Each Person, Individually Accountable

Khatib : Sadullah Khan
Khutbah No: 142
Khutbah Date: 03/25/05

مَّنِ اهْتَدَى فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدي لِنَفْسِهِ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا وَلاَ تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىWhosoever chooses to be guided, chooses so to his own benefit;Whosoever chooses to go astray, choose so to his own detriment;And each one bears the responsibility of his own choice. [Qur’an 17:15]
Millions of Christians commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus/'Isa (pbuh) this weekend. Though Muslims accept ‘Isa/Jesus (pbuh) as a great prophet, revere his exemplary mother Mary, and believe that Jesus is the Messiah, we do not accept the major concepts that are central to the commemoration of the Easter weekend Among these concepts are …Life is an Amaanah, a Trust and a Test of DeedsAllah لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا has granted us death and life in order to test us through our deeds [Q 67:2]
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوفْ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الأَمَوَالِ وَالأنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ
and remember that the test of life may incorporate fear, hunger, loss of property, loss of life and loss in the fruits of labor; all of which can be borne by
الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ
by those who patiently persevere; acknowledging that we are from Allah and unto Him is our return.[Q 2:155]Accountability for our Lives If we do good, it is to our own benefit; if we do wrong, it is to our own detriment [Q 17:7]
إِنْ أَحْسَنتُمْ أَحْسَنتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ وَإِنْ أَسَأْتُمْ فَلَهَا
and we will be rewarded according to our deeds [Q 99: 7-8]
فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ وَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ
and انما الأعمال بالنيات deeds are of course dependent upon intentions. Our accountability extends to all dimensions of our lives. Of all the things in life it is the sincere good deeds that are most beneficial and in fact the most valuable [Q 18:46] The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Three things follow the deceased to his grave; أهله ahlihi/his family, ماله maalihi/his wealth and عمله ‘amalihi/his deeds; his family and wealth return, only his deeds remain with him.”Let us pray –
اللهم اجعل الحياة زيادة لنا في كل خير؛و اجعل الموت راحة لنا من كل شر “O Allah! Make every dimension of life a means for increased goodness, and make death a prevention from all wrongdoings.” [Prayer of Prophet Muhammad]

 

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