“A-úthu billáhi minash shaytánir rajeem. Bismilláhir rahmánir raheem.
Al hamdu lillahi nahmaduhu wanasta’eenahu, wanastagh-firuhu, wanatoobu ilayhi, wana’oothu Billaahi min shuroori an-fusinaa, wamin sayyi aati a’maalinaa. May- Yahdillahu fa huwal muhtad, wa may- yudlill falan tajidaa lahu waliyan murshida. Wa ash-hadu an Laa ilaaha ill-Alláh, wahdahoo laa shareeka lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhoo warasooluh”
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today I would like to talk about one of the most important topics in Islam. This khutbah will discuss the topic of love, as in loving one another for the sake of Allah (SWT).
In today’s society we have many ways of making friends and meeting friends. Friendship bonds are made at school, college, university, work and now increasingly on social media sites. We all have friends that we share common interests with who make us feel comfortable and happy.
However, we as Muslims should look closely at our friends, think about the real things that matter and see if and how much we love these friends for the sake of Allah (SWT).
The Prophet (SAW) explained,
“Allah said: those who love one another for My glory will be upon Minbars of light [high positions], and the Prophets and martyrs will wish that they had the same.” (At-Tirmithi)
Certainly, Muslims, like everyone else, wants friends who share interests with them and are fun to be with. We all enjoy having a picnic with a friend or going out to dinner with friends, and who does not like going to a gathering with some of their best friends? But, that is not all of what a truly Islamic friendship is about. In fact, an Islamic friendship is not that simple at all. In Islam, brotherhood and sisterhood bind true friendships, which are bonds that are stronger than typical friendships. They are bonds that exist for a much higher reason and with a greater goal.
As Allah (SWT) stated in the Qur’an, the reward for true friendship and love of one another is an exalted place in paradise. The wisdom behind this friendship is that true friends want what is best for you, not just in this, but in the other world. And the only way you can achieve joy and wellbeing in both worlds is by knowing and loving your Creator. By your servitude to him can you get to know Him and be close to your Creator. Therefore true friends love for the sake of their Lord and help each other obtain not only worldly but happiness beyond this world.
Love for others comes in different forms. Love between a husband and wife is one of these forms and friendship is another form. However, as we said before, love has many different aspects but the most important is the knowledge of the Creator and mutual love in His name.
The rewards of loving another for Allah’s (SWT) sake are consistent with the importance of such love.
Its impact is not limited to the individual but can affect the entire structure of a society, for if all loved each other for the sake of the Creator, rather than just for the virtues they have or the benefit we have from that friendship, then true harmony and peace could exist. If we could each want for our friends what we want for ourselves, the world would be a better place.
Islam does not just recommend you to love each other; it commands it.
The Prophet (SAW) uses very strong words in encouraging the Muslims to love one another:
“I swear by the One in Whose hands my soul is, you will not enter Paradiseuntil you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another.
Shall I not tell you of something that if you do it, you will love one another? Spread salaam [greeting one another saying: As-Salaam laykum] amongst yourselves.”
Here the Prophet (SAW) is saying that we cannot and will not be believers until we love one another. Until we love one another we can’t have faith or enter paradise.
We need to think long and hard and see where we stand, and how many friendships we have for the sake of The One.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, there is a great blessing and wisdom in the words of our beloved Prophet (SAW), please take this advice and apply it, love in the name of Allah (SWT) and greet each other with peace (Salam).