Friday Khutbah (Sermons) : Quran enlightening book of Allah

Friday Khutbah (Sermons) : Quran enlightening book of Allah
– by Imam Al-Haramain, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz-as-Sudais
Makkah al-Mukarramah; Translated by Nasiruddin al-Khattab

The Transcript:

Part – 1

Praise be to Allah

“Who sent down the criterion (of right and wrong, i.e. this Quran) to His slave (Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)) that he may be a warner to the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns).” [Surah al-Furqan, 25:1]

I praise Him, may He be exalted, and I give thanks to Him. He has made the Quran

“as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allah as Muslims).” [an-Nahl, 16:89].

And I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah alone, with no partner or associate; He sent down His Book as guidance to the worlds, as a mercy to the believers, and as healing for that which is in the hearts of all people. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His Slave and His Messenger, whose character embodied the Quran; he regarded as permissible what it permitted, and regarded as forbidden what it forbade; he acted upon its clear verses and believed in those verses that are not entirely clear. May Allah send many blessings and much peace upon him and upon his Family and Companions who followed his path and walked in his footsteps and adhered to his guidance, thus they were honoured and prevailed, and they gained authority and led, and upon those who follow their guidance and adhere to their path until the Day of Judgement.

To Proceed:

O brothers in Islam, O Ummah of the Quran, fear Allah, may He be exalted, as He should be feared!

O slaves of Allah,

“Indeed Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)) from among themselves” [Surah ‘Ali ‘Imran, 3:164]

He sent down to him the best of Books, for the best nation brought forth, for humankind, to guide them to the straightest of paths and the most guided of ways, to bring them forth from darkness into light by Allah’s leave. It (the Quran) is the refuge in times of turmoil, the saviour in times of calamity and trials.

In it – O slaves of Allah – are stories of what came before you, news of what will come after you and rulings on the matters among you. It is decisive and not something to be taken in jest. No tyrant abandons it but Allah will destroy him. Whoever seeks guidance from anything other than it, Allah will cause him to go astray. Whoever seeks honour in anything other than it, Allah will humiliate him. Whoever seeks help and support without turning to it for judgement, Allah will cause him to be brought low. It is the strong rope of Allah and the straight path. It cannot be crooked such that it would need to be straightened. Whims and desires cannot distort it; it is easy to recite and will never become worn out by constant recitation. People of knowledge never have their fill of it, and its wonders never cease.

Those who speak in accordance with it speak the truth; those who judge in accordance with it are fair and just; those who act in accordance with it will be rewarded; those who call to it will be guided to the straight path. Allah has promised that the one who reads it and acts in accordance with what is in it will not go astray in this world and will not be doomed in the Hereafter, as was narrated in a report from Ibn ‘Abbaas (radhiAllahu anhu), Whoever ignores it, forsakes it and turns away from it will be a loser in this world and in the Hereafter, and that is a clear loss. [Narrated by Ibn Abi Shaybah, 13/371, 372; at-Tabari in his Tafseer, 8/469; al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak, 2/381]

Allah says:

“(Allah) said:”Get you down (from the Paradise to the earth), both of you, together, some of you are an enemy to some others. Then if there comes to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My Guidance shall neither go astray, nor fall into distress and misery. “But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Quran nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.” He will say:”O my Lord! Why have you raised me up blind, while I had sight (before).” (Allah) will say: “Like this, Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) came unto you, but you disregarded them (i.e. you left them, did not think deeply in them, and you turned away from them), and so this Day, you will be neglected (in the Hell-fire, away from Allah’s Mercy).” And thus do We requite him who transgresses beyond bounds [i.e. commits the great sins and disobeys his Lord (Allah) and believes not in His Messengers, and His revealed Books, like this Quran, etc.], and believes not in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of his Lord, and the torment of the Hereafter is far more severe and more lasting.” [Surah Taha, 20:123-127]

The Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said in his khutbah (sermon) in the year of the Farewell Pilgrimage:

“I have left among you that after which you will never go astray if you cling to it: the Book of Allah.” [Narrated from the Hadeeth of Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah (radhiAllahu anhu) by Muslim, 1218; Abu Dawood, 1905; Ibn Maajah, 3074]

Allah (Subhanahu Ta’ala) reminded His slaves of the blessing He bestowed upon them when He revealed this great Book. He (Subhanahu Ta’ala) says:

“O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i.e. the Quran, ordering all that is good and forbidding all that is evil), and a healing for that (disease of ignorance, doubt, hypocrisy and differences, etc.) in your breasts, – a guidance and a mercy (explaining lawful and unlawful things, etc.) for the believers.” [Surah Yunus, 10:57]

“And We have sent down to you the Book (the Quran) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted themselves (to Allah as Muslims).” [Surah an-Nahl 16:89]

“O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Now has come to you Our Messenger (Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)) explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the Scripture and passing over (i.e. leaving out without explaining) much. Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light (Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)) and a plain Book (this Quran). Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek His Good Pleasure to ways of peace, and He brings them out of darkness by His Will unto light and guides them to a Straight Way (Islamic Monotheism).” [Surah al-Ma’idah 5:15-16]

And Allah (Subhanahu Ta’ala) says:

“O mankind! Verily, there has come to you a convincing proof (Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)) from your Lord, and We sent down to you a manifest light (this Quran). So, as for those who believed in Allah and held fast to Him, He will admit them to His Mercy and Grace (i.e. Paradise), and guide them to Himself by a Straight Path.” [Surah an-Nisa’ 4:174-175]

“Verily, this Quran guides to that which is most just and right and gives glad tidings to the believers (in the Oneness of Allah and His Messenger, Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam), etc.). who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a great reward (Paradise).” [Surah Al-‘Isra’, 17:9]

“And We send down from the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism and act on it), and it increases the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) nothing but loss.” [Surah Al-‘Isra’, 17:82]

“Say: “It is for those who believe, a guide and a healing. And as for those who disbelieve, there is heaviness (deafness) in their ears, and it (the Quran) is blindness for them.” [Surah Fussilat 41:44]

The verses that speak of this are numerous and well known to everyone who reads the Book of Allah with focus and presence of mind. This was the practice of the righteous, the early generations – may Allah have mercy on them and be pleased with them – those who, when they learned ten verses of it, would not move on until they had understood their meaning and acted upon their implications. Thus, they acquired knowledge and acted upon it, as was narrated from’ Abdullah ibn Mas’ood (radhiAllahu anhu). [See: Musnad Ahmad, 5/410; Tafseer at-Tabari, 1/60] They are the ones who received its commands and prohibitions, and hastened to obey them without any hesitation or compromise. They are the elite who received the Quran and read it out of their belief that it was the words of Allah (Subhanahu Ta’ala) addressed to them, spoken on the lips of His Messenger (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam). Hence, they carried the banner of the Quran in word and deed, terrifying the enemies of Allah and spreading justice and peace on Allah’s earth.

“They brought forth the people from the worship of people to the worship of the Lord of people, from the constraints of this life to the abundance of this life and the Hereafter, from the injustice of religions to the justice of Islam,” [These are the words of the great Sahaabi (Companion) Rib’i ibn ‘Aamir (radhiAllahu anhu) to Ruslam the ruler of Persia before the battle of al-Qaadisiyyah. See: al-Bidaayah wa’n-Nihaayah, 9/622] and thus they attained good and happiness for all humanity.

Brothers in Islam, today we are living in a time in which there is a great deal of turmoil and trials are coming in waves, one after another. Whims and desires are in control and there is a great deal of doubt. There are numerous problems and challenges, and many people are calling to innovations and evils. There is no way to escape all this, no efforts will be of any avail, there will be no certainty, consolation or hope, no victory or safety from punishment, steadfastness of belief and no prominence and achievements, unless all the Muslims – rulers and ruled, peoples and states, young and old, men and women, scholars and common folk – focus completely on the Book of Allah.

They should focus with all their faculties, hearts and minds, on the Book of Allah, reciting it and pondering it, learning it and teaching it, acting upon it and implementing it. It is the fresh spring that will never run dry or stagnate, the abundant treasure that only increases in quality and quantity by spending; repeated recitation only increases it in sweetness and beauty. However, its treasures can only be bestowed upon the one who turns to it with all his heart and lends his ears to it with complete focus.

O Muslims, in these times many people have turned away from the Quran and kept a distance from it, whoever ponders the life of many of them will find that their life has no connection to the Quran whatsoever – Allah’s refuge is sought. How many actions and attitudes we see that are contrary to it and how many duties have been neglected!

O slaves of Allah, Subhaan Allah, where do the Muslims stand today with regard to this great Quran? Where are the youth of the Ummah with regard to this noble Book?

Many of them have exchanged what is better for that which is lower (cf. 2:61). Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa Billaah (there is no power and no strength except with Allah)! Where are the women with regard to the teachings of the Quran, which encourages hijaab and adherence to modesty and covering, and warns against wanton display, unveiling and free mixing? Where is the ruling of the Quran concerning all aspects of life?

The reality is – O slaves of Allah – that the words of Allah are applicable to these people:

“And the Messenger (Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)) will say: “O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Quran (neither listened to it, nor acted on its laws and orders).” [Surah al-Furqan, 25:30]

Deserting the Quran, as the great scholar Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: ” …includes neglecting to listen to it and believing in it, and neglecting to adhere to what it permits and forbids, even if one recites it and believes in it, and neglecting to refer to it for judgement in all matters of religion, major and minor, and neglecting to seek to understand it, neglecting to understand the meanings intended by Allah by it, and neglecting to seek healing from it for all diseases of the heart (i.e., spiritualmaladies).” [al-Fawaa’id by Ibn al-Qayyim, p. 82]

Unfortunately, all these ways of deserting or neglecting the Quran are to be found among people today.

Those who read the Book of Allah yet persist in going against it and even add to the religion of Allah things that are not part of it, such as innovations and newly invented matters, are not truly believers in it – even if they claim one thousand times that they are and even if they have been reading it for their entire lives. What about those who persist in dealing in haraam (unlawful) things, who indulge in immoral actions and evil deeds such as zina (unlawful sexual relations), Riba (usury), killing souls unlawfully, theft, deceit, wrongdoing, lying, backbiting, malicious gossip, saying and doing bad things, and other Haraam actions? How far are they from belief in the Quran! What about those who ignore obligatory duties and are heedless of things they are enjoined to do such as prayer, Zakaah (obligatory charity), honouring parents, upholding ties of kinship and being kind to the poor and needy? How far are they from belief in the Quran!

These people who listen to the Quran or read it, and turn away from implementing it are among those mentioned in the verse in which Allah (Subhanahu Ta’ala) says:

“But whosoever turns away from My Reminder (i.e. neither believes in this Quran nor acts on its orders, etc.) verily, for him is a life of hardship, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Resurrection.” [Surah Taha, 20:124]

How unfortunate they are to resemble those of whom Allah says:

“[they] say: “We hear your word (O Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)) and disobey,”” [Surah an-Nisa’, 4:46]

To the Quran, to the Quran, O slaves of Allah! Let us drink from its spring to quench our thirst and attain happiness in this world and in the Hereafter:

“Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) to be affected by Allah’s Reminder (this Quran), and that which has been revealed of the truth,?” [Surah al-Hadid, 57:16]

A’oothu billaahi min ash-Shaytaan ir-rajeem
(I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Shaytaan)

“Verily, this Quran guides to that which is most just and right and gives glad tidings to the believers (in the Oneness of Allah and His Messenger, Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam), etc.). who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a great reward (Paradise). And that those who believe not in the Hereafter (i.e. they disbelieve that they will be recompensed for what they did in this world, good or bad, etc.), for them We have prepared a painful torment (Hell).” [Surah Al-‘Isra’, 17:9-10]

O Allah, make the Quran the joy and light of our hearts, that relieves our sorrows and takes away our worries and stress. O Lord of the worlds, O Allah, make us among the people of the Quran who are Your people and Your chosen ones, O Possessor of majesty and honour.

O Allah, clothe us [in Paradise] by means of it, cause us to dwell in cool shade by means of it, increase us in blessings by means of it, protect us from calamities by means of it, O Most Merciful of those who show mercy.

I say these words of mine and I ask Allah to forgive us and you and all the Muslims, so ask Him for forgiveness, for He is the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Part 2

“All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has sent down to His slave (Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)) the Book (the Quran), and has not placed therein any crookedness. (He has made it) Straight to give warning (to the disbelievers) of a severe punishment from Him, and to give glad tidings to the believers (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism), who work righteous deeds, that they shall have a fair reward (i.e. Paradise).” [Surah al-Kahf, 18:1-2]

I praise and thank Him; I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah alone, with no partner or associate. He sent down al-Furqaan (the Criterion) to His Slave so that he could be a warner to the worlds. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His Slave and His Messenger, whose character was the Quran. Allah sent him as a guide, a bringer of glad tidings and a warner, a caller to Allah by His leave, and a lamp spreading light (cf 33:46). May Allah send many blessings and much peace upon him and his Family and Companions, who did not go beyond ten verses until they had learnt what they contained of knowledge and actions.

To Proceed:

Fear Allah, O slaves of Allah, and know that the best of speech is the Book of Allah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam). The worst of matters are those which are newly invented; every newly invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going astray.

O slaves of Allah, prominence, leadership, honour, dignity and victory in this world and in the Hereafter are only for the bearers of the Book of Allah who act upon it. This is what is indicated by the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam). Imam Muslim (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated from ‘Umar (radhiAllahu anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said:

“Allah raises some in status by means of this Book and He lowers others by means of it.” [Saheeh Muslim, 817]

Al-Bukhaari (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated that ‘Uthmaan (radhiAllahu anhu) said that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said:

“The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaari, 5027]

It was narrated from lbn ‘Umar (radhiAllahu anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said:

“There should be no envy except in two cases: a man to whom Allah has given the Quran, so he stands in prayer (qiyaam) reciting it during the night and during the day, and a man to whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it during the night and during the day.” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 7529; Muslim, 815]

The Sunnah also mentioned the reward and status of the bearers of the Book of Allah in the Hereafter and in this world. It was narrated that Umaamah (radhiAllahu anhu) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) say:

“Read the Quran, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection interceding for its companions.” [Narrated by Ahmad, 5/249; Muslim, 804]

And it was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (radhiAllahu anha) said that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said:

“The one who is skilled in reciting Quran will be with the noble, honourable scribes and the one who recites Quran and falters therein, and finds it difficult, will have a double reward.” [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4937; Muslim, 798; at-Tirmillhi, 2904]

It was narrated that Ibn Mas’ood (radhiAllahu anhu) said that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said:

“Whoever reads one letter from the Book of Allah will earn one good deed (hasanah) thereby, and one good deed brings a tenfold reward. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Laam is a letter and Meem is a letter.” [Narrated by at-Tirmidhi, 2920; al-Haakim, 1/555, 566]

It was narrated from’ Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas (radhiAllahu anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam) said:

“It will be said to the companion of the Quran: ‘Read and rise; recite as you used to recite in the world, for your status will be according to the last verse you recite.'” [Narrated by Ahmad, 2/192; Abu Dawood, 1464; at-Tirmidh1, 2814]

What a great blessing it is, O Muslims, and what a great reward it brings! No one ignores it but the one who is heedless. That – by Allah – is true happiness and success. True success and happiness is not to be found in the accumulation of insignificant worldly things or in boasting about cars or fine food and drink or houses or furniture.

Fear Allah, O slaves of Allah, and adhere to the Book of your Lord. Come to the Quran O Ummah of Islam, and take it as the basis for your life in all your affairs. In this way, you will be able to restore your former glory and honour and reclaim your lost Jerusalem.

“And for Allah that is not hard or difficult (i.e. very easy for Allah).” [Surah lbrahim, 14:20]

“And if you turn away (from Islam and the obedience of Allah), He will exchange you for some other people, and they will not be your likes.” [Surah Muhammad, 47:38]

Pray and send blessings – may Allah have mercy on you – upon the best Prophet to whom He revealed His best Book, your Prophet the chosen one, as enjoined by the Almighty, the Giver.

Allah (Subhanahu Ta’ala) says:

“Allah sends His Salat (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy, etc.) on the Prophet (Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)) and also His angels too (ask Allah to bless and forgive him). O you who believe! Send your Salat on (ask Allah to bless) him (Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wassallam)), and (you should) greet (salute) him with the Islamic way of greeting (salutation i.e. AsSalamu ‘Alaikum).” [Surah al-Ahzab, 33:56]