Friday Sermons

As the Christmas season approaches and Christians begin to prepare to commemorate the birth of Prophet Isa, Jesus, I would like to talk in this khutbah about the importance of Prophet Isa and of his mother, the Virgin Mary.

Even before Mary’s birth, the Qur’an tells us, everything was put in place to help make her ready for her special role as the mother of Prophet Isa (PBUH). Surah al-Imran, which bears the name of Mary’s father, gives an account of Mary’s family background and the circumstances of her birth. We are told that Mary’s own mother came from a righteous family who had faith in Allah (SWT) and served Him with devotion. When she found that she was pregnant she prayed to Allah (SWT), dedicating her child to His service. The Qur’an tells us:

Remember when the wife of ‘Imran said: “My Lord, I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service]. Please accept my prayer. You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.” (Qur’an, 3:35)

The Qur’an goes on to tell of the wife of ’Imran’s surprise when she gave birth to a girl; she had anticipated a male child who would ultimately serve Allah (SWT) as a religious leader. Regardless of this, she trusted Allah (SWT) and prayed that He would watch over the girl and her children, saying, “My Lord! I have given birth to a girl… and I have named her Mary and placed her and her children in your safekeeping.” (Qur’an 3:36).

Allah (SWT) answered that prayer. Mary was blessed with excellent sense of morality as well as with good health and beauty, and her upbringing protected her physical and spiritual wellbeing. The Qur’an says:

Her Lord accepted her with approval and made her grow in health and beauty. And Zechariah became her guardian. (Qur’an, 3:37)

The Qur’an tells how Mary, dedicated to the service of Allah (SWT), went away to the East to live in seclusion. Her life had long been touched by miracles. Allah (SWT) would miraculously provide the child with food, to the astonishment of her guardian, Zechariah. While she was living in seclusion she was visited by an even greater wonder. The Archangel Gabriel appeared to her, as the Qur’an relates:

Mention Mary in the Book, how she withdrew from her people to an eastern place and veiled herself from them. Then We sent Our Spirit [Gabriel] to her, and it took on for her the form of a handsome, well-built man. She [Mary] said: “I seek refuge from you with the All-Merciful if you guard against evil.” (Qur’an, 19:16-18)

After Mary had expressed her trusting, chaste commitment to Allah (SWT) in this way, the Archangel explained the purpose of his visit as the Qur’an tells us:

He said [to Mary]: “I am only your Lord’s messenger so that He can give you a pure boy.” (Qur’an, 19:19)

When Mary wondered how this could come about, as she was still a virgin, Gabriel explained that Allah’s (SWT) Will was sufficient to bring such a miracle about. Allah (SWT) creates events or creatures simply by commanding their existence. The Qur’an relates the conversation between Mary and the Archangel as follows:

She said: “My Lord, how can I have a son when no man has yet touched me?” He said: “It will be so.” God creates whatever He wills. When He decides on something, He just says to it “Be!” and it is. (Qur’an, 3:47)

The Archangel also foretold that Mary’s son would have special gifts, even as a baby, and that he would grow up to serve God:

He will speak to people in the cradle, and also when fully grown, and will be one of the righteous. (Qur’an, 3:46)

So, while still a virgin, Mary conceived the Prophet Isa through the will of Allah (SWT). The Qur’an explains that in being chosen to be the mother of Prophet Isa, Mary was greatly honoured by Allah (SWT), who specially purified her for the role:

And when the angels said: “Mary, God has chosen you and purified you. He has chosen you over all other women..” (Qur’an, 3:42-43)

He (SWT) also blessed and protected her as she went on to carry out her task. Although, having left behind her family to live in devoted seclusion, Mary was on her own, Allah (SWT) did not leave her unsupported. He kept her in seclusion to protect her from being harmed by people who would misunderstand her situation, but He Himself helped her and she gave birth safely. Allah (SWT) provided her with sustenance to help her in her labour, just as earlier in her life He had given her miraculous food. The Qur’an tells us:

The pains of labor drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She exclaimed: “Oh if only I had died before this time and was something discarded and forgotten!” A voice called out to her from under her: “Do not grieve. Your Lord has placed a small stream at your feet. Shake the trunk of the palm toward you, and fresh, ripe dates will drop down to you. Eat and drink and delight your eyes. If you should see anyone at all, just say: ‘I have made a vow of abstinence to the All-Merciful, and today I will not speak to any human being.'” (Qur’an, 19:23-26)

When she returned to her community with her little son, Mary was met with scorn and accusations. Her own people said to her:

“Mary! You have done an unthinkable thing! Sister of Aaron, your father was not an evil man nor was your mother an unchaste woman!” (Qur’an, 19:27-28)

However, as we have mentioned, the Archangel Gabriel had announced that Prophet Isa would speak while a baby in his cradle (Qur’an, 3: 46). In the face of her community’s scorn, this miracle rescued Mary. Her tiny child explained his own special role and thereby made it clear that Mary, far from being a disgrace to her community, was, like him, an honoured servant of Allah (SWT). To their astonishment, he said:

“I am the servant of God. He has given me the book and He has made me blessed wherever I am, [has] directed me to perform prayer and give alms as long as I live, and to show devotion to my mother. He has not made me insolent or arrogant.” (Qur’an, 19:30-33)

We can learn a great deal from accounts of Prophet Isa and of his mother Mary. Having both been consecrated to Allah (SWT) before their births, they went on to accept His will faithfully at all times. They remained His devoted servants even when faced with great challenges, including scorn and hatred from their own communities. Allah (SWT) watched over and rewarded them, and generations of the faithful have honoured them and studied their examples of devotion. May we continue to do the same.

I would like to end with a verse from the Holy Qur’an:

Isa said, “And peace be upon me on the day I was born and the day I shall die and the day I shall be resurrected alive.” (Qur’an,19:33)

And may Peace be upon each and every one of us. Ameen

As you all know the time of the Qurbani is fast approaching. Let us look at this topic closely during today’s Khutbah.

There are two forms of worship during the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, which cannot be performed in any other month. The first is Hajj and the second is the sacrificing of an animal (sheep, goat, cow or camel).

By looking at history it can be seen that the sacrificing of animals, in order to be closer to your creator, can be observed even in the tie of Adam.

Sacrifice, which is called Udhiya in the Arabic language, is defined by scholars of Islamic jurisprudence as sacrificing a certain animal at a certain time with the intention of pleasing your creator.

The Qur’an tells us of the obligations in making sacrifice. Aayah 2 of Surah Al-Kawthar says:

“[Prophet] Pray to your Lord and make your sacrifice to Him alone.”

Aayah 36 of Surah Al-Hajj says:

“We have made camels part of Allah’s sacred rites for you. There is much good in them for you, so invoke Allah’s name over them as they are lined up for sacrifice, then, when they have fallen down dead, feed yourselves and those who do not ask, as well as those who do. We have subjected them to you in this way so that you may be thankful.”

Anas (ra) relates that our Prophet (SAW) sacrificed two fair skinned horned lambs with his own hands and while slaughtering them, he had his blessed foot on their side and recited Bismillahi walLahu Akbar. (Bukhari & Muslim).

This sacrifice is also the Sunnah of Sayyidina Ibrahim (as) as mentioned in Aayah 107 of Surah Assaffat:

Sacrifice in fact is submission and an offering to Allah (SWT), hence it is required that the best animal be selected for this purpose.

In the Qur’an, Aayah 92 of Surah Al-e-Imran says:

“None of you [believers] will attain true piety unless you give out of what you cherish: whatever you give, Allah knows about it very well.”

However, it is neither the blood nor the meat that reaches Allah (SWT), it is your intentions. One of the most important aspects of the qurbani is that the sacrifice, that is the meat, is distributed to neighbours and those in need. The owner is only allowed to keep a very small portion of the meat.

Nowadays many Islamic relief organizations collect money for the slaughter in poor countries and then distribute the meat to those in need.

Therefore brothers and sisters, let us not forget, if we are able, let’s slaughter our qurbanis and offer them to the needy during Eid. If you are not able to offer a qurbani yourself there are many opportunities to join an Islamic initiative that collects funds towards the qurbani so that you may feed your brothers and sisters who are in need and gain the reward from Allah (SWT) in this lifetime and in the hereafter inshallah.