Central Khutbah : “The Value of Respect”

Respect is one of the great values of Islam and a sign of a pure heart, good upbringing, and sincere faith. It is not expressed only through words, but also through the way we treat others, through consideration for their dignity, through preserving their rights, and through speaking with kindness. Allah, the Most High, says: “Speak to people with goodness.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was the highest example of respect towards everyone. It was said about him: “His character was the Qur’an,” and Allah also says: “Indeed, you are of a great moral character.” It is therefore not surprising that when he saw a funeral procession passing by, he stood up out of respect. When he was told that it was the funeral of a Jewish person, he replied: “Is it not a human soul?” Through this, he showed that respect is a right belonging to every human being simply because they are human, not only to those who are close to us or similar to us.

In Islam, respect encompasses parents, scholars, elders, neighbours, and all people. It appears in our words, our gaze, the way we sit, the way we listen, the manner in which we address others, and in avoiding anything that harms or humiliates another person. That is why the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Part of the perfection of a person’s Islam is leaving what does not concern him.” The beauty of Islam does not lie only in the abundance of acts of worship, but also in the ability to know one’s limits, preserve the honour of others, and avoid interfering in matters that do not concern us. Respect is therefore not a secondary virtue; rather, it is a foundation of a healthy society and a sign of spiritual and human maturity.

The first generations of Muslims left behind beautiful examples of respect, especially towards teachers, scholars, and righteous people. Imam Abu Hanifa, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

“I never stretched out my legs towards the house of my teacher Hammad, out of respect for him, even though there were seven streets between his house and mine. I have not performed a single prayer since the death of Hammad without asking Allah to forgive him alongside my parents. And I seek forgiveness for everyone who taught me something or from whom I learned knowledge.”

This was a respect that was not merely outward or formal, but deeply rooted in the heart. It was not shown only in the presence of the teacher, but also through supplication for him, gratitude, and recognition of his value even after his death.

In the same spirit, it is reported from Asim that al-Kisa’i said:

“I led Harun al-Rashid in prayer and made a mistake in a verse, a mistake that even a child would not have made. By Allah, al-Rashid did not dare say to me: ‘You made a mistake.’ Instead, he simply said: ‘What kind of language is this?’ I replied: ‘O Commander of the Believers, even a skilled horse can stumble.’ He responded: ‘Yes, that is true.’”

Here we see that even when a mistake needed to be corrected, the dignity of the scholar was preserved. Not every truth must be expressed harshly, and not every mistake should become a reason for humiliation. Respect is also shown in the way we correct others, through gentleness and by preserving their honour.

Abu Zur‘ah al-Razi said:

“I was with Ahmad ibn Hanbal when Ibrahim ibn Tuhman was mentioned. Ahmad was leaning back because of his illness. Then he sat upright and said: ‘It is not appropriate that righteous people be mentioned while we remain reclining.’”

This scene alone demonstrates the extent to which the early generations respected even the mention of righteous people. Imam Ahmad, despite being ill, did not consider it appropriate to remain leaning back when one of the righteous predecessors was mentioned. This was the education of the heart before the education of the tongue.

How much we need today to rediscover this understanding of respect. In an era of rapid words, harsh comments, and a lack of seriousness in the way knowledge and people are treated, returning to this value is not merely a matter of good manners. It is also a matter of preserving religion, society, and human relationships. Respect is a light within the family, an adornment of speech, a protection within society, and a proof that a person understands the importance of the trust they carry as a believer and as a human being.

(Central khutbah by the Religious Leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on April 17, 2026, at the “Association Islamique et Culturelle Al Rahma” in Differdange)