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ÇáÅÓáÇã æÊÍÏíÇÊ ÇáÚÕÑ
Summary
1) A call to
reflect on current events and how situations change
2) The benefits
of trials and hardships
3) Major adversities
are affecting the whole world
4) The corruption
and misguidance that has resulted from current principles and ideologies
5) A criticism of
western educational curricula and systems
6)
The evil outcome of wars and the devastation they cause
7)
The western system is a materialistic one, devoid of a
spiritual component
8)
The dire need for justice, mercy and noble conduct
9)
The ability of oppressed nations to struggle and resist
10) The effect of
trials on the Islaamic culture
11)
Trials are a means
of awakening the Muslim nation
12)
Islaamic
principles are a protection against trials
13)
Islaam benefits all
mankind
First Khutbah
Brethren in faith! Fear Allaah as He should be
feared, for whoever fears Him will receive His protection; whoever turns to Him
in repentance will receive His guidance and pleasure; whoever humbles himself in
His worship will be honoured by Him and whoever transacts honourably with Him
will prosper.
Fellow Muslims! Trials and afflictions are sent to
awaken the affected nation to a serious and sincere review of its culture and
civilisation, as well as a transparent assessment of its actions. This is
because it is civilisation and culture that influence people’s behaviour and
concerns. Indeed, there is a dire need for this self-examination in order to
identify causes of weakness and defect. Monumental challenges and crises awaken
nations and constitute major turning points in their history; they rouse them
to strive hard for their progress and development.
Indeed, past failures do not in any way kill the
future of an afflicted nation; rather, they draw its attention to its potential
and capability. Allaah says regarding the tribulation of the
When major incidents take
place, they do not affect a nation alone but affect most nations of the world,
for they generate numerous religious, economic, social and political reactions.
What is therefore expected of the intelligentsia of
the affected nation is a fundamental review of its policies and systems as well
as the effects of these on individuals and nations. Moreover, all contemporary
principles, systems and policies of this age require scrutiny and re-examination.
There are indeed some current
systems that are beneficial materially, technologically, medically,
economically and educationally, but what effect have these useful systems had
on those who propagate them?
It seems as if the very propagators of these systems are themselves devoid of
any compassion or mercy; they proclaim systems whose implementation is biased;
they speak of freedom, democracy and human rights but their actions contradict
their statements. Contemporary history is full of arrogance, ostentation,
dictatorship, humiliation, oppression of weak nations and usurpation of their
wealth. Justice and ration therefore demand that the afflicted nation should
deal with other nations honestly, wish them well and review its policies
towards them as well as to seriously reflect upon the basic factors that have caused
people’s hatred towards it.
What benefits are there of principles and systems
that generate hatred and allow the humiliation of others? Of what use are policies
that facilitate arrogance and haughtiness? Sincere reflection must be made upon
the waves of violence that take place all over the world.
Let it be known that if violence is allowed to
prevail instead of dialogue and mutual understanding, the voice of the weak
will not be heard and justice will have no chance; and even worse than these is
that aggression and violence will be legalised. It is therefore a must that all
types of aggression, hostility, hatred and racism, be brought to an end.
Among the issues that need urgent review are the
wars that have characterised this generation, in which many innocent lives have
been lost and in which destructive weapons that not only kill but also cause impairment
and chronic diseases to the living are wantonly used. What then is the benefit
of a system which has as its product, aggressive and unjust wars that know no
law or norms? Compare this to the injunction of the Qur’aan about the purpose
of fighting a war which says that which means: “Fight
in the way of Allaah those who fight you, but do not commit aggression. Indeed,
Allaah does not like aggressors.” (Al-Baqarah:
190) Statistics speak of millions of casualties of these senseless wars all
over the world. Therefore, a careful and sincere review of these policies and
systems in the light of their effects will go a long way in solving the
problems at hand.
Brethren in Faith! The contemporary
civilisation and philosophy are built on materialism. Faith has been restricted
to things that are only perceptible to the senses to the exclusion of the all
matters that are unseen; the concern is only for this world and its pleasures and all scientific
discoveries are for the purpose of this mundane life alone. This pathetic situation
is accurately described by Allaah when He says that which means: “They know what is apparent of the worldly life, but they,
of the Hereafter, are unaware.” (Ar-Room:
7).
Therefore, no attention is paid to spiritual
development. This clearly manifests itself in the excessive attention that is being
given to sports, music, dancing, drama, etc. Religion has no impact on people's
behaviour or on politics and systems of life. Religion has become a mere ritual
according to this contemporary civilisation and war has been set up between it
and science, and between body and soul. In these ideologies, there is no place
for Allaah - the only recognised deities are statues and images. When any of
these people carry out religious rites, it is to follow prevalent customs and
traditions and nothing more. It is in
view of this that brutality and violence have become the order of the day
because many people no longer have any respect for Allaah and have become
heedless of the Hereafter.
Brethren in Islaam! It is incumbent upon us to have
a sincere and serious review of our own actions so that justice and truth will reign
and falsehood be annihilated. The world is in need of a merciful system and
policies that will promote justice and eradicate all weapons of mass
destruction. It is in need of a structure that will have real respect for human
rights and will guarantee for all people the right of self-determination,
freedom and tranquillity. It is in need of a system that will put an end to
colonisation and all types of hegemony and subjugation. It is in need of a
system that will restore the rights of the oppressed and punish the oppressor
appropriately, for fairness cannot be achieved through injustice nor can
security be achieved through fear. The sense of revenge must give way to
dialogue and mutual understanding. The countries of the world are in dire need
of cooperation and unity in order to reside in peace and this is what the wise and
sincere, who want the best for humanity, should call unto. If they fail to do
so, then the weak will only continue to weaken further.
Nevertheless, history has shown us examples of civilisations
and nations that have risen and fallen as well as that of communities that have
persevered, resisted the aggression of devilish nations and therefore survived
and flourished, for all affairs belong to Allaah. He says that which means: “… And those who have wronged are going to know to what
[kind of] return they will be returned.” (Ash-Shu‘araa: 227) and also: “And
We had certainly established them in such as We have
not established you, and We made for them hearing and vision and hearts [i.e.,
intellect]. But their hearing and vision and hearts availed them not from
anything [of the punishment] when they were [continually] rejecting the signs
of Allaah; and they were enveloped by what they used to ridicule.” (Al-Ahqaaf: 26)
When one reflects over the crises that Islaam has
undergone throughout its long history, it will be clear that despite the civilisation,
light, justice and fairness that nations and communities enjoyed under the rule
of Islaam, these crises significantly weakened the Islaamic
civilisation in a way that has been a cause of joy for its enemies. However, these
crises do have positive aspects; they have re-awakened the Muslims, afforded
them the opportunity to examine themselves and created in them stronger
determination and hope. Therefore, the multitudes of persecutions that afflict
the Muslims today are but harbingers of a bright future for them. An example of
this was what happened to the Muslims in the
Having established that whatever evil has afflicted
the Muslims is the result of their own deeds, there is certainty that they
possess strong spiritual values that are embodied in the Book of Allaah and the
Sunnah of His Messenger sallallaahu
'alayhi wa
sallam in which they believe and upon which they
stand. These two measures are the criteria for identifying all points of
deviation and it is by them that the Muslim nation will be able to rectify its
situation and rise again against all the odds – by the will of Allaah.
The Islamic Law is the Muslim’s source of strength
and immunity during ideological crises. Despite the fact that invading modern
trends have achieved great success worldwide, the Islaamic
world and its societies, regardless of all their sufferings, are by the will of
Allaah united in resisting this invasion. Islaam is the religion of truth and is
firmly rooted among the Muslim societies.
Although, the Muslims do not reject anything new
which is beneficial, they refuse to subscribe to the notion that these invading
trends are the only ideal way of life that must be universally adhered to.
Muslims are open-minded people who welcome any progress that brings benefit for
mankind; they are not enemies of science, technology or beneficial civilization.
However, Islaam will never accept being subordinate to or melt into any other
cultures or civilizations as many other religions and cultures have done, for
Islaam is the protected and everlasting religion of Allaah.
Moreover, it is a source of honour and pride that
Islaam, through its creed, law and culture, has provided for mankind that which
other civilizations have failed to. Muslims are therefore capable of overcoming
their problems and settling their differences with the help of Allaah. They
should therefore strive to understand the reality of their religion and the
nature of their message so as to be able to fulfil their responsibility towards
themselves and humanity in general, bearing in mind the saying of Allaah which
means: “…Indeed, Allaah will not change the
condition of a people until they change what is in themselves…” (Ar-Ra‘d: 11)