Friday Sermon: Attributes of the Believer

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Lastprophet.info provides its readers with a weekly Friday sermon (khutbah), which may act as a supplemental guide for imams, hospital and prison chaiplains, Muslim organizations and societies (i.e. MSA), students and the general reader. All of our sermons have been prepared by imams, Islamic scholars and theologians in the Republic of Turkey. Please contact us if you would like to contribute or request a topic for a forthcoming sermon.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

قال الله تعالي: اِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذٖينَ اِذَا ذُكِرَ اللّٰهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَاِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ اٰيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ اٖيمَانًا وَعَلٰى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ

قال رسول الله (صلعم): لاَ يُؤْمِنُ أحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يَكُونَ هَوُاهُ مُتَّبِعاً لِمُا جِئْتُ بِهِ^[1]

Esteemed Muslims!

The reason for our creation is belief in Allah according to the teachings of our religion, and to engage in His servitude.^[2] The faith our religion teaches us is not composed of theory alone. Faith is our most important spiritual treasure, which will grant us happiness in this world as well as the next. The most important attribute of faith is that it penetrates the depths of our hearts, giving us both an indescribable sense of security and peace of mind as well as a feeling of responsibility. With this characteristic, faith has given a renewed vitality to hearts marred by the association of partners with Allah and idolatry; and as is evident in the cases of the Companions of the Prophet, it has worked to save its followers from ignorance and savagery, establishing a foundation for the love, respect and justice that formed the basis of Islamic civilization.

My esteemed brothers and sisters!

Belief in Allah has brought together people of different awareness, colors, languages and thoughts, uniting them around a common sentiment and making them brothers and sisters in Islam. This matter in emphasized in the Qur’an with the words, “The Muslims are only brothers.”^[3]

A believer should be honest and exemplary in terms of his faith, worship, morality and behavior. The believer one upon the path of servitude to Allah (swt) who takes the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) as an example and refrains from that which is forbidden. The believer is one with respect for human rights, who sees each and every human being as a servant to Allah; a believer is someone who is easy to get along with, and is in harmony with those around them. She or he is an individual with a consciousness of Allah, who tries his or her best to exhibit the best morals. The believer does not begrudge, make enemies, lie, commit slander or violate the rights of others. The believer tries with all his or her might to help everyone. Knowing that Allah sees and is aware of all things, the believer is mindful of every single deed. For Allah says, “He knoweth whatever there is on the earth and in the sea. Not a leaf doth fall but with His knowledge…”^[4]; and He also says, “Allah knows the malevolent gaze of the eyes and what the hearts hide.” ^[5]

Esteemed congregation!

A person who believes in Allah has peace of mind, because they do not fall into a state of despair over hardships and troubles. After doing everything in their power to save themselves from the bad state they are in, they leave the rest to Allah; they seek refuge in Him and trust in Him. They submit to what comes from Him and do not rebel against His will. A person who truly believes in Allah is not insatiable in terms of worldly matters; they avoid miserliness. They act in a way that is just and are fully aware that should they commit an injustice, they will be judged by divine justice. They ask forgiveness from everyone around them to absolve them of any wrongdoings they may have committed against them.

In short, someone who believes in Allah and is tied to Allah with a heartfelt sincerity will always exhibit the best of manners. This will then lead to peace and security in society, bringing comfort and happiness to people.

I would like to conclude my khutbah with a verse from the Qur’an: “For Believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put (all) their trust in their Lord…”^[6]