Faith, worship and good morals are components of a whole in Islam. Our sublime religion Islam teaches us Muslims to not only continue worship sincerely but also to have good morals and be one of those people with whom it is easy to get along well. It asks us to establish relations based on good faith, fairness and compassion with particularly our families, neighbors, relatives and friends. It recommends that we treat everybody, with whom we are in just any kind of relationship, with respect and courtesy, having the awareness that Allah (swt) has created and oversees every person.
Dear Believers!
The Prophet Muhammad (saw) is the finest role model for humanity. He (saw) taught us how to be a virtuous servant of Allah and the ways to get along well with people by personally practicing in his life. He (saw) was a mild-tempered, graceful and refined person. He (saw) had good manners, decency, and humility. He (saw) would instill peace and trust in people around him and would not cause any fear or doubt. He (saw) had a heart full of love and compassion for his family and companions. He was patient, tolerant and forgiving in bad times just as in good times. Allah the Almighty (swt) praises this quality of his as follows: "So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you."[1]
Dear Muslims!
We as Muslims who take the Prophet Muhammad as the role model should take as our principle to behave sincerely and without expecting anything in return. Let us strive to be loyal, sacrificing, well-intended and truthful. Let us not forget that people who are hypocritical, self-interested, arrogant, and double-faced are not loved and valued both by Allah and other people. No place do bad words, rude behavior, violence, and hatred have in a good-tempered Muslim's life. For such good-tempered Muslims always keep in mind the following words of Prophet Muhammad: "The believer is friendly, for there is no goodness in one who is neither friendly, nor befriended."[2] "Shall I not inform you for whom the Fire is unlawful and who is unlawful for the Fire? Every person who is close (to people), is amicable, and is easy (to deal with)."[3]
Dear Believers!
Let us know the value of this great nation and exceptional society in which we live. Let us share joy and sorrow, and abundance and poverty. Let us instill peace, serenity, and affection in each other with our attitudes and behaviors. Let us not restrain our smiling face, nice words, conscientiousness and tolerance from primarily our spouse and children, and all other people. This way we can make life easier both for ourselves and for the people around us.
Dear Muslims!
As I conclude this Friday's khutbah, I would like to wish the Almighty Allah's mercy upon our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters who were martyred, and speedy recovery for those injured in the struggle to liberate the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
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[1] Al-i 'Imran, 3/159.
[2] Ibn Hanbal, II, 400.
[3]Tirmidhi, Sifat al-Qiyamah, 45.
General Directorate of Religious Services