Praise be to Allah. We praise Him, seek His Help and seek His Forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our souls, and the adverse consequences of our deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides, there is none that can misguide him, and whomsoever He misguides, you will find no protector to guide him. I bear witness that there is no Deity worthy of worship except Allah; He is Alone, having no partners, and I admit His Lordship, compelling this truth for those who denied Him and disbelieved in Him. And I bear witness that our Master Muhammad, may Allah have peace and blessings upon him, is the Messenger of Allah; the Master of the created and the human race, and I keep professing that for as long as sight can be seen with an eye and for as long as news can be heard with an ear.
The 1st Khutbah:
O Allah, our Lord, have peace and blessings upon our Master Muhammad, his Folks, his Companions, his descendants and those who allied with him and followed him until the Day of Judgment.
Allah Almighty says:
﴾ So the roots of the people who did wrong were cut off. And all the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns, and all that exists). ﴿
The bitter truth is better than the comforting illusion:
Dear honorable brothers, sixty years passed during which we endured the bitterness of tyranny and oppression, and during which generations were born and died, without having the chance to experience the true meaning of citizenship, of owning a homeland, of belonging to it, or of feeling the responsibility for it.
The bitter truth is a thousand times better than the comforting illusion. Of course, there is much to be said about tyranny and oppression, about torture and killing, and about unimaginable fear, exclusion, and dictatorship that lasted for six decades, leaving behind a legacy of disaster and evil. There is also much to be said about the complicity of many people, and their alignment with corruption and moral decay. As a result, relationships, partnerships, and vested interests have been spreading their poison across the nation and its people, to the point where the scene has come to resemble a consensual corruption — one in which many have become participants.
All of that happened while the tyrant grew more powerful, his dominance became more deeply rooted, and his oppression intensified, while we kept fleeing forward, clinging to whatever the regime allowed us to keep.
Again, the bitter truth is a thousand times better than the comforting illusion. We were confined to our small homes, small shops, and small families, until we raised generations who see the homeland, despite its vast territory, a mere tunnel they are forced to pass through to meet their needs. Accordingly, the tragedy is great; however, by mentioning Allah, it will pass, by Allah's Will.
Our religion teaches us to care about public issues and to advocate for our own rights. Allah emphasizes this in many Ayaat in the Quran, where He repeatedly links having faith in Allah with performing good deeds, reminding us that this is the very purpose of our existence. The proof is in the following Ayah:
﴾ Until, when death comes to one of them (those who join partners with Allah), he says: "My Lord! Send me back,* "So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" No! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the Day when they will be resurrected. ﴿
It is called a good deed, because it is worthy of being presented before Allah, but when is it considered good? It is considered good when it is sincere (performed for Allah's Sake) and right (performed according to the Quran and Sunnah).
﴾ Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and work righteousness, Tuba (it means all kinds of happiness or name of a tree in Paradise) is for them and a beautiful place of (final) return. ﴿
[ Ar-Ra'd, 29
]
Can you imagine a good deed that does not involve caring for others? Caring for others is a reflection of true civilization, strength, dignity, and excellence. Moreover, our Islamic Fiqh differentiates between the deed that benefits only its doer and the one whose benefits extend to others. This means that your rank in the Sight of Allah is derived from the significance of your good deeds. The following Ayaat is strong evidence of this:
﴾ …He says: "My Lord! Send me back,* "So that I may do good ﴿
I repeat; it is called a good deed, because it is worthy of being presented before Allah.
It is called a good deed, because it is worthy of being presented before Allah:
The following Prophetic Hadith emphasizes the importance of public concerns, even in a person's final moments of life:
(( Anas Ibn Malik reported that the Prophet PBUH said, "If the Final Hour comes while you have a shoot of a plant in your hands and it is possible to plant it before the Hour comes, you should plant it." ))
[ Al-Bukhari, on the authority of Anas Ibn Malik ]
This means that the purpose of our existence is to perform good deeds, and the following Ayaat serve as a proof:
﴾ …He says: "My Lord! Send me back,* "So that I may do good ﴿
It is called a good deed, because it is fit to be presented before Allah. But when is it deemed good? It is deemed so, when it is both sincere and right. Allah says:
﴾ Verily, those who believed, and emigrated and strove hard and fought with their property and their lives in the Cause of Allah as well as those who gave (them) asylum and help, – these are (all) allies to one another. And as to those who believed but did not emigrate (to you O Muhammad), you owe no duty of protection to them until they emigrate , but if they seek your help in religion, it is your duty to help them except against a people with whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance, and Allah is the All-Seer of what you do. ﴿
If any place prevents you from worshiping Allah, you must leave it, and this migration is for the sake of Allah. Therefore, we must recognize that there is a serious flaw in the faith of anyone who claims to believe but never takes action to support his religion. Bear in mind that the purpose of your existence is to perform good deeds. The proof lies in the following Ayaat:
﴾ …He says: "My Lord! Send me back,* "So that I may do good ﴿
I repeat one more time, it is called a good deed, because it is worthy of being presented before Allah, and it is it truly good only when it is both sincere and right.
When the truth of faith settles in the heart of a believer, it is manifested in a positive movement, first toward the Creator, revealing itself as getting connected to Allah, and having strong belief in Him, and second towards the creations, by helping them, being benevolent and kind to them, and sharing them the fruitful actions, which protect religion and support its followers. As I have just mentioned, your rank in the Sight of Allah stems from the significance of your good deed.
Dear noble brothers, we praise Allah for His Grace and Favor, as He has allowed us to witness the end of oppression, and the downfall of the tyrant and his supporters. We also praise Allah for the decline of the wicked sectarian wave that had corrupted our beliefs, our religion, and our life.
The only speech today should be about justice and reform:
Now, I address my words to the fellow citizens of my beloved country: Today, our homeland has returned to its people, and the rights have been restored to their rightful Syrian owners of all sects and nationalities.
The primary focus of today's talks should be two matters only: justice and reform. Justice cannot be achieved unless rights are restored, duties are fulfilled, and tyrants and corrupted are held accountable.
We are one nation, our war is one, and so is our peace. The talks among us will be our strongest fortress in securing this victory, after all the great sacrifices and the sacred blood that was shed; a heavy price has been paid.
Let us leave the past behind us and look back only to draw lessons from it. Let us focus entirely on the future. There is a past, a present, and a future, so let us pay our attention to the future, whose fruits will be reaped by our children. Let us devote ourselves to shaping it in the best possible way, and in a manner that pleases our Lord, without disputes or divisions.
﴾ And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength depart, and be patient. Surely, Allah is with those who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.). ﴿
[ Al-Anfal, 46
]
Collaboration, consultation, and respecting others reflect civilization:
Collaboration, consultation, and respecting others reflect civilization. Our enemies are in full collaboration, even though they share only 3 percent in common. On the other hand, we, Muslims, share 95 percent in common, yet our collaboration remains at its lowest levels. Collaboration is a necessity; it is strength, it is civilization, and it is the path to achieve victory.
﴾ …And do not dispute (with one another) lest you lose courage and your strength depart, ﴿
We are living in days of mercy, and of reconnecting hearts, restoring rights, and fulfilling trusts.
Dear noble brothers, Allah has fulfilled His Promise, bestowed His Favor upon His servants, and removed harm from them. So, let us respond to this great blessing with gratitude with our words, hearts, and actions.
﴾ They worked for him what he desired, (making) high rooms, images, basins as large as reservoirs, and (cooking) cauldrons fixed (in their places). "Work you, O family of Dawud (David), with thanks!" But few of My slaves are grateful. ﴿
Gratitude begins in the heart, and it is expressed with the tongue, and practiced by actions that please Allah. The highest form of gratitude is to live in accordance with what pleases Allah Almighty, to enjoin Ma'ruf (whatever is right) and forbid Munkar (what is wrong), and to build our relationships according to Allah's Way, for it is unreasonable to repay Allah's Blessings with disobedience.
Having done what you should, ask the Creator for support, for He Alone knows what is best for you. This Creator is Allah Almighty.
﴾ Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) order for Iqamat-as-Salat. [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salat (prayers) (the males in mosques)], to pay the Zakat and they enjoin Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islam has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur'an as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]. And with Allah rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures). ﴿
From this honorable Minbar (pulpit), I invite everyone, without exception, to join forces, take part in positive action, and avoid paralyzing negativity. Teachers, in particular, have a great role to play in this respect.
(( Abdallah b. Amr told of Allah's Messenger PBUH coming upon two groups in his Masjid and saying, "They are both engaged in what is good, but one of them is superior to the other. These ones are praying and supplicating Allah who, if He wills, may answer their prayers but, if He wills, may refuse them. Those ones are learning knowledge and teaching the ignorant, so they are superior. I was sent only as a teacher." He then sat down with them. ))
[ Al-Albani, on the authority of Abdullah bin Amr ]
He PBUH summarized his Da'wah (call to Allah) through educating.
(( Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah PBUH, said, "I was indeed sent to perfect the good manners." ))
[ Al-Bazzar and Al-Baihaqi, on the authority of Abi Hurairah ]
In another narration, He PBUH said:
(( I was sent to perfect the most noble of manners. ))
Each of us has a role to play, whether he is a teacher, a merchant, a manufacturer and so on. Everyone can contribute to his country and Ummah through his own profession. Keep in mind that the impossible is not what you cannot do, but rather it is what you mistakenly believe you cannot do.
Let us distance ourselves from every voice that discourages or frustrates our lives, and let us move forward without looking back. Now is the time for action and constructive criticism. There is a type of criticism that is constructive if it is based on love and sincerity. It reflects the kind of dialogue that takes place between believers; one guided by patience and forbearance towards one another.
The destruction caused by those 60 years, paralyzing this country, cannot be repaired quickly or through individual efforts. It requires collaboration. This collaboration reflects civilization, strength, dignity, and victory.
Once again, our enemies collaborate with one another, so Muslims, who have even greater reason, should collaborate at the highest levels.
Dear brothers, call yourselves to account before you are called to do so and weigh your deeds before they are weighed, and you should know that the Angel of Death has been reaching others and will reach us soon, so pay heed. The clever one is he who upbraids himself and works for what comes after death; and the weak one is he who follows his desires and lives on wishful thinking, and praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
The 2nd Khutbah:
Du'a (Supplication) is Ibadah (worshiping Allah):
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and may He bless and grant peace to Muhammad, the Faithful and the Honest, and may Allah bless his folks and companions.
(( An-Nu'man b. Bashir reported Allah's Messenger PBUH as saying, "Supplication is worship." He then recited, "And your Lord said, 'If you call on Me I will answer you'." ))
[ Abo Dawood, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah, on the authority of Am-Nu'man b. Bashir ]
Du'a (Supplication) is worship (Ibadah).
(( Abu Hurairah reported Allah's Messenger PBUH as saying, "Allah will be angry with those who do not make requests from Him." ))
[ At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ahmad, on the authority of Abi Huriarah
]
(( Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet PBUH said, "Ask Allah for everything, even if it is the strap of your sandal, for if Allah does not make it easy, it will not be possible." ))
[At-Tirmidhi, on the authority of Ibn Abbas]
We beseech you Allah to show us the way of rightness, together with those to whom You have showed it; and give us good health, together with those whom You have healed; and be our Protector, together with those for whom You have become their Protector; and bless us in what You have bestowed on us and save us from the afflictions that You have decreed, for You rule with justice and You are never judged. He whom You protect shall never be humiliated and he whom You make enemy shall never be exalted. Blessed and dignified are You, and we thank You for what You have decreed. We seek your forgiveness and we repent our bad deeds,
O Allah, make us do well in the Deen, which is our dignity, make us do well in our worldly life, in which we dwell and grant us safety on the Day of Judgment for it is our Final Destination. O Allah, please supply our life with all good things and make our death a rest from every evil.
O Allah, give us rain and do not make us among the despondent, O Allah, give us rain and do not make us among the despondent, O Allah, give us rain and do not make us among the despondent, do not treat according to the deeds of sinners and do not punish us with years of drought, O Lord of worlds.
O Allah, grant victory to Your oppressed servants across the east and west of the earth. Grant our brothers in proud Gaza and in Palestine a mighty and decisive victory. O Allah, deal with the criminal Zionists, for they are not beyond Your reach.
O Allah grant this country and all Islamic countries prosperity and abundant provision, O Most Merciful of the merciful.
O Allah, may Your Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, the best of Blessings and fullest Peace.
