IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL.
FIRST KHUTBAH FOR THE MONTH OF SHAWWAL DATE: 6/10/1446 AH (04/04/2025)
TOPIC: THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT RULING BY ALLAH’S LAW IN THIS WORLD AND THE HEREAFTER
THE FIRST KHUTBAH (SERMON)
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner. He is the Lord of the first and the last, the Sovereign of all mankind, the Possessor of dominion, the One and Only, the Eternal Refuge, who neither begets nor is begotten, and there is none comparable to Him.
I also bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, for he conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, strived in the cause of Allah as He deserves, and left his Ummah on a clear path, whose night is as bright as its day—none deviates from it except those who are doomed.
Servants of Allah! Fear Allah and know that a person’s faith is not complete unless they believe in Allah and accept His judgment in all matters, great and small. One must refer to His divine law in all aspects of life—concerning oneself, wealth, and honor. Otherwise, they will be worshiping other than Him. As Allah says:
وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَسُولًا أَنِ اُعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ
“And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid Taghut (false deities and authorities).’” (Surah An-Nahl 16:36)
Whoever submits to Allah, obeys Him, and refers to His revelation for judgment is truly worshiping Him. However, whoever submits to others besides Him and seeks judgment from laws other than His, has indeed worshiped Taghut and followed its authority. Allah says:
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا بِمَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا أُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يَتَحَاكَمُوا إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ وَقَدْ أُمِرُوا أَنْ يَكْفُرُوا بِهِ وَيُرِيدُ الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ يُضِلَّهُمْ ضَلَالًا بَعِيدًا
“Have you not seen those who claim to have believed in what was revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you? They wish to refer to Taghut for judgment, while they were commanded to reject it; and Satan wishes to lead them far astray.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:60)
Thus, worshiping Allah alone and renouncing obedience to Taghut are essential implications of the testimony: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger.” Allah alone is the Lord and the God of mankind. He created them, commands them, forbids them, gives them life and death, holds them accountable, and rewards or punishes them. He alone deserves to be worshiped. Allah says:
أَلَا لَهُ الْخَلْقُ وَالْأَمْرُ
“Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command.” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:54)
Just as He alone is the Creator, He alone has the right to legislate, and His commands must be obeyed.
Servants of Allah! Allah has narrated that the Jews and Christians took their scholars and monks as lords besides Him because they obeyed them in permitting what Allah had forbidden and forbidding what He had permitted. Allah says:
اتَّخَذُوا أَحْبَارَهُمْ وَرُهْبَانَهُمْ أَرْبَابًا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَالْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا إِلَهًا وَاحِدًا لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ سُبْحَانَهُ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
“They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah, and also the Messiah, the son of Mary. Yet they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above what they associate with Him.” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:31)
It was narrated that ‘Adi ibn Hatim (may Allah be pleased with him) initially misunderstood that worshiping scholars and monks meant offering sacrifices, vowing to them, or bowing and prostrating before them. When he came to the Prophet ﷺ as a new Muslim and heard him recite this verse, he said, “O Messenger of Allah, we did not worship them.” (He had been a Christian before accepting Islam.) The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“Did they not forbid what Allah had made lawful, and you then considered it unlawful? And did they not permit what Allah had forbidden, and you then considered it lawful?” He said, “Yes.” The Prophet ﷺ then said, “That is their worship.” (Narrated by Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi, who graded it as Hasan)
Servants of Allah! Allah, the Exalted, has made it clear that ruling by other than His Shari’ah is the rule of ignorance, and that turning away from His judgment leads to His punishment, which cannot be repelled from the wrongdoing people. Allah says:
وَأَنِ احْكُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ وَاحْذَرْهُمْ أَنْ يَفْتِنُوكَ عَنْ بَعْضِ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُصِيبَهُمْ بِبَعْضِ ذُنُوبِهِمْ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِنَ النَّاسِ لَفَاسِقُونَ أَفَحُكْمَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ يَبْغُونَ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حُكْمًا لِقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ
“And judge between them by what Allah has revealed, and do not follow their desires, and beware lest they tempt you away from some of what Allah has revealed to you. But if they turn away, then know that Allah intends to afflict them for some of their sins. And indeed, many among mankind are defiantly disobedient. Do they seek the judgment of ignorance? But who is better than Allah in judgment for a people who are certain [in faith]?” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:49-50)
Whoever reflects on this verse will find that the command to judge by what Allah has revealed is emphasized in eight ways:
- A direct command: Allah orders it explicitly:
وَأَنِ احْكُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ بِمَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ
“And judge between them by what Allah has revealed.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:49) - A prohibition against following desires:
وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ
“And do not follow their desires.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:49) - A warning against deviation from even part of Allah’s rulings:
وَاحْذَرْهُمْ أَنْ يَفْتِنُوكَ عَنْ بَعْضِ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ
“And beware lest they tempt you away from some of what Allah has revealed to you.” - Turning away from Allah’s rule is a great sin deserving severe punishment:
فَإِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُصِيبَهُمْ بِبَعْضِ ذُنُوبِهِمْ
“But if they turn away, then know that Allah intends to afflict them for some of their sins.” - A warning against being deceived by the majority, as true gratitude to Allah is rare:
وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِنَ النَّاسِ لَفَاسِقُونَ
“And indeed, many among mankind are defiantly disobedient.” - Ruling by other than what Allah revealed is termed as ‘judgment of ignorance’:
أَفَحُكْمَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ يَبْغُونَ
“Do they seek the judgment of ignorance?” - Affirming that Allah’s judgment is the best and most just:
وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حُكْمًا
“But who is better than Allah in judgment?” - True faith requires certainty that Allah’s judgment is the best, most complete, and most just:
وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حُكْمًا لِقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ
“But who is better than Allah in judgment for a people who are certain [in faith]?”
Servants of Allah! It is from Allah’s mercy that He alone has taken the responsibility of settling disputes among people, ensuring justice, goodness, happiness, contentment, and peace of mind. When a person knows that the ruling in their case is based on the law of Allah—the All-Knowing, the All-Wise—then they will accept it wholeheartedly, even if it goes against their personal desires.
However, if rulings are based on human opinions, affected by personal biases and temptations, people will always feel dissatisfied and continue disputing, leading to endless conflict. Therefore, Allah’s command for us to refer to His laws is a mercy and a favor upon us. He has clearly outlined the general principles for governance and justice:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ بِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا
“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing. O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.”(Surah An-Nisa 4:58-59)
This verse, while addressing both rulers and subjects, also guides judges to rule with justice. It instructs believers to accept judgments that align with Allah’s law and to refer disputes to Allah and His Messenger in times of disagreement.
O Muslims, It is clear from what has been mentioned that ruling by the law of Allah and referring to it for judgment is an obligation mandated by Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. It is a requirement of servitude to Allah and a testimony to the message of His Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Turning away from it or any part of it leads to the punishment and wrath of Allah. Indeed, Allah alone has the right to create and legislate, and He is the Most Just of judges. There is no faith for the one who believes that human judgments and opinions are better than the rulings of Allah and His Messenger, or that they are equal or similar, or who permits man-made laws and regulations to replace the divine laws—even if he believes that Allah’s laws are the best, most complete, and most just.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا﴾
“But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you [O Muhammad] judge concerning that over which they dispute among themselves and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit in [full, willing] submission.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:65)
It is obligatory upon all Muslims—leaders, rulers, and those in authority—to fear Allah, to implement His law in their lands and all their affairs, and to protect themselves and those under their rule from the punishment of Allah in this world and the Hereafter. They must take heed of the consequences they have suffered when they turned away from Allah’s judgment, imitated the Westerners, and followed their ways. This has led to division, strife, the decline of blessings, and an increase in internal conflicts, where some among them kill others. Their affairs remain in distress, and they will not find reform or relief from the dominance of their enemies—politically and intellectually—unless they return to Allah and follow His straight path, which He has chosen for His servants.
Allah has promised Paradise to those who obey Him. Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ turned towards us and said:
“O Muhajirun, there are five things with which you will be tested, and I seek refuge with Allah that you should live to see them: When indecency (immorality) becomes widespread among a people and they make it public, then plagues and diseases that were not known among their ancestors will spread among them. When they cheat in weights and measures, they will be afflicted with years of famine, severe difficulty, and the oppression of their rulers. When they withhold their zakah, rain will be withheld from the sky, and if not for the animals, they would not receive any rain. When they break their covenant with Allah and His Messenger, He will enable their enemies to overpower them and take some of what is in their hands. When their leaders do not rule by the Book of Allah and do not seek guidance from what Allah has revealed, then Allah will cause conflict among them.”** (Reported by Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim)
And Allah, the Most Truthful, says:
﴿وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَنْ ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنْكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَى قَالَ رَبِّ لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِي أَعْمَى وَقَدْ كُنْتُ بَصِيرًا قَالَ كَذَلِكَ أَتَتْكَ آيَاتُنَا فَنَسِيتَهَا وَكَذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ تُنْسَى﴾ (
“But whoever turns away from My remembrance—indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind. He will say, ‘My Lord, why have You raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?’ [Allah] will say, ‘Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten.’” Surah Ta-Ha 20:124-126)
There is no greater distress than the hardship that Allah has decreed upon those who disobey Him and do not respond to His commands, replacing His divine rulings with the laws of weak human beings. How foolish is the reasoning of one who possesses the words of Allah, which clarify the truth, settle disputes, guide the lost, and then abandons them in favor of the opinions of mere men or the system of a nation! Do they not realize that they have lost both this world and the Hereafter? They neither achieved success and happiness in this life nor escaped the punishment of Allah on the Day of Judgment—because they made lawful what Allah forbade and abandoned what He obligated upon them.
And Allah is the One whose help is sought! May Allah bless me and you through the Glorious Quran and grant us benefit from its vast goodness.
THE SECOND KHUTBAH (SERMON)
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon the truthful and trustworthy Prophet. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
O nation of brotherhood and support, O nation of truth and solidarity!
We have witnessed the betrayal of the weak-hearted, but at the same time, we have seen the soldiers of truth in Palestine—witnessed their patience, perseverance, and sacrifices. It is upon us to recognize our duty toward them—to stand by them in their steadfastness and endurance, to strive to alleviate their suffering in every possible way, to raise our voices in support of justice and truth, and to stand against oppression and aggression. They must know that they are not alone—that they have a nation standing with them and free consciences rallying around their cause so that they do not feel the bitter sting of abandonment.
Supporting Palestine and its people, standing by wounded Gaza and its inhabitants, is among the greatest obligations in these times—especially after nearly a year and a half of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and horrific atrocities.
O Allah, send peace and tranquility upon Gaza. O Allah, send peace and tranquility upon the people of Gaza. O Allah, send peace and tranquility upon the West Bank. O Allah, send peace and tranquility upon Jerusalem. O Allah, send peace and tranquility upon Palestine.
O Allah, thwart the plots of the aggressors. Strengthen the hearts of the afflicted. O Allah, have mercy on their martyrs, heal their wounded, and mend their broken hearts.
O Allah, grant us the blessing of praying together in Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa, after the distress upon Jerusalem has been lifted and the calamity upon Palestine has ended. And do not think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do!
O Allah, grant them Your divine victory, the victory You promised to Your oppressed servants everywhere.
O Allah, grant them Your divine victory, the victory You promised to our oppressed brothers in Palestine and the people of Gaza.
O Allah, provide them with Your endless support.
O Allah, they are oppressed—grant them victory, an honorable and mighty victory.
“Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
﴿رَبَّنَا آَتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآَخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ﴾ (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:201)
So remember Allah, the Most Great and Most Glorious, and He will remember you. Be grateful to Him for His blessings, and He will increase you. And the remembrance of Allah is greater, and Allah knows all that you do.