Central Khutbah: “There is No Beautiful Life without Life in the Hereafter!”

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, who created us and guided us to live in accordance with His laws. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May peace and blessings be upon him, his family, and all his followers.

Dear brothers and sisters, we live in a time of trials that seem heavy and without a way out. Many Muslims complain that life has become unbearable, that they have lost the strength and will to fight for their goals. It seems as though evil is dominating, and pessimism and despair fill many hearts, although the believer knows that he was not created in vain.

Allah the Most High says: “I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me” (Adh-Dhariyat, 56), and “Say: Indeed, my prayer, my rites, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds” (Al-An’am, 162). Our life is dedicated to Allah, and as believers, we must turn toward the Hereafter, for there is no eternal life except the life in the Hereafter.

Those who act without “bismillah” and without faith often fall into despair. In contrast, the believer, who is aware of Allah, always has hope, and the strength of his faith enables him to sacrifice for a higher purpose. As Ibrahim b. Adham reminded a man: “This is the place of eternal residence, and one must prepare for it. All those who are over there in Basra will come here, and those who are here will not return to Basra.”

Faith in the Hereafter and preparation for life after death are the foundation of Islamic belief. As long as this awareness is present, the believer does not falter, and his longing for the Hereafter and Paradise remains ever alive. In this, we also follow the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, who reminded us: “Lord, there is no life except life in the Hereafter; have mercy on the Muhajirun and the Ansar!”

In the most difficult moments, the believer remembers the covenant he has made with Allah, as stated in verse 111 of Surah At-Tawbah: “Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties in exchange for Paradise.” When this verse was revealed, a Bedouin exclaimed: “By Allah, this is a profitable trade! I accept this deal and there will be no going back!”

Paradise is the goal desired by every prophet and righteous person. Nuh (Noah), peace be upon him, endured 950 years of inviting people to faith. Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him, was willing to sacrifice his son for Allah’s satisfaction. And Ayyub (Job), peace be upon him, bravely endured severe illness and poverty. “My Lord, adversity has touched me, and You are the most merciful of the merciful!” Ayyub, peace be upon him, would say, without complaint, but humbly beseeching Allah.

This love for the Hereafter also inspired Asiyah bint Muzahim, who, though the wife of Pharaoh, prayed to Allah: “My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his actions.”

The Hereafter is the goal of every believer, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The Most High has said: ‘I have prepared for My righteous servants what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and what no human heart can imagine.’”

The gates of Paradise will be opened, and the angels will welcome us, saying: “Peace be upon you! You have become pure! Enter Paradise, to dwell therein eternally!” Our beloved Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, will be the first to enter Paradise and will be close to those Muslims who followed him most faithfully.

So, dear brothers and sisters, let us hasten toward Paradise and toward our Lord. Let us hasten in good deeds, in faith, and in obedience. For, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever fears sets out early, and whoever sets out early reaches his destination. Allah’s goods are precious, and Allah’s goods are Paradise.” (Tirmidhi)

(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on October 11, 2024, at the “Association Islamique Ihsan” in Dudelange)