Friday Sermons

We are approaching the last ten days of Ramadan, where the atmosphere of mercy surrounds our entire being and each act of worship reaches its peak through fasting. When we talk about the last days of Ramadan, the practice of Itikaf comes to mind. Itikaf involves withdrawing from all worldly activities and secluding oneself in the mosque to devote all one's time to worship.

The blessed month of Ramadan is a time graciously given to us for the refinement of worship, morality, societal solidarity and the consciousness of brotherhood. It is also a transformative period where we engage in self-reflection and strengthen our spirituality.

We are on the eve of the blessed month of Ramadan, the only month mentioned by name in the Qur'an. As we leave behind the first two of the three months known as Rajab, Sha'ban and Ramadan, we are excited to enter the month of Ramadan.

A believer never loses hope in the mercy and compassion of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) says in the Quran, "Say, 'O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'” Additionally, in a sacred saying of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), Allah emphasises His infinite mercy towards His servants by stating, "My mercy prevails over My wrath.” This highlights the boundless mercy of Allah, the Most Merciful, towards His creation.

Racism is prejudice, discrimination or aggression towards other people based on their belonging to a different race or ethnic origin. In our era, we witness wars and conflicts stemming from this wrongdoing, leading to bloodshed, tears and atrocities. Millions of people in different parts of the world are practically subjected to genocide, with survivors being displaced from their homes and becoming refugees. Feeling superior to others based on the ethnic group one is born into is a symptom of a soul in need of healing.

Taqwa is to avoid the punishment of Allah by obeying Him and to protect oneself from behaviours that are not pleasing to His will. Piety is the sole measure that gives us value in the sight of Allah (swt).

InshAllah we will observe the Night of Miraj, which holds great importance for the Islamic world, on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

Narrated by Abu Bakr (ra), our Prophet (saw) said: 'If a person commits a sin, performs ablution afterwards, then gets up and prays two rakats and seeks forgiveness from Allah, Allah will certainly forgive him.' In the Quran, in the creation of the first human, the physical structure, namely his body, is referred to as "bashar”. When the soul is breathed into it and it attains the capacity to bear the divine trust, the being is then characterised as "human." The most important stage in the transition from being a "bashar" to a human is taught to us in the story of Adam (as). After approaching the forbidden tree, a sense of remorse was felt and and the call was made to Allah (swt): "O our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."

Allah (swt), in the Surah Al-Baqarah, describes the pious as follows: “Those who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend from what We have provided for them.” One of the most important principles of our religion, Islam, is undoubtedly the act of charity (infaq). Charity involves extending generosity to others from the wealth and blessings entrusted to us by Allah (swt). It means protecting and caring for those in need, looking out for them. It is an effort to be beneficial to our family, relatives, neighbours, fellow believers and all of humanity.

The Night of Raghaib has passed last night, and today marks the beginning of the three blessed months, characterised by mercy and forgiveness. Endless praise be to Allah (swt) who has led us to these days.

Among all creatures, humans hold the most honourable position as they sustain the life granted by Allah (swt) within the dimensions of time and space. Just as Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem hold greater value and virtue than other places, temporally, the months we refer to as Rajab, Sha'ban and Ramadan are considered more blessed and virtuous than other times.

In the Quranic verse we have recited at the beginning of the khutba, Allah (swt) addresses us believers: " O believers! Do not forbid the good things which Allah has made lawful for you, and do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.” Allah (swt) has created existence and life in a state of balance. A seed falling onto the soil, if deprived of some sunlight or exposed excessively to water, cannot grow and flourish. Even a slight disturbance in the delicate mathematical balance in the universe could lead to the collapse of the entire cosmos. If the Earth were to deviate even slightly from its orbit, life could cease to exist. Similarly, when humans look at their own bodies, they encounter an astonishing balance. The marvellous harmony in the universe and within humans reminds us of the following verse: "...[He] who created everything and determined it and [then] guided.”