Central sermon (khutbah)
Five prophetic advices for a happy life
Praise to Allah, blessings and peace be upon the Prophet of Allah. Respected brothers and sisters, the state of our inner selves determines the quality of our lives in both this world and the Hereafter. There is no progress or happiness without rectifying our hearts and what resides within them. However, the question that concerns us all is where to start and what are the foundations of a happy life. In this sermon, we mention a hadith that addresses this topic, pointing out the five most important principles for a happy and fulfilling life. Indeed, whoever practices all these five counsels of the Prophet will reach the peak of happiness.
Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates: „We were sitting with Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said, ‘Who among you will take these five statements from me, memorize them, and practice them, or teach them to someone who will practice them?’ Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘I will, O Messenger of Allah!’ So, he took my hand, placed it in his hand, and counted off five things for me:
- Guard against forbidden (haram) things, and you will be the most pious person.
Piety begins with leaving forbidden things. Nothing beautifies a person’s life like abandoning sin. It is liberation. By repenting, you please your Lord and disappoint Satan.
Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: A student once said to his teacher, „I have sinned.“
The teacher said, „Repent to Allah.“
The student said, „But I will sin again.“
The teacher said, „Repent to Allah.“
The student said, „But I will sin again.“
The teacher said, „Repent to Allah.“
The student asked, „Until when?“
The teacher replied, „Until you sadden Satan.“
(From the work: „Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah“ 7/492)
Prayer is the best protection against sin! So, if you haven’t established the five daily prayers, hurry to do so! It is the best life decision! - Be content with what Allah has given you, and you will be the wealthiest person.
Wealth is the richness of the soul. This wealth is built on being content with what Allah has given us. Not recognizing Allah’s blessings is one of the most destructive states for one’s faith. On the other hand, how great it is for a person to be content with Allah?
It is narrated that Imam Shafi’i was walking in the street and met a man supplicating to Allah, saying, „My Lord, are You pleased with me?“
Imam Shafi’i stopped him and said, „O man, are you pleased with Allah so that He may be pleased with you?“
The man said, „How can I not be pleased with my Lord when I hope for His pleasure?“
Imam Shafi’i replied: „If your contentment with hardship and poverty is the same as your contentment with abundance, then you are content with Allah”. - Have a good relationship with your neighbor, and you will be a true believer.
Neighbors are the best test of the strength and quality of our belief. There are numerous hadiths from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, encouraging us to take care of our neighbors, respect their rights, and treat them kindly.
Al-Tanuhi reports in his work Al-Mustajad that Sa’id ibn al-‘As had a neighbor who was in trouble, so he offered his house for sale for fifty thousand dirhams.
When the buyer came and agreed to buy the house at the offered price, the man said to him, „And now, for how much are you buying Sa’id ibn al-‘As’s neighbor?“
The buyer said, „Since when is the neighborhood sold together with the house?“
The man replied, „How can you not buy a neighbor who, if you ask something of him, gives it to you; if you ignore and avoid him, he still maintains the neighborly bond; if you are absent, he asks about you; and if you offend and mistreat him, he responds with kindness?”
When Sa’id ibn al-‘As was informed about this, he sent a hundred thousand dirhams to his neighbor and said to him, „Keep your house and stay in our neighborhood.“ - Love for others what you love for yourself, and you will be a Muslim.
The worst feeling you can carry towards others is disdain for believers. This feeling can burn away all that is good within you. However, the most beautiful feeling is the feeling of love for a believer. It is that love when a believer loves scholars and pious people because he knows that Allah loves them. Still, he doesn’t talk about it to anyone; instead, he constantly mentions them in prayers.
„Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and do not allow any resentment in our hearts toward the believers; Our Lord, You are indeed Kind and Merciful!“ (Al-Hashr, 10.) - Do not laugh too much, as excessive laughter deadens the heart! (This hadith is reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawood, and Tirmidhi and is classified as hasan-good)
A smile is an adornment on the human face, a Sunnah that should not be underestimated. Laughter is allowed within certain limits. However, exaggeration, especially if caused by mocking someone or something, numbs the heart.
Zaid ibn Sabit, may Allah be pleased with him, mentioned that when revelation came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, he would send for him to write down what was revealed. Zaid said, „If we talked about worldly matters, he would talk with us. If we talked about the Hereafter, he would talk with us. If we talked about food, he would talk with us.“
He did not insist on leading the conversation or saying what he thought should be said. He did not shout over others for a word. He did not draw attention to himself. He did not shout at those who disagreed. He was a model of perfect morality.
So, respected brother and esteemed sister, let us avoid the forbidden, be content with what Allah has given us, be good to our neighbors, wish for others what we wish for ourselves, and be moderate in laughter. This way, we will achieve a balanced and happy life in both worlds. Make us among the happy ones, O Lord. Amen.
