Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Man, the most honourable creature created by Allah (swt), cannot live alone. By nature, we are social beings. The continuation of our existence in a healthy way is possible if our social relations are healthy. Starting from family life, as it is a part of the social relations network in all areas of life. The situation is no different in terms of religious and spiritual life. Especially our religion, Islam, shapes our social life with principles and values. One of the most important of these is undoubtedly social unity. Bara ibn. Azib (r.a.), one of the companions of Rasulullah (saw), said: “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) ordered us to do seven things. He ordered us: to follow the funeral procession. to visit the sick, to accept invitations, to help the oppressed, to fulfill the oaths, to return the greeting and to reply to the one who sneezes.”[1] It is obvious that these seven commands are related to the regulation of our social relations.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Allah (swt) created us in need of one another. Being alone encourages mental disorders. In modern psychology, it is stated that one of the main causes of depression is loneliness. Of course, it is wrong to pursue casual intimacy in order not to be alone. The character and morals of each of us will reflect the average of the five people we interact with. For this reason, the question of where we meet our need for social relations and solidarity is of great importance. Mosques should be at the centre of the social relations and solidarity network of a conscious Muslim. The Quran mentions; “And [He revealed] that the masjids are for Allah, so do not invoke with Allah anyone.”[2]

Dear Jama’ah!

Mosques are not just places where Allah (swt) is praised, and five daily prayers are performed. Our mosques are places where the Muslim identity is formed and preserved. They are places where mutual aid and communication takes place among Muslims. It is an environment where believers try to cure each other’s problems and brotherhood is experienced. They are also educational institutions where religious and cultural education activities take place for everyone of all ages. It is the place where aid for the oppressed in the world is organised. For this reason, mosques are not only places of worship but also centres of religious and social life for the Islamic Ummah.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

We should organise to meet with people at mosques instead. Rasulullah (saw) said, “When you see a man who makes a habit of going to mosques, testify that he is a true believer.”[3] We should come to the mosques regularly. We should remember that the mosques are the safest places for us. In addition, we should construct more mosques and revive our generations at these mosques. Allah (swt) mentions in the Quran, “The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day and establish prayer and give zakah and do not fear except Allah, for it is expected that those will be of the [rightly] guided.”^[4]

May Allah (swt) make us among the believers who take care of their mosques and come together for solidarity with our brothers and sisters. Ameen!

[1] Buhârî, İsti’zân, 8

[2] Surah Al-Jinn, 72:18

[3] İbn Mâce, Mesâcid, 19

[4] Surah At-Tawbah, 9:18

Khutba: The Address of Social Solidarity: Mosques