Downloadables Khutbahs
for Friday Prayers

 Each one of us is a leader and assumes a leadership role, whether in our families, among colleagues and friends, or to anyone else who look at us for good examples through our actions. It is thus important for us to be aware of this role that we play, whether consciously or otherwise.

 Good relations which arise from the unity in faith, will give rise to a desire and willingness on our part to sacrifice for the good and welfare of others. This is shown to us by our Prophet s.a.w. and his companions in the city of Madinah, after the migration of the Prophet, where the Ansar and Muhajirin were united. The good relationship established between them gave rise to a community and ummah ready to sacrifice for the sake of his brother, and such unity strengthened further Muslims.

Our parents are truly invaluable; their worth can never be measured. As seen in the verse just recited, parents are of such importance that they are placed immediately after? worship to Allah s.w.t. Allah s.w.t. has strictly forbidden us going against our parents, as long as they do not ask us to transgress God’s way.

 We should educate our children from young, and not leave making mistakes without advising them. It will become increasingly more difficult to correct a person when he has grown up. Our beloved Prophet s.a.w. advised children who had done wrong by pointing out their mistakes, and he did so with compassion and kindness.

 That is why, in Islam, everything that we do that is good and beneficial is considered as an ibadah, a form of worship, as long as that deed does not go against the teachings of Islam. In Islam, worship is not limited to prayers, zikir and rituals. All the good deeds that we do, when done with sincerity and in accordance to the teachings of Islam, is also a form of worship.

 There are many things we can do to ensure the success of our family in this world and the hereafter. Other than obtaining permissible and good sources of income, we also need to be wise in managing that income, more so in this uncertain times. Everyone of us need to have a sound financial plan, in order to prevent financial difficulties, especially debt.

 One of the key factors for a successful and happy family is a stable source of income earned from a good and lawful job. Such an income or rizq will be further blessed by Allah if the leader of the family goes out and work with meticulousness (itqan), utmost responsibility and commitment (iltizam) to his work.

 Alhamdulillah, Islam inculcates in us values and teachings that will lead to our safety and prosperity if we follow them. The first step is cleanliness. For this also, Islam makes cleanliness as part of our Iman (Faith). Muslims are required to cleanse both their physical and spiritual selves.  Isn’t wudhu’ a requirement before prayers (solat) and that we must wash body parts like our hands during wudhu’? Doesn’t the Prophet s.a.w. encourage us to cleanse our mouth and teeth before prayers? Doesn’t Islam teach us to eat food which is only halal and good? We are also required to make sure our working and living environments are clean. These steps will help us prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu virus.

 Islam emphasises the importance of maintaining a harmonious and happy family life. A happy and successful family is the key to the success of each member of the family, especially children. We often hear of social problems affecting our young. A lot of social problems are closely linked to the weakness of the family institution.

 We are also accountable for all these blessings from Allah. They are not for our own benefit alone, but we have a social responsibility, in that we must share these blessings and offer them to those in greater need, in both easy and difficult times. The act of giving at all times and in all conditions is a praiseworthy act

 As Muslims, we must remain strong and resilient in facing any challenge. As the challenge gets tougher, we should remain stronger, more united and develop more compassion and love among us in our strive to continue doing good. Let us reflect upon a very beautiful saying of the Prophet s.a.w. in which the Prophet praised a community from Yaman named the Al-Asy’aariyyun, for how they dealt with their common challenges.

 The companions of the Prophet s.a.w. had also volunteered their services and contributed tirelessly in the path of spreading goodness and calling others to Islam. We know of how they came together to build the Quba’ mosque in Madinah without any pay nor worldly reward. Al-Arqam bin Abi al-Arqam also offered the use of his house for the Prophet s.a.w to spread Islam in Makkah without any payment for such use. The Holy Quran and Prophetic traditions tell us of many other stories and examples of volunteerism.

 The spirit of competing to do good and contributing is part of our Muslim identity. The Prophet s.a.w encouraged this noble deed, to the extent that he asked of us to contribute when we are in hardship.

 One of the blessings which we, mankind, always take for granted, is our health, both physical and mental health. It is good health that helps us go to work, study and worship Allah s.w.t. calmly and peacefully. Without good health, we may even lose the ability to work and lose our source of income.

 Our beloved Prophet s.a.w. is known by all to have brought about a profound and significant change to this world. His message brought a shining hope to mankind. It changed the way mankind look at the world and understand their lives on earth. The Prophet came at a time when the world did not treat a slave as a human being. But he changed all that.

 We are still in the month of Rabiulawal. Let us refresh our practice of Islam, by appreciating the beauty of the life of the Prophet s.a.w. Let us enlighten our minds by learning from the teachings and values of the Prophet. Let us also brighten our rituals and acts by learning from the profoundness of the Prophet’s rituals.

 This marked the moment the Prophet began to strive day and night to bring goodness after goodness, to lay down the seeds of mercy and compassion, to purify man’s relationship with his Creator, and to harmonise man’s relationship with fellow mankind.

 
We need effective approaches in overcoming any challenge. We need to critically analyse the source of problems. Why do they occur in the first place? In addressing any challenge, we need to work out long term measures, and not to provide temporary solutions.

 Taqwa and confidence will bring about a positive impact to our lives, whether in our religious practices, in our behaviour and personality, as well as in our relationship with others.