Central Khutbah: “When the Heat Reminds Us of the Hereafter”

The great summer heat shows human beings how weak they are and how much they need Allah’s protection. It is enough for the temperature to rise only slightly for the body to become weaker, sleep to become difficult, and for a person to long for shade, water, and relief. If we find it difficult to endure the heat of this worldly life, how should we then reflect upon the Fire of the Hereafter?

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“The Fire complained to its Lord, saying: ‘My Lord, one part of me consumes another.’ So He allowed it two breaths: one breath in winter and one breath in summer. The greatest heat that you experience comes from its heat, and the greatest cold that you experience comes from its severe cold.”
(Hadith narrated by Abū Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him; Imām Ibn ‘Asākir graded it as ḥasan-ṣaḥīḥ. It was also recorded by Imām Ash-Shāfi‘ī in Al-Umm, 2/159, Al-Bayhaqī in Al-Ba‘th wan-Nushūr, no. 502, and Ibn ‘Asākir in Mu‘jam Ash-Shuyūkh, 2/866)

This hadith does not teach the believer to merely talk about the heat and complain about it, but rather to take a lesson from what they experience. The heat should awaken the heart, remind it of the Hereafter, and encourage repentance, prayer, good deeds, and seeking protection from the Fire.

Allah, the Most High, says:

“O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones.”
(At-Taḥrīm, 66:6)

Protecting oneself from the Fire is not achieved through words alone, but through sincere faith, fulfilling obligations, abandoning sins, preserving the rights of others, and constantly returning to Allah. A believer should not lose hope despite their shortcomings, because the doors of repentance remain open as long as a person is alive.

The Prophet ﷺ taught us to frequently ask Allah for Paradise and seek protection from Hellfire. Anas ibn Mālik, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Whoever asks Allah for Paradise three times, Paradise says: ‘O Allah, admit him into Paradise!’ And whoever seeks protection from the Fire three times, the Fire says: ‘O Allah, protect him from the Fire!’”
(At-Tirmidhī; Aḥmad; Shaykh Al-Albānī graded the hadith as authentic, and Shu‘ayb Al-Arna’ūṭ graded its chain of transmission as good)

Therefore, it is good for the believer to frequently say:

اللهم إني أسألك الجنة

“O Allah, I ask You for Paradise.”

اللهم أجرني من النار

“O Allah, protect me from the Fire.”

These supplications should not be uttered only with the tongue. Whoever sincerely asks for Paradise strives to perform the deeds that lead to it. Whoever seeks protection from the Fire avoids the paths that lead to it.

When we feel the intensity of the heat, let us remember those who work outdoors, the sick, the elderly, travellers, and all people who do not have enough water, shade, or suitable shelter. A cup of water, helping someone in need, and easing another person’s hardship may become a reason for Allah’s mercy.

Let us not allow the heat to bring out anger, harshness, and bad words from us. Patience during hardship is also an act of worship. The believer takes care of themselves as much as possible, uses permissible means to cool down and protect themselves, but their heart remains grateful and conscious of Allah.

The heat of this worldly life will pass, just as all days and seasons pass. However, its lesson should remain within us: to prepare for the meeting with Allah, to frequently ask for Paradise, and to sincerely seek protection from Hellfire.

O Allah, admit us and our families into Paradise. O Allah, protect us, our parents, our children, and all believers from the Fire. O Allah, grant us sincere repentance, accept our good deeds, and shower us with Your mercy. Āmīn.

(Central khutbah by the Muslim Religious Leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on June 12, 2026, at the “Association Islamique de Luxembourg” in Bonnevoie)