IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICIENT, THE MERCIFUL
BEING THE FIRST KHUTBAH FOR THE MONTH OF RABI’UL AWWAL, DATED 7TH RABI’UL AWWAL 1445AH (22ND SEPTEMBER, 2023CE)
TOPIC: BEING TOGETHER WITH THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (ﷺ) IN HIS MESSAGE AND DA’WAH.
THE FIRST SERMON
All Praises belong to Allah who sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of Truth to make it prevail over all religions, and Allah is sufficient as a witness. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone. He has no partner. We acknowledge Him and His Oneness. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, may the increased Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him.
Thereafter…
O people! Fear Allah and thank Him for all His blessings, ask Him for more of His bounty and the variety of His generosity, and beware of disobeying and conflicting Him, for that is a reason for His abhorrence and the severity of His Wrath: (يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنْظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ) “O you who believe, fear Allah, and let every soul look at what it puts forward for the morrow, and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is aware of what you do” (Al-Hashr: 18).
Brothers in Faith! This is the first sermon in this month, the month of Rabi’ul-Awwal. Whenever the month of Rabi’ul-Awwal approaches us, people remember the birth of the greatest personality in existence, which is the personality of Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) whom Allah Ta’alaa chose from among His creation, made him the cynosure of His Eyes, and sent him as a mercy to the universe. Therefore, the topic of our sermon today revolves around: Together with the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) in his message and his Dawah.
O Muslims! Remember Allah’s blessings upon you when he guided you to Islaam, and made you part of the Ummah of Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him). The people, before his mission, were ignorant and blindly misguided in pre-Islamic times, associating others with their Lord, directing their worship towards them, seeking benefit and protection from harm from those that cannot harm them and cannot benefit them, from the dead, from inanimate objects, unaware spirits, and other types of creatures.
Some of them turns away from the Lord of the earth and the heavens and seek blessings from a type of tree, some call out to a dead person in a grave, others make their complaints to a stone about how difficult it is, and others prostrates themselves before the sun, the moon, and the stars, and all turn away from the remembrance of the Living and Subsisting Allah.
In their general affairs, they were in the worst condition, the most miserable of livelihood, and the most severe anguish. They shed blood for the most trivial reasons, usurped money and considered it the most honorable gain, subject themselves to tyrants, and sought protection from devils and demonic jinns. The world was ruled at that time by two oppressive, unjust states: the misguided Christian Roman state, and the arrogant oppressive Zoroastrian state of the Persians.
The world was living in total darkness, stifling ignorance, domineering superstition, and widespread confusion and strife, until Allah – the Almighty – and to Him be Excellence and Blessings – permitted the mission of the Seal of the Prophets and the Imaam of the Messengers, Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) as a mercy to the entire universe, and a Justification to all of creation. He sent him with the Guidance, and the religion of Truth before the Hour as a bringer of good tidings and a warner, and a caller to Allah with His permission and an illuminating lamp. And Allah – and to Him belongs praise and thanks – through him saved the world from ignorance, guided it through him from misguidance, given vision from blindness, protected it from calamity, honored it by him from humiliation, and enriched it through him from lack. He brought the world, through him, out of darkness into the Light, and made things easy through him, and he (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) continued to strive to convey the religion, guide the worlds, and wage Jihaad against the infidels and hypocrites, until the earth shone with Allah’s Light, rejoicing, and people entered Allah’s religion in droves, and disbelief became weak, humbled and rejected, and Allah’s Favor upon the believers was confirmed. (هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِنْ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ. وَآخَرِينَ مِنْهُمْ لَمَّا يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ. ذَلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ)
“He it is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger (Muhammad SAW) from among themselves, reciting to them His Verses, purifying them (from the filth of disbelief and polytheism), and teaching them the Book (this Quran, Islamic laws and Islamic jurisprudence) and Al-Hikmah (As-Sunnah: legal ways, orders, acts of worship, etc. of Prophet Muhammad SAW). And verily, they had been before in mainfest error. And He has sent him (Prophet Muhammad SAW) also to others among them (Muslims) who have not yet joined them (but they will come). And He (Allah) is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. That is the Grace of Allah, which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is the Owner of Mighty Grace. (Jumu’ah: 2-4).
This is a great Favor from Allah, and this Favour is in his message (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him). As we remember this great Messenger, it is worthy of us to live in his memory and the memory of this message that he brought to us, for it is a general, timeless, and valid message that is beneficial to all times and places.
His message and Dawah (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) was distinguished by characteristics and features, including:
A. Its generality:
Previous prophets were sent specifically to their people, and perhaps to one tribe of people, and perhaps to one family, but as for the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) his message was general and comprehensive to all people. Allah Ta’alaa says: (قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعاً ) “Say (O Muhammad SAW): “O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all…” (Al-‘Aaraaf: 158)
The Messenger (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) said: “I have been given five things which were not given to anyone else before me. Allah made me victorious by awe (of frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month’s journey. The earth has been made for me (and my followers) a place for praying and something with which to perform Tayammum (to purify oneself for prayer). Therefore, anyone (of my followers) can pray (anywhere) and at any time that the Salat (prayer) is due, the spoils of war is made halaal for me, a prophet was sent to only his people while I was sent to the whole of mankind and I was given intercession.” (Al-Bukhari)
B. Repealing all previous messages and laws:
(وَأَنْزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ مُصَدِّقاً لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَمُهَيْمِناً عَلَيْهِ فَاحْكُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ وَلا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنَا مِنْكُمْ شِرْعَةً وَمِنْهَاجاً وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَجَعَلَكُمْ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً )
‘’And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad SAW) the Book (this Quran) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Mohayminan (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures). So judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to you. To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way. If Allah willed, He would have made you one nation…” (Al-Maa’idah: 48).
The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) says: “No one of this nation, Jew or Christian, hears of me and then dies and does not believe in what I was sent with. He will be one of the companions of Hell.” (Ahmad)He (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) also says: “If Musa, peace be upon him, were alive, he would have no choice but to follow me.” (Ahmad & Al-Bayhaqi).
C. Its perfection and immortality:
Allah sealed the messages with the message of Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) and He sealed prophethood with the prophethood of Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him). Allah Ta’alaa says: (الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْأِسْلامَ دِيناً) “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My Favor upon you and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion” (Al-Ma’idah: 3) He also says (مَا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِنْ رِجَالِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ) “Muhammad was not the father of any of your men, but the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets” (Al-Aahzaab: 40). And the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) says: “My likeness and the likeness of the prophets before me is like the likeness of a man who built a building and made it beautiful and appealing, except for the place of a brick in one of its corners. Then the people began to circumambulate it, admiring him and saying: Could you not place this brick? I am the building block and I am the Seal of the Prophets” (Muslim).
D. Its ease and convenience:
The Ummah of Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) is a merciful Ummah, and therefore its laws are characterized by ease and simplicity. The Almighty says: (وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ) “And He has not placed upon you in religion any difficulty.” (Al-Hajj: 78).Allah Ta’alaa has lifted from them the burden and shackles that were on previous nations. Allah Ta’alaa says: (مَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ حَرَجٍ وَلَكِنْ يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ) “Allah does not wish to place upon you any hardship, but He wishes to purify you and to complete His Favor upon you that you may be grateful.” (Al-Maa’idah: 6).
E. The message is the miracle and the miracle is the message: The message of Muhammad includes the Noble Qur’an, and the Qur’an is the greatest and eternal miracle of Islaam until the Day of Resurrection. The miracles of the previous prophets were only material miracles inherent to the person of the prophet, and they ended with the end of that prophet, and all that remains is to talk about it. As for the miracle of the Noble Qur’aan, it remains and continues, and the proof for it is established in all matters, all ages and people of every generation. O Muslims, it is the duty of every believer in Allah and the Last Day, and who believes in standing before Allah on the Day when secrets are laid bare, to thank Allah for the mission of this noble Prophet and the Great Messenger, and to love Allah for the bounty of His countless blessings. (كَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا فِيكُمْ رَسُولًا مِنْكُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمْ مَا لَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْلَمُونَ)
(كَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا فِيكُمْ رَسُولًا مِنْكُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمْ مَا لَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْلَمُونَ) “Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom[54] and teaching you that which you did not know.” (Al-baqarah: 151)
And a sign of love for the Most Gracious is following the Noble Prophet sent to all humans and jinns. This is the test stipulated in the Qur’an thus: (قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ ) “Say, ‘If you love God, then follow me. God will love you and forgive you your sins. And God is Forgiving, Merciful.’” (Al Imran: 31)
O believers, Allah Has greatly granted mercy to the nation of Muhammad – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – with his da’wah. Allah did not place any hardship on them in his religion, but rather He made it a relief for them over every worry and a way out of every hardship. He facilitated the rulings (of Islam) for them, varied the means for atonement of sins, and multiplied for them the rewards for little good deeds (performed), and is compassionate with them when destiny occurred, and granted their Prophet the honour of not to destroy them by drought and hunger, and not to dominate them by an enemy who would not be amongst them, as long as they did not differ in the religion, and do not adopt the practices of those upon whom earn the wrath of Allah, and who go astray. Otherwise, then would calamity occur, and strife will occur that will afflict the elite and the common people. Allah also granted this blessed nation the intercession of its Prophet for the monotheists, after the intercession by which he would attain the praiseworthy position among the entire worlds. Likewise, the Prophet – may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him – will intercede specifically for the believers to enter Paradise, and another intercession for him and others for high ranks in Paradise.
In summary, this Ummah will be on the Day of Resurrection as seventy nations, the best and most honorable to Allaah Almighty, and they would be the most numerous ummah in Jannah as much as half or more, and that is from Allah’s Grace and Mercy. (قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحْمَتِهِ فَبِذَلِكَ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ ) “Say, ‘By the Grace of Allah and His Mercy; in this let them rejoice. It is better than what they gather.’” (Yuunus: 58).
O believers! Fulfill the rights of your Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) so that you may enjoy his intercession and receiving the Generosity from Allah. Among his rights upon you is that you shower upon him abundant blessings and peace, and it is one of the greatest means of answered supplications, raising of ranks, and expiation of sins. And among his rights upon you is to beseech Allah to grant him the al-wasilah, means, al-fadheelah, the virtue and the al-maqaam al-mahmudah, exalted praiseworthy station after every call to prayer. The reward for that is that intercession will come to you. So glad tidings to you, O people of Faith!
It is his right over you that you adhere to his Sunnah. That you may be safe from misguidance, be saved from temptation, and to perfect his religion, so that you may gain a fresh face on the Day of Resurrection, and that you may obey him in both small and great matters – in word, intention and deed – that you may succeed. (وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَخْشَ اللَّهَ وَيَتَّقْهِ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ) “And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (SAW), fears Allah, and keeps his duty (to Him), such are the successful ones.” (An-Nur: 52).
May Allah bless you and me with the Great Qur’aan, and may Allah benefit us all with the verses and wise remembrance it contains.
I say this, and I ask Allah Ta’alaa, the Almighty and Majestic to forgive me and you for every sin. Ask His forgiveness and He will forgive you. He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
THE SECOND SERMON
All Praises are due to Allah, and I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, He has no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, sent by his Lord as a mercy to the world. May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, his family, companions and those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
O people, verily the love for the Messenger – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – is a great foundation of the religion. There is no faith for anyone to whom the Messenger – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – is not more beloved than his son, his father, and all people. Allah the Almighty says:
)قُلْ إِنْ كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَاؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَالٌ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَاكِنٌ تَرْضَوْنَهَا أَحبَّ إِلَيْكُمْ مِنَ اللهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُوا حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ اللهُ بِأَمْرِهِ وَاللهُ لَا يَهْدِي القَوْمَ الفَاسِقِينَ(
“(24) Say, [O Muḥammad], “If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allāh and His Messenger and jihād [i.e., striving] in His cause, then wait until Allāh executes His command. And Allāh does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.” (At-Tawbah: 24).
Al-Qadi Iyad said in explaining the verse: “This is sufficient as an encouragement, a warning, an indication, and an argument for the obligation of loving him, the necessity of its obligation, the greatness of its danger, and his deserving of it- may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him.” As Allah drew lots for the one whose wealth, family, and children were dearer to him than Allah and His Messenger, and He threatened them with the His saying: “, then wait until Allāh executes His command.” Then He described them as defiantly disobedient at the completion of the verse, and informed them that they were among those who had gone astray, and would not be guided by Allah.
Allah, the Exalted says: (النّبـِيّ أَوْلـَى بِالـمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ) “The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves.” [Al-Ahzab: 6]. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “None of you will believe until I am dearer to him than his father, his son, and all of mankind.” He also said: “By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, none of you will believe until I will be more beloved to him than his father, his son, and all people.” We were with the Prophet (ﷺ) and he was holding the hand of `Umar bin Al-Khattab. `Umar said to Him, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! You are dearer to me than everything except my own self.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete faith) till I am dearer to you than your own self.” Then `Umar said to him, “However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Now, O `Umar, (now you are a believer).
May Allah bless you and I through the Holy Qur’an.