https://www.khutbah.info/this-fleeting-world-and-the-end-of-ramadan/ The sun hardly rises and then it sets, and it seems like a day is merely a moment. And the new moon hardly appears then it disappears, and it seems like a month is just a day. And a year hardly begins then it ends, and it seems like a year is just like a week. And Ramadans come and go quickly through a person’s life until their lifespans end without them realizing it. And time passing speedily is among the signs of the Hour. The Prophet ﷺ said:
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:
The sun hardly rises and then it sets, and it seems like a day is merely a moment. And the new moon hardly appears then it disappears, and it seems like a month is just a day. And a year hardly begins then it ends, and it seems like a year is just like a week. And Ramadans come and go quickly through a person’s life until their lifespans end without them realizing it. And time passing speedily is among the signs of the Hour. The Prophet ﷺ said:
لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَتَقَارَبَ الزَّمَانُ فَتَكُونُ السَّنَةُ كَالشَّهْرِ وَالشَّهْرُ كَالْجُمُعَةِ وَتَكُونُ الْجُمُعَةُ كَالْيَوْمِ وَيَكُونُ الْيَوْمُ كَالسَّاعَةِ وَتَكُونُ السَّاعَةُ كَالضَّرْمَةِ بِالنَّارِ
The hour shall not be established until time is constricted, and the year is like a month, a month is like the week, and the week is like the day, and the day is like the hour, and the hour is like the flare of the fire. [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2332, Grade: Sahih]
And in many instances, the Qur’an and Sunnah indicate the fleeting nature of this worldly life no matter how much hope people place in it or how long they live in it or how much they accumulate in it.
Among the texts that indicate that the establishment of the Hour is very close, include Allah’s words:
اقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِي غَفْلَةٍ مُعْرِضُونَ-الْأَنْبِيَاءِ 1
Al-Anbiya (21) 1: [The time of] their account has approached for the people, while they are in heedlessness turning away.
And His Words:
اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانْشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ-الْقَمَرِ 1
Al-Qamar (54) 1: The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two].
And His Words:
وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّ السَّاعَةَ قَرِيبٌ-الشُّورَى 17
Ash-Shura (42) 17: And what will make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near.
And more emphatic in indicating its nearness are His words:
وَمَا أَمْرُ السَّاعَةِ إِلَّا كَلَمْحِ الْبَصَرِ أَوْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ-النَّحْلِ 77
An-Nahl (16) 77: And the command for the Hour is not but as a glance of the eye or even nearer. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.
And the Prophet ﷺ said:
بُعِثْتُ أَنَا وَالسَّاعَةَ هَكَذَا، وَيُشِيرُ بِإِصْبَعَيْهِ فَيَمُدُّ بِهِمَا
My advent and the Hour are like these, pointing with his two fingers. [Bukhari 6503 and Muslim 2950]
And this worldly life is likened to water sent down from the sky, which the mingles with the earth’s vegetation, then it turns into dry debris:
إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا كَمَاءٍ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهِ نَبَاتُ الْأَرْضِ مِمَّا يَأْكُلُ النَّاسُ وَالْأَنْعَامُ حَتَّى إِذَا أَخَذَتِ الْأَرْضُ زُخْرُفَهَا وَازَّيَّنَتْ وَظَنَّ أَهْلُهَا أَنَّهُمْ قَادِرُونَ عَلَيْهَا أَتَاهَا أَمْرُنَا لَيْلًا أَوْ نَهَارًا فَجَعَلْنَاهَا حَصِيدًا كَأَنْ لَمْ تَغْنَ بِالْأَمْسِ كَذَلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ-يُونُسَ 24
Yunus (10) 24: The example of [this] worldly life is but like rain which We have sent down from the sky that the plants of the earth absorb – [those] from which men and livestock eat – until, when the earth has taken on its adornment and is beautified and its people suppose that they have capability over it, there comes to it Our command by night or by day, and We make it as a harvest, as if it had not flourished yesterday. Thus do We explain in detail the signs for a people who give thought.
And this great example is repeated in the Surah’s of Al-Kahf, Az-Zumar, and Al-Hadid. The worldly life is likened to water that nurtures crops, and the water either seeps into the earth or evaporates and does not remain. And likewise, the worldly life vanishes and ends. Water does not stay in one place, and similarly, the beauty of this worldly life does not remain with anyone forever. When water comes down in an amount that benefits the earth, it vibrates with greenery and benefits the living. However, if the water is excessive, it floods the land, destroys the crops, and kills people. And likewise, if a person takes from this worldly life enough to sustain themselves, and help them on their journey to their Lord the Almighty, they benefit from it; because they made the world a means to the Hereafter. But if someone becomes greedy in accumulating and enjoying this worldly life, it destroys them. Therefore it is said that love of the world is the root of all sins.
And this worldly life was likened to lush green land. For it becomes green and beautiful, then it turns yellow and becomes dusty, and its beauty fades away. Similarly, the delights of this world deceive the beholders, who marvel at its beauty. Then it goes away through a calamity that spoils it, or death that cuts off its pleasure. Thus, it is often described in the Quran as the enjoyment of deception:
وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ-الْحَدِيدِ 20
Al-Hadid (57) 20: And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion.
On top of the deceiving nature of this worldly life, a person only lives a very small fraction of it. Even if one lived for a hundred years, that is nothing compared to the age of this world which is over thousands of years old and its age is only known to Allah Almighty.
For, lifespans are finite, and death demolishes the pleasures of this worldly life. No one can prevent, repel, or postpone death. As Allah Almighty says:
قُلْ فَادْرَءُوا عَنْ أَنْفُسِكُمُ الْمَوْتَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ-آلِ عِمْرَانَ 168
Al Imran (3) 168: Say, “Then prevent death from yourselves, if you should be truthful.”
And Allah Almighty says:
أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُوا يُدْرِكْكُمُ الْمَوْتُ وَلَوْ كُنْتُمْ فِي بُرُوجٍ مُشَيَّدَةٍ-النِّسَاءِ 78
An-Nisa (4) 78: Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be within towers of lofty construction.
And He says:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ-الْعَنْكَبُوتِ 57
Al-Ankaboot (29) 57: Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned.
And Allah Almighty says:
قُلْ إِنَّ الْمَوْتَ الَّذِي تَفِرُّونَ مِنْهُ فَإِنَّهُ مُلَاقِيكُمْ-الْجُمُعَةِ 8
Al-Jumu’ah (62) 8: Say, “Indeed, the death from which you flee – indeed, it will meet you. “
And no matter how long one lives in this worldly life, even if it is for a thousand years, it will seem at the time of death, resurrection, and reckoning as if they had only lived for a moment. As Allah Almighty says:
وَيَوْمَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ كَأَنْ لَمْ يَلْبَثُوا إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِنَ النَّهَارِ يَتَعَارَفُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ-يُونُسَ 45
Yunus (10) 45: And on the Day when He will gather them, [it will be] as if they had not remained [in the world] but an hour of the day, [and] they will know each other.
And Allah Almighty says:
يَتَخَافَتُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ إِنْ لَبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا عَشْرًا * نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذْ يَقُولُ أَمْثَلُهُمْ طَرِيقَةً إِنْ لَبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا يَوْمًا-طه 103-104
Taha: 103-104: (103) They will murmur among themselves, “You remained not but ten [days in the world].” (104) We are most knowing of what they say when the best of them in manner [i.e., wisdom or speech] will say, “You remained not but one day.”
And Allah Almighty says:
قَالَ كَمْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ عَدَدَ سِنِينَ * قَالُوا لَبِثْنَا يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍ فَاسْأَلِ الْعَادِّينَ-الْمُؤْمِنُونَ 112-113
Al-Mu’minun (23)112-113: (112) [Allāh] will say, “How long did you remain on earth in number of years?” (113) They will say, “We remained a day or part of a day; ask those who enumerate.”
And Allah Almighty says:
كَأَنَّهُمْ يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَ مَا يُوعَدُونَ لَمْ يَلْبَثُوا إِلَّا سَاعَةً مِنْ نَهَارٍ بَلَاغٌ-الْأَحْقَافِ 35
Al-Ahqaf (46) 35: It will be – on the Day they see that which they are promised – as though they had not remained [in the world] except an hour of a day. [This is] notification.
And Allah Almighty says:
كَأَنَّهُمْ يَوْمَ يَرَوْنَهَا لَمْ يَلْبَثُوا إِلَّا عَشِيَّةً أَوْ ضُحَاهَا-النَّازِعَاتِ 46
An-Nazi’at (79) 46: It will be, on the Day they see it, as though they had not remained [in the world] except for an afternoon or a morning thereof.
And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ , the most knowledgeable of people about this worldly life and its reality, said:
وَاللَّهِ مَا الدُّنْيَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا مِثْلُ مَا يَجْعَلُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِصْبَعَهُ هَذِهِ فِي الْيَمِّ، فَلْيَنْظُرْ بِمَ تَرْجِعُ.
By Allah, the world compared to the Hereafter is nothing more than like what happens when one of you dips his finger into the sea – let him see what he draws out. [Muslim 2858]
And Al-Hasan Al-Basri – may Allah have mercy on him – said:
O son of Adam, tread the earth with your feet, for soon it will be your grave. By Allah, your lifespan has been diminishing since you came out of your mother’s womb.
The believer should take heed from these Verses and Hadiths that clarify the reality of this world and the duration of human existence within it. Especially since they frequently encounter these verses when reciting and listening to the Quran. Therefore, believers should not make this worldly life their greatest concern or allow their love for it to corrupt their hearts. Instead, they should take from it what helps them obey Allah – the Almighty – and strive to purify their soul with righteous deeds. In this lies success and prosperity. As Allah Almighty says:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ زَكَّاهَا * وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ دَسَّاهَا-الشَّمْسِ 9- 10
Ash-Shams: 9-10: (9) He has succeeded who purifies it, (10) And he has failed who instills it [with corruption].
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:
Just like life, Ramadan passes by quickly and this is the last Friday of Ramadan. It is but a few days before Eid arrives. So, whoever among us has fallen short this month, should sincerely repent to Allah while the doors of repentance are still open. And whoever has strived should realize that this is entirely Allah’s grace upon them and they should be grateful, so as not to unravel their efforts.
Internalize that you are now at the end of this Noble month and only a few nights remain and they will pass quickly. Let us take heed from those who were with us last Ramadan and did not make it to this Ramadan. Do not lose this opportunity. Make the most of what remains of this month with plenty of acts of obedience, recitation of the verses, engaging in remembrance, plentifully giving charity, and repentance to Allah. For the wise and prudent are those who seize the opportunities of life, and take advantage of the seasons of goodness.
Maintain the prayers in the mosques. And increase in giving charity. For Allah – the Exalted – said about the believing men and women who give in charity:
أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ مَغْفِرَةً وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًا -الأحزاب 35
Al-Ahzab (33) 35: For them Allāh has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.
And recite the Quran and act upon it; for it comes as an intercessor for its people on the Day of Resurrection. Adhere to praying at night so you may be among those whom Allah mentioned:
تَتَجَافَى جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ الْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنْفِقُونَ * فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌ مَا أُخْفِيَ لَهُمْ مِنْ قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ -السجدة 16 – 17
As-Sajdah: 16-17: (16) Their sides part [i.e., they arise] from [their] beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend. (17) And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes [i.e., satisfaction] as reward for what they used to do.
From Allah’s grace upon us is that He ordained acts of worship at the end of Ramadan to express gratitude to Him and draw closer to Him. Among these acts is the Takbir on the night of Eid until the Eid prayer.
Allah the Exalted says:
وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَى مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ -البقرة 185
Al-Baqarah (2)185: And [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allāh for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.
This is among the great rituals and expressions of gratitude. The way of saying it is:
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Laa Ilaha illaLah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa liLahil Hamd
Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no deity except Allah; Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise.
It should be proclaimed – once Eid is confirmed – in mosques, markets, homes, and wherever people gather. It is said loudly by men and quietly by women.
Also Zakat al-Fitr, is required at the end of the month from every individual, young or old, male or female, rich or poor. It is a sa’ ( four complete scoops with two hands) of a volume staple foods, to be given in charity. Allah – the Exalted – ordained it to complete the fast, to express gratitude to Him – Glorified be He – for the grace of completing Ramadan, to purify the fasting person from idle talk and indecency, to console the needy and alleviate their feeling of need, and to spread love and harmony among people.
The time for distributing Zakat al-Fitr is from the confirmation of the Eid until the Eid prayer, and it is permissible before Eid by a day or two. Whoever pays it at that time, it is considered Zakat al-Fitr. Otherwise, it is considered charity.
Also Eid prayer is ordained as gratitude for Allah’s blessings.
And it is recommended to follow up Ramadan with fasting six days of Shawwal; for that is like fasting an eternity. Likewise, fasting three days of every month is counted as fasting an eternity; for the good deed is rewarded ten times its like. And for fasting the day of ‘Arafah, Allah forgives the sins of past year and the coming year. And for fasting the day of ‘Ashura’, Allah forgives the sins of the past year.
Indeed, the deeds of a believer do not cease with the end of Ramadan. For people are commanded to worship the Most Merciful, at all times and all moments. Allah the Exalted – says:
وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ -الحجر 99
Al-Hijr (15) 99: And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty [i.e., death].
O Allah, make us among those freed from the Fire, triumphant at the end of this Noble month, and make us inheritors of the Gardens of Paradise. 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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