Dear Muslims,
In the verse I have recited, our Lord Almighty states, "˹The time of˺ people's judgment has drawn near, yet they are heedlessly turning away."[1]
In the hadith I have read, our beloved Prophet (saw) says, "Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler."[2]
Dear Believers!
Life is like flowing water. A life begins with the adhan and ends with the sala like a leaf that turns green, then turns yellow and falls off. The sorrow of death is as real as the joy of birth, and a period of time has been allotted for all creation. With every breath we take, we are getting a little closer to that great day. Our days, months and years are passing one by one. With each falling calendar leaf, our life capital continues to run out.
Dear Believers!
It is stated in the Holy Qur'an as follows: ثُمَّ لَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّع۪يمِ "Then, on that Day, you will definitely be questioned about your worldly pleasures."[3] Right! There is an account we have to give about our life that is entrusted to us by our Lord (swt). We are going to be questioned about our numbered breaths, our health, and the blessings of the world. There is a book of deeds that records all that we do, an infallible balance that will be established, and witnesses who will testify to the truth. On that day, an atom's weight of good and an atom's weight of evil will surely be recompensed. No one will be wronged and everyone will be given exactly what they deserve.
Dear Believers!
We are about to leave another year of our lives behind. Now is the time to take ourselves into account before we are brought to account, and to review our deeds before they are weighed in the balance (mizan). It is the time to follow our Lord's warning, يُنَبَّؤُا الْاِنْسَانُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِمَا قَدَّمَ وَاَخَّرَۜ "All will then be informed of what they have sent forth and left behind."[4] and take stock of what we have left behind and what we will do in the future. It is the time to curb the desire for worldliness, waste, selfishness and unlimited consumption. It is the time to straighten our path and to find our direction. It is the time to set up our court of conscience and see ourselves in the mirror of truth. It is the time to add good deeds to our lives that will lead us to eternal salvation. In short, now is the time to re-contemplate our lives in line with the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Dear Muslims!
The world is a place of test and trial, and life is lived only once. Allah the Almighty (swt) will hold us to account for what we have done as well as what we have neglected and abandoned when we had the opportunity. So let us face ourselves before it is too late, that is, before our life comes to an end.
اَلْيَوْمَ نَخْتِمُ عَلٰىٓ اَفْوَاهِهِمْ وَتُكَلِّمُنَآ اَيْد۪يهِمْ وَتَشْهَدُ اَرْجُلُهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ Let us listen to our Lord (swt), Who states, "On this Day We will seal their mouths. Their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify to what they used to commit."[5] and prepare for the Hereafter. Let us compete in goodness and charity with the awareness that Allah is with us and He (swt) sees us every moment. Let us avoid all kinds of haram, evil, and unjust acts that violate the rights of other people. Let us show regret for our misdeeds and sins, and seek refuge in the vast mercy of Al-Rahman (the Entirely Merciful) through repentance and asking for forgiveness. May the Qur'an and Sunnah, faith and worship, good deeds and good morals guide our lives for a lifetime.
I would like to conclude this Friday's khutbah with the following verse: "O believers! Be mindful of Allah. Let every soul look to what deeds it has sent forth for tomorrow. And fear Allah, for certainly Allah is All-Aware of what you do."[6]
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[1] Anbiya, 21/1.
[2] Bukhari, Riqaq, 3.
[3] Takathur, 102/8.
[4] Qiyamah, 75/13.
[5] Ya-Sin, 36/65.
[6] Hashr, 59/18.
General Directorate of Religious Services