Friday Khutbah (Sermons) : As Ramadan Passes by…

The Transcript:

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad (SAW), his family, his companions and all those who follow their guidance till the Day of Reckoning.

Fellow Muslims! How fast are the days passing! How quick are months and years moving! Yes! There are wonders in the transformations of time. It passes by nations and individuals and it makes no distinction between the pious and the sinner. That is the way of life; the Sunnah of Allah upon His creatures.

“Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of the night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.” (Surah Ali Imran’ 3:190)

Brothers in Faith, Ramadan is now on the verge of bidding us farewell for, nothing remains thereof but only few days. All praise be to Allah for all that He has bestowed on us. The chapter of this year’s Ramadan is being closed and its market that is full of good things is also being terminated. Some have gained profits and others have incurred loss. The month of Ramadan is elapsing; those who have done acts of ‘Ibaadah during it will achieve Paradise as their reward. Blessed be he who has piety as his wares during the month and also held fast unto the Rope of Allah.

My dear brethren, make use of remaining days of this month for doing righteous deeds and its opportunity to do meritorious acts and sacrifices.

Fellow Muslims, your beloved month is getting ready to go. It is going with your deeds as a witness for you or against you as regards all that you have done. Would you say that it depart praising your deeds or condemning your negligence? Let he who has been doing righteous deeds so far continue with that and let he who has been negligent so far endeavor to end with good deeds; for, the fate of any act is determined by its end.

Dear brothers, Islamic injunctions have infinite and uncontestable goals and among the sublime goals of legislating fasting is to make it a major means to piety in all its aspects. Therefore, let your fasting be an institution from which you can learn determination and strong will to do all that is good in order to reform your character, regulate your natural dispositions and get yourself refined inwardly and outwardly.

Brothers in Islam, in welcoming Ramadan and bidding it farewell are some points of reflection for nations and individuals: Is there for us in this fasting an abundance portion of effort to reform ourselves and mend our ways? Yes! It is indeed an excellent period of reflection if one ponders over the sincerity of his intention and appropriateness of his acts of worship during the blessed month.

Fellow Muslims! How dire is the need of this Ummah -especially during these days of trials and weakness- to some stances in which it can learn lessons and get admonition when occasions like Ramadan pass by it and as a result, renew its determination to fight Satan, march properly on the right course and collectively wage an unrelenting war on corruption and transgression in all its forms! The Prophet (SAW) said:

“He who does not abstain from falsehood in sayings and deeds (while fasting), Allah is no need of his abandoning food and drink.”

Brothers in Islam, it is established in the Religion of Allah that all deeds must be ended with Istighfaar (seeking for Allah’s Forgiveness). Therefore, conclude this month of yours with repentance, Istighfaar and humbleness to Allah, the One, the Subduer. ‘Umar Ibn Abdul-Aziz wrote to some people:

“Istighfaar mends what foolish talk and obscenity has damaged in one’s fasting.”

Fellow Muslims! Zakat-ul Fitr has been made obligatory on you as purification for your foolish talk and obscenity and as a food for the poor. Al-Bukhari reported from Ibn ‘Umar (RA) that he said:

“The Messenger of Allah (SAW) ordained Zakat-ul-Fitr which is a Sa’a of dates or barley (a measure that equals four Mudd: 3 kg. approximately) on every freeman, bondsman, male, female, young and old among the Muslims. He commanded that it should be given before people go out to the Praying Ground.”

One must therefore give it on behalf of himself and his dependants like wife, children and parents. It is also rewardable to give it on behalf of the foetus. Its obligatory measure is a Sa’a of wheat, barley, cottage cheese, dates or dried grapes. Other foods that are consumed in a town can also be used in giving Zakat-ul-Fitr like rice.

Al-Bukhari reported from Abu Saeed Al-Khudree (RA) that he said:

“We used to give a Sa’a of food on Eid day during the time of the Messenger of Allah (SAW)…”

Further, it is not permissible to give out the price in place of the food because that is contrary to the injunction of the Prophet (SAW) because, any action that does not have his command is rejected.

It is best given before Fajr and Eid prayers. If one however gives it a day or two before Eid, it is quite right. Zakat-ul-Fitr is given in one’s place of residence though, he can appoint someone in his town to give it on his behalf if he is on a journey especially when there is a preponderant advantage in that.

Fellow Muslims, fear Allah and perform your duties with sincerity to Allah and in submission to the Sunnah of His Messenger (SAW). Seek for the understanding of your religion that you may attain good and prosperity. May Allah bless me and you.

One of the best way to bid farewell to this noble month is to glorify Allah repeatedly. Allah says:

“… (Allah wants that) you may complete the same number (of days), and that you may magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allahu-Akbar; Allah is the Most Great) on seen the crescent of the month of Ramadan and Shawwal] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to him.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:185)

Some ‘Ulamaa said:

‘It is Sunnah to say Takbeer on Eid night in people’s meeting places. Men should say it aloud and women silently and it should be said continuously until Eid prayer is performed.

It is reported from the majority of Sahabah -may Allah be pleased with them all- that they used to say:

“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, laa ilaaha illa Allah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, walillaahil-hamd.” Ibn Abbaas -may Allah be pleased with him and his father- used to say: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, walillaahil-hamd. Allahu Akbar wa Ajall, Allahu Akbar maa hadaanaa.” (Al-Bayhaqi)

It is also reported from Salman Al-Farsi (RA) with an authentic chain of transmitters that he said:

“Glorify Allah: Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar kabeera.”