Honesty in a Dishonest World
| Khatib : | Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: | 76 |
| Khutbah Date: | 10/03/03 |
In an increasingly selfish and materialistic world, the distinct line between right and wrong, good and bad, justice and injustice becomes ever more blurred. The need to be honest and upright grows ever more critical as it becomes increasingly difficult. From politics to sports, from academia to religion, we witness an ever-decreasing sense of moral rectitude. As human beings, we know that the world around us has an obvious effect on us; but as people of Faith, we have the moral obligation to be responsible for how we respond to what happens around us.
Fard 'Ayn / Personal Responsibility
Individual responsibility implies acknowledgement of personal accountability => the root of being responsible is moral awareness of our personal accountability => personal accountability arises from a sense of self-respect => self-respect includes a sense of one's own values and a conviction to live by one's principles.
Being Honest to the Self and True to one's Values
Though most of us believe that we are principled, many do not live principled lives. We tend to misconstrue holding certain values in our heart and mind as implying that we are principled, though we unfortunately do not translate these to action in our day-to-day lives. Agreeing on issues (equality, justice for all, caring for others...) is not the same as living by the principles associated with them.
Honesty and Sincerity
Honesty in heart and mind are essential elements in developing a good personality and living a rightful life. Sincerity
is about being truthful at every level; to one's self, one's Creator and to the rest of the world.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said in this regard: