Central Khutbah: “Freedom, Knowledge, and Responsibility in the Face of Blessings”
A sage was once asked by a ruler:
“What is the most beautiful clothing? What is the most delicious food? What is the most comfortable bed? And which is the most beautiful land?”
He replied:
– The most beautiful clothing is that which a poor person wears with dignity and satisfaction.
– The most delicious food is the one you eat when you are truly hungry.
– The most comfortable bed is the one you sleep on free from sin, with a clear conscience.
– And the most beautiful land is a free land – one not governed by the ignorant.
Dear brothers and sisters,
Knowledge and freedom are two fundamental values that safeguard the honour of a people.
Where knowledge is undervalued and ignorance is glorified – the people fall into ruin.
Where freedom is sold for petty interests – dignity is lost.
Allah the Most High says:
“Say: Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only those who possess intellect will remember.”
(Surah Az-Zumar, verse 9)
And He also says:
“Allah will raise those among you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge by degrees.”
(Surah Al-Mujadila, verse 11)
Another example, shared by the wise:
If a man goes to battle against his enemy, but along the way throws off his armor because it feels heavy, then discards his weapon, followed by his food and water – can he truly hope for victory?
So it is with a person who finds prayer burdensome – and abandons it.
Who finds the remembrance of Allah too hard – and neglects it.
Who finds seeking knowledge and obedience too heavy – and leaves them.
Then he complains of a weak faith and darkness in the heart.
Allah the Most High warns:
“O you who believe! Do not betray Allah and the Messenger, nor betray the trusts that have been entrusted to you, knowingly.”
(Surah Al-Anfal, verse 27)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Faith wears out in your hearts just as clothes wear out – so ask Allah to renew faith in your hearts.”
(Reported by Al-Hakim; classified as Hasan by Al-Albani)
He also said:
“Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue. If he cannot do even that, then with his heart – and that is the weakest level of faith.”
(Reported by Muslim, no. 49)
Dear brothers and sisters,
A Bedouin was once asked:
“How will we know we are living in the end times?”
He replied:
“When the one who speaks the truth pays a price for his words, and the one who lies profits from his speech.”
Are we not already living that?
Each of us must ask ourselves:
Am I ready to speak the truth?
Am I ready to recognize the truth – even when it doesn’t benefit me?
Allah the Most High says:
“O you who believe! Be mindful of Allah and be with those who are truthful.”
(Surah At-Tawbah, verse 119)
And the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Speak the truth, for truth leads to goodness, and goodness leads to Paradise.”
(Reported by Muslim, no. 2607)
A saying goes:
“People often use a microscope to find the faults of others, but rarely turn it on themselves.”
So, at least once – look into your heart, your speech, your day – and be honest. You might be surprised by what you find.
Finally, Allah the Most High says in the Qur’an:
“If you were to count the blessings of Allah, you could never enumerate them – indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
(Surah An-Nahl, verse 18)
But in another verse:
“If you were to count the blessings of Allah, you could never enumerate them – indeed, man is truly unjust and ungrateful.”
(Surah Ibrahim, verse 34)
The scholars say: the first verse speaks of Allah’s mercy toward man, while the second speaks of man’s ingratitude toward Allah.
Thus we live each day – between mercy and neglect.
So choose: will you be a grateful servant, or a heedless consumer of His gifts?
Dear brothers and sisters,
Let us protect our freedom and our knowledge.
Let us revive our faith.
Let us take responsibility.
Let us correct ourselves before pointing at others.
Let us speak the truth.
Let us return to the Qur’an.
Let us be servants of Allah – not slaves to fashion, people, appearances, or wealth.
We ask Allah to grant us wisdom and perseverance,
To make us among those who recognize the truth and follow it,
To protect our land from ignorance and oppression,
To fill our hearts with gratitude, and our tongues with His remembrance.
Ameen.
(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on July 18, 2025, at the “Association Islamique de Wiltz”)
