13 March 2009

Friday Khutbah text: Peace in Islam


My dear brothers,

Let us strive to increase our taqwa to Allah, truly and sincerely. Do all that He commands, and refrain from all that He has forbidden. Let us also strengthen the value of love and mercy in our lives. Our topic of khutbah today is the Value of Peace and harmony in the Holy Quran.


Ya Ikhwanul Muslimun,

One of the values in the Holy Quran is peace and calm for mankind. Everyone who reflects upon what the Quran says about these values and upholds them in their lives, will certainly enjoy peace and calm and is able to share it with others. In this world today, we face challenging and uncertain times. Many of us may live in worry and uncertainty, and this does not only affect us as individuals, but also our families and others around us.


But a worried and disturbed mind needs to be calmed. A confused soul needs to be at peace. The Holy Quran teaches us how to attain peace and calm. Allah s.w.t. says in Surah Ar-Ra’d verse 28:

Which means: “Those Who have believed and whose hearts have rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest!”

This verse teaches us to remember Allah s.w.t. and seek His help always. The remembrance of Allah (through zikir) will bring about calmness and peace in our hearts. After we have faced difficulties, and we find ways to solve them, we must remember Allah s.w.t. by being grateful to Him. We must remind ourselves that our souls will be calm and peaceful when we remember Allah s.w.t. who presides over everything.


Ya Ikhwanul Muslimun,

This value of peace and calm does not stop with individuals, but also applies to family life. Allah s.w.t. reminds us on the importance of the value of peace and calmness in our relationship with our spouses, and the value of love and mercy in our families. Allah s.w.t. says in surah Ar-Rum verse 21:

Which means: “And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.”


My dear brothers

Al-Quran also offers a constructive way to secure a peaceful and calm world inhabited by peoples of different backgrounds and cultures. To this end, the Holy Quran calls upon mankind to uphold the value of justice and fairness, because this value will secure peace and prosperity. Allah s.w.t. says in surah An-Nahl verse 90 :

Which means: “Surely Allah enjoins the doing of justice and the doing of good (to others) and the giving to the kindred, and He forbids indecency and evil and rebellion; He admonishes you that you may be mindful.”

Indeed, Allah s.w.t. states as one of the key objectives of His Syariah on this earth is the prevention of all kinds of violence, bloodshed and killing. This is because peace and calm is sacred in Islam, as well as human life is sacred too. Allah s.w.t. says in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 84:

Which means: “And when We made a covenant with you: You shall not shed your blood and you shall not turn your people out of your cities; then you gave a promise while you witnessed.”

Infact, Allah s.w.t. puts the highest value to human life, and equates this life with that of all mankind. As Allah s.w.t. states in Surah Al-Maidah verse 32:

Which means: “For this reason did We prescribe to Bani Isra’il that whoever slays a soul, unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew all men; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men;”

These verse also apply to this ummah and our world that we live in today, although they were revealed in reference to the previous ummahs.


My dear brothers,

However, because of our inherent characteristics as human beings, sometimes we are not able to hold strongly to this value. For example, when we dislike someone, or we ourselves, or our families and relations have done wrong, normally we will evade justice in order to protect ourselves. But the moment justice is abandoned, there will be no peace and calm in our lives. For this, the Holy Quran emphasises the need to be just, even in the most difficult of times and situations, even against ourselves and our loved ones! For example, Allah s.w.t says in Surah An-Nisa’ verse 135:

Which means: “O you who believe! be maintainers of justice, bearers of witness of Allah's sake, though it may be against your own selves or (your) parents or near relatives; if he be rich or poor, Allah is nearer to them both in compassion; therefore do not follow (your) low desires, lest you deviate; and if you swerve or turn aside (from justice), then surely Allah is aware of what you do.”

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. also reminds us to always uphold justice in his hadith:

Which means: Indeed, those who are just will stand by Allah on raised platforms of light. They are those who act fairly and are just in their dealings and decisions, and with their families and all those under their charge. [Hadith narrated by Imam Muslim]

My dear brothers,

Let us continue to read, understand and practice the teachings and values of the Holy Quran. If we do this sincerely, we will be able to attain peace and calm in our lives. Know that Allah s.w.t. loves those who uphold the values of justice and service to others, at all times. May we be among those whom Allah s.w.t. loves. Amin.


Second Khutbah


Dear Muslim brothers rahimakumullah,

Let us strengthen our taqwa to Allah s.w.t. by doing good, and refraining from all which is prohibited. Let us continue to pray to Allah s.w.t. that may He return peace and calm to Gaza and the whole Palestine land. As we are all aware, the situation in Gaza has worsened. According to Gaza Ministry of Health, over 1400 was killed since December 2008. Many residents of Gaza have lost shelter, and food supplies are running low.


As a Muslim that appreciates peace and values harmony, we urge all parties involved in this crisis to work seriously towards ending this cycle of violence. At all times, human rights must be protected, and the value of human lives must be upheld and respected, especially the lives of innocent civilians. International human rights and the teachings of all religions will not condone any form of act that harms innocent civilians.Palestinian issue is our concern. I would like to call upon all brothers as follows:

1. Let us pray to Allah to seek strength from our weaknesses and negligence towards our duty to our ummah.


2.Let us pray together in the hope that the current situation in Gaza will improve, and may every of its resident receive proper shelter and protection, and may the humanitarian aid reach those who are in need of such aid.


3Let us support our brothers with our money towards the betterment of the Palestinian people.


4Stop buying and supporting Israeli goods such as McDonald, Coca Cola. Intel, Starbucks,Nestle and many more.


5Educate ourself to understand the conflicts. We can gain information from www.palestine-info.co.uk for example

.

O Allah, we pray that peace and harmony return to the lives of citizens in Palestine. Help them in facing this ordeal, and please do not leave them on their own, devoid of Your protection. O Allah, we seek from You to strengthen their belief, may peace be achieved, and may the parties involved find a resolution to discuss their matters peacefully. O Allah, please give them Your guidance and assistance.


O Allah, please unite this ummah with ihsan, compassion and sympathy towards what has happened to our brothers. Unite their hearts with love. Strengthen their resolve and determination in performing good deeds. O Allah, please forgive us for our sins, please forgive us for our flaws in dealing with our affairs. Please help us all in facing these hard times.


O Allah, please make this country peaceful and prosperous. O Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful. Amin Ya Rabbal A’lamin.


*My first ever khutbah delivered in Adelaide University Musolla on 13.03.09.



2 comments:

Khairul Amri Ishak said...

hmm
sebut pasai khutbah
x pernah merasa dengar khutbah jumaat dlm english..

yg pernah
dlm bahasa urdu
sebutan khatib mmg sedap
tp x faham
satu patah pun..

btw,
melawatlah
http://AC-22Kai.blogspot.com..

biler free
insyaAllah akan update
setiap minggu,sekali..

Anonymous said...

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- Daniel