The following is the Jumu’ah Khutbah (Friday sermon) delivered at the Canberra Mosque on 22 March 2019, by Imam Mohammed Swaiti, in the wake of the massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand, that occured the week before.
This Khutbah can also be downloaded here: https://isact.org.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Khutbah.20190322.After-Christchurch-massacre.pdf
First Khutbah
All praise are due to Allah, Subhanahu-wa-Ta’ala (SWT, may He be glorified and exalted) and I bear witness that there is no God worthy of Ibadah (worship) save Allah (SWT) and I bear witness that Muhammad is his servant and messenger, Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH). I advise you and myself to have Taqwaa, remember that death is due and certain on all living creatures.
Brother and Sisters in Islam, by now we all know what happened in the city of Christchurch in New Zealand around this time last Friday (Jumu’ah time), and since that time, the news in all parts of the media is almost continuous on the massacre that took the lives of the innocent worshippers at the two Mosques. The whole world has been talking about it, from all aspects and by people from all walks of life, and you have been following all that, therefore, I am not going to repeat any of that. But rather, today, I would like to touch on aspects concerning our dead brothers and sisters from an Islamic view point and how Allah (SWT), who knows best, has taken them from one of His houses on earth, straight to Al-Bait-ul-Ma’mur in heaven Inshallah, while they were engaged in ruku, sujood, dhikr and other Ta’at and Ibadah. Three things I would like to remind us of in today’s Khutbah:
- The place
- The day
- The time the death took place
The Place. One of the Houses of Allah (SWT) on earth, which are, without any doubt, the best places in the whole world. It is at the Masjid (Mosque) where Allah (SWT) being worshipped alone. Hence Allah (SWT) loves the Masajid more than any other place. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The dearest parts on the face of the earth (most beloved places) to Allah (SWT) are the mosques; and the most hated places are the marketplaces.” (Muslim 671, Riyad-us-Saliheen 1841)
Commentary: The superiority of the mosques is self-evident. People pray and worship Allah (SWT) in the mosques and recitation of the Qur’an goes on there. (Riyad-us-Saliheen 1841)
The Day of the Week. The day on which brothers and sisters of Christchurch died is the best of all the days of the week, it was Friday. In the Hadith, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday” (Muslim 854b, Riyad-us-Saliheen 1147). Friday has excellent position in Islam and in the hearts of all Muslims. It is the day of congregation when Muslims all over the world assemble in the houses of Allah (SWT), Al-Masajid. Purely for Ibadah, to worship Allah in a safe, peaceful environment which unfortunately was not so last Friday for our brothers and sisters at the two mosques in Christchurch.
The Time. What a great time it was, time of Jumu’ah prayers when Muslims are engaged in rukuu (bowing), sujood (prostrating) themselves before Allah( SWT), reciting Quran, remembrance of Allah and sending Salat and Salam to their beloved Prophet (PBUH). Some in the nearest position to their Lord. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “A slave (servant) is closest and becomes nearest to his Lord when he is in prostration that is sujood. So, increase supplications (make more duaa) in this position” (Muslim 482, Riyad-us-Saliheen 1428)
Brothers and sisters in Islam, Allah (SWT) took them to Himself at one of the best times possible, they had just purified themselves at home, wore their beautiful clothes, men added perfume as if they were ready to face their Lord and move Inshaallah to the first stage, first stop over, the smaller paradise in the true life after death known as Al-Barzakh.
Brothers and sisters in Islam, before I move on to the second Khutbah, I sincerely would like to thank the Prime Minister of New Zealand who has shown true leadership to all people in her peaceful country, New Zealand. Under stress, during big calamities, true and real leaders come to the surface.
I was listening to the Imam of Christchurch, New Zealand this morning when he delivered his first Khutbah after the massacre. It was delivered in a park just opposite Masjid An-Noor and the great lady was there also attending. She has spent so much time with the Muslims to comfort them. We all know until this time New Zealand was the one of the most calm and peaceful countries. Hopefully, Inshallah (God willing), that will return. New Zealanders all of them have shown compassion and sympathy to our brothers and sisters who passed away. The park was packed. Of course, we know there are a couple of hundred Muslims there but there were thousands of non-Muslims who even turned up from other states and towns to stand side by side with our Muslim brothers and sisters who are still suffering from this calamity.
We pray to Allah (SWT) to give this great lady His light of Guidance that she deserves to bring her closer to Him (SWT) – Ameen.
I would also like to thank all Australians, our neighbours, our friends, our colleagues and others who have come to any of our masajid (mosques) or musallahs (prayer places) not only in Canberra but throughout Australia to show their compassion and sympathy and express their anger at what happened in New Zealand.
We also have some guests today, who have come personally to attend our Friday prayers and to express their support and sympathy. Please treat them with full respect and have a chat with them.
Second Khutbah
Brothers and sisters in Islam, death for every person has already been decreed, all will taste death. Allah (SWT) says in Quran whose meaning is:
“Every soul shall have a taste of death; in the end to Us shall ye be brought back.” [Qur’an, Al-Ankabut 29:57]
And when that time comes either to individuals or groups, it will be an exact time. Allah (SWT) says whose meaning is:
“and every Ummah (people) has its appointed time, when their time comes (when their term is reached) not an hour (not a moment) can they delay, nor an hour (nor a moment) can they advance it” [Qur’an, Al-A’raf 7:34]
No one can hide from death, when death comes the angel of death will find them at the exact time and place appointed. Allah (SWT) here says whose meaning :
“Wheresoever you may be death will find you out (overtake you) even if you are in towers (fortresses) built-up strong and high” [Qur’an, An-Nisa’ 4:78]
Brother and sisters in Islam, now the best we can offer our dead brothers and sisters is sincere duaa, asking Allah (SWT) to forgive them, shower them with his mercy and enter them into Al-Firdous – Ameen.
[Followed by some of the Dua’ for the Janazah (dead)]