06/23/2024
Alhamdulillah we still gather every Friday, and we hope this will continue in shaa Allah.
And this is one of the Khutbas brother Pascual wrote,
All praise is due to Allah, we praise him and we seek help from him. We ask forgiveness from him. We repent to him and we seek refuge in him from our own evils and our own bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Allah, he is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is god but Allah, the only one without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad sws is his servant and messenger. O you who believe, fear Allah as he should be feared and die not except as Muslims. O you who believe, be aware of Allah and speak a straightforward word. He will forgive your sins and repair your deeds. And whoever takes Allah and his prophet as a guide has already achieved a mighty victory.
It was narrated from Jabir that: On the Day of the Conquest of Makkah, the Messenger of Allah SAW entered (the city) wearing a black turban, and he was not in Ihram.
*Sunan An-Nasai 5344 book 48, Hadith 305
QUICK LESSONS:
Show mercy even when victorious over enemies
EXPLANATIONS:
On the day of the conquest of Makkah by Muslims under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, he entered the city wearing a black turban and not in Ihram. This is significant because it shows that even though Muslims had won a great victory over their enemies and were allowed to take revenge for all they had suffered at their hands; they still showed mercy and compassion towards them. This is an important lesson for us today as we should always strive to show mercy even when we are victorious over our enemies. We should also remember that Allah rewards those who show mercy more than those who take revenge.
The Prophet ﷺ also chose to wear a black turban which was symbolic of his humility and modesty despite his great victory. He wanted to remind himself that no matter how much success he achieved in this life; he was still only human and must remain humble before Allah SWT. This is an important reminder for us today as well; no matter how successful or powerful we become in this life; we must always remember our place before Allah SWT and remain humble before Him at all times.
Blessed brothers and sisters,
Let us increase our taqwa for Allah s.w.t. by fulfilling His commands and abstaining from His prohibitions. May Allah s.w.t. make our hearts firm in our faith throughout our lives. Amin ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
Allow me to start today’s khutbah with a Hadith narration reported by Imam Al-Bukhari, about a man who came to Rasulullah s.a.w. and asked for the Messenger’s advice. He said, “O Rasulullah, advise me.” Rasulullah s.a.w. answered, “Do not get angry.” Then the Companion asked again, “Then, what else is your advice o Rasulullah?” Rasulullah s.a.w. repeated his answer, “Do not get angry.”
There are several important life lessons we can get from this hadith. First and foremost, the hadith acknowledges that anger is part of human nature.
It is not denied by our religion. Perhaps, at this very moment, some of us here are withholding some form of anger. The feeling of anger may be due to some sort of misunderstanding or mistakes, coming from the people around us, including our own family member, friends or colleagues.
It is thus important for us to understand that Islam does not dismiss the feeling of anger, but rather, it teaches us to control it. Let us ponder upon the following Prophetic tradition:
Which means: “The strong man is not one who is good at wrestling, but the strong man is one who controls himself in a fit of rage.” [Hadith reported by Imam Al-Bukhari].
This prophetic guideline, in my humble opinion, is indeed incredibly meaningful. It educates us about the true meaning of ‘Sabr’, or patience, during a state of anger.
A truly patient person does not remain silent or avoid responding when triggered by something hurtful, but he/she is someone who strives to respond calmly and speak in the best manner possible to the person who is causing the anger.
Indeed, the attributes of a true believer include expressing good speech with love and respect, even during times of anger. At the same time, a true believer is kind enough to forgive those who have upset them. This can be found in Allah s.w.t.’s description of the believers in Surah Ali Imran, verse 134:
Meaning: “Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship, and who restrain anger, and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.”
All praises to Allah for those who have acquired these qualities and practise accordingly. As for those who are unable to do so, then what the Prophet s.a.w. has taught us is to be very careful in our speech and in making decisions when we are angry. The Prophet s.a.w. often made the following du’a:
Which means: “O Allah, I ask You (to grant me) a word of the truth, in both contentment and anger.” [Reported by Imam Ahmad]
Beloved brothers,
Let us together appreciate and emulate Rasulullah s.a.w.’s character in educating his family with much patience and compassion. Not using force nor with anger. Just like many of us, Rasulullah s.a.w. also faced challenges in his household. However, how did Rasulullah s.a.w. manage to overcome those challenges? Did he take immediate action and speak his mind in every single situation? Did he use violence against his wives? Or did he instead manage each conflict with patience, communication and love?
It is very important for us to know– that Rasulullah s.a.w. never once retaliated against any sort of misdeed done to him. Even within his household, Rasulullah s.a.w. remained a patient, kind and responsible man.
HADITH –
It was narrated from ‘Abdul-Malik bin ‘Umair that he heard ‘Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Bakrah narrate from his father that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “Let the judge (Qadi) not pass a judgment when he is angry.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Volume 3, Book 13, Hadith 9
There are many harmful effects of getting angry. These effects can harm us physically, psychologically, socially or emotionally. It is well known today that anger causes many health problems and can be a symptom or cause of mental illness, especially if not controlled. There are wisdoms behind shariah injunctions, and improving overall well being is one of the many benefits of controlling anger.
Anger Management Based on the Sunnah
There are different strategies for handling anger, depending on the person and situation. If a person gets angry, then he or she should exercise muhasabah (holding the self accountable) for the mistakes committed, what led to them, and how to overcome them in the future. Examining the self and holding ourselves accountable is important training and a source of discipline and self-improvement. In various hadiths, the Prophet (sas) teaches us methods to help with anger:
* Seeking refuge in Allah: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, “I know a word, the saying of which will cause him to relax, if he does say it. If he says: ‘I seek Refuge with Allah from Shaitan’ then all his anger will go away.” When we seek refuge in Allah, we should say the words with understanding and reflection, not simply recite the words.
* Changing your posture: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, “When one of you becomes angry while standing, he should sit down. If the anger leaves him, well and good; otherwise he should lie down.”
* Keeping quiet: The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, “If one of you becomes angry then he should stay silent.” This is an important practice because when we are angry our actions and speech may be disproportionate and unjust.
* Wudu can also be a shield against anger. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, “Anger comes from the devil, the devil was created from fire, and fire is extinguished only with water. So when one of you becomes angry, he should make wudu.”
Second khutbah
One of the most dangerous and common habit today is a loose tongue. We often find ourselves running our mouths forgetting that we will be held accountable for what we say. To find one free of backbiting and slander is like a search for the red she-camel. This is because people take pride in this ugly act without remorse. In fact, some are now professionals at it and get paid for running online gossip channels. This is what will lead to the destruction of many on the day of resurrection.
Owing to the dangers of the tongue, Allah’s Messenger peace be upon him stressed in the following narrations viz:
On the authority of Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him): “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must either speak good or remain silent.” — Muslim
Sahl bin Sa’d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: “Whosoever gives me a guarantee to safeguard what is between his jaws and what is between his legs, I shall guarantee him Jannah.” — Bukhari
Narrated Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him): I heard the Prophet peace be upon him saying, “A person utters a word thoughtlessly (i.e., without thinking about its being good or not) and, as a result of this, he will fall down into the fire of Hell deeper than the distance between the east and the west.” — Bukhari and Muslim.
Al-Imam Ash-Shafi said: if you want to talk, it’s required of you to think before speaking. If there’s no harm then say; otherwise, don’t speak. It’s incumbent upon anyone in a position of responsibility to guard their tongues conscientiously and continuously. Silence is better than running the mouth lose. A speech which is of no benefit or that incites harm is forbidden in Islam. Remember the word when spoken cannot be taken back. Hence there’s a need to control your tongue otherwise you will be punished.
On the authority of Muadh ibn Jabal: I accompanied the prophet peace be upon him on a journey and I asked him to tell me an action I will do that will admit me into Jannah and save me from hell. He said: ‘you’ve asked me something important and easy for the one Allah makes it easy for. Worship Allah and do not associate partner with him, observe salah, give the required charity, fast Ramadan and perform hajj. Should I not guide you to the doors of goodness? Fasting is a shield, charity pushes out the sins like water extinguishes the fire. So also is praying in the middle of the night. Shall I not tell you the head of the entire matter and it’s pillar? The head is Islam, the pillar is salah and it’s hump is jihad. Should I not tell you what governs it all? Yes, O Messenger of Allah! It’s the tongue, restrain this. Muadh ask, will we be accountable for the tongue? He peace be upon him said: May your mother grieve your loss o Muadh! Are people not thrown into the fire only because of what their tongue has done? — At-Tirmidhi
The tongue and the heart are the best parts of the body. If they are straight other parts of the body will be straight as well. And if they are crooked, others will be crooked too.
Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet PBUH said, “When the son of Adam gets up in the morning, all the limbs humble themselves before the tongue and say: ‘Fear Allah for our sake because we are with you: (i.e., we will be rewarded or punished as a result of what you do) if you are straight, we will be straight; and if you are crooked, we will become crooked.”’ — At- Tirmidhi
Abdullah Ibn Umar related, Allah’s Apostle PBUH said: do not talk too much without remembering Allah. For indeed too much talk makes the heart hard. And the farthest from Allah is the one with a hard heart. — Tirmidhi
Abstain from these actions in order to avert Allah’s punishment:
* Backbiting even if it is the truth.
* Gossiping
* Slandering
* Rumor mongering
* Lying
* Defamation of character
* Idle and excessive talking with no benefit
And here are a few ways to control yourself
* Think before you speak because every word you utter is recorded by a guardian angel.
* When you fall short, ask for forgiveness from Allah for yourself and also on behalf of the one you’ve wronged with your tongue.
* Engage in remembrance of Allah often as much as you can.
* Control what you see and share on social media. there are too many lies out there.
* Remember the consequences of a running tongue. It will mislead some faces to be dragged on their nose in the fire.
* Be in the circle of good friends and companions.
Closing
O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.
O Allah, We ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good
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.
Remember Allah, the Great – He will remember you. Thank Him for His favors – He will increase you therein. And seek forgiveness from Him – He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him – He will provide you a way out of difficult matters. And, establish the prayer.
