On the responsibilities of human beings towards their Lord

First Sermon

All praise is due to Allah, the Entirely Merciful. He created man and taught him eloquence. I bear witness that there is no deity save Allah, having no associates. I also bear witness that our Master and Prophet Muhammad is the Servant of Allah and His Messenger. Allah has sent him as mercy and guidance to the humanity. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family and all of his companions, and those who follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment.

As to what follows,

I urge you and myself, O Servants of Allah, to be aware that you are asked to obey Him the Most Exalted and Sublime, in line with His orders, “O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous.” (Al-Baqara: 21).

O Mankind,

Allah, the Exalted is He, has created man in the most perfect of stature and ultimate proper form. The Almighty says, “We have certainly created man in the best of stature.” (Al-Teen: 4). Yet, Allah has greatly honoured mankind over all His other creation, for the Most Exalted says, “and We have certainly honoured the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.” (Al-Israa: 70). Amongst the aspects of honouring that Allah the Almighty has bestowed upon mankind is that He breathed into them from His soul and ordered His angels to prostrate to Adam. The Most Beneficent says, “[So mention] when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay. So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.” (Sad: 71-72).

Furthermore, Allah the All-High has endowed upon man numerous favours and provided them with all requirements and conditions that were conducive for them to cherish a good and righteous livelihood. On this account, the Most Sublime says, “have We not made for him two eyes? And a tongue and two lips? And have shown him the two ways?” (Al-Balad: 8-10). In addition to these favours, Allah the All-Merciful has distinguished human beings with knowledge and understanding. The Owner of Majesty and Honour says, “taught man that which he knew not.” (Al-Alaq: 5). Moreover, the Almighty has taken on Himself to provide for man and take care of them for He says, “I do not want from them any provision, nor do I want them to feed Me. Indeed, it is Allah who is the [continual] Provider, the firm possessor of strength.” (Ad-Dhariyat: 57-58).  

In return of those favours, every human being should show diligence in worshiping Allah the Almighty and discharge their duties toward Him as well as fulfil their duties in this worldly life.

O Servants of Allah,

Human beings were created for specific reasons, and they have duties and responsibilities. The most prominent responsibility in Islam that one has is towards his Creator. The rights that Allah has over human beings is to adhere to His commands and worship Him in the most perfect manner possible. The Almighty says, “and I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Ad-Dhariyat: 56). That is say: Allah has created man to worship Him alone and succumb to His ordains. In this sense, a Muslim should observe the obligatory acts of worship regularly, offer plenty of Nawafil (voluntary) prayers, hasten to perform acts of goodness and be kind to all other human fellows.

Undoubtedly, the value of human beings is reflected in their humane character that features mercy and doing acts of kindness. The Messenger of Allah pbuh said in this regard, “The people who are most loved by Allah are those who are most beneficial to others.” In this context, human beings should work towards strengthening their bonds, show mercy to one another and uphold ties with one another. This is in line with Allah’s orders, for He enjoined upon man to maintain the best of manners when dealing with others. For Instance, the Almighty has ordered children to be dutiful to their parents and treat them in kindness. The Most Beneficent says, “and We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment.” (Al-Ahqaf: 15). For another, the Most Sublime has urged human beings to show compassion to their kith and kin as in this Aya: “and fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs.” (An-Nisaa: 1).

More to the point, Allah the Almighty has commanded Muslims to show humbleness when treating all other human beings so that no one may treat others with superiority. The Messenger of Allah pbuh said in this regard, “Allah has revealed to me that you (people) should be humble, so that no one boasts to the other, or transgresses another.” This is because, as human beings, we are all equal to one another, and Allah the Most Exalted has created us from one soul as illustrated in this Aya, “O mankind, fear your Lord Who created you from one soul.” (An-Nisaa: 1). On the same matter, the Messenger of Allah pbuh said, “O people! Truly, your Lord is One and your father Adam is one.”

Moreover, amongst the other responsibilities that Allah, the Exalted is He, has placed in the hands of human beings is to know one another and interact with each other kindly. The Almighty says, “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another.” (Al-Hujurat: 13). In fact, when people get to know each other they will more likely cooperate with one another and, thus, get closer to each other. Ultimately, people will love each other and they will all cherish wellbeing. As a result, a comprehensive and integrated civilisation will be built in participation of all the people around the world, regardless of their ethnicities, origin and religion.

O People,

There is no doubt that amongst the duties of man on earth is to inhabit it, build civilisations and accomplish achievements. The Exalted in Might says, “He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it.” (Hood: 61). This means, Allah has created your father Adam from the earth and dispersed his offspring across the earth for them to build it up and make best use of the abundant resources that He has provided for them in it. Indeed, Allah the Almighty has arranged for human beings all that which may help them in inhabiting the earth and establishing civilisations on it. The Most High says, “and it is He who spread the earth and placed therein firmly set mountains and rivers; and from all of the fruits He made therein two mates; He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (Ar-Raad: 3).

Another responsibility that man should discharge on earth in line with the orders of their Lord is to work hard and diligently, seeking to attain the means of decent living. An illustration of this can be seen in the Almighty’s saying, “it is He who made the earth tame for you - so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision - and to Him is the resurrection.” (Al-Mulk: 15). He also says, “so when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship].” (Ash-Sharh: 7). That is to say: when you are done with the daily life matters, then it is time to perform acts of worship and obedience to Allah the Almighty.

More to this, one should show resilience and sincerity in their work. So, when one has completed a task, he should start another one. This way, the person will benefit from his/her time and occupy it with useful work. Allah the Almighty has emphasised this for He says, “We have certainly created man into hardship.” (Al-Balad: 4). In like manner, the Prophet pbuh has urged Muslims to show persistence in work and be productive.  He Pbuh said, “If the Final Hour comes while you have a palm-cutting in your hands and it is possible to plant it before the Hour comes, you should plant it.”

Certainly, in this life, it is a duty incumbent on each human being to work, build and strive to achieve all that which is good for himself/herself, their families, relatives, society, homeland and the entire humanity. It is a religious duty, for all people are partners in development and civilisation building, and Muslims should set a model for others to emulate in fulfilling such a duty.

Bearing this in mind, we seek Allah’s favour to make us beneficial for the entire humanity and help us exert ourselves in good deeds.

May Allah guide us all to obey Him and obey His Messenger Muhammad pbuh and obey those He has commanded us to obey in line with Your orders: “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority amongst you.” (An-Nisaa: 59).

May Allah direct us all to the blessings of the Glorious Quran and the Sunna of His Messenger pbuh.

I say this and ask Allah for forgiveness for me and you, so invoke Him for forgiveness, for He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

Second Sermon

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. I bear witness that there is no deity save Allah, having no associates. I also bear witness that our Master Muhammad is the servant of Allah and His Messenger. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon ou­­r Master Muhammad, his pure family, companions, and all those who follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment.

I urge you, O Servants of Allah, and myself to be aware that you are asked to obey Him, the Most Exalted and Sublime.

O People,

It is good to know that Allah the Almighty has made each human being mindful of the secrets of their inner soul and of all the deeds that they have performed. The Exalted is He says, “rather, man, against himself, will be a witness.” (Al-Qiyama: 14). On the Day of Judgment, each person will be accountable before their Lord for their work in this worldly life. To this, Allah the Most High says, “and [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open. [It will be said], ‘Read your record. Sufficient is yourself against you this Day as accountant’.” (Al-Israa: 13-14).

In the Hereafter, every person will be accountable for their deeds and no one will bear the sin committed by others. The Most Just says, “that no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives. And that his effort is going to be seen. Then he will be recompensed for it with the fullest recompense.” (An-Najm: 38-41).  

Human beings are, therefore, urged to seize the opportunity of their existence in this world and make best use of their time by hastening to do acts of good and righteousness and be beneficial for mankind. Allah, the Most Exalted says, “by time. Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.” (Al-Asr: 1-3).

That is said, please bear in mind that you are instructed to invoke peace and blessings on the Prophet pbuh. Allah, the Most Sublime, says, “indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.” (Al-Ahzab: 56).

On the same matter, the Prophet pbuh said, “For everyone who invokes a blessing on me will receive ten blessings from Allah.”

O Allah, please confer Your blessings and grant peace upon our Prophet Muhammad pbuh, his family and all of the companions.

May Allah be pleased with the Rightly Guided Caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali, and all of the noble Companions.

O Allah, we seek Your grace to make us amongst those who remember you much and are steadfast on performing acts of worship. O Allah, please forgive us all.

O Allah, we seek refuge in Your perfect words from the evil of that which descend from the sky and from the evil of that which ascends in it, and from the evil of what is created in the earth and the evil of that which comes out of it. O Allah we seek refuge in You from the trials of the night and the day, and from the visitations of the night and day, except for one that knocks with good. Indeed, You are the Most Merciful.

O Lord, we beseech You to bless all of the Muslim countries and the whole world with stability, cure from any illness and peace.

May Allah grant success and continued health and care to all of us, Muslims and all the world.

O Allah, please forgive all of the Muslims, men and women, living and dead.

O Lord, forgive and show mercy on them and bless them with Your kindness and satisfaction. O Lord, forgive and show mercy on our parents, relatives and whoever has done a favour to us.

We pray to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, to continue blessing our country with stability and welfare and bless its provisions. O Allah, please continue blessing our country with safety and security.

O Allah, relieve us! O Allah, relieve us! O Allah, relieve us! O Allah, give us from the blessings of the sky and grow for us from the blessings of the earth.

O Allah: we turn to Your name through which nothing is harmed in the earth and the heavens. That we not be afflicted through disease or calamity. Or that disease or epidemic may befall us, O Allah: hear this supplication. We ask you Allah for constancy of wellbeing. For ourselves and for all of the people around us. Save us from the evil of epidemics and diseases.

Remember Allah and He will remember you. Be grateful of His benevolence and He will increase His blessings to you.

O Allah, please confer Your blessings and grant peace upon our Prophet Muhammad pbuh, his family and all of the companions.