Back to Cleanse Your Soul

First Khutbah:

All perfect praise is due to Allaah; I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger; may Allaah exalt his mention, as well as his family and all his companions.

Many texts in the Qur’aan and the Sunnah indicate the virtue of praising Allaah and that it is what the dwellers of Paradise will say upon entering Paradise.

The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to praise Allaah during all times. Furthermore, supplications-which included the praise of Allaah-before and after many actions have been reported on his behalf, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to praise Allaah after eating, drinking, wearing a new garment and returning from a journey. He also would praise Allaah during pilgrimage and upon receiving good news or sad news. Thus we Muslims must praise Allaah during all situations in order to attain the great reward of praising Him.

The virtue of praising Allaah as mentioned in the Qur’aan: Dear brothers! There are many acts of worship which people fail to perform despite the great reward they yield and despite them being very easy to perform. Allaah rewards for some simple acts abundantly, because He is The Most Generous and The Beneficent, and regardless how much Allaah gives, what He possesses will never decrease.

We must perform as many deeds as possible in order to be rescued on the Day of Judgment and reach our destination safely. One of the greatest deeds to perform is mentioning Allaah, and it has many types, the best of which is that done with the tongue and is connected to the heart. This is when a person mentions Allaah and ponders upon what he is saying, and praising Allaah is one such form of mention. Allaah is to be praised in all situations as He is the only One worthy of praise. Allaah praised Himself in many places in the Qur’aan and He commanded us to praise Him. The dwellers of Paradise will praise Allaah as Allaah informs us saying:

وآخرُ دَعوَاهُم أَنِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

which means: “And the last of their call will be, `Praise to Allaah, Lord of the worlds!`” [Yoonus: 10].

And also:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُ

which means: “Praise to Allaah, Who has fulfilled for us His promise” [Az-Zumar: 74].

And also:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَذْهَبَ عَنَّا الْحَزَنَ

which means: “Praise to Allaah, Who has removed from us [all] sorrow” [Faatir: 34].

Praising Allaah is a great act of worship that reflects the slave’s contentment and submission to the Decrees of Allaah.

O Muslims! Praising Allaah is a phrase which will fill the slave’s scale on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The best type of supplication is (saying): ` Al-Hamdulillaah` (All Perfect praise be to Allaah)”.

‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, said: “The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, recited frequently in bowing and prostration: “Subhaanaka Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allaahumaghfir lee. (Far removed You are from every imperfection, our Lord, and all praise is for You, forgive me, O Allaah)”. He elucidated that it has been commanded in the Noble Qur’aan to recite (what means): “So glorify the Praises of your Lord, and ask for His forgiveness. Verily, He is the One Who accepts the repentance and Who forgives”. (An-Nasr: 3) And he (i.e. the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) acted upon it.” [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim] Allaah commanded us not to forget this mention, namely praising Him.

The greatest chapter in the entire Qur’aan is Al-Faatihah, and it starts with the praise of Allaah. The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said to Abu Sa`eed bin Al-Mu`allaa, may Allaah be pleased with him: “Shall I teach you the greatest Chapter in the Qur’aan before you leave the mosque? … It is `Alhamdulillaahi Rabbil-`Aalameen (i.e., Chapter Al-Faatihah)” [Al-Bukhaari].

The virtue of praising Allaah as mentioned in the Sunnah: Many texts mentioned this issue to highlight its importance. The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “Protect yourselves from Hellfire, say: `Subhaanallaah, Al-Hamdulillaah, Laa Ilaaha Ilallaah, Allaahu Akbar (Allaah is free from imperfection; praise be to Allaah; None is worthy of being worshipped except Allaah; and Allaah is The Greatest)` These (words) will come on the Day of Judgment preceding the person (who uttered them in life) and will be behind him, and to his sides” Meaning they will surround him from all directions as a way of honoring the person who used to utter them in the worldly life.

Ibn Mas`ood, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “I met Ibraaheem, may Allaah exalt his mention, on the Night of Ascension (Al-Israa’), and he said to me: `O Muhammad, convey my greetings to your nation, and tell them that Paradise has a vast plain of pure soil and sweet water. It is a plain leveled land. The plants grow there by uttering: Subhaanallaah, Al-hamdulillaah, Laa ilaaha illallaah and Allaahu Akbar (Allaah is free from imperfection; praise be to Allaah; there is no true god except Allaah; and Allaah is Greatest).” [At-Tirmithi].

The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, once said to the companions, may Allaah be pleased with them: “Allaah chose four phrases for you to utter: `Subhaanallaah, Al-Hamdulillaah, Laa Ilaaha Ilallaah, Allaahu Akbar (Allaah is free from imperfection; praise be to Allaah; None is worthy of being worshipped except Allaah; and Allaah is Greatest)` Whoever says; Subhaanallaah (Allaah is free from imperfection) will receive twenty rewards and twenty sins will be expiated from his record. Whoever says; Allaahu Akbar (Allaah is The Greatest) will receive twenty rewards and twenty sins will be expiated from his record. Whoever says; Laa Ilaaha Ilallaah (None is worthy of being worshipped except Allaah) will receive twenty rewards and twenty sins will be expiated from his record.  Whoever says; Al-Hamdulillaah (praise be to Allaah) will receive thirty rewards and thirty sins will be expiated from his record.” [Ahmad].

Beloved Muslims! We must utilize our time in the mention of Allaah as much as we can, because it is the easiest thing to do while its outcome is great, it is the plants of Paradise. It is a very easy profit and an effortless gain ... but where are those who strive to get it?

Whenever a new bounty is bestowed upon the slave from Allaah, he should utter the praise of Allaah. The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “Allaah never bestows a bounty upon a slave and he praises Allaah, but the utterance of praise was better for the slave than the bounty itself.”

Allaah says:

وَإِنْ تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ لا تُحْصُوهَا

which means: “And if you should count the favor [i.e. blessings] of Allaah, you could not enumerate them” [Ibraaheem: 34].

Praising Allaah leads to His pleasures, as in the narration of Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, who reported that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “Allaah will be pleased with His slave who praises Him (i.e., says Al-hamdulillaah) when he eats and praises Him when he drinks” [Muslim].

A true believer praises Allaah in all situations even as his soul is departing, as the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said to Umm Ayman, may Allaah be pleased with her. Why would a believer praise Allaah upon his death? This is because he is being freed from the prison of this worldly life and heading towards the hoped eternal joyful life in Paradise. One’s death is a decree of Allaah, so a true believer praises Allaah for any Decree that befalls him. Additionally, a true believer praises Allaah for having enabled him to utilize this life in His pleasure.

There are many times during which the praise of Allaah is recommended, and the following are some examples:

Upon waking up, whilst rising from bowing during prayer and upon sneezing: One is amazed when he ponders on the cases were the praise is recommended. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, taught us that when a person wakes up, he is encouraged to utter: “Al-Hamdulillaahi Al-Lathee ‘Aafaanee Fee JasadeeWaradda ‘Aalayya Roohee (All praise is for Allaah who restored to me my health and returned my soul)” The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, also taught us that when an Imaam rises from the position of bowing, he should say: “Sami` Allaahu liman hamidah (Allaah listened to him who praised Him)” and that people should say: “Rabbanaa walakal-hamdu (Our Lord, for You is all praise)” When the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, heard a man saying upon rising from bowing in prayer: “Rabbanaa Walakal-hamdu Hamdan Katheeran Tayyiban Mubarakan Feeh (Our Lord, for You is all praise, an abundant beautiful blessed praise)” He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The angels were amazed upon hearing this phrase”. Furthermore, when one sneezes, he should praise Allaah saying: “Al-Hamdulillaah. (All praise is for Allaah)”

In the opening of lectures and Khutbahs and after concluding prayers: Whenever the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used address the people with any issue, he would open his speech with the praise of Allaah and His glorification. Likewise, after concluding his prayers, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would praise Allaah thirty three times.

When wearing a new garment: Whenever the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used wear a new garment, he would say: “Allaahumma Lakal-hamdu Anta Kasawtaneeh, As’aluka Min Khayrihi Wakhayri Maa Suni’a lah, Wa A’oothu Bika Min Sharrihi Wa Sharri Maa Suni’a Lah (O Allaah, for You is all praise, You have clothed me with it (i.e. the garment), I ask You for the good of it and the good for which it was made, and I seek refuge with You from the evil of it and the evil for which it was made.)” This is said because each garment could be worn for something good or something evil. For example, one could wear it to show off, and a woman could wear a garment to expose her beauty, both of which cases are evil. On the other hand, one could wear it to adorn himself before going to the mosque as a Muslim is commanded to do, in such case one’s garment is a source of goodness for him.

After eating or drinking: The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used different wordings and phrases to praise Allaah after eating or drinking, as in the following narrations: Mu`aath bin Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “He who has taken food and says at the end: `Alhamdu Lillaahi Al-lathi At`amani Haathaa, Wa Razaqaneehi Min Ghayri Hawlin Minni Wa Laa Quwwatin (All praise is due to Allaah Who has given me food to eat and provided it without any endeavor on my part or any power),’ all his past sins will be forgiven” [At-Tirmithi]. Abu Umaamah, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported: “Whenever the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, finished a meal, he would say: “Al-Hamdulillaah Hamdan Katheeran Taiyyiban Mubaarakan Feehi, Ghayra Makffiyyin Wa laa Muwadda`in, Wa laa Mustaghnan `Anhu, Rabbuna. (All praise is due to Allaah, praise which is abundant, pure, and full of blessings, which is indispensable and to which one cannot be indifferent).” [Al-Bukhaari].

Upon going to bed: Whenever the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, would go to bed, he used to remember the bounties of Allaah upon him (which is something that most people are heedless of nowadays) and then praise Allaah. Anas, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported: “Whenever the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, went to his bed, he would say: “Al-Hamdulillaah Al-lathi At`amanaa Wa Saqaanaa, Wa Kafaanaa Wa Aawaanaa, Fakam Mimman Laa Kaafiya Lahu Wa Laa Mu’wiya (Praise is due to Allaah Who has fed us, provided us drink, satisfied us and gave us protection. Many are those who have no one to provide for them, or give them shelter).” [Muslim].

Upon returning from Hajj or ‘Umrah: During his journeys he, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, never forgot to praise Allaah. Ibn `Umar, may Allaah be pleased with them, reported: “During the return journey of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, from Hajj or `Umrah whenever he ascended a height or hill, he would recite thrice: “Allaahu Akbar (Allaah is The Greatest).’’ Then he would say: “Laa Ilaaha Illallaahu Wahdahu Laa Shareeka Lahu, Lahul-Mulku, Wa Lahul-Hamdu, Wa Huwa `Alaa Kulli Shay’in Qadeer. Aayiboona Taa’iboona `Aabidoona Li Rabbinaa Haamidoon. Sadaq-Allaahu Wa`dahu, Wa Nasara `Abdahu, Wa Hazamal-Ahzaaba Wahdahu (None has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, Who has no partner, to Whom the sovereignty belongs, to Whom all praise is due, and Who is Able to do all things. We are those who return (in safety), feel penitence, worship Allaah, prostrate before our Lord and praise Him. Allaah has fulfilled His Promise, helped His slave (i.e., Muhammad, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) and He Alone vanquished the Clans).’’ [Al-Bukhaari & Muslim].

During the Talbiyah for Hajj: It is the Sunnah that one utters Talbiyah whilst in the state of Ihraam for Hajj saying: “Labbaykallaahumma Labbayk, Labbayka Laa Shareeka Laka Labbayk, Innal-Hamda Wanni’mata Laka Wal-Mulk, Laa Shareeka Lak. (Here I am O Allaah, (in response to Your call), here I am. Here I am, You have no partner, here I am.  Verily all praise, grace and sovereignty belong to You. You have no partner.)”

During the imploration for rain: One of the great prayers to perform is when imploring for rain. ‘Aai’shah, may Allaah be pleased with her, reported: “The people complained to the Apostle of Allaah sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, of the lack of rain, so he gave an order for a pulpit. It was then set up for him in the place of prayer. He fixed a day for the people on which they should come out. When the rim of the sun appeared, the Apostle of Allaah sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, sat down on the pulpit, and having pronounced the greatness of Allaah and expressed His praise, he said: “You have complained of drought in your homes, and of the delay in receiving rain at the beginning of its season. Allaah has ordered you to supplicate Him and promised that He will answer your prayer.” Then he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Universe, the Compassionate, the Merciful, the Master of the Day of Judgment. There is no god but Allaah Who does what He wishes. O Allaah, You are Allaah, there is no deity but You, the Rich, while we are the poor. Send down the rain upon us and make what You send down a strength and satisfaction for a time” He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then raised his hands, and kept raising them till the whiteness under his armpits was visible. He then turned his back to the people and inverted or turned round his cloak while keeping his hands aloft. He then faced the people, descended and prayed two Rak’ahs. Allaah then produced a cloud, and the storm of thunder and lightning came on. Then the rain fell by Allaah’s permission, and before he reached his mosque streams were flowing. When he saw the speed with which the people were seeking shelter, he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, laughed till his back teeth were visible. Then he said: “I testify that Allaah is Omnipotent and that I am Allaah’s servant and apostle.” [Abu Daawood].

Second Khutbah:

All perfect praise is due to Allaah; I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger; may Allaah exalt his mention, as well as his family and all his companions.

Encouraging the Praise of Allaah and thanking Him during all times: O Muslims! Do not be heedless of the praise of Allaah and mention Him frequently, and remember that one should praise Allaah and thank Him during all situations. Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “A man (from amongst the people before you) said: `Indeed! I will give in charity.’ So he took his charity out and placed it in a thief’s hand. In the morning the people were talking (about this incident) and saying: `Charity was given to a thief last night.’ The man said: `O Allaah! Praise be to You. I have given Charity to a thief. Indeed, I will give in charity!` So he took his Charity out and he placed it in a prostitute’s hand. In the morning the people were talking (about this incident) and saying: `Charity was given to a prostitute last night.’ On hearing this, the man said: `Praise be to You, O Allaah! I gave Charity to a prostitute. Indeed, I will give in charity!` So he took his Charity out and placed it in a rich man’s hand. In the morning the people were talking (about this incident) and saying: `Charity was given to a rich man last night.’ The man said: `O Allaah! Praise be to You (for helping me) give charity to a thief, a prostitute and a rich man.` Then he had a dream in which he was told that his Charity to the thief might result in his refraining from his theft, his Charity to the prostitute might help her abstain from her immorality, and his Charity to the rich man might help him pay heed and spend from what Allaah had bestowed upon him” [Al-Bukhaari].

When this man from the children of Israel accepted the decree of Allaah and was content with it and praised Allaah in all situations and thanked Him, Allaah rewarded him abundantly for these three charities he spent out. This is because we should deal with people according to what appears from their conditions and leave their intentions to Allaah for judgment.

Furthermore, Allaah rewards the one who is content with great rewards. Abu Moosaa Al-Ash`ari, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “When a man’s child dies, Allaah, the Exalted, asks His angels: `Have you taken out the life of the child of My slave?` and they reply in the affirmative. He (Exalted be He) then asks: `Have you taken the fruit of his heart?` and they reply in the affirmative. Thereupon He asks: `What did my slave say?` They say: `He praised You and said: Innaa Lillaahi Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raaji’oon (We belong to Allaah and to Him we shall return).` Allaah says: `Build a house for my slave in Paradise and name it Baytul-Hamd (the House of Praise).`” [At-Tirmithi].

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