The Month of Mercy has Come

The Month of Mercy has Come - Khutbah by Mufti Menk

Opening Khutbah

My beloved brothers and sisters, a blessed day, the day of Friday. Many are fasting today being the first day of the month of Ramadan in many parts of the world. The others who did not see the moon would be fasting tomorrow. Nonetheless, Friday is a very blessed day. We know that this Ramadan has come with its uniqueness.

A Different Ramadan

It is a different Ramadan. Never in our history did we imagine that there would be a Ramadan like this one. However, there will be opportunities, great opportunities.

There are opportunities to shine. Because the acts of worship do not stop. Because congregational prayer does not stop. Because ibadah, meaning worship of Allah, the remembrance of Allah, the recitation of the Qur'an does not stop. As we fast, we earn the pleasure of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. We protect ourselves from food and drink from dawn to dusk.

But together with that, we must make sure that our tongues are protected. We must make sure that our eyes are protected. We must make sure that our ears are protected.

We must make sure that we don't indulge in that which will displease Allah during this beautiful time. Not to say that it is allowed otherwise outside of Ramadan. But in fact, we should be more conscious of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala during this blessed month.

Worship in Homes

Similarly, when it comes to the acts of worship, we must make sure because there are restrictions in the houses of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, in most places on earth, that does not mean we are restricted from worshiping Allah. In fact, gather your loved ones, gather your family members, and engage in the congregational prayer for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Many of us for the first time, we will be able to lead our families in prayer.

If you have not memorized much of the Qur'an, at least the short surahs, you may want to repeat them if you don't know any other of the surahs or the chapters of the Qur'an. You are allowed to repeat the same surah again and again. But I'd encourage you to learn more of the short surahs.

There are so many and so easy. Set yourself some goals to achieve during this month of Ramadan, starting with memorizing a little bit more of the Qur'an, reciting a little bit more of the Qur'an. For indeed

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala tells us, those who believe achieve the calmness of the heart through the remembrance of Allah.

For indeed it is only through the remembrance of Allah that the hearts achieve the calmness, contentment, and comfort:

Those who believe and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured. [Quran 13:28]

Charity and Dhikr

Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has blessed us. He has bestowed us with the most beautiful of days and nights. As we abstain from fasting, think of those who don't have any food at all, reach out to them in charity. You may donate from the comfort of your homes online, and others will ensure that that charity reaches the recipient you intended.

Imagine how easy it has become. Even if you were to space your charities out over 30 days, and donate a small amount every single day, in order to have engaged in that act of worship on a daily basis, known as giving charities to the poor. The same would apply my brothers and sisters.

If you were to read some of the Quran, sit and dedicate a time of the day to remember Allah, with the beautiful remembrances that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has taught us through the blessed lips of Muhammad (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - sallallahu alayhi wasallam):

You may repeat 33 times after every farad salah:

(سُبْحَانَ اللهِ (33 times) - 33 times) (الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ (33 times) - 33 times) (الله أَكْبَرُ (33 - 33) or 34 times)

And sometimes capping it with another blessed remembrance of Allah, which is considered extremely powerful:

The Great Reward of Ramadan

My brothers and sisters, in this blessed month of Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him says:

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 38; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 760)

Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan with full conviction in Allah, expecting a reward from Allah, will be forgiven completely for all past sins. [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 38; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 760]

Start off on a new leaf, a new page. Whoever stands in worship at night, in any form of worship at night, in the nights of Ramadan, with full conviction in Allah, expecting a reward from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, all their previous sins will be forgiven by Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

Hope in Times of Crisis

My brothers and sisters, some of us are going through crisis and difficulty. All of us are going through a challenge, but for some, it has become a crisis. Hardship, difficulty, loss of jobs, so much more.

We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. Well, no one knows besides Allah:

No soul knows exactly what it shall have tomorrow. [Quran 31:34]

No one knows the future besides Allah. So rely on Allah. But I want to give you good news.

With every difficulty comes ease. With every hardship comes an opening of ease. The Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - sallallahu alayhi wasallam) gives us this comfort.

Those of us who've been praying, standing all our lives, if a day were to come, when we're unable to stand and pray, the Prophet (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - sallallahu alayhi wasallam) says:

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1117)

Pray standing, if you cannot, because you are unable. Then you pray sitting. And if you cannot, then you pray lying down. [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1117]

This goes to show that the more difficult it became, the easier Allah made it. So whenever we're in a crisis, such as this crisis of not being able to stand and pray, in the case of those who cannot, Allah gives us comfort in that crisis by making it easy for us. From this we also look at another pillar of Islam, where Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala tells us regarding the fast:

Whoever is unwell, sickly, whoever cannot manage, cannot cope, cannot do it, is unable, incapable, or whoever is traveling, they have the option of fasting at another time after Ramadan and not fasting the fast that they were unable to keep. Because Allah says, Allah wants ease for you, not difficulty. [Quran 2:185]

Guidance for Healthcare Workers

People have been asking those on the front line, those in the front line who are serving at this particular time in our history, they are serving humanity, saving lives, engaged in so much in order to serve communities.

Many countries are facing huge difficulties, lots of lives being lost, many people affected, the health of so many is compromised, many people are struggling, and there are some who are reaching out to these,

trying to save the lives, serving them. In the process, if they are unable to fast, then definitely the comfort that was given by Allah applies to them as well. So those of our brothers and sisters doing this work in the front line, the medical staff and the others who are assisting in any way, if for example due to the protective clothing or whatever other reason, you are unable to fast, you feel that perhaps your health is going to be compromised, your immune system, or you feel totally dehydrated and you are unable, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says, don't worry, we intend ease for you.

Just like when you are traveling and your prayer becomes shortened in some cases, or you may join it in some cases, we're giving you a leeway when it comes to fasting, and we're telling you, it's okay, you can make it up sometime after Ramadan, when you are well once again, when you are no longer suffering the way you are. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant us ease. This does not mean that those who are healthy should take advantage of this and say, I'm not going to fast.

No, if you're healthy, you must fast. You should attempt to fast by all means, but if you're really unable, and if you cannot, don't worry, you can always do it later. Allah knows.

Subhanallah, what a great blessing from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. So my brothers and sisters, at times there are people who have been diagnosed with this corona virus, and they are wondering, because the symptoms are not so bad, should I fast or shouldn't I fast? My brother, my sister, you are from among those whom Allah has given a leeway to, if you need to make use of it. So Allah says, if you cannot fast, then you can always do it later.

May Allah make it easy. It's important for us to inform you about this from the Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, verse number 153 onwards, if you were to read, you would find the answers. My brothers and sisters, even if your immune system is compromised, and you fear that it might become so weak, and you and I know that during this crisis, it's important to have a strong immune system, if you are from among the weak, who has underlying conditions, then you will be considered from among those who have an excuse if you cannot fast.

Divine Comfort in Difficult Times

So my brothers and sisters, remember Allah loves us enough to grant us comfort during times of crisis. A crisis wherein our heart is paining that we cannot even enter the masjid as we used to, so many restrictions. But like I said, the comfort is, this time we will spend it with our family members, this time we will worship Allah in unique ways that are from the sunnah of Muhammad s.a.w.

My brothers and sisters, set yourself some goals to fulfill in this month of Ramadan, become a better person, learn how to speak to others in a beautiful way, learn to respect others, learn how to develop your character and conduct, learn to protect yourself from sin and immorality, protect your mouth from vulgar, abusive words, protect yourself from typing those words out on your phones and forwarding them, protect yourself from watching that which is immoral and unacceptable, or doing that which is immoral or unacceptable.

Remember, if fulfilling an act of worship earns a reward, then abstaining from a sin also earns a reward. My beloved brothers and sisters, during this particular month, let's not be wasteful, don't waste food, learn to restrict yourself when it comes to food, not to say starve yourself, but even in the evenings, some people when they're allowed to eat, they begin to compensate for whatever they've lost through the day, not realizing that is not the aim of the fast. The aim of the fast is to cut down on your food as well.

Practical Fasting Tips

Similarly, I can give you a beautiful tip regarding fasting, especially those who are going to fast long hours. The pre-commencement of the fast, meal, known as suhoor, that which is pre-dawn, that meal, if it were light, you would probably have an easier day than if you were to have a heavy pre-dawn meal. Remember that, it's a tip.

And actually it has helped millions of people. Those who have had a very heavy meal pre-dawn have always struggled at some time of the day. But those who know what to eat at the time, concentrate on building the fluids within your system, hydrating yourself, and at the same time, the low Gl foods, concentrate on that which is healthy, rather than the amount of food.

It will help you, my brothers, my sisters. Let's also become more conscious of what food we take in. My brothers and sisters, we must eat that which is pure, that which is clean, that which is healthy at all times.

Ramadan is a month for us to become conscious of what goes into our mouths as well as what comes out of our mouths. In the same way, I will not displease Allah by putting into my mouth that which He dislikes. I should also not displease the same Allah by taking out of my mouth that which He dislikes.

This is a very powerful reminder, my brothers and sisters. Those of you who do have the valid excuses, those who are unwell, those who are traveling, those who have some form of disability that may hinder their fast. If that is the case, if you require medication through the day, and you know you will not be able to make it as much as it will sadden all of us, I want to give you the good news, that is Allah knows your condition.

That's the reason why He said, I actually want to create ease for my worshippers, and I don't want to make it hard for them. It's not to make your life difficult, it's to create ease. My brothers and sisters, when it comes to another pillar of Islam, and that is Hajj, then too Allah says, it's only for those who are able and capable.

Amazing. When it comes to giving charity to the poor, Allah says, it is only compulsory upon those who are able and capable, those who can afford it and have a certain amount of wealth. Not for those who cannot manage, cannot cope, cannot do it, don't have that nisab, which is the amount required.

But still, a charity that is voluntary, would be accepted by Allah, even from those. My brothers and sisters, every good deed you do in the month of Ramadan, is surely multiplied by Allah. It is a month of the mercy of Allah, the forgiveness of Allah, the freedom from hellfire, compassion.

Reciprocal Divine Mercy

If you want the mercy of Allah, show mercy to the rest of humanity, and to the rest of the creatures of Allah. If you want the compassion of Allah, be compassionate yourself. If you want respect, learn to respect others.

My brothers and sisters, it is a time to remind one another to be good, in a beautiful way, without abuse, and without defaming people, without shaming them, we must call them towards goodness. So take this as a beautiful reminder. My brothers and sisters, it's important for us to turn to Allah.

Imagine, if one deed were multiplied 70 times to 700 times, surely I should be engaged in many, many deeds. I warn you, my brothers and sisters, from wasting your time, sitting in front of the television, watching whatever non-beneficial programs that are there. There is a lot that is destructive on social media, and on the television.

Be careful of that. If you are to sit in front of the television, or on social media, on your phones, make sure that you are doing the right thing, by learning something, by benefiting, by empowering, by gaining knowledge, by gaining closeness to Allah. And in this way, we will definitely be able to make the most of Ramadan.

Making the Most of This Ramadan

There are so many scholars across the globe, and so many others across the globe, who have chosen this month to go out of their way, to reach out to you, to inspire you, to teach you, to motivate you. Make use of them. Pray for them.

May Allah benefit them. And become one of them, by spreading a good message. Don't forward anything that is immoral or bad.

During this month, become conscious of it in such a way, that when you exit the month of Ramadan, you will still be with those same good habits that you inculcated during the month of Ramadan. So here goes, my brothers and sisters, the mercy of Allah has arrived. The most blessed month of the year has arrived.

We are in it, my brothers and sisters. O Allah, make it easy for us. O Allah, grant us the best of Ramadan.

Closing Duas

O Allah, grant us the best of this beautiful month. Help us to fast in the most correct way, in a way that pleases you, in a way that results in our forgiveness, and the earning of Jannah. O Allah, grant us freedom from hellfire.

O Allah, protect us all from the virus and all other diseases. O Allah, all those who are affected, grant them cure that is miraculous. O Allah, grant us a good return to your houses, in a way that is not restricted.

O Allah, we ask you to have mercy upon all those who've passed on. O Allah, all those who have suffered a loss in one way or another, alleviate their suffering, ya Allah. O Allah, recompense them in a good way.

O Allah, help all those who are struggling with their mental health, ya Allah. Help them, grant them goodness. O Allah, help them in every single way.

Those who are serving the elderly and serving others, those who are saving lives, O Allah, have mercy on them and protect them. Give them Jannatul Firdaus, excuse them from the fast, those who are unable to fast, O Allah. O Allah, accept from them and grant them a similar reward to those who have fasted.

O Allah, the young ones who are fasting for the first time, make it easy for them, ya Allah. O Allah, those who are struggling in war zones across the globe at this time, O Allah, alleviate their suffering. Help humanity, ya Allah, to restore peace across the globe and sanity across the globe.

Protect us from division and disunity, O Allah. O Allah, we ask you to bless us with every blessing that Muhammad, peace be upon him, sought from you. And we seek protection from all evil that he sought protection from.

Closing Khutbah