Friday Khutba
Justice and the Consciousness of Trust in Islam
18. June 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
Islam, commands believers, as individuals, to be just and to uphold trusts. As a society, it aims for an order where oppression does not exist, the rights of others are protected and trust and justice prevail. In the Qur’an, it is stated: “Indeed, Allah commands you to return trusts to those entitled to them and, when you judge between people, to judge with justice.”[1] Through this, safeguarding trusts and acting with justice are clearly commanded. For when trusts are not protected, the scales of justice are disturbed, and where there is no justice, trusts are not given to those who are worthy of them. Justice is the most important value of society, the voice of conscience, the guarantee of peace and the foundation of trust. Justice is to give every rightful person their due, to uphold the truth even when it is against us and to always stand with those who are right. Where justice disappears, oppression certainly begins. Regarding oppression, which our religion strictly forbids, our Prophet (saw) warns us as follows: “Beware of oppression, for oppression will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection.”[2]
Dear Jama’ah!
Trust is not only wealth or belongings that someone leaves with us. Our family, our children, our duties, our positions, our knowledge, our lifetime, the society we live in, even our religion, and countless other blessings are all trusts given to us. We must approach these trusts with justice. Indeed, justice is not only the responsibility of leaders, but of every one of us.
A father must be mindful of the rights of his children, an employer of his employee, an employee of their duty, a tradesperson of their customer, a teacher of their student, a neighbour of their neighbour; in short, a person must act with due regard for the rights of Allah (swt), of other people and of all creation. For those who uphold justice in every position they hold, the following glad tidings are given in a noble hadith: “Those who act justly towards the people they govern, their families, and those under their responsibility will be honoured in the sight of Allah, beside the Most Merciful, upon pulpits of light.”[3]
Justice finds its true meaning when it is made dominant in every area of life. There is no such thing as a small or great act of justice. A believer should strive to be just and balanced even in matters that may seem very simple. For our Prophet Muhammad (saw) advised us to be sensitive even in the smallest actions by saying: “Treat your children equally, even in giving a kiss.”[4]
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
In the world we live in today, unfortunately many people are suffering under oppression and hunger, deprived of justice. There are countless oppressed people who live far from decent living conditions and cannot even access clean food and water. Our responsibility is to hear the silent cries of all the oppressed, to support their call for justice and trust and to stand by them with a consciousness of justice and responsibility. Upholding justice and trust may sometimes mean saving a life, returning a right to its rightful owner and standing against the oppressor and siding with the oppressed. A believer is aware that they will be held accountable before Allah for every trust placed upon them. Our Prophet (saw), taught us this beautiful measure of morality: “Return the trust to the one who entrusted it to you, and do not betray the one who betrays you.”[5] A believer who lives with this awareness never reaches for another person’s rights, even if they themselves have been wronged. May Allah (swt) make us among His servants who uphold trusts and never depart from justice. Ameen.
[1] Surah An-Nisa, 4:58
[2] Müslim, Birr, 56
[3] Nesâî, Âdâbü’l-kudât, 1
[4] Abdürrezzâk, el-Musannef, nr. 16501
[5] Tirmizî, Büyû’, 38
