Gratitude after Dhul Hijjah

https://www.khutbah.info/gratitude-after-dhul-hijjah/ Be conscious of Allah, the Exalted, and obey Him, and take heed from the passing of the nights and days. For the virtuous days – the greatest days of the year – came to an end, then the year will conclude and we will welcome a new year. So what have we prepared for our hereafter? And what have we prepared for the day that we will stand before the Majestic King? Al-A’raf (7) 8-9: (8) And the weighing [of deeds] that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy – it is they who will be the successful. (9) And those whose scales are light – those are the ones who have lost their souls, [being] in Hell, abiding eternally.

إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ ,نَحْمَدُهُ  ,وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ  وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ ,  وَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا  ,مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللهُ  فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ ,  وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ ,  وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ   وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ    

Verily, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, we seek His assistance and we ask for His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Him from the evils of our selves. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide. Whoever He misguides, none can guide. And I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.

 يَا أَيُّهَا الّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ – آل عمران:102 

Al Imran 102 : O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.

Oh people:

Be conscious of Allah, the Exalted, and obey Him, and take heed from the passing of the nights and days. For the virtuous days – the greatest days of the year – came to an end, then the year will conclude and we will welcome a new year. So what have we prepared for our hereafter? And what have we prepared for the day that we will stand before the Majestic King?

Allah Almighty said: 

وَالْوَزْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْحَقُّ فَمَنْ ثَقُلَتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ * وَمَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَازِينُهُ فَأُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ خَسِرُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ بِمَا كَانُوا بِآيَاتِنَا يَظْلِمُونَ-الأعراف-8

Al-A’raf (7) 8-9: (8) And the weighing [of deeds] that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy – it is they who will be the successful. (9) And those whose scales are light – those are the ones who have lost their souls, [being] in Hell, abiding eternally.

The virtuous days have passed, just as other days pass. Those virtuous days were filled with the remembrance of Allah, the Exalted and were full of rituals to draw nearer to Him, the Exalted. The successful took their share of them, and the deprived missed out on them.

Allah Almighty said: 

فمن يعمل مثقال ذرة خيرا يره . ومن يعمل مثقال ذرة شرا يره  

Az-Zalzalah (99) 7-8: (7) So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, (8) And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it. 

It is incumbent upon people to be grateful to Allah, the Exalted, for guiding them to His religion and for what He taught them of His shariah and rites and for giving them success in venerating these days and performing the rituals. For guidance, knowledge, and success in performing good deeds are among the greatest blessings. And every blessing requires gratitude. Gratitude itself is a blessing that requires gratitude, and gratitude for gratitude is a blessing that requires gratitude. And so, a person is never free from being grateful to Allah, the Exalted, at all times.

If not for Allah’s mercy to His servants by sending down the shariah, guiding people to it, and enabling them to follow it, they would have been lost and gone astray, losing both this world and the Hereafter.

In the Quran, the verses of ordinances and rulings conclude with the mention of Allah, the Exalted, and gratitude to Him. In the verse of Tayammum:

مَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ حَرَجٍ وَلَكِنْ يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ-المائدة 6

Al-Ma’idah (5) 6: Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.

In the verses of fasting:

وَلِتُكْمِلُوا العِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ-البقرة 185

Al-Baqarah (2) 185: And complete the period and glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful.

And in the verses of Hajj:

وَاذْكُرُوهُ كَمَا هَدَاكُمْ وَإِنْ كُنْتُمْ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ لَمِنَ الضَّالِّينَ-البقرة 198

Al-Baqarah  (2)198: And remember Him as He has guided you, for indeed, you were before that among those astray.

In the verses of expiation of oaths:                  

ذَلِكَ كَفَّارَةُ أَيْمَانِكُمْ إِذَا حَلَفْتُمْ وَاحْفَظُوا أَيْمَانَكُمْ كَذَلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ-المائدة  89

Al-Ma’idah (5) 89:  That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.

And the purpose of building the House (Ka’bah) is to perform worship therein and express gratitude to Allah, the Exalted, as indicated by the supplication of its builder, Ibrahim (peace be upon him):

رَبَّنَا إِنِّي أَسْكَنْتُ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِي بِوَادٍ غَيْرِ ذِي زَرْعٍ عِنْدَ بَيْتِكَ الْمُحَرَّمِ رَبَّنَا لِيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ فَاجْعَلْ أَفْئِدَةً مِنَ النَّاسِ تَهْوِي إِلَيْهِمْ وَارْزُقْهُمْ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْكُرُونَ-إبراهيم 37

Ibrahim (14) 37: Our Lord, I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful.

Indeed, Allah the Exalted praised Ibrahim, peace be upon him, for his gratitude of Allah:

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ أُمَّةً قَانِتًا لِلَّهِ حَنِيفًا وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ * شَاكِرًا لِأَنْعُمِهِ-النحل  120-121

An-Nahl (16)120-121: (16) Indeed, Abraham was a [comprehensive] leader, devoutly obedient to Allah, inclining toward truth, and he was not of those who associate others with Allah.  (17) [He was] grateful for His favors. Allah chose him and guided him to a straight path.

And during the days of Hajj, Allah, the Exalted, has prescribed drawing closer to Him by sacrificing livestock – whether as Hady for the pilgrims or as Udhiyah for the non-pilgrims. He is the Bestower of these animals and has subjugated them, and He rewards for sacrificing them. The blessings of their subjugation and taming necessitate gratitude. Allah Almighty said:

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّا خَلَقْنَا لَهُمْ مِمَّا عَمِلَتْ أَيْدِينَا أَنْعَامًا فَهُمْ لَهَا مَالِكُونَ * وَذَلَّلْنَاهَا لَهُمْ فَمِنْهَا رَكُوبُهُمْ وَمِنْهَا يَأْكُلُونَ * وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مَنَافِعُ وَمَشَارِبُ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ-يس  71 – 73

Ya-Sin (36) 71-73: (71) Do they not see that We have created for them from what Our hands have made, grazing livestock, and [then] they are their owners? (72) And We have tamed them for them, so some of them they ride, and some of them they eat. (73) And for them therein are [other] benefits and drinks, so will they not be grateful?

Just as the blessing of drawing near to Allah, the Exalted, by sacrificing the also necessitate gratitude. Allah Almighty said:

وَالْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَاهَا لَكُمْ مِنْ شَعَائِرِ اللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ فَاذْكُرُوا اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَافَّ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا الْقَانِعَ وَالْمُعْتَرَّ كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرْنَاهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ-الحج  36

Al-Hajj (22) 36: And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allah upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful.

They are from Allah, the Exalted, and return to Him. And we draw near to Allah, the Exalted, through them while we benefit from them. Allah Almighty said: 

لَنْ يَنَالَ اللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَاؤُهَا وَلَكِنْ يَنَالُهُ التَّقْوَى مِنْكُمْ كَذَلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَبَشِّرِ الْمُحْسِنِينَ-الحج  37

Al-Hajj (22) 37: Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good.

So it is necessary for us, after bidding farewell to this great season, to reflect upon the blessings of Allah, the Exalted, upon us during it, and in what He has prescribed in it of rituals and rites, and for all the rulings of the Sharia and their details. For if we feel that, we will continuously praise and be grateful to Allah, the Exalted, and will embrace praise and gratitude, and avoid rejection and ingratitude. Allah Almighty said: 

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ-غافر 61

Ghafir (40) 61: Indeed, Allah is full of bounty to the people, but most of the people do not show gratitude.

And every person is either grateful or ungrateful. And there is no third possibility. Allah Almighty said: 

إِنَّا هَدَيْنَاهُ السَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا-الإِنْسَان  3

Al-Insan (76) 3: Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful.

أَقُولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ  لِي وَلَكُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ  إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

I say what you have heard and I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and you from every sin. So seek forgives from Him, Verily He is Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

Second Khutbah

الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ,  وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ  , وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَاْ إِلَهَ إِلَّاْ اَللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَاْشَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَاً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ

All praise is to Allah, and peace and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, and I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.

Oh Muslims:

Some people strive in the seasons of worship and then become lazy and lethargic after that. And perhaps some may even commit sins under the pretext that they have already offered much. Rather, the believer continues in the obedience of Allah until their conclusion is Paradise. Moreover, deeds are judged by their conclusions. So be cautious to be safe, and strive to succeed! Listen to what was narrated by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:

فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ مِنْكُمْ لَيَعْمَلُ حَتَّى مَا يَكُونُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ إِلَّا ذِرَاعٌ, فَيَسْبِقُ عَلَيْهِ كِتَابُهُ فَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ النَّارِ فيدخلها, وَإن الرجل منكم ليَعْمَلُ بعمل أهل النار حَتَّى مَا يَكُونُ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَها إِلَّا ذِرَاعٌ, فَيَسْبِقُ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابُ فَيَعْمَلُ بِعَمَلِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ فيدخلها

Indeed, one of you performs the deeds of the people of Paradise until there is but an arm’s length between him and it, and then what is written overtakes him, so he performs the deeds of the people of Hell and enters it. And indeed, one of you performs the deeds of the people of Hell until there is but an arm’s length between him and it, and then what is written overtakes him, so he performs the deeds of the people of Paradise and enters it. [Al-Bukhari 3208 and Muslim 2643a]

We ask Allah Almighty to make us among the grateful. Indeed Allah is All Hearing, Answering.

هَذَا وَصَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى نَبِيِّكُم كَمَا أَمَرَكُمْ بِذلِكَ رَبُّكُمْ , فَقَالَ

I conclude with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon your Prophet as your Lord commanded:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

Al Ahzaab (33) 56: Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace.

اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنا فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنا فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنا فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لنا فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنا شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ

O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed.  For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا عَاذَ بِهِ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ كُلَّ قَضَاءٍ قَضَيْتَهُ لَنا خَيْرًا

O Allah, We ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good

 عِبَادَ اللّهِ  إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ  يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

Servants of Allah. Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded. 

اُذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ واشْكُرُوهُ يَزِدْكُمْ واسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لكُمْ واتّقُوهُ يَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِكُمْ مَخْرَجًا   وَأَقِمِ الصّلَاة

Remember Allah, the Great – He will remember you. Thank Him for His favors – He will increase you therein.  And seek forgiveness from Him – He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him – He will provide you a way out of difficult matters. And, establish the prayer.  

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