Dear Brothers and Sisters!

We have experienced the blessed month of Ramadan, an important opportunity to become a pious and complete believer by adhering to the commands of our noble religion, Islam, avoiding forbidden acts and sins. We have celebrated Eid and made every effort to elevate our awareness of servitude to the highest level. However, even though the month of Ramadan has ended, our servitude and worship should continue throughout our lifetime. As stated in the verse we recited at the beginning of this khutba, Allah (swt) commands: “O people! Worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, so that you may become righteous!”[1] A Muslim should not limit their responsibilities and obligations only to the month of Ramadan. With the end of Ramadan, one should not throw away their spiritual life and gains like removing a garment, only to clothe themselves in carelessness. As a thinker put it: Hajj begins when one returns from Mecca, prayer begins when one leaves the mosque and fasting begins when Ramadan ends. In other words, the good habits we acquire are meant for life after Ramadan.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Let us make every effort with sincerity and devotion to earn the pleasure of Allah (swt) by adhering to His commands and prohibitions. Just as we were attentive in performing our prayers in congregation at the mosque during Ramadan, let us continue this commitment with the same care. Let us maintain our recitation of the Qur’an and continue assisting those in need without interruption. We should not neglect visiting the sick, our relatives, neighbours and friends.

Let us support our mosques and communities, always preserving our unity and togetherness. Let us always be unifiers, never dividers.

We must not deprive ourselves and our families of the spiritual atmosphere of our mosques and community gatherings.

Dear Jama’ah!

Let us strive to make our awareness of servitude to our Allah (swt) prevail in every moment and aspect of our lives, in both our words and actions. Let us stay away from any words, attitudes and behaviours that damage our Muslim identity and dignity or conflict with human honour. Let us not forget that what will prosper our worldly life, make our Hereafter a paradise, and earn us the pleasure of Allah (swt) is our faith, righteous deeds, good character and sense of responsibility. Our faith and belief in Allah are the true signs of our submission to Him. Our acts of worship, which are obligations of servitude, keep our faith alive and our good character helps us elevate in faith. Therefore, let us properly perform our acts of worship, which bring peace to our hearts, contentment to our souls and blessings to our lives, and let us continue them throughout our lifetime. Let us adhere to the halal and haram principles commanded by our religion. Let us strive to reflect Islamic ethics in our words, attitudes and behaviours. As mentioned in last Friday’s khutba, let us not neglect the Shawwal fast, which our Prophet (saw) recommended and which, when observed, brings the reward of a year of fasting.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Let us continue to uphold the qualities we embraced during the blessed month of Ramadan; piety, justice, morality, kindness, mercy and honesty; and strengthen our unity, solidarity and brotherhood. Let us avoid all forms of evil, such as lying, backbiting, gossip, slander and suspicion. Let us conclude with the meaning of the hadith we recited at the beginning of this khutba: It was narrated from our mother Aisha (r.a.) that the Messenger of Allah (saw) was asked, “Which deeds are most beloved to Allah?” The Messenger of Allah (saw) replied, “Those that are consistent, even if they are small.”[2]

May your Jumah be blessed. May Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, grace and kindness be upon you. Ameen.

[1] Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:21

[2] Müslim, Müsâfirîn, 216

Khutba – Continuing the state of Fasting