https://www.khutbah.info/do-not-extend-your-gaze/ Our Lord, is the Most Subtle, All-Aware, All-Knowing, All-Powerful. He created creation, so He knows them best and what is best for their life and their afterlife. Allah Almighty says: Al-Mulk (67) 14: Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the All-Aware? With His justice and wisdom, glory be to Him, He determines their provisions, granting sustenance to whomever He wills, and withholding from whomever He wills what He wills.
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:
Our Lord, is the Most Subtle, All-Aware, All-Knowing, All-Powerful. He created creation, so He knows them best and what is best for their life and their afterlife. Allah Almighty says:
أَلاَ يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِير
Al-Mulk (67) 14: Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the All-Aware?
With His justice and wisdom, glory be to Him, He determines their provisions, granting sustenance to whomever He wills, and withholding from whomever He wills what He wills.
Allah Almighty says:
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِ خَبِيرًا بَصِيرًا
Al-Isra (17) 30: Indeed, your Lord extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is ever, concerning His servants, All-Aware and All-Seeing.
Those with faith and understanding, realize that differences in worldly provisions are Allah’s will. Allah Almighty says:
نَحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ مَعِيشَتَهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ-الزخرف 32
Az-Zukhruf (43): 32: It is We who have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in degrees [of rank].
However, those of weak iman (faith) and a lack of understanding gaze longingly at those who have been favored over them in some aspects of livelihood. They look at those who have been given more than them of this worldly life with admiration – a car better than their car, a home better than their home, health better than their health, a position higher than their position, a job better than their job, a spouse more beautiful than spouse, children smarter than their children, and so on with different types of blessings. However, Allah, the Almighty, says:
وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَى مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَى
Surah Taha (20) 131: And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.
That is, do not extend your gaze admiringly, nor repeatedly at the worldly pleasures and luxuries and at those enjoying them- such as delicious foods, luxurious clothes, fancy cars and beautiful homes, enjoyed by those deceived by this worldly life, and admired by those turning away from the Hereafter. They will ultimately destroy those blindly pursuing them at the expense of their afterlife, causing deep regret when regret will no longer be of use.
Do not extend your gaze, towards those having more of this worldly life, as it hardens the heart, brings sorrow to the soul, and burdens life. It distracts the heart from striving for the Hereafter and hinders from seeking success in the afterlife.
Do not extend your gaze, towards those having more of this worldly life, as Allah has made these pleasures a test to distinguish those who are deceived by them from those who perform righteous deeds.
Allah Almighty says:
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا مَا عَلَى الْأَرْضِ زِينَةً لَهَا لِنَبْلُوَهُمْ أَيُّهُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا * وَإِنَّا لَجَاعِلُونَ مَا عَلَيْهَا صَعِيدًا جُرُزًا-الكهف 7 – 8
Al-Kahf (18): 7-8: (7) Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it that We may test them [as to] which of them is best in deed. (8) And indeed, We will make that which is upon it [into] a barren ground.
Do not extend your gaze towards the fleeting pleasures of worldly life. For their glitter will rapidly disappear. The provision from your Lord—both the present provision of knowledge, iman (faith), and righteous deeds, and the future provision of eternal bliss and peace in the presence of the Merciful Lord—is better and more lasting than these transient pleasures.
Allah Almighty says:
بَلۡ تُؤۡثِرُونَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا * وَٱلۡأٓخِرَةُ خَيۡرٞ وَأَبۡقَىٰٓ
Al-A’la (87): 16-17: (16) But you prefer the worldly life, (17) while the Hereafter is better and more enduring.
Do not extend your gaze towards the worldly pleasures as not every pleasure that the eye seeks will bring joy to the heart and delight to the soul. How many pleasures are delightful to the eye, but leave the heart broken and the mind enslaved. The most troubled of people are those who let their gazes wander freely at those having more than them.
Frequently looking at those who have been favored in some aspects of worldly provision and blessings has negative effects and harmful outcomes. Among these are becoming oblivious to the blessings of Allah, underestimating and undervaluing them, and not being grateful for them, even though the blessings of Allah are immense and impossible to innumerate. Satan may even deceive a person into thinking they are deprived, wronged or more deserving than others. This attitude puts them at risk of incurring Allah’s displeasure and punishment.
Allah, the Almighty, says:
وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ
Ibrahim (14) 7: And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’
Allah also says:
وَضَرَبَ اللّهُ مَثَلاً قَرْيَةً كَانَتْ آمِنَةً مُّطْمَئِنَّةً يَأْتِيهَا رِزْقُهَا رَغَدًا مِّن كُلِّ مَكَانٍ فَكَفَرَتْ بِأَنْعُمِ اللّهِ فَأَذَاقَهَا اللّهُ لِبَاسَ الْجُوعِ وَالْخَوْفِ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَصْنَعُون
An-Nahl (16) 112: And Allāh presents an example: a city which was safe and secure, its provision coming to it in abundance from every location, but it denied the favors of Allāh. So Allāh made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for what they had been doing.
One of the dangerous consequences of this is falling into envy, which is wishing for the removal of blessings from others. Imam Abu As-Samarqandi said that there is nothing more harmful than envy. The envious person suffers five punishments before their envy reaches the one that they envy: constant grief, an affliction for which they receive no reward, blame from others, the displeasure of Allah, and the door of success being closed to them. Some wise people said that I have not seen a wrongdoer more closely resembling the wronged than the envious person.
Another dangerous consequence is doubting Allah’s justice and wisdom, becoming discontented and displeased with what Allah has decreed and apportioned. By doing so, they bring misery and anguish upon themselves. Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said that rarely does a discontented person escape from doubt that infiltrates and penetrates their heart, even if they do not feel it. If they thoroughly searched within themselves, they would find that their certainty of faith weakened and corrupted. For contentment and certainty are companions, while doubt and discontent are close associates. He also said that contentment opens the door of security for the believer, making their heart pure and free from deception, malice, and envy. Only those who come to Allah with a sound heart will be saved from His punishment.
Doubting Allah’s justice and wisdom, and being discontented and displeased with His decree, renders faith and righteous deeds of no benefit, for it is a form of major disbelief, and we seek refuge with Allah from that. Was it not this that caused the downfall of Iblis? He said, ‘I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay.’ Allah said:
قَالَ فَاخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيم * وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ لَعْنَتِي إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّين
Al-A’raf (7) 13: Descend from it [i.e., Paradise], for it is not for you to be arrogant therein. So get out; indeed, you are of the debased.
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:
Whoever wants to protect themselves should avoid looking with admiration and longing at what others possess, and instead, appreciate and recognize the blessings that they already have. When one does this, they will feel contentment and happiness and will enjoy the most blessed and tranquil life.
As mentioned in a sound hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said:
مَن أصبحَ منكم آمنًا في سربِهِ، مُعافًى في جسدِهِ عندَهُ قوتُ يومِهِ، فَكَأنَّما حيزت لَهُ الدُّنيا
Whoever among you wakes up secure in their home, healthy in their body, and has their food for the day, it is as if the world has been gathered for them. [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2346, Grade: Hasan]
And the Prophet ﷺ said:
لكُلِّ شيءٍ حقيقةٌ وما بلغَ عبدٌ حقيقةَ الإيمانِ حتَّى يَعلمَ أنَّ ما أصابَهُ لَم يكُن ليُخطِئَهُ وما أخطأهُ لَم يكُن ليُصيبَهُ
Everything has a reality, and no servant will attain the reality of faith until they know that what has befallen them was never meant to miss them, and what has missed them was never meant to befall them. [Ahmad 27490, Grade: Hasan (Albani Sahih Jami 2150)]
True happiness in this world lies in contentment and satisfaction. No one attains success unless they have contentment in life.
Abdullah bin Amr narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَرُزِقَ كَفَافًا وَقَنَّعَهُ اللَّهُ بِمَا آتَاهُ
Successful is the one who accepts Islam and is provided with what suffices him, and Allah makes him content with what He has given him. [Muslim 1054]
Also, one should look at those who are in a worse condition than them in terms of wealth and health and those who are enduring greater trials and difficulties. By doing so, they will recognize the magnitude of Allah’s blessings upon them, be more content with their provision, and find greater peace and well-being. In Sahih Muslim, the Prophet ﷺ said:
انْظُرُوا إلى مَن أسْفَلَ مِنكُمْ، ولا تَنْظُرُوا إلى مَن هو فَوْقَكُمْ، فَهو أجْدَرُ أنْ لا تَزْدَرُوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ
Look at those who are beneath you, and do not look at those who are above you, for it is more likely that you will not belittle the blessings of Allah. [Muslim 2963c]
And in another narration:
إذا نَظَرَ أحَدُكُمْ إلى مَن فُضِّلَ عليه في المالِ والخَلْقِ، فَلْيَنْظُرْ إلى مَن هو أسْفَلَ منه
If one of you looks at someone who has been favored over him in wealth and appearance, he should look at those beneath him. [Bukhari 6490]
During these times, there are many who exaggerate, embellish and flaunt and brag about what they have been given of worldly blessings for others to admire and follow them. So do not be fooled and lower your gaze and do not follow the lives of those who surpass you in some aspects of worldly matters. Instead, look at those who are less fortunate. Look at those who are in fear and need, at those who are displaced and wronged, at those who are in hardship or illness. Look at those who have lost blessings that you still enjoy. No matter what difficulty or affliction befalls you, there are those in greater hardship. Remembering this, will remind you to not belittle the blessings of Allah upon you and to be grateful and appreciative for what you have been given.
We ask Allah Almighty to make us grateful for what we have and fill our lives with iman and contentment. 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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