الحمد لله، الحمد لله الذي أنزل القرآن، وأرسل محمدًا رحمةً للعالمين، نحمده ونستعينه ونستغفره، ونؤمن به ونتوكل عليه، ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا ومن سيئات أعمالنا، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له، ونشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد، يحيي ويميت، بيده الخير، وهو على كل شيء قدير، ونشهد أن سيدنا ومولانا محمداً عبده ورسوله، أرسله بشيرًا ونذيرًا بين يدي الساعة، من يطع الله ورسوله فقد اهتدى، ومن يعصهما فإنه قد ضل، وإنه لا يضر إلا نفسه ولا يضر الله شيئًا. أما بعد! فيا عباد الله اتقوا الله حق تقاته ولا تموتن إلا وأنتم مسلمون. يأيها الذين ءامنوا اتقوا الله وقولوا قولا سديدا يصلح لكم أعمالكم ويغفر لكم ذنوبكم، ومن يطع الله ورسوله فقد فاز فوزا عظيما.
قال الله تعالى في كتابه الكريم: إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ
“The Deen with Allah is Islam” (3:19)
Today’s khutbah centres around a hadith that many scholars consider to be one of the four pivotal narrations upon which Islam revolves. Imam al-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, highlighted its centrality, stating, “This hadith is of great importance; all of Islam revolves around it. Some scholars have mentioned that Islam revolves around four hadiths, but in reality, everything is encompassed by this single hadith.”
The narrator of this profound hadith is Abu Ruqayyah Tamim bin Aws bin Kharijah Al-Lakhmi, a distinguished companion of the Prophet ﷺ. Tamim hailed from Sham and embraced Islam in the ninth year after Hijrah, alongside his brother Nu’aym. Both were blessed with the honour of companionship with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. One of the notable narrations attributed to him is the famous story of Jassasah concerning the Dajjal, which the Prophet ﷺ related from the mimbar. Tamim became renowned for his deep piety, earning the title of the monk of his era among the people of Sham, and was known for being the first to light a lamp in the mosque—an innovation in devotion. Ibn Sirin mentioned that he could recite the entire Qur’an in a single rak’ah. His story is a reminder of the honour Allah grants to those who sincerely accept His guidance.
This hadith, transmitted by such a devout companion, carries immense weight and meaning. Al-Tufi, may Allah have mercy on him, remarked, “Despite its brevity in wording, this hadith is vast in benefit. The core teachings of Islam, including the essential Sunnah, can be encapsulated within it.
What is this profound hadith?
Imam Muslim (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated in his Sahih (55) from Tamim ad-Dari (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “الدِّينُ النَّصِيحَةُ”. We asked, “To whom?” He replied,
“لِلَّهِ، وَلِكِتَابِهِ، وَلِرَسُولِهِ، وَلِأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَعَامَّتِهِمْ.”
“To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and the wider community.”
The Deen is Islam, as we mentioned in the ayah quoted before, and the Prophet defines it in one word: an-Naseeha. What is nasiha? Linguistically it means sincerity. When something is described as “nasiha,” it means it has become pure. For example, when honey is described as pure, it is referred to as “nasih.” or gold (ذهب ناصح) refers to “pure gold” or “a sincere act” (عمل ناصح), Therefore, anything that becomes pure and free from impurity is said to have “nasiha.” Refer to Lisan al-Arab (2/615). Imam Abu Sulayman al-Busti explained that nasiha signifies a genuine desire for the good of the one it addresses. The essence of nasiha lies in sincerity—purity of intention and action, akin to pure honey, free from wax and impurities. Ibn al-Athir said in al-Nihayah (5/63): “Nasiha is a word that expresses a general concept, which is the intent to bring good to the one being advised. Abu Sulayman al-Khattabi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Nasiha is a comprehensive word that means striving to bring benefit to the one being advised. It is also said that nasiha is derived from the action of mending cloth, likening the act of a sincere person who seeks to rectify the one being advised to the act of fixing a tear in a garment.”
It is also said that it is derived from the process of purifying honey from wax, likening the process of purifying speech from deceit to that of purifying honey from mixture. The meaning of the hadith is that the essence and foundation of religion is nasiha, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Hajj is ‘Arafah,” meaning the most important pillar of Hajj is standing in ‘Arafah. (Sharh al-Nawawi on Muslim, 2/37).
Shaykh Muhammad Ya’qoobi asks the question, how can we advise Allah? Or His Book or His Messenger? Clearly the meaning of this hadith is not to give advice but rather to take advice, الدِّينُ النَّصِيحَةُ the deen is the best most sincere advice that we could ever give ourselves in regards to our devotion to Allah, in regards to our relationship with His Book, in regards to our conduct with His Messenger, in regards to the Muslim leaders and the wider community.
أقول قولي هذا وأستغفر الله لي ولكم ولسائر المسلمين من كل ذنب فاستغفروه إنه هو الغفور الرَّحيم
الحمد لله الحمد لله رب العالمين، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له وأشهد أن محمداً عبده ورسوله، أرسله بشيرا ونذيرا بين يدي الساعة اللهم صلِّ وسلم وبارك عليه وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين، ومن تبعهم بإحسان إلى يوم الدين.
أما بعد! فيأيها الذين ءامنوا اتقوا الله ما استطعتم واسمعوا وأطيعوا وأنفقوا خيرا لأنفسكم. يا عباد الله أوصيكم وإياي بتقوى الله وطاعته
How do we advise ourselves regarding Allah? The essence of this advice lies in our obedience to His commands, our love for Him (SWT), and prioritizing Him above all else. We cultivate this relationship through sincere Eman, dedicated worship, and unwavering reliance on Him, trusting fully in His provision. When asked, “To whom do we offer nasiha?” the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) replied, “To Allah.” This nasiha encompasses our heartfelt sincerity towards Him, affirming His uniqueness and perfection in a way that no one shares. It requires us to fulfill our servitude to Him both inwardly and outwardly, constantly returning to Him, seeking His assistance with hope and fear, and engaging in continual repentance and forgiveness.
What guidance do we owe to the Book of Allah? We must commit ourselves to practice its teachings, recite and study it diligently, and allow it to shape our character. Nasiha to His Book involves unwavering Eman in it, engaging with its verses through reflection, adhering to its limits, fulfilling its commands, and avoiding its prohibitions. Imam al-Nawawi aptly states that nasiha to the Book means believing it to be the Word of Allah, َنْزِيلُ الْكِتَابِ مِنَ اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ glorifying it, reciting it properly, and showing humility in its recitation.
How should we advise ourselves about the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)? Our duty is to follow his Sunnah, love him, obey him, and frequently send prayers upon him. Nasiha to His Messenger is paramount, encompassing the affirmation of his prophethood, obedience to his commands, and defence of his honour. Scholars like Abu Sulayman and Abu Bakr emphasise that our nasiha involves supporting and protecting him during his life and after his passing, reviving and embodying his teachings. Reflect on the profound role of nasiha exemplified by the Prophet’s Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), who demonstrated unwavering support, sacrifice, and loyalty. Allah describes them in the Qur’an: مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ رِجَالٌ صَدَقُوا مَا عَاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ “Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah.” (33:23). After the Prophet’s (ﷺ) passing, our nasiha transforms into deep love, respect, and reverence for him. We must learn, embody, and teach his Sunnah, steering clear of actions that diverge from his teachings. Nasiha reflects genuine love; it cannot be mere words but must manifest in our actions.
A poignant story shared by Imam Abu’l-Qasim al-Qushayri illustrates this: ‘Amr ibn al-Layth, a king of Khurasan, once dreamt he was asked, “What did Allah do with you?” He responded, “Allah forgave me.” When asked why, he explained, “One day, I looked down at my vast army, filled with pride, wishing I could have been with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to support him. Allah thanked me for that desire and forgave me.” This story teaches us that even a sincere intention to support the Prophet (ﷺ) can lead to immense rewards and forgiveness.
What about our leaders? The best advice is to obey them when they call to truth, to refrain from rebellion and backbiting, and to contribute positively to society. Nasiha to the leaders of Muslims includes obedience when they uphold the truth, offering sincere advice, and supporting them in their duties. وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى Nasiha involves aiding the leaders in the affairs of the Muslim community. Imam al-Nawawi emphasized that nasiha entails assisting them in righteousness, advising them gently, reminding them of their duties, and refraining from rebellion.
And for our fellow Muslims? Our nasiha is expressed through support, brotherhood, solidarity, and loving for them what we love for ourselves. For the common people, nasiha means guiding them toward what benefits their Deen and worldly affairs. This includes offering kind advice, assisting those in need, covering their faults, teaching the ignorant, encouraging the heedless, and being a source of support for one another. What does our deen say about eating together” كُلُوا جَمِيعًا وَلاَ تَفَرَّقُوا فَإِنَّ الْبَرَكَةَ مَعَ الْجَمَاعَةِ ” . Eat together and do not eat separately, for the blessing is in being together.’ So give yourselves the best advice, advise yourselves to stay for the lunch immediately after the Jumua’ Salah.
The time for greeting the mosque must be one where bowing is allowed. If you enter the mosque during prohibited times—like at sunrise, sunset, during the Friday khutbah, you should not perform the greeting (rak’ahs) at those moments. If you begin the greeting at a prohibited time, you must stop the prayer. If you can’t perform the greeting due to these restrictions, you can say four times: “Subhanallah” “Alhamdulillah”, “La ilaha illallah” and “Allahu Akbar”
Brothers and sisters, nasiha is the heart of our Deen, a comprehensive duty that begins with Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) and extends to the entire Ummah. It calls for sincerity, love, and dedication in our relationship with Allah, adherence to the Sunnah, and our conduct with one another. Fulfilling this duty elevates our status in this world and the Hereafter.
Let us strive to fulfill our obligation of nasiha by adhering to the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ), spreading his message, and embodying his noble character. May Allah grant us sincerity in our actions, guide us to follow the Sunnah of His beloved Messenger (ﷺ), and make us among those who uphold the trust of nasiha in every aspect of our lives.
إِنَّ اللهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ، يَا أَيُهَا الذِينَ آمَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيماً.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ. وَارْضَ اللَّهُمَّ عَنِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ وَعُثْمَانَ وَعَلِيٍّ، وعن أم المومنين عائشة التي أمرنا الله في سورة النور أن ندافع عنها، وَعَنْ سَائِرِ الصَّحَابَةِ أَجْمَعِينَ، خُصُوصاً اِلأَنْصَارَ مِنْهُمْ وَالمُهَاجِرِينَ، وَعَنِ التَّابِعِينَ وَتَابِعِي التَّابِعِينَ وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ.
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِ وُلَاةَ أُمُورِ المُسْلِمِينَ لِمَا يُرْضِيكَ وَلِاتِّبَاعِ سُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَهُمْ عَلَى الصِّرَاطِ المُسْتَقِيمِ، وَأَصْلِحْهُمْ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ.
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى شُيُوخِنَا، وَعَلَى رئيسنا، وَعَلَى أَمِيرِنَا، وَعَلَى جَمِيعِ أُمَرَاءِ وَزُعَمَاءِ المُسْلِمِينَ.
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى المُسْلِمِينَ فِي هَذِهِ المَدِينَةِ، وَوَفِّقْهُمْ لِمَا تُحِبُّهُ وَتَرْضَاهُ يَا أَكْرَمَ الأَكْرَمِينَ.
اللَّهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الإِسْلَامَ وَالمُسِْلمِينَ،. ربنا آتنا في الدنيا حسنة وفي الآخرة حسنة وقنا عذاب النار.
إِنَّ اللهَ يَامُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى، وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ، يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَّكَّرُونَ، وَلَذِكْرُ اللهِ أَكْبَرُ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ. وَقُومُواْ إِلَى صَلاتِكُمْ يَرْحَمُكُمُ اللهُ.
