FROM THE MINBAR OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES IN MAKKAH AND MADINA
(Friday, January 10, 2003)
Be contented with what you have: Imam of the Prophet’s Mosque.

IN MAKKAH
Sheikh Dr Osama Bin Abdullah Khayyat, Imam and Khateeb of Grand Mosque in
his Friday Sermon speaking about the people in turbulent and distressed
times said. “They resort to worship and devotion towards the Lord. Allah
Almighty, but they spoil their efforts that made to earn Allah’s favors by
associating partners with Him by seeking succor from others, such as
diviners and fortunetellers.
“They also resort to offering (unlawful) sacrifices or wearing amulets to
ward-off evil from among themselves and their families even though Allah has
made it clear in the Qur’an that practices of this type are tantamount to
polytheism and idolatry, which can bring nothing but harm,” Sheikh Khayyat
said. Quoting the Holy Qur’an he said, “But it has already been revealed to
you, as it was to those before you, “If you were to join (gods with Allah),
truly fruitless will be your work (in life), and you will surely be in the
ranks of those who lose (all spiritual good).” {Qur’an 39:65}
Sheikh Khayyat also quoted a Hadith of Prophet Mohammed (Sallallaaho alaihi
wa sallam) in which he is reported to have said: “If a person consults a
diviner or soothsayer and believes what he says, then that man is not a
believer in Allah. There are people who read the Holy Qur’an regularly and
there are some who keep their bodies and cloths clean, offer prayers
regularly, give alms to needy; but they engage themselves in backbiting,
bear false witnesses, (illegally) usurp other’s property, practice usury and
are a nuisance to their families and friends.
“Thus they waste their (fruits) of their devotion through evil deeds. The
(only) way out of all the misdeeds is by learning the fundamentals of
Islamic teaching and applying them in our daily life,” he concluded.

IN MADINA
Imam and Khateeb of Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Abdul Bari Al Thubaiti, in his
Friday Sermon said, “Every believer who does good deeds shall be rewarded
with a good and happy life by Allah Almighty.”  Sheikh Al Thubaiti said, a
good life is the one in which a person earns lawful livelihood and remains
counted with what Allah has given him. The world today’s is full of worries
and sorrows. There are many tribulations and animosities. Modern
civilization has produced many luxuries and amenities for mankind, but it
could not ensure happiness and tranquility to everyone. Modern science has
made great achievements that produce sensual pleasure and superficial and
physical prosperity. However, it could not secure happiness that settles
deep into the heart and soul,” he said.
“Some people think that good life is associated with luxurious living,
amassing wealth and occupying lofty and positions of authority (in the
society). However, a good, secure, calm and happy life comes only with true
belief in Allah Almighty, The Creator of the world, Who should be praised
and worshiped alone without associating any partners with Him.
“If only a person knows his Lord full well and believes that He alone
determines firmly that he alone determines the destiny of all creatures,
then he will fear no one except His Lord; seek help from no one expect from
Him: and humble himself before no one but Him. He will then lead a good and
peaceful; life,” Sheikh Al Thubaiti said.
“Those who seek benefactors other than Allah, be they rulers or men of
wealth and power, can be considered as wretched and unhappy people. Good
life comes with piety through Allah’s worship and abstinence from sins,” he
said. “Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “Behold! Verily on the friends of
Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve; those who believe and
constantly guard against evil; for them are glad tidings, in the life of the
present and in the Hereafter: no change can there be in the words of Allah.
This is indeed the supreme felicity.” Qur’an 10: 63).
“The devoted believer is the happiest individual who lives a life of eternal
bliss in complete peace of mind,” he said. “Allah has promised to be side of
those who are pious and do righteous deeds. He makes them victorious over
their enemies and delivers them from the disbelieves’ intrigues if they
(Muslims) remain patient and pious.
“Prayer (Salat) is the greatest means of attaining good life.  It gladdens
the heart, sooths the soul and brings equanimity to the mind.  A person
feels relaxed and free from worries soon after he offers prayers, which
gives him spiritual power that strengthens him to face the problems of
life.” Sheikh Thubaiti said.
“Glorifying Allah’s name is a tool for gaining composure and feeling of
being at ease that comes with the sense of being close to Him.”
“One who feels closeness to Allah, does not fear any other being except Him,
Who will be on his side to help him in difficult situations.” He added.
Sheikh Thubaiti noted that happiness also comes when a person seeks Allah’s
forgiveness if (at all) he commits a sin or has been disobedient to the
Lord.
A happy person is also the one who is satisfied with whatever Allah has
bestowed on him.
The Prophet (Sallallaaho alaihi wa sallam) of Islam said: ‘(The example of)
a person who has a healthy body, his daily bread and peace of mind; is as if
he has got the whole world in his hands,” Sheikh Thubaiti said.

With the very best of good wishes,
Musa Amadu Pembo
Glasgow,
Scotland
UK.
[log in to unmask]
Da’wah is to convey the message with wisdom and with good words. We should
give the noble and positive message of Islam. We should try to emphasize
more commonalities and explain the difference without getting into
theological arguments and without claiming the superiority of one position
over the other. There is a great interest among the people to know about
Islam and we should do our best to give the right message.
May Allah,Subhana Wa Ta'Ala,guide us all to His Sirat Al-Mustaqim (Righteous
Path).May He protect us from the evils of this life and the hereafter.May
Allah,Subhana Wa Ta'Ala,grant us entrance to paradise .
We ask Allaah the Most High, the All-Powerful, to teach us that which will
benefit us, and to benefit us by that which we learn. May Allaah Subhanahu
Wa Ta'ala grant blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad and his family
and
companions..Amen.




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