All Praise be to Allah and peace be upon our Messenger (peace be upon him).
May Allah send peace and blessings upon you as long as people recite the Ayahs of the Qur’an and Surat Al Furqan. And we send peace and blessings upon you as long as the wind hits high places and on red flowers.
As-Salamu Alaykum dear Muslim brothers. You are good and your steps are blessed, and we ask Allah to admit you a high status of Paradise.
Dear honorable brothers, here we are seeing off the season of the first ten days of Dhul-Hujjah and the days of the great Hajj.
However, the days of good and occasions of obedience did not end. A believer shall remain a devotee to his Lord no matter how different the occasions are and whether we receive or see them off.
How fast are days! Few days ago, we and all Muslims all over the globe were receiving the best days of Allah and the believing souls have yearned to visit His Sacred House.
Indeed, Allah has bestowed His Favors upon some of His Servants by visiting His Sacred House this year and performing the obligation of Hajj. So, their souls were filled by the love of Allah and the pleasure of being close to Him, and their hearts yearned to the forgiveness of sins and the concealment of faults and defects. How lucky they are with the Prophet’s glad tiding which stated: “And the reward of Hajj Mabrur (the Hajj which is accepted by Allah) is nothing except Paradise.”
How happy they will be with the Prophet’s saying: “Whoever performs Hajj for Allah’s pleasure and does not have sexual relations with his wife, and does not do evil or sins then he will return (after Hajj free from all sins) as if he were born anew.”
So, praise be to Allah who guided the pilgrims to stand before Him seeking forgiveness, repentant, and going back to His Obedience. Pilgrims came back after performing the rites of Hajj. They returned happily due to the favors which Allah bestowed on them. “Say: “In the Bounty of Allâh, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islâm and the Qur’ân); – therein let them rejoice.” That is better than what (the wealth) they amass.” Better than the world, its temptations, and purposes which are mere imagination that will soon fade away. So, let pilgrims enjoy their Hajj and let worshippers enjoy their worship.
The points of our meeting is as follows:
First, benefits of Hajj. Thus we learnt from Hajj:
The occasion of Hajj is the most important the greatest occasions of Islam and it has many benefits, of the most important of which are the following:
- Rearing people for the unity of the nation, for it is one nation, and thus Allah wills it to be.
- Rearing the nation for following the example of the Prophet away from following whims.
- After Hajj, a Muslim opens a new page with Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted).
- Reminding people of the conditions of the Hereafter.
- Declaring the principle of equality between all Muslims.
- Reminding Muslims of the fierce war with Satan.
- Practical rearing for kind treatment and safeguarding the tongue from using foul language.
- Establishing the meanings of sacrifice and exerting for Allah and for His Great religion.
Second, Signs for accepting Hajj:
First, Continuation on good deeds and show firmness and straightness to them until death. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: “And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death).” [Surat Al Hijr: 99]. Of the signs of accepting an action in the sight of Allah is that a person is guided to do another righteous action, for a good deed follows another as a bad deed follows another. The person who wants to know whether Allah accepted his Hajj or not should see his actions after Hajj.
Have his faith and certainty increased?
Has his connection with Allah increased?
Has his heart become lenient and soft when the name of Allah is mentioned? Have his eyes shed tears from the fear of Allah?
Has he become more diligent on Salah and Zakat?
Has he become more attached with the Qur’an and mentioning Allah?
Has his vigor in calling to Allah, enjoining good and forbidding evil increased?
Has he stayed away from unlawful matters, has he abandoned usury, adultery, and forbidden acts?
Second, of the signs of the accepted Hajj is showing asceticism in the world and desiring the Hereafter. It was said to Al Hasan Al Basry (may Allah bestow mercy on his soul): What is the accepted Hajj? He said: To come back showing asceticism in the world and desiring the Hereafter.
Third, adherence to the Prophetic example, especially during Hajj in response to the Prophet’s saying: “Take from me your rituals.”
Fourth, Hajj should have a strong impact on a pilgrim’s actions and sayings:
Where is the impact of Hajj on those who returned home while they are still oppressing people, shedding blood, and supporting the wrongdoers?
Where is the impact of Hajj on those who returned home while they are still usurping people’s money without right?
Where is the impact of Hajj on those who returned home while they are still eating up usury and taking bribes?
Where is the impact of Hajj on those who returned home while they are still cutting the ties of kinship, spread rivalries and disputes in the society?
Where is the impact of Hajj on those who returned home while they are still opposing the religion of Allah and do not accept a ruler or a ruling?
Where is the impact of Hajj on those who returned home while they are still eating up his sisters’ inheritance, oppressing children and do not equate between children?
Where is the impact of Hajj on those who returned home while they are still separating between loving people and stir rivalries among people?
Third, what should be done after Hajj?
First, frequent mentioning of Allah and adherence to worship until the last moment of your life.
Allah (Glory be to Him) says about the season of Hajj and the actions that should be done thereafter: “So when you have accomplished your Manâsik, remember Allâh as you remember your forefathers or with a far more remembrance. But of mankind there are some who say : “Our Lord! Give us (Your Bounties) in this world !” and for such there will be no portion in the Hereafter. * And of them there are some who say : “Our Lord! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!” * Those for them there will be allotted a share for what they have earned. And Allâh is Swift at reckoning .” [Surat Al Baqarah: 200 – 202].
So, worship has no fixed time or certain place, but a Muslim worships Allah all times, in all conditions, and in any place. Therefore, Allah (Glory be to Him) says: “And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death).” [Surat Al Hijr: 99]. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If the Hour is established and one of you has a palm seedling, he should plant it. Work and worship are required until the last moment of life, and the actions and worship of a person do not stand on a time, place, or occasion.
Each Muslim obeys Allah should remember Allah’s Saying: “And be not like her who undoes the thread which she has spun, after it has become strong.” [Surat An-Nahl: 92].
Second, showing gratitude to Allah, the real bestower of favors.
The favor of Allah upon those who performed Hajj is great and entails showing gratitude to the giver. The punishment of those who do not show gratitude is the removal of this blessing such as the removal of health, children, money, the love for the sake of Allah, and good condition. 
Allah (Glory be to Him) says: “And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: “If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allâh), I will give you more (of My Blessings); but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily My Punishment is indeed severe.”” [Surat Ibrahim: 7]. Allah has given the example of a village that was secure and assured but it did not show gratitude to the favors of Allah, so its punishment is taking away the blessings. Allah narrates this story in the Qur’an saying: “And Allâh puts forward the example of a township (Makkah) that dwelt secure and well-content: its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favors of Allâh (with ungratefulness). So Allâh made it taste extreme of hunger (famine) and fear, because of that (evil, i.e. denying Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him) which they (its people) used to do.” [Surat An-Nahl: 112].
Our Prophet (peace be upon him) used to commend his companions with showing gratitude to Allah and seek His Help for that. It was reported in the Hadith of Mu`adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) in which he said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) took hold of my hand and said: “O Mu`adh! By Allah I love you, so I advise you to never forget to recite after every prayer: “Allahumma A`inny `Ala Dhikrika, Wa Shukrika, Wa Husni `Ibadatika (O Allah, help me remember You, to be grateful to You, and to worship You in an excellent manner).”
Showing gratitude will be by the following:
Verbal gratitude to the giver of the favor as He is the bestower of these blessings and favors.
Hearty certainty that the one who gives and grants is Allah. Using all organs and every blessing in the obedience of Allah, which is the real interpretation of gratitude.
Third, frequent hastening to sincere repentance:
The person who has seen the place where the revelation came down, the Sacred City, and circumambulated the Ka`bah as well as those Muslims who saw the favors of Allah descending upon His Servants in `Arafat should hasten to repentance to their Lord, the Most High. Nothing fails Him and nothing can conquer Him, so a Muslim must hasten to repentance in a time where hearts are swinging between right and wrong, the truth and falsehood; there is no excuse to anyone not to hasten to repentance. Allah (Glory be to Him) says:
“And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.”
[Surat An-Nur: 31].
Allah (Glory be to Him) divided people into two categories: Either repentant or wrongdoer. Allah says: “And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed Zalimoon (wrong-doers, etc).” [Surat Al Hujurat: 11].
The Hadith also exhorts people to hasten to repentance as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, Stretches out His Hand during the night so that the people repent for the fault committed from dawn till dusk and He stretches out His Hand daring the day so that the people may reprint for the fault committed from dusk to dawn. (He would accept repentance) before the sun rises in the west (before the Day of Resurrection).”
So, glad tiding is for those who repent sincerely and not to return again to sins or negligence. Let us all keep to Salah and righteous deeds. We seek Allah’s Forgiveness in secret and in public, and we resort to Him in all times to repent of our sins.
A believer walks to Allah by fear and hope altogether, so he should not always fear the punishment of his creator without hoping for His Mercy nor he should always hope for pardon without fearing His Punishment and Wrath.
Fourth, behavioral impact of worship:
It is known to reasonable people that all acts of worship raise individuals and the society as well on good manner and behavior, however, Islam is not superficial acts of worship or sayings repeated on tongues, but it is a creed, Shari`ah, and practical manners.
We need to show the entire world the impact of the acts of worship on Muslims: On their livings and manners. Salah forbids obscenity and deniable actions; fasting promotes watching and fearing Allah; Zakat purifies the human soul from hatred, envy, misery, and gratitude; Hajj is the major act of Islam which pormotes good manners and nice words.
Allah (Glory be to Him) says: “The Hajj (pilgrimage) is (in) the well-known (lunar year) months (i.e. the 10th month, the 11th month and the first ten days of the 12th month of the Islâmic calendar, i.e. two months and ten days). So whosoever intends to perform Hajj therein (by assuming Ihrâm), then he should not have sexual relations (with his wife), nor commit sin, nor dispute unjustly during the Hajj. And whatever good you do, (be sure) Allâh knows it. And take a provision (with you) for the journey, but the best provision is At-Taqwa (piety, righteousness). So fear Me, O men of understanding!” [Surat Al Baqarah: 197].
So, the general rule in our life is to correct our behavior and guard them against error.
Of the behavioral examples of Hajj are the following:
1- Guarding tongues from uttering foul languages. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The insult of a Muslim is lewdness and fighting him is part of disbelief.“
2- The creed and worship of a Muslim should turn into behavioral and practical interpretation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said the truth when he taught us saying: “Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should not harm his neighbor, and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should entertain his guest generously and anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet. (i.e. abstain from all kinds of evil and dirty talk).”
3- Maintaining the rights of neighbors and friends: “The best of companions in the sight of Allah is he who is the best for his companions, and the best of neighbors in Allah’s sight is the best of them for his neighbor.”
4- Doing righteous deeds and offering good to others: “The most beloved person to Allah is the one who benefits people by revealing their distress, paying their debts, or satisfying their hunger.”
5- A Muslim should be a key for good not for evil: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:“Some people open the door to good and close the door to evil, and some people open the door to evil and close the door to good. Glad tidings to those in whose hands Allah places the keys to good, and woe to those in whose hands Allah places the keys to evil.”
Fifth, we should understand Islam properly:
So, our religion should interfere in all our life affairs, wakefulness, sleep, Salah, and behavior. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: “Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him): Verily, my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).” [Surat Al An`am: 162].
So, let us live with Islam in words and actions, manners, and behavior, understanding and application. We should understand that the true Islam is the religion which interferes in all aspects of life, for it is a religion, a state, a world, a hereafter, the truth, power, politics, and economy.
Second Sermon
All praise be to Allah, the Lord of all mankind, and peace be upon His Messenger. Allah (Glory be to Him) honored knowledge and scholars and raised the status of knowledge and scholars.
Allah (may He be Exalted) says: “Are those who know equal to those who know not?” [Surat Az-Zumar: 9].
Allah (may He be Exalted) commanded His Prophet by acquiring more knowledge by saying: “And say: “My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.”” [Surat Taha: 114]. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “And whoever walks in a path to seek knowledge, Allah will make his way easy to Paradise.”
Here we are about to start a new academic year, so knowledge seekers should seek knowledge and spread it for the sake of Allah. The mission of knowledge seeker is to be sincere, humble, commanding with good and forbidding evil, and conveying knowledge to people. We ask Allah to grant them success in seeking knowledge, make them avoid seditions, to protect their blood, and to guard their minds from doubts and their eyes from lusts, and to protect their hearts of trials and pleasures.
We ask Allah to make you and us from those who listen to words and act accordingly.
O Allah, reform our conditions, protect Egypt from every trial, and direct away bad living and high prices.
O Allah, bring back our dignity, facilitate our matters, protect our honors, make our wishes come true, and make our faith firm.
O Allah, make us taste the sweetness of faith. O Allah, grant victory to weak Muslims everywhere.
O Allah, show us Your Power in the Jews, O Allah cast horror in their hearts and in the hearts of those who support and help them.
O Allah, accept the Hajj of pilgrims, grant us a visit to it soon, and accept us, O the Most Merciful.
Amen!
