IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
THE FIRST KHUTBAH FOR THE MONTH OF RABI’ AL-AWWAL, DATED 4/3/1446 AH – 6/9/2024 CE
The First Khutbah
Topic: BEING WITH THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH (PEACE BE UPON HIM) IN HIS MISSION AND DA’WAH
All Praises are due to Allah, who sent His Messenger with guidance and the true religion to make it prevail over all religions, and sufficient is Allah as a witness. We praise Him, seek His assistance, ask for His forgiveness, and seek refuge in Allah from the evils of ourselves and the bad deeds of our actions. Whoever Allah guides, none can mislead, and whoever He misguides, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, alone without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him abundantly.
As to what follow,
O noble servants of Allah, fear Allah and thank Him for all His blessings. Ask Him for more from His bounty and the various forms of His generosity. Beware of disobeying Him and contradicting His commands, for that is the cause of His wrath and severe punishment. Remember the blessing of Allah upon you when He guided you to Islam and made you of the nation of Muhammad (peace be upon him). Indeed, people were before his mission in a state of deep ignorance, wandering blindly, associating partners with their Lord, turning in worship and seeking benefit and removal of harm from those who could neither harm nor benefit them—whether from the dead, inanimate objects, heedless spirits, or other types of creatures. The people continued in this state until Allah sent His Messenger with guidance and as a mercy to the worlds.
Some of them were turning away from the Lord of the heavens and the earth, seeking blessings from certain types of trees, others calling upon the dead in their graves, some complaining to a stone about their hardships, and others bowing to the sun, moon, and stars—all turning away from the remembrance of the Ever-Living, the Sustainer.
They were in the worst condition in their general affairs, living a narrow life and enduring severe hardship, shedding blood over trivial matters, seizing wealth by force and considering it an honorable form of earning. They judged by false idols and sought protection from devils and jinn. At that time, the world was dominated by two oppressive, tyrannical empires: the misguided Christian Roman Empire and the tyrannical, arrogant Zoroastrian Persian Empire.
The world was engulfed in deep darkness, suffocating ignorance, overbearing superstitions, and a state of chaos and strife, until Allah, to whom belongs all grace and bounty, willed for the mission of the Seal of the Prophets and Leader of the Messengers, Muhammad (peace be upon him), as a mercy to the worlds and a proof upon all creation. Allah says: (لَقَدْ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ بَعَثَ فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِنْ كَانُوا مِنْ قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ)
“Indeed, Allah conferred a great favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although they had been in manifest error before that.” (Al Imran: 164)
So, here we are, with today’s sermon on “Being with the Messenger of Allah (SAW) in His Mission and Da’wah.”
Dear listeners, humanity before the Prophet’s mission (peace be upon him) was in clear misguidance—disbelief, atheism, polytheism, division, superstition, and loss. Then, Allah, the Most High, in His grace, favored them by sending a Messenger from Him. This divine favor is unmatched by anything from humans. Who were these people? Who were these creatures that Allah would remember them in such a way, care for them with such attention, and bestow upon them this great favor, by sending them a Messenger from among themselves? He recites to them Allah’s verses and words, works to purify them, cleanse, and sanctify them. He purifies their hearts, their perspectives, and their emotions, cleanses their homes and their honor, and purifies their lives, society, and systems. He cleanses them from the filth of idolatry, paganism, and superstition, along with the degrading rituals, customs, and traditions that insult human dignity.
Listen to the description given by Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) when he spoke to the King Negus of Abyssinia in the presence of the two envoys sent by the Quraysh to retrieve the Muslim migrants. Ja’far (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“O King, we were a people of ignorance, worshipping idols, eating carrion, committing immoralities, severing family ties, mistreating our neighbors, and the strong among us would oppress the weak. We were in this state until Allah sent us a Messenger from among ourselves, whose lineage, honesty, trustworthiness, and chastity we knew. He called us to Allah, to worship Him alone and forsake what we and our ancestors worshipped besides Him, such as stones and idols. He commanded us to speak the truth, fulfill our trusts, maintain family ties, be good to our neighbors, and refrain from forbidden acts and bloodshed. He forbade us from immorality, falsehood, devouring the property of orphans, and slandering chaste women.”
The Negus then asked, “Do you have anything of what he has brought?” Ja’far (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, “Yes.” He recited a portion of Surah Maryam. King Negus wept until his beard was wet, and his bishops wept until their scrolls were soaked. Then the Negus said, “Indeed, this speech comes from the same source as what Moses brought. Go, you are free.”
Thus, brothers in faith, this was the condition of people before his mission (peace be upon him). They did not know the way that leads to their Lord, nor what purifies and sanctifies their souls. Rather, they did whatever their ignorance beautified for them, even if it contradicted the logic of the world. His mission, as commanded by Allah, was: (قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا) “Say, ‘O mankind, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all…'” (Al-A’raf: 158), and through him, Allah sealed the Prophethood and Messengership: (مَا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِنْ رِجَالِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ) “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets” (Al-Ahzab: 40).
Allah raised his mention among all the worlds, so that His name is never mentioned except that the name of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is mentioned alongside it.
Dear honored servants of Allah! Indeed, Allah the Exalted sent this noble Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner before the Hour, calling people to Allah by His permission, and as a shining light. Through him—praise and thanks be to Allah—He saved people from ignorance, guided them from misguidance, granted vision to those blinded by ignorance, protected them from ruin, honored them after humiliation, enriched them after poverty, and brought them out of darkness into light. He facilitated their affairs and tirelessly strived in delivering the religion and guiding the world until the earth was illuminated by the light of Allah, and people entered His religion in crowds. Disbelief retreated, defeated and humiliated. Allah says:
(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 has sent among the unlettered a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His verses, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, though they had been before in manifest error, and others from among them who have not yet joined them. And He is the Mighty, the Wise. That is the grace of Allah, which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is the Lord of great bounty” (Al-Jumu’ah: 2-4).
It is therefore obligatory upon every believer in Allah and the Last Day to be grateful for the mission of this noble Prophet, this great Messenger, and to love Allah for the abundant blessings He has bestowed. As He says:
(كَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا فِيكُمْ رَسُولًا مِنْكُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِنَا وَيُزَكِّيكُمْ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمْ مَا لَمْ تَكُونُوا تَعْلَمُونَ * فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ)
“Just as We have sent among you a Messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses, purifying you, teaching you the Book and wisdom, and teaching you that which you did not know. So remember Me, I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and do not be ungrateful” (Al-Baqarah: 151-152).
May Allah benefit me and you by His guidance and the example of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
THE SECOND KHUTBAH
All praises are due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, the God of the first and the last, and the best outcome is for the righteous, and there is no enmity except against the wrongdoers. May peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of mercy, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his companions.
As to what follows:
Dear listeners, there is a very important issue facing our beloved country now, which is the issue of security and stability. This issue has impacted various aspects of our lives and has affected all regions. However, the continuous security disturbances in the northwest are extremely alarming.
In this regard, the Supreme Council of Sharia has provided some recommendations that are expected to be communicated to all people by the imams and preachers during Friday sermons. Some of these recommendations are as follows:
– Muslims must sincerely repent and abandon committing sins, and leaders must take responsibility to ensure peace and security in the country. Elected leaders who cannot fulfill their responsibilities should make the constitutional choice to resign or face recall. Muslims must be extremely cautious not to fall into ethnic and tribal conflicts, such as the conflict between the Hausa and Fulani. This is undoubtedly a plot and deception promoted by the enemies of Islam. Muslims should remain patient and supplicate to seek mercy and assistance from Allah, asking Him to remove harm and trials, as He has guided us in His saying: (يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلاةِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ)
“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient” (Al-Baqarah: 153).
Servants of Allah, one thing we have undeniably witnessed in our time today is the emergence of corruption, which was foretold during the revelation. This corruption causes the trials and calamities we find ourselves in today, such as riots, kidnappings, killings, and the rising prices of essential goods, all due to what people have brought upon themselves through disobedience to Allah and disbelief in Him. There is no contradiction between the natural material cause, which Allah has decreed and created, and its connection to the actions of the servants and their relationship with the Lord of the worlds. Both are from Allah’s creation, decree, and planning. Allah says: (وَمَا أَصَابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَنْ كَثِيرٍ)
“And whatever strikes you of disaster – it is for what your hands have earned; but He pardons much” (Ash-Shura: 30).
And He- Exalted in power- also says: (ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُمْ بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ)
“Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]” (Ar-Rum: 41).
Those who have knowledge of the state of the world and its origins know that all corruption in its atmosphere, plants, animals, and conditions of its people is a result of causes that brought it into existence. The actions of the children of Adam and their opposition to the messengers have always brought them both general and specific corruption. This corruption brings upon them pains, diseases, illnesses, plagues, droughts, famines, and the stripping away of the blessings of the earth, its fruits, and plants, or the reduction of their benefits. These are the continuous afflictions that follow one another today.
If your knowledge does not extend to this, suffice it with Allah’s words: (ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُمْ بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ) “Corruption has appeared on land and sea by what the hands of people have earned.” This verse aligns with reality, and you can see how disasters and afflictions occur time and time again, even in crops and animals.
It was narrated by Ibn Majah (4019) from Ibn Abi Malik, from his father, from Ata ibn Abi Rabah, from Abdullah ibn Umar, who said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) approached us and said: O Muhajirun! There are five things that if you are tested with them – and I seek refuge with Allah that you do not encounter them – no people ever openly commit immorality except that plagues and diseases that were not present in their predecessors will spread among them. They do not cheat in measures and scales except that they will be afflicted with famine, severe difficulty, and the oppression of rulers. They do not withhold Zakat from their wealth except that rain will be withheld from the sky, and if it weren’t for the animals, they wouldn’t receive any rain. They do not break Allah’s covenant and the covenant of His Messenger except that Allah will impose upon them an enemy from outside who will take some of what is in their hands. And their leaders do not rule by Allah’s Book, choosing selectively from what Allah has revealed, except that Allah will cause conflict among them.’”
Today, dear servants of Allah, we have indeed turned to laws other than what Allah has revealed, and the leaders of this nation govern us accordingly. We have neglected the rights of one another to the point where we witness the suffering of our brothers at the hands of the enemies of Allah and humanity, particularly in Gaza. As a result, Allah has caused conflict among us as a nation. We have delayed fulfilling our obligations and responsibilities, including our passion for the cause, supplication, and boycotts. We ask Allah for safety, well-being, and health.
Supplication
O Allah, we ask You, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor, to remove the distress from the Muslims in Gaza. O Allah, remove the hardship, distress, and punishment from the Muslims in Gaza and all Muslim lands, O Lord of the Worlds. O Allah, grant them victory over those who oppress them; indeed, You are capable of all things, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor. O Allah, protect our country. O Allah, protect our country from all harm and evil, O Lord of the Worlds. O Allah, forgive us and our parents. O Allah, forgive our deceased and the deceased of the Muslims, and illuminate their graves, O Most Merciful of the merciful. And may peace and blessings be upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.