https://www.khutbah.info/embracing-ramadan/ How fortunate we are for having reached Ramadan. For people yearn and aspire, and supplicate their Lord silently and aloud to reach this Noble Month. Ramadan is endowed with goodness, blessings, and mercy that Allah Almighty has not placed in any other month. Ramadan is the month of the Quran and the Criterion. It is the month of the Rayyan gate of paradise which is reserved for the fasting. It is the month in which the mosques are illuminated. Ramadan is the month of remembrance and praising Allah Almighty. Ramadan is the month of dedication, repenting and returning to Allah Almighty.
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:
How fortunate we are for having reached Ramadan. For people yearn and aspire, and supplicate their Lord silently and aloud to reach this Noble Month. Ramadan is endowed with goodness, blessings, and mercy that Allah Almighty has not placed in any other month. Ramadan is the month of the Quran and the Criterion. It is the month of the Rayyan gate of paradise which is reserved for the fasting. It is the month in which the mosques are illuminated. Ramadan is the month of remembrance and praising Allah Almighty. Ramadan is the month of dedication, repenting and returning to Allah Almighty.
The fragrant breezes of this great month have begun to blow, bringing glad tidings to the people of fasting, night prayer, and charity. The fragrance of this blessed month brings joy to souls tainted by sins done privately and publicly. It’s fragrance erases the stenches of harshness, complacency, selfishness, and callousness. Allah Almighty said:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ-البقرة 185
Al-Baqarah (2) 185: The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.
Ramadan is a blessed month, never failing to arrive at the time appointed by Allah Almighty. But it is people who fail to catch up with this honorable caravan. People are to fast from that which breaks their fast and from backbiting, slander, false speech, pride, and selfishness. However, some have nothing from their fast but hunger and thirst.
And people are to pray before their Lord in humility, reciting the verses of Allah during the night and at the ends of the day, bowing and prostrating to Him, praising and exalting Him. However, some have no share of their prayers and recitations but fatigue and sleeplessness.
The Islamic Community has an appointment with the Book of Allah in this month in which it was revealed. They gather for its sake in a manner not repeated at any other time. They congregate to listen to the Quran with tranquility, dignity, and humility, to touch the depths of their hearts.
They recite the Book of their Lord in a magnificent scene. They ponder the Words of their Creator, that amazes and bewilders minds, makes eyes weep, and revives hearts and souls.
It is the Quran that amazed Utbah ibn Rabiah, who was among the polytheists, when he went to the Prophet ﷺ to offer him wealth and a kingdom to abandon what he ﷺ was calling them to. When Utbah finished, the Messenger of Allah ﷺsaid, “Have you finished, O Abu Walid?” He said, “Yes,” The Prophet said, “Then listen to me,” He said, “I will,” The Prophet ﷺ then recited:
حم ﴿1﴾ تَنْزِيلٌ مِنَ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿2﴾ كِتَابٌ فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ قُرْءَانًا عَرَبِيًّا لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ ﴿3﴾سورة فصلت آية 1-3
Fussilat: 1-3: Ha, Meem. By the clear Book, Indeed, We have made it an Arabic Qur’an that you might understand.
And the Prophet ﷺ continued reciting to him and Utbah listened attentively and placed his hands behind his back and leaned on them. Until the Prophet ﷺfinished at a verse of prostration and he ﷺ prostrated, then said: “You have heard, O Abu Walid?” He said, “Yes indeed” Then Utbah returned to his people, and some of them said to each other, “By Allah, Abu Walid has returned to you with a countenance different than the one that he left with.” When he sat with them, they said, “What is the matter with you, O Abu Walid?” He said, “The matter with me, by Allah, is that I have heard words the likes of which I have never heard before. By Allah, it is not poetry, nor magic, nor soothsaying. O assembly of Quraysh, obey me and leave this man to what he is on. Do not go between this man and what he is on. For by Allah, there will be a great event from what I have heard. (Narrated by Al-Bayhaqi in Dala’il an-Nubuwwah).
Whoever prays reciting the Noble Book of Allah, it is as if they are addressing the Most Merciful. It is the best speech about which Allah Almighty said:
اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُتَشَابِهًا مَثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ هُدَى اللَّهِ يَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَمَنْ يُضْلِلِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ هَادٍ-الزمر 23
Az-Zumar (39) 23: Allah has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allah leaves astray – for him there is no guide.
And it is the best of narratives. Allah Almighty addressed His Prophet ﷺ saying:
نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ وَإِنْ كُنْتَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ-يوسف 3
Yusuf 3: We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of narratives in what We have revealed to you of this Qur’an although you were, before it, among the unaware.
Ja’far bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, recited from Surah Maryam in front of the Negus, may Allah be pleased with him, who was a Christian at the time, and the eyes of Negus and all those with him overflowed with tears. Then Allah revealed:
وَإِذَا سَمِعُوا مَا أُنْزِلَ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ تَرَى أَعْيُنَهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ الدَّمْعِ مِمَّا عَرَفُوا مِنَ الْحَقِّ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا آمَنَّا فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِدِينَ-المائدة 83
Al-Ma’idah 83: And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of what they have recognized of the truth. They say, ‘Our Lord, we have believed, so register us among the witnesses.
Ramadan is the month of the Quran, and the month of Taraweeh that elevates the hearts of the guided. In Ramadan, the Muslim Community revives the mosques at night and finds solace in the Quran.
It is indeed astonishing to see those not moved by the verses of warning and reproachment, and to see those not motivated by the verses of promise and encouragement. How strange it is that there are those who hear Allah’s verses being recited yet do not become humbled nor turn in repentance. Rather it enters one ear and exits the other!
And it is truly amazing that some of the jinn were more guided and tender-hearted than some humans. When they listened to the Prophet ﷺ reciting the Quran, they returned to their people saying:
يَا قَوْمَنَا إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا كِتَابًا أُنْزِلَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مُوسَى مُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْحَقِّ وَإِلَى طَرِيقٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ (30) يَا قَوْمَنَا أَجِيبُوا دَاعِيَ اللَّهِ وَآمِنُوا بِهِ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ مِنْ ذُنُوبِكُمْ وَيُجِرْكُمْ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ-الأحقاف 30- 31
Al-Ahqaf: 30-31: O our people, indeed we have heard a [recited] Book revealed after Moses, confirming what was before it which guides to the truth and to a straight path. O our people, respond to the Messenger of Allah and believe in him; Allah will forgive for you your sins and protect you from a painful punishment.
However, when hearts become heedless, they harden. And when they harden, they are void of contemplation, humility, and submission. Allah Almighty said:
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَى قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا-محمد 24
Muhammad: 24: Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?
So embrace the month of the Quran with the Quran. Recite its verses and reflect upon its meanings.
O Allah, make the great Quran the spring of our hearts, the light of our chests, the remover of our sorrows and grief, and our guide and driver to You and to Your paradises, the paradises of bliss.
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:
Hasten to embrace Ramadan with all types of good deeds, and be hopeful for Allah’s grace and mercy, not as the cynics and wretched who indulge in shameful diversions that undermine the sanctity of this month.
Indeed, Ramadan is a month to leave behind the entanglements and diversions of this worldly life. It is a month whereby the fasting implore Allah to erase their sins and misdeeds. So embrace the month of repentance with repentance.
In Ramadan, the fasting turn their compassionate attention to their brothers in faith who are not able to fast as they fast and pray as they pray. Their brothers in faith have no food to break their fast as they do or to partake in pre-dawn meals as they do. Wars have worn them down, and conflict has terrified them. Their brothers in faith sleep in poverty and are cloaked in suffering. While they sleep to the sound of the Quran, their brothers in faith sleep to the sounds of munitions and blasts. So supplicate for your brothers in faith and embrace the month of supplication with supplication.
Embrace the month of generosity with generosity and embrace the month of mercy with mercy.
Embrace Ramadan with all types of good. For Ramadan is here, yet passes quickly. Ramadan will not wait for the lazy, nor will it accommodate the heedless.
The motto for those embracing Ramadan is the words of the Prophet ﷺ :
مَنْ قَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ-رواه البخاري ومسلم
Whoever stands (in the voluntary night prayer of) Ramadan out of faith and in hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)
And the motto of the heedless and the negligent is the words of the Prophet ﷺ:
شَقِيَ عَبْدٌ أَدْرَكَ رَمَضَانَ، فَانْسَلَخَ مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُغْفَرْ لَهُ، فَقُلْتُ: آمِينَ. ثُمَّ قَالَ: شَقِيَ عَبْدٌ أَدْرَكَ وَالِدَيْهِ أَوْ أَحَدَهُمَا فَلَمْ يُدْخِلَاهُ الْجَنَّةَ، فَقُلْتُ: آمِينَ. ثُمَّ قَالَ: شَقِيَ عَبْدٌ ذُكِرْتَ عِنْدَهُ وَلَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَيْكَ، فَقُلْتُ: آمِينَ-رواه البخاري في الأدب المفرد
Wretched is the one who reaches Ramadan and is not forgiven, so I said, ‘Ameen.’ Then he said, ‘Wretched is the one who when your name is mentioned does not send blessings upon you,’ so I said, ‘Ameen.’ (Reported by Al-Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)
O Allah, make us among those who embrace Ramadan with all types of good. Accept our fasting, supplications and prayers and make us among those whom You free from the Fire, O Lord of Majesty and Bounty, Lord of the Worlds.
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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