Jum'ah Khutbah by Sh. Abdul Hadi

The Adhān

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah.
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
Come to Prayer. Come to Prayer.
Come to success. Come to success.
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
There is no god but Allah.

Du'ā: The Essence of Worship

Dear brothers and sisters, du'ā — asking Allah's help, making supplication and praying — is one of the orders of Allah. Because du'ā is considered the essence of ibādah.

Du'ā is a strong and powerful weapon for a Muslim and can act as the spiritual treatment for any problem. This applies to all people because we are all weak and we all need the help of someone. As believers, we make du'ā to Allah to ask for His help.

We are weak and needy, and all power belongs to Allah. Therefore, we have to ask Allah. We have to worship Allah alone.

As Allah says in Sūrah Fāṭir, verse 15:

"O mankind, you are those in need of Allah, while Allah is the free of need." He does not need any help, but we all need. Those who do not ask for the help of Allah will be considered as arrogant. And Allah does not like those people who do not ask Him, who do not make du'ā.

As Allah says in Sūrah Ghāfir, verse 60:

"And your Lord says, 'Call upon Me; I will respond to you.' Indeed, those who are arrogant about My worship will enter Hell with their mouths open." This is a promise by Allah. If we make du'ā, Allah will respond. If we make du'ā, Allah will accept it.

The Prophets and Their Du'ā

The greatest and most selected of mankind were the Prophets sent by Allah. And they used to ask Allah for help in all matters, regardless of the nature of the problem — whether personal or social. They used to ask Allah.

Starting from Ādam and Ḥawwā (alaihimas-salām). They made this du'ā which you can read in Sūrah Al-A'rāf:

"Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers."

And even in personal matters, the Prophet would turn to Allah. The great Prophet Ibrāhīm (alaihis-salām) and another Prophet Zakariyyā (alaihis-salām) had no children. You can see in Sūrah Aṣ-Ṣāffāt, Sūrah Āl-'Imrān, and Sūrah Maryam how they are asking Allah's blessing and mercy for this purpose. Ibrāhīm (alaihis-salām) made du'ā for children and was granted Ismā'īl and Isḥāq (alaihimas-salām). And Zakariyyā (alaihis-salām) was granted Yaḥyā (alaihis-salām).

And if you read Sūrah Al-Anbiyā', you will find there are many Prophets — like Ayyūb (alaihis-salām), who was suffering from a very painful physical disease. He turned to Allah to ask for a cure, as mentioned in Sūrah Al-Anbiyā', verse 83:

"Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful." And Allah responded to him and removed his problem.

And similarly, Yūnus (alaihis-salām), another great Prophet. In the same Sūrah, Sūrah Al-Anbiyā', verse 87, when he was swallowed by the whale, the situation was very, very hopeless. But he was a great Prophet — he kept his faith in Allah and made du'ā. And Allah accepted his du'ā.

"There is no god but You. Exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers."

And according to hadīth, if we are in a problem and sincerely recite this du'ā, Allah will remove that problem:

The Lesson from the Prophets

These are examples — just a few examples — of the great Prophets of their time. They were selected by Allah for a noble cause. These great Prophets were leaders of the people. But whenever they faced a problem, they turned towards Allah. There is a great lesson in this for all of us.

If the Prophets — Ādam, Ibrāhīm, 'Īsā, Mūsā, Ayyūb, Yūnus, including our Prophet Muḥammad (alaihimus-ṣalātu was-salām) — turned to Allah and showed their humbleness, what do you think about ourselves?

Two things emerge from this. Number one: the Prophets could not remove their problems by their own will, whenever they wanted. They could not get anything whenever they wanted. They had to wait for the mercy of Allah. And second: they used to turn to Allah. They used to ask Allah's help. So du'ā is the only true source.

The Danger of Ta'wīz and False Claims

Unfortunately, some Muslims today believe that there are certain individuals who have the power to resolve their problems. Those people make false claims that they can solve any problem — even within a certain time they make these challenges. They sell their ta'wīz (amulets), and people who believe in this purchase their ta'wīz to remove their problems. They wear ta'wīz. They try to keep them in their homes, believing that this will bring them blessings and solve their problems.

Just stop and think. Ibrāhīm (alaihis-salām) and Zakariyyā (alaihis-salām) could not get children by themselves. Do you think a ta'wīz can grant you children? And Ayyūb (alaihis-salām) was a great Prophet suffering from a painful physical condition — do you think the ta'wīz seller is better than Ayyūb (alaihis-salām)? Do you think the man selling a ta'wīz for 5 pounds, 10 pounds, or 20 pounds has greater spiritual power than the Prophets? That he is more respected and more sacred than the Prophets?

How many of our respected sisters have hidden their ta'wīz under their beds? How many of our respected brothers are wearing red threads and black threads on their hands, thinking they will get rid of their problems through this? Where has our faith gone? Where has our belief gone? Should this be the faith of a Muslim? We need to think about this.

We have to make du'ā and ask Allah alone. Allah is the Lord of the worlds. He is the One who listens to everyone. Whoever prays with sincerity — it is Allah's promise that He will accept it. There can be doubt on the promise of me and you, but there can be no doubt on the promise of the Lord of the worlds.

Three Categories of People Who Make Du'ā

We can divide people who make du'ā into three categories:

The first are those who make du'ā only as a formality. The second are those who do not make du'ā at all — they don't want to ask Allah. And third — and unfortunately they are very, very few — are those who are serious people and make du'ā as it should truly be made.

Du'ā is an act of ibādah. Du'ā should not be made just as a routine, without understanding what you are asking, to Whom you want to ask, and how you are going to ask.

The Conditions and Etiquettes of Du'ā

1. Ikhlāṣ — Sincerity

The first thing in du'ā is ikhlāṣ — sincerity. Pray with sincerity. Pray with attention. Concentrate and pray.

2. Firm Belief that Allah Will Accept

The second thing is that we should sincerely and firmly believe that Allah will accept our du'ā. As the Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, call upon Allah and be certain of the answer, and know that Allah does not accept the du'ā of a heart that is heedless and inattentive.

(Sunan al-Tirmidhī, Hadīth 3479)

Remember, Allah will not accept the du'ā from a person who is careless, or from a person who says, "I made du'ā but Allah did not accept it." There are levels of approval of du'ā. Sometimes you will get exactly what you are asking for. And sometimes you will get something better than what you asked for, because Allah — who is ʿAlīm ul-Ghayb (the Knower of the unseen) — knows what is better for us.

3. Lawful Sources of Income

The third thing — which is very serious — is our sources of income. Whatever we are eating or drinking, this is a major factor in the acceptance of du'ā. We have to check our sources of income — whether they are from ḥarām or from ḥalāl.

According to Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, the Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) mentioned a person surrounded by difficulties, hard times and problems, stretching out his hands and saying, "O Lord!" — but his du'ā is rejected. Why? Because his food is from ḥarām, his drink is from ḥarām, his clothes are from ḥarām. How can Allah accept his du'ā?

(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Hadīth 1015)

Therefore, we must make sure our sources of income are ḥalāl, so that our du'ā can be accepted. We need to think about our money — what we eat at home, how we eat, how we earn. If it is from ḥarām, then the du'ā is not accepted. It is rejected.

Special Times and Places for Du'ā

There are certain times and places where if a person makes du'ā, Allah will accept it. As the Messenger of Allah (ṣallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, there are three supplications that are accepted — there is no doubt about them:

(Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Hadīth 1536; Sunan Ibn Mājah, Hadīth 3862)

The du'ā of the oppressed — beware of the du'ā of the oppressed, for there is no veil between it and Allah. The du'ā of the traveler. And the du'ā of a father for or against his child. Beware of these. These are very serious matters.

During Tahajjud Prayer

One of the best times for du'ā is during Tahajjud — the night prayer. If we make du'ā at this time, the du'ā will be accepted.

During Friday

Similarly, on Friday there is a certain special time. If a person makes du'ā during this period, Allah will accept it.

During Travel

And a traveler — if he makes du'ā, Allah will accept it. During a journey, perhaps you have noticed many brothers and sisters who, when flying, are watching movies, dramas and many other wasteful things. This is a very, very important and crucial time. If you try to understand and make it useful — read Qur'an, read du'ā, do dhikr of Allah — this is a very important time, a time of acceptance of du'ā.

Specific Occasions for Du'ā

Ṣalāt Al-Janāzah (Funeral Prayer)

There are supplications recommended by the Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) that we have to remember and perform with understanding. For example: the du'ā of janāzah — the funeral prayer. How many of us actually remember what to read during ṣalāt al-janāzah? And after the burial?

The Companions used to stand at the grave for a very long time, asking forgiveness for that person — as long as it would take to slaughter a camel and distribute the meat. Because this is a very delicate time for the deceased. This grave can be the cradle of paradise for him, or it can be a pit of hell. Yet we are trying to attend ṣalāt al-janāzah as a routine — or to please someone, not to please Allah.

Even when you go and visit the graveyard, you may see how people are talking there. They don't try to benefit from that moment. They are not ready to make du'ā for that person — their brother or sister. Even in the graveyard, they don't want to be serious.

When Someone Departs for Travel

And if someone is asking your permission to travel, or he came to see you before departing, you should also make du'ā for that person.

Du'ā of Istikhhārah

And the du'ā of istikhārah — if you have an important matter to decide, do istikhārah. How are we going to do istikhārah? What du'ā are we reading? Because the Prophet (ṣallallāhu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to teach the Companions the du'ā of istikhārah, yet very few brothers remember this du'ā and actually do it.

When Visiting Someone's Home

And when someone invites you and you go to visit his house, there is a du'ā for that occasion.

When Visiting the Sick

And similarly, if you visit any patient — in hospital or wherever he is — there are certain du'ās for that occasion too.

There are many such occasions. We have to remember these du'ās. We have to learn them with understanding. And try to teach your children these du'ās as well.

The Response of Allah to His Servants

As Allah says:

"And when My servants ask you concerning Me — indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me and believe in Me that they may be guided."

Conclusion

So my point here is: du'ā is a strong weapon for a believer. We have to learn du'ā. We have to be serious in du'ā. And we have to ask Allah's help, because we are all in need of Allah's help.

Du'ā is a sign of faith in Allah. Du'ā is a weapon for a Muslim. Du'ā is the base and the life of worship. Du'ā is the manifestation of humility. Du'ā is the recognition of Allah's greatness.

Do not pray as a routine. Pray with the depth of your heart. Your words may be broken, but if you pray with sincerity, Allah will accept it. He is the Lord of the worlds. He listens to everyone.

May Allah give us all the tawfīq and ability for understanding and following the best in Islam. May Allah enable us all to understand and to act. Āmīn.

Announcements

Just a few announcements. Firstly, please donate generously on your way out. This masjid relies on the will of Allah and your financial support, so that we can keep providing activities for the community.

Tonight's Urdu lecture will take place after Ishā' Ṣalāh, inshā'Allah.

The New Muslim Brothers Monthly Meal will be held tonight at 6 o'clock in the Old Library. Entrance is via door H1. All New Muslim Brothers are invited to attend.

A new series of lectures — End of Days: The Major Signs of the Hour — will start this Saturday after Ishā'. The first lecture is entitled The Mahdī and will be delivered by our Shaykh Aḥsan Ḥanīf, inshā'Allah.

Young Umar Boys Youth Club has been cancelled until further notice.

IslamWise Academy classes for New Muslim Brothers are held every Sunday at 2pm sharp. The class covers Islamic studies for New Muslims.

Our food bank service urgently requires food donations. We are currently running low on cooking sauces, nappies, soup, coffee and ketchup. Please leave your donations during office hours at the masjid reception. We are also looking to recruit volunteers to help with running this service. Please leave your details at the office.

We have received a number of requests for du'ās, so please make du'ā for those in need.

Once again, please donate generously on your way out. Jazākumullāhu Khayran. Wa bārakallāhu fīkum.