Our Lord Almighty (swt) states in the Holy Qur'an as follows: "O you who covers himself [with a garment], arise and warn! And your Lord glorify."[1] The verses above that were revealed on the first days of Islam in Mecca call on the Prophet Muhammad (saw) to ready himself and rise, assume responsibility and communicate Islam, the religion of tawhid, to people. The name of this sacred duty that the Prophet Muhammad honorably assumed and bequeathed to his ummah is called tabligh.
Dear Muslims!
Allah the Almighty wants us to continue the duty of tabligh with an awareness extending beyond time and place by stating, "And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong."[2] Then, we must invite people to the truth and righteousness undauntedly and tirelessly.
Allah the Almighty informs that tabligh requires common sense and sensitivity by stating, "Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best."[3] Then, we must employ a peasant discourse and behave patiently and politely while inviting people to the truth.
Dear Believers!
Each of us is as much tasked with the duty of tabligh as representation. Every Muslim is responsible to live by the high values they disseminate, by firstly observing the boundaries of Islam in their own lives, and by being coherent in their words and actions. In this regard, our Lord's warning is quite clear: "O you who have believed, why do you say what you do not do? Great is hatred in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do."[4]
Dear Muslims!
Our Lord states, "And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, 'Indeed, I am of the Muslims.'"[5]
Let us make the utmost effort to tell about the unshakable truths of the sublime religion Islam and live by them in order to be the addressee of the above appraisal. Let us take as example the Prophet Muhammad's method of tabligh who says, "Make it easy, and not difficult. Give good news, and not cause hatred."[6] Let us act sensibly in our invitation and guidance efforts in order not to cause damage unintentionally while working to uphold the good through good intentions.
Dear Believers!
As I conclude this Friday's khutbah, I pray to Allah the Almighty that the Hijri year 1442 that started yesterday may bring along health, peace, and abundance of divine blessings for our great nation and all humanity. Also, I would like to point out to another issue that requires us to be sensible about. Let us behave in a way that would best suit a Muslim in order to protect both ourselves and the people around us from the pandemic disease facing us. Let us be role models with our carefulness and seriousness in observing the measures. Let us politely warn people against neglectful behaviors. Let us not forget that it is a great irresponsibility before Allah and a violation of the rights of other people to act carelessly while this disease, which we can beat together, is still among us.
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[1] Muddaththir, 74/1-3.
[2] Al-i 'Imran, 3/104.
[3] Nahl, 16/125.
[4] Saff, 61/2-3.
[5] Fussilat, 41/33.
[6] Bukhari, 'Ilm, 11.
General Directorate of Religious Services