Central Khutbah: “We Waste Our Life While Others Enjoy Its Fruits”

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the heavens and the earth, Master of the Day of Judgment. We bear witness that there is no god but Allah, the One, without partner, and we bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. May prayers and peace be upon him, his noble family, his companions, and all who follow him in righteousness until the Day of Judgment.

Brothers and sisters,

This worldly life is fleeting. Wealth, positions, titles – all of it disappears, and a person is left alone with their deeds. In the race for income and comfort, we forget the true purpose of life.

Exalted is Allah, He says:

“Know that the life of this world is nothing but play, amusement, decoration, mutual boasting, and competition in wealth and children – like a plant that grows after the rain and delights the farmers, then it withers, you see it yellowed, and then becomes dry grass. And in the Hereafter awaits severe punishment or Allah’s forgiveness and pleasure. The life of this world is only fleeting enjoyment.” (Surah Al-Hadid, 20)

Unfortunately, many people spend their lives earning and accumulating, and when they die, their wealth goes to others. How many people work, save, and invest their whole lives without even enjoying half of what they have collected?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“The son of Adam will say: ‘My wealth, my wealth!’ But what truly belongs to you from your wealth except what you have eaten and spent, worn and used, or given in charity and stored for the Hereafter?” (Reported by Muslim, no. 2958)

Brothers and sisters,

We have forgotten many fundamental values.

When televisions arrived, we forgot books.
When we bought cars, we forgot to walk.
When phones and computers arrived, we forgot to write by hand.
Because of fast food, we forgot to cook.
Because of apps, we forgot to visit our relatives.

And Allah warns us:

“Your wealth and your children are but a trial, and with Allah is a great reward.” (Surah At-Taghabun, 15)

Should we spend our entire lives accumulating what will neither last nor truly belong to us?

On a phone, 70% of its functions are never used.
In a house, 70% of the space goes unused.
In a wardrobe, 70% of clothes are never worn.
Of our time, most is spent on trivial matters.

Therefore, let us preserve our health, faith, and soul. For the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

“Take advantage of five things before five others come to you: youth before old age, health before sickness, wealth before poverty, free time before being busy, and life before death.” (Reported by Hakim in Al-Mustadrak, no. 7846; authenticated)

So, brothers and sisters, let us live consciously. Let us make use of the blessings Allah gives us for obedience to Him, for doing good, for learning, for education, and for worship.

A few practical reminders:
• Have medical check-ups even if you feel well.
• Drink water even if you are not thirsty.
• Forgive even if it hurts.
• Be humble even if you have plenty.
• Be grateful even if you feel you have little.
• Give charity even if you feel you need it yourself.
• Make time for family, friends, and loved ones.
• Set aside time for yourself – for reflection, for Qur’an, for night prayer, and for gratitude to Allah.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

“The best of you is the one who is most beneficial to people.” (Reported by Tabarani, graded hasan by Sheikh Albani)

He also said:

“Whoever wakes up healthy, secure with his family, and has food for the day, it is as if the whole world has been given to him.” (Reported by Tirmidhi, no. 2346)

Brothers and sisters,

Let us not allow life to pass in the pursuit of that which will not save us. Let us enliven the heart with dhikr, purify the soul with du’a, and enrich our time with beneficial deeds.

We ask Allah to grant us barakah in our time, health, and wealth. May He make us among the grateful, conscious of the fleeting nature of this world, and firmly attached to the Hereafter.

O Allah, allow us to spend our wealth in Your path, may our health not lead us to arrogance, and may death not find us in negligence.

Amin.

(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on May 16 2025, at the “Association Islamique de Wiltz/Luxembourg”)