Al-Maqasid Khutbas

“There’s no enemy worse than ignorance.” In this immensely beneficial and comprehensive khutba, Sh. Hasan Petrus explains the place of true knowledge in Islam and why its virtues and merits are accessible to everyone of us. Among other things, Sh. Hasan mentions the two types of ignorance, the importance of asking meaningful questions, and the three branches of knowledge. He mentions two stories of Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, that illustrate dedication to pursuing sacred knowledge and its virtue. This khutba is especially relevant for these paradoxical times that are known as the “Age of Information” but are, in reality, bereft of true knowledge.

“Allah loves those who are persistent in their supplication.” In this khutba, Shaykh Amjad Tarsin discusses the virtue and importance of turning to Allah the Exalted for everything, and the three possible outcomes for any given supplication. Shaykh Amjad also recounts an interaction between Salim bin Abdullah bin ‘Umar (the grandson of the second rightly guided caliph, Sayyiduna ‘Umar bin al-Khattab) and Hisham bin Abdul-Malik, the tenth Umayyad caliph.

“Nun. By the pen and that which it writes.” Shaykh Yahya Rhodus looks at the first 16 verses of Sura al-Qalam [Quran, 68:1-16], especially those referring to Walid ibn al-Mughira, one of the Qurash who strongly opposed the Prophet ﷺ. These verses include several blameworthy traits all believers should avoid and in addition, indicate that our only concern should be to please Allah the Exalted.

‘Guidance was born and as a result the universe became illuminated with every beautiful quality And the mouth of time was all smiles and praise.’ In this Khutba, Ustadh Tariq Samady quotes beautiful statements made about the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by knowers of Allah, the righteous, poets, and even the Prophet ﷺ himself. Ustadh Tariq ends with a recent poem by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf titled ‘Be Like Ahmad.’

“The way to [Allah’s love] is in following and loving the Messenger ﷺ.” The foundational virtue in Islam is love. All other virtues either help us to arrive at the station of love or are the fruits of love. In this Khutba, Shaykh Amjad Tarsin explains the three main reasons why people fall in love and how the perfection of all these reasons is found in the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He provides three practical and easy ways to strengthen one’s love of the Prophet ﷺ.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said in a well-known Hadith Qudsi in Bukhari: “Verily Allah the Exalted has said: ‘Whosoever shows enmity to a wali of Mine, then I have declared war against him. And My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more loved to Me than the religious duties I have obligated upon him. And My servant continues to draw near to me with supererogatory deeds until I love him. “When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him; and were he to seek refuge with Me, I would surely grant him refuge.’” In this Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains this Hadith Qudsi line-by-line, stressing the status of those considered beloved to Allah the Exalted (wali) and exploring the path that leads to Allah’s love.

“We really need to dedicate time and thought and effort into deepening the bonds of love.” The turning point for the Umma was the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ Hijra (622 CE), when the Muslims migrated from Mecca to Madina. Upon arriving in Madina, the Prophet ﷺ first ordered the building of the masjid and then established bonds of brotherhood between the Muhajirun (migrants) and the Ansar (helpers). Citing the Quran and Prophetic Hadith, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explains the significance of strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, as well as the importance of loving each other for the sake of Allah the Exalted. He ends with three things that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ told us to do to strengthen these bonds and to engender love for one another.

“What a blessing in our religion that it is haram to despair from the mercy of Allah.” Two qualities of the heart that believers should have are hope and fear. In this Khutba, Ustadh Yusuf Weltch defines and explains hope and fear in the Islamic context, citing the Quran and providing clarifying examples. He also explains when fear should be more dominant and when hope should be. Ustadh Yusuf concludes his reflection by mentioning the three types of people who worship Allah the Exalted and which type is the highest.

“All traits of good character are embedded in the reality of mercy.” Once something is identified as a Sunna it should be adopted. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ manifested mercy in its most perfect form. In this Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains (1) why mercy is strength and (2) why mercy is the foundation of healing and growth. He then discusses what must be done to bring about mercy in this world and how to receive it.

“Every soul will taste death.” [Quran 3:185] Allah the Exalted uses three different words in the Quran to refer to a date stone—fatīl, naqīr, and qiṭmīr. In this Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains the metaphor of the date stone as used in the Quran and what it teaches about preparing for our return to Allah. Shaykh Yahya also explains the spiritual benefit of shaking hands and greeting other Muslims with ‘as-salamu alaikum,’ as well as why every Muslim has a special quality unique to them.