Central Khutbah: “Friendship in the Name of Allah Makes Life on Earth Beautiful”

Love in the name of Allah is manifested by loving someone because they are obedient to the Almighty Allah and follow His commandments, because they are devoted and sincere towards Allah. Such love stems from obedience to the Almighty.

The fact that someone is your cousin, but is sinful and disobedient to Allah, is not a sufficient reason to love them. The fact that someone is your friend, that they are eminent or an influential person, and that you fear their influence and hope for their benefit, is not a reason to love them if they are disobedient to Allah, for only Allah gives benefit and harm: “And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He; and if He intends any good for you, none can repel His bounty.” (Yunus, 101)

With this magnificent quality, love for people in the name of Allah, you walk the paths of tranquility, happiness, and peace. Why, you ask? Because you love the one whom Allah and His Messenger love, and thus they become your beloved. Such a person will protect you and your honor in your absence. They will justify your mistakes and shortcomings, and always seek an excuse and a reason for you.

If you meet such a person, they will smile at you and be in a good mood. They will address you with the most beautiful names and nicknames, make a place for you, and always meet you with joy and a smiling face.

If you are touched by difficulty or trial, they will try to help you and ease your burden to the best of their ability, to get you out of that state. At the very least, if nothing else, they will ease the moments of difficulty and problems with kind words and advice. Such a person is a true balm in times of difficulty and problems. So, for the sake of Allah, tell me, sincerely, can a person who has such a friend or loved one be unhappy?

Omar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “If it were not for three things, I would not wish to remain on this earth,” and he mentioned among others: “The company of people who choose their words as they choose dates.” And in a hadith reported by Bukhari, it is said: “Whoever possesses these three things will taste the sweetness of faith: …to love another person solely for the sake of Allah.”

What we must keep in mind is that if a Muslim commits a sin, it is not a reason to hate them! No, we must not hate them; we despise the sin they commit. And not only that, but we invite them to the truth and the right path. We persevere until they abandon that sin. Then they become one of the people we love the most. May Allah give you all the good, try to understand these words: “My love is obligatory for those who love each other for My sake.” (Ahmed, sahih hadith)

In another hadith, it is said: “Those who love each other for Allah’s sake, on the Day of Judgment, will be on pulpits of light, envied by the prophets and martyrs for their closeness to Allah.” (Ibn Hibban, sahih)

That’s how things are, so try to base your friendships and relationships with people on love for the sake of Allah.

Friendship in the name of Allah is an inexhaustible garden of goodness. From it emanates only the fragrance of magnificent roses, and you can enjoy the greenery and beauty of the flowers, so make sure to enjoy it.

(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on May 3, 2024, at the “Centre Islamique au Luxembourg” in Contern)