IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST MERCIFUL, THE MOST COMPASSIONATE.
THE FIRST SERMON FOR THE MONTH OF SAFAR, DATED 11/2/1446 AH – 16/8/2024 CE
TOPIC: EARLY MARRIAGE AS A SAFETY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY
THE FIRST SERMON
Indeed, all praise is due to Allah. We praise Him, seek His help, and ask for His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of our own selves and from the evil of our deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whomsoever Allah misguides, 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, who conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, advised the nation, removed the distress, and strove for the sake of Allah with the true striving until certainty from his Lord came to him. May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him as long as night and day alternate until the Day of Judgment.
As to what follows:
O respected Muslim listeners, fear Allah and know that your Lord has willed the building of this universe both legally and by decree until an appointed time. This build can only be achieved through cooperation, harmony, unity, and building life upon just, wise, and beneficial laws.
Mankind has been made vicegerent on this earth to reform and populate it, to worship Allah upon it. His happiness lies in obeying Allah, and his misery lies in disobeying Allah. Allah, the Exalted, says: (وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَخْشَ اللَّهَ وَيَتَّقْهِ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ) “And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger and fears Allah and is conscious of Him – it is those who are the successful.” (An-Nur: 52). And He says: (وَمَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَهُ يُدْخِلْهُ نَارًا خَالِدًا فِيهَا وَلَهُ عَذَابٌ مُهِينٌ) “And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits – He will put him into the Fire to abide eternally therein, and he will have a humiliating punishment.” (An-Nisa: 14). And He says: (وَلَوِ اتَّبَعَ الْحَقُّ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ لَفَسَدَتِ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ وَمَنْ فِيهِنَّ) “But if the truth had followed their inclinations, the heavens and the earth and whoever is in them would have been ruined.” (Al-Mu’minun: 71).
One of the first steps and stages of a person’s life is getting married in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah and His Messenger. This union fosters cooperation, compassion, harmony, and the interweaving of benefits and interests. It fulfills the noble and constructive desires, strives towards virtuous goals and objectives, and results in blessed gains and good offspring when done early, as long as one is able to do so and follows the advice of the Prophet (peace be upon him). This is why the topic of our sermon today revolves around “Early Marriage as a Safety for the Individual and Society.”
O servants of Allah, marriage is the cradle of generations, the first school for the newborn, and the guide for the youth towards righteousness, reform, and construction in a manner that pleases Allah Almighty.
Both the husband and wife are the foundation of a righteous society—after being righteous themselves—and they are the abode of compassion, mercy, kindness, and care. They are the benefactors of the upcoming generation, the origin of family ties and kinship, through which mutual support, compassion, solidarity, communication, love, and protection from life’s adversities are established.
Marriage, O servants of Allah, is not only an ongoing Sunnah of Allah with countless benefits and endless blessings, but it is also the everlasting tradition of the prophets and messengers whose blessings never cease, as Allah says: (وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلًا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ أَزْوَاجًا وَذُرِّيَّةً) “And We have already sent messengers before you and assigned to them wives and descendants.” (Ar-Ra’d: 38). And He also says about the characteristics of the believers: (وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا) “And those who say, ‘Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.” (Al-Furqan: 74).
Though it is a command from Allah Himself, as He says: (وَأَنْكِحُوا الْأَيَامَى مِنْكُمْ وَالصَّالِحِينَ مِنْ عِبَادِكُمْ وَإِمَائِكُمْ إِنْ يَكُونُوا فُقَرَاءَ يُغْنِهِمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ) “And marry those among you who are single and the righteous among your male slaves and female slaves. If they are poor, Allah will enrich them out of His bounty” (An-Nur: 32).
The benefits of early marriage for the individual and society include:
1. Marriage is Purity of the Heart and the Soul: It leads to progeny that succeed one another on earth to worship Allah and populate it. Therefore, it is recommended that the husband chooses a righteous wife based on character, religion, and good lineage, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A woman is married for four reasons: her wealth, her lineage, her beauty, and her religion. So choose the religious woman, may your hands be rubbed with dust (i.e., may you prosper).” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him)).
2. Marriage is Purity and Chastity for Both Partners (the Husband and Wife): It is also a source of righteousness for society and a protection from deviation. Allah, the Exalted, says: (وَإِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَبَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَلَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ أَنْ يَنْكِحْنَ أَزْوَاجَهُنَّ إِذَا تَرَاضَوْا بَيْنَهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ذَلِكَ يُوعَظُ بِهِ مَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ذَلِكُمْ أَزْكَى لَكُمْ وَأَطْهَرُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ) “And when you divorce women and they have [nearly] fulfilled their term, do not prevent them from remarrying their [former] husbands if they agree among themselves on an acceptable basis. That is enjoined on whoever of you believes in Allah and the Last Day. That is better for you and purer, and Allah knows and you know not.” (Al-Baqarah: 232).
3. Marriage is Security for Society: It protects against the spread of fornication and the actions of the people of Lut. No country where fornication becomes widespread is spared from poverty, need, and humiliation, and diseases and epidemics appear that did not exist among previous generations. Moreover, the adulterers will face disgrace and punishment in the Hereafter. Allah, the Exalted, says: (وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَهًا آخَرَ وَلَا يَقْتُلُونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا يَزْنُونَ وَمَنْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ يَلْقَ أَثَامًا . يُضَاعَفْ لَهُ الْعَذَابُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَيَخْلُدْ فِيهِ مُهَانًا) “And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty. Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated” (Al-Furqan: 68-69).
4. Early Marriage is a Means of Having Righteous and Beneficial Children: It has been medically proven that the best and healthiest children are born to women in the early stages of their lives, and this can only be achieved through lawful marriage. Allah, the Exalted, says: (وَالبَلَدُ الطَّيِّبُ يَخْرُجُ نَبَاتُهُ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِ وَالّذِي خَبُثَ لَا يَخْرُجُ إِلّاَ نَكْدَا كَذَلِكَ نُصَرِّفُ الآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَشْكُرُونَ) “And the good land – its vegetation emerges by permission of its Lord; but that which is bad – nothing emerges except sparsely, with difficulty. Thus do We diversify the signs for a people who are grateful” (Al-A’raf: 58).
5. The General Health Benefits for Married Women: Research studies have confirmed that married women benefit health-wise from marriage, as married individuals are less likely to suffer from headaches and are more resistant to cancer due to having a strong immune system. Regular marital relations contribute to the clarity and purity of the skin, making it always radiant. May Allah guide us to the truth and grant us the ability to follow it and reform us.
THE SECOND SERMON:
THE ROLE OF YOUTH IN SOCIETY DEVELOPMENT
All praises are due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds; the God of the first and the last, and the end is for the righteous. There is no aggression except against the oppressors. May His peace and blessings be upon the most honorable of prophets and messengers, our Master Muhammad, and upon his family and companions.
As to what follows:
O respected listeners, the world celebrates International Youth Day on August 12th every year. Islam preceded them in recognizing the value of youth and youthfulness in the society and all human life. Indeed, youth are the pillar of the society; through them, society is strengthened and remains strong. Without them, society weakens and declines. Nations and peoples rise with the efforts, activity, and knowledge of their youth, just as their laziness and ignorance are the essence of backwardness and falling behind in the march of civilization and progress.
Islam’s Care for Youth:
Islam has taken exceptional care of the youth, guiding them wisely towards construction, growth, and goodness. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) paid great attention to the youth, as they were the group that stood by him at the beginning of his mission, supporting and aiding him. They spread Islam and bore the hardships and difficulties for its sake. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Allah did not give knowledge to anyone except a young person, and all good is in youth.” Then he recited the words of Allah: (قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا فَتًى يَذْكُرُهُمْ يُقَالُ لَهُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ) “They said, ‘We heard a young man mention them who is called Abraham” (Al-Anbiya: 60), and His words: (إِنَّهُمْ فِتْيَةٌ آمَنُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ وَزِدْنَاهُمْ هُدًى ) “Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance” (Al-Kahf: 13), and also: (وَآَتَيْنَاهُ الْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا ) “And We gave him judgment while yet a boy” (Maryam: 12).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) worked to refine the morals of the youth, sharpen their resolve, direct their energies, and prepare them to bear the responsibility of leading the nation. He also encouraged them to work and worship, saying: “There are seven whom Allah will shade in His shade on the Day when there is no shade but His…” and he counted among them: “A youth who grew up in the worship of Allah.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) urged the youth to be strong in faith, strong in body, and strong in work, saying: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer.” However, he pointed out that strength is not just in physical build but in the ability to control oneself and manage one’s nature, saying: “The strong one is not the one who can wrestle, but the one who controls himself when angry.”
Youth and Responsibility:
It is essential for the leaders of the nation, across various fields and at all levels, to entrust positions and responsibilities to the youth. This will prepare them, develop their talents, and unleash their latent energies. They should also be given opportunities to meet with elders and seniors, benefiting from their experience and drawing from their wisdom, so that the strength of youth combines with the wisdom of the elders, resulting in sound judgment and righteous actions. Indeed, Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, would take the enlightened and conscious youth of the Ummah as his advisors, allowing them to participate alongside the wise elders in his council, offering advice that would benefit the Ummah.
When we contemplate the state of our society today and observe the activities of its youth closely, we find that they are often engaged in activities that undermine the foundations of our nation instead of building and strengthening them. The sense of responsibility is lacking, duties are neglected, and sacrifice is hidden behind curtains of recklessness, irresponsibility, and indifference. As a result, most of the youth, if not all but a very few exceptions, have adopted a negative role in the society.
The avenues of amusement, centers of corruption, dens of evil, places of laziness, and havens of inactivity that entice our youth today destroy their positive role in the society. There are no paths more numerous than those of the devil and his enticements in life, and nothing easier than falling into his traps when the soul is led by the sails of desires and alluring pleasures.
Consequently, it is not surprising to find wide segments of youth, in the prime of their lives, wasting their time on pursuits with no benefit. They spend the entire day in cafés like the elderly, watching everyone who passes by, or loitering outside schools and colleges, harassing female students and causing them trouble. In the best-case scenario, they stay at home, sleeping until very late in the day or sitting in front of entertainment and music channels.
The Necessity of Youth Development:
Proper and well-rounded development of the youth—spiritually, mentally, and physically—produces individuals who carry the concerns of the nation, are oriented towards goodness, contribute positively to society, and face the challenges of the present. Such youth work towards the growth, prosperity, and attainment of the highest levels of civilizational excellence in society—socially, economically, and politically. However, if the development is poor, neglecting the youth, and if the youth themselves are uninterested in the qualities bestowed upon them by God, indulging in a life of leisure and ease under the pretext that they want to “enjoy their youth” and that youth is only for pleasure, without realizing that this stage of life has entrusted them with the responsibility for the nation and society, then this is a waste of effective energy and a squandering of the most productive force.
Therefore, society must nurture the youth spiritually, mentally, and physically, and not neglect them. The pride of any nation lies first and foremost in its youth, for they are the strong and sturdy pillars upon which the nation can build its present and future glory.
Supplication:
O Allah, honor Islam and the Muslims, humiliate polytheism and the polytheists, destroy the enemies of the religion, and protect the stronghold of the religion, O Lord of the worlds. O Allah, grant us safety in our homelands, and rectify our leaders and those in authority over us, and place our leadership in those who fear You and seek Your pleasure, O Lord of the worlds. O Allah, guide our ruler and his crown prince to that which pleases You, and aid them in obedience to You, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor. O Allah, we ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and self-sufficiency. O Allah, rectify for us our religion, which is the safeguard of our affairs, rectify for us our worldly life, in which is our livelihood, and rectify for us our Hereafter, to which we shall return. Make life an increase for us in all good, and death a relief for us from all evil. Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.