an. He said:
(( يُوشِكُ الرَّجُلُ مُتَّكِئًا عَلَى أَرِيكَتِهِ، يُحَدَّثُ بِحَدِيثٍ مِنْ حَدِيثِي، فَيَقُولُ: بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَكُمْ كِتَابُ اللَّهِ، فَمَا وَجَدْنَا فِيهِ مِنْ حَلَالٍ اسْتَحْلَلْنَاهُ، وَمَا وَجَدْنَا فِيهِ مِنْ حَرَامٍ حَرَّمْنَاهُ، أَلَا وَإِنَّ مَا حَرَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ مِثْلُ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ ))
(رواه ابن ماجه وصححه الألباني)
“A time will soon come when a man reclining on his couch will hear a hadith of mine and say: ‘Between us and you is the Book of Allah. Whatever we find lawful in it, we accept as lawful, and whatever we find forbidden in it, we declare forbidden.’ Verily, what the Messenger of Allah has forbidden is like what Allah has forbidden.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah and authenticated by Al-Albani)
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
(( مَنْ أَطَاعَنِي فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللهَ، وَمَنْ عَصَانِي فَقَدْ عَصَى اللهَ )) (رواه أحمد)
“Whoever obeys me has obeyed Allah, and whoever disobeys me has disobeyed Allah.” (Narrated by Ahmad)
Also from Abu Hurayrah:
(( كُلُّ أُمَّتِي يَدْخُلُونَ الجَنَّةَ إِلَّا مَنْ أَبَى ))، قَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، وَمَنْ يَأْبَى؟ قَالَ: (( مَنْ أَطَاعَنِي دَخَلَ الجَنَّةَ، وَمَنْ عَصَانِي فَقَدْ أَبَى ))
(رواه البخاري)
“All of my ummah will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, who will refuse?” He said: “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me has refused.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
The Prophet ﷺ commanded us to adhere to his Sunnah and take our religious rituals directly from him. He said:
(( تركت فيكم شيئين، لن تضلوا بعدهما، كتاب الله وسنتي، ولن يفترقا حتى يردا علي الحوض ))
(انظر: صحيح الجامع الصغير 3/39)
“I have left among you two things; you will never go astray as long as you hold to them: the Book of Allah and my Sunnah. They will never be separated until they return to me at the Fountain.”
He also said: (( صَلُّوا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي ))
“Pray as you have seen me praying.” (Narrated by Al-Shāfiʿī in Al-Umm and Ibn Ḥibbān in his Ṣaḥīḥ.)
And: (( خُذُوا عَنِّي مَنَاسِكَكُمْ ))
“Take your rituals (of Hajj) from me.” (Narrated by Ibn Mājah and Aḥmad)
The Prophet ﷺ further encouraged listening to his sayings, memorizing them, and conveying them to others:
(( نَضَّرَ اللَّهُ امْرَأً سَمِعَ مَقَالَتِي فَأَدَّاهَا كَمَا سَمِعَهَا، فَرُبَّ حَامِلِ فِقْهٍ غَيْرِ فَقِيهٍ، وَرُبَّ حَامِلِ فِقْهٍ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَفْقَهُ مِنْهُ ))
“May Allah brighten the face of the one who hears my statement, memorizes it, and conveys it just as he heard it. Perhaps the one carrying knowledge is not fully understanding it, and perhaps he conveys it to one who understands it better than he does.” (Ahmad)
He warned against lying upon him and issued a severe warning:
(( إِنَّ كَذِبًا عَلَيَّ لَيْسَ كَكَذِبٍ عَلَى أَحَدٍ، مَنْ كَذَبَ عَلَيَّ مُتَعَمِّدًا، فَلْيَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ ))
“Indeed, lying about me is not like lying about anyone else. Whoever lies about me intentionally, let him take his seat in the Hellfire.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
Know well, O noble listeners, that the Sunnah has a spiritual atmosphere. It refines the soul, nurtures the spirit, and elevates moral character.
And may blessings be upon the one who said: (( إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ مَكَارِمَ الأَخْلَاقِ ))
“Indeed, I was only sent to perfect good character.” (Authentic – Reported by Ahmad and Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)
For all of these reasons, spreading the Sunnah is a religious obligation, a noble social act, a national duty, and a refined moral reform.
May Allah bless me and you through the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and benefit us with what is in them. I say this, and I ask Allah’s forgiveness for myself, for you, and for all Muslims from every sin. So seek His forgiveness—indeed, He is the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
The Second Sermon
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, alone without any partners, and I bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah, send Your peace, blessings, and salutations upon Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions.
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ}
“O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].” (Surat Aal-ʿImrān, 3:102)
O brothers in faith, One Eid has passed and another has come. Time renews itself and days change — yet the state of the Muslim Ummah remains far from what is hoped for.
Sacrificial animals are slaughtered for the sake of Allah once a year, while the blood of martyrs in the path of Allah flows constantly and ceaselessly. Why have Muslims fallen into deep slumber?
Who will care for the widows and orphans? Who will help Gaza? Who will defend Al-Aqsa and Jerusalem? Who will resist the Zionist occupiers? Who will restore human dignity? We are oppressed, We are deprived, We are imprisoned, We are violated, In fact, we are enslaved. So, where is the solution? Where is liberation?
The solution, O noble servants of Allah, is sacrifice and devotion.
This is one of the main lessons we learn from the noble occasion of Eid al-Adha.
Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was willing to sacrifice his only son in obedience to Allah. Sacrifice means giving up one’s self, wealth, or time in pursuit of a greater goal and a higher purpose — seeking Allah’s reward and pleasure.
It is about ransom, selflessness, generosity, and jihad in the path of Allah — to attain dignified existence, a life of honor, independence, and freedom.
No matter how costly the price may be, sacrifice is inevitable. Jihad is necessary.
But today, we are not called to sacrifice our children —
Rather, we are called to sacrifice our wealth and time for the support of truth, to ease the suffering of others, and to bring joy and relief to their hearts.
The mujahideen in Palestine understood this lesson and embodied it during the Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. They taught the Muslim Ummah lessons in steadfastness, intrue existence, in resisting the Crusaders and Zionists, and in the meaning of real life — the life of jihad in the path of Allah:
The fighter in it is alive, and the one martyred in it is alive.
Among the lessons of Eid al-Adha is faith and trust in Allah.
We see how Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) demonstrated his strong faith and complete trust in Allah.
This teaches us that faith and trust in Allah are keys to success and happiness in life.
Eid al-Adha also reminds us of the importance of generosity and giving — through offering the udhiyyah and distributing it to the poor and needy.
We learn the value of helping, supporting, and having compassion for others.
Supplication:
O Allah, make us true followers of Your Prophet ﷺ — upholding his Sunnah and law. Grant us to drink from his basin — a sweet, cool drink after which we shall never thirst again. O Allah, strengthen Islam and the Muslims. Grant victory to the oppressed Muslims everywhere. O Allah, You are the Helper of those who seek help, the Supporter of the refugees, the Ally of the weak. Grant victory to our brothers and sisters in Palestine, relieve their distress, remove their suffering, defeat their enemies, and support them with Your victory, Your armies, Your angels, and with the believers. O Allah, we ask You for security and peace in our land and in all the lands of the Muslims. O Most Merciful of the Merciful.