Friday Sermon: Characteristics of the Believer in Islam

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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.

Esteemed Muslims!

Almighty Allah did not create mankind in vain; he granted him intellect and conscience and tasked him with the responsibilities of faith and worship. Allah holds mankind subject to the test of the life of this world.

Accordingly, Allah the Almighty says, “Does man think that he will be left uncontrolled, (without purpose)?”[1]

In many places throughout the Qur’an, the expectations of human beings are stressed, while commands and prohibitions are shared regarding the types of lives they must lead alongside various advices.

Esteemed Muslims!

The ideal attributes that should be possessed by people in general and Muslims in particular are highlighted, and the following is stated:

“And the servants of (Allah) the Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth in humility, and when the ignorant address them, they say, ‘Peace!’”[2]

 “Those who spend the night in adoration of their Lord prostrate and standing.”[3]

These verses contain warnings that will aid in the maintenance of societal peace and harmony, and explain that in order to attain spiritual maturity, servants must fulfill their responsibilities toward their Creator through sajdah and qiyam in their prayers.

 In another verse, it is stated: “It is He Who has created man from water: then has He established relationships of lineage and marriage: for thy Lord has power (over all things).” Here basic moral values are noted and the call is issued to us to act economically and abstain from wastefulness.[4]

My esteemed brothers!

In another verse it is said: “Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god, nor slay such life as Allah has made sacred except for just cause, nor commit fornication -- and any that does this (not only) meets punishment. (But) the Penalty on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him, and he will dwell therein in ignominy. Unless he repents, believes, and works righteous deeds -- for Allah will change the evil of such persons into good, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

“And whoever repents and does good has truly turned to Allah with an (acceptable) conversion; those who witness no falsehood, and, if they pass by futility, they pass by it with honorable (avoidance). Those who, when they are admonished with the Signs of their Lord, droop not down at them as if they were deaf or blind; and those who pray, ‘Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous.’ Those are the ones who will be rewarded with the highest place in heaven, because of their patient constancy: Therein shall they be met with salutations and peace, dwelling therein -- how beautiful an abode and place of rest!”[5]

In these verses, it is explained that the evil deeds of those believe and partake in beneficial acts will be transformed into good deeds, and it is stressed that those who repent and partake in beneficial acts will be of those who are purified.