Friday Khutbah (22nd July 2005) delivered by Shaykh Muhammad Taher
DISCLAIMER: This reminder was originally delivered in Arabic. Any meanings lost in translation are not to be attributed to the speaker as reminders are translated by volunteers. The mosque has no official translater and volunteers often have no formal qualifications to translate on the day. Please forgive any errors as they are from our human weakness and any right guidance is from Allah.Allah says in the holy Quran:
“Do men think that on their mere saying, ‘We have attained to faith’, that they will be left to themselves and not be put to test? Indeed, We did test those who lived before them and so most certainly will Allah mark out those who prove themselves true and most certainly will He mark out those who are lying” (Surah Ankaboot: 1 -2)
O Muslims, being exposed to trials and tribulations is part of this earthly life that Allah has created. Allah afflicts whoever he wishes of his servants, with whatever he wishes, whenever he wishes and however he wishes. This is to bring to the surface what they have in themselves of belief or hypocrisy. Tests and tribulations need patience, so that they can be passed successfully.
Patience is one of the obligations of Islam and it is considered half of Iman (belief). Allah says:
“And seek aid in patience and prayer” (Surah Baqarah: 2:45).
Allah loves patience and those who are patient Allah says:
“And Allah loves those who are patient” (Surah Imran: 3:146).
He has also promised his support and company to those who are patient, as He says:
“Allah is with those who are patient” (Surah Baqarah 2:153)
The outcome and consequence of patience is always good – Allah says:
“and if you are patient it is best for you”
The reward for it is great, as Allah promises:
“Those who are patient will be given their reward in full, beyond reckoning.” (Surah az-Zumar 39:10)
Patient people are those who can really reap the benefits of signs, trials and tribulations and learn many valuable lessons from them. Allah says:
”Most surely there are signs in this for every patient endurer, grateful one” (Surah Luqman: 31:31)
Patience is also one of the reasons for entering paradise, as Allah says:
“Peace be upon you, for your perseverance and patience. How great shall be your reward in the hereafter!” (Surah Ra’ad: 13:24)
The Prophet (saw) said:
“The believer’s situation is indeed amazing: it is always beneficial to him. If he is blessed with good, he is thankful, which is good for him, and if he is afflicted with hardships, he is patient, which is also good for him.”
O Muslims, in such trials and hardships, we must be patient and be steadfast in our Iman, and hold tight to our religion and seek refuge in Allah, for He is the best supporter and helper.
We must face our situation with optimism and be patient, for in being patient we stay firm to the truth and rely on Allah to help us. We must live our lives normally and be confident in our religion and identity. We should practice our rights which are protected by the law of the country, while being considerate of the rights of others and fulfilling our duties.
O Muslims, Allah says in the holy Quran:
“it is he who has called you Muslims: “those who have surrendered themselves to Allah” so that the messenger can be a witness of your deeds, and so that you may also stand as witnesses of the deeds of others. Thus observe your prayers and pay your zakat and hold fast unto Allah, for he is the best guardian and the best helper”.
The word “Muslims” portrays truly your relationship with Allah in terms of your belief in him and feeling his greatness and highness. It also truly portrays your relationship with yourself; in terms of protecting yourself and others from any source of harm and damage. The Muslim is he whom people are not harmed by his tongue and limbs. Likewise, the word “Muslims” also shows how we should deal with our fellow Muslims, that we should help them if they need aid, and to protect them from anything bad and to help them when doing good and doing the best of deeds. The Muslim is the brother of his fellow Muslim: he never betrays him; he never lets him down, and he is never unjust to him. Allah comes to the aid of a person, if that person comes to the aid of his brother. Whoever is in need of the aid of his brother, then it is Allah who is in need of his aid. And whoever relieves a Muslim of his hardship in this life, Allah will relieve him of his hardship in the hereafter. The true Muslim is the one who cares for the group and the society and believes that it is his duty to fulfil society’s rights on him and to care for their needs and requirements. One of the greatest interests of Muslims is to invite people to believe in Islam and see its beauty and to make sure they can live in peace and security.
In the current situation that the Muslim minority lives in, we should support each other; unite like a solid cemented structure, strengthening one another. We should cooperate in doing all good and that which pleases Allah. We should not disunite, separate from each other, disagree with each other or stray away from the group, especially in such circumstances.
The word “Muslims” also truly portrays how we should deal with our brothers in humanity. Non-Muslims are our fellow brothers in creation and humanity. We should treat them well and with respect and show them the beauty of Islam, for Allah orders us to do so in the Quran:
“call to the path of your Lord with wisdom and advice, and reason with them in the most kind and courteous manner”.
He also says:
“be courteous when you argue with the people of the scriptures”
This good code of conduct exists for dealing with Jews and Christians because they are the people of the divine scriptures which were revealed to the prophets Jesus and Moses (pbut). They believe in God, and divine messages, and the day of judgement. Thus they are the closest to the Muslims. Because of that Allah has made it halal to eat with them, and their meat permissible, and allowed us to marry from them. Allah says:
“The food of the people of the scripture is lawful to you, and your food is lawful to them, and it is lawful for you to marry the chaste of the believing women and the chaste of the women of the people of the scriptures” (Surah Maida 5:5)
In the time of the prophet’s life, the Muslims knew of this sympathy between them and the people of the scriptures, and thus they were saddened when the Romans (Christians at the time) were defeated at the hands of the Persians, who were pagans then. Allah says: “the Romans have been defeated in a neighbouring land, but in a few years they shall themselves be victorious. Such is the will of Allah before and after. On that day, the believers will rejoice for Allah’s help.” 30:1-5
The prophet’s companions, when they had migrated to live in a non Muslim land, used to pray to Allah to grant the Negus of Ethiopia victory over his enemies and these companions had never desecrated the honour, wealth, or the life (blood) of anyone in the lands they migrated to. Likewise, the prophet and his companions lived in Mecca for 13 years suffering from torture and hardships, without shedding the blood of the Meccans or violating their honour or wealth. On the contrary, the prophet used to be so keen to show the Meccan’s the way of Islam and to live their lives in submission and belief in Allah, to the extent that Allah reproached him and said “do not destroy yourself in grief on their account”
From that, we should understand that Islam does not consider differences in religion to be a reason for enmity and hatred between people. Differences in religion are not a reason to stop people from living in harmony with each other. A person’s disbelief does not justify killing them or stealing from them or harming them in any way at all.
Allah (swt) ordered us to be kind with our parents, even if they are non-Muslims. Allah says: “but if your parents press you to ascribe partners to Allah, do not obey them in that, but be kind to them in this world” 31:15
The prophet’s uncle, Abu-Talib remained a disbeliever until he died, and was a great supporter of the prophet, protecting him and always working towards peace between the prophet and his enemies, and he used to protect him (pbuh) from their harm. Because of that, the year in which he died was known as the Year of Sorrow.
There remains a message to the British Government: urging them to search hard for the perpetrators of crime, the causes for them falling into the hands of narrow-minded extremists (who need be taught the correct understanding of Islam).
Just as we remind the Muslims of their duties to this country, we remind you, as a Government, to protect the rights of the Muslim minority and to grant them the rights that you give to other minority groups living in Britain.
We would also like to remind the Government that the Muslims of this country are part of the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims, so your dealings with the issues of the Muslim nations should be with great care and sensitivity to avoid becoming a source of hatred and evil.
At the same time, we completely condemn the targeting and killing of any innocent civilian. There is nothing whatsoever that justifies the shedding of the blood of the innocent or terrorizing them anywhere in the world. Likewise, any such events that happen, and those which took place in London, are completely criminal acts, which are not allowed according to any divine religion or law.
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