In today’s fast-paced world, where conflicts and misunderstandings seem to dominate headlines, the Islamic concept of peace stands as a beacon of hope and guidance. This week’s Friday sermon, delivered on September 27, 2024, in mosques across the UAE, delves deep into the significance of peace in Islam, offering profound insights that are relevant to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Highlights from This Week’s Khutbah (September 27, 2024)
- The importance of peace as a core Islamic value
- Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) embodiment of peace in his daily life
- Practical ways to spread peace in our communities
- The spiritual and social benefits of maintaining a peaceful disposition
Let’s explore the wisdom shared in this powerful sermon:
First Sermon
All praise be to Allah, the Sovereign, the Holy, the Source of Peace. He is the One who has sent His messengers with peace. And I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah, the One full of Majesty and Honor, and I bear witness that our master and prophet Muhammad is the Prophet of mercy and peace, through whom Allah guides those who seek His pleasure to the paths of peace. May Allah bless him, his family, and his noble companions.
To continue: I advise you, servants of Allah, and myself to have taqwa of Allah, as He, the Most High, says: وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
And have taqwa of Allah so that you may receive mercy (Qur’an: 49:10 ).
O believers, whenever our master and Prophet, Sayyiduna Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is mentioned, tongues rush to send peace and blessings upon him. His message calls to peace, and his heart is overflowing with peace. He thought well of the servants of Allah, loved goodness for the creation of Allah, held no grudges or hatred, and would say to his companions: إِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَخْرُجَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنَا سَلِيمُ الصَّدْرِ
“I love to come out to you with a heart free of any malice” (Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi).
The Prophet’s life was characterized by peace in his words, actions, life story, and ethics. He would initiate greetings of peace to whoever he met and encouraged spreading peace among all people. It has been authentically reported from him (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that one of the best traits of Islam is to تَقْرَأَ السَّلَامَ عَلَى مَنْ عَرَفْتَ وَمَنْ لَمْ تَعْرِفْ
“Greet with peace those you know and those you do not know” (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
Since peace is a value by which generations are nurtured, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) wanted every home to be a place of tranquility and a source of peace. He said:
إِذَا دَخَلْتَ عَلَى أَهْلِكَ فَسَلِّمْ؛ يَكُونُ بَرَكَةً عَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ
“When you enter your home, greet your family with peace; it will be a blessing upon you and your family” (al-Tirmidhi).
He encouraged his companions to adhere to this value and explained its significance and centrality, saying:
إِنَّ السَّلَامَ اسْمٌ مِنْ أَسْمَاءِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى، وَضَعَهُ اللَّهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ، فَأَفْشُوا السَّلَامَ بَيْنَكُمْ
“Peace is one of the names of Allah, the Exalted, which He has placed on earth. So, spread peace among yourselves” (Adab al-Mufrad).
Servants of Allah, peace is a principle and a decision. Its highest meanings are evident in the darkest and most difficult moments. The voice of peace is the language of the wise, the reasoning of the virtuous and the thoughtful. Allah Almighty said: وَإِنْ جَنَحُوا لِلسَّلْمِ فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ
“And if they incline to peace, then incline to it and rely upon Allah” (Qur’an: 8:61).
Our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) chose the way of peace in an unparalleled historical moment when he said to the people of Mecca who had driven him out:
مَا تَرَوْنَ أَنِّي صَانِعٌ بِكُمْ؟
“What do you think I will do to you?”
They replied, asking for his generosity and mercy, saying: “We expect good from you; you are a noble brother and the son of a noble brother.” He responded to them with generosity and peace:
اذْهَبُوا فَأَنْتُمُ الطُّلَقَاءُ
“Go, for you are free” (Sirah Ibn Hisham).
It is only fitting for us to embody this noble prophetic character with our families, neighbours, and friends, and to reflect it in all our dealings, so we may live in peace and refrain from harming others. For الْمُؤْمِنُ مَنْ أَمِنَهُ النَّاسُ
“The believer is the one from whom people feel safe” (Musnad Ahmad)
And: وَالْمُسْلِمُ مَنْ سَلِمَ النَّاسُ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ وَيَدِهِ
“A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand others are safe” (Musnad Ahmad).
O Allah, You are Peace, and from You is peace. Blessed are You, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor. So, grant us peace, our Lord, and admit us to Paradise, the Home of Peace. O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. I say this and ask Allah for forgiveness for myself and for you, so seek His forgiveness for He is the most forgiving, most merciful.
Second Sermon
All praise is due to Allah, truly deserving of praise. And peace and blessings be upon His Prophet and servant, and upon his family and companions, and all who follow his guidance thereafter.
To continue: O lovers of peace, peace is an inherent and enduring value, a firm and lasting virtue. It has been affirmed by all divine laws and ingrained in natural dispositions. Through it, souls find tranquility, and hearts are elevated, becoming pure, free of grudges and hatred, in accordance with the words of Allah: إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ
Except for those who come to Allah with a sound heart (Qur’an: 26:89).
So, strive to spread peace in all aspects of your lives, greet others with it, and embody its meanings in your hearts. Whoever greets others with peace has prayed for their safety from evil and harm, and has ensured them freedom from fear and dislike. Know that peace is the cause of all good and stability, and a condition for all elevation and prosperity. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said: أَفْشُوا السَّلَامَ كَيْ تَعْلُوا
“Spread peace and you will rise” (Al-Tabarani)
In other words, this means our status will be elevated and our worth will be enhanced, the more we inculcate peace in ourselves and others. This is clear in a historical sense, for we will see that wherever the river of peace flows, it builds in its surroundings the foundations of civilization and brings happiness to humanity. Hence his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, may Allah protect him, said: “Peace is the foundation upon which we build our future.”
So, O servants of Allah, maintain the purity of your hearts, spread peace in your homes, embody it in your dealings, and disseminate it among yourselves. For with peace, the earth becomes a paradise for you, and you will attain the paradise of your Lord in the Hereafter, as Allah says: لَهُمْ دَارُ السَّلَامِ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ
For them will be the Home of Peace with their Lord (Qur’an: 6:127).
O Allah, send Your peace, blessings, and mercy upon our master Muhammad and upon all his family and companions. Be pleased, O Allah, with Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, and all of the noble companions. O Allah, make us faithful to You, worshipers of You, and returning to You in peace. Grant us to follow the guidance of Your Prophet and be dutiful to our parents. Have mercy on them as they raised us when we were young, O Most Merciful of the merciful. Our Lord, grant us the good in this world and the good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. O Allah, continue to bestow stability and peace upon our nation, grant us well-being, expand our provision, and bless us in our spouses and offspring. O Allah, guide the President of the nation, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, his deputies, and his fellow rulers of the Emirates, and his trustworthy crown prince to what pleases You. O Allah, have mercy on Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Rashid, and the founding leaders, admit them into Your vast gardens, and encompass our martyrs with Your mercy and forgiveness. O Allah, have mercy on the Muslim men and women, the believing men and women, those alive and those who have passed away. O Allah, send us shower us with Your mercy and do not make us of the despondent. O Allah, shower us with Your mercy, grant us Your mercy, grant us mercy. Our Lord, give us in this world good and in the Hereafter good, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire. Exalted is our Lord, the Lord of might, above what they describe. And peace and blessings be upon all the Messengers, and praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Establish the prayer.
Reflecting on the Sermon: Applying Peace in Our Daily Lives
The sermon’s powerful message reminds us that peace is not just an abstract concept but a practical approach to life that can transform our relationships, communities, and even nations. Here are some key takeaways we can implement in our daily lives:
- Start with self-reflection: Cultivate inner peace by practicing mindfulness and self-awareness.
- Spread peace through greetings: Make it a habit to greet others with “Assalamu Alaikum” (Peace be upon you), extending this courtesy to both friends and strangers.
- Foster peaceful home environments: Create a tranquil atmosphere in your home by greeting family members with peace and resolving conflicts amicably.
- Practice forgiveness: Let go of grudges and resentments, embracing forgiveness as a path to inner and outer peace.
- Promote understanding: Engage in interfaith and intercultural dialogues to foster mutual respect and understanding.
- Be a peacemaker: Actively work to resolve conflicts in your community, workplace, or social circles.
- Educate the next generation: Teach children the value of peace and how to embody it in their interactions with others.
By internalizing and acting upon these teachings, we can contribute to a more harmonious society and fulfill our responsibility as ambassadors of peace, following in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Conclusion: Peace as a Cornerstone of Faith and Society
This Friday sermon serves as a powerful reminder that peace is not just a desirable state but a fundamental aspect of Islamic teachings. By embracing peace in our hearts, homes, and communities, we not only elevate our spiritual status but also contribute to the betterment of society as a whole.
As we navigate the challenges of the modern world, let us hold fast to the timeless wisdom of Islam, making peace our guiding principle in all aspects of life. In doing so, we can hope to create a world where understanding, compassion, and harmony prevail, bringing us closer to the divine ideal of peace on earth.
