Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him), who was honoured by the light of Islam at a young age, had the privilege of being one of the first Muslims to respond to the call of the Prophet (saw). At that time, the spread of Islam was still done in secret, and the believers had to act cautiously to protect themselves from the persecution of the polytheists. Muslims needed a safe place where they could come together, learn knowledge and worship. It was during this period that Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) made a great sacrifice, saying, ‘My house is your house, O Messenger of Allah!’ and dedicated his home to Islam. Thus, the house of Arqam, located at the foot of Safa Hill, close to the Kaaba but in a discreet location, became a centre where Muslims gathered, worshipped and spread Islam. In this house, believers learned the Book of Allah, strengthened their faith under the guidance of the Messenger of Allah (saw), and reinforced their bonds of brotherhood. This house became the first school and madrasa where the light of Islam spread.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

One of the greatest virtues of Dâr al-Arqam is that many of the prominent companions were honoured with faith in this blessed house. Companions such as Hamza and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) embraced faith in this house and played significant roles in the spread and practice of Islam. Our Prophet (saw) taught the Qur’an to his companions in this house, conveyed the newly revealed verses and strengthened their faith. 

Dâr al-Arqam, in this blessed atmosphere, became a centre where Muslims reinforced their faith, experienced the best example of spreading goodness and strengthened their bonds of brotherhood. Our beloved Prophet (saw) also gave glad tidings about the virtue of circles of knowledge and conversation, saying: “Whenever a group of people gathers in one of Allah’s houses to recite the Book of Allah and study it among themselves, tranquillity descends upon them, mercy envelops them, angels surround them, and Allah mentions them among those who are with Him.”  With this hadith, our Prophet (saw) beautifully expressed the immense value of circles of knowledge and conversation and how such gatherings are graced by Allah’s mercy.

Dear Jama’ah!

One of the most important duties we have today is to keep alive this valuable tradition passed down to us from Dâr al-Arqam. It is important to connect with our brothers and sisters, to be concerned with their problems and to learn our religion. As the Islamic Community Millî Görüş, we have continued this blessed legacy since the day we were established, turning our homes into circles of knowledge and conversation. Every Muslim should dedicate their home to the service of Islam, just like Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him), by gathering with their neighbours and community to read the Book of Allah, learn the Sunnah of our Prophet (saw), and persist in this tradition with determination. Today is a great opportunity to revive and maintain noble traditions like the Dâr al-Arqam gatherings. As the verse I recited at the beginning of my khutba states, ‘You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah,’ in accordance with this verse, to be a righteous nation, we must spread goodness, forbid evil and transform our homes into places of knowledge and worship, like Dâr al-Arqam. Let us not forget that our homes should not just be places of shelter, but also places where Allah is remembered, where the Qur’an is recited and where knowledge brightens. 

May Allah (swt) make us among the self-sacrificing servants of Islam, like Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him), and fill our homes with faith, knowledge and mercy. May Allah’s mercy, forgiveness and blessings be upon you all!

¹ Müslim, Zikr 38

² Surah Âl-i İmrân, 3:11

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