Central Khutbah: “Contentment with Allah’s Decree and Patience in the Face of Trials – The Qualities of the Strongest Personalities”

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, who tests us with blessings and hardships to remind us of our fragility and dependence on Him. May blessings and peace be upon the Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ’alayhi wa sallam, who taught us how to patiently endure trials while remaining steadfast in faith.

Dear brothers and sisters, the topic of this sermon is contentment with Allah’s decree and patience (sabr) in the face of trials. It often happens that trials strike us suddenly, and we perceive them as permanent and insurmountable. In such moments, we forget the abundance we previously enjoyed, as well as the fact that after every difficulty comes relief.

Allah, the Most High, says:
“When We bestow a favor upon man, he turns away and distances himself arrogantly; but when adversity touches him, he falls into despair.” (Surah Al-Isra, v. 83)
Allah also says:
“Indeed, with hardship comes ease. Indeed, with hardship comes ease.” (Surah Al-Inshirah, v. 5-6)

These verses highlight that Allah, exalted is He, mentions hardship in a definite form, whereas ease is mentioned in an indefinite form. This indicates that ease accompanies hardship and will always come, even when we least expect it.

Trials and hardships often remind us of acts of worship we neglected during times of comfort. Allah wants us to feel humility and for our eyes to once again be moist with prayers and tears. These trials are a means by which Allah draws us closer to His mercy, helping us recognize our weakness and turn solely to Him.

As Omar, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
“Wealth and poverty are two mounts, and it does not matter to me which of them I ride.” Whoever is content with Allah’s decree does not worry about what lies ahead. Such contentment is true wealth.

Dear brothers and sisters, trials remind us of our humanity and frailty. They teach us to stand with the weak and poor and to confront injustice wherever we see it. Let us patiently await Allah’s help and remain certain that what is with Him is always better and more enduring.

O Most Merciful Allah, grant us strength and patience in the face of trials, make us content with Your decree, and guide us to seek You in all that we do. Ameen.

(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on November 8, 2024, at the “Association Islamique Ihsan” in Dudelange)