Dear Brothers and Sisters!

The most basic virtue of a Muslim is to submit their thoughts, Nafs and themselves to Allah (swt). For a believer, the only criterion that determines the difference between right and wrong, good and evil, good deeds and sins is the Wahi [Revelation]. Of course, no one is innocent; except the Prophets and therefore it is within the human nature to fall into sin. However, a Mu’min [A Believer] does not repeat sinning and never accepts the wrong to be right. Rather, a Mu’min will fix their mistakes and repent to Allah (swt). Allah (swt) clearly shows us in the Quran the true meaning of submitting to him. Allah (swt) says; “It is not for a believing man or believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.”[1]

Dear Jama’ah!

In a time where we are exposed to all kinds of ideas, ideologies and thoughts, it is crucial that we regularly review our lives. We must remember this saying, “If you don’t live what you believe, you will end up believing what you live” and we must ask ourselves “Do I live by my faith? Or did I start to believe according to my lifestyle”. Thus, we must adjust our lives according to our Deen.
This is important within our family relationships, work life, during trade, the way we dress, our diet, and even the way we use social media. If our lives are not suitable to the way of Allah (swt) and we are prisoners of our own Nafs, then we should remember these two Ayahs, “And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.”[2] “Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his hear and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?”[3]

My dear Brothers and Sisters!

Our Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “A wise person is the one who draws his soul into account and works for that which is after death. And the helpless is the one who follows his own whims then indulges in wishful thinking about Allah”[4] The purpose of taking ourselves into account is not only to fulfil the orders of Allah (swt), but to tame our Nafs to embrace the principles of the Deen. As Rasulullah (swt) said: “None of you believes (fully) until his desire follows that which I have brought.”[5]

May Allah (swt) prevent us from being enslaved to our Nafs and allow us to train our Nafs to embrace and love his commands. Ameen.

[1] Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:36

[2] Surah Al-Qasas, 28:50

[3] Surah Al-Jathiyah, 45:23

[4] Tirmizî, Kıyâme, 25, H.No: 2459

[5] Kitâbü’l-Hücce, Bkz. Nevevî, Erbaûn, H.No: 41

 

Khutba-“Do Not Glorify Your Desires and Temptations!”