The First Khutbah
All praises are for Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) Alone, who is the Lord of the earth and the heavens, the possessor of blessings and bounties. Obedience does not benefit Him and nor do sins harm Him. They only benefit or harm the one who does them, for Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) is in no need of His Creation. I praise my Lord and thank Him for his blessings, those we are aware of and those we are not. To him belongs praise and gratitude in all circumstances. I testify that there is no true God except Allah alone, having no partner; to him belong the most beautiful names and lofty attributes. I further testify that our prophet and master Muhammad is his servant and messenger, who was aided with proofs and miracles. O Allah send your praise and peace upon your servant and messenger Muhammad, and upon his family and companions who raced to do good.
To proceed:
Fear Allah, the Most Mighty, by performing those deeds which please him and avoiding His anger and His disobedience. It is only the pious who succeed, while the wrongdoers are at loss.
Dear Muslims
Taking one’s self to account, striving to perform acts of worship, increasing in good deeds, while protecting whatever Allah has aided you to do from righteous actions, and avoiding those things which invalidate one’s acts of obedience is the epitome of happiness and success in this life and after death
وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوَى
Allah says, “For one who feared the meeting with his Lord and restrained himself from base desires, indeed paradise is his abode.”
[An-Nazi’at:40]
وَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ يَتَسَاءلُونَ،قَالُوا إِنَّا كُنَّا قَبْلُ فِي أَهْلِنَا مُشْفِقِينَ
Allah also says about the people of paradise, “They turn to one another and say, ‘Beforehand we used to live in fear among our families. But Allah was gracious and spared us the agony of the Fiery Winds.’”
[At-Toor:27]
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَلَا تُبْطِلُوا أَعْمَالَكُمْ
Allah also says, “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds.”
[Muhammad:33]
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
When explaining Allah’s statement, “And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow”
[al-Hashr:59]
Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy) said, “Take account of yourselves before you are held to account, and look to what righteous actions you have put forth for yourselves for the day of your return to your Lord.” Allah’s Messenger (may Allah’s praise and peace be upon him) said, “A wise man is he who calls himself to account and does noble deeds that benefit him after death; and the helpless man is he who follows his whims and desires and seeks from Allah the fulfillment of his false hopes.” [A hadeeth graded as Hasan.]
Taking your self into account involves looking at your past, your present, and your future, by repenting from all sins, protecting good deeds from nullification, and increasing in good deeds. Wretchedness, humiliation and loss lie in following one’s base desires, committing sins, leaving obligations, and doing things that nullify good deeds. It is sufficient evil for a person to do that which decreases the reward of his worship.
Dear Muslims!
You see how fast these days and nights are passing, and how the years go by one after the other. Not a day goes by that will return. Your lifespan is nothing but nights and days, and then time is up, the ability to do righteous deeds will cease, and the deception of false hopes will be known.
You are in the beginning of this blessed month. Allah has opened the doors of good for you, and eased for you the means to do good deeds. So enter the doors of good, and beware of the doors that lead to destruction. Allah, the Most Exalted, said,
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ادْخُلُواْ فِي السِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
“O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the]footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.”
[Al-Baqarah:208]
Dear Muslims:
Glorify the blessing of faith and the blessing of the Quran. No one is given a blessing greater than that of faith and the Quran. No Muslim fasts Ramadan with faith and expecting the reward except that he benefits from his faith, and benefits from the
Blessings of the Qur’an
The people of the Quran are those who act upon it even if they do not memorize it completely. He who does not act upon the Quran is not from the people of Quran, even if he has memorized it. The greatest blessing upon this Ummah, which came with guidance and mercy, general and specific, and gave us a noble life is the revelation of the Quran in Ramadan. The revelation of the Quran in the month of fasting marked the beginning of goodness and blessings, and an improvement of life. It gave us the highest
وَكَذَلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتَابُ وَلَا الْإِيمَانُ وَلَكِن جَعَلْنَاهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ نَّشَاء مِنْ عِبَادِنَا وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
levels in the Hereafter. It is the source of light and the remover of darkness and misguidance. Allah, the Most Exalted, said, “And thus We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command. You did not know what is the Book or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, [O Muhammad], you guide to a straight path.” [Ash-Shuraa:52]
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءكُم بُرْهَانٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَأَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكُمْ نُورًا مُّبِينًا
Allah, the Most Exalted, also said, “O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light. So those who believe in Allah and adhere to His [way] – He will admit them to mercy from Himselfand bounty and guide them to Himself on a straight path.”
[An-Nisa:174]
Whoever believes in the Noble Quran from the predecessors of this ummah or those who came after them and until the end of time, then they have shown gratitude to the comprehensive and complete blessing of the Quran and the personal blessing of faith. Whoever does not believe in the Quran, then he has disbelieved in all blessings, and has chose Hellfire to be his eternal abode. Allah, the Most Exalted, said,
أُوْلَـئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ مِنَ الأَحْزَابِ فَالنَّارُ
“And whoever disbelieves in it from the [various] factions – the Fire is his promised destination.”
[Hud:17]
الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَتْلُونَهُ حَقَّ تِلاَوَتِهِ أُوْلَـئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ وَمن يَكْفُرْ بِهِ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) also said, “And whoever disbelieves in it – it is they who are the losers.”
[Al-Baqara:121]
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ), also said, “Indeed, those who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them – the gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle. And thus do We recompense the criminals.
لَهُم مِّن جَهَنَّمَ مِهَادٌ وَمِن فَوْقِهِمْ غَوَاشٍ وَكَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي الظَّالِمِينَ
They will have from Hell a bed and over them coverings [of fire]. And thus do We recompense the wrongdoers.”
[Al-A’raaf:41]
From Allah’s great mercy upon us, and from His wisdom and comprehensive knowledge is that he mandated fasting the blessed month of Ramadan upon us. Allah’s Messenger (may Allah’s praise and peace be upon him) legislated praying the night prayer in it, and mentioned special virtues for it. Thus, Ramadan gathered the greatest acts of worship and a variety of good deeds
Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) multiplied the reward of good deeds in this month, so that the Muslim may show gratitude to Allah, the Most Mighty and Exalted, for the blessing of Quran and the blessing of faith. One must show gratitude to the One who bestowed the blessings upon him, so that He may protect them, and increase us in blessings, in this life and the Hereafter
Showing gratitude to Allah for His blessings upon us is achieved by performing various acts of worship. The greatest of them is singling out Allah in worship, and then being good to the creation. Allah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) said to His Prophet (may Allah’s praise and peace be upon him), “Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], al-Kawthar.
إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ,فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ
So, pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].”
[Al-Kawthar:1-2]
Al-Kawthar means an abundance of good, which only Allah truly knows. From this good is the river of Al-Kawthar in Paradise. So, Allah is instructing our Prophet (may Allah’s praise and peace be upon him) to thank Him for His blessings by performing various acts of worship, and to be good to the creation through various beneficial deeds. Our Prophet (may Allah’s praise and peace be upon him) fulfilled the commandments of his Lord, and gave them their due right. So, may Allah reward our Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s praise and peace be upon him) on our behalf with the greatest reward He gave a prophet on behalf of his ummah; for He conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, and instructed the ummah in the best way
قَالَ يَا مُوسَى إِنِّي اصْطَفَيْتُكَ عَلَى النَّاسِ بِرِسَالاَتِي وَبِكَلاَمِي فَخُذْ مَا آتَيْتُكَ وَكُن مِّنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ
Allah, the Most Exalted, said to His Prophet Musa (may Allah’s praise and peace be upon him), “So take what I have given you and be among the grateful.”
[Al-A’raaf:144]
يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ مَا يَشَاء مِن مَّحَارِيبَ وَتَمَاثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالْجَوَابِ وَقُدُورٍ رَّاسِيَاتٍ اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُودَ شُكْرًا وَقَلِيلٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ
Allah, the Most Exalted, also said, “Work, O family of Dawud, in gratitude.” And few of My servants are grateful.”
[Saba:13]
Some of the scholars of Tafseer said, there wasn’t an hour of the day or night that passed except that some of Dawud’s family were either bowing or prostrating [to Allah] When Allah listed the blessings He gave Maryam, peace be upon her, He commanded her to be thankful. He said,
يَا مَرْيَمُ اقْنُتِي لِرَبِّكِ وَاسْجُدِي وَارْكَعِي مَعَ الرَّاكِعِينَ
“O Maryam, be devoutly obedient to your Lord andprostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer].”
[Ali Imran:43]
مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِينَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاء عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاء بَيْنَهُمْ تَرَاهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانًا سِيمَاهُمْ فِي وُجُوهِهِم مِّنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُودِ ذَلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَمَثَلُهُمْ فِي الْإِنجِيلِ كَزَرْعٍ أَخْرَجَ شَطْأَهُ فَآزَرَهُ فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوَى عَلَى سُوقِهِ يُعْجِبُ الزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ مِنْهُم مَّغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
Allah, the Most Exalted, said about the Companions, the best of this nation, “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ; and those with him are strict with the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure.”
[Al-Fath:29]
So, performing acts of worship in Ramadan and other times is a form of thanking Allah for the blessing of faith and the blessing of the Quran
The Qur’an has a great influence upon the soul in the month of Ramadan, because of the weak influence of evil, the strong influence of good during fasting, and the weak influence of the devil
So, increase in its recitation and reflecting on its verses. The affairs of the Muslims can never be rectified except through the Quran and the Sunnah. If all the intellectuals of this world, whether dead or alive, were to gather to solve a major world problem, they would not be able to. But, the Quran has shown the truth (and the solution) for every problem. Look at the issue of creed and belief in Allah, His names and attributes, and
His right to be worshipped alone. How many different views are there regarding these matters? They cannot be counted! The truth regarding these beliefs is what is mentioned in the Qur’an
The world’s financial crisis which was impossible for the intellectuals to solve, the truth regarding it (and its solution) is what is mentioned in the Noble Quran
Some of the non-Muslim intellectuals benefited from Islamic law in some areas. It is not possible that everyone becomes Muslim. But it is incumbent upon the Muslims to adhere to the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Once people see a good example from every Muslim, they will benefit from this example, even if it’s in their worldly affairs. The Glorious Qur’an is the foundation for the Ummah and its source of strength, honor, and continuity. Allah, the Most Exalted, says,
إِنَّ هَـذَا الْقُرْآنَ يِهْدِي لِلَّتِي هِيَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا كَبِيرًا
“Indeed, this Qur’an guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.”
[Al-Israa:9]
May Allah bless me and you with the Glorious Qur’an, and may he benefit me and you with what is in it from its verses and wise reminders. I say this speech, and I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and you, so seek his forgiveness, for he is the Most Forgiving the Most Merciful
The Second Khutbah
All praise is due to Allah, who creates and resurrects. He does what he wills. To my Lord belongs the dominion, and all praise is due to Him. He rules as He wants. I praise my Lord and thank Him for His blessings. We ask Him to increase us [in good]. I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah alone, having no partner, the Protector, the Praiseworthy. I bear witness that our Prophet Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the one who guided to a straight path O Allah, send your praise, peace, and blessings upon your servant and messenger Muhammad, and upon his rightly guided family and companions
To proceed:
Fear Allah, the Most Exalted, in all situations, and you will gain victory and have a good ending in all your affairs, in the life and the next.
O servants of Allah!
The obligation of fasting gives you the greatest reward. It also gives you many benefits in this life, and this is obvious to the one who reflects upon this with a sound mind.Fasting does not give one its benefits unless one purifies it with good deeds and guards it from being nullified, or from decreasing its reward due to sins and acts of disobedience.
So, when you fast, dear Muslim, let your ears, eyes, tongue, and limbs abstain from that which is unlawful, so that your soul may be purified with good deeds.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَلَا تُبْطِلُوا أَعْمَالَكُمْ
Allah, the Most Exalted, said, “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds.”
[Muhammad:33]
The Prophet (may Allah’s praise and peace be upon him) said, “When any one of you is fasting, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise his voice. If “‘.anyone curses him or tries to fight with him he should say: ‘I am fasting He (may Allah’s praise and peace be upon him) also said, ” Fasting is a shield, as long as one does not damage it.” Meaning, as long as one does not damage it with sins, such as backbiting and malicious gossip.
Dear Muslim, take yourself into account in Ramadan so that your account of the Day of Judgement will be eased upon you. Ask yourself: Did you establish the prayer as you were commanded? Did you pay the zakah as well as fast? Did you repent to Allah from all sins? Did you repent from unlawful earnings, such as interest and prohibited transactions? Did you establish family ties? Were you good to your parents? Did you command good and forbid evil? Did you strive to adhere to the Prophetic guidance so that you may be rightly guided?
يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَمَن يُطِعْ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا
Allah (the Most Exalted) said, “He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great
attainment.”
[Al-Ahzaab:71]
O servants of Allah!
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
Indeed, Allah sends praises upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to send] praises upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.
[Al-Ahzab:56]
