Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Faith is the compass that gives meaning to life, keeps the heart upright and directs one’s path and goal toward what is right and good. A person of faith does not lose their way during hard times; they turn towards the pleasure of Allah. A believer with faith does not incline towards oppression, commit injustice or reach for what is forbidden. For faith is a shield against all evils, both for the individual and for society. Yet sadly, hearts are often occupied with love of wealth, ambition for status and desire for fame, while the Hereafter is forgotten. The more someone drifts away from spiritual values, the more the heart tightens, and the more one becomes enslaved by ego. That’s why many people, even though they live in wealth, can’t find peace, because without faith, the soul feels empty. A believer keeps the Hereafter in mind in everything, what they eat, earn, spend and say, while still maintaining balance between this life and the next. Indeed, in the verse I recited at the beginning of my khutba, Allah (swt) says: “Seek, through what Allah has granted you, the abode of the Hereafter, and do not forget your share of this world. Do good to others just as Allah has done good to you. And do not seek corruption on the earth, for Allah does not love those who spread corruption.”[1]  Thus, our faith constantly reminds us to avoid cheating in trade, to refrain from wastefulness in spending, to consume blessings with gratitude and to treat neighbours with mercy. Because its centre is “the world,” the disease of worldliness makes people forget the Hereafter. One who forgets the Hereafter works only for themselves, spending their time, wealth, knowledge and possessions to be seen and praised. They boast about their body, life, children, status, and wealth, believing these things to belong to them. Such an attitude may bring brief pleasure, but it never brings lasting peace. A life cantered on the Hereafter develops humility and contentment, while a life cantered on the world breeds greed. This is why faith is the compass of human values. It reminds us of the Hereafter and protects us from becoming captives of this world.

Dear Jama’ah!
In this passing worldly life, the only solution to living a life balanced with the Hereafter is to once again turn to our compass of faith, to place our belief, our worship and our values at the very centre of our lives. One of the most important places that helps us achieve this is our mosques. Mosques are not just places where prayers are performed; they are spaces where the beauty of faith is taught, where morals are lived and passed on, where brotherhood is strengthened and where hearts find peace. We should organise our lives with the metaphor of a compass. One leg of the compass stands firmly on the ground, while the other extends as far as it can. The fixed leg represents a person’s identity, belonging and faith. With that firm footing, the other leg can open outward with confidence. For if our fixed leg is rooted in the mosque, in the Qur’an, and in the pleasure of Allah, then wherever we extend ourselves, our circle will be correct. But if our fixed leg rests upon the disease of worldliness, our line will be crooked, our circle will be distorted, our path will be lost, and we will be swept away. It is narrated from Ibn Mas‘ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (saw) said: “On the Day of Judgment, the son of Adam will not move from before his Lord until he is asked about five things: how he spent his life, how he wore out his youth, from where he earned his wealth and on what he spent it, and whether he acted upon the knowledge he had.”[2] Through this, our Prophet warns us to be mindful in these matters.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Today, we are confronted with the false values imposed by worldliness. We live in an age where faithlessness is being promoted and material things are placed at the centre of life. If we keep ourselves and our children away from mosques, from the Qur’an and Sunnah, from circles of knowledge and companionship, their compasses will lose direction, they will chase after other values, and they will be swept into other paths.

As parents, our greatest responsibility is to raise our children with faith, worship and good character. The dangers surrounding our youth today can only be overcome with true belief. A young person standing in prayer at the mosque, becoming familiar with the Qur’an, and experiencing the spirit of community is shielded against bad friendships and harmful habits more than anything else.

Today is October 3, 2025, a Friday. Since 1997, with the “Open Mosque Days” program, our mosques have been opening their doors to visitors for 28 years. On this occasion, I warmly greet and welcome our friends and neighbours who will be visiting our mosques and us. O Allah, Turner of hearts! Keep our hearts firm upon Your religion. Make us among those who build and enliven Your mosques. Do not let us forget ourselves, You, or the Hereafter. Ameen.

[1] Surah Al-Qasas, 28:77

[2] Tirmizî, Sıfatü’l-kıyâme, 1

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