Honorable Muslims!
Our sublime religion, Islam, commands that we participate in good and helpful activities in all aspects of our life. It urges us, in line with our reason for being, to conduct good actions in addition to having faith. It advises us that we stay away from affairs that cause loss of time and labor and serve no purpose for our life in this world and in the Hereafter. In this respect, the believers who will attain salvation are described in the Holy Qur’an as follows: “By time, indeed, mankind is in a loss. Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.”[１]
Dear Believers!
Our Lord (swt) states in the Holy Qur’an as follows, “And indeed, [appointed] over you are keepers. Noble and recording. They know whatever you do. Indeed, the righteous will be in pleasure, And indeed, the wicked will be in Hellfire.“[２]
So, let us our lives be a reflection of our religion. Let us prepare for the Day of Resurrection when Allah the Almighty (swt) will address every one of us as follows:
“Read your record! Sufficient is yourself against you this Day as accountant.”[３] Let us invest our life capital in the pursuit of the good and in the quest of the pleasure of our Lord (swt). Let us endeavor to conduct good things that will benefit our lives in this world and in the Hereafter. May our inner and outer selves comply with one another, our attitudes and deeds be beneficent, and our destination be Heaven. I would like to conclude this Friday’s khutbah with the following invocation from the Prophet Muhammad (saw): “O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the knowledge that is of no benefit, a heart that is not humble, a soul that is not satisfied. and a supplication that is not heard.”[４]
[１] ‘Asr, 103/1-3.
[２] ‘Infitar, 82/10-14.
[３] ‘Isra, 17/14.
[４] Muslim, Dhikr, 73.