IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
SECOND KHUTBAH FOR THE MONTH OF JUMADA AL-AKHIRAH: DATED 11/6/1446 AH (DECEMBER 13, 2024 CE)
THE FIRST SERMON
THE IMPORTANCE OF SINCERITY IN WORSHIP AND ITS NECESSITY FOR THE BELIEVER
All praise is due to Allah, the One who knows all that is hidden and apparent, the subtle and the manifest, the One fully aware of the secrets within hearts and the depths of matters. He commands sincerity and selects from His servants those who are sincere. Indeed, He knows what is public and what is concealed. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, alone without partner in His divinity and lordship, and I bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad is His servant and messenger. O Allah, send blessings, peace, and honor upon Muhammad, his family, his companions, who possess pure hearts, and those who follow them in righteousness.
To proceed:
Fear Allah, O Muslims, and know that piety revolves around doing good and avoiding evil and corruption. Dedicate your deeds sincerely to Allah, the Almighty, for He, Glorified and Exalted, is the Most Self-Sufficient of all partners. He says:
{يَعْلَمُ خَائِنَةَ الْأَعْيُنِ وَمَا تُخْفِي الصُّدُورُ}
“He knows the treachery of the eyes and what the breasts conceal” (Surah Ghafir: 19).
Brothers in faith:
Sincerity is to perform acts of worship purely for Allah, without seeking veneration from people, honor, religious benefit, or worldly gain. Al-‘Izz ibn Abd al-Salam said: “Sincerity means that the obligated person performs acts of obedience solely for Allah, not desiring honor from people, respect, or any worldly benefit or harm.” (See: Al-Mawsu‘ah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaitiyyah, 42/89).
Sahl ibn Abdullah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Sincerity is when all the movements and stillness of the servant are solely for Allah, the Exalted.” (Ihya’ Ulum Al-Din, 4/321).
Al-Qasim Al-Qushayri defined sincerity as: “Sincerity is to dedicate obedience purely to Allah, seeking closeness to Him alone, without aiming for any worldly display, human praise, or love of commendation, nor any other purpose besides drawing nearer to Allah.” (See: Al-Adhkar by Al-Nawawi, p. 34).
O Muslims: Know—may Allah have mercy on you—that the worship of Allah, Exalted and Glorified, cannot be established or perfected except with sincerity to Him. Sincerity is the essence of religion and the heart of worship. Allah says:
{فَٱعبُدِ ٱللَّهَ مُخلِصًا لَّهُ ٱلدِّينَ * أَلَا لِلَّهِ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلخَالِصُ}
“So worship Allah, being sincere to Him in religion. Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion” (Surah Az-Zumar: 2–3).
Sincerity is the condition for the acceptance of deeds. It is like the foundation of a building or the soul of a body. Without sincerity, there is no valid worship or servitude to Allah.
It is narrated from Abu Umamah that a man came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, what is the reward for a man who seeks goodness and remembrance of Allah?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied:
“He gets nothing.” He repeated this three times and then said: “Indeed, Allah, Exalted and Glorified, accepts no deeds except those done purely for Him and seeking His Face.”
(Narrated by Abu Dawood and An-Nasa’i; see Sahih At-Targhib wa At-Tarhib by Al-Mundhiri, 1/23).
Dear Muslims: Achieving sincerity to Allah in all acts of worship is one of the greatest foundations of Islam. A believer must avoid anything that contradicts or undermines sincerity, such as showing off (riya), seeking reputation (sum’ah), pride, love of praise, rejoicing in admiration, self-conceit, and love of fame.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say after completing prayer:
“There is no deity except Allah, alone with no partner. To Him belongs sovereignty, and to Him belongs praise, and He is over all things competent. There is no might nor power except with Allah. There is no deity except Allah, and we worship none but Him. To Him belong the favor, the grace, and the glorious praise. There is no deity except Allah, dedicating religion sincerely to Him, even though the disbelievers dislike it.”
(Narrated by Muslim, An-Nasa’i, Al-Bayhaqi, and At-Tabarani).
Allah commands justice and that we direct our faces in devotion at every place of worship, calling upon Him sincerely. He says:
{قُلْ أَمَرَ رَبِّي بِالْقِسْطِ وَأَقِيمُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وَادْعُوهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ كَما بَدَأَكُمْ تَعُودُونَ}
“Say, ‘My Lord has ordered justice and that you maintain your faces at every place of worship, and invoke Him, sincere to Him in religion.’ As He originated you, so will you return” (Surah Al-A‘raf: 29).
He also says:
{فَادْعُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ}
“So invoke Allah, sincere to Him in religion, even though the disbelievers dislike it” (Surah Ghafir: 14).
Allah commanded His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to say to the people:
{قُلْ إِنَّما أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ وَلا أُشْرِكَ بِهِ إِلَيْهِ أَدْعُوا وَإِلَيْهِ مَآبِ}
“Say, ‘I have only been commanded to worship Allah and not associate [anything] with Him. To Him I invite, and to Him is my return’” (Surah Ar-Ra‘d: 36).
And He says:
{وَما أُمِرُوا إِلَاّ لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفاءَ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكاةَ وَذلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ}
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion” (Surah Al-Bayyina: 5).
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also advised his companions to uphold sincerity. In an authentic narration, Mu‘adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) said that when the Prophet sent him to Yemen, he said: “O Messenger of Allah, give me advice.” He replied: “Make your religion sincere to Allah, and a small amount of deeds will suffice you.” (Al-Mustadrak by Al-Hakim, Book of Heart-Softening Narrations, 3/341).
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) praised those who are sincere, saying:
“Glad tidings to the sincere ones! They are the lamps of guidance, through whom every dark trial is removed.” (Al-Ikhlas wa al-Niyyah by Ibn Abi al-Dunya, p. 31).
Brothers in faith: Sincerity has numerous fruits that a believer reaps in their acts of worship, including:
- Acceptance of deeds by Allah: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Indeed, Allah, Exalted and Glorified, does not accept any deed except that which is purely for Him and done seeking His Face.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood and An-Nasa’i). - Protection from the schemes and control of Satan: Allah says:
{قالَ رَبِّ بِما أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ * إِلَاّ عِبادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِينَ}
“[Iblis] said, ‘My Lord, because You have put me in error, I will surely make [disobedience] attractive to them on earth, and I will mislead them all, except among them Your chosen servants.'” (Surah Al-Hijr: 39–40).
Imam Al-Qurtubi commented: “The people of Madinah and Kufah recited it with a fatḥah (مُخْلَصِينَ), meaning those whom Allah has selected and purified. Others recited it with a kasrah (مُخْلِصِينَ), meaning those who have devoted their worship solely to Allah, free from corruption or ostentation” (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 10/28).
- Shield against evil and immorality: Allah recounts the story of Yusuf (peace be upon him):
{وَلَقَدْ هَمَّتْ بِهِ وَهَمَّ بِها لَوْلا أَنْ رَأى بُرْهانَ رَبِّهِ كَذلِكَ لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوءَ وَالْفَحْشاءَ إِنَّهُ مِنْ عِبادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ}
“And she certainly determined [to seduce] him, and he would have inclined to her had he not seen the proof of his Lord. And thus [it was] that We should avert from him evil and immorality. Indeed, he was of Our chosen servants.”(Surah Yusuf: 24).
There are two readings of the word مُخْلَصِينَ:
- With a kasrah (مُخْلِصِينَ): Yusuf (peace be upon him) was among those who sincerely devoted their worship to Allah alone, free from any form of association.
- With a fatḥah (مُخْلَصِينَ): He was among Allah’s chosen servants whom Allah purified and selected for prophethood. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 9/170).
- Multiplication of rewards and increase of deeds: Ibn Kathir explains Allah’s statement:
{وَٱللَّهُ يُضَٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُۚ}
“And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 261), saying: “This is based on the degree of sincerity in the deed” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 1/693).
Ibn Al-Mubarak said:
“A small deed may be magnified by the intention, and a large deed may be diminished by the intention.” (Jami‘ Al-‘Uloom wa Al-Hikam, 1/71).
- Victory and divine support: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Indeed, Allah supports this Ummah through its weak ones, by their supplications, prayers, and sincerity.” (Narrated by An-Nasa’i).
I say this, and I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Most Great, for myself and for you, as well as for all Muslims from every sin. So seek His forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
THE SECOND SERMON
Praise be to Allah, the One who gives life and causes death, who originates and restores, the Owner of the Glorious Throne, and the Doer of whatever He wills. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, alone without partners. I also bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, his family, and his companions in abundance.
Allah the Exalted says:
{وَاتَّقُوا يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ}
“And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 281).
O servants of Allah:
When death comes, no one can delay or change its time to rectify what they missed or to perform good deeds. The prosperity of the Hereafter is but the outcome of righteous planting in this world. How many people have turned away from the remembrance of Allah and His worship, indulging in amusement and play, immersed in desires, heedless, only for death to come upon them suddenly.
So, hasten, O Muslims, to prepare yourselves before the veil is lifted, regret takes over, and requests become futile. Allah the Exalted says:
{حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَآءَ أَحَدَهُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ قَالَ رَبِّ ٱرْجِعُونِ * لَعَلِّيٓ أَعْمَلُ صَٰلِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ كَلَّآ إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَآئِلُهَا وَمِن وَرَآئِهِم بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ}
“Until, when death comes to one of them, he says, ‘My Lord, send me back that I might do righteousness in that which I left behind.’ No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.” (Surah Al-Mu’minun: 99–100).
And He, the Exalted, says:
{وَأَنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ أَحَدَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَآ أَخَّرْتَنِىٓ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍۢ قَرِيبٍۢ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ * وَلَن يُؤَخِّرَ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهَاۚ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ}
“And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, ‘My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.’ But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” (Surah Al-Munafiqun: 10–11).
Dear servants of Allah: Last Friday, the 4th of Jumada al-Thani, 1446 AH (6th December 2024), we received the sorrowful news of the passing of the late esteemed preacher, Sheikh Al-Hajj Muhyideen Ajani Bello. We extend our heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the family of Ajani Bello on their bereavement.
The passing of the Sheikh has left a void in the Muslim community that is difficult to fill. He will be greatly missed by the entire Muslim community in Nigeria. May Allah forgive Sheikh Muhyiddin Bello, envelop him with His mercy, and grant him a place in Jannat al-Firdaws. We also pray that Allah strengthens those he left behind to bear this loss with patience and perseverance.
O Allah: Rectify our hearts, our innermost thoughts, and our outward actions. Purify our deeds, accept our repentance, and forgive our shortcomings and excesses in our affairs. Make us among the truthful and guide us to perform good deeds, abandon evil, and love the needy. Forgive our parents and ancestors, and improve the conditions of Muslims everywhere. Relieve the distressed, remove the suffering of the afflicted, and heal the sick among the Muslims. Grant victory to the oppressed Muslims in Palestine, Syria, Sudan, and every corner of the earth. You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.