Dear Brothers and Sisters!

In Islam, which was sent for the well-being of humanity, the superiority of people is not measured by ancestry, family, status or position.

Allah (swt) says, “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allāh is the most righteous of you.”[1] He declared that superiority is only with Taqwa. Being the best example to all of humanity, our Prophet (saw) said, “The most superior people in my eyes are those who have Taqwa, no matter who they are and whatever rank and position they hold.”[2] He stated that the main criterion in the grading of people could be none other than Taqwa

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Great Islamic scholars generally gave the meaning of “fear of Allah” to Taqwa. Although the word Taqwa includes the meaning of fear, it does not mean to be afraid of something terrible, but to refrain from hurting the heart of a loved one, and a sensitivity to respect and responsibility towards the Creator. In this context, we have had respected scholars who explained Taqwa with the words “consciousness of the responsibilities towards Allah”. The awareness of responsibility towards Allah (swt), is realised by obeying Allah and trying to gain His approval and avoid His punishment. When we evaluate the word Taqwa in this way, the meanings to have the consciousness of servitude and to have Taqwa become similar. It is an important duty of every believer to try to have Taqwa. The Quran mentions, “O you who have believed, fear Allāh as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].”[3]

Dear Jama’ah!

In Islam, people are not respected because of their worldly status and rank. Even if a man becomes the ruler of the world, the place he will eventually enter is two square meters of land. If he were as rich as Qarun, he would leave all his existence when the day comes. We should not forget that youth and beauty are temporary. Believers who are aware of the truth of life are not deceived by the colours and ornaments of the passing world.
Allah (swt) says, “O children of Adam, We have bestowed upon you clothing to conceal your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness – that is best. That is from the signs of Allāh that perhaps they will remember.”[4] Real dignity and honour are not the positions in the society, but our value in the eyes of Allah (swt).

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Abdullah (b. Masud) narrated that our Prophet (saw) said, “O Allah, I ask you for guidance, piety, chastity and wealth of heart. ”[5] Let’s not forget that this world is temporary and the hereafter is eternal. Let us strive to have Taqwa to receive Allah’s forgiveness and attain His eternal Paradise.

May Allah (swt) make us one of His content servants who have Taqwa to be the conscious servant. Ameen!

[1] Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13

[2] İbn Hanbel, V, 236

[3] Surah Âl-i İmrân, 3:102

[4] Surah Al-A’râf, 7:26

[5] Müslim, Zikir, 72

Superiority Is Only With Taqwa