Friday Sermons - Benefits of modesty

First sermon

Praise be to Allah, the Provider, Who considers modesty as one of the greatest morality. I extol Him as is befitting to His great sovereignty and glorious status. I bear witness that there is no deity but Him, having no associates. I also testify that Muhammad-the best of all Creations- is His Servant and Messenger, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions, who were known for their decency, as well as those who will follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment.

I urge myself first and all of you to obey Allah and be submissive to Him. Verily, Allah, Exalted is He, has declared the truth in His Holy Book: "and this [Quran] is a Book We have revealed [which is] blessed, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy." (Al Anaam: 155). He also says, "So give good tidings to My servants who listen to speech and follow the best of it." (Azzumar: 17-18).

Dear Muslims,

There is no doubt that people are different in their characters; some have good morality while others have less or fewer. You may also find others, who are known for their generosity, others for their tolerance and others for their courage and loyalty. All of these fine manners are loved by Allah the All-Glory and His Messenger Muhammad pbuh. Yet one of the principles of Islam, Hayaa or (modesty- a pious shyness from committing religious indiscretions), stands out. This is closest to faith. In this regard our Prophet pbuh said, "every religion has its distinct characteristic, and the distinct characteristic of Islam is modesty." The Prophet was modest and decent. Narrator Abu Saeed said, "the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, had modesty more than a virgin in her tent."

In many places in the Quran and Sunna, Islam has urged us to seek the path of modesty. He pbuh considered it part of faith as he said, "faith has over seventy branches or over sixty branches, the most excellent of which is the declaration that there is no deity but Allah, and the humblest of which is the removal of what is injurious from the path and modesty is the branch of faith."

The fact that the Prophet singled out Hayaa in particular means that this part is central and leads to all other branches of faith. This is echoed by what a wise man said that self-respect is dependent on dignity in the same way as a plant is dependent on water for survival. It is also said that anyone who makes modesty his cloak, no one can see his flaws.

For his part, Umar Ibn Al Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "anyone who had his modesty weakened, his piety would wear out. And whoever had weak piety, his heart had died.

On the same matter, a poet praising its virtues said what means: "there is no good living for man if living is decency bare, for the tree remains alive so far as its bark is there."

Decent behaviour is also one's way to committing to acts of worship and benefitting from rewards. Our Prophet pbuh said, "modesty does not bring anything except good. In another narration: "modesty is altogether good."

Looking at modesty from this perspective, it is clear that who embraces such a fine characteristic shall see his faith strengthened and his acts of goodness increased, ultimately leading him towards Paradise. However, someone who goes impudent he does injustice. And who does injustice will be a loser and shall be overwhelmed by remorse. In this Hadith we read: "Al Hayaa is from faith, and faith is in Paradise. Obscenity is from rudeness, and rudeness is in the Fire."

Each of these calls for good and keeps evil at bay. Faith urges the believer to do acts of obedience while decency prevents him from sliding into immorality. Our Prophet pbuh said, "modesty and belief are together. If one of them is removed, the other is removed."

Dear Servants of Allah,

But the most honourable form of modesty is the one towards Allah the All-Glory. Our Lord is the most Decent and loves His servants who are modest and well-mannered. This is evidenced in the following Hadith: "Allah is characterised by modesty and concealment." In another Hadith our Prophet says, "I advise you to obey Allah and be ashamed of Allah in the same way you be ashamed of a righteous man of your own people."

This is achieved by protecting your limbs as dictated by Allah the most Exalted. Abdullah bin Masud narrated that the Messenger of Allah pbuh said, "have Hayaa for Allah as is His due." We said, "O Prophet of Allah, we have Hayaa, and all praise is due to Allah." He said, "not that, but having the Hayaa for Allah which He is due is to protect the head and what it contains and to protect the insides and what it includes, and to remember death and the trial, and whoever intends the Hereafter, he leaves the adornments of the world. So whoever does that, then he has indeed fulfilled Hayaa, meaning the Hayaa which Allah is due."

This means someone who is not modest, lacking Hayaa, is most likely will transgress Allah's prohibitions, and he can easily commit major sins. The Prophet pbuh says, "one of the sayings of the early Prophets which the people have got is: if you don't feel ashamed do whatever you like."

Dear Muslims,

The Prophet Companions were characterised with Hayaa as much as angels [out of respect] showed respect to some of them. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said, "Allah's Messenger pbuh was lying down in my room with his thigh or shank uncovered when Abu Bakr asked for permission to enter. He gave him permission to enter, remaining as he was. Then Umar asked for permission to come in and he gave him permission, remaining as he was.

"Then Uthman asked for permission to enter and the Prophet sat up and arranged his garment and then came in and spoke. When he left, I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr came in and you did not exert yourself nor concern yourself with him. Then Umar came in and you did not exert yourself nor concern yourself with him. Then Uthman came in and you sat up and arranged your garment.' He said, 'should I not be modest before a man before whom the angels are modest?'"

Aisha also said, "whenever I entered the house in which the Prophet pbuh and my father (i.e. Abu Bakr) are buried, I used to take off my sheet (from head) thinking that it's only my father and husband (whom I am visiting), however By Allah! When Umar got buried with them, I never went inside without being fully covered; this is because of being ashamed of Umar."

That is said, if Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, felt ashamed of a man buried, then modesty must be shown first and foremost to those who are still alive. Similarly any Muslim woman must act with dignity when dealing with all people. We read in the holy Quran the story of a woman who was known for her modest behaviour. About her Allah the Almighty says, "then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness. She said, 'indeed, my father invites you that he may reward you for having watered for us'." (Al Qasas: 25).

Truly modesty is a protection for the Muslim woman and man from misdeeds. So whoever stays ashamed of Allah the Exalted is He by averting one's gaze, protecting one' limbs, maintaining the chastity of heart and tongue, he will see his manners elevated and his treatment of people dignified.

Bearing this in mind, we implore Allah to bless us with piety and embellish us with modesty. We also plead with Allah to help us obey Him, His Messenger Muhammad pbuh and those He has decreed on us to obey in compliance with His orders: "O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you." (Annisaa: 59).

May Allah direct us all to the blessings of the Glorious Quran and the Sunna of His Messenger pbuh and benefit us all in whatever is in them.

I say this and ask Allah the Great, the Most Honoured for forgiveness for me, you and all the Muslims for every sin, so invoke Him for forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Second sermon

Praise be to Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity but Him, having no associates. I also bear witness that our Master Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger, may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his pure family, his companions and all those who will follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment.

Servants of Allah, 

Please be aware that you are asked to obey Him, the Almighty, as it ought to be by observing Him in private and in public and know that modesty is one of the most comprehensive branches of faith. So if someone shows modesty towards Allah, he will be keener to observe religious obligations and other recommended actions. Likewise he will avoid things that are forbidden as well as things that are disliked.

On another level, if someone shows modesty towards people, he will also avoid treating them in ways they do not like. Further, if he is ashamed of himself, he will hold himself accountable and watch over his speech and acts. If he does that, this shows he has a pure soul and truly he is conscientious. Our Prophet pbuh says, "whenever there is modesty in a thing, it adorns it. Whenever there is outrage in a thing, it debases it."

Dear Servants of Allah,

Bear in mind that you are asked to offer prayer and greetings upon our most noble Prophet pbuh for Allah says, "indeed, Allah and His angels sends blessing upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace." (Al Ahzab: 56). On the same matter, the Prophet pbuh said, "for everyone who invokes a blessing on me will receive ten blessings from Allah." He also said, "nothing turns back the Decree except supplication."

May the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon our Master Muhammad pbuh, his family and all his Companions. May Allah be pleased with the Rightly Guided Caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali, and all those who will follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment.

May Allah bless us with modesty in all whatever we do and guide us to the best of manners and acts. May Allah help us also to be amongst Your servants who obey You in private or in public. O Allah the most Beneficent, the All Knowing.

O Allah, we implore You at this instant not to let a sin unforgiven, a distress unrelieved, an illness unhealed or a handicapped without relief, a dead without mercy or a debt unsettled. Our Lord, give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire.

O Allah, may we ask You to help us with what gets us closer to Paradise and furthers us from hell. O Allah we seek Your grace to admit us, our parents, whoever has done a favour to us and all Muslims to Your Paradise.

O Allah, forgive all of the Muslims, men and women, living and dead, and make blessings follow us and them. O Lord, forgive and show mercy to our parents, relatives and whoever has done a favour to us.

O Allah, we pray to You to grant Your forgiveness to who built this mosque and to his or her parents as well as to anyone who gave to this mosque. O Allah, we also supplicate to You to forgive whoever built a mosque where Your name is remembered.

We pray to Allah, the Most Gracious, to preserve my continue from all temptations, both apparent and hidden, and my continue blessing  and all Muslim countries with safety and security.

O servants of Allah, please remember Allah and He will remember you. Be grateful for His benevolence He will increase His blessings to you. Allah, the Most High, says, "and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do." (Al Ankaboot: 45).

Translation

Mostapha El Mouloudi

- See more at: http://www.awqaf.gov.ae/Jumaa.aspx?Lang=EN&SectionID=15&RefID=2513#sthash.VzH1fuCD.dpuf

خطبة جمعة - ولقد يسرنا القرآن للذكر - عربي و إنجليزي - We have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance - Arbic and English

الخطبة الأولى

الحمد لله رب العالمين، أنزل القرآن هدى ورحمة للمؤمنين، أحمده سبحانه وأشكره، وأتوب إليه وأستغفره، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأشهد أن سيدنا ونبينا محمدا عبد الله ورسوله، المبعوث بالذكر الحكيم، والصراط المستقيم، فاللهم صل وسلم وبارك على سيدنا ونبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين.

أما بعد: فأوصيكم عباد الله ونفسي بتقوى الله، قال تعالى:(وهذا كتاب أنزلناه مبارك فاتبعوه واتقوا لعلكم ترحمون). وقال عز وجل:( فبشر عباد* الذين يستمعون القول فيتبعون أحسنه).

أيها المسلمون: إن من رحمة الله تعالى بعباده أن أنزل إليهم القرآن الكريم، فهو النعمة العظمى، والفرقان المبين، ومواعظه لأمراض القلوب شافية، وأدلته لطلب الهدى كافية. قال الله تعالى:( يا أيها الناس قد جاءكم برهان من ربكم وأنزلنا إليكم نورا مبينا).

فالقرآن نور يهدي القلوب، وينير البصائر والعقول، ويمحو الجهالة، قال الله سبحانه:( إن هذا القرآن يهدي للتي هي أقوم ويبشر المؤمنين الذين يعملون الصالحات أن لهم أجرا كبيرا).

وهو منهج حياة، ومنبع حضارة، يدعو للأخلاق الكريمة، والمبادئ القويمة، ويحقق الطمأنينة والسعادة، ويحث على الارتقاء والريادة، قال الله عز وجل مخاطبا نبيه الكريم:( طه* ما أنزلنا عليك القرآن لتشقى). أي: لم ننزل عليك القرآن لتتعب وتشقى، بل لنجعلك أسعد بني آدم.

عباد الله: إن تلاوة القرآن الكريم هي التجارة الرابحة، والغنيمة الباقية، فهنيئا لمن ظفر بها، وواظب عليها، قال الله تعالى:( إن الذين يتلون كتاب الله وأقاموا الصلاة وأنفقوا مما رزقناهم سرا وعلانية يرجون تجارة لن تبور* ليوفيهم أجورهم ويزيدهم من فضله إنه غفور شكور).

فالتمسك بكتاب الله تعالى، وإعمار الأوقات بتلاوته وسماعه، سبب للفوز بالمنازل العالية في الجنة، يقول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم:« يقال لصاحب القرآن: اقرأ، وارتق، ورتل كما كنت ترتل في الدنيا، فإن منزلك عند آخر آية تقرؤها».

واعلموا أن تلاوة القرآن من أعظم أسباب نيل رضوان الله تعالى، يقول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم :« يجيء القرآن يوم القيامة فيقول: يا رب حله، فيلبس تاج الكرامة، ثم يقول: يا رب زده، فيلبس حلة الكرامة، ثم يقول: يا رب ارض عنه، فيرضى عنه، فيقال له: اقرأ وارق، ويزاد بكل آية حسنة».

وقد حثنا النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم على قراءة القرآن، فهي ترفع صاحبها في الدنيا وتشفع له في الآخرة، قال صلى الله عليه وسلم :« اقرءوا القرآن، فإنه يأتي يوم القيامة شفيعا لأصحابه». ويقول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم:« إن لله أهلين من الناس». قالوا: يا رسول الله من هم؟ قال:«هم أهل القرآن، أهل الله وخاصته».

وقد بين لنا رسولنا الكريم صلى الله عليه وسلم ما في تلاوة القرآن الكريم من ثواب مضاعف جزيل، فقال صلى الله عليه وسلم:« من قرأ حرفا من كتاب الله فله به حسنة، والحسنة بعشر أمثالها، لا أقول (ال~م~) حرف، ولكن ألف حرف، ولام حرف، وميم حرف».

فيا أيها المسلم الراغب في الأجر والثواب، اجعل القرآن جليسك وأنيسك، واعلم أنه أفضل ما اجتهد فيه المجتهدون، وأجل ما تنافس فيه المتنافسون، فيا فوز من أكثر من تلاوته، وصبر على تعلمه وإتقانه، يقول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم:« الذي يقرأ القرآن وهو ماهر به مع السفرة الكرام البررة، والذي يقرأه وهو يشتد عليه فله أجران».

يا أهل القرآن: قد أمرنا الله عز وجل بالتفكر في كتابه العزيز، وتدبر معانيه، بقلوب حاضرة، وعقول واعية، فقال تعالى:( كتاب أنزلناه إليك مبارك ليدبروا آياته وليتذكر أولو الألباب). وقال عز وجل:( ورتل القرآن ترتيلا). فحثنا على قراءته بأداء حسن، ويقول النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم:«تعاهدوا هذا القرآن، فوالذي نفس محمد بيده لهو أشد تفلتا من الإبل في عقلها».

فعلى المسلم أن يداوم على تلاوة القرآن الكريم وتدبره، وأن يجعل من ذلك نصيبا وافرا في بيته، ويكون قدوة في ذلك لأولاده وأسرته، قال صلى الله عليه وسلم :« لا تجعلوا بيوتكم مقابر، إن الشيطان ينفر من البيت الذي تقرأ فيه سورة البقرة».

ويقول الحسن البصري رحمه الله: الزموا كتاب الله، وتتبعوا ما فيه من الأمثال, وكونوا فيه من أهل البصر. وقال: رحم الله عبدا عرض نفسه وعمله على كتاب الله, فإن وافق كتاب الله, حمد الله وسأله الزيادة, وإن خالف كتاب الله, عاتب نفسه, ورجع من قريب.

فاللهم أعنا على التخلق بآداب القرآن، ويسر لنا تلاوته آناء الليل وأطراف النهار، ووفقنا جميعا لطاعتك وطاعة رسولك محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وطاعة من أمرتنا بطاعته, عملا بقولك:( يا أيها الذين آمنوا أطيعوا الله وأطيعوا الرسول وأولي الأمر منكم).

نفعني الله وإياكم بالقرآن العظيم، وبسنة نبيه الكريم صلى الله عليه وسلم.

أقول قولي هذا وأستغفر الله لي ولكم، فاستغفروه إنه هو الغفور الرحيم.

الخطبة الثانية

الحمد لله رب العالمين، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأشهد أن سيدنا محمدا عبد الله ورسوله، اللهم صل وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله الطيبين الطاهرين وعلى أصحابه أجمعين، وعلى التابعين لهم بإحسان إلى يوم الدين.

أما بعد: فاتقوا الله عباد الله حق التقوى، وراقبوه في السر والنجوى، واعلموا أن الله تعالى قد يسر القرآن الكريم للحفظ والتلاوة، فقال عز وجل:(ولقد يسرنا القرآن للذكر فهل من مدكر). وقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم:« خيركم من تعلم القرآن وعلمه». وأخبرنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن الشرف العظيم الذي ينتظر من علم ولده القرآن الكريم، فقال:« من قرأ القرآن وتعلمه وعمل به ألبس يوم القيامة تاجا من نور ضوءه مثل ضوء الشمس، ويكسى والداه حلتين لا يقوم بهما الدنيا فيقولان: بما كسينا؟ فيقال: بأخذ ولدكما القرآن». فالقرآن الكريم سبب عظيم لحفظ النشء، وإن قيادتنا الرشيدة أعطت القرآن الكريم الاهتمام البالغ، فقد شيدت مراكز تحفيظ القرآن الكريم في كافة مناطق الدولة، وأقامت المسابقات والجوائز التي تربط المجتمع بكتاب الله تعالى تلاوة وحفظا وتدبرا، فجزاها الله عنا خير الجزاء، ومن هذا المنطلق حرصت الهيئة العامة للشؤون الإسلامية والأوقاف والجهات المعنية الأخرى على تحقيق رؤية القيادة في هذا الميدان الجليل، فقامت بتوفير الكوادر المتميزة التي تجعل أبناءنا في أيد أمينة، فلنحرص على إلحاقهم بهذه المراكز القرآنية، وتشجيعهم على تعلم كتاب الله تعالى، ليهذب أخلاقهم، ويقوم سلوكهم، ويجعلهم نافعين لأنفسهم وأهليهم ومجتمعهم ووطنهم.

هذا وصلوا وسلموا على من أمرتم بالصلاة والسلام عليه، قال تعالى:( إن الله وملائكته يصلون على النبي يا أيها الذين آمنوا صلوا عليه وسلموا تسليما) وقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:« من صلى علي صلاة صلى الله عليه بها عشرا» وقال صلى الله عليه وسلم:« لا يرد القضاء إلا الدعاء».

اللهم صل وسلم وبارك على سيدنا ونبينا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه أجمعين، وارض اللهم عن الخلفاء الراشدين: أبي بكر وعمر وعثمان وعلي، وعن سائر الصحابة الأكرمين، وعلى أزواجه أمهات المؤمنين، وعن التابعين ومن تبعهم بإحسان إلى يوم الدين.

اللهم اجعل القرآن الكريم ربيع قلوبنا، ونور صدورنا، وجلاء أحزاننا، وذهاب همومنا يا أرحم الراحمين.

اللهم لا تدع لنا ذنبا إلا غفرته، ولا هما إلا فرجته، ولا دينا إلا قضيته، ولا مريضا إلا شفيته، ولا ميتا إلا رحمته، ولا حاجة إلا قضيتها ويسرتها يا رب العالمين، ربنا آتنا في الدنيا حسنة وفي الآخرة حسنة، وقنا عذاب النار.

اللهم إنا نسألك الجنة وما قرب إليها من قول أو عمل، ونعوذ بك من النار وما قرب إليها من قول أو عمل، اللهم إنا نسألك الجنة لنا ولوالدينا، ولمن له حق علينا، وللمسلمين أجمعين.

اللهم اغفر للمسلمين والمسلمات الأحياء منهم والأموات، وأدخل اللهم في عفوك وغفرانك ورحمتك آباءنا وأمهاتنا وجميع أرحامنا ومن له حق علينا.

اللهم إنا نسألك المغفرة والثواب لمن بنى هذا المسجد ولوالديه، ولكل من عمل فيه صالحا وإحسانا، واغفر اللهم لكل من بنى لك مسجدا يذكر فيهاسمك.

اللهم اجعل جمعنا هذا جمعا مرحوما، واجعل تفرقنا من بعده تفرقا معصوما، ولا تدع فينا ولا معنا شقيا ولا محروما.

اللهم اسقنا الغيث ولا تجعلنا من القانطين، اللهم أغثنا، اللهم أغثنا، اللهم أغثنا.

عباد الله:( إن الله يأمر بالعدل والإحسان وإيتاء ذي القربى وينهى عن الفحشاء والمنكر والبغي يعظكم لعلكم تذكرون).

اذكروا الله العظيم يذكركم، واشكروه على نعمه يزدكم ( وأقم الصلاة إن الصلاة تنهى عن الفحشاء والمنكر ولذكر الله أكبر والله يعلم ما تصنعون).

We have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance

First sermon

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. He sent down the Quran as a guidance and mercy to the believers. I thank the Almighty, repent to Him and ask him for forgiveness. I bear witness that there is no deity but Him, having no associates.

I also bear witness that our Master Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger, to whom Quran was revealed and asked to lead to the right path. May the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him, his pure family, his companions and all those who will follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment.

O Servants of Allah, I urge myself first and all of you to obey Him and be submissive to Him. Verily, Allah, Exalted is He, has declared the truth in His Holy Book: "and this [Quran] is a Book We have revealed [which is] blessed, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy." (Al Anaam: 155).

He also says, "so give good tidings to My servants who listen to speech and follow the best of it." (Azzumar: 17-18).

Dear Muslims,

It is out of Allah's mercy that He revealed to His servants the holy Quran because it is the greatest blessing and the clearest criterion. Therein lessons and evidence are cure for the diseases of the heart and sufficient answers for those seeking guidance.

The Exalted is He says, "O mankind, there has come to you a conclusive proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a clear light." (Annisaa: 174).

Indeed, the Quran is the beam that guides hearts, enlightens minds and effaces ignorance as it is illustrated in this verse: "Indeed, this Quran 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). 

Therefore, it is a way of life, and is a source of civilisation. It calls for decent morals and right principles, achieves tranquillity and happiness and urges us to seek excellence. In this regards, the Almighty addressed His Messenger pbuh saying, "Ta, Ha, We have not sent down to you the Quran that you be distressed." (Taha: 1-2). That is, Quran was revealed not for the purpose of causing him (pbuh) pain and suffering, rather for making him the happiest man.

Dear Servants of Allah,

Please know that the recitation of Quran is a winning trade, one of long-lasting benefits. So congratulations to those who engage in it and keep on reading it. The Almighty says, "indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, [can] expect a profit that will never perish -that He may give them in full their rewards and increase for them of His bounty. Indeed, He is Forgiving and Appreciative." (Fatir: 29-30).

In fact, adhering to the holy Quran by spending good amount of time reciting it and listening to it is a reason for winning higher status in Paradise. Our Guide Muhammad pbuh said, "one who was devoted to the Quran will be told to recite, ascend and recite carefully as he recited carefully when he was in the world, for he will reach his abode when he comes to the last verse he recites."

O Believers, please be aware that Quran recitation is one the great causes of  pleasing Allah, as the Prophet pbuh said, "the one who memorised the Quran shall come on the Day of Judgement and (the reward for reciting the Quran) says, 'O Lord, decorate him.' So he is donned with a crown of nobility. Then it says, 'O Lord, give him more.' So he is donned with a suit of nobility. Then it says, 'O Lord, be pleased with him.' So He is pleased with him and says, 'recite and rise up, and be increased in reward with every Ayah'.''

Our Prophet pbuh urged us to read Quran because it elevates us in this world and is an intercessor for us in the Hereafter. He said, "read the Quran, for it will come as an intercessor for its readers on the Day of Resurrection." In another Hadith, he said, "Allah has His own people among mankind." They said, "O Messenger of Allah, who are they?" He said, "the people of the Quran, the people of Allah and those who are closest to Him."

Further, the Prophet pbuh assured us the double reward of reading the Quran, when he said, "[whoever recites a letter] from Allah's Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward often the like of it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter."

O Muslims, if you desire receiving the recompense and the merit of the book of Allah, then make it your companion. Please know that the best people in this regard are those who compete and are committed to reading it, studying it and excelling in it. The Prophet said, "one who is skilled in the Quran is associated with the noble, upright recording angels, and he who falters when he recites the Quran and finds it difficult for him will have a double reward."

O People of the Quran,

Our Lord has ordered us to ponder the meanings contained in His book with humble hearts and conscious minds as He says, "[this is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded." (Sad: 29). The Almighty also says, "and recite the Quran with measured recitation." (Al Muzzammil: 4). Here He advised us to do that nicely.

Reading it frequently is important as related by the Prophet pbuh when he said, "read the Quran regularly, for by the One in Whose Hand Muhammad's soul is, it escapes from memory faster than a camel does from its tying ropes."

Reciting the Quran and contemplating its meanings is an obligation that we should honour. This should be part and parcel of our activities at home. In so doing, we can set the example for our family members. The Prophet pbuh said, "do not make your houses as graveyards. Satan runs away from the house in which Surat Al Baqara is recited.

On the same matter, Hasan Al Basri, may rest his soul in peace, said, "adhere to the book of Allah, look into its examples and while doing this be amongst the people of wisdom." He also said, "Fortunate are those who compare themselves and their work with the Quran, so if they act accordingly they praise Allah. They also ask Him to help them increase their good deeds. However, if they contradict the Quran they blame themselves and then repent soon after."

Having this in mind, we implore our Lord to help us embrace ethics of the Quran and make it easier for us to read during periods of the night and at the ends of the day. May Allah also help us to obey Him, His Messenger Muhammad pbuh and those He has decreed on us to obey in compliance with His orders: "O you who believe, Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger and those charged with authority among you." (Annisaa: 59).

May Allah direct us all to the blessings of the Glorious Quran and the Sunna of His Messenger pbuh and benefit us all in whatever is in them.

I say this and ask Allah the Great, the Most Honoured for forgiveness for me, you and all the Muslims for every sin, so invoke Him for forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Second sermon

Praise be to Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity but Him, having no associates. I also bear witness that our Master Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger, may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon him, his pure family, his companions and all those who will follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment.

Dear Servants of Allah, 

Please be aware that you are asked to obey Him, the Almighty, as it ought to be by observing Him in private and in public and know that He has made the Quran easier for us to recite and memorise. The Exalted is He says in this regard, "and We have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?" (Al Qamar: 17).

For his part, our Prophet pbuh said, "the best among you is he who learns and teaches the Quran." In the following Hadith, he pbuh informed us about the great reward that awaits he who has taught it to his children:

"whoever recites the Quran and learns it, and then acts upon it, he will be made to wear on the Day of Resurrection a crown of Nur (light), which will be as radiant as the sun. And his parents will be dressed with two suits, which the whole world cannot match. So they will ask, 'for what have we been dressed like this?' It will be said, 'this is the reward of your son's acquiring Quran'."

As the Quran is a blessed tool to safeguard the youth, our wise leadership has devoted great interest to it. It has built memorisation centres all over the UAE, and organised contests with the aim of engaging the community to read, memorise and study the meanings of the Quran. May Allah reward their efforts.

From this perspective, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments and other concerned entities have also been keen to translate the leadership's vision in this beneficial domain. For example, they have provided outstanding staff to ensure our children are in good care. Let us then register them in those centres and encourage them to learn the Quran, which helps educate them, refine their behaviours and ultimately make them beneficial to themselves, families, community and the nation as a whole.

Dear Servants of Allah,

Bear in mind that you are asked to offer prayer and greetings upon our most noble Prophet pub for Allah say, "Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessing upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace." (Al Ahab: 56).

On the same matter, the Prophet pub said, "for everyone who invokes a blessing on me will receive ten blessings from Allah." He also said, "nothing turns back the Decree except supplication." May the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon our Master Muhammad pub, his family and all his Companions? May Allah be pleased with the Rightly Guided Caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Othman and Ali, and all those who will follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment?

Oh Allah, I call on you to make the Holy Quran the spring and light of my heart, the vanishing of my sorrow and sadness, O the Most Beneficent.

O Allah, we implore you at this instant not to let a sin unforgiven, a distress unrelieved, an illness unhealed or a handicapped without relief, a dead without mercy or a debt unsettled. Our Lord, give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire.

O Allah, may we ask you to help us with what gets us closer to Paradise and furthers us from hell. O Allah we seek your grace to admit us, our parents, whoever has done a favour to us and all Muslims to Your Paradise.

May Allah grant success and continued good health to our leader HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan? May Allah also ensure success to his Deputy, HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and provide strength and assistance to his brothers, Their Highness the Rulers of the Emirates, and his trustworthy Crown Prince HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

O Allah, forgive all of the Muslims, men and women, living and dead, and make blessings follow us and them. 

 O Lord, forgive and show mercy to our parents, relatives and whoever has done a favour to us.

O Allah, we pray to you to grant your forgiveness to who built this mosque and to his or her parents as well as to anyone who gave to this mosque. O Allah, we also supplicate to you to forgive whoever built a mosque where your name is remembered.

O Allah, make this gathering one of compassion, and our dispersion after it one that is infallible. O Allah, do not let anyone amongst us deprived, desperate or unhappy.

O Allah, give us rain and do not make us among the despondent. O Allah relieves us, O Allah, relieve us, O Allah, and relieve us.

Dear Servants of Allah,

"Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded." (Anal: 90).

O servants of Allah remember Allah and He will remember you. Be grateful for His benevolence He will increase His blessings to you. Allah, the Most High, says, "And establishes prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do." (Al Ankaboot: 45).

Translation

Mostapha El Mouloudi

Note: The English translation of the Quran and Hadith is an interpretation of their meanings, and does not have the status of their original Arabic texts.

خطبة جمعة - مِنْ وَصَايَا لُقْمَانَ الْحَكِيمِ - عربي وإنجليزي - The commandments of Luqman the wise to his son - Arabic and English

مِنْ وَصَايَا لُقْمَانَ الْحَكِيمِ

  الْخُطْبَةُ الأُولَى

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الْمَلِكِ الْوَهَّابِ، أَهْلِ الْمَجْدِ وَالثَّنَاءِ، يُؤْتِي الْحِكْمَةَ مَنْ يَشَاءُ، أَحْمَدُهُ سُبْحَانَهُ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا وَنبِيَّنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ، وَصَفِيُّهُ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ وَحَبِيبُهُ، فَاللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا وَنبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ.

أَمَّا بَعْدُ: فَأُوصِيكُمْ عِبَادَ اللَّهِ وَنَفْسِي بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ، قَالَ سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى:( وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَا أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنَ الكِتَابِ وَالْحِكْمَةِ يَعِظُكُمْ بِهِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ)^([1]). وَقَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ:( فَبَشِّرْ عِبَادِ* الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ القَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ)^([2]).

أَيُّهَا الْمُسْلِمُونَ: ذَكَرَ لَنَا الْقُرْآنُ الْكَرِيمُ أجملَ المواعظِ، وقصَّ علينَا

أحسنَ القَصصِ، لنستفيدَ مِنْ عِبَرِهَا، قالَ اللهُ عزَّ وجلَّ:( لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِّأُوْلِي الأَلْبَابِ)^([3]). وَمِمَّا أخبرَنَا اللهُ تعالَى بهِ فِي القرآنِ الكريمِ بعضٌ مِنْ وصايَا لقمانَ الحكيمِ، وهوَ عبدٌ منْ عبادِ اللهِ الصالحينَ، أعْلَى اللهُ سبحانَهُ قدْرَهُ، ورفَعَ شأنَهُ، وأثْنَى عليهِ فِي كتابِهِ، وسُمِّيَتْ سورةٌ مِنَ القرآنِ الكريمِ باسْمِهِ، قالَ اللهُ عزَّ وجلَّ فيهَا:( وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا لُقْمَانَ الْحِكْمَةَ أَنِ اشْكُرْ لِلَّهِ)^([4]). والحكمةُ هيَ الفهمُ والعلمُ، والقولُ السديدُ، والرأيُ الرشيدُ^([5]). وتلكَ نِعمةٌ كبيرةٌ مَنْ أكرَمَهُ اللهُ تعالَى بِهَا فقَدْ آتاهُ خيرًا كثيرًا، قالَ سبحانَهُ:( يُؤْتِي الْحِكْمَةَ مَنْ يَشَاء وَمَنْ يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا)^([6]).

وكانَ لقمانُ الحكيمُ مِنَ الذينَ حباهُمُ اللهُ سبحانَهُ بالخصالِ الزكيةِ، والأخلاقِ العليَّةِ، قيلَ لِلُقْمَانَ: مَا بَلَغَ بِكَ مَا نَرَى مِنَ الْفَضْلِ؟ فَقَالَ: صِدْقُ الْحَدِيثِ، وَأَدَاءُ الْأَمَانَةِ، وَتَرْكُ مَا لاَ يَعْنِينِي^([7]).

فيَا لَهُ مِنْ حكيمٍ الْتَزَمَ القُدوةَ فِي أخلاقِهِ، والرحمةَ فِي سلوكِهِ، والحكمةَ فِي تصرفاتِهِ، والشكرَ عَلَى نِعَمِ ربِّهِ وخالِقِهِ سبحانَهُ.

عِبَادَ اللهِ: إنَّ لقمانَ الحكيمَ قدَّمَ مثلاً رائعًا فِي أدبِ الحوارِ معَ الأبناءِ، عبرَ وصايَا نافعةٍ ونصائحَ جامعةٍ، اشتملَتْ عَلَى كلماتٍ عذبةٍ رقيقةٍ، وآدابٍ تربويةٍ رفيقةٍ، فكانَ يستفتحُ وصايَاهُ لابنِهِ بنداءاتٍ أبويةٍ شفيقةٍ فيقولُ:( يَا بُنَيَّ) وهذَا درسٌ عظيمٌ نتعلمُ منْهُ كيفَ يتحاورُ الآباءُ معَ أبنائِهِمْ، وينقلونَ إليهِمْ خلاصةَ تجاربِهِمْ، ويحيطونَهُمْ برعايتِهِمْ، ويهذبونَ نفوسَهُمْ، ويرتقُونَ بفكرِهِمْ، ويسلكونَ فِي ذلكَ سبيلَ الحكمةِ والموعظةِ الحسنةِ، قالَ اللهُ عزَّ وجلَّ:( ادْعُ إِلَى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الحَسَنَةِ)^([8]) فمَا أجملَ أنْ يكونَ الأبُ حكيمًا قريبًا مِنْ أبنائِهِ، يترفَّقُ بِهِمْ، ويحاورُهُمْ بالكلمةِ الجميلةِ، ويسمعُ مشكلاتِهِمْ برحابةِ صدرٍ، ويعالِجُهَا بالأساليبِ الحسنةِ الحكيمةِ، ويُربِّيهِمْ علَى رقَّةِ القلبِ، وعُذوبةِ الكلمةِ، ولِينِ الجانبِ، والبعدِ عَنِ العنفِ، ويغرسُ فيهِمُ القِيَمَ النبيلةَ والأخلاقَ الزكيةَ.

أَيُّهَا الْمُصَلُّونَ: لقَدْ بدأَ لقمانُ الحكيمُ وصايَاهُ لابنِهِ بأمرٍ جليلٍ، وهُوَ غرسُ الإيمانِ باللهِ تعالَى فِي نفْسِ ولدِهِ، ليُقوِّيَ صلتَهُ بربِّهِ عزَّ وجلَّ، فيُحْسِنَ أداءَ حقوقِ اللهِ وحقوقِ عبادِهِ، قالَ سبحانَهُ:( وَإِذْ قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُهُ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ إِنَّ الشِّرْكَ لَظُلْمٌ عَظِيمٌ)^([9]). وحَرَصَ لقمانُ علَى أَنْ ينَمِّيَ فِي قلبِ ابنِهِ مُراقبةَ اللهِ تعالَى في السرِّ والعلَنِ، فذكَّرَهُ بعظمةِ اللهِ عز وجل، وأنَّهُ سبحانَهُ أحاطَ بكلِّ شيءٍ علمًا، وأحصَى كلَّ شيءٍ عددًا، لاَ يخفَى عليهِ شيءٌ فِي الأرضِ ولاَ فِي السماءِ، ولاَ يغيبُ عنْهُ مثقالُ ذرةٍ، فقالَ لهُ:( يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّهَا إِن تَكُ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ فَتَكُن فِي صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِي السَّمَوَاتِ أَوْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ)^([10]). فمَنْ أيقنَ أنَّ اللهَ عز وجل محيطٌ بكلِّ شيءٍ علمًا سعَى فِي نَيْلِ محبَّتِهِ ورضاهُ، وأحسنَ فِي عملِهِ، وراقبَهُ فِي تعامُلِهِ معَ الخلْقِ، ونفعَ ولَمْ يضرَّ، وأفادَ ولَمْ يُسِئْ.

عِبَادَ اللهِ: وحثَّ لقمانُ ابنَهُ علَى المحافظةِ علَى الصلاةِ، التِي هيَ عمودُ الدينِ، ورأسُ القرباتِ، وأعظمُ الطاعاتِ، قالَ اللهُ تعالَى مُخبرًا عنْهُ:( يَا بُنَيَّ أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ)^([11]). فالصلاةُ تطهرُ القلوبَ، وتُهذِّبُ الأرواحَ، وتُزكِّي النفوسَ، وتَسمُو بالأخلاقِ، وتنهَى عنِ الفحشاءِ والمنكرِ.

أَيُّهَا المُصَلُّونَ: ومِنَ الجوانبِ التِي رسَّخَهَا لقمانُ فِي ابنِهِ حسنُ التعامُلِ معَ الناسِ، فحثَّهُ علَى التواضُعِ ولينِ الجانبِ، والبعدِ عَنِ العُجْبِ والتعالِي، وأمرَهُ بالتزامِ مكارمِ الأخلاقِ، والتحلِّي بالشخصيةِ الرصينةِ الوقورةِ، قالَ سبحانَهُ حكايةً عنْهُ:( وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ)^([12]). أَيْ: لَا تَتَكَبَّرْ فَتُحَقِّرَ النَّاسَ، وَتُعْرِضَ عَنْهُمْ بِوَجْهِكَ إِذَا كَلَّمُوكَ^([13]). بل ألِنْ لهُمْ جَانِبَكَ، وَابْسُطْ إليهِمْ وَجْهَكَ.

ومِنْ حكمةِ لقمانَ أنَّهُ لَمَّا نَهَى ابنَهُ عَنِ الْخُلُقِ الذميمِ دلَّهُ عَلَى الْخُلُقِ الْكَرِيمِ الَّذِي يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يَسْتَعْمِلَهُ^([14]) فقالَ:( وَاقْصِدْ فِي مَشْيِكَ وَاغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ)^([15]) أَيْ توسَّطْ فِي مشيِكَ، متحليًا بالوقارِ والسكينةِ، ونَهَاهُ عَنْ رَفْعِ الصَّوْتِ مِنْ دونِ حاجةٍ، لِمَا فيهِ مِنَ التكلفِ والإيذاءِ، وكانَ لقمانُ الحكيمُ يربِّي ولدَهُ عَلَى الرحمةِ بالناسِ، والإحسانِ إليهِمْ، وينهَاهُ عَنِ الأذَى، فيقولُ:كَفَى بِكَ عَقْلًا أَنْ يَسْلَمَ النَّاسُ مِنْ شَرِّكَ^([16]).

فمَا أجملَهَا مِنْ خصالٍ، ومَا أسمَاهَا مِنْ قِيَمٍ وآدابٍ.

فَاللُهَمَّ وَفِّقْنَا للسدادِ فِي القولِ والعملِ، وَأَعِنَّا عَلَى التَّحَلِّي بالأخلاقِ الزكيَّةِ، ووَفِّقْنَا جَمِيعًا لِطَاعَتِكَ وَطَاعَةِ رَسُولِكَ مُحَمَّدٍ r وَطَاعَةِ مَنْ أَمَرْتَنَا بِطَاعَتِهِ, عَمَلاً بِقَوْلِكَ:( يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُوْلِي الأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ)^([17]).

نَفَعَنِي اللَّهُ وَإِيَّاكُمْ بِالْقُرْآنِ الْعَظِيمِ، وَبِسُنَّةِ نَبِيِّهِ الْكَرِيمِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ.

أَقُولُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ.

---

([1]) البقرة : 231.

([2]) الزمر : 17 - 18.

([3]) يوسف : 111.

([4]) لقمان : 12.

([5]) ابن كثير : 16/335.

([6]) البقرة : 269.

([7]) مالك: 1860 بلاغا.

([8]) النحل : 125.

([9]) لقمان : 13.

([10]) لقمان : 16.

([11]) لقمان : 17.

([12]) لقمان : 18.

([13]) البغوي : 6/289.

([14]) القرطبي : 14/71.

([15]) لقمان : 19.

([16]) حلية الأولياء : 6/6.

([17]) النساء: 59.

الْخُطْبَةُ الثَّانِيَةُ

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أنَّ سَيِّدَنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ، اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ الطَّيِّبِينَ الطَّاهِرِينَ وَعَلَى أَصْحَابِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَعَلَى التَّابِعِينَ لَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ.

أَمَّا بَعْدُ: فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ عِبَادَ اللَّهِ حَقَّ التَّقْوَى، وَرَاقِبُوهُ فِي السِّرِّ وَالنَّجْوَى، وَاعْلَمُوا أنَّ مِنْ وصايَا لُقْمَانَ الْحَكِيمِ لابْنِهِ التِي جاءَتْ بِهَا الآثارُ أنَّهُ قَالَ لَهُ: يَا بُنَيَّ جَالِسْ الْعُلَمَاءَ، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحْيِي الْقُلُوبَ بِنُورِ الْحِكْمَةِ كَمَا يُحْيِي اللَّهُ الْأَرْضَ الْمَيْتَةَ بِوَابِلِ السَّمَاءِ^([1]). فأوصَاهُ بِمُجَالَسَةِ الْعُلَمَاءِ لِيَأْخُذَ عَنْهُمْ، وَيَتَعَلَّمَ مِنْ عِلْمِهِمْ وحِكْمَتِهِمْ، لأنَّ نُورَ الْحِكْمَةِ تَحْيَا بهِ الْقُلُوبُ فتزدادُ فِي الطَّاعَةِ، وتبتعِدُ عَنِ الْمَعْصِيَةِ، ولذلكَ يقولُ أَبُو جُحَيْفَةَ رضي الله عنه: جَالِسُوا الْكُبَرَاءَ، وخَالِطُوا الْحُكَمَاءَ، وسَائِلُوا الْعُلَمَاءَ^([2]). فيجمُلُ بنَا أَنْ نربِّيَ أبناءَنَا عَلَى الاستفادةِ مِنَ العلماءِ العاملينَ أهلِ التوسطِ والاعتدالِ، فإنَّ ذلكَ يعصمُهُمْ مِنَ الوقوعِ فِي الزللِ, والخوضِ فِي الباطلِ.

هَذَا وَصَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى مَنْ أُمِرْتُمْ بِالصَّلاَةِ وَالسَّلاَمِ عَلَيْهِ، قَالَ تَعَالَى:( إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا)^([3]) وَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ r:« مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلاَةً صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بِهَا عَشْراً»^([4]) وَقَالَ r:« لاَ يَرُدُّ الْقَضَاءَ إِلاَّ الدُّعَاءُ»^([5]).

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا وَنَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَارْضَ اللَّهُمَّ عَنِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ: أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ وَعُثْمَانَ وَعَلِيٍّ، وَعَنْ سَائِرِ الصَّحَابِةِ الأَكْرَمِينَ، وَعَلَى أَزْوَاجِهِ أُمَّهَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، وَعَنِ التَّابِعِينَ وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ.

اللهم اهدنا لأحسنِ الأخلاق فإنه لا يهدي لأحسنها إلا أنت، واصرف عنا سيئها ، فإنه لا يصرف عنها سيئها إلا أنت يا أرحم الراحمين.

اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تَدَعْ لَنَا ذَنْبًا إِلاَّ غَفَرْتَهُ، وَلاَ هَمًّا إِلاَّ فَرَّجْتَهُ، وَلاَ دَيْنًا إِلاَّ قَضَيْتَهُ، وَلاَ مَرِيضًا إِلاَّ شَفَيْتَهُ، وَلاَ مَيِّتًا إِلاَّ رَحِمْتَهُ، وَلاَ حَاجَةً إِلاَّ قَضَيْتَهَا وَيَسَّرْتَهَا يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ، رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً، وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ، وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ لَنَا وَلِوَالدينَا، وَلِمَنْ لَهُ حَقٌّ عَلَيْنَا، وَلِلْمُسْلِمِينَ أَجْمَعِينَ.

اللَّهُمَّ وَفِّقْ وَلِيَّ أَمْرِنَا رَئِيسَ الدَّوْلَةِ، الشَّيْخ خليفة بن زايد، وَأَدِمْ عَلَيْهِ مَوْفُورَ الصِّحْةِ وَالْعَافِيَةِ، وَاجْعَلْهُ يَا رَبَّنَا فِي حِفْظِكَ وَعِنَايَتِكَ، وَوَفِّقِ اللَّهُمَّ نَائِبَهُ وَوَلِيَّ عَهْدِهِ الأَمِينَ لِمَا تُحِبُّهُ وَتَرْضَاهُ، وَأَيِّدْ إِخْوَانَهُ حُكَّامَ الإِمَارَاتِ.

اللَّهُمَّ اغفِرْ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ الأَحْيَاءِ مِنْهُمْ وَالأَمْوَاتِ، اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمِ الشَّيْخ زَايِد، وَالشَّيْخ مَكْتُوم، وَشُيُوخَ الإِمَارَاتِ الَّذِينَ انْتَقَلُوا إِلَى رَحْمَتِكَ، وَأَدْخِلِ اللَّهُمَّ فِي عَفْوِكَ وَغُفْرَانِكَ وَرَحْمَتِكَ آبَاءَنَا وَأُمَّهَاتِنَا وَجَمِيعَ أَرْحَامِنَا وَمَنْ لَهُ حَقٌّ عَلَيْنَا.

اللَّهُمَّ إنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ الْمَغْفِرَةَ والثَّوَابَ لِمَنْ بَنَى هَذَا الْمَسْجِدَ وَلِوَالِدَيْهِ، وَلِكُلِّ مَنْ عَمِلَ فِيهِ صَالِحًا وَإِحْسَانًا، وَاغْفِرِ اللَّهُمَّ لِكُلِّ مَنْ بَنَى لَكَ مَسْجِدًا يُذْكَرُ فِيهِ اسْمُكَ.

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ جَمْعَنَا هَذَا جَمْعًا مَرْحُوْمًا، وَاجْعَلْ تَفَرُّقَنَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ تَفَرُّقًا مَعْصُوْمًا، وَلاَ تَدَعْ فِيْنَا وَلاَ مَعَنَا شَقِيًّا وَلاَ مَحْرُوْمًا.

اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْ بلادنا وبلاد المسلمين عامة مِنَ الْفِتَنِ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ، وَأَدِمْ عَلَيْهَا الأَمْنَ وَالأَمَانَ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ^([6]).

اللَّهُمَّ اسْقِنَا الْغَيْثَ وَلاَ تَجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الْقَانِطِينَ، اللَّهُمَّ أَغِثْنَا، اللَّهُمَّ أَغِثْنَا، اللَّهُمَّ أَغِثْنَا.

عِبَادَ اللَّهِ: ( إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي القُرْبَى وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ)^([7]).

اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ، وَاشْكرُوهُ علَى نِعَمِهِ يَزِدْكُمْ ( وَأَقِمِ الصَّلاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلاَةَ تَنْهَى عَنِ الفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَلَذِكْرُ اللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ)^([8]).

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([1]) الموطأ : 1856.

([2]) الطبراني في الكبير 22/133 بإسناد صحيح كما في مجمع الزوائد للهيثمي (1/12).

([3]) الأحزاب : 56.

([4]) مسلم : 384.

([5]) الترمذي : 2139.

([6]) يكررها الخطيب مرتين.

([7]) النحل : 90.                  

([8]) العنكبوت: 45.

The commandments of Luqman the wise to his son

First sermon

Praise be to Allah, the Sovereign and the Bestower. He gives wisdom to whom He wills. O my Lord, to You all praise, so much pure praise, inherently blessed, I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah having no partners.

I also bear witness that our Master Muhammad is Allah's Servant and Messenger. He is the Best of His Creation, the Closest to Him. May the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his pure family, his companions and all those who will follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment.

O Servants of Allah, I urge myself first and all of you to obey Allah and be submissive to Him. Verily, Allah, Exalted is He, has declared the truth in His Holy Book: "and remember the favour of Allah upon you and what has been revealed to you of the Book and wisdom by which He instructs you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Knowing of all things." (Al Baqara: 231). He also says, "so give good tidings to My servants who listen to speech and follow the best of it." (Azzumar: 17-18).

Dear Muslims,

The noble Quran tells us many meaningful lessons and stories to benefit from as mentioned in this verse: "There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding." (Yusuf: 111).

Amongst things Allah told us in the Quran were the commandments of Luqman who was one of the pious servants of Allah. The Almighty elevated his status and lauded him in the Quran. There is even a Surah that is named after him: Luqman. In it Allah says, "and We had certainly given Luqman wisdom [and said], 'Be grateful to Allah' ." (Luqman:12).

Wisdom comes in the sense of understanding, knowledge, appropriate speech and rational opinion. These are beneficial blessings. He, who has them, is a fortunate one and shall benefit of much good. The Exalted is He says, "He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding." (Al Baqara: 269).

Luqman was amongst those whom Allah had blessed with good manners and high morality. It was said to him: "how did you make it to this high rank? He answered: "Speaking honestly, honouring the pledge and ignoring that which is not my own concern." Truly he was a wise man. He was thoroughly committed to perfection in behaviour, and was always grateful to his Creator.

Dear Servants of Allah,

Luqman set a wonderful example in the art of dialogue with children. He did this through advice that are beneficial and comprehensive. They were educational morals expressed politely.  He began his commandments to his son with kind-hearted parental appeal, saying: O my son! This is a good lesson for parents on how best to talk to their sons and daughters, share with them their experience, surround them with care, educate them and refine their way of thinking. They would do that while taking on wisdom and good counsel. In this regard, Allah the Almighty says, "invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction" (Annahl: 125).

It is truly beautiful that the father to be wise and intimate with his children, be lenient with them, talk to them nicely, listen to their problems with an open mind and try to solve them sensibly. It is equally great thing to see parents raise their children to behave leniently, speak nicely and avoid violence. Further, parents need to instil in them noble values and the best manners.

Dear Worshippers,

The first thing Luqman started with when addressing his son was nourishing his heart with Iman. This is in order to strengthen his connection with his Lord and eventually fulfil his obligations towards Allah and others the way it should be. The Almighty says, "O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah . Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice." (Luqman: 13).

Luqman was keen to increase his son's awareness of the fact that Allah is watching over us in secret or public. Thus he would remind him of Allah's Might and that He the Exalted encompassed all things in knowledge; from him nothing is hidden in the earth nor in the heaven. Allah says, "[and Luqman said], "O my son, indeed if wrong should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Indeed, Allah is Subtle and Acquainted." (Luqman: 16).

So anyone, who believes that Allah having absolute knowledge, certainly will seek His satisfaction, excel in his work, heed Him while dealing with people, do good to others and never inflict harm.

Dear Servants of Allah,

Luqman urged his son to observe Salat (prayer), which is the pillar of the religion and the greatest act of worships. He was quoted as saying in this verse: "O my son, establish prayer." (Luqman: 17). Indeed prayer purifies hearts and souls, refines manners and  prohibits immorality and wrongdoing,

Dear Worshippers,

Other aspects highlighted by Luqman to his son were good treatment of people. He advised him to be humble and kind and avoid being arrogant, adhere to best ethics and be sober and sensible. He was quoted in this verse as saying, "and do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful." (Luqman: 18).

That is do not show off and disdain people; nor should you turn away if they talk to you. Rather you must be nice to them and when you address them be cheerful.

It was also wise of Luqman that when he forbade his son from wrong behaviours, he guided him to the right ones that he should follow. He said, "and be moderate in your pace and lower your voice." (Luqman: 19). This means one has to walk with serenity and avoid raising his voice without any obvious reason, because this is affectation hurting others. Further Luqman used to educate his son to treat people with compassion and be kind to them. He was keen to prohibit him from causing harm, so he used to tell him, " be wise enough so that people be spared your evil." These are truly beautiful qualities and highest morals.

With this in mind, may Allah help us to succeed in speech and work and guide us to the best of manners. We also plead with You also to help us obey You, Your Messenger Muhammad pbuh and those You have decreed on us to obey in compliance with Your orders: "O you who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you." (Annisaa: 59).

May Allah direct us all to the blessings of the Glorious Quran and the Sunna of His Messenger pbuh and benefit us all in whatever is in them.

I say this and ask Allah the Great, the Most Honoured for forgiveness for me, you and all the Muslims for every sin, so invoke Him for forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Second sermon

Praise be to Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity but Him, having no associates. I also bear witness that our Master Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger, may the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his pure family, his Companions and all those who will follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment.

Servants of Allah, 

Please be aware that you are asked to obey Him, the Almighty, as it ought to be by observing Him in private and in public and know that amongst Luqman's commandments as narrated: "O my son, sit with scholars, for Allah revives hearts with wisdom as He revives the dead land with rain."

He advised him to do so because this is how he could learn from their knowledge and acquire good insight and perception. Wisdom is thus a light that guides hearts to more acts of obedience and keep them away from misdeeds. That is why Abu Juhayfa said, "sit with  the important people of the community and wise people as well as ask the scholars."

Knowing this, we should therefore raise our children on benefitting from scholars with moderate approach for that keep them away from falling in wrong doings and delving in falsehood.

Dear Servants of Allah,

Bear in mind that you are asked to offer prayer and greetings upon our most noble Prophet pbuh for Allah says, "indeed, Allah and His angels sends blessing upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace." (Al Ahzab: 56). On the same matter, the Prophet pbuh said, "for everyone who invokes a blessing on me will receive ten blessings from Allah." He also said, "Nothing turns back the Decree except supplication."

May the peace and the blessings of Allah be upon our Master Muhammad pbuh, his family and all his Companions. May Allah be pleased with the Rightly Guided Caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali, and all those who will follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment.

O Allah, guide us to the best of attitudes, for there is no one who guide to them, except You. O Allah avert us the bad attitudes for there is no one who prevent them, except You, O most Merciful.

O Allah, we implore You at this instant not to let a sin unforgiven, a distress unrelieved, an illness unhealed or a handicapped without relief, a dead without mercy or a debt unsettled. Our Lord, give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire.

O Allah, may we ask You to help us with what gets us closer to Paradise and furthers us from hell. O Allah we seek Your grace to admit us, our parents, whoever has done a favour to us and all Muslims to Your Paradise.

May Allah grant success and continued good health to our leader HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. May Allah also ensure success to his Deputy, HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and provide strength and assistance to his brothers, Their Highness The Rulers of the Emirates, and his trustworthy Crown Prince HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

O Allah, forgive all of the Muslims, men and women, living and dead, and make blessings follow us and them. May Allah have mercy on Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Maktoum and all their brothers, the Late UAE Sheikhs. O Lord, forgive and show mercy to our parents, relatives and  whoever has done a favour to us.

O Allah, we pray to You to grant Your forgiveness to who built this mosque and to his or her  parents as well as to anyone who gave to this mosque. O Allah, we also supplicate to You to forgive whoever built a mosque where Your name is remembered.

O Allah, make this gathering one of compassion, and our dispersion after it one that is infallible. O Allah, do not let anyone amongst us deprived, desperate or unhappy.

We pray to Allah, the Most Gracious, to preserve the UAE from all temptations, both apparent and hidden, and   continue blessing the UAE and all Muslim countries with safety and security.

O Allah, give us rain and do not make us among the despondent. O Allah, relieve us, O Allah, relieve us, O Allah, relieve us.

Dear Servants of Allah,

"Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded." (Annahl: 90).

O servants of Allah, remember Allah and He will remember you. Be grateful for His benevolence He will increase His blessings to you. Allah, the Most High, says, "and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do." (Al Ankaboot: 45).

Translation:

Mostapha El Mouloudi

Note: The English translation of the Quran and Hadith is an interpretation of their meanings, and does not have the status of their original Arabic texts.