IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICIENT, THE MERCIFUL
BEING THE FOURTH KHUTBAH FOR THE MONTH OF RABI’UL AWWAL, DATED 28TH RABI’UL AWWAL 1445AH (13TH OCTOBER, 2023CE)
TOPIC: OPERATION AL-AQSAH FLOOD: JIHAAD, NOT TERRORISM
THE FIRST SERMON
All Praises belong to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Indeed, the good end is for the righteous, and there is no aggression except against the unjust wrongdoers. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone. He has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger, the teacher of goodness to people. He did not leave any good without pointing it to us. May the prayers and peace of my Lord be upon him and his family and companions, and many peace be upon him.
Servants of Allah! I enjoin you to fear Allah Almighty, and I warn you and myself against disobeying Him and violating His command, according to the Almighty’s saying: “Whoever does good, it will be for his own soul, and whoever does evil, it will be for him, and your Lord is not unjust to His servants” (Fussilat: 46).
Dear Muslim brothers! The topic of our discussion this Jumu’ah is about one of the foremost and greatest issues of Muslims at this time, which is the issue of Palestine, the issue of Quds (Jerusalem), the issue of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the issue of the largest open prison in the world. This talk comes on the occasion of the aggression against your brothers in Palestine in general and in Gaza in particular, and this comes in defense of Quds (Jerusalem) and support for its cause, as it is our foremost cause, and what a great cause it is! Hearts are torn, the body feels the chill, and the eyes are crying over what is happening to our brothers and sisters in Quds, and in Gaza. Your brothers there are writing history with their money, their lives, and their pure blood in defense of Quds, its Al-Aqsa Mosque, and its land, Palestine.
Servants of Allah! Know that the struggle between truth and falsehood is ongoing and will continue until the Day of Judgment. Allah Ta’alaa prescribed Jihad in order to defend truth and suppress falsehood. Know, O Muslims, that Jihad is an obligation that will continue until the Day of Resurrection, and that it is the pinnacle of the hump of Islam, and the first of its levels is resistance in the heart, and the highest of them is fighting for the sake of Allah, and between that is the Jihaad of the tongue, pen, and hand, and the word of truth with the oppressive ruler. And there is no life for a nation, no renaissance for a state, and no preservation of rights, and there is no preservation of land, honor, and money… and there is no recovery of rights that were taken by force and iron except through Jihaad for the sake of Allah. “And strive hard in Allah’s Cause as you ought to strive” (Al-Hajj: 78). “Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties; for the price that theirs shall be the Paradise. They fight in Allah’s Cause, so they kill (others) and are killed. It is a promise in truth which is binding on Him in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and the Quran. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded. That is the supreme success.” (At-Taubah: 111).
So know that the promise of Allah is true and that Allah does not break His promise. And be upon one heart, adhere to His religion, and support Allah by supporting His Holy House and your brothers in Gaza and Palestine, so that Allah may achieve victory and empowerment at your hands. Allah Ta’alaa says: “And it is a duty upon Us to help the believers” (Ar-Ruum: 47).
What is happening now in Palestine is a war between right and wrong, and a Jihad against terrorism…a jihad to repel the aggression of the terrorist Zionists who occupied the land of Palestine and took it forcefully, displaced its people and displaced them. They insulted their honor, shed their blood, and imposed a siege on Gaza, by air, sea, and land, so it was like an open prison. The mind is puzzled, explanation is incoherent, and the tongue is speechless in depicting the state of misery, misfortune, and hardship for our people in the besieged, bereaved Gaza!
Servants of Allah! Why did they impose the siege on Gaza? Why is Israel raining missiles and spraying the toxins of its hatred on proud Gaza? Why the siege, starvation, war and intimidation? It is because Gaza now is the place that hosts the heroes of Palestine, who declared the principle of resistance and jihaad in the face of Jewish dictatorship. It is because the heroes of Gaza were the ones who said hello to death, for the sake of the Ummah’s dignity and pride, and to preserve its honour. It is because the men of Gaza rejected the argument of surrendering in the name of peace, in front of those who do not believe in a promise or a covenant. They rejected a life of humiliation and debasement, and their attitude says:
Do not give me the water of life to drink in humiliation
but rather give me a cup of bitters to drink with honour
Greetings of tribute to those men who were true to what they promised Allah. Some of them died, some of them were waiting on standby, and they did not change their way in any way.
By Allah! History will bear witness that the patient and steadfast people there stood up to the arrogance of the Jews with the weapon of Faith. History will bear witness that the men of Gaza sacrificed their children for the cause of Palestine. Gaza, which constitutes 1.5% of the area of Palestine, and one in a thousand of the Ummah of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, but it has fought five major devastating wars, and four short wars lasting a week, and the resistance was not broken but rather it imposed its will, because the will achieves what it wants in spite of pain.
They besieged Gaza and it besieged them. They wanted to break it and it broke them. They intended a system of defeat and it became a system of steadfastness. Every day, with every splash of blood from a martyr, it exposes those conspiring against it. The Zionists and those with them want to break this system and destroy it so that the Islamic will collapses with it everywhere. They wished to make it an example for muslims, but it has become a symbol of defiance, steadfastness, resistance, patience, perseverance, nobility, pride and dignity. Do not ask about its size, for it is small but big. Do not ask about its potential, for it is limited but great. Do not ask about its capabilities, for it is weak but strong. Do not ask about its missiles, for it is primitive but advanced. It does not care about those who betray it, nor about those who opposes it, whether near or far, from among the Arabs or from foreigners. The past is on the way, the path of glory and victory, in-shaa Allah.
Servants of Allah! This jihaad is a defence of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Blessed Quds, and the status of Al-Aqsa Mosque is great in Islaam, as it is the first of the two qiblahs, the second of the two mosques, and the third of the Two Holy Mosques, the destination the Israa of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his mi’iraaj (ascension) to heaven.
Allah Ta’alaa says: “Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allah) [above all that (evil) they associate with Him] [Tafsir Qurtubi, Vol. 10, Page 204] Who took His slave (Muhammad SAW) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makkah) to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem), the neighborhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad SAW) of Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.” (Al-Israa: 1)
Palestine is also the Holy Land that Allah Ta’alaa has blessed and blesses its surrounding. It is the land of messages and prophethood, where a large number of prophets and messengers, peace be upon them, lived and were sent. The Almighty said: “O my people! Enter the holy land (Palestine) which Allah has assigned to you, and turn not back (in flight) for then you will be returned as losers.”” (Al-Maaidah: 21). And Allah Ta’alaa says: “And We made the people who were considered weak to inherit the eastern parts of the land and the western parts thereof which We have blessed. And the fair Word of your Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel, because of their endurance. And We destroyed completely all the great works and buildings which Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his people erected.” (Al-A’raf: 137). And Allah Ta’alaa says: “And We rescued him and Lout (Lot) to the land which We have blessed for the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns).” (Al-Anbiyaa: 71).
The Prophet, may the Blessings and Peace of Allah be upon him, urged people to visit Al-Aqsa Mosque and pray there. In the authentic hadith narrated by Bukhari on the authority of Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated from the Prophet, may the Blessings and Peace of Allah be upon him, he said: “Do not set out on a journey unless to three mosques: the Grand Mosque (in Makkah), and the Mosque of the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, (in Madeenah), and Al-Aqsa Mosque (in Quds, Palestine).”
Al-Aqsa Mosque today is in grave danger, as the Zionists are trying, threatening, and doing heinous acts with bravado and making all effort to destroy Al-Aqsa Mosque and build the alleged temple that the Jews had planned since they set their filthy feet in the mosque in the year 67, since when they had begun excavations under Al-Aqsa under the guise of searching for traces of their alleged temple.
O Muslims! The Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque has become violated by gangs of extremists and Jewish settlers, who were allowed by the occupation authorities to enter it by force and under the protection of the Israeli police, which turned the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque into a military barracks. At a time when the occupation authorities prevent muslim from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque, and obstruct the necessary reconstruction and maintenance materials, which leads to the possibility of collapse in the mosque’s facilities, as it occurred sometime ago with the western wall of the Islamic Museum located in Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Therefore, Gaza is crying out to you, O Muslims everywhere, so come to its aid, and stand alongside your brothers stationed in defense of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the land of Palestine. Gaza, the enduring calls on you to, Gaza the persevering, Gaza, the challenge, Gaza the resistance. Are you not motivated by the scenes of blood, devastation, sadness, cries of pain, feelings of sadness and cry that have become a residing spirit in the body of every Muslim man and woman among Gaza resident who is steadfast and struggling. Let the Muslim beware of letting his brothers down with any kind of betrayal. He, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “No one lets a Muslim down in a place where his honor will be diminished and his sanctity will be violated, except that Allah Almighty will let him down in a place where he loves to be supported.” (Al-Fath Al-Kabir fi Damm Al-Ziyyadah fi Al-Jami’ As-Sogheer lil-Suyuti)
Dear servants of Allah, be aware that all Muslims from both the east and west on earth are brothers, not separated by borders or separated by nationalities, and it is Allah Almighty who has linked them together through the bond of Islamic brotherhood. The Almighty says: (إِنَّمَا المُؤمِنُونَ إِخوَةٌ) “The believers are only brothers” (Al-Hujurat: 10), and the Almighty says: (فَأَصبَحتُم بِنِعمَتِهِ إِخوَانًا) “So by His grace you became “Brothers” (Al Imran: 103), and he, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He does not oppress him, nor abandon him, nor despise him.” And in a narration: “And He does not surrender him.” (Al-Sunan Al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi), and he, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “A believer is to a believer like a building that supports one another” (Agreed upon), and he, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever” (Bukhari and Muslim).
Indeed, let the Muslims rise to support their brothers as much as they can, the scholar by his prestige and knowledge, the politician by his weight, the writer by his pen, and the preacher by his tongue. Support them with words, prayers, mobilization, and do whatever is necessary for the continued steadfastness of these few heroes, the sons of Palestine and the righteous sons of Al-Aqsa.
Let us consider what lies in it including vexing the enemy and taking revenge from it, and we should be warned of lagging behind from joining the train, Allah says: (مَا كَانَ لأَهلِ المَدِينَةِ وَمَن حَولَهُم مِنَ الأَعرَابِ أَن يَتَخَلَّفُوا عَن رَسُولِ اللهِ وَلاَ يَرغَبُوا بِأَنفُسِهِم عَن نَفسِهِ ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُم لاَ يُصِيبُهُم ظَمَأٌ وَلاَ نَصَبٌ وَلاَ مَخمَصَةٌ في سَبِيلِ اللهِ وَلاَ يَطَؤُونَ مَوطِئًا يَغِيظُ الكُفَّارَ وَلاَ يَنَالُونَ مِن عَدُوٍّ نَيلاً إِلاَّ كُتِبَ لَهُم بِهِ عَمَلٌ صَالِحٌ إِنَّ اللهَ لاَ يُضِيعُ أَجرَ المُحسِنِينَ) “It was not [proper] for the people of Madīnah and those surrounding them of the bedouins that they remain behind after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allāh or that they prefer themselves over his self.[507] That is because they are not afflicted by thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allāh, nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that it is registered for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allāh does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good.” [At-Tawbah: 120]. Let our collective slogan be “Liberate Palestine” and let us declare a general mobilization with all our capabilities everywhere, each to the best of his ability and potential, in defense of our honour, dignity and pride, for Al-Aqsa is the honor and belief of the nation.
Dear Servants of Allah: All our work and effort these days must be focused on serving Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa, and we must take advantage of the seasons and times of acceptance of prayers in resorting to Allah Almighty to unite the nation, gather its ranks, raise its voice and banner, grant it victory over its enemy, and liberate its Al-Aqsa. We must also direct our wealth to support our brothers in Gaza. They are suffering from a tragedy that disgusts the hearts.
One of the means of defense is to make what happens in Al-Aqsa Mosque part of what we publish on social media sites, and to make Palestine news a priority in our publications. Let us send a message to our brothers stationed in Gaza and Palestine that we share their pain and battles with them. And I say this and ask Allah for forgiveness for me and you.
THE SECOND SERMON:
All Praises are due to Allah, who sends down the Book, directs the clouds, is swift in account, and defeats the parties. May the blessings and peace of Allah be upon the best of Allah’s entire creation, our master and leader Muhammad, his family and companions, and all those who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment.
As to what follow,
Isn’t it time for the free and honorable people of all religions and countries of the world to speak the truth, and demand the return of the right to its owners, and take hold of the hands of the usurper and occupier?
Isn’t it time for these people to clearly declare that there is no security for us and that there is no comfort for our children and grandchildren as long as there are people displaced from their land, and the people who came from the diaspora to occupy it… a people who are prevented from their places of sanctities, and others who demolish and wreak havoc on mosques and sanctities.
Isn’t it time for you, oh honorable and the liberals, oh you pure Muslims, and oh zealous Arabs, after a century of time, to stop the tears of the children, orphans, and the bereaved, and to save the prisoners and even female prisoners among the people of Palestine… and to restore rights to their rightful owners, and to return the displaced and refugees to their homelands, and to trim the nails and teeth of the sons of Zionists, until the world regains its stability and security, and humanity returns to its happiness, and everyone is blessed with peace.
Dua: Oh Allah, whose soldiers are never defeated, and You never break your promise, Glory be to You and praise be to You. Support our oppressed mujahideen brothers in Palestine. Oh Allah, make their feet firm, bind their hearts, and direct their arrows. Oh Allah, spare their blood, secure them in their homes, make their lives prosperous, and restrain their enemy. Oh Allah, accept their martyrs, grant victory to their armies, heal their sick, treat their wounded, replace their fear with security, their hardship with ease, their distress with relief, and their patience with victory, O Mighty, O Powerful, O Possessor of solid power, O Possessor of majesty and honor.
Oh Allah, the Zionists have committed transgression, tyranny, and excesses in tyranny. Oh Allah, provide them with a reaping hand of truth, that will break their complaint and eradicate their compassion. Oh Allah, send down upon them Your punishment that does not turn away from the criminals. Oh Allah, do not raise a banner for them, nor achieve a goal for them, and make them a sign for those behind them. Oh Allah, defeat them, shake them, and give us victory over them, O Lord of the worlds.
Shower blessings and mercy on the best of creation.