Dear Brothers and Sisters!

The house of Al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam, one of the pioneers among the companions of Prophet Muhammad (saw), became a place for Islamic preaching during the initial phase of the prophethood. Due to the increasing oppression and pressure from the polytheists of Mecca, the Prophet chose this house in Mecca as his residence. Here, he taught religious knowledge to the companions, invited people to Islam, recited the revealed verses to them and prayed together with them. As a result of the Prophet’s activities in this house, many individuals embraced Islam, including Omar (ra), who accepted Islam here. This house, which became the centre for inviting people to goodness and righteousness in the history of Islam, was named after Arqam (ra) and was called Daarul Arqam. 

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

In Islamic culture, homes where religious discussions take place are considered as branches of Daarul Arqam. These houses hosting such discussions are seen as torches enlightening people’s hearts. In this aspect, each Muslim’s home is regarded as a place similar to a mosque. Allah (swt) has stated, “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.”[1]

In these challenging times, just as the Prophet (saw) and his companions did, we should stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters. We should continue the Arqam (House) gatherings, seeking closeness to Allah (swt) through patience, prayer and seeking refuge and aid from Him. Especially during these times when our oppressed brothers and sisters, particularly in places like Palestine, are looking to us for help, we need to prioritise prayers and solidarity. Undoubtedly, the best opportunity for this is through collective morning prayers and Arqam gatherings.

As the Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever fulfills the needs of their Muslim brother, Allah will fulfill their needs. Whoever relieves a Muslim of distress, Allah will relieve them of one of the distresses of the Day of Resurrection. Whoever covers the faults of a Muslim, Allah will cover their faults on the Day of Judgment.”[2]

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

The whole world, for 40 days now, has condemned a handful of people to slaughter, death, oblivion, hunger and being buried alive. This handful of people did not grant them the right to live. They denied them the right to breathe, to be free. Mothers, fathers, sentenced to bury their murdered children one after another at gravesides, condemned them. The whole world turned its back on human dignity, honour, the right to existence and all human values. Never in history has such a weak world been seen that inflicts these on the children of Adam, bringing humanity to ground zero. While some individuals strive to keep humanity alive, the inadequacy or indifference of states, leaders, international organisations against this human tragedy has erased all legitimacy measures, being blind and deaf to this.

If the whole world is like this today, the future of humanity is concerning. This course must be stopped now and the future of humanity must not be destroyed. According to United Nations sources, in just 40 days, the number of children killed in Gaza exceeds 5,000. Now, besides those who perish due to bombings, people are dying in hospitals due to lack of medication or being dependent on machines without electricity. Babies in incubators are being sentenced to death before the eyes of the whole world because a sterile environment cannot be provided. This disproportionate atrocity, disproportionate war, must be stopped. We must prevent oppression before humanity is completely destroyed.

May Allah (swt) allow us to be of those who prevent oppression, by adhering to justice and fairness.

Let’s conclude the khutba with a dua: “O Allah! Grant us mercy from Your presence, and facilitate for us salvation and reaching the path of righteousness in the situation we are in.”[3] Ameen.

[1] Surah An-Nur, 24:36-38

[2] Müslim, Birr, 68

[3] Surah Al-Kahf, 18:10

Khutba: The Architect of The Lecture Circles: Al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam