THE FIRST KHUTBAH DELIVERED BY SHAYKH IBN AL-‘UTHAYMEEN


The Religion is An-Naseehah


Friday 15 Rajab 1376 H/Feb. 15 1957 C.E. Age 29


All the praise is for Allaah Who has instituted legislations for us, completed them and perfected them. He has encouraged towards that which they contain from the rectification of our conditions and uprightness. He has legislated for us a religion which encourages excellent moral character as well as establishment of the rights of the Patron (i.e., Allaah) and the rights of the servants. I testify that none has the right to be worshiped except Allaah Alone who has no partners. (He is) the King, the All-Wise, the Bestower. I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. (He is) the best of the creation, without doubt. May Allaah bestow abundant peace and blessings upon him, and all of his family and companions.
To proceed: O people, have Taqwaa of Allaah, the Exalted. For indeed Taqwaa is the command of Allaah to the first and the last peoples. It is the sole reason for salvation from the painful punishment. It is the religion which Allaah has predicated upon
Naseehah to Allaah, His Messenger, and to the believers.

 

TheProphet said:The religion is An-Naseehah; the religion is An-Naseehah; the religion is An-Naseehah.

‘We (i.e., the companions) said to whom, O Messenger of Allaah? He said:

‘To Allaah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims and to their common-folk.’”2
The Prophet made Naseehah to these aforementioned categories to be the religion. This is because by way of it enacting the commands and abandonment of the prohibitions is set in order.
1 Taken from the book: Radiant Light from Friday Sermons 1/14-18 2 Reported by Muslim and An-Nasaa’ee from the Hadeeth of Tameem ibn Daaree, may Allaah be pleased
with him.

As for Naseehah to Allaah, the Exalted, it is by fulfilling all of His rights with love and sincerity, and by aiding His religion financially, in speech, and with weaponry.
As for Naseehah to the Book of Allaah, it is by reciting it and understanding its meanings and that it be explained based upon that which has come from Allaah in accordance with what Allaah intended; and that it be spread amongst the Muslims. From Naseehah to the Book of Allaah is to have respect for it and adhere to its commands and avoid its prohibitions. It is to believe that its rulings contain justice and that all of its reports are truthful and there is no contradiction therein nor confusion. It is also by refuting the one who opposes it or transgresses regarding it.
As for Naseehah to the Messenger of Allaah, it is by loving him, following him, and sending an abundance of prayers upon him. It is by spreading his virtuous character amongst the Ummah and recognizing his virtue and his rights; and the fact that it is obligatory to give love of him precedence over one’s wealth, children, self, family, and all of the people.
As for Naseehah to the leaders of the Muslims, it is by adhering to their command and calling (others) to obey them. It is by supplicating for them to have uprightness, success, good intentions and righteous actions. It is by overlooking their flaws and directing them with wisdom. It is by cooperating with them in (achieving) their objectives and that one does not deceive them in that which they have entrusted him with from jobs.
As for Naseehah to the common-folk from the Muslims it is a broad affair. What enter into it are all spheres of life; from trusts, occupations, jobs, and industries. The Prophet
said:

“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.”3
Therefore, it is upon the one whom Allaah has entrusted with a general or specific affair that he exert efforts to benefit that which he is in charge of and that he not show favoritism to a friend nor a relative; and he should not he act exclusively for the benefit of himself.
It is upon the teacher to strive in instructing the students in knowledge and upright moral character and to utilize every means at their disposal to exemplify virtuous character. For indeed the student takes the example of his teacher; and his manners are from the greatest of that in which he is followed; more than his teaching and statements.
3 Reported within Al-Jaami’ As-Sagheer (no. 8698) Al-Albaanee graded Saheeh within Saheeh Al-Jaami’
(no. 4569)

It is upon the one who commands the good and forbids the evil to be wise in his commanding and clement in his prohibiting, intending to benefit his brothers; acting (himself) by that which he commands and withholding (himself) from that which he prohibits. It is upon the employees to do their jobs completely, and energetically. They should not be lazy or preoccupied from that by talking and joking around.
It is upon the seller to not hide the defects of the commodity from the buyer; or to present it with a beautiful image that it does not have. Indeed this is cheating and deception, and he who cheats us is not from us. It is upon the one who guides (to the purchase of an item) to not lie regarding the price of the commodity or to inflate the price of it by saying: ‘I paid such and such for it;’ while he is, in fact, lying. (This is the case) even of the person would be willing to pay that price; it is not permissible for him to say: ‘Its price is such and such.’ For indeed that is oppression of one’s brothers. The most evil of the people is he who oppresses the people.
It is upon the industry workers, from construction workers, steel mill workers, and other than them, that they are sincere in that which they are working on and that they be truthful in their covenants to those they are working for. So they should complete the tasks for him in the promised time without slacking or delay. For indeed, that will attract the people to him and it is pleasing to the Lord of all that exists.
O slaves of Allaah, when we establish Naseehah to our Lord, His Book, our Prophet, our leaders and our common-folk, then we will have success in Paradise and our affairs will be made upright. If one of us short-changes the other in that then he has brought about deception and loss. So it is upon us to direct him with that which is best; and Allaah is the one who grants success and goodness.
Allaah says:

Truly, We did offer Al-Amânah (the trust or moral responsibility or honesty and all the duties which Allaah has ordained) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it. But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results). So that Allaah will punish the hypocrites, men and women, and the men and women who are polytheists. And Allaah will pardon (accept the repentance of) the true believers of the Islâmic Monotheism, men and women. And Allaah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Al-Ahzab 33:72-73)
May Allaah bless me and you…
Translated by Raha ibn Donald Batts

 

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