Honorable Muslims!
Allah the Almighty (swt) states in the verse I have just recited, "Certainly will the believers have succeeded: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive. And they who turn away from ill speech."[1]
In the hadith I have just recited, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) says, "A sign of man's good observance of Islam (his piety) is to keep away from that which does not concern him."[2]
Dear Believers!
Our sublime religion, Islam, commands that we participate in good and helpful activities in all aspects of our life. It urges us, in line with our reason for being, to conduct good actions in addition to having faith. It advises us that we stay away from affairs that cause loss of time and labor and serve no purpose for our life in this world and in the Hereafter. In this respect, the believers who will attain salvation are described in the Holy Qur'an as follows: "By time, indeed, mankind is in a loss. Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience."[3]
Dear Muslims!
Every word we utter and deed we perform that benefits all humanity, particularly our family members and those close to us, and all creation, assists us in attaining our Lord's (swt) pleasure. The fineness of our words and acts determines how peaceful our families are, how abundant divine blessings are in our businesses, and how long our unity and solidarity can last. Frustration is the destination for anything contrary to right and truth, as well as everything that pulls love and affection away from our inner world. In this aspect, it is either a careless phrase said or inconsiderate conduct that undermines trust, destroys social harmony, pits siblings against one another, or leads couples to divorce.
Dear Believers!
Our Lord (swt) states in the Holy Qur'an as follows, "And indeed, [appointed] over you are keepers. Noble and recording. They know whatever you do."[4]
So, let us let our lives be a reflection of our religion. Let us prepare for the Day of Resurrection when Allah the Almighty (swt) will address every one of us as follows:
"اِقْرَأْ كِتَابَكَۜ كَفٰى بِنَفْسِكَ الْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَس۪يبًاۜ"
"Read your record! Sufficient is yourself against you this Day as accountant."[5] Let us invest our life capital in the pursuit of the good and in the quest of the pleasure of our Lord (swt). Let us endeavor to conduct good things that will benefit our lives in this world and in the Hereafter. May our inner and outer selves comply with one another, our attitudes and deeds be beneficent, and our destination be Heaven. I would like to conclude this Friday's khutbah with the following invocation from the Prophet Muhammad (saw): "O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the knowledge that is of no benefit, a heart that is not humble, a soul that is not satisfied. and a supplication that is not heard."[6]
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[1] Mu'minun, 23/1-3.
[2] Tirmidhi, Zuhd, 11; Ibn Majah, Fitan, 12.
[3] 'Asr, 103/1-3.
[4] 'Infitar, 82/10-14.
[5] 'Isra, 17/14.
[6] Muslim, Dhikr, 73.
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