Weighty Deeds

https://www.khutbah.info/weighty-deeds/ The news of the hereafter revives the inattentive hearts and awakens the heedless souls.  Ponder with me upon the situation. On that Day, the blast of the Horn will convulse creation and it will be followed by a second blowing of the trumpet. And people will rise to the Lord of the worlds. Unclothed, barefoot, their lips shriveled, they will be staring with horror from what they see and their hearts will be torn.  Hud (11) 103: Indeed in that is a sign for those who fear the punishment of the Hereafter. That is a Day for which the people will be collected, and that is a Day [which will be] witnessed. On that day, one flees from their brother, their mother, their father, their spouse and their children. Each one of them on that day has something that occupies them. On that day, the disbeliever will say, I wish I was dust! And the transgressor would like to ransom all that is on earth to be among the successful. 

إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ ,نَحْمَدُهُ  ,وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ  وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ ,  وَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا  ,مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللهُ  فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ ,  وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ ,  وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ   وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ    

Verily, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, we seek His assistance and we ask for His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Him from the evils of our selves. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide. Whoever He misguides, none can guide. And I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.

 يَا أَيُّهَا الّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ – آل عمران:102 

Al Imran 102 : O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.

Oh people:

The news of the hereafter revives the inattentive hearts and awakens the heedless souls. 

Ponder with me upon the situation. On that Day, the blast of the Horn will convulse creation and it will be followed by a second blowing of the trumpet. And people will rise to the Lord of the worlds. Unclothed, barefoot, their lips shriveled, they will be staring with horror from what they see and their hearts will be torn. 

ذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَجْمُوعٌ لَهُ النَّاسُ وَذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ مَشْهُودٌ-هود: 103

Hud (11) 103: Indeed in that is a sign for those who fear the punishment of the Hereafter. That is a Day for which the people will be collected, and that is a Day [which will be] witnessed.

On that day, one flees from their brother, their mother, their father, their spouse and their children. Each one of them on that day has something that occupies them. On that day, the disbeliever will say, I wish I was dust! And the transgressor would like to ransom all that is on earth to be among the successful. 

And on that day, the scale is set to weigh the deeds of every person. It is a very precise and sensitive scale that weighs atoms and the smallest of weights. Allah Almighty said:

وَنَضَعُ الْمَوَازِينَ الْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْئًا وَإِنْ كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا وَكَفَى بِنَا حَاسِبِينَ-الأنبياء: 47

Al Anbiya (21) 47: And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.

At the scale, minds get lost and there is astonishment and no emotions for others. For a person only remembers themselves. For after the scale, there is only paradise or fire. Allah Almighty said:

فَمَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ * وَمَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ فِي جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدُونَ-المؤمنون  102- 103

Al Mominoon (23) 102-103: (102) And those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds] – it is they who are the successful. (103)  But those whose scales are light – those are the ones who have lost their souls, [being] in Hell, abiding eternally.

In that situation, the most precious commodity is a good deed that can be added to one’s scale. So what about if that good deed is very weighty and heavy on the scale? How will that person feel?  And what joy will fill their hearts and overcome them?

Rejoice, o people of faith, for there are good deeds and easy acts of obedience that make the scales heavy. 

The first of the deeds that makes the scales heavy is implementing tawhid. If tawhid settles deeply into the heart, it bears the fruit of sincerity and loving Allah, and fearing Him and relying upon Him. So one will not call aside from Allah knowing that they cannot harm or benefit them. And one does not seek help except from Allah the Exalted. And one does not put their trust except in their Lord. And one does not take an oath by other than Allah. And one does not follow other than Allah. 

If the tawhid is ingrained, then the person will be sincere in their deeds, and does not perform deeds for the sake of reputation or showing off. And they follow the way of the Prophet ﷺ and do not innovate in religion. And does not do anything that reduces or corrupts their tawhid. This person genuinely says and performs deeds implementing “ La Illaha Illa Lah”. For that reason, it makes the scale heavy and La Ilaha Ila La saves a person. 

One of the greatest things that makes the scales heavy is good character.   

The Prophet ﷺ said: 

مَا مِنْ شَيْءٍ يُوضَعُ فِي الْمِيزَانِ أَثْقَلُ مِنْ حُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ

There is nothing heavier that is placed on the scales than good character. [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2003]

And from the easiest matters that makes the scales heavy is the remembrance of Allah. And how much do we fall short in this regard.  Allah Almighty said:

وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ-فصلت  35

Fussilat (41) 35:  But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one having a great portion [of good].

For there are known remembrances that are beloved to Allah.  Our Prophet ﷺsaid:

كَلِمَتَانِ خَفِيفَتَانِ عَلَى اللِّسَانِ، ثَقِيلَتَانِ فِي الْمِيزَانِ، حَبِيبَتَانِ إِلَى الرَّحْمَنِ ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ ،  سُبْحانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ

Two words are light on the tongue, weigh heavily in the balance, and are loved by the Most Merciful One, Subḥānallāhi wa biḥamdih, Subḥānallāhi ‘l-`Athīm (Glorified is Allah and praised is He, Glorified is Allah the Most Great.). [Al-Bukhari 7/168, Muslim 4/2072.]

And the Prophet ﷺ said: 

الطَّهُورُ شَطْرُ الْإِيمَانِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ تَمْلَأُ الْمِيزَانَ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ تَمْلَآنِ -أَوْ  تَمْلَأُ مَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ

Purity is half of iman (faith). Al-hamdu lillah (all praise and gratitude belong to Allah) fills the scales, and subhan-Allah (how far is Allah from every imperfection) and Al-hamdulillah (all praise and gratitude belong to Allah) fill that which is between heaven and earth. [Muslim 223]

From the rights of a deceased believer is to offer funeral (janaazah) prayer for them and follow their funeral procession until they are buried. And although this is easy to do, it is a deed that is great and big on the scale. The Prophet ﷺ said:

مَنْ شَهِدَ الْجَنَازَةَ حَتَّى يُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهَا؛ فَلَهُ قِيرَاطٌ، وَمَنْ شَهِدَ حَتَّى تُدْفَنَ؛ كَانَ لَهُ قِيرَاطَانِ ، قِيلَ ، وَمَا الْقِيرَاطَانِ؟ قَالَ ،  مِثْلُ الْجَبَلَيْنِ الْعَظِيمَيْنِ-رواه البخاري, وفي رواية عند أحمد ،سئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- عَنْ الْقِيرَاطِ؛ فَقَالَ ، مِثْلُ جبل أُحُدٍ.

Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the funeral prayer will get a reward equal to one Qirat; and whoever attends it until the deceased is buried will get a reward equal to two Qirats.” It was asked: “What are the two Qirāts?” He replied: “Like two huge mountains.” And in a narration for Ahmad the Messenger of Allah was asked about a Qirat and he responded that it was like the Mount of Uhud. [Bukhari 1325, Muslim 945a]

These are some righteous deeds that are weighty on the scale.   May Allah make us from among the doers of them as well as other weighty good deeds and grant us steadfastness upon the straight path. 

أَقُولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ  لِي وَلَكُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ  إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

I say what you have heard and I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and you from every sin. So seek forgives from Him, Verily He is Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

Second Khutbah

الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ,  وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ  , وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَاْ إِلَهَ إِلَّاْ اَللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَاْشَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَاً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ

All praise is to Allah, and peace and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, and I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.

Oh Muslims:

Just as the good deeds, the bad deeds can be weighty on the scale. However, unlike the good deeds, bad deeds are not multiplied in number. Their weightiness is from being amplified in significance. For instance, bad deeds become amplified when performed in an honorable place like the sacred places of Allah. Allah Almighty said:

وَمَنْ يُرِدْ فِيهِ بِإِلْحَادٍ بِظُلْمٍ نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ-الحج  25

Al Hajj (22) 25:  And [also] whoever intends [a deed] therein of deviation [in religion] by wrongdoing – We will make him taste of a painful punishment.

So if this is the warning to the one wanting to do a sin, then how about the one who actually does a sin?

And the misdeed gets amplified if it is done at an honorable time. Allah Almighty said of the sacred months:

فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنْفُسَكُمْ-التوبة: 36

At Tawbah (9) 36:  So do not wrong yourselves during them. 

And the misdeed is amplified if it is performed by someone who the people take as a role model. Allah said: 

يَانِسَاءَ النَّبِيِّ مَنْ يَأْتِ مِنْكُنَّ بِفَاحِشَةٍ مُبَيِّنَةٍ يُضَاعَفْ لَهَا الْعَذَابُ ضِعْفَيْنِ-الأحزاب: 30

Al Ahzab (33) 30:  O wives of the Prophet, whoever of you should commit a clear immorality – for her the punishment would be doubled two fold.

And the misdeed is amplified if there is no driver for it. The Prophet ﷺ said: 

ثَلاَثَةٌ لاَ يُكَلِّمُهُمُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَلاَ يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ شَيْخٌ زَانٍ وَمَلِكٌ كَذَّابٌ وَعَائِلٌ مُسْتَكْبِرٌ 

There are three to whom Allah will not speak to on the Day of Resurrection nor will He purify them, and they will have a painful punishment, an aged adulterer, and a lying king and an arrogant beggar. [Muslim 107]

So every believer should understand the weights the good and bad deeds. And to not underestimate any of them. For one does not know. Perhaps some deed that was trivialized could be the reason for them entering heaven or entering the fire!!!

So whoever plants in the worldly life will harvest in the hereafter. And whoever was heedless of preparing for the harvest will be regretful in the hereafter. 

Allah Almighty said:

فَأَمَّا مَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُ * فَهُوَ فِي عِيشَةٍ رَاضِيَةٍ * وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِينُهُ * فَأُمُّهُ هَاوِيَةٌ * وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا هِيَهْ * نَارٌ حَامِيَةٌ-القارعة  6 – 11

Al Qariah (101) 6-11:  (6) Then as for one whose scales are heavy [with good deeds], (7) He will be in a pleasant life. (8) But as for one whose scales are light, (9) His refuge will be an abyss. (10) And what can make you know what that is? (11) It is a Fire, intensely hot.

May Allah make us among those who redeem themselves before it is too late. May Allah help us in performing righteous deeds and fill our scales with plenty of weighty good deeds. Indeed Allah is All Hearing, Answering. 

هَذَا وَصَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى نَبِيِّكُم كَمَا أَمَرَكُمْ بِذلِكَ رَبُّكُمْ , فَقَالَ

I conclude with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon your Prophet as your Lord commanded:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

Al Ahzaab (33) 56: 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.

اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنا فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنا فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنا فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لنا فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنا شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ

O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed.  For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا عَاذَ بِهِ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ كُلَّ قَضَاءٍ قَضَيْتَهُ لَنا خَيْرًا

O Allah, We ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good

 عِبَادَ اللّهِ  إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ  يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

Servants of Allah. Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded. 

اُذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ واشْكُرُوهُ يَزِدْكُمْ واسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لكُمْ واتّقُوهُ يَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِكُمْ مَخْرَجًا   وَأَقِمِ الصّلَاة

Remember Allah, the Great – He will remember you. Thank Him for His favors – He will increase you therein.  And seek forgiveness from Him – He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him – He will provide you a way out of difficult matters. And, establish the prayer.  

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