In the name of Allah Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
FIRST KHUTBAH FOR THE MONTH OF RABIʿU-THANI,
DATED: 4TH R. THANI, 1447 AH (SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 CE)
TOPIC: RAISING CHILDREN FOR ALLAH- ITS OBLIGATION AND BENEFITS
THE FIRST SERMON
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. We praise Him, thank Him, seek His help and guidance, and ask His forgiveness and repentance. Whomever Allah guides, none can mislead; and whomever He allows to go astray, none can guide. 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. O Allah, send prayers, peace, and blessings upon him, his family, his companions, and upon all who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment.
As to what follows,
Dear servants of Allah, I advise you and myself first to fear Allah, both in private and in public. Taqwa is the ultimate goal behind all acts of worship, obligations, and prohibitions. Allah the Almighty says:
﴿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.” (Al-Baqarah 2:21)
O servants of Allah! Children are the future youth of the Muslim Ummah. Raising them and educating them is a great responsibility in this religion. It is an obligation upon every Muslim man and woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day. Allah the Almighty says:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَائِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَّا يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ﴾
“O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.” (Al-Tahrim 66:6)
This noble verse carries a powerful reminder and a severe warning of the punishment of Hellfire and its horrors. Ibn Kathir said regarding it: “You prevent them from disobeying Allah and you stand over them with the command of Allah, enjoining them upon it and helping them fulfill it. If you see them disobeying Allah, you stop them and restrain them. This was also the view of Al-Dahhak and Muqatil: that it is the duty of a Muslim to teach his family—whether relatives, servants, or slaves—what Allah has obligated upon them and what He has forbidden for them.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ also explained the comprehensive concept of guardianship and responsibility in fulfilling this trust. ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock. The ruler is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. A man is a shepherd over the members of his household and is responsible for them. A woman is a shepherd over her husband’s house and children and is responsible for them. A servant is a shepherd over his master’s property and is responsible for it. Indeed, each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.” (Agreed upon – Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Therefore, the most important foundation to instill in raising children is the principles of religion so that their worldly life and Hereafter are upright, they attain righteousness, and they enjoy the fruits of this sound upbringing—thus the Muslim Ummah reaps the benefits of this noble approach.
Al-Manāwī (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“For a man to discipline his child, when he reaches an age and level of understanding capable of receiving it—by raising him upon the character of the righteous believers, protecting him from mixing with the corrupt, teaching him the Qur’an, proper manners, and the Arabic language, letting him hear the Sunnah and the sayings of the Salaf, teaching him the necessary rulings of religion, warning him, and even disciplining him with threats or beatings for neglecting prayer and the like—is better for him than giving in charity a ṣāʿ (a measure of food). For if he disciplines his child, the child’s good deeds become part of his ongoing charity (ṣadaqah jāriyah), while the reward of a ṣāʿ of charity eventually ends. This benefit continues as long as the child remains, and proper upbringing is nourishment for the soul and its preparation for the Hereafter.
Allah says: ﴿قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا﴾
“Protect yourselves and your families from a Fire…” (Al-Tahrim 66:6).
Thus, protecting yourself and your child from it means admonishing them, warning them of Hellfire, correcting their inclinations through various forms of discipline. Discipline may take the form of admonition, warning, threatening, striking, restricting, giving rewards, and showing kindness. The discipline of a noble and pure soul is unlike the discipline of a vile and base one.”
(Fayd al-Qadīr, 5/257)
The Fruits of Raising Children
1. The one who guides to good is like the doer
One of the greatest fruits of raising children is earning the reward of guiding others to good.
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “A man came to the Prophet ﷺ asking him for a mount, but the Prophet did not have one to provide. He directed him to another man who gave him a mount. When the Prophet ﷺ was told about this, he said: «إِنَّ الدَّالَّ عَلَى الْخَيْرِ كَفَاعِلِهِ»
“Indeed, the one who guides to good is like the one who does it.” (Al-Tirmidhi, 2670)
Jarīr ibn ʿAbdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«مَنْ سَنَّ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ سُنَّةً حَسَنَةً، فَعُمِلَ بِهَا بَعْدَهُ، كُتِبَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهَا، وَلَا يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أُجُورِهِمْ شَيْءٌ. وَمَنْ سَنَّ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ سُنَّةً سَيِّئَةً، فَعُمِلَ بِهَا بَعْدَهُ، كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِ مِثْلُ وِزْرِ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهَا، وَلَا يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أَوْزَارِهِمْ شَيْءٌ»
“Whoever initiates in Islam a good practice, and it is followed after him, will have a reward like that of those who practice it, without their reward decreasing at all. And whoever initiates in Islam an evil practice, and it is followed after him, will bear a burden of sin like that of those who practice it, without their sins decreasing at all.” (Muslim, 1017)
Thus, whoever is granted success and contemplates the greatness of this reward will invest in raising his children upon righteousness. Every good taught to them will be in the parents’ scale of deeds, and every noble character instilled in them will bring fruits for the parents in this world and the Hereafter.
2. The supplication of a righteous child for his parents
The greatest loss for a Muslim upon death is the end of his deeds, except for those who left behind ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«إِذَا مَاتَ الْإِنسَانُ انْقَطَعَ عَنْهُ عَمَلُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ ثَلَاثٍ: إِلَّا مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ جَارِيَةٍ، أَوْ عِلْمٍ يُنْتَفَعُ بِهِ، أَوْ وَلَدٍ صَالِحٍ يَدْعُو لَهُ»
“When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge that benefits others, or a righteous child who prays for him.” (Muslim, 1613)
Whoever raises his children upon love for Allah, no doubt Allah will bless him with a child who continues to pray for him, increasing his good deeds and keeping his record alive.
3. The children’s seeking forgiveness raises their parents’ ranks in Paradise
Another fruit is that children’s prayers and seeking forgiveness raise their parents’ status in Jannah.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَتُرْفَعُ دَرَجَتُهُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ فَيَقُولُ: أَنَّى لِي هَذَا؟ فَيُقَالُ: بِاسْتِغْفَارِ وَلَدِكَ لَكَ»
“Indeed, a man’s rank will be raised in Paradise, and he will ask: ‘How did I attain this?’ It will be said to him: ‘By your child seeking forgiveness for you.’” Authenticated by Al-Albānī in Sahih al-Jāmiʿ (1617).
Therefore, whoever teaches his children sacred knowledge, instills in their hearts good character, and strives to teach them the virtue of seeking forgiveness, will reap the fruits of this effort. By Allah’s grace—the Forbearing, the Magnificent, the Generous—he will ascend in the ranks of Paradise.
4. Proper upbringing of daughters is a cause for entering Paradise
ʿĀʾishah, Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her), reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«مَن ابتُلي بِشَيءٍ من البناتِ فصبرَ عليهِنَّ كنَّ له حجابًا من النَّارِ»
“Whoever is tested with (the responsibility of raising) daughters and remains patient with them, they will be a shield for him from the Fire.” (Al-Tirmidhi, 1913)
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«مَن عالَ ابنتينِ أو ثلاثًا ، أو أختينِ أو ثلاثًا حتَّى يَبِنَّ ، أو يَموتَ عنهنَّ ؛ كنتُ أنا وهوَ في الجنَّةِ كَهاتينِ»
—and he ﷺ gestured with his index and middle fingers together. Authenticated by al-Albānī (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Targhīb, 1970).
This noble hadith greatly emphasizes the virtue and immense reward of raising daughters. Whoever wishes to be the companion of the Master of Creation ﷺ should discipline his daughters and sisters, treat them with gentleness in speech, and strive to make them happy with every form of kindness and goodness.
We ask Allah, King of Kings, to grant us, our children, our families, and all Muslims protection from the Fire of Hell. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Messenger Muhammad ﷺ, his family, his companions, and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Judgment.
THE SECOND SERMON
All praise is due to Allah, who commanded us to support the oppressed and promised relief to His patient servants. 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’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, and his companions.
﴿إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ﴾
“Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.” (Al-Baqarah 2:156)
To Allah belongs what He takes, and to Him belongs what He gives, and everything with Him is appointed for a fixed term. Our honorable father, His Eminence the Mufti, Shaykh ʿAbdul-ʿAzeez ibn ʿAbdullah Al al-Shaykh, the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has passed away to the mercy of Allah.
Indeed, the eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, but we will not say except what pleases our Lord. O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, expand his grave, elevate his rank among the righteous, and place all that he offered in the scale of his good deeds. O Allah, grant goodness to the Ummah through him.
It is worth noting that Dr. Shaykh Ṣaliḥ ibn Ḥumayd has been appointed as the new Grand Mufti of the Kingdom and Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars- a worthy successor to a worthy predecessor. May Allah benefit the Ummah through him and aid him upon truth.
Servants of Allah, these days the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly has convened, where the world’s stance on the causes of oppressed peoples becomes evident. The greatest of these today is the cause of Palestine, where our brothers in Gaza and Jerusalem face killing, displacement, and siege.
Among the key lessons we draw from this session are:
- The growing international recognition of Palestine.
To date, about 157 out of 193 UN member states have recognized the State of Palestine. This large number demonstrates that the majority of nations acknowledge the truth and do not ignore the injustice inflicted upon this noble people. - Yet, while this recognition provides moral and diplomatic support that strengthens the cause and places pressure on its obstructers, it is not enough for recognition to remain on paper. It must be translated into genuine action that supports the Palestinian people in their right to land, freedom, and dignity.
- What we observe of international stances teaches us a lesson in collective action and human solidarity, and that one of the pillars of strength is that the Ummah speak with one voice and stand shoulder to shoulder on a cause whose core is truth and legitimacy.
- The true strength of Muslims is not in the words of the United Nations, but in their unity and in their holding firmly to the strong rope of Allah.
﴿وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعاً وَلا تَفَرَّقُوا﴾
“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.” (Al ʿImran 3:103) - Reliance on international resolutions alone is not sufficient; rather it is incumbent upon us to support the oppressed with concrete action, supplication, and material and moral assistance.
- The Palestinian cause is not merely a matter of borders and land; it is a matter of creed and of sacred places- foremost among them Al-Masjid al-Aqsa, which Allah has blessed.
- There is a necessity for the Ummah to return to its religion and its values, for victory comes only from Allah. He said: ﴿إِنْ تَنْصُرُوا اللَّهَ يَنْصُرْكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَكُمْ﴾
“If you help Allah, He will help you and make your foothold firm.” (Muhammad 47:7)
O Muslims, today the Ummah is called upon to be one voice and one solid rank in the face of injustice and tyranny, and to raise its children on love for Palestine and adherence to the principles of Islam.
Supplication
O Allah, strengthen Islam and the Muslims. O Allah, grant victory to the oppressed in Gaza and the West Bank. O Allah, have mercy on their martyrs, heal their wounded, and free their captives. O Allah, protect Qatar and all Muslim lands from the plots of the enemies. O Allah, let the schemes of the Zionists turn back upon them; strike them with Your might and afflict them with Your punishment which does not fail the criminal people.
O Allah, support the mujahidin (those struggling) in Your cause, unite their hearts, and consolidate their ranks. Guide them to follow Your Book and the Sunnah of Your Prophet. O Allah, prepare means for us to liberate Al-Masjid al-Aqsa, and guide Muslim rulers and the ruled to establish Your Sharīʿah and to support Your religion. O Allah, deal with the transgressing Jews and with those Christians and hypocrites who aid them. O Allah, take revenge on them, sow discord in their word, cause their feet to tremble, and send upon them Your irresistible punishment. Indeed You are the One who answers prayers, worthy of response, and fully able to do so.
May Allah send blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions all together.