07/08/2026
Today's Khutbah at Bulangililo Masjid - Kitwe, Zambia.
Lessons drawn from Surah Al Buruj
Trials are a reality of faith. The story of the "People of the Ditch" serves as a powerful reminder that believers will be tested with hardship and persecution. The lesson isn't to avoid pain, but to remain steadfast and unwavering in faith, even when facing severe consequences .
Divine Justice is certain. The surah emphasizes Allah's absolute power and sovereignty. While oppressors may seem to have total control on earth, Allah is a "Witness over all things." The punishment of tyrants is not just history, but a guarantee of divine retribution in the Hereafter .
The rewards of faith are eternal. The fate of the oppressors is contrasted with the promise for believers—Gardens with rivers flowing beneath them. This assures the oppressed that their suffering is not in vain and that the ultimate triumph belongs to the faithful .
The Quran is a preserved and reliable guide. The surah concludes by affirming the Quran's divine origin, preserved in a "Well-Preserved Tablet" (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz). This underscores that the same God who will execute justice is the one who sent clear guidance to humanity .
The Story of the Boy, the King, the Monk, and the Magician
This story, which explains the background of the "People of the Ditch," is a detailed hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) .
The King's Magician and the Boy
A powerful king had a magician who, upon growing old, asked the king to send him a boy so he could teach him magic. The king sent a boy for this purpose .
The Boy's Dilemma
On his way to the magician, the boy would pass by a monk and was captivated by his teachings, often sitting with him. This made the magician angry, and he would beat the boy for being late. The boy complained to the monk, who advised him to tell the magician his family kept him busy, and to tell his family the magician kept him busy .
The Boy's Test of Faith
One day, a terrifying creature blocked the road, stopping all people from passing. The boy saw this as a chance to see whose path was more righteous. He picked up a stone and prayed to God that if the monk's actions were more beloved, to kill the creature. He threw the stone, and the creature was killed .
The Truth Revealed
The boy went to the monk, who told him, "Today you are better than I... You will be put to trial, and in case you are put to trial, do not inform (them) about me" .
Curing the Blind Courtier
The boy began to cure people of diseases like blindness and leprosy. A blind courtier of the king heard of him and brought gifts, asking for a cure. The boy replied, "I do not cure anybody; it is only Allah who cures people. So, if you believe in Allah and supplicate to Him, He will cure you." The courtier believed, prayed, and was healed .
Persecution Begins
The king noticed his courtier could see again and asked who restored his sight. The courtier replied, "My Lord, Allah," to which the king said, "I did?" The courtier corrected him, "No, my Lord and your Lord is Allah." The enraged king tortured the courtier until he revealed the boy's identity .
The Boy, the Monk, and the Courtier Are Tried
The boy and the monk were brought before the king. When they refused to renounce their belief in Allah, the king had a saw placed on the monk's head, and he was killed. The courtier was also brought and suffered the same fate. The boy was then tortured to reveal the monk's location, but he continued to hold firm .
The Boy's Miraculous Escapes
The king ordered the boy to be thrown from a mountain top, but the boy prayed, and the mountain shook, causing his guards to fall. The boy returned to the king .
Next, the king ordered the boy to be cast into the sea, but the boy prayed again, and the boat capsized, drowning his captors. The boy returned once more .
The Boy's Martyrdom
Finally, the boy told the king, "You will not be able to kill me until you do what I command you." He instructed the king to gather the people, tie him to a tree, and shoot him with an arrow from his quiver while saying, "In the name of the Lord of the boy!" The king did so, and the boy was killed .
The Faithful Woman and Her Speaking Child
The boy's murder had a profound effect.
When the boy was killed, the people who witnessed it declared, "We believe in the Lord of the boy!" .
The king, seeing his efforts had backfired, became furious. He ordered that massive ditches (the ukhdud) be dug at the main roads and huge fires were lit in them. He declared that anyone who did not renounce their faith would be thrown into the fire .
As the persecution raged, a woman came with her nursing baby. As she approached the fire, she hesitated, reluctant to jump in .
At that moment, by the permission of Allah, her infant child spoke to her, saying: "Be patient mother! For verily, you are following the truth!" . Reassured by this divine miracle, the woman steeled herself and jumped into the fire, achieving martyrdom
As Believers we shall not be left to just say we believe we believe except that we shall be tested.
May Allah save one all.
"Verily, Allah commands 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."
